Greens hit record high, but coalition tightens the gap
The Greens have reached a record 16% in the latest 1News Verian poll, but the governing coalition has tightened the gap with a potential Labour-led alternative.
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Opportunity says either side, but its bottom lines set a collision course with ACT and NZ First
Opportunity has announced five minimum demands for supporting the next government, including climate commitments that directly conflict with policies promoted by ACT and NZ First.
The faulty reasoning behind the claim wealthy families pay only 9.5% tax
Stuff outlines the fairness argument for a comprehensive capital gains tax.
The politics behind call to depoliticise education
NZ Principals’ Federation president Jason Miles accused Erica Stanford of effectively campaigning for National during her address to an international principals’ convention, despite organisers requesting a non-political welcome.
Labour’s ‘stay here’ student-loan policy puts most spending into upfront write-offs
Labour is pitching student-loan write-offs as a way to keep graduates in New Zealand, but approximately 75% of its forecast five-year cost would fall in the first financial year.
Gates warns AI could cause a billion deaths, calls for government safeguards
Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence could enable attacks causing a billion deaths, calling for mandatory safeguards and US legislation rather than relying on technology companies to regulate themselves.
Migrant-data sharing ran for years before first annual reviews
New Zealand’s international migrant-data sharing arrangements operated for years before the first annual reviews began in early 2026, RNZ reports.
In defence of Jordan Williams
In brief Nicky Hager’s allegations against Jordan Williams don’t even warrant a response at this point.
Safe Surfer founder warns under-16 social media ban could cost New Zealanders their privacy
In brief Safe Surfer founder Rory Birkbeck supports stronger regulation of online platforms but warns age checks could increase data collection and push New Zealand towards digital ID.
Questioning Wayne Brown’s case for unelected votes
In brief Wayne Brown fairly challenges the government’s changed position on Houkura, whose committee voting rights face removal.
Wealth tax wins 64% support — with a $10m threshold and family homes excluded
Almost two-thirds of respondents support a wealth tax targeting individual net assets above $10 million while exempting family homes, according to new Ipsos polling.
Education Ministry launches review as OIA concerns reach Stanford’s office
An Education Ministry manager allegedly told staff to stop recording teachers’ criticism during curriculum consultation because it could be released under the Official Information Act.
Workers of the world, admire my mansion
Commentator Rita Panahi has accused Jacinda Ardern of hypocrisy after the former prime minister reportedly bought a A$5.3 million Sydney home, contrasting the purchase with Ardern’s past description of capitalism as a “blatant failure”.
Dishonest Work: Wishart serves Hager a dose of his own standards on sexual allegations
Ian Wishart is questioning whether Nicky Hager applied the same publication standards in his new book, Dirty Work , that he advocated when giving evidence against Wishart in a 2013 defamation trial.
Falling house prices are failing to make repayments cheaper
First-home buyers can pay less for a house and still face higher mortgage repayments, as rising interest rates outweigh falling prices at the affordable end of the market.
Fuel still flowing, but motorists pay $25 more per fill
Petrol and diesel have jumped about 50c a litre in less than a month, adding roughly $25 to a 50-litre fill as overseas refining and shipping costs put more pressure on household budgets.