Jason Walls is Newstalk ZB's Political Editor and has years of experience working across print and radio.
Cutting my teeth in the world of business reporting, my economics degree served me well in delving into numerous Government budgets and dissecting various political parties' policies. After a stint at NBR and Interest.co.nz, I moved over to the Herald's Press Gallery office, where I covered elections, leadership changes, re-shuffles, riots, pandemics, and everything else in between. But my love of broadcast meant it was only a matter of time before ZB came calling. I started out as the Gallery's Chief Political Reporter, before being made Deputy Editor in mid-2022 and I took over as Editor early in 2023.
Govt granted Mongrel Mob life member Harry Tam essential workers exemption
He's the second mob boss to be granted an essential workers exemption to come to Auckland.
MoH trying to reach 500 Melbourne returnees; no new cases of Covid today
500 of the 5000 Melbourne returnees were unable to be reached by email.
Nash's new, significantly slimmed down, PFG – how it's different
The Govt's new look PGF tenth the size of the old one – there are some big differences.
PM, Hipkins deny accusations of vaccine roll-out delay
Push back comes after Ministry of Health quietly updated its vaccination timeline.
Budget 2021: 'What Kiwis are asking us to do' – PM hits back at criticism
The Budget spends billions on increasing benefits but keeps a lid on debt increases.
Budget 2021: Govt expects 'very sharp' drop in house price growth
'This is a very sharp adjustment in house prices but a very necessary one' - Robertson.
388k Covid vaccines dished out; Hipkins' message to Kiwis abroad
120,000 people have had their second doses of the Pfizer jab and are fully vaccinated.
Three new MIQ Covid cases; 87,000 people have both jabs
Officials will update how many vaccines have been administered in NZ.
Major health overhaul - All DHBs to be scrapped for one national authority
All of New Zealand's 20 District Health Boards will be replaced by one.
Government to ban live animal exports from 2023
Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor made the announcement this morning.
MIQ worker wasn't vaccinated; 20% of border staff yet to get jab
The worker wanted to get the jab but was in isolation, Ashley Bloomfield says.
Ardern to companies contracting frontline workers: Test your staff or face the consequences
There is a penalty regime for employers not regularity testing their frontline staff
Seven Covid cases in MIQ; 90,000 vaccine doses administered
Last week 66,000 vaccines had been administered in NZ. How many will it be today?
'Run off our feet': Kiwis snap up Air NZ fares as Aussie travel bubble starts
The much-anticipated transtasman travel bubble finally has a start date.
Cook Islands travel bubble likely to begin in May
Ardern met with Cooks PM Mark Brown this afternoon, where the bubble was on the agenda.
Infected MIQ worker 'low risk', sport stars in line for early vaccines
Olympic athletes will automatically qualify for early vaccines, Govt confirms.
Housing plan: $3.8b for new houses, speculators horrified by 'crazy' tax changes
First home buyers have been given a lifeline.
Eight new Covid cases in MIQ, vaccine schedule tool now online
The total number of active cases in New Zealand is now 63.
First Kiwis fully vaccinated, very small number of people have declined
There are no new community cases of Covid-19 but three in managed isolation.
Live: No new Covid-19 cases in the community, one in MIQ
It's a month since the first Valentine's Day community case, and all NZ is now at level 1.
Now there's a Case O - new community Covid case announced
A new community case of Covid-19 was announced just before 6pm.
No new community cases; Ardern warns 'Covid kills'
The lockdown measures are to save lives, PM says.
No new community cases of Covid, 'no need' to raise alert level
Half of all Papatoetoe High School students have been retested - all negative so far.
Berocca backdown: National MP trumps Mallard in spoof video row
The controversial Berocca video has been re-uploaded to Facebook after being taken down.
New cases: School closed until Friday
The two new cases are siblings and one is a close contact of original community case.
Alert-level D-Day - Nat MP's 'big call' over level 3
Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins 'optimistic' ahead of Cabinet decision.
Suburb at centre of outbreak hunkers down; long waits for tests
Long queues at Papatoetoe High School testing site this morning.
New cases are UK strain - long wait at school's pop-up testing station
'We have stamped out the virus before, and we will do it again.'
Live: Auckland at level 3; rest of NZ at 2 - what you need to know
A sudden and dramatic change in NZ's alert levels after three positive cases.
