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
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.
Thousands fewer families getting support as unemployment rises
Fewer families are getting government support thanks to a quirk in our rules.
Justice Committee looking at ending taxpayers paying for election ads
A divided committee wants the Government to look at voting rules.
Shane Jones promises rare frogs will no longer stifle growth as fast track bill gets second reading
The fast track bill had its second reading debate in Parliament this afternoon.
Coalition, Labour join forces to attract more PPPs
Firms may be paid to bid for government contracts.
Harris’ final message to supporters as Democrat blame game begins
Kamala Harris broke her silence after failing to appear on election night.
Tears and empty chairs: Inside Kamala Harris’ grim election night party
OPINION: She didn't turn up to her own bash, writes Thomas Coughlan.
Baking hot, no food, and French people desperate to smoke – inside Kamala Harris’ election night bash
OPINION: Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan is at Harris' former college.
Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga, Oprah and long lines – inside Kamala Harris’s last rally
Candidates embark on final push before election day.
US election: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump converge on Pennsylvania
It's the final day of campaigning in the US presidential election.
Many Americans know strife won't end with polling day
You might think the election wraps up this week, but you'd be wrong.
Thomas Coughlan's campaign diary: At a battleground state Trump rally
OPINION: There are just two more days of campaigning in the US presidential election.
US economy posts terrible hiring number days out from election
OPINION: Jobs data published this week came in at 12% of what economists expected.
‘It’s not really a threat, it’s a promise’: Official sued by Donald Trump warns of post-election lawsuits
The Herald speaks to an official on the front line of America's election.
Labour closing in on National in latest poll, with 65% support for capital gains tax
A poll of the issues people care about shows Labour closing the gap with National.
Is Health NZ underfunded? Treasury doesn’t think so
The health system is bleeding money, leading some to question funding levels.
NZ ‘closely monitoring’ safety of troops as tension rises in Middle East
NZ has about 65 troops personnel deployed at various locations.
Treasury keen on private capital for Kiwibank, Greens warn of privatisation
Official advice suggests private capital has been considered in the past.
An end to fiscal holes? New plan to independently assess political parties' costings
Poking holes in opposing parties’ costings has long been a feature of NZ elections.
Can New Zealand trade food for roads with Singapore? NZ First’s Shane Jones thinks it is possible
Singapore is keen to invest in NZ, says Shane Jones following a trip.
Treasury reviews raise alarms over Dunedin Hospital project delivery and scope
Documents released today suggest the hospital build was struggling for years.
Wellington's under-fire council using rates for water investment at nearly double national average
Other authorities are using substantially more debt to pay for water projects.
Government to pilot ‘outcomes contracts’ in social investment push
Nicola Willis to set out her vision for contracting social services.
Government gives migrant partners work rights, overturning Labour ban
The partners of some migrants will have greater work rights.
Darleen Tana 'relieved' after she's ousted from Parliament
Darleen Tana has been removed from Parliament.
Watch: 'Must do better' – Mayor says tough decisions ahead after Government appoints observer
The Government is to appoint a Crown observer to Wellington City Council.
Canada ‘very disappointed’ by NZ decision to escalate dairy battle
Canada's Trade Minister has responded to New Zealand's decision to ramp up action.
Thomas Coughlan: The Greens have saved their membership, now what about the voters
Green Party delegates decided to sanction the use of the waka-jumping law against Tana.
Exclusive: Taiwanese Foreign Minister keen to “participate” in Aukus pillar 2
Pillar 2 of Aukus is getting crowded.
Listen: Swarbrick labels vote to oust Darleen Tana 'deliberate democracy'
The decision was made in a late-night Zoom meeting yesterday.
New Zealand forces Canada to negotiating table in $200m dairy dispute
NZ could impose tariffs on Canada if a solution is not found.
Green Party to use Waka-Jumping law to eject Darleen Tana from Parliament
Green Party delegates meeting this evening to decide whether to boot Tana from Parliament.
Treasury asks itself why its forecasts are wrong, sanctions on the table
Treasury's revenue forecasting hasn't been the best recently. It's trying to fix that.
Local Govt Minister seeks advice on interventions at ‘shambles’ Wellington City Council
Council chaos has the Government pondering intervention - but what?
Darleen Tana appeals, but Greens continue process to oust her
The rogue MP has appealed a High Court decision allowing the Greens to vote to expel her
Panel rejects quarry proposal a week after being included in fast-track list
Quarry consent rejected under Labour's fast-tracking – but it's on Govt's new list too.