Thomas Coughlan
Political Editor
Thomas Coughlan, Political Editor at the New Zealand Herald, loves applying a political lens to people's stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives.
I’ve been working at the Herald since 2021. I’d previously worked for Stuff and Newsroom in their Press Gallery offices in Wellington. Since joining the Press Gallery in 2018, I’ve barely strayed ten paces from my first desk - it feels like home. I love putting a political lens on people’s stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives. I’m a massive fan of spreadsheets. I love cooking and reading - generally not at the same time. If I’m not working, you’ll find me in the kitchen or at the library… or perhaps at a gig. You can find my amusing tweets at @coughlthom.
Check out Thomas’s latest content
Reserve Bank loses millions in funding under new deal with Government
The bank's expenses will be slashed by 25% this year.
Thomas Coughlan: Inside Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters’ Donald Trump bust-up
OPINION: The PM and his deputy have been feuding from three different countries.
‘Never say never': Former Labour MP Stuart Nash on NZ First candidacy rumours
'I have an immense amount of respect for Winston Peters.'
Thomas Coughlan: The Treaty Principles Bill is buried – for now
OPINION: Parliament was pushed to breaking point by the Treaty Principles Bill.
Watch: Luxon plans free-trade talks blitz as Trump changes tune on tariffs
Luxon will call other world leaders today in a bid to save the trading system.
Government to close under-fire $400m climate fund
The fund was caught up in the collapse of SolarZero.
Watch: Willis will not change forthcoming Budget as Trump tariffs hit NZ economy
As the economy slides, the finance minister will brief the country on tariff impact.
Thomas Coughlan: Defence overhaul will hit spending in other areas
OPINION: $12 billion does not go a long way in the defence world.
New helicopters, planes, strike capability: Govt’s $12b spend on defence revealed
The plan reveals $12 billion in funding over the next four years.
Thomas Coughlan: Luxon should vote down the Treaty Principles Bill in person
OPINION: Christopher Luxon should be in Parliament when the bill is killed.
Coalition back on track after months behind Labour
Labour has been squeezed in a new poll, while the minor parties have gained support.
Liberation Day: NZ Govt zeroes in on 20 areas that might anger Trump as tariff day dawns
The Government awaits the US President's tariff announcement.
Zelenskyy pushes for more sanctions in call with Luxon
Ukraine's President also spoke about joint efforts to ensure security for his country.
Peters slams KiwiRail after 'unacceptable' $8m consultancy payment finally revealed
The figures were released after months of wrangling with the Ombudsman
Judith Collins wants ‘performance management’ for public service chief executives
The Public Service Minister wants performance management.
Chris Hipkins trying to stay out of Benjamin Doyle controversy, slams Winston Peters
Hipkins said threats were concerning, but won't say whether Doyle's posts were appropriate
Labour-Green rift over policing prompts Hipkins to reflect on rhetoric
The Labour leader has made amends with the Greens.
Luxon grilled over ferries, Green MP's posts at post-Cabinet stand-up
Luxon was joined by Brooke van Velden.
‘Saving the taxpayer billions’: Peters reveals new ferries to replace ailing fleet
Winston Peters will announce the next steps to replace ageing Interislander ferries.
Bill English on fixing the health system - and the Auckland iwi leading the way
The former Prime Minister thinks there are plenty of ways to improve performance.
Voters want to retain living wage for govt cleaners, security guards and catering staff
A poll shows voters are in favour of the living wage continuing for govt contracts.
Cabinet blocks Bishop's plan to zone for 540,000 new Auckland homes
Housing Minister Chris Bishop's audacious proposal for new housing was overruled.
‘The first I’ve heard of it’ Tama Potaka unaware Treaty principles removed from new RMA
Cabinet was briefed on the change, but Potaka, a Cabinet minister, was unaware.
Bonfire of the authorities: How Govt's planning reforms will impact councils - and you
The Government promises to dramatically liberalise planning rules.
Thomas Coughlan: Winston Peters has a lot of thoughts about ... Labour
OPINION: Winston Peters couldn't stop talking about the Labour Party.
‘Disgrace to the country’ vs ‘left-wing fascists’: Peters scraps with protesters at speech
The NZ First leader delivered a state of the nation speech in Christchurch today.
Thomas Coughlan: Govt comes out on top this week but choppy waters ahead
The Government has fared best of late – but it is unprepared for a brutal winter.
‘False facts’: Govt hits out at Labour for ‘misleading’ attacks on PPP schools
Labour has had to change its story on PPP schools and their alleged downfalls.
Kiwi drug agency Pharmac escapes US scrutiny over prices
American pharmaceutical companies want Australia slapped with tariffs.
‘Contrary to law’: Ombudsman singles out Health NZ’s attitude to official information
Health NZ's delays to releasing official information catch the eye of outgoing Ombudsman.
Winston Peters ‘seriously pleased’ with Marco Rubio meeting, but no answer on tariffs
The Foreign Minister met with Secretary of State Rubio in Washington DC.
Do two ATM withdrawals in a day make you a problem gambler? New government rules think it might
Current rules mean venue staff need to intervene after two withdrawals from an ATM.
Analysis: School lunch programme is a disaster - here’s how we could fix it
ANALYSIS: Trawl through official documents offers some solutions to school lunch disaster.
Govt’s summit a success, despite Labour winning contest over having most kids
The Government pulled off a successful infrastructure summit in Auckland.
Travel plans on cards as China proposes sending new Antarctic base via New Zealand
A new Chinese base could mean more ship visits.
Thomas Coughlan: Luxon finds his happy place, courting investment to NZ
The Government was at its strongest at the investment summit this week.
