Author: Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com

Colin Amble/cvnznews.com ACT has launched its rural election campaign promising less red tape, fewer regulations and more freedom for farmers, arguing that years of government intervention have made farming harder than it needs to be. But while many in the sector welcome moves to cut bureaucracy, questions remain over climate policy and New Zealand’s international commitments. The ACT Party has officially launched its rural election campaign with a bold promise to “make farming fun again”, unveiling a suite of policies aimed at reducing regulation and putting more decision-making back into the hands of farmers. ACT Agriculture spokesperson Andrew Hoggard, himself…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com After Brussels suggested Australia and New Zealand could one day follow Canada into a new category of EU “associate membership”, Australia has poured cold water on immediate speculation while New Zealand says no discussions have taken place. The proposal may signal a changing world order, but for now it remains more vision than policy. The prospect of New Zealand one day becoming an associate member of the European Union has captured attention following comments from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, but fresh reactions from Australia and New Zealand suggest the idea remains firmly in the realm of possibility…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The idea of New Zealand becoming an “associate member” of the European Union — once unthinkable — is suddenly being spoken aloud in Brussels. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told Euronews that countries such as Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada in seeking a new, halfway‑house relationship with the bloc, one that sits between full membership and traditional trade agreements. Read More: https://cvnznews.com/carney-hails-eu-canada-alliance-but-draws-lines-on-membership-and-sovereignty The proposal, still in its infancy, reflects a shifting geopolitical landscape. Metsola described associate membership as a mechanism for “like‑minded countries” to deepen cooperation at a time when global alliances are being tested. “In…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com National has announced a proposal to break up Foodstuffs — the cooperative behind New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square — in a bid to boost supermarket competition and deliver cheaper groceries for Kiwi households. The plan would rely on an independent Commerce Commission assessment and would only proceed if regulators conclude it would leave consumers better off. The proposal comes as supermarket competition remains a long‑running concern. Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island and Woolworths currently control around 82 per cent of the grocery market, leaving shoppers with limited choice and little pricing pressure. National’s Finance and Economic…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Most New Zealanders will not have followed the long-running dispute between conservative commentator Rachel Houghton and the publishers of a 2023 book on political extremism. For many, the issue barely registered. But this week, the matter quietly reached its conclusion — and the outcome carries a message that goes beyond one person or one publication. HarperCollins Publishers has publicly apologised to Houghton after she objected to being included in a book of social and political commentary written by author Byron Clark. The book, released in February 2023, analysed a range of political movements and parties, including the Conservative…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A public inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children has delivered a damning assessment of government agency failures, concluding that better cooperation between Police, Oranga Tamariki, and the Ministry of Education could have prevented Tom Phillips from taking his three children into the bush a second time. The report, presented to the Governor-General in July, found that agencies repeatedly minimised risks, missed credible sightings, and failed to recognise the harm caused by the children being isolated for nearly four years while living off-grid with their fugitive father. Phillips first disappeared with the children in September 2021, leaving…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Green Party says it’s time to secure the future of te reo Māori “ake, ake, ake” — forever — with a major funding commitment aimed at strengthening the language in homes, schools, and communities across Aotearoa. Co‑leader Marama Davidson announced the plan during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, calling the language a taonga that deserves proper investment. Under the proposal, a Green‑led Government would put an extra $50 million a year into te reo Māori initiatives. That adds up to $200 million over four years, with the money split between two key areas: Davidson says the…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Government Moves to Strip Red Tape From Alcohol Licensing: Regulation Minister David Seymour says New Zealand needs to “let Kiwi businesses get on with business”, announcing a sweeping overhaul of the country’s alcohol licensing system — a regime he argues has become so burdensome that it is actively killing hospitality ventures. The changes