The Chief Ombudsman is seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary for Education after allegations Ministry of Education staff were encouraged to keep some communications out of writing to avoid scrutiny under the Official Information Act. Chief Ombudsman John Allen says he has significant concerns following media reports about a leaked video involving a senior…

Investigative journalist Nicky Hager is standing by a contested allegation in his new book Dirty Work, after the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union issued a categorical denial. The dispute centres on Hager’s claim that the organisation made a payment to a former employee following allegations of sexual harassment involving executive director Jordan Williams. Taxpayers’ Union chair…

Labour is promising to restore Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements if elected, putting iwi participation in environmental and resource management decision-making firmly into the 2026 election campaign. Labour Māori-Crown relations spokesperson Willie Jackson says the party would reinstate the agreements in resource management legislation, arguing the Government’s replacement of them has weakened established pathways for…

Te Pāti Māori has unveiled a $200 million Mana Takatāpui Policy, promising a new independent Takatāpui-governed Commission with control over dedicated funding if the party is in a position to implement the policy after the election. The policy commits $200 million over three years across healthcare, mental health, housing, safety, education and culture, alongside direct…