Author: Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com National Party leader Christopher Luxon is calling on rural New Zealanders to give National their party vote at the next election, arguing a second term would allow the government to build on what it describes as significant gains for the farming sector. Speaking to farmers, Luxon said National entered office in 2023 promising to reduce regulation and support agriculture as a driver of economic growth, and he believes the government has delivered on that commitment. Among the achievements highlighted by Luxon were replacing the Resource Management Act, removing agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme, scrapping the so-called “Ute…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Questions have been raised over a social media post shared by The Opportunities Party (TOP) featuring leader Qiulae Wong crossing the finish line at Auckland’s Runaway Marathon event while encouraging support for the party ahead of Election Day. The post showed Wong at the finish of the event’s 11km Traverse race. However, online commentators subsequently questioned whether Wong was officially entered in the event after reviewing the published results. Independent commentator Penny Marie NZ was among those drawing attention to an apparent discrepancy between photographs shared online and the event’s official results listings. CVNZ News has reviewed the…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com National’s Chris Bishop has received an unexpected electoral boost after New Zealand First leader Winston Peters publicly urged Hutt South voters to back the senior National minister in the electorate race. Speaking at a packed public meeting in Lower Hutt, Peters told supporters their electorate vote should go to Bishop, describing him as “a cut above” the average MP and warning Parliament would lose an experienced politician if he failed to retain the seat. The endorsement is significant because Bishop’s political future may depend on holding Hutt South. Current polling suggests National’s party vote could leave even high-ranking…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A growing trend overseas is finding its way onto New Zealand phones and social media feeds. In short video clips and viral posts, some online influencers are making a bold claim: Jesus never condemned homosexuality, but Paul did. Therefore, they argue, Christians should follow Jesus and ignore Paul. The argument sounds simple. Its implications are anything but. At its heart, this isn’t really a debate about sexuality. It is a debate about biblical authority. If Christians can dismiss the teachings of one apostle whenever they clash with modern values, what prevents the same approach being applied to any…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Thousands of international students are making health insurance claims for mental health conditions, prompting renewed calls for greater wellbeing support across New Zealand’s education sector. Figures shared with John Gerritsen, RNZ Education Correspondent show one of the country’s four largest international student health insurers received 6,500 mental health-related claims in 2025, accounting for 9 percent of all claims. The claims were largely linked to anxiety and depression. Chris Beard, executive officer of ISANA, the association for professionals supporting international students, said the figures should be viewed as a warning sign. “It’s becoming clearer that international students experience elevated…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour leader Chris Hipkins appears to have been blindsided after former Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni confirmed she will continue her bid for the Tāmaki Makaurau seat, despite stepping down as an official Labour Party candidate last week. Hipkins had announced Leoni’s resignation after controversy erupted over her appearance at a Mongrel Mob-linked event during the election campaign. While Labour distanced itself from her actions, New Zealand’s electoral rules meant it was already too late to remove her name from the ballot paper. As a result, voters will still see Leoni listed as Labour’s candidate when they cast their…

Colin Ambler /cvnznews.com Labour leader Chris Hipkins has admitted he was not initially given the full picture surrounding a gang-linked event attended by former Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni, saying he would likely have acted sooner had more information been available. Leoni resigned from Labour’s campaign on Friday after video emerged showing her campaigning at an event linked to the Mongrel Mob. The resignation capped a difficult week for Labour, with questions mounting over candidates’ contacts with gang members and the party’s approach to vetting candidates. Speaking to reporters following Leoni’s resignation, Hipkins said the information he previously received did not…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour is facing renewed political pressure over its relationship with gangs after questions emerged about comments made by one of its candidates and the party’s approach to law and order. The issue follows earlier controversy surrounding engagement between politicians and Mongrel Mob members, including visits and meetings involving figures from both the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori that attracted significant public debate during the election campaign. National Campaign Chair Simeon Brown has now turned his attention to Labour, arguing the party has not adequately distanced itself from gangs and raising questions about comments made by Labour’s Tāmaki…

