Overseas votes flipped Tāmaki Makaurau in 2023 as enrolments now surge
Without the overseas ballots, Labour’s Peeni Henare would have led by 44 votes.
Centrist
Frontline health vacancies held back for savings as patients missed care
Essential positions were left vacant for weeks or months while Health NZ maintained tight recruitment controls.
Meta faces child addiction trial as Kiwi teens question social media ban
Experts have described the proceedings as social media’s “big tobacco moment”.
New Zealand changed law to allow shorter COVID booster intervals
The approved Pfizer data sheet still recommended six months.
Council review finds fatal failures but leaves Mauao co-governors for wider inquiry
“Reports identifying a risk to life were received, filed, discussed, forwarded, and then left.”
Bright cat collars cut the number of birds brought home by nearly two-thirds
With the brightly coloured cover fitted, the cats returned home with 2.7 times fewer birds.
McDonald’s loyalty app produced a 515-page dossier predicting a customer’s next order
Big Hamburger is watching.
Kiwi drone makers say New Zealand can supply its own defence technology
New Zealand firms are developing autonomous aircraft, boats, ground vehicles and underwater systems for defence and surveillance.
Former Labour minister says public service is bloated, slow and overpaid
“More political than any politician.”
Māhia satellite approvals face court challenge over military end-use checks
Providing intelligence at “warfighter speed”.
Dairy farmers face $10m environmental fines many may not know about
A serious discharge could now create a liability large enough to threaten the survival of a family farming company.
Greens take command-economy route to cheaper groceries
The bill would require regulators and judges to decide what profit margin is reasonable and therefore what prices supermarkets may legally charge.
Adding to the CO2 footprint: Taxpayers foot huge bill for climate officials' business-class flights
“The irony of six highly paid foreign affairs officials flying business class to this ‘green’ gathering won’t be lost on anyone.”
$106m spent and still no decision on Auckland harbour crossing
The latest study will not be completed until next year, pushing any decision beyond the election.