Voting.

Key dates and new voting rules as NZ's election countdown begins

Voters are facing significant rule changes that were only just made into law.

6:00am

Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po and paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Ariki Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tūkino IX (holding patu)

Rātana welcomes Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po and Te Ariki Te Rangimaheu

First visit by Te Ariki Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tūkino IX following the death of his father, the late Te Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu last year.

Fri, Jan 23

2:32

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks at Rātana in 2024.

PM pulls out of Rātana to visit weather-hit communities

Christopher Luxon will be visiting the East Coast and Bay of Plenty.

Thu, Jan 22

2:19

An infringement notice was eventually issued.

How it took months for a Chinese diplomat to be given a speeding ticket

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said embassy staff should follow NZ's laws.

Thu, Jan 22

The leaders of parties represented in Parliament as of January 20, 2026 (file image).

Election Day: Why Luxon chose the first Saturday in November

Analysis: The latest an election has been held since 2011, likely giving Christopher Luxon more time for the economy to get back on track.

Thu, Jan 22

An image of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) next to an image of Labour Leader Chris Hipkins (right).

Hipkins says Luxon throwing minister under bus on Auckland housing

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last week confirmed the coalition was considering weakening housing intensification laws in Auckland.

Wed, Jan 21

The leaders of parties represented in Parliament as of January 20, 2026 (file image).

'Game on' as PM Luxon reveals 2026 election date

National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis said it's "game on" for polling day.

Wed, Jan 21

Adrian Rurawhe

Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe to leave Parliament

Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe has announced his retirement from politics after a decade in Parliament.

Wed, Jan 21

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left, and US President Donald Trump.

Trump threatening more tariffs over critical minerals – will NZ be targeted?

There is no list of target countries, but it would be surprising if Aotearoa New Zealand is not one of them, writes expert Jane Kelsey.

Tue, Jan 20

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins.

'Management-speak mumbo jumbo': Hipkins responds to Luxon's address

Luxon launched a defence of his Government’s progress and reform programme, and promised there would be no deviation from its plan should it win a second term.

Mon, Jan 19

"There’s real cause for optimism," Luxon told attendees at the Auckland Business Chamber event.

PM launches National's election pitch, 'optimistic' on economy

Christopher Luxon spoke in a state of the nation address in front of an Auckland business audience earlier today, saying there's "real cause for optimism".

Mon, Jan 19

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, left, ACT Party leader David Seymour, National Party leader Christopher Luxon, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.

Election year starts here: what to expect from politics and the economy in 2026

Two Chrises, two rival coalitions, and lingering economic malaise will help define the political year ahead.

Mon, Jan 19

Is Winston Peters on a charm offensive?

Barbara Dreaver: Peters' Pacific kiss-and-make-up trip vital as tensions rise

Peters' office said he is set to become the first foreign minister to visit all 17 other Pacific Island Forum member countries within a single Parliamentary term.

Sat, Jan 17

A person walks past a burned bus in Tehran on Jan 15

NZ closes embassy in Iran, evacuates staff as threat escalates

MFAT says consular support was now "extremely limited" and New Zealanders in Iran are urged to leave if safe to do so.

Fri, Jan 16

Winston Peters in 2017

Winston Peters has surgery for old rugby injury

A spokesperson confirmed Peters underwent a procedure in early December and was fully recovered.

Wed, Jan 14

Govt raises fines for errant power companies raised from $2m to $10m.

No upper limit on new fines for power companies, minister says

Tougher fines are on the way for electricity providers and retailers that breach the rules.

Wed, Jan 14

A cream crepe.

'Offensive weapon': Woman sentenced for crepe attack on Aus minister

Suzanne Lee Milgate was found guilty in December after being filmed hitting then-chief minister Natasha Fyles with the thin pastry in September 2023.

Tue, Jan 13

This frame grab from a video released by Iran state TV shows vehicles burning amid night of mass protests in Tehran

'Gravely concerned': MFAT in contact with Kiwis in Iran after killings

Foreign Minister Winston Peters called on Iranian security forces to "refrain from violence".

Mon, Jan 12

Tāwhiao McMaster steers a six-man waka into Ōhinepane after the first day of paddling on the two-week annual tribal journey down the Whanganui River. (Source: Tuakana Te Tana)

'Only noise is ourselves': Inside iwi's two-week Whanganui River journey

Iwi leaders say rangatahi are at the heart of the Tira Hoe Waka.

Sat, Jan 10

The year-long prescriptions were announced as part of the 2025 Budget as a way to reduce the cost of seeing GPs.

Government u-turns on prescription co-payment fees

In a policy u-turn, people will only need to pay a single $5 co-payment fee for the new 12-month prescriptions coming into effect from February.

Fri, Jan 9

Kiwis at the departure gate tell us why they're leaving. (Composite image: Vania Chandrawidjaja)

Ditching NZ for Oz: Kiwis at departure gate reveal why they're leaving

2025’s most read: Last year was meant to be the one when NZ closed the income gap with Australia and stemmed the exodus. Instead, more Kiwis than ever left for a better life.

Fri, Jan 9

Hutt City Council budget papers are forecasting a $840,000 shortfall in its swimming pool budgets.

Financial hole of $840,000 in Lower Hutt pool budgets

Mayor Fauono Ken Laban said the numbers showed the pressure on councils as rising costs were hitting basic community services.

Wed, Jan 7

ManageMyHealth believed between 6% and 7% of the approximately 1.8 million registered users may have been impacted. 

High Court grants injunction over ManageMyHealth cyber breach

ManageMyHealth believed between 6% and 7% of the approximately 1.8 million registered users may have been impacted.

Mon, Jan 5

Catherine Cooke sold her business to pay out of pocket for Keytruda for her aggressive breast cancer treatment.

'I want to sit down with her': Cancer patient demands meeting with Willis

An Auckland woman who is self-funding treatment for her rare, aggressive breast cancer is fed up after years of asking the government to fund a "life-saving" medicine for more patients.

Fri, Jan 2

December 2025
Hilary Barry talks to Jacinda Ardern on Seven Sharp tomorrow night.

Jacinda Ardern on her cancer scare and a chilling public bathroom encounter

2025’s most read: As Dame Jacinda’s much-anticipated memoir came out, she spoke to Seven Sharp’s Hilary Barry about the political and the personal.

December 28, 2025