Stuff catches NZ First abortion errors but plays down what changed in 2020
In brief Stuff identifies several errors in NZ First candidate Elizabeth Mundt’s claims about New Zealand’s abortion law.
News
Poll puts coalition on 64 seats as National falls below 30%
A Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll projects National, ACT and New Zealand First would retain government with 64 of Parliament’s 120 seats, despite National falling two points to 29.0%.
Election ads need promoter statements even outside campaign spending period
Election advertisements must carry a promoter statement at all times, not only during the three-month regulated election period.
ACC accepted 1,779 COVID vaccine injury claims, six related to fatal injuries
By early 2026, ACC had accepted 1,779 treatment-injury claims arising from COVID vaccinations, including six involving a fatal injury, and paid $16.9 million.
Official data records myocarditis and cardiac failure after man’s second Pfizer dose
An official Medsafe line listing records an adverse-event report involving a New Zealand man aged 30 to 39 after his second Pfizer dose.
Greens’ $2.8b KiwiMart plan sits inside $6.2b food package
The Green Party wants to compel Woolworths and Foodstuffs to sell 120 supermarkets and two distribution centres to the Crown, creating a publicly owned competitor called KiwiMart.
Te Pāti Māori makes power to suspend Crown decisions a coalition bottom line
Te Pāti Māori says its entire Te Tiriti entrenchment package would be non-negotiable in post-election coalition talks.
Government’s projected $111m digital-label benefit rests on a standard still to be written
Digital labelling will not eliminate physical labels, and New Zealand businesses may already add online information alongside mandatory printed details.
ACT climate plan would remove carbon floor and return auction revenue to households
ACT’s election climate plan would do more than abolish the 2050 net-zero target.
FASD warning plan reaches beyond bottle stores to pubs, clubs and festivals
A warning-sign proposal reported as targeting liquor stores would actually impose a display rule on every type of alcohol licence holder, including pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, clubs and festivals.
Labour ends 18-year pledge to price agricultural emissions
Labour has confirmed it will not campaign on pricing agricultural emissions, ending an election commitment the party has carried in various forms since 2008.
Living Wage group puts Labour pledge at $100m over four years
Labour has promised to extend the Living Wage across the state sector.
New Zealand already restricts some benefit spending as Florida goes further
Florida is moving to become the first US state to stop families using Temporary Cash Assistance for a broad list of non-essential purchases, including vaping products, tattoos, video games, theme-park admission and fortune-telling.
Greens can't say how much cheaper KiwiMart would be, say government won't set prices
The Green Party proposes a government-run supermarket chain, KiwiMart, to disrupt the current duopoly and lower food prices in New Zealand.
Patients left waiting weeks for lifesaving procedures amid bed shortage
A shortage of cardiac beds and staff in Wellington and Christchurch hospitals is leaving patients at risk and waiting weeks for treatment instead of the recommended days.
Janet Dickson ruling shows New Zealand’s regulator reforms fall short
In brief The Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal has upheld the refusal to exempt Janet Dickson from a compulsory Māori tikanga course.