Latest Politics Headlines
‘Don’t Say Gay’ – US Bigotry Making Its Way Into New Zealand Schools
Thursday, 30 November 2023, 10:05 am | ALRANZ
ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa condemns the Luxon government’s plan to remove relationship and sexuality education (RSE) from school curricula. In striking out RSE, the government ignores decades of evidence-based research carried out in Aotearoa ... More >>
100 Day Plan A Good Start But Cuts To Corporate Welfare Missing
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 3:56 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union welcomes the Government’s 100 day plan as a good start but is calling them to add issuing stop work notices for all corporate welfare programmes to the list. For a start, this should include the EECA and Callaghan Innovation which ... More >>
Mayors Promise Fresh Ideas For Better Water.4
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 2:58 pm | Communities 4 Local Democracy
Mayors from across New Zealand are looking forward to working with the new government to deliver better and more sustainable water services for everyone. Members of Communities 4 Local Democracy He Hapori mō te Manapori (C4LD) is welcoming ... More >>
Exports And Jobs At Risk From Coalition Government Decision To Axe Therapeutic Products Act
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 2:51 pm | Natural Health Products
A Coalition Government commitment to repeal the recently passed Therapeutic Products Act 2023 is a huge blow to the industry and threatens growth in jobs and exports. "We are very disappointed at this agreement which flies in the face of the significant ... More >>
There Must Be Accountability For A Reserve Bank Failing To Do Its Job
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 1:53 pm | Taxpayers' Union
Responding to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s decision to freeze the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5%, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “Times are tough for Kiwi families, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. With ... More >>
Serious Allegations From Nicola Willis Require Government Inquiry
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 12:55 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Taxpayers will be alarmed that the Minister of Finance has said the new Government has discovered “nasty financial surprises” despite Ruth Richardson’s Fiscal Responsibility Act that was specifically designed to avoid the exact situation the ... More >>
Vape-Free Kids NZ Appalled With New Coalition Government’s U-Turn On Smoking
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 12:37 pm | Vape Free Kids
Vape-Free Kids NZ (VFK NZ) is deeply disappointed at the new coalition government’s smokefree policy changes, and what this means for the growing youth vaping crisis. VFK NZ spokesperson Tammy Downer says, “The government has chosen revenue over ... More >>
Christmas Coming Early For Landlords With An Extra $900 Million Present From NACT
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 10:52 am | Public Housing Futures
New CTU analysis of the National & ACT coalition agreement has shown the cost of returning interest deductibility to landlords is an extra $900 million on top of National’s original proposal. This is because it is going to be implemented ... More >>
National & ACT Agreement Places Nearly $1b In The Pockets Of Landlords
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 10:28 am | Craig Renney
New analysis has shown the cost of interest deductibility changes will put a further $1 billion in the pockets of landlords, said NZCTU Economist and Director of Policy Craig Renney. “We have looked at the details of the National Party & ACT ... More >>
Deep Sea Miners Take Greenpeace To Court For Ongoing Protest At Sea
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 10:23 am | Greenpeace
Would-be deep sea miners The Metals Company has launched legal proceedings against Greenpeace International for an ongoing peaceful protest at sea in the Pacific Ocean, in an attempt to silence environmental concerns about deep sea mining. NORI, a wholly-owned ... More >>
Early Christmas Gift For Landlords As Government Looks To Axe Workers
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 9:34 am | Public Service Association
Deeper and more savage cuts to public services could be on the table following revelations of the ballooning cost of tax cuts for landlords. "The Government has made a clear choice to fund the lifestyles of landlords at the expense of a strong public ... More >>
