November 2023
Incoming NZ coalition targets central bank reform
Chris Luxon’s Nationals sign an agreement to form “historic” three-party coalition government, whose priorities are tax cuts and new central bank mandate.
- Tracy Withers
October 2023
- Opinion
- NZ election
Why voters ran out of patience with New Zealand’s progressive government
Six years after ‘Jacindamania’ swept New Zealand, its Labour government, hampered by the pandemic and natural disasters, ran out of time to deliver much of the progressive reform it promised.
- Tom Rabe
Luxon vows back-to-basics government as he begins coalition talks
The PM-elect vowed to deliver on his promise of tax cuts for working New Zealanders, but will need to compromise with coalition partners on other policies.
- Tom Rabe
- Updated
- World elections
‘New Zealanders have chosen change.’ Luxon is new Prime Minister
With almost 95 per cent of votes counted on Saturday night, the centre-right National Party was poised to form a coalition government after winning close to 40 per cent of the primary party vote.
- Updated
- Tom Rabe
New Zealand PM issues warning over ‘coalition of chaos’
Chris Hipkins’ Labour Party is likely to lose the election on Saturday after he took over from Jacinda Ardern who resigned in January.
- Tom Rabe
Hipkins hits NZ Nationals on Maori record as election nears
Almost 1 million Kiwis have voted early for this weekend’s election, expected to be won by Christopher Luxon’s centre-right National Party.
- Ben McKay
- Exclusive
- NZ election
Why NZ’s likely new PM channels Mark McGowan
The man widely tipped to become New Zealand’s next prime minister says he’s looked to Australia to develop many of his signature policies.
- Tom Rabe
- Exclusive
- NZ election
New Zealand PM warns of ‘missed opportunity’ for trans-Tasman relations
Chris Hipkins believes a change in government at this weekend’s election would be a missed opportunity for trans-Tasman relations.
- Tom Rabe
Hipkins hopes for ‘Keating-style’ win at NZ election
Seven years after Jacinda Ardern and her progressive brand swept to power in New Zealand, frustration over the cost of living could boot Labour from office.
- Tom Rabe
August 2023
New Zealand cuts spending as downturn, China strain budget
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has instructed the public service to cut spending on consultants and contractors and said he would also reduce future budget allowances.
- Tracy Withers
New Zealand, BlackRock in $1.9b green energy deal
New Zealand businesses will get access to greater pools of capital to accelerate investment in solar, wind, green hydrogen and battery storage.
- Matthew Brockett
July 2023
Albanese, Hipkins sound the alarm over Solomons police pact with China
Australia and New Zealand will update defence ties amid a ‘deteriorating strategic environment’ following leaders’ talks.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- China relations
Time for Australia-New Zealand relationship to move beyond cliches
Anthony Albanese and Chris Hipkins now have the opportunity to move the relationship beyond slouch-hatted incantations to the Anzac spirit and tired calls of “family” to a new era of mutual relevance.
- Updated
- James Curran
‘Blood, tears, chaos’: Gunman kills two in central Auckland
As the FIFA Women’s World Cup prepared to hold its opening match, an armed man stormed a building under construction in central Auckland and started shooting.
- Updated
- Irene Wang and Nathan Frandino
June 2023
China rolls out the red carpet for NZ prime minister
The bilateral with the Chinese leader is the centrepiece of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ five-day trade mission to China this week.
- Updated
- Michael Smith
NZ leader flies to China with two jets (in case one breaks down)
The prime minister’s office said the second Boeing 757 was needed as a backup for the historic visit in case the first plane suffered from mechanical problems.
- Matthew Brockett
- Updated
- Big four
ANZ ‘super confident’ about NZ big bank profits inquiry
An inquiry will examine the operations of ANZ, NAB, CBA and Westpac, after their New Zealand earnings jumped by 17 per cent last year.
- Lucas Baird
May 2023
Slowing growth, disasters squeeze NZ finances
Billed as ‘support for today, building for tomorrow’, the plan aims to address the squeeze on households’ day-to-day costs and fund a big infrastructure deficit.
- Updated
- Vernon Small
After all the excitement, Biden’s no-show leaves PNG deflated
Expectations were high for what would have been the first visit by a sitting US president to any Pacific Island nation.
- Updated
- Nick Perry
NZ faces ‘no frills’ budget as debt soars
Chris Hipkins’ government delivers its budget on Thursday, facing rising debt and longer budget deficits from natural disasters and a slowing economy.
- Tracy Withers