Colin Ambler /cvnznews.com ACT has accused Chris Hipkins of misrepresenting the cost of charter schools, while Labour continues to argue the model should be abolished and its schools returned to the public education system. ACT Leader David Seymour has accused Labour leader Chris Hipkins of misleading voters over the cost of charter schools, escalating a long-running dispute over the future of the programme. The criticism follows comments by Hipkins that charter schools cost significantly more than state schools. Seymour says figures published by the Charter School Agency show the opposite, arguing charter schools receive funding broadly comparable to, and in…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour leader Chris Hipkins has called for a dedicated debate on the state of New Zealand’s healthcare system, challenging Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to front up to medical professionals and patients concerned about growing pressures in the sector. The challenge comes as healthcare continues to emerge as a major political battleground, with concerns over waiting lists, workforce shortages, access to medicines and the overall performance of the health system dominating public discussion. However, Hipkins’ call has drawn a sharp response from ACT leader David Seymour, who argued that Labour bears significant responsibility for many of the problems now…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The Conservative Party is warning New Zealanders not to be fooled by the Government’s decision to shelve controversial conservation and fisheries reforms, claiming both will be pushed through quickly if the current coalition is returned to power after the election. Conservative Party leader Helen Houghton says recent announcements from ministers should not be viewed as policy retreats but as strategic delays designed to avoid electoral backlash. “The Government has signalled its intentions in both cases,” Houghton said. “Don’t be fooled by ministers putting them on the back burner. It’s simply an election ploy.” At the centre of the…

cvnznews.com | Analysis/Colin Ambler There are moments in politics when a policy proposal cuts through partisan debate and touches something much deeper. National’s election pledge to remove the right to remain silent in specific child murder cases is one of those moments. Under a re-elected National Government, adults present where a child aged 12 or under has been killed could face up to 10 years in prison if they refuse to disclose information to Police. The proposal is aimed at cases where investigators know people present hold critical information, but no one is talking. Justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says New…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Marama Davidson says the Greens would repeal the gang patch ban, remain open to funding gang-run programmes that deliver results, and continue engaging directly with gang members, as criticism mounts over images from a South Auckland hui attended by Mongrel Mob affiliates. The Green Party has doubled down on the controversy surrounding images showing Green and Te Pāti Māori politicians posing at a South Auckland whānau health hui attended by members of the Mongrel Mob. Green co-leader Marama Davidson has confirmed that a future Green-led government would repeal the gang patch ban, describing it as “unnecessary work that…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says criminal charges laid against him are an attack on free speech, while police allege comments he made earlier this year crossed the legal line into inciting racial hostility. Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki is set to appear in the Manukau District Court next week after being served a summons on three charges of allegedly inciting racial disharmony. The charges have sparked renewed debate over where the boundary lies between free speech and unlawful hostility toward ethnic groups. Police confirmed the charges are being brought under the Human Rights Act and required approval…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour leader distances himself from gang-pad controversy as election crime battle explodes Labour leader Chris Hipkins has publicly rebuked his potential coalition partners and ruled out giving the Greens or Te Pāti Māori control of key law-and-order portfolios after their representatives attended a hui with Mongrel Mob figures. The dramatic intervention came during the NZ Herald leaders’ debate, where Hipkins was pressed over photographs showing Green and Te Pāti Māori politicians at a Mongrel Mob-affiliated venue alongside lifetime gang figure Harry Tam. His response was blunt. “I don’t condone it. I think it was bad judgment,” Hipkins said.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Election Hui With Harry Tam Sparks Political Firestorm A political storm has erupted after Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara and Green Party candidates Hūhana Lyndon and Michel Mulipola attended an election hui at a Mongrel Mob-affiliated venue alongside longtime gang figure Harry Tam. What organisers described as a discussion about whānau health and wellbeing has quickly become one of the most explosive law-and-order flashpoints of the 2026 election campaign. National MP Simeon Brown led the criticism, calling the visit “unbelievable”. “This tells you everything you need to know about what a Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māori-TOP Government will do…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com National Tells Voters: Don’t Forget Who Started the Cost-of-Living Crisis As political parties ramp up their election messaging, National is asking voters to remember a simple question when they look at their household budget: who was in charge when inflation, mortgage rates and grocery bills surged? In a strongly worded attack on Labour, National Campaign Chair Simeon Brown argues that while many New Zealanders are still struggling with living costs, the worst of the economic pressures were inherited from the previous government. For voters, the “what’s in it for me?” message is straightforward. National wants credit for lower…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com ACT Targets Foreign Aid Spending in Push for Fiscal Discipline ACT New Zealand is turning its attention to overseas aid spending, arguing New Zealand taxpayers should not be funding projects abroad while the country grapples with debt and economic pressures at home. In a strongly worded statement, ACT list candidate Paul Henry said New Zealand needs to reassess how much money is being sent offshore through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) aid programmes. “New Zealand is in the sh*t, can we seriously afford to be sending millions of dollars overseas for tripe like ‘climate-smart’ passionfruit?” Henry…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Te Pāti Māori is hoping to make politics more personal with the launch of a new online tool that allows whānau to see how the party’s policies connect with the issues they care about most. The interactive platform, called “What Matters to You?”, asks users to select their top three concerns from a range of issues including affordability, housing, health, te reo Māori, the environment, justice and mana motuhake. The tool then generates a personalised summary outlining what Te Pāti Māori says it would do in those areas. The party says the initiative is designed to cut through…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com National has released its election-year fiscal plan, promising to return the Government’s books to surplus, reduce debt and rule out any new taxes, setting up a sharp clash with Labour over the direction of New Zealand’s economy. Finance Minister and National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis said the party’s plan prioritises fiscal discipline, forecasting a return to surplus in 2028/29 while gradually reducing net Crown debt in the years ahead. National says its approach is designed to strengthen the economy, lower pressure on interest rates and leave New Zealand better prepared for future economic shocks. “Getting debt down is…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com New Zealand First has unveiled a dramatically reshaped party list for the election, signalling a push to refresh its parliamentary team with a number of high-profile recruits. While the party’s top four remain unchanged, with Winston Peters, Shane Jones, Casey Costello and Mark Patterson retaining their positions, several sitting MPs have been pushed down the rankings to make way for new candidates. Among the biggest changes is MP Jamie Arbuckle, who has fallen from sixth place in 2023 to 13th on the new list. Fellow incumbents Jenny Marcroft, Andy Foster and David Wilson have also dropped several places.…