Liberalisation Of Genetic Engineering Threatens The Environment, Farmers And New Zealand
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 8:56 am | GE Free NZ
The coalition governments’ move to loosen biotechnology (GE) regulation is set to let down farmers and consumers and put New Zealand's export reputation at risk. New Zealand's strict genetic engineering laws, under the Hazardous Substances and ... More >>
Government By Cliché
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 4:14 pm | Keith Rankin
The new government is making a weak start to its tenure. On Morning Report (RNZ, 28 Nov 2023, Prime Minister Luxon to lead first cabinet meeting ), Mr Luxon repeated a comment such as he has made several times before: "The number one job is to ... More >>
Art Is Political – Free Expression Through Art Must Be Protected
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 2:58 pm | Free Speech Union
An art gallery housing an anti-Israel exhibition in Tauranga has been told to remove any public facing art from its front windows by a real estate agent. More >>
Rare Disorders NZ Wants New Minister For Pharmac To Act Swiftly To Remove Pharmac Chair
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 2:14 pm | Rare Disorders NZ
Rare Disorders NZ has today written to the new Minister for Pharmac, David Seymour, reiterating their call for the removal of Pharmac’s Chair, Steve Maharey. Rare Disorders NZ is appalled no action has been taken against the CEO of Pharmac, Sarah ... More >>
Age Concern New Zealand Welcomes The Hon Casey Costello, As The New Minister For Seniors
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 2:12 pm | Age Concern
Age Concern New Zealand extends a warm welcome to the newly appointed Minister for Seniors, the Hon Casey Costello. As an organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of older New Zealanders, Age Concern looks forward to collaborating ... More >>
Call For National-led Government To End Ableist Immigration Health Standards
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 1:47 pm | MAASHA
As the National-led Government takes office, Migrants Against the Acceptable Standard of Health Aotearoa (MAASHA) reiterates calls to treat all migrants with dignity and especially to end the discriminatory Acceptable Standard of Health requirements. ... More >>
Urgent Need For Certainty In The Water Sector
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 1:19 pm | Water New Zealand
Water New Zealand is urging the government to quickly address the uncertainty over the future of the three waters sector and support the urgent need for investment to address the infrastructure deficit. Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian ... More >>
NZ’s Civil Contractors Welcome Incoming Government
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 1:08 pm | Civil Contractors NZ
New Zealand’s civil contractors welcome the formation of New Zealand’s next government and congratulate the incoming Ministers across the three coalition partners. Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard said businesses responsible ... More >>
Statement Of Love And Solidarity
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:57 am | Auckland Action Against Poverty
This is a statement of love and solidarity with mana whenua here in Aotearoa and worldwide as we continue to call for, believe in and support Tino Rangatiratanga. We will continue to advocate for our people on the frontlines. We will continue to ... More >>
National Party U-Turn Will See Kiwi Families Punished By Stealth Tax Hikes
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:42 am | Taxpayers' Union
The National Party’s admittedly soft touch promise to index income tax brackets to inflation every three years has failed to make it into either of their coalition agreements. Indexation would ensure that working New Zealanders keep paying the same ... More >>
Animal Advocacy Alliance Calls On New Government To Stand Behind New Zealand’s ‘world-leading’ Animal Welfare Reputation
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:40 am | SAFE For Animals
In an historic move, fifteen of New Zealand’s leading animal advocacy groups have united to urgently call on the new Government to establish an independent Commissioner for Animals. The Alliance partner advocacy groups work across the spectrum of animal ... More >>
Second Arrest Of Protestor Shows Concerning Pattern Of Police Disregard For Free Speech
