jonathanmilne.bsky.social
@jonathanmilne.bsky.social
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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...
Finance minister urges education and health to 'recycle' redundant properties
With grim admissions about the dire state of Health NZ and Ministry of Education asset management, Nicola Willis is urging them to speed up the divestment of unwanted schools and clinics to free up ca...
newsroom.co.nz
Photo by the very good journo Daniel Perese from Te Ao Māori News.
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/
Kaipara's embarrassing mayor, his heir and the spare
Opinion: 'He's clinging on to his last day in power. I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.' – Peter Linnell, local resident
newsroom.co.nz
‘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...
Kaipara's embarrassing mayor, his heir and the spare
Opinion: 'He's clinging on to his last day in power. I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.' – Peter Linnell, local resident
newsroom.co.nz
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...
Kaipara mayor seeks judicial review into alleged voting irregularities
Iwi leader Snow Tane could roll heir apparent Jonathan Larsen on special votes; mayor calls emergency meeting claiming the Māori party 'co-opted' polling booths. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
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.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/l...
Latest mayor to be ousted claims he's a victim of 'hate speech'
Going against the tide, the final local election votes have broken left at the expense of conservative Northland leaders. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
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...
Newsroom Local Elections Survey 2025
Exclusive survey reveals who NZ elected, who our communities elected – and what they stand for. By Jonathan Milne and Marc Daalder
newsroom.co.nz
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.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
The mystery of NZ's world-famous mince and cheese pie
Who created our quintessential cuisine? Credit for first putting cheese in a pastry-topped beef pie is hotly contested – but one thing seems certain, it was a Kiwi. Jonathan Milne investigates.
newsroom.co.nz
“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.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
"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.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
‘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...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
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...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
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.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/c...
Cannabinoid breakthrough recognised as science minister bankrolls Māori traditional knowledge
Shane Reti funds science institute $42m to work with iwi to commercialise NZ's 80,000 indigenous species
newsroom.co.nz
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...
Mayoral frontrunners: ‘Local democracy hangs on a photo and 150-word blurb’
A poorly-taken picture or a grammatical error could be enough to rule someone out from the mayoralty, says Sarah Thomson, a leading contender in the Hamilton City Council election. Jonathan Milne repo...
newsroom.co.nz
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.nz newsroom.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...
Open mayoral races create uncertain 'power vacuums'
With 16 mayors handing back their chains, local government insiders warn council elections could be a lottery of unknown and inexperienced wannabes – but also strong new voices and fresh ideas. Jonath...
newsroom.co.nz
Reposted
Energy Minister Simon Watts' reforms could open the door to diluted Crown shares in Meridian, Mercury and Genesis. Jonathan Milne reports.
Govt could allow capital raises by gentailers to build new power plants
newsroom.co.nz
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...
'Significant doubt' Chathams council can continue as a going concern – auditor
Unable to afford to provide even basic services, there are fears for the remote island community's continued financial viability. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz