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'They vote with their feet': Dam backer says businesses leaving region over lack of water
Agricultural Technology

'They vote with their feet': Dam backer says businesses leaving region over lack of water

Business losses are mounting in Hawke's Bay as fears over water security drive firms to relocate, while dam backers seek government support.

By Linda Hall • 5 min read • Last week
Hundreds of builders call for slashing of red-tape, quicker consents
New Zealand Labour Party

Hundreds of builders call for slashing of red-tape, quicker consents

A survey of 250 tradespeople found 56% want council fees and slow consenting tackled, as costs and delays are squeezing small builders.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Last week
'Enough is enough': New Zealand First wants to ban fireworks
New Zealand Labour Party

'Enough is enough': New Zealand First wants to ban fireworks

Animals, homes and emergency crews could be spared disruption if New Zealand First wins support for its proposed fireworks ban.

By Craig McCulloch • 3 min read • This month
Labour says it will force airlines to show real prices up front
Airlines

Labour says it will force airlines to show real prices up front

Passengers could get automatic refunds under Labour's plan, which also targets hidden fees and limited competition on regional routes.

By RNZ • 2 min read • This month
Near miss with train interrupts Greens' level crossing announcement
New Zealand Labour Party

Near miss with train interrupts Greens' level crossing announcement

A train nearly hit a car at Morningside as the Greens unveiled a $2.5 billion plan to remove Auckland level crossings and ease congestion.

By Russell Palmer • 3 min read • This month
National unveils nine-point energy plan to tackle power bills
Data centers

National unveils nine-point energy plan to tackle power bills

Households could get cheaper, more flexible power deals as National proposes new rules to boost competition and rein in network charges.

By Giles Dexter • 4 min read • This month
Meth, luxury cars and first-class flights: Inside Operation Juneau
Crypto

Meth, luxury cars and first-class flights: Inside Operation Juneau

Police say gang cash funded first-class holidays, five-star stays and a Dubai car-rental business as six men face drugs and laundering charges.

By Sam Sherwood • 3 min read • Last month
Labour pledges $4 billion for state houses, school repairs and hospitals
Schools

Labour pledges $4 billion for state houses, school repairs and hospitals

Unemployment at an 11-year high is driving Labour's plan to spend more than GBP £4 billion on jobs and public repairs.

By Lillian Hanly • 2 min read • Last month
Post code lottery still alive and well in health sector, latest figures show
New Zealand Labour Party

Post code lottery still alive and well in health sector, latest figures show

Waiting times remain starkly uneven, with Northland and Southern lagging on planned care while other regions meet health targets.

By Rowan Quinn • 4 min read • Last month
Property investors relieved at Labour's landlord tax deduction promise
Real estate

Property investors relieved at Labour's landlord tax deduction promise

The move is likely to keep rents steadier and has eased fears investors would face higher costs under Labour's tax plan.

By Giles Dexter • 5 min read • Last month
Early childhood education advocates give screen time policy mixed report card
Digital Literacy

Early childhood education advocates give screen time policy mixed report card

Parents may get clearer progress reports under National's plan, but experts warn a blanket screen ban could curb useful classroom technology.

By Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira • 5 min read • Last month
Councils to be allowed to charge developers with new levy from 2029
Real estate

Councils to be allowed to charge developers with new levy from 2029

Existing ratepayers could be spared higher bills as councils prepare to shift more of the cost of new housing infrastructure onto developers from 2029.

By Giles Dexter • 4 min read • Last month
Explainer: Why is everyone talking about AI and the end of the world?
Data centers

Explainer: Why is everyone talking about AI and the end of the world?

Calls for tighter AI safeguards have intensified after warnings the technology could outpace human control and threaten jobs, security and markets.

By Nik Dirga • 8 min read • Last month
Ardern's infrastructure legacy wins cross-party backing
Social Media

Ardern's infrastructure legacy wins cross-party backing

Cross-party backing for a 30-year infrastructure plan could curb election-year pork-barrel spending and improve value for money.

By Mike Bishara • 8 min read • Last month
Labour unveils AI plan with tougher rules in New Zealand
Data Protection

Labour unveils AI plan with tougher rules in New Zealand

Public anxiety over jobs, power bills and harmful content is pushing AI to the centre of New Zealand's election campaign.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Labour promises to set up AI regulator, copyright rules if elected
Data Protection

Labour promises to set up AI regulator, copyright rules if elected

The plan would give New Zealand a dedicated AI office and tougher copyright protections, aiming to curb risks and share gains with workers.

By Russell Palmer • 6 min read • Last month
Christopher Luxon announces National's alternative to introducing bed tax
Auckland Council

Christopher Luxon announces National's alternative to introducing bed tax

Councils could receive funding from international visitor levy receipts two years earlier under National's plan, with Auckland due NZD $19.1 million.

By Jo Moir • 4 min read • Last month
'Asinine' speed bump removal plan: Tāhunanui Hills residents forced to be first responders
Urban Planning

'Asinine' speed bump removal plan: Tāhunanui Hills residents forced to be first responders

Residents say crashes are likely to rise if Nelson council removes speed cushions that cut traffic and reduced collisions on Tāhunanui Hills roads.

By Max Frethey • 5 min read • Last month

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