‘The Italians are coming back’ - European firm confirms bid to build Northland Expressway
An Italian firm is one of a number of investors keen to build the Northland Expressway.
Investors flock to Auckland for infrastructure summit
The Government's infrastructure summit opens in Auckland today.
Nicola Willis wants to change procurement rules to help NZ companies
The Government wants to make it easier for Kiwi companies to bid for contracts.
Thomas Coughlan: National MPs’ faces tell story of gloomy polls
National MPs' faces told the story of the party's fading faith in its leader.
370,000 to be stung by Govt's stealth student loan change
The Government is lifting the repayment threshold.
Recently retired top diplomat off to London to replace Phil Goff
Chris Seed, the former head of MFAT, will be acting High Commissioner.
Govt after funds to build Northland Expressway
The road is estimated to be one of New Zealand's most expensive infrastructure projects.
Union wants apology from Nicola Willis over Treasury ban
Council of Trade Unions says Willis' characterisation of Craig Renney's error is false.
Revealed: The international businesses invited to Auckland investment summit
The Herald can reveal the names of investors coming to the Government's investment summit.
Thomas Coughlan: Phil Goff exits stage right as Winston goes to Washington
OPINION: Winston Peters flies into an uncertain world.
'Respect and gratitude': Winston Peters woos jilted ferry builder with Korean War talk
Peters paved things over with Hyundai by reminding them of New Zealand's wartime aid.
Billion-dollar improvement in Government books – but billions left to go
The Government's fiscal position has improved slightly.
Analysis: What’s behind Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr’s shock resignation?
ANALYSIS: Orr’s resignation is quite unlike other public sector exits,
Company seeks funding to build Trans-Tasman power cable
Taslink thinks the cable could be running by 2032 and reduce prices.
Paltry $970,000 saved as Govt freezes incomes of 3000 families
The Government has opted not to adjust a tax credit.
‘Not worried, but they are watching’: What the ratings agencies think of Govt’s books
What do the big ratings agencies think of the Government's fiscal repair job?
Helen Clark questions continued involvement in Five Eyes
Clark said she is concerned about mission creep of the arrangement.
Bishop's 'whole shebang' plan to fight communist productivity with housing
Kiwis suffer productivity comparable to ex-communist states. Bishop wants to change that.
‘There is room for savings’: Nicola Willis mulls Reserve Bank funding cut
The Bank has dramatically increased spending while struggling to control inflation.
Referendum possible; Parliament may shift to a four-year term, rather than three years
Governments could enjoy a four-year term if approved by referendum – but there's a catch.
Cook Islands crisis: Mark Brown writes to Christopher Luxon
The Cook Islands Prime Minister has made contact with Christopher Luxon.
Govt considers bespoke regional tax and concessions to spur growth
Could the Government adopt different tax rules for different regions?
Govt mulls extending repeat prescriptions, doctors warn it may lead to ‘catastrophic’ GP shortages
Patients may be able to go longer without seeing a doctor for a repeat prescription.
Govt seeks feedback on taxing charity-owned businesses
IRD consultation document reveals 11,700 charities reported business income in 2024.
Thomas Coughlan: National’s funny calculations show economy isn’t as good as it thinks
OPINION: Calculations from National show households aren't as better off as party thinks.
‘Significant’: Judith Collins says Chinese war ships in Tasman Sea a ‘wake-up call’
New Zealand was given no warning of the ships.
‘Enormous strike power’: Collins slates Chinese Govt as Beijing launches warships
New Zealand was given no warning of the ships.
Winston Peters calls for ‘reset’ of relationship with Cook Islands
Foreign Minister: there are 'challenges in the Government-to-Government relationship'.
Minister ‘pretty certain’ bird flu outbreak over
Andrew Hoggard warns another incursion of a different strain is likely.
Luxon aiming to get ‘close’ to spending 2% of GDP on defence
The Government wants to hit a defence spending target – it'll cost a bomb.
Labour may ask gentailers to reinvest dividends in new generation
It says the suggested move by the partly Government-owned companies could reduce prices.
Kieran McAnulty wants guarantee ratepayers aren’t helping plug Health NZ’s deficit
Kieran McAnulty fears tens of millions in ratepayer funds will head out of Masterton.
Luxon not ruling out directly appointing public service chief executives
The PM would not rule out directly appointing them himself either.
Opinion: Can PM grow his way out of a buyer’s remorse election?
OPINION: The coalition has had one of the most torrid weeks since it took office.
Cost of no growth: $12,700 for every Kiwi
Revisions to economic forecasts have left New Zealanders far worse off than expected.
Just 573 families getting full $150 childcare tax credit
The Government said 21,000 are eligible.
Erica Stanford brainstorming ideas to bring back Chinese tourists
Stanford told the Herald she will be giving the PM some ideas next week.
Government to phase in new unjustified dismissal rules
A radical overhaul of unjustified dismissal rules will be phased in over a year.
Thomas Coughlan: Valentine’s message for PM - we’re just not that into you
OPINION: Voters aren't feeling the love for the PM in Valentine's week.
NZ First introduces bill to fine ‘woke banks’ $500,000
Banks would be stopped withdrawing services from customers for purely 'woke' reasons.
Revealed: How much NZ banks have reduced lending to fossil fuel companies
Fossil fuel companies have seen their potential borrowing slashed by 10% in just one year.
Parliament naughtiest in recent history
The current House could see more referrals to the privileges committee than any other.
‘Utterly unacceptable’: Luxon lashes banks over withdrawal of lending to petrol stations
The Prime Minister has attacked the banks over retrenching from fossil fuels.
Pacific at risk as Donald Trump and Elon Musk plot to kill USAid
How America's aid retreat could have an impact on our region.