follow the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review, which dug deep into the industry’s frustrations. The review received 247 written submissions and met with dozens of licensing committees, councils, hospitality operators and community groups. One theme dominated: the alcohol licensing system is slow, inconsistent, and…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Retail NZ is urging the next government to take bold, decisive steps to restore confidence in the retail sector and help drive New Zealand’s economic recovery. The organisation — representing more than 29,000 retail businesses nationwide — has released its 2026 Election Manifesto outlining seven key priorities it says are essential for the industry to survive and thrive in the years ahead. Chief Executive Carolyn Young says retailers are facing a wide range of pressures, from rising operating costs to declining foot traffic in town centres. While not every challenge can be addressed in a single document, she…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour’s election meeting in Wellington took an unexpected turn last night when volunteers were forced to form a protective barrier around health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall after a group of anti‑vaccination protesters attempted to disrupt the event. The incident, first reported by The Post, unfolded as Verrall was speaking to attendees and quickly escalated into shouting, accusations, and attempts to interrupt the meeting. Chris Hipkins addressed the situation this morning, saying he had spoken with Verrall and was encouraged by the strong support she received from the audience inside the venue. He noted that those present made it clear…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour has been rocked by a brutal new TPU‑Curia poll placing the party at 25.9 percent, its worst showing in this series since mid‑2024 and well below its 2023 election result. The number was so stark it immediately triggered murmurs—inside and outside the party—about Labour’s entire campaign strategy and whether Chris Hipkins’ leadership style is cutting through just eight weeks from polling day. Both major parties fell, with National sliding to 29 percent, but Labour’s collapse dominated the political conversation. The result has flipped the pressure dynamic: after months of scrutiny over Christopher Luxon’s leadership stumbles and caucus…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick says politicians won’t be deciding the price of eggs — or anything else — if the party’s proposed government‑owned supermarket chain goes ahead. The policy, unveiled over the weekend, would see the creation of KiwiMart, a state-backed competitor to break the long‑criticised Foodstuffs–Woolworths duopoly. Under the plan, the government would buy 120 existing stores and two distribution centres for $2.8 billion, instantly creating a third player with around 15 percent market share. Swarbrick told RNZ Morning Report that successive governments had failed to attract an international competitor, leaving New Zealanders stuck with escalating grocery…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The National‑led Government is preparing to widen access to low‑deposit home loans, announcing a major lift to income caps for its First Home Loan scheme — a move it says will help more young New Zealanders break into an increasingly difficult housing market. Housing spokesperson Chris Bishop says first‑home buyers have surged under the current Government, making up 29 per cent of all purchases in July, the highest monthly share in more than two decades. But despite that momentum, the biggest barrier remains unchanged: scraping together a 20 per cent deposit while paying rent, childcare, and rising living…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Government backs new gas projects as ministers say energy security must come before politics New Zealand’s push for a more reliable energy supply has taken a step forward, with the Government approving funding for two new gas projects in Taranaki — a move ministers say is about keeping the lights on while the country transitions to renewable energy. The projects, run by Todd Energy, will receive up to $23.5 million in time‑limited loans from the Government’s $200 million Gas Security Fund. Todd Energy will co‑invest, sharing the risk of drilling and development. Resources Minister Shane Jones says the…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Paul Henry’s campaign trail took a delightfully odd turn this week when the high‑profile broadcaster‑turned‑Act list candidate wandered into a country pub near Dannevirke and immediately apologised for ordering a house red. Henry arrived at the Black Dog Tavern in Makotuku at midday, greeted by around 60 locals who looked ready for a yarn, a beer, and possibly a bit of political theatre. The pub’s owner, Brendon Wilson, had invited him personally — Wilson being no stranger to controversy after hosting a book‑burning event earlier this year. Henry made it clear he preferred democracy to bonfires, but he…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith has criticised next week’s planned strike by public servants, describing it as part of a “broader political campaign” to change the government. About 10,000 members of the Public Service Association (PSA) are expected to walk off the job on Wednesday, 9 September, following months of stalled pay