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:35 am | Free Speech Union
In addition to the arrest of a peaceful silent protestor on Saturday, Lucy Rogers, at a pro-Palestinian rally in Auckland, another protestor has contacted the Free Speech Union after being arrested for 'obstruction' after standing peacefully near ... More >>
Force Used Upon A Young Person At Taupō Not Justified
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:29 am | Independent Police Conduct Authority
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that an officer at Taupō (Officer A) used unjustified and unnecessary force during the arrest of a 17-year-old female (Ms Z). During the late afternoon on 5 November 2020, officers attended a vehicle ... More >>
Health Professionals Condemn Changes To Smoking And Vaping Laws
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 10:22 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
A group of clinical leaders is urging the Government to seriously re-consider changes to smoking and vaping legislation after hearing of its plans to axe laws put in place to protect the health of New Zealanders. Respiratory and cardiology clinicians from ... More >>
Coalition Agreement Sheds Light On Gender Ideology That Has Captured Policy And Law Making
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 9:30 am | Women's Rights Party
“Ring the bells, ring the bells that still can ring; forget your perfect offering; there is a crack in everything; that’s how the light gets in.” So sang Leonard Cohen in his 1992 “Anthem” which sums up Women’s Rights Party members’ reaction ... More >>
Fridays For Future Protest First Day Of Government
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 9:24 am | Fridays for Future
Local climate action group Fridays for Future held an extraordinary demonstration on Parliament grounds on Monday, 27 November. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2311/ff7d7131d95dbd37ee33.jpeg" width="720" height="327"> Fridays for Future Te Upoko ... More >>
The Metals Company Threatens Greenpeace With Injunction But Activists Continue Pacific Protest
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 9:20 am | Greenpeace New Zealand
Wannabe deep sea miner, The Metals Company (TMC) has attempted to silence Greenpeace International’s ongoing protest in the Clarion Clipperton Zone by threatening the organisation with an injunction on Saturday, November 25. Undeterred by the threats ... More >>
New Zealanders Call For More Climate Action As Urgency Grows, Survey Finds
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 9:04 am | Westpac
Around half of New Zealanders are more worried about climate change following this year’s severe weather events, and the majority are looking for affordable ways to take action in their own lives, according to new research from Westpac NZ. A survey ... More >>
"No New Ideas" - FIRST Union Verdict On Coalition Agreements
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 8:59 am | First Union
FIRST Union has today responded to the coalition agreements between the new Government of the National Party, ACT and New Zealand First; describing the proposed policy programmes as regressive and the next Government as potentially the most self-interested ... More >>
AMA Applauds Minister For Manufacturing Appointment
Monday, 27 November 2023, 3:52 pm | EMA
Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa (AMA) applauds the appointment of Andrew Bayly as Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, and Minister of Statistics. AMA Chief Executive, Catherine Lye, says it cements the ... More >>
Woman Arrested For Peaceful Counter-protest: New Zealand’s Police Must Protect Right To Peaceful Protest
Monday, 27 November 2023, 12:32 pm | Free Speech Union
At the pro-Palestinian protest on Auckland’s Queen Street on Saturday, a peaceful counter-protestor was arrested for silently holding a sign. New Zealand’s Police must not fall into the trap of using “breach of the peace” laws to silence ... More >>
Designing An Inclusive Citizenship Model Guided By Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Monday, 27 November 2023, 11:12 am | University of Waikato
Rapidly growing ethnic communities are projected to be about 30% of the population of Aotearoa New Zealand by 2043. So, how can we engage with these communities to be part of a new pluralistic citizenship model? A trans-disciplinary research project ... More >>
VOYCE Whakarongo-mai: New Government Must Uphold Parental Responsibility To Children In Care.
