Politics
Space, spies, stalking, and extra sittings
Parliament this week is all-House, with extra debates and an interesting array of topics. However, slow progress has stymied some government plans.
Auckland councillors ask for guidance from Environment Court on helicopter ban
After hours of discussion, Auckland Councillors have not voted on banning helicopters in residential areas, and instead supported an amendment that asks for guidance from the Environment Court. The… Audio
NZ Rugby reacts to govt directive
The Government has ordered Sport New Zealand to scrap its work on guidelines about the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. New Zealand Rugby said it had been using advice from Sport… Audio
Minister defends another year of funding for controversial charity
Gumboot Friday will continue to get funding to 2026, despite past questions about its founder and funding. Audio
Sport NZ scraps guidelines for inclusion of transgender people
Under government direction, Sport New Zealand has scrapped guidelines for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. The removal comes after a review showing the principles did not… Audio
Government scraps same-day election enrolments
The government newly proposed legislation also contains other changes in a bid to overhaul electoral laws.
Government to scrap same day election enrolment
Leaving it to the last minute to enrol to vote will become a thing of the past, under sweeping electoral law changes the Government's announced today. The changes mean enrolment will close before the… Audio
Healthworkers want MPs to waive private health insurance
A group of specialists, nurses, GPs, and paramedics says politicians should rely on the public health system they're in charge of. Audio
UN's top court finds countries can be liable for emissions
Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister has said the Pacific now has more leverage in climate negotiations after the UN's top court found that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse… Audio
Govt orders Sport NZ to scrap transgender inclusion guidelines
NZ First's spoken about defunding sporting bodies that support trans inclusion - but its 2023 manifesto also spoke about making people healthier by promoting exercise and sport programmes including… Audio
Government orders Sport NZ to scrap transgender inclusive guidelines
What started off as a review under a previous minister has turned into an order to ditch the guidelines completely. Audio
$30m to go towards new classrooms at state-integrated schools
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the funding approach was different from the usual, but the money would come from the new build package in this year's Budget.
Polytech changes will cost 1000 jobs, 500 courses, Cabinet paper shows
The documents revealed the full scale of the changes for the first time. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 24th July 2025
In today's episode, the government has directed Sport NZ to scrap its guidelines for how to make community sport more inclusive for transgender people; A scathing review of Nelson Hospital has found… Audio
Mayor's call for council review backed by LGNZ
Mahé Drysdale's remit is aimed at increasing efficiency in local government and reducing ratepayer costs.
Mayors on govt proposal for rates caps
The government is considering options to control rate rises, including placing a cap on how much local councils can increase rates. Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe and Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan spoke to… Audio
Trump reportedly told his name is in the Epstein Files
The Wall Street Journal is running a story saying the US Justice Department told Donald Trump his name is among many in the Epstein Files. Politico's Josh Gerstein spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Calls for MPs to walk the talk on health
In an open letter challenging members of parliament a group of frontline healthcare workers is calling on politicians to walk the talk on health. Spokesperson Dr Marcus Lee spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Open letter signed asking MPs to give up private healthcare
Thirty health workers - including specialists, GPs and nurses - have signed an open letter to MPs asking them to waive their right to private healthcare during their time in office. Ruth Hill reports.
…Northland calls for more government investment in infrastructure
Business leaders have told MPs better infrastructure could see the region's economy could grow six-fold to $60 billion by 2050.