negotiations. The strike will affect major agencies including the Ministry of Social Development, Internal Affairs, Business, Innovation and Employment, Ethnic Communities, and the National Emergency Management Agency. Speaking at Parliament on Tuesday, Goldsmith said the action appeared politically charged. “They’ve got little pamphlets out there saying ‘change the government’,”…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A port worker has died after a tragic incident at Wellington’s waterfront on Tuesday morning, prompting shock across the maritime sector and a multi‑agency investigation. Emergency services were called to CentrePort shortly after the incident occurred during routine operations involving an employee of logistics company C3. Despite immediate efforts from colleagues and first responders, the worker was fatally injured and died at the scene. CentrePort chief executive Anthony Delaney confirmed the death and said the port community was reeling. “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the worker’s family, loved ones, and colleagues,” Delaney said.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour has unveiled a major election pledge to guarantee every New Zealand‑trained graduate nurse a job in the public health system — a move the country’s largest nursing union says could help stop graduates leaving the profession and the country. Labour leader Chris Hipkins announced the policy on Saturday, saying the health workforce is in crisis and accusing the Government of failing to hire enough nurses to meet demand. “Just 54 nurses have been hired in the last two years while patients and staff are paying the price every day,” Hipkins said. “Graduate nurses are being trained here,…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on NewstalkZB this morning there are “no red flags” over New Zealand’s fuel supplies — but confirmed motorists will still face higher fuel taxes, despite National’s promise of no new taxes in the next term. The government has announced it will delay scheduled fuel excise increases by one year, shifting the cost burden but not removing it. Labour, meanwhile, has pledged not to raise fuel tax at all for three years. Under the original plan, fuel excise was set to jump 12 cents on 1 January 2027, followed by further increases of 6…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Transpower has posted one of its strongest financial results in years, reporting a 64% jump in annual profit as New Zealand’s electricity system enters a period of rapid expansion and record demand. The state‑owned grid operator recorded a net profit of $176 million for the year to June, up from $107m the previous year. Operating earnings climbed to $704m, with revenue rising 17% — largely driven by a higher weighted average cost of capital approved under the Commerce Commission’s latest regulatory period, RCP4. The profit lift comes as Transpower accelerates investment across the national grid. The company said…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is rolling out a manifesto urging all political parties to take meaningful steps to tackle child poverty in New Zealand. “We love all kiwi kids. We know what we need to do. Let’s get on with it,” says CPAG executive officer Lyn Amos. New Zealand has 169,300 children living in material hardship and more than 350,000 in financially insecure households – and the country is now officially off track to meet the child poverty targets it set itself in law. CPAG unveiled its Manifesto to Reduce Child Poverty, urging every political party…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Te Pāti Māori has released a sweeping new tax package it says will put more pūtea — money — back into the pockets of almost every New Zealander, with 97% of people set to pay less income tax under the proposal. The party’s “Kiwi Tax Plan” centres on a major shift: the first $30,000 of income would become tax‑free, dramatically reducing tax bills for workers, families and pensioners. Te Pāti Māori says around 4.2 million people would receive, on average, an extra $4,000 a year. “This is a policy for everyone,” the party says. “Whether you’re a cleaner,…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Zero Waste Aotearoa says the Government has “dropped the ball” on waste reform, after confirming long‑promised updates to the Waste Minimisation Act and Litter Act will not be introduced this parliamentary term — despite years of consultation, drafting, and sector engagement. The organisation says stakeholders have now been told that no further work is progressing, leaving New Zealand’s waste legislation frozen in place. The stalled reforms were intended to modernise the country’s waste laws, giving households and businesses clearer pathways to reduce waste, cut emissions, and shift away from what advocates describe as a “throwaway economy.” Sue Coutts,…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour has cleared the way for the Government’s proposed social media crackdown to progress, announcing it will support the Bill through its first reading — but only if it goes to a select committee before the election. