Policy priorities, a council in ‘shambles’, and a historic hīkoi: The year in NZ politics

The year in politics has been a bumpy road for many. The coalition Government dived in quickly to reverse previous Labour policy, and pushed numerous bills through Parliament to reach quarterly deadlines and targets – with a mixed response from voters around some policies. Labour meanwhile has sp…

The sporting highlights from the year: Which Kiwi athletes ended the year on top?

It’s been a huge year for sport here in New Zealand. In one weekend in October, Team New Zealand took to the water in Barcelona and took home the America’s Cup for the third time in a row, while the White Ferns won the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup final. There were major wins across the board for th…

From inflation to closures to job cuts: The challenges facing New Zealand’s economy

The economy has been in an uncertain place for quite some time, and 2024 was no different. Over the last year, we’ve seen some improvement. In October, the annual rate for inflation had fallen from 3.3 percent to 2.2 percent. The official cash rate ended the year on 4 point 25 percent. Elsewhere,…

Elections, conflicts, and crime - what happened around the world this year?

While 2024 has been a big year of news in New Zealand, there’s been plenty happening around the world over the last 12 months. From wars and conflicts to extreme-weather events -- new pandemic threats to cancer coming to Buckingham Palace -- we’ve seen it all over the last 12 months. Today on The…

Gangs, fraud and young offenders: Inside the biggest crime stories of 2024

Law and order is always a hot topic of debate amongst politicians. The coalition government was elected in part on the back of years of ram raids and violent robberies post-Covid. The last 12 months has seen delivery on promises to bring back boot camps for young offenders, a crackdown on gangs, …

2024 in review: From Luxon to Trump, economic upheavals to growing division

While 2024 may not have brought the shocks of cyclones, Prime Ministerial resignations or election campaigns, there’s a lot to digest from the last year.   The Government delivered tax relief, gang crackdowns and a Fast Track bill, while dealing with controversy over Māori relations, smoking laws …

'Bumbling Jihadi' Mark John Taylor charged under Terrorism Suppression Act

A terrorism charge has been laid against a New Zealander who allegedly travelled overseas to join Islamic State a decade ago.  Mark John Taylor, also known as Mohammed Daniel, was charged under the Terrorism Suppression Act this morning.   Charging documents filed in the Wellington District Court…

Christopher Luxon talks economy, Māori relations, Hipkins, and 'corporate speak'

Christopher Luxon believes his so-called ‘coalition of chaos’ has defied the critics. The Prime Minister is spending the remainder of 2024 lauding his government’s achievements – inflation is under 3%, a 30% increase of cops on the beat, 26 new cancer treatments, tax relief just to name a few. Bu…

Infrastructure woes: New concerns for City Rail Link as decision expected for Cook Strait ferries

Communities around the country are waiting with bated breath for news about major infrastructure projects – ones that are set to cost a lot of money. The government’s expected to announce the future of Interislander’s Cook Strait ferries this week – after the $3 billion mega ferry contract was can…

Decades of dictatorship in Syria end after rebels take the capital - but what comes next?

After decades years of tyrannical rule, and 13 years of civil war, the Assad regime in Syria has fallen. After rebels rapidly closed in on the capital of Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled the country and reportedly are now in Moscow. It has cleared the way for rebel group Ha…