Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader takes talkback, discusses bipartisan policy, GP visits, Capital Gains Tax

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says smaller parties shouldn't be able to veto National and Labour working together, as he eyes greater bipartisanship.  This term, the two major parties have sided together on issues like the Indian free trade deal, a social media ban for under-16s, and modern slavery …

Kerre Woodham: This report is vindication for firefighters

Now for some time, I'd say this would be over a number of years, I've been receiving texts from firefighters who are extremely unhappy with the way their organisation is being run. It hasn't just been over this latest pay dispute and the strikes. This has been ongoing for a couple of years now.  T…

Kym Samuels: New World Morrinsville Owner-operator responds to National's plan to split Foodstuffs to drive competition

A Morrinsville grocer is disheartened by National's plan to split up Foodstuffs.  The party's campaigning on splitting Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square in a bid to increase competition.  It would give the Commerce Commission six months after the election to make the final decision.  New …

Kerre Woodham: I am perplexed by National's supermarket plan

Well, I don't know. I've listened to all the commentary; I've listened to Nicola Willis. I'm absolutely perplexed. Stumped. I thought after all this time and having taken a lifelong interest in politics that I understood a wee bit about it. Turns out I know absolutely nothing, because if I was a Na…

Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor at Large on GDP rising 0.2% in the second quarter

New Zealand's economy is continuing to grow but the pace has slowed to a crawl.  Latest Stats NZ data shows GDP rose 0.2% in the June quarter after rising 0.9% in the months to March.  The growth is driven by construction, public services, healthcare, and wholesale trade.  But the Herald's Liam …

David Seymour: ACT Leader pushes back against National's plan to split up Foodstuffs

ACT's Leader is furious at the idea of breaking-up Foodstuffs.   If re-elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, National would separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to compete with each other and Woolworths.   David Seymour told Kerre Woodham it'll make the problem worse, but h…

Matt Reid: Barnardos Aotearoa CEO on their call for a cross-party generational plan to support children

Political parties are being urged to back a plan focusing on a better future for all children.  Barnardos Aotearoa and its supporters is gathering at the steps of Parliament today asking for formal and long-term commitment to its Generational Plan.  It aims to begin work next year, putting childr…

Kerre Woodham: The report shows us just how badly the Phillips kids were failed

It's hard to know really where to start when it comes to listing the failings of all those who damn near destroyed the lives of the Phillips children. In the first instance, they were failed by their father and by their immediate family. Then, when those relationships broke down, they were failed b…

Murray Campbell: NZ Research Association's Polling Spokesperson on political polling

Would it be better to have one body responsible for running political polls?  Questions have been raised as to how trustworthy existing polls are, as recent results put both National and Labour below 30%.   NZ Research Association's Polling Spokesperson Murray Campbell told Kerre Woodham if there…

Kerre Woodham: Do the political polls matter to you?

Political polls with the headlines and column inches they command. A cynic would say it probably depends on whether you're going up or you're going down. There's a story in Newsroom today from Professor Ben Gray that looks at how the different companies poll the population to get their results. And…