Latest from Politics

Greg Dixon’s Another Kind of Politics: Was Luxon a Waitangi “drop nuts” or a drop kick?
Much political symbolism in PM not turning up at Waitangi in 2025, none of it good.

Rocking the vote: Are we getting the democracy we deserve or being taken for a ride?
Democracy appears to be in crisis, so is systematic change the answer?

Danyl McLauchlan: David Seymour once again pulls the rug out from under National
National's attempts to sell its growth agenda have been overshadowed.

Greg Dixon’s Another Kind of Politics: Could Jacinda-mania be our economic savour?
To get NZ’s economy back on track, is it all aboard the Ardern bandwagon?

Economics 101: Danyl McLauchlan on the coalition’s wake-up call
The coalition may have to confront unappetising policies to stir the economy into life.

Greg Dixon’s Another kind of politics: My wild political predictions for 2025
2025: More shock poll results, reshuffles & odd appointments, and meaningless actions.

Luxonomics: Danyl McLauchlan weighs up an uncertain 2025 in politics
In 2025, the best we can hope for is a combination of best and worst-case scenarios.

Dame Tariana Turia should be remembered as one of our most significant politicians
Moe mai rā, Tariana: Aaron Smale’s tribute to a wahine toa.

Oppenheimer to Trump: Danyl McLauchlan on how tech titans & risk-takers are rocking politics
Today’s tech titans have a chutzpah reminiscent of the scientists behind the atomic bomb.

Ranking PMs, political wind backs, articles of faith and young guns
Best of Listener 2024: Politics - past & present

Danyl McLauchlan: The year in politics
There's only one winner of the coveted I’m Entitled to This Award Award.

Greg Dixon’s Another kind of politics: My political awards for 2024
Why Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis and David Seymour are getting multiple awards.

Danyl McLauchlan: Science or economics? Collins’ Marsden Fund shift raises questions
Cuts aplenty, but there’s no new money for much-needed long-term investment in science.

Greg Dixon’s Another kind of politics: Nicola Willis is no Ferry Godmother
Is Ferry Holdings a first step toward privatising ferry and rail freight services?

Danyl McLauchlan: Govt turns a blind eye to the structural problems crippling NZ
Does Luxon’s wealth insulate him from grasping the problems we need to solve?

Privilege & principles: Aaron Smale on what the Treaty Bill is really about
Is the bill a distraction from the government's real aim of favouring big business?

Anthony Ellison’s cartoon of the week
Anthony Ellison shares his perspective on current events.

Greg Dixon’s Another kind of politics: The coalition’s first year in five key questions
It's important to use a first anniversary to contemplate whether it’s really working out.

The heat goes on: Helen Clark and Winston Peters on why Aukus talk matters
Opponents see our closer ties with the US as endangering trade with China.

Danyl McLauchlan on the PM's hīkoi horror
Our CEO PM is struggling to hold the centre-right for National.

Greg Dixon’s Another kind of politics: If David Seymour were truly a reasonable man, he would kill the bill
When it comes to "dog whistle" politics, Seymour, not Winston Peters, is NZ's Trump.

Book of the day: Challenging the Status Quo
Former MP Derek Quigley stood up to Muldoon but fought in vain for his free-market vision.

Courtiers & codpieces: How Hilary Mantel foretold the rise of Trump
Why Donald Trump is much like another world-historical figure: King Henry VIII.

Anthony Ellison’s cartoon of the week
Anthony Ellison shares his perspective on current events.