Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

Labour promises a surplus but says it won't cut to get there

The party released a fiscal strategy this morning, adopting the same surplus timeline forecast in Budget 2026 but promising a different route to it.

11:02am

2:19

Transport Minister Chris Bishop slashed the penalty by nearly 80% last November.

Govt to keep Labour's clean car standard for high-emission vehicle imports

It has not yet decided what its new "realistic and achievable" Clean Vehicle Standard settings will be, however.

Fri, Aug 21

The poll results are a welcome boost to Christopher Luxon, whose preferred PM ratings have been low on a historical comparison.

Luxon vs Hipkins: TVNZ confirms live election Leaders Debate

Luxon will face Hipkins on October 6, but has turned down TVNZ's second leaders' debate scheduled for two days before the November 7 election.

Thu, Aug 20

Chris Hipkins has ruled out Labour introducing a streaming levy if elected.

Labour blames mixed messaging on streamers levy on 'admin oversight'

"Chris Hipkins is a serial flip-flopper, telling Kiwis one thing, while his caucus is doing another," says National campaign chairperson Simeon Brown.

Tue, Aug 18

Rakesh Naidoo

Police clear senior officer turned Labour candidate after review

Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo followed police policy, a review has found.

Thu, Aug 13

Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo named high on the List for the party, much to the displeasure of Minister Mark Mitchell. 

Rakesh Naidoo's manager apologises for 'confusion' over Labour bid

Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson apologised to Naidoo and Richard Chambers for "the confusion, which has resulted in incorrect information being provided to media".

Thu, Aug 13

Poll: Opportunity Party surges as NZ First slides amid Luxon saga

Poll: Opportunity Party surges as NZ First slides amid Luxon saga

The poll landed as National MPs met behind closed doors this morning before deciding they still wanted PM Christopher Luxon as leader.

Wed, Aug 12

Christopher Luxon after surviving a second confidence vote

PM wins leadership vote after challenge fails, Penk won't seek re-election

"We're going back to work and we're moving on," says the Prime Minister in a 76-second statement.

Wed, Aug 12

Chris Hipkins and Winston Peters.

Labour rules out NZ First, Hipkins says caucus call was unanimous

"There was not a single person in the Labour team who thought that we should be open to working with NZ First, given their recent behaviour."

Mon, Aug 10

On these numbers Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would still have the numbers to form a government, though the margin has slimmed.

Labour slides as coalition clings to power, Opportunity breaks 5% - poll

On these numbers Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would still have the numbers to form a government, though the margin has slimmed.

Fri, Aug 7

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks at a National public meeting in Auckland's Mount Roskill.

Luxon holds firm on MMP referendum call despite cross-party criticism

The proposal has sparked criticism from across Parliament, with a constitutional expert arguing it has "zero" chance of becoming reality.

Fri, Aug 7

Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

Labour unveils small business package promising faster repayments, tax relief

The package would cost $1.56 billion over four years, funding by a "refocusing" of the Government's investment boost policy.

Thu, Aug 6

Chris Hipkins and Winston Peters.

'He cannot represent NZ': Hipkins rules out Peters as foreign minister

The Labour leader said Peters should not be foreign minister in any government.

Tue, Aug 4

July 2026
NZ First leader Winston Peters.

Call for Peters to be sacked as Foreign Minister over 'racist' remark

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has dismissed the comments as "attention-seeking" rather than firing his Foreign Minister.

Thu, Jul 30

Chris Hipkins

Hipkins: 'No way' Labour will support Opportunity's tax policy

Yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appeared to rule out working with Opportunity, and said National didn't want to "do business" with anyone seeking to impose new taxes.

Tue, Jul 28

Christopher Luxon (left) and Qiulae Wong (right).

Luxon appears to rule out National working with Opportunity Party

"Well, I'm just saying to you, they want to increase taxes," he told media.

Mon, Jul 27

Text message (left) and Stuart Nash (right, file).

Crass politics: NZ 'catching up' with the world – expert

The latest row came yesterday morning, when ACT candidate Paul Henry said on Radio Hauraki he would "shoot" Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

Fri, Jul 24

Text message (left) and Stuart Nash (right, file).

Stuart Nash resigns as NZ First candidate after 'sexist' text

The former NZ First candidate was "channelling the manosphere," says Christopher Luxon in response to Nash's remarks about an MP's maternity leave.

Wed, Jul 22

Chris Hipkins

Hipkins: 'Instead of NZ First you could call it Labour's seconds'

The Labour Party leader asked about New Zealand First’s newly announced candidates and members in the run up to the election on Breakfast this morning.

Tue, Jul 21

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins. File photo.

Hipkins anticipates 'close' election as National takes another poll hit

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has reacted to a new poll, which has National again dropping into the 20s.

Tue, Jul 14

Labour energy spokesperson Megan Woods and leader Chris Hipkins at a solar power policy announcement in Auckland.

Labour wants solar 'for all' with $160m policy aimed at power bills

The SolarSaver package, announced today, would cost $160 million over four years, which the party says it will fund by repurposing the coalition's gas security fund.

Wed, Jul 8

China launched the missile from a nuclear submarine in the South Pacific, according to state media.

NZ political parties join forces over China's Pacific missile

Labour's Chris Hipkins has joined Government ministers in condemning the move.

Tue, Jul 7

Just two months earlier, newly appointed Labour leader Jacinda Ardern speaks to media at Parliament on August 1, 2017, following Andrew Little's resignation from the role of Labour leader. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins)

Ardern tougher than public saw, sacked ministers with 'steel' - new book

That is the assessment of former senior political staffer Mike Munro, who served as chief press secretary to Helen Clark and later chief of staff to Jacinda Ardern.

Sun, Jul 5

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the Summary Offences Act will be amended to give police officers additional enforcement powers.

Does NZ have night shelters? PM stands by remark – Labour says 'out of touch'

"We don't think the evidence works where someone shows up for one day and moves on," Christopher Luxon said in Parliament.

Wed, Jul 1

June 2026
Labour campaign chairperson Kieran McAnulty.

Labour 'won't' work with ACT, but NZ First 'highly unlikely' – McAnulty

Winston Peters has previously been emphatic that the door is shut from his side.

Sun, Jun 28