Adam Pearse is a Political Reporter for the New Zealand Herald based in the gallery in Wellington.
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'Not a day I don’t think about it': Mixed response to Lake Alice redress package
Minister Erica Stanford acknowledges the scheme won't meet everyone's expectations.
Reviews of bootcamp participants’ death and abscondings not due until 2025
One bootcamp participant died in a car crash, triggering another to abscond.
Watch: Govt grilled after key questions on new ferries left unanswered
A cost blowout forced the cancellation of project started under the Labour Government.
'How much is being left untold': Third bootcamp participant accused of re-offending
Previously, it had only been confirmed that two participants had allegedly reoffended.
Speaker refers four MPs to Privileges Committee after haka in the House
The haka, led by Te Pāti Māori, made waves across the globe.
'Read the coalition agreement': Winston Peters' message to police on 500 extra officers target
Police maintain they won't compromise on quality just to hit the Government's target.
Labour leader repeats MP’s ‘cooking the books’ claim about Health NZ Commissioner
But his MP isn't restating her claim while not covered by Parliamentary privilege.
PM adamant bootcamp pilot not a failure, hints at changes after youths absconded
Two participants who absconded have been arrested after going missing for days.
Children’s Minister disappointed but ‘relieved’ bootcamp absconders found after alleged carjacking
It follows the tragic passing of one bootcamp participant due to a car accident.
Swarbrick on ‘probably’ the Greens' toughest year
The party is preparing for a significant policy announcement tomorrow.
'Unacceptable': Chhour slams Oranga Tamariki for not telling her of second bootcamp abscondee
The Children's Minister yesterday was only aware of one participant who had absconded.
Missing bootcamp teen who absconded from fellow participant's tangi had been in youth justice facility
The boy had been granted bail on 'compassionate grounds' to attend tangi.
Bootcamp youth dies after accident, another on the run after absconding from mate's tangi
The Herald understands the death was caused by a car accident.
Govt target to train 500 new police officers could miss deadline – police
The target's timeline was a source of tension within the coalition at one point.
‘We got that wrong’: Electoral Commission accepts failure over Manurewa Marae voting base selection
The commission admits its mitigation plan was not sufficient.
Health NZ to take longer to hit budget targets
The organisation is also expecting a deficit of $1.1 billion in the next year.
Pharmac minister, chair refuse to express confidence in CEO Sarah Fitt
The revelation came amid a scrappy start to Parliament's second scrutiny week.
Health Minister lauds ‘impressive’ Healthy Homes impact but can’t commit to funding boost
The programme had led to a more than 18% decrease in hospitalisations.
Waitangi Tribunal calls on Govt to reconsider Māori health authority after Treaty ‘breaches’
Alternative plans for Māori health are said to be announced next month.
‘Every human being for themselves’: Winston Peters hints at 2026 election plans
Winston Peters says all coalitions are difficult and you have to compromise.
How Seymour ‘got it wrong’ about Peters - and why Treaty bill could live on
'Difficult to see genie getting put back in the bottle.'
PM on working with Peters and Seymour and why ‘coalition of chaos’ defied critics
Luxon on the first year of his Government and how his relationship with co-leaders differs.
No extra funding for new smoking action plan as daily smokers increase
The minister remained committed to reaching the target by the end of 2025.
Our next Police Commissioner reveals his top priorities
Richard Chambers said it was an 'absolute honour' to lead the police.
Regulation ministry launches tipline in search of ‘red tape horror stories’
The new tipline is live on the Ministry for Regulation website today.
Watch: Police Minister trumpets new crime figures as officers prepare for Treaty hīkoi at Parliament
The minister has a message for gang members ahead of impending gang patch ban.
Minister calls for philanthropists to co-fund new social investment approach
Willis spoke alongside new Social Investment Agency chief executive Andrew Coster.
New poll shows Labour at 17-month peak while National’s support recovers
All four other parties in Parliament had decreased in support.
Australian diplomat’s partner gets name suppression amid assault charge
The man was not ordered to forfeit his passport.
Armed forces to fill vacant NZDF security and firefighting roles amid strike action
Defence Minister explains why she thinks it is necessary to invoke rarely-used power.
'Put your money where your mouth is': Redress questions remain unanswered for survivors amid abuse apology
It was an emotional and at times, hostile, day as the Government made its formal apology.
Abuse in Care Bill introduced to Parliament after PM makes historic apology
Christopher Luxon says sorry to the estimated 200,000 people abused in care over decades.
Watch: 'Dehumanising': Govt to outlaw strip-searching of children in response to abuse in state care
Luxon will make public apology tomorrow in the House, which will be watched by survivors.
NZ prison population exceeds 10,000 for first time in four years
Prison numbers haven't topped 10,000 since 2020.
Auditor-General rejects Labour’s request to probe heated tobacco policy
It comes as Winston Peters has yet to back up claims he's made about Dr Ayesha Verrall.
Derailed: Auckland trains won't be running for 96 days over coming 13 months
One last push: Acting mayor says the closures are "unfortunately necessary".
Foreign Minister promotes different approach to Govt’s Indian free trade deal promise
In the interview, he also threatened to poke public servants in the bum with a pitchfork.
Labour urges Winston Peters to apologise for naming public servant
Speaker Gerry Brownlee says Peters was not aligned with Parliament's rules in this case.
