Thomas Coughlan
Deputy Political Editor
Thomas Coughlan, Deputy 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
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.
Government spending squeeze will force public service reduction, Treasury warns
Treasury says low spending means public service levels will be hard to maintain.
Seymour floats pulling out of Paris Agreement after 2026 election
The Act leader suggested his party might campaign on pulling out of the deal.
‘Freddy the frog’ feature of minister’s mining strategy
Shane Jones wants to start a conversation about mining on conservation land.
BNZ tells coal mine it will shut all accounts by 2030
BNZ wrote to the mine saying its accounts would be closed by 2030.
'It's not going to work, mate': Seymour wants bank capital rules reversed
The Associate Finance Minister has revived a years-long debate about banking regulation.
PM says NZ has been in recession for three years – Treasury disagrees
Christopher Luxon says the recession started under Labour, contradicting Treasury.
Shane Jones joins forces with Australian MPs to fight ‘woke’ banks
The fight against 'woke' banking has gone transtasman.
Select committee reshuffle: ‘The Prime Minister wants to give other people a chance to develop’
The Government has changed the chair of a significant committee.
Kiribati Govt defends Winston Peters trip snub, but the Deputy PM isn’t buying it
Peters had intended to travel to the capital Kiribati, Tarawa, this month.
Government starts the mood music for privatisations
Christopher Luxon has ruled privatisations out – so why is everyone talking about them?
Watch: Govt reveals plan to allow ‘digital nomads’ to work remotely in NZ
The announcement was made at Wellington Airport.
‘Incompatible with freedom’: Seymour speaks on Treaty Principles Bill
More than 300,000 online submissions on the bill were received, setting a new record.
Unfinished business – Roger Douglas hits back at public service boss
The former Finance Minister was unhappy with remarks made by new public service boss.
After economy shrinks, Government promises to grow it again
Unveiling competing visions for the future, National and Labour debate economic growth.
Minimum wage could go higher without significant job losses - officials
The Government went against advice from officials to lift the minimum wage higher.
An end to the 'cluster' Budget
The Government has scrapped a pilot that gave departments three years of funding at once.
Nicola Willis on 2024, this year’s flat Budget and universal entitlements
The Finance Minister backs a call to look at targeting some currently universal benefits.
Barbara Edmonds edits Facebook post incorrectly claiming Labour reduced debt
Debt increased considerably in Labour's second term.
Government settles on two options for 757, fast-tracks replacement for 2027
One of the potential replacement aircraft will be very familiar to Christopher Luxon.
‘I never thought I would say it’ – Roger Douglas on Act, NZ First
The Act founder said his old party was 'sending NZ bankrupt'.
Luxon mocks Hipkins with flight joke in Parliament debate
MPs literally counted down the final seconds of Parliament.
Analysis: Treasury gave Labour an open goal, somehow they missed it
Labour somehow seems to think the solution to our woes is more spending.
Analysis: Treasury’s forecasts a grim warning to MPs and New Zealanders
The Government will need to convince New Zealanders to cut their cloth.
Barely alive in 2025: Treasury’s grim diagnosis
Treasury shows the books will be in the red for the rest of the decade.
Will Govt 'shift goalposts' on surplus, 2025 cuts details revealed
Ministers have looked at changing the surplus measure and have begun 2025 cuts programme.
Roads in, social housing out as Govt forces councils ‘back to basics’
The Government hopes to rein in years of high rates rises with its 'back to basics' drive.
Revealed: What it will cost to travel on NZ's three new toll roads
A suite of rates has been unveiled, depending on when and how far you travel.
Nicola Willis likely to exceed target for reducing consultant spending, saving $800m
The Government set a target of reducing spending by $400m a year.
‘An announcement about an announcement’: Labour slams ferry delay
Chris Hipkins has accused the coalition of dithering on replacing the ferries.
Watch: Govt grilled after key questions on new ferries left unanswered
A cost blowout forced the cancellation of project started under the Labour Government.
Government's climate plan hits some targets, misses others
The Climate Change Minister is bullish about his Government's chances.
Ngarewa-Packer stands by $200b 'Soviet' Capital Gains Tax
National's Nicola Willis was critical of numbers.
Charity takes Oranga Tamariki to court to save frontline services
A charity is taking Oranga Tamariki to court after its contract was abruptly cancelled.
Locked out: Council of Trade Unions economist Craig Renney blocked from Treasury lock-up event
Economist Craig Renney had his application to attend the release of HYEFU declined.
Government inches towards Kiwibank part-privatisation
The capitalisation measures are intended to boost competition.
Thomas Coughlan: Govt survives under scrutiny, but crisis in health becoming undeniable
Against all odds, the Government walked away from this week largely unscathed.
Govt floats new deficit measure, Labour says it is ‘shifting the goalposts’
A surplus might be easier to hit without Crown entity deficits weighing on government.
NZTA says new revenue needed and is discussing structure of debts
The transport agency will have a $6b annual deficit by the end of the decade.
The minister who (might) save Christmas (parades)
The Regulation Ministry's tipline has received a complaint about Santa's seat belt.
Boris Johnson on NZ joining Aukus, the ‘wonderful’ haka, Jacinda Ardern and Covid
The ex-UK PM opens up on the sub deal and the controversial haka ahead of his NZ visit.
Hipkins says ‘yes’ to Dunedin Hospital and ‘no’ to Aukus
The party is closer to campaigning on a wealth or capital gains tax at the next election.
'Kiwis lost faith in us': Hipkins tells Labour it needs to change – can it?
Everyone in Labour agrees change is necessary – but agreeing on change is hard.
Labour inches closer to wealth or capital gains tax
Labour members have passed a remit on a wealth tax or capital gains tax.
Hipkins hints at MP retirements as Labour gets ready for 2026
At least one MP has hinted they may retire before the next election.
Nay nay captain - Labour to vote on banning captain's calls
Labour members will vote on banning captain's calls this weekend.
Winston Peters urges France and New Caledonia to find ‘a new pathway forward’ after unrest
Winston Peters spoke to French leaders in Paris overnight.
Seymour advocates for surplus, clashes with colleagues over budget strategy
The remarks came after National ministers suggested the surplus might be delayed.
Legislation on four-year term to be introduced soon, here’s what it could mean
Kiwis will get to vote on a four-year term - it could radically alter Parliament
Vote looms on whether a capital gains or wealth tax are part of Labour's future
Labour members will debate and vote on the party's tax policy this weekend
Thomas Coughlan: Hīkoi’s influence will be felt for years, but Treaty bill still popular
OPINION: Measuring influence of protest at ballot box would be to miss the point.
Wellington jobless numbers steady despite Govt cuts
Official stats show unemployment has fallen in the capital as other areas rise.
David Seymour says he lacks confidence in early analysis of Waikato Med School merits
The Act leader provided his own analysis to prove his point.
Government to focus on child's first 2000 days as part of new strategy
Minister wants New Zealand to be 'best place in the world for children and young people'.
Treasury: Government builds are too expensive and take too long
A new report shows projects continue to be delayed and over budget.
Transmission Gully on verge of completion, with 110 km/h speed possible
NZTA-Waka Kotahi has been locked in a dispute with the road builders.
Parliament to consider changing rules following haka - is it a good idea?
OPINION: A Parliamentary committee might look at whether MPs need greater punishments.
Submissions open on Treaty Bill with call for no swearing
Parliament's justice committee says it will run a full 6-month process.