Colin Ambler/Mike Bain/cvnznews.com When the dust settled on the first televised leaders’ debate between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins, many viewers were left asking the obvious question: who won? The more important question may be whether New Zealand voters learned anything that will genuinely help them decide the country’s future. On points, political commentators appeared divided. Some suggested Chris Hipkins edged ahead through his relatability and aggressive challenges to the Government’s record, while others noted Christopher Luxon delivered a disciplined performance and largely avoided damaging mistakes. But from a voter’s perspective, the debate often felt like two competing sales pitches…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A foreign aid expert has warned that National’s proposal to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from New Zealand’s overseas aid budget could weaken the country’s international influence and leave it increasingly isolated from key global discussions. The National Party has pledged to redirect about $431 million in foreign aid spending toward funding more medicines through Pharmac if it forms the next government. Aid to Pacific nations would remain protected under the policy. National leader Christopher Luxon says the proposal reflects the belief that New Zealand should put its own people first, directing more taxpayer funding toward healthcare…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The election campaign has revealed growing agreement between National and ACT on increasing funding for medicines, with both parties pledging greater investment in Pharmac and arguing that spending priorities should focus more heavily on New Zealand patients. National’s health spokesperson, Simeon Brown, announced that a re-elected National Government would provide an additional $604 million boost to Pharmac’s medicines budget. The party says the funding would help secure more medicines, widen access to existing treatments, and expand cancer screening programmes nationwide. Brown said National had already delivered a record medicines funding increase and wanted to go further by backing…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com The ACT Party has unveiled a major KiwiSaver policy ahead of the 2026 election, promising to remove tax on KiwiSaver investment earnings in a move it says could significantly increase retirement savings for many New Zealanders. Announcing the policy at ACT’s campaign launch in Auckland, party leader David Seymour said earnings generated within KiwiSaver accounts should remain invested rather than being taxed each year. He argued that allowing investment returns to compound untaxed would help workers build larger retirement nest eggs over the course of their careers. Under the proposal, the Government would stop providing annual KiwiSaver contributions…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com As New Zealand heads deeper into the 2026 election campaign, concerns are growing that political tensions are spilling beyond debate and into intimidation, vandalism and criminal behaviour. National Party candidate and MP Carlos Cheung has condemned the deliberate burning of one of his election hoardings in Auckland’s Mount Roskill electorate, calling the act “dangerous, reckless and completely unacceptable”. Photographs posted on social media showed the sign engulfed in flames after it was allegedly set alight on Saturday night following earlier vandalism. While election signs being defaced is nothing new, the apparent escalation to arson has raised fresh questions…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Affordable and reliable electricity has emerged as a key election battleground, with the National Party unveiling a nine-point energy plan it says will lower power costs, boost competition and strengthen New Zealand’s energy security. National’s Energy spokesperson, Simeon Brown, announced the policy package, called Electrify NZ 2.0, as part of the party’s pitch to households and businesses struggling with rising power bills. According to National, the plan aims to address not only electricity generation but also the wider costs that make up power bills, including lines charges, regulatory barriers and market competition. “Secure, affordable power is key to…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A re-elected National Government would work with Australia to trial a seamless trans-Tasman travel system that could eventually allow eligible New Zealand and Australian travellers to move through airports without presenting a paper passport at departure gates. National to trial seamless trans-Tasman travel Tourism spokesperson Louise Upston said the proposal is the next step in modernising travel between two countries that already share one of the world’s closest economic and social relationships. The plan would rely on smartphones, digital identity credentials and biometric technology to streamline airport processing while maintaining border security safeguards. Under the proposal, Australian and…