Union decries Casey Costello’s ‘unacceptable’ attack on Health Ministry staffer
Costello argues the union and Labour misunderstand her comments.
Watch: PM announces trial of new ‘intensive’ education programme
Christopher Luxon was joined by Education Minister Erica Stanford.
Documents reveal Treasury’s fears for Health NZ's finances: 'The more we hear, the worse it sounds'
Treasury expects the desired $2b in savings will be extremely hard to achieve.
NZ Police charge partner of Australian diplomat with assault after Wellington ‘altercation’
The man claimed diplomatic immunity as he was taken into custody.
Casey Costello says Health Ministry ‘dropped the ball’ over staffer conflict
NZ First leader Winston Peters has linked the staffer to leaks from Costello's office.
‘I just hated it’: How smoking ended Casey Costello’s father’s life
Costello admits she was angry amid attacks over alleged links to the tobacco industry.
Doctors’ union doubts impact of fast-tracking registration pathway
The move comes amid widespread concerns about New Zealand's health workforce.
Pharmac minister stops short of supporting law change amid drug-buying reform
A law change was recommended after the first national medicines summit this year.
Unredacted letter shows Andrew Bayly complainant a former Defence Force worker
The Small Business Minister has retained all of his ministerial portfolios.
Oranga Tamariki accepts reoffending possible as boot camp pilot teens return to community
The three-month in-residence phase has finished but now the 'hard work is just beginning'.
Ayesha Verrall contests Winston Peters’ conflict claim about ‘relative’ working on smoking regulation
Peters made the claim while speaking under Parliamentary privilege in the House.
Labour decries Govt ‘subverting’ proper process on Three Strikes changes
The Criminal Bar Association fears the impact the bill will have.
Listen live: PM talks to Hosking after Andrew Bayly insult controversy
Bayly apologised last week, claiming he thought his comments were 'light-hearted'.
'Take some wine and f*** off': Minister sorry for behaviour during business visit
Employee said he felt degraded and embarrassed by minister's treatment of him.
Power poll: Two-thirds slam Government inaction on electricity prices
It comes as one minister pursues Crown investment in geothermal energy.
Electoral Commission cautions political parties over late donation disclosures
The commission considered whether to refer the late disclosures to the police.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau claims Govt intervention not discussed in meeting with minister
The mayor went into the meeting adamant any outside intervention was unnecessary.
Racing Minister seeking cross-party support to combat threats to people riding horses on roads
Advocates wanted to be classed as vulnerable road users.
Police Minister told new gang and public safety units leaving some regions vulnerable
Mitchell spoke of his 'sleepless nights' thinking about losing another officer.
Watch: Leaders go head-to-head during Question Time after dual popularity drop
It's the first Question Time since September as MPs had two weeks away from Parliament.
Opinion: Energy the goldmine NZ First will exploit in 2026 election campaign
Criticising the energy companies has proven effective for NZ First thus far.
Watch: Winston Peters accosted by protesters, two arrested after pushing Shane Jones
Winston Peters described the protesters as "woke and feral".
Shane Jones calls for new Crown entity to drill for geothermal energy
Jones is also promising a future for the Marsden Point refinery.
Interislander ferries can run for 20 more years, claims Winston Peters
The coalition Government appeared split on what to do about the ferries.
Return to power charges NZ First members as Winston Peters opens party conference
Members are celebrating being back in government as the conference starts.
Winston Peters promises ‘major’ policy announcement at NZ First conference
The policy wasn't in the coalition agreement but Peters is confident he'll get support.
‘I just don’t care’: Luxon on his and National’s poll dip
National score lowest result in rankings in 15 months.
Health NZ Commissioner overruled CEO on proposed reduction of nurses
Excessive growth in employed nurses was one contributor to the budget blowout.
Emergency management roadmap due early next year
The roadmap will precede new emergency management legislation.
Newly-released documents reveal internal conflict before Health NZ board sacked
Health NZ has released a trove of background documents on its finances.
NZ 'late to the party' in building infrastructure, PM says
Government open to public-private partnerships in building critical health infrastructure.
'Huge loss of confidence': Govt may strip ministry of school property role
The inquiry alleges schools were able to 'jump the queue' by lobbying politicians.
Minister admits Health NZ’s near-$1b deficit is ‘worse than expected’
More information on Health NZ's finances is set to be revealed next week.
Aussie Deputy PM unable to confirm if diplomat’s partner will lose immunity
Marles couldn’t confirm whether the diplomat’s partner remained in New Zealand.
Oranga Tamariki staffer gone following alleged assault at youth justice facility
The incident occured in late August and led to a minor injury.
Boozy Bledisloe 'punch-up': Partner of Australian diplomat allegedly involved
The person was released by police after it was confirmed they held diplomatic immunity.
Stalking and young offenders: What’s next for new law and order policies in 2024?
Also coming is a second action plan on addressing family and sexual violence.
Govt agrees ‘in principle’ for Niwa to absorb MetService
Minister says merger would make NZ better equipped to respond to severe weather events.
Downed Northland pylon: Minister confident in board despite Transpower’s failure
The pylon tipped after the removal of the nuts on the tower’s baseplates.
No regrets for Police Minister over past criticism of Police Commissioner Andrew Coster
Mitchell didn't approve of Coster's policing by consent approach.