Quick Hit: Family Farm Means the Invoice
Luxton could not define family farm on HDPA, then walked dairy accommodation into a proportionate CGT. National claims an $18.8b hole. Sold a farm exemption, taxed the cowshed.
Election 2026
One Point In Mt Albert
Spinoff-Curia has Helen White on 33 and Melissa Lee on 32 in Mt Albert. Eighteen votes decided it in 2023. ACT and NZ First should clear the field for Lee. Every National electorate win without a list seat is another box for Willis, Bishop and Goldsmith.
Strategic Voting in the 2026 Election
Individuals within National face a disincentive toward an overhang. For high-ranking list figures like Nicola Willis (ranked second) and Chris Bishop (ranked third), an overhang scenario would force them out of parliament entirely.
Could Opportunity Really Work With the Right?
This is a loooooong examination of policy and personnel.
Key and Luxon Don’t Get It?
Key and Luxon do get it and using words like ‘dumb’ and ‘insane’ bring to mind another word: panic.
Quick Hit: We Have Room
Day after PREFU, Hipkins tells Hosking there is room for pay equity in Labour's fiscal plan but will not put a line item on it. The costing is a vibe. The spend is a promise.
He Puapua Never Left
Hipkins would not rule He Puapua out on Te Ao with Moana. He said the work is already under way, just not under that name, and that UNDRIP means it has to continue. He renamed the programme and called that leadership.
Quick Hit: Willis’s Better Books Came Partly Out of Your Trolley
Treasury has the deficit at $6.8 billion and next year within $0.8 billion of surplus. It says that is partly inflation lifting the tax take while spending allowances stay fixed, which is how Willis got there with no new taxes.
Splitting Your Vote – It’s the Only Way
The latest 1News poll tells us what we’ve known for a while. National can only get back to power through its electorate MPs.
The Insanely Stupid Idea Is Two Ticks Blue
Greens on a record 16 per cent, National and Labour stuck on 28 per cent and Luxon calls the overhang an ‘insanely stupid idea’. The stupid idea is sticking with two ticks blue while the polls sink.
Who Won the Election Campaign Opening?
When National cannot turn out 1,235 supporters for the prime minister and Labour does not believe Chris Hipkins can attract more than 690, there is a lack of enthusiasm in both parties.
All Smoke, Mirrors – And Supermarkets
National side-steps the economic drivers they actually control.