What the latest ruling means for Kim Dotcom’s long legal saga

Kim Dotcom has spent more than a decade at the centre of one of New Zealand’s most high-profile legal and political sagas.  From the dramatic FBI-backed raid on his Coatesville mansion in 2012, to the long-running fight over extradition to the United States... The former Megaupload mogul is never …

How a strong El Niño could reshape New Zealand’s spring and summer

El Niño is back and scientists say it could become one of the strongest we’ve ever had to deal with. That means the weather patterns shaping our spring and summer may be about to shift in a big way. But El Niño can also be one of those phrases we hear a lot without always fully understanding what…

Can Michelin stars save New Zealand’s struggling restaurant industry?

New Zealand’s hospitality scene feels like it’s at a crossroads.  On one hand, cafés, bars and restaurants are battling a brutal mix of rising costs, mounting debts and changing consumer habits.   Venues are closing, owners are exhausted, and many are wondering how much longer they can hang on.  …

Are petrol companies passing on lower costs fast enough?

Fuel prices are one of those costs that almost everyone notices immediately. When they rise, households feel it, businesses feel it, and suddenly a number on the forecourt becomes a national talking point. The average price of petrol has dipped under $3 for the first time in more than three month…

Luxon raises coalition doubts as Labour and Act unveil election priorities

Benefits, boosting apprenticeships, and the coalition headache already looming over Election 2026. Both Labour and Act kickstarted their campaigns at the weekend. David Seymour wants a much tougher welfare system. Chris Hipkins wants to bolster a Covid-era trade scheme. Meanwhile, National’s que…

Are New Zealand Police facing another crisis of confidence?

The New Zealand Police has been rocked by an investigation into the country’s top cop.  An inquiry’s underway into complaints against Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.  He is strongly denying the claims. But, it comes at a time when trust and confidence in police is on shaky ground already. …

Could a new kingmaker be emerging as coalition support slips?

Could now be the time to see a new party in Government? Better yet, is it time to see a new Kingmaker? The Opportunity Party is nearing the 5% threshold to get into Parliament for the first time in its 10-year history. At the centre of that pitch is a bold Tax Reset policy: a universal Citizens I…

Immigration IT scandal: What happens when Ministers stop trusting their officials?

Misleading information, unanswered questions, and more than $30 million down the drain and nothing to show for it. You may have heard about immigration officials being in hot water lately over scrapping an IT upgrade and apparently obscuring information relating to the project’s cost blowouts. Ev…

Should tourists help pay for New Zealand’s infrastructure?

Tourism is booming again, but who should pay for the pressure that comes with it?  A powerful alliance of mayors and tourism leaders is pushing for a nationwide accommodation levy, or bed tax.  They argue tourists should help fund the roads, rubbish collection, public facilities and major events …

KiwiSaver vs Wealth tax - the new political divide

One major theme has emerged for this year’s election... money. Two parties at the weekend launched ideas to get the country’s finances in order and future-proof our economy for generations to come.  National held its annual party conference in high spirits, despite a polling support slide since t…