I asked Nicola Willis if she's encouraging agencies to speed up asset recycling – selling unwanted schools and clinics to free up capital. “Yes, in short, because I want to see us building the new schools and classrooms that are needed to deliver for today’s students.” newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/f...
And after all the huffing and puffing, mayor Craig Jepson’s heir apparent Jonathan Larsen is declared elected by 21 vote margin over Snow Tane. Will council still go through with Jepson’s complaint about ‘voting irregularities’?https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/kaiparas-mayor-his-heir-and-the-spare/
Tick, tick, tick. 6pm and still no final results for Kaipara District Council, which had been promised by late afternoon. A cynic might think council leadership was delaying the declaration of results it doesn’t like. @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/k...
‘He’s clinging on to his last day in power,' says Peter Linnell, a Kaipara resident who provoked the outgoing mayor's outburst. 'I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.’ My editorial is out from the @newsroom.co.nz paywall. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/k...
With grim admissions about the dire state of Health NZ and Ministry of Education asset management, Nicola Willis tells me she's encouraging them to speed up the divestment of unwanted schools and clinics, to free up capital for new ones. Article at @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/f...
I'll be on RNZ Nights this evening talking with host @emiledonovan.bsky.social about the origins of the mince and cheese pie, a definitive Kiwi kai. Turns out those midnight munchies forays to the Riccarton Shell station, as a uni student, were my real education! newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
Iwi leader Snow Tane could roll Kaipara's conservative heir apparent Jonathan Larsen on special votes, I understand. Outgoing mayor Craig Jepson has called an emergency meeting claiming the Māori party ‘co-opted’ polling booths. Exclusive report is at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/k...
Friends and friendly foes recall Jim Bolger as a leader who confounded expectations. He was warm and open-minded. He listened to experts, he asked questions, he challenged received wisdom. There will be many words said in his memory; here are mine at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/e...
Going against the tide, the final local election votes look to have broken left at the expense of conservative Northland leaders. Whangārei's Vince Cocurullo claims he's suffered a hate campaign because he opposed fluoride in the water supply. Story at @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/l...
Exclusive @newsroom.co.nz Local Elections Survey reveals who NZ elected, city by city, district by district – and what the 422 respondents stand for. Click on your council and councillors to find out how they'll vote on the big issues. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/n...
It’s one of my first questions, on visiting Goodtime Pie Co factory in Napier. How do you eat a pie on the move, and stop the gravy spilling out the sides? These guys have thought a lot about pies – so director Eric Hill's answer is rather distressing. @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
“To be completely frank, it’s been a really shitty time with rates increases and the cost pressures on local government, and I’m not surprised by some of the results.” – second-placed Hamilton mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson on NZ's swing to the right. @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
"I first came to the island in 1977 and was a great place to be … I think we’ve actually been sliding down the slope since then, to be honest. I’d like to think we could trim some spending back." – Greg Horler leads Chatham Islands mayoral vote count at @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
‘When you start talking to people, they’re not very knowledgeable about local affairs... Most people couldn’t care less and don’t know much about how councils operate but they grizzle like hell about having to pay high rates.’ –newly elected Act councillor John Hyndman newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
At @newsroom.co.nz, I've projected that in 66 mayoral races, 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Of 18 councils that imposed double-digit rates rises, 13 have elected new mayors and maybe a 14th, Whakatāne, to come. All the details... newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Happy and surprised to agree with ZB's Mike Hosking today, when he quotes from @newsroom.co.nz's "very good" critique of the Adrian Orr restraint of trade saga. "Read the whole article and make up your own mind," Hosking says. Sterling advice. So here's my article: newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/o...
Two words: Mātauranga Māori. I visited the Bioeconomy Science Institute on Saturday to interview minister Shane Reti and was lucky enough to meet Christelle, Richard and Isabel – scientists who've made an amazing breakthrough alongside iwi partners. @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/c...
In my @newsroom.co.nz Pro editorial today, I report that Minister Judith Collins has relaxed constraints on using consultants, after departments massively over-delivered on promised spending cuts… and the Govt work-rate slowed at the same time. Out from the paywall now newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/p...
When he was PM, John Key famously said he wouldn’t bother finding out about his local election candidates before voting. He’s not alone. Hamilton frontrunners Sarah Thomson and Tim Macindoe say sadly, it comes down to the pic and 150-word blurb in the voting booklet. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/01/m...
Wellington’s had 3 single-term mayors in a row – voters threw out Justin Lester, threw out Andy Foster, and looked set to throw out Tory Whanau before she read the writing on the wall. So I ask newbie Andrew Little, why should his term be any different? @newsroom.co.nznewsroom.co.nz/2025/09/30/o...
This month, NZ could elect two Mayor Karen Morgans – one in Mackenzie, one in Hutt City. These aren’t the pejorative stereotype ‘Karens’; rather than complaining about the problems in their communities, they’re stepping up to make a change. My story at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/30/o...
In the latest from the @newsroom.co.nz Survey of Local Candidates, I report fears for the remote Chatham Islands council’s continued financial viability. It's trying to extend its $500k overdraft to stay afloat. The Auditor-General has tabled a warning to Parliament. newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/17/s...