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said the party is backing the Bill at this early stage because parents need stronger protections against online harm, but stressed the legislation is far from finished. “We want to help parents keep kids safe from online harm. We take this very seriously and need to make sure legislation is fit for purpose, and the select committee…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Government’s plan to ban under‑16s from social media has triggered an immediate and public split within the coalition, with both NZ First and ACT announcing they will formally “agree to disagree” and vote against the proposal. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford unveiled the Online Safety Bill on Monday, describing it as a necessary response to escalating harm caused by social media platforms. The Bill would require high‑risk platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook to verify users are over 16, assess child‑safety risks, and face penalties of up to 10 percent of…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour Promises Surplus by 2029/30, Plans to Restore Reserve Bank Dual Mandate signaling has released its fiscal strategy for Election 2026, promising a return to surplus in the 2029/30 financial year and signaling a shift back toward employment‑focused monetary policy by restoring the Reserve Bank’s dual mandate. The strategy outlines Labour’s plan to balance the books using the original OBEGAL measure — the operating balance before gains and losses, including ACC deficits. Under that measure, this year’s Budget already forecasts a surplus in 2029/30. The current Government instead uses OBEGALx, which excludes ACC and predicts a surplus a…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris has confirmed he will stand again in the Māori electorate — this time as an independent candidate — marking a significant shift in one of the country’s largest and most diverse Māori seats. Ferris, who was removed from Te Pāti Māori in 2025 alongside Mariameno Kapa‑Kingi after internal conflict and a public breakdown in relations with party leadership, announced his return to the campaign trail in a video released on Sunday. He said the past 10 months outside party politics had “tested us”, but also revealed the strength of those who continued…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com National has dumped two taxes it had been actively considering, with party leader Christopher Luxon ruling out both an accommodation levy and a bank tax as part of what he calls a new “no new taxes” election pledge. National has slammed the brakes on any new tax proposals, formally abandoning both an accommodation levy and a bank tax as it sharpens its election message around cost‑of‑living pressure and fiscal restraint. The shift comes just two weeks after leader Christopher Luxon publicly floated both ideas — signalling they were under active consideration — before now ruling them out entirely.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The fallout from the Chatham Islands Council’s $100,000 payout to disgraced former chief executive Paul Eagle has triggered fresh calls for the Government to shut down public‑sector “golden handshakes” once and for all — a practice critics say rewards failure and erodes public trust. The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says the latest payout, revealed by the NZ Herald, is exactly the kind of behaviour Minister van Velden’s reforms were supposed to stop. Instead, an opt‑out clause in the legislation has left what the Union describes as “a back door wide open”. “How on Earth can someone whose conduct…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com. The Victorian Parliament has tabled its final report into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and coercive high‑control groups, delivering 39 recommendations aimed at protecting vulnerable people. The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has welcomed the courage of victim‑survivors who gave evidence and supports stronger safeguards against coercive and controlling conduct. But the organisation says the report falls short of protecting mainstream religious freedom. ACL’s key concern centres on the proposed creation of a new offence targeting “coercive high‑control groups.” The report refers the matter to the Victorian Law Reform Commission, with potential criminalisation by 2029. However, ACL…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A former council manager and two associates have been charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over an alleged long‑running deception that secured more than $12 million in council contracts for an engineering firm they were secretly involved in running. The three defendants, who currently have interim name suppression, appeared in the Porirua District Court where they entered not guilty pleas and elected trial by jury. Each faces two charges of obtaining by deception. According to the SFO, the first defendant was employed at both Auckland Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council, working on infrastructure projects. At the…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com New Zealand’s economic engine is finally humming again, and the latest tourism numbers prove it. June’s international visitor arrivals have surged to 95% of pre‑pandemic levels, a clear sign that the country’s recovery isn’t just underway — it’s accelerating. Statistics New Zealand figures show 201,900 overseas visitors arrived in June 2026, an 8.1% jump compared with last year. In a global climate where air travel demand actually dipped — IATA reports a 1.7% decline worldwide — New Zealand is defying gravity. That’s not luck. That’s