Author: Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com

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…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Government has delivered a major overhaul of New Zealand’s leave entitlements system, with the Employment Leave Bill passing its third and final reading this week. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says the reform finally replaces the long‑criticised Holidays Act with a simpler, more transparent framework that benefits both workers and employers. For years, businesses have struggled with the complexity of the Holidays Act, facing costly compliance issues and uncertainty around how to correctly calculate leave. Employees, meanwhile, have often been left unsure whether their entitlements were being paid accurately. Van Velden says the new…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com New Zealand has issued its first new offshore petroleum exploration permit in six years — a milestone Resources Minister Shane Jones says proves the country is “open for business” again. The permit, granted to Australian explorer EnZed Energy, covers 546 square kilometres east of the Kupe gas field in the offshore Taranaki Basin. For Jones, this is more than a bureaucratic update. It is a symbolic reversal of the Labour Government’s 2018 ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration, a policy that froze the sector, drove investment offshore, and became one of the most controversial energy decisions…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com New Zealand’s largest provider of early‑childhood health support says mothers and newborns are missing out on essential care because Plunket services are now operating on “shoestring budgets” and “skeleton staffing,” leaving nurses stretched beyond safe limits. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says the situation has deteriorated to the point where Plunket nurses are routinely booking six to seven home visits a day, and up to ten appointments on clinic days — far beyond what is considered safe or sustainable for quality infant care. For more than a century, Plunket has been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s public…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Finance Minister defends targeted support as economists warn fuel-driven inflation won’t ease until global tensions cool. New Zealand’s inflation story took a sharp turn today as fresh data revealed the country is being hammered by the global oil shock, not a domestic price surge — a distinction Finance Minister Nicola Willis says proves the Government’s disciplined approach is working. But economists warn the pain at the pump is real, and households won’t feel relief until global tensions ease. Stats NZ’s latest Consumers Price Index shows annual inflation sitting at 4.1% to the end of June, with petrol and…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com In today’s world, the notion of living in the “last days” resonates deeply within Christian communities and beyond. With global unrest, natural disasters, and moral dilemmas emerging at an alarming rate, many believers are turning to Scripture for answers. The phrase “last days” refers to a significant period anticipated in Bible prophecy, which signifies the end of the current age and the ushering in of God’s ultimate plan for humanity. This period is characterized by statements from prophecies found in both the Old and New Testaments, often associated with tribulation, divine judgment, and the return of Jesus Christ,…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com NZ First has opened its 2026 election campaign with a bold pitch to reshape New Zealand’s energy future, unveiling a $1 billion plan to survey offshore oil and gas reserves and move the country toward owning its own supply. Leader Winston Peters announced the policy at the party’s campaign launch in Auckland, telling roughly 800 attendees that New Zealand must break free from global energy shocks and spiralling power prices. Peters said the proposed National Subsurface Development Survey would map the country’s offshore basins, geothermal sites and CO₂ storage potential, creating a single national dataset to guide future…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com New Zealand’s next generation of Cook Strait rail ferries will be operated by KiwiRail, the Government has confirmed, with the vessels to be named Kupe and Cook. Rail Minister Winston Peters says the decision provides a stable and affordable long‑term solution for the vital inter‑island link. “KiwiRail has run the Interislander since its inception in 1962, and in our book, experience counts,” Mr Peters says. “This decision keeps the rail freight network and ferry operation working as one system, supporting the critical domestic freight route between Auckland and Christchurch. “KiwiRail has demonstrated improved performance, with Interislander reliability now…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Homeowners frustrated by slow council consents and rising building costs may soon get some relief, with National announcing a major shake‑up of the building approval system. While the policy is aimed at commercial developments, the changes are expected to free up councils and make residential consents faster and more predictable — a welcome shift for families trying to build or renovate. National’s Building and Construction spokesperson Chris Penk says the current system is clogged with delays, duplicated checks, and inconsistent rules across councils. “Building has been slower and more expensive than it needs to be,” Penk says. The…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Federated Farmers is sounding the alarm over councils rushing to sign new iwi partnership agreements before the Resource Management Act is replaced. Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper says Environment Canterbury is the latest council attempting to finalise a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement before the new planning system comes into force. “Under the Government’s replacement legislation, as currently drafted, councils won’t be able to enter into new Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements. “But that draft legislation presently carries over any existing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements. “Predictably, that has triggered a rush from iwi organisations seeking…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Fonterra has trimmed its 2026/27 Farmgate Milk Price forecast, signalling early‑season caution as global dairy markets lose momentum. The Co‑operative now expects a midpoint of $9.25 per kgMS, down from the opening forecast of $9.75 announced in May. The new range sits at $8.00–$10.50 per kgMS, reflecting weaker Global Dairy Trade (GDT) results and rising international supply. Chief executive Richard Allen says prices across key GDT reference products have fallen 11% since late May, while milk production in major exporting regions is tracking ahead of last year. He expects New Zealand to begin the season strongly but notes…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Conservatives NZ law‑and‑justice spokesman Stephen Taylor has issued a detailed and sobering reminder that New Zealand’s justice system, while respected, is not infallible — and that public confidence depends on more than judicial independence. It also requires visible accountability when serious errors occur. Taylor’s statement highlights a truth New Zealanders know well: our history carries painful examples of justice gone wrong. Cases such as Arthur Allan Thomas, David Bain, Teina Pora, Alan Hall and Rex Haig show how deeply flawed rulings can devastate lives. Innocent people lost years — even decades — behind bars. Families were torn apart.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged business leaders to pursue an “ambitious business programme” following the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed in April after nine months of negotiation. Speaking at a business event in Auckland, Modi said the relationship between the two countries was “at a turning point” and that the FTA would open new opportunities in market access, investment, services, technology and talent mobility. Modi told attendees he was confident the two nations could double bilateral trade by 2030, describing India as the world’s fastest‑growing major economy and a launchpad for global growth. He highlighted…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews New Zealand is preparing to enter one of the most significant defence conversations in its modern Pacific history, with the Government confirming it will explore joining the newly announced Ocean of Peace Alliance between Fiji and Australia. The move comes in a week where Pacific security has again been thrust into the spotlight — including renewed concern after China’s recent South Pacific missile test, a demonstration that unsettled defence officials across the region and sharpened calls for stronger collective security. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand “welcomes” the Fiji–Australia alliance and sees value in elevating long‑standing defence…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Polling near the bottom these days, the once‑prominent Conservative Party remains in the race, determined to offer an alternative voice in this year’s election. Rebranded again as the Conservative Party of NZ after the fallout surrounding founding leader Colin Craig, the party has struggled to regain traction with voters. Yet despite its diminished profile, the party insists it is not out of the fight, releasing a fresh suite of policies aimed at voters seeking a different direction for New Zealand. Finance Policy Conservatives NZ says its priority is tackling what it describes as the “massive debt” imposed on…