Colin Ambler /cvnznews.com It’s only the first week of the election campaign, but the political artillery is already thundering across the battlefield. With parties barely out of the starting blocks, a fresh war of words has erupted between Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, proving that campaign season has arrived with all the subtlety of a tank charge. The latest clash centres on New Zealand’s membership of the Paris Climate Agreement, with the Greens accusing Peters of advocating withdrawal from the international climate pact while failing to seek official advice on the consequences. In…

Colin Ambler, Mike Bain/cvnznews.com Today marks one of the most significant moments of the election campaign, with the release of the Treasury’s Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) set to reveal the true state of New Zealand’s finances and potentially reshape campaign promises across the political spectrum. The independent report, prepared by the Treasury, provides the most authoritative snapshot of the Government’s books before voters head to the polls in November. It outlines the country’s economic outlook, fiscal position and the risks facing New Zealand in the years ahead. Political parties across Parliament have been eagerly awaiting the release, knowing…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Labour is promising to slash student debt by 10 percent and wipe out thousands of smaller loans entirely, pitching the policy as a way to keep young New Zealanders from heading overseas in search of a better future. Announcing the policy on Sunday, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said graduates who stay in New Zealand would be rewarded with lower student debt, helping them get ahead sooner and putting more money back into their pockets. “If you have a student loan and stay in New Zealand, under Labour you will owe less,” Hipkins said. Under the proposal, eligible graduates…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Luxon’s Election Pledge: No New Taxes, Stronger Families, Tougher on Crime National Leader Christopher Luxon has issued a personal pledge to New Zealanders ahead of the November 7 election, promising no new taxes, stronger support for families, tougher law and order measures, and a continued focus on economic growth. Framing the election as a choice between economic stability and higher taxation, Luxon said National had delivered on key promises made in 2023 and was now seeking a renewed mandate to continue its programme of reform. “National has kept the promises we made to New Zealanders in 2023, including…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com A small group of climate protesters hoping to confront Prime Minister Christopher Luxon were left disappointed after he entered a Dunedin event through a different entrance than the one they had targeted. Around a dozen members of Climate Liberation Aotearoa gathered outside the Dunedin Public Art Gallery on Friday as the Prime Minister attended the annual Class Act Awards, which recognise outstanding achievement among Otago secondary school students. The protesters positioned themselves at a rear entrance, hoping to speak directly with Luxon about the Government’s climate policies. However, Luxon arrived through the front entrance, avoiding the gathering altogether.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Veteran broadcaster turned ACT Party candidate Paul Henry says there is one portfolio he would gladly take if elected to government: Local Government. And he is not being subtle about why. “If there’s any group that could teach central government how to waste money, it’s local government,” Henry said, taking direct aim at councils he believes have lost sight of their core responsibilities and become addicted to spending. The high-profile candidate, who sits fourth on ACT’s party list and is virtually guaranteed a seat in Parliament, says his return to public life is driven by frustration over the…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com In case you missed it New Zealand’s new firearms laws came into force yesterday, marking the biggest reset of the firearms regulatory system in more than 40 years, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee. “Most provisions of the Arms Act 2026 and the new Arms Regulations 2026 take effect today, replacing the old legislation and regulations with a system designed to improve public safety, make compliance simpler, and rebuild trust with licenced firearm owners,” says Mrs McKee. “At the same time, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand begins operating as the country’s independent firearms regulator, separate from Police.…

Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com Te Pāti Māori has unveiled a new policy promising $200 million in funding over three years for Takatāpui initiatives, including the establishment of an independent commission governed by Takatāpui leaders and backed by guaranteed funding. The policy, launched this week, is centred on transferring decision-making power directly to Takatāpui communities rather than relying on government agencies or advisory bodies. Co-leader Rawiri Waititi said the proposal was founded on a straightforward principle: “Nothing about Takatāpui without Takatāpui.” “For too long, decisions have been made about Takatāpui without Takatāpui. Our policy changes who holds the power,” he said. Under the…

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…