momentum. READ MORE: Parties Clash Over South Island Growth as Tourism and Exports…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com  Richie Mo’unga has been recalled to the New Zealand All Blacks after a three-year after absence as an injury replacement on the so-called “Greatest Rivalry” rugby tour of South Africa. The 32-year-old flyhalf last played international rugby at the 2023 World Cup. He spent three seasons at Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus before returning to New Zealand this year and playing for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship. Mo’unga wasn’t eligible to be chosen by the All Blacks until he had played in the NPC. He left Christchurch Thursday to join the All Blacks on the tour which involved…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A political shift that’s been building for years finally broke into the open this week: New Zealand’s appetite for massive four‑lane highways and billion‑dollar tunnels has evaporated. And for Save the Basin, that means one thing — Wellington’s proposed state highway expansion and its two mega‑tunnels should be cancelled immediately. The catalyst was the Big Infrastructure Debate, hosted by Engineering New Zealand and Stuff, where Transport Minister Chris Bishop openly acknowledged that political parties have spent years announcing “fantasy projects.” For Save the Basin, this was the first honest admission that the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) era…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Christopher Luxon didn’t leave the caucus room at midday — he owned it. The place had that classic post‑meeting buzz: too much fluorescent light, too much caffeine, and too many people pretending they weren’t watching every micro‑expression. Three hours of internal stock‑take had just wrapped, but Luxon walked out like the only person in the building who already knew exactly how the day would end. The cameras were lined up, hungry. The country was tuned in, waiting for signs of wobble or weakness. They didn’t get any. Luxon didn’t look like a man emerging from political turbulence. He…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com By the time New Zealand finishes its morning coffee, the National Party may have decided whether Christopher Luxon remains Prime Minister — or whether the country is about to witness one of the most dramatic leadership shocks in modern political history. Luxon has summoned his MPs to Wellington for an urgent, in‑person caucus meeting, following days of leaks, coalition friction, and renewed speculation about a leadership challenge. His refusal to speak to reporters at Wellington Airport — offering only “talk to you tomorrow… take care team” — has only intensified the sense that something significant is about to…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Christopher Luxon walked through Wellington Airport today and refused to answer a single question — not one — ahead of an urgent National Party caucus meeting called for Wednesday morning. When asked, he simply said: “Talk to you tomorrow… take care team.” Tomorrow might be doing a lot of heavy lifting. Luxon’s leadership is under fresh scrutiny after weeks of missteps, coalition clashes, and his surprise call for an MMP referendum — a move that blindsided his own caucus. Rumblings of a leadership challenge resurfaced in the New Zealand Herald, and by Tuesday afternoon Luxon had summoned MPs…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Rotorua has put its homelessness crisis squarely on the table — and the numbers now publicly laid out are as stark as the faces behind them. New data presented to Rotorua Lakes Council shows a city where housing insecurity has become entrenched, long‑term, and generational, prompting councillors to endorse a new strategy aimed at not just managing homelessness, but preventing it. The strategy, He Urunga Rau Koromiko 2026, arrives with a blunt reality check: 808 households are currently waiting for public housing in Rotorua, and almost half of them fall into the Ministry of Social Development’s highest‑needs category.…

Mike Bain and Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com “One of the biggest blessings in my motherhood journey has been our Plunket nurse.” — Jan, Plunket Mum For more than a century, Plunket has been the quiet backbone of early‑childhood health in New Zealand. It’s the organisation that shows up when the midwife leaves, when the questions start, when the doubts creep in, and when new parents realise that raising a baby is equal parts joy, fear, exhaustion, and hope. But today, Plunket nurses are warning that their services are running on fumes — and that mums and babies are already paying the price.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Drag queens suing Brian Tamaki and Destiny Church for defamation claim the church is withholding key private messages and denying them a fair hearing. The NZ Herald today reported in an open Justice article, performers Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett, along with their company Haus of Flash Ltd, have filed a $2 million claim alleging breach of contract, conspiracy to injure, unlawful means conspiracy and defamation over Destiny’s campaign against their “Rainbow Library” events. They say Destiny’s actions led to shows being cancelled and that comments describing their events as “grooming” and “targeting our innocent kids with their…