Monday, 27 November 2023, 10:26 am | VOYCE Whakarongo Mai
VOYCE - Whakarongo-Mai welcomes the new Government and looks forward to working with them to ensure that all tamariki and rangatahi live with love and mana. Tamariki in care are some of our most structurally marginalized children. VOYCE would like ... More >>
Plans To Reverse Ban On Live Export By Sea Labelled As "Disgraceful" By SAFE
Monday, 27 November 2023, 10:11 am | SAFE For Animals
Animal rights organisation SAFE is outraged that the incoming Government plans to bring back the cruel live export by sea trade. The coalition agreements between National, ACT and New Zealand First published on Friday commit to reversing the live export ... More >>
Women’s Rights Party Supports #NoExcuses Campaign To Combat Violence Against Womenwomen's rights
Monday, 27 November 2023, 10:08 am | Women's Rights Party
The Women’s Rights Party wholeheartedly supports the United Nations 16-day #NoExcuse media campaign, launched on November 25 to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The campaign launch coincided with White Ribbon Day in ... More >>
Gun Control NZ Expresses Grave Concerns About Coalition Government Commitments On Firearms
Monday, 27 November 2023, 9:42 am | Gun Control NZ
David Seymour’s admission on Sunday’s episode of Q&A that ACT wants to bring back semi-automatic guns demonstrates the party cannot be trusted with firearms policy, say Gun Control NZ co-founders Philippa Yasbek and Nik Green. The ACT Party ... More >>
Westpac NZ Steps Up Efforts To Stop Abusive Payments
Monday, 27 November 2023, 9:32 am | Westpac New Zealand
Westpac NZ has updated its banking terms and conditions to help protect customers from abusive language in payments. Today is International Economic Abuse Awareness Day, and Westpac NZ Manager of Customer Vulnerability and Financial Inclusion Louisa ... More >>
New Government Ignores Health Evidence And Moves To Repeal Smokefree Legislation
Monday, 27 November 2023, 9:29 am | Hapai Te Hauora
National Māori Public Health Organisation, Hāpai Te Hauora, calls on the new government to reconsider repealing critical, world-leading ,smokefree legislation. The proposed repeal by National, New Zealand First (NZ First), and ACT Government is an unconscionable ... More >>
Unprecedented Nitrate Contamination Map Of NZ Launched By Greenpeace With Challenge To New Agriculture Minister
Monday, 27 November 2023, 9:25 am | Greenpeace
Greenpeace has today launched a groundbreaking interactive map indicating nitrate contamination levels of drinking water across New Zealand, warning of health risks from the higher nitrate concentrations. The launch comes with a challenge to the ... More >>
NZCTU Presents Briefing For The Incoming Government
Monday, 27 November 2023, 9:20 am | NZCTU
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has today provided its briefing for the incoming government. NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff said since 2017, the country has made significant progress on a range of economic and social issues. ... More >>
Unions To Hold Government To Account Over Persistent Pay Gap
Sunday, 26 November 2023, 2:55 pm | NZCTU
November 26 marks the day women effectively begin working for free, say the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. NZCTU National Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges said that despite continued wage growth and low unemployment, the pay gap for women ... More >>
NANZ'S Dumping OF NZs World Leading Anti-smoking Legislation
Sunday, 26 November 2023, 2:42 pm | Progressive Party Aotearoa NZ
“Your actions reveal your ideology” The NANZ govt (National, Act, New Zealand First) has nailed its discredited neoliberal colours to its capitalist mast by dumping New Zealand’s world leading anti-smoking legislation. This legislation would have ... More >>
Press Release In Response To New Government Coalition Agreement
Sunday, 26 November 2023, 2:31 pm | Resist Gender Education
Resist Gender Education (RGE) welcomes the Coalition agreement to “Refocus the curriculum on academic achievement and not ideology, including the removal and replacement of the gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines.” “There ... More >>
Sporting Shooters Association Of New Zealand Is Optimistic For The Future Of Firearms Ownership With Coalition Formation
Sunday, 26 November 2023, 2:28 pm | Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand Inc
Friday November 24, 2023 at 630pm Today is the beginning of what will be a significant period for Law Abiding Firearms Owners as a whole. The Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand (SSANZ) wholeheartedly supports the selection of Nicole Mckee as the ... More >>
NZ First Coalition Gain a Threat to the Environment and Public Participation
Saturday, 25 November 2023, 2:12 pm | Coromandel Watchdog
The NZ First has already threatened the environment and communities with their “fast track” law change plan that will give Ministers unilateral powers to issue mining consents without public processes, says Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki spokesperson ... More >>
Hāpai Te Hauora Warns of Catastrophic Impact on Māori Communities Following Incoming Government's Recent Decisions
Saturday, 25 November 2023, 1:50 pm | Hapai Te Hauora
In response to the New Zealand Government's recent coalition announcement, Hāpai Te Hauora's CEO Jason Alexander, expresses profound concern regarding the potential detrimental effects on Māori communities. Hāpai as the leading Māori public health ... More >>
Open Letter To PM Elect Christopher Luxon
Friday, 24 November 2023, 3:58 pm | Amnesty International
Dear Prime Minister Elect, Christopher Luxon, We all deserve to live in a world free of violence, where we can put our children to bed at night knowing they’ll wake up safely the next day. But right now in Gaza, the lives of over two million ... More >>
NZJC Statement On Bomb And Death Threats In New Zealand
Friday, 24 November 2023, 3:44 pm | Jewish Council
The New Zealand Jewish Council, along with the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, is dismayed that Jewish Synagogues, Temples and centres in New Zealand have been the target of bomb and death threats. The organisations call on all parties to de-escalate ... More >>
Clubs New Zealand Welcomes New Coalition Government
Friday, 24 November 2023, 3:18 pm | Clubs New Zealand
Clubs New Zealand welcomes today’s announcement of the new coalition Government and looks forward to working with incoming ministers across a range of portfolios. “We look forward to pursuing productive working relationships with a number of ... More >>
Hobson's Pledge Are Delighted
Friday, 24 November 2023, 3:16 pm | Hobson's Pledge
“I’m sure I speak for all those who have supported Hobson’s Pledge since our formation in 2016 when I say how absolutely delighted we are that Casey Costello has not only been elected to Parliament but has stepped right into a ministerial ... More >>
ACEM Congratulates Christopher Luxon And NZ Coalition On The Formation Of New Government
Friday, 24 November 2023, 3:13 pm | Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM; the College) congratulates Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the New Zealand National, NZ First and ACT NZ Coalition on forming a new government, and looks forward to working together on measures ... More >>
Future Role For Gas Welcomed
Friday, 24 November 2023, 2:55 pm | GasNZ
GasNZ welcomed today’s announcement of Simeon Brown and Shane Jones’ ministerial positions in the energy portfolios in the new coalition government together with the confirmation that gas in its many forms has a critical role to play in New Zealand’s ... More >>
The New Zealand Outdoors & Freedom Party Congratulates The New Coalition Government
Friday, 24 November 2023, 2:52 pm | NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party
“We are pleased to see policies to address some of the many concerns we have raised over the last few years” says Co-leader Sue Grey. “We made a huge commitment to exposing law reforms by the Ardern government that undermined fundamental rights ... More >>
Climate Change And Environment Out Of Cabinet: A Big Risk
Friday, 24 November 2023, 2:47 pm | Forest And Bird
Forest & Bird today warned that placing the climate change and environment portfolios outside of cabinet is a big risk when New Zealand’s trade with Europe hinges on climate action, Fonterra’s biggest customer is demanding climate action, ... More >>
Free Speech Union Welcomes Government’s Early Steps To Defend Free Speech
Friday, 24 November 2023, 2:21 pm | Free Speech Union
Policy objectives announced today by the Incoming-Government will strengthen free speech in New Zealand. The Free Speech Union welcomes these early steps to once again protect free speech as the foundation of our human rights framework, says Jonathan ... More >>
NZNO Member Meetings Put Te Whatu Ora On Notice
Friday, 24 November 2023, 2:16 pm | NZNO
The collective agreement ratified in August by members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) who work for Te Whatu Ora will expire in less than a year and the union says these members have unfinished ... More >>
Coalition Agreement Threatens Services New Zealanders Rely On And Risks Racial Division
Friday, 24 November 2023, 2:07 pm | PSA
The incoming Government’s coalition agreements are a blueprint for slashing the public and community services New Zealanders rely on and risk setting back race relations. "The plans unveiled today represent an attack on public and community services, ... More >>
Union Says New Government Adopting Radical Aims Of ACT Will Not Serve Tamariki
Friday, 24 November 2023, 1:24 pm | New Zealand Educational Institute
Before National allows ACT to determine a radical direction of change in education, they should listen to teachers and parents about what is needed for tamariki, says New Zealand’s largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa. The union says that it ... More >>
Federated Farmers Say New Government Will Restore Farmer Confidence
Friday, 24 November 2023, 1:20 pm | Federated Farmers
The new Government have set out a clear and credible plan to get farming back on track and restore farmer confidence, says Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford. "The last six years have been incredibly challenging for farmers and rural communities ... More >>