Berocca brouhaha: National MP in hot water over spoof ad mocking Anna Lorck
"I read the room and there was plenty of banter."
Two new MIQ Covid-19 cases - one whose positive test came back while in hospital
Officials will likely release more information about the new Hamilton case.
'Scratching our heads a little' - official on latest Covid-19 community cases
The person had been in self-isolation since leaving the Pullman seven days ago.
Family member of Covid community cases tests positive
The new case has been isolating since last week.
NZ's borders likely to remain closed to most of the world all year – Ardern
Reopening NZ's borders is a risk 'too great a risk to our health and economy' – PM.
Four new Covid cases in managed isolation, One from UK
The person from the United Kingdom tested positive during routine testing around day 1.
One new Covid case in isolation, officials to reduce daily updates
There are no new community cases and one case in managed isolation.
Live: No new Covid cases today
Three previously reported cases have recovered, taking total number of active cases to 56.
PM defends stretched isolation hotel voucher system
PM briefs media after her new Cabinet's second meeting today.
Exclusive poll: How Kiwis are really feeling about house prices
Should house prices rise or fall? Kiwis have their say and it may surprise you.
Four new Covid cases today, two in the community
The Auckland cluster now has 161 people linked to it.
Watch: 5 new Covid cases, Collins v Ardern in Parliament
Three are in the community. All linked to the Mt Roskill mini cluster.
Auckland set for 'level 2.5': Two new cases as PM outlines new rules, fumes over Govt Facebook message
Two new cases, lockdown leave confirmed, and anger from PM about wrong testing messages.
12 new Covid cases: 5 in the community; 11 people in hospital
Four of the new community cases are linked to the "mini cluster".
Watch: 'Challenging times' but new election date can be catered for, says commission
PM has announced the election has been moved from September 19 to October 17.
Seven new Covid cases today - 6 linked to cluster, 1 being investigated
Hipkins said this morning the new cases all appear to be linked to the Auckland cluster.
No new Covid cases today - 98 days without community transmission
New Zealand has gone 98 days without community transmission.
No new cases, but 'we can't afford Covid-19 fatigue to set in'
Hipkins, Bloomfield both urge continued vigilance.
One new case of Covid - a child in managed isolation
Have people started using the Government's app yet?
Judith Collins dumps Woodhouse, makes Shane Reti health spokesman
Will National's new leader, Judith Collins, reveal any portfolio changes?
Two new cases of Covid; Hipkins unhappy with testing numbers
The two new cases are both in managed isolation.
Covid-19 latest: Two new cases today, one is a child under 2
Both were recent overseas' arrivals and were detected within managed isolation facilities.
Half our DHBs should be scrapped, our health system 'fragmented' - major report
The shake-up also recommends the public should lose their right to vote for DHB reps
Many Kiwis have lost jobs or taken pay cuts. So why are MPs still on full salaries?
Jacinda Ardern had said the pay cuts would show solidarity with those impacted by Covid
Bridges v Muller: Game on! MPs enter caucus for Nats' leadership vote
Todd Muller has challenged Simon Bridges' role as the head of the party.
'Everything remains promising': No new Covid-19 cases today
It's been four days since New Zealand has had a new Covid-19 case.
The $50 billion Budget to help save 140,000 jobs - and wage subsidy extended
The Government will spend big on its Covid-19 recovery plan.
Finance Minister's warning: Deficits for 'extended period'; debt at all-time high
Robertson revealed the Govt will be running deficits for an "extended period" of time.
Three new Covid-19 cases; why PM won't rush move to level 2
The number of new Covid-19 cases has been in single digits for 12 days in a row.
PM warns NZ to stay vigilant as another death, five cases reported
NZ goes into level 3 tonight at 11.59pm, after being at level 4 for more than four weeks.
NZ smashes Covid curve with record low cases - Bloomfield apologises to family over death
Ardern is expected to elaborate on the Govt's new media funding package.
One new Covid-19 death, PM gives update on level 3
Ardern reminded New Zealanders that we are still in alert level 4.
'Our deadliest day': PM on new deaths, $130m student package
Jacinda Ardern says today a "sad and sobering reminder" of what we are dealing with.
54 new cases but 65 recoveries: Are we finally starting to get on top of this thing?
There have been more than 42,800 tests so far and almost 3000 yesterday.
Has it peaked? NZ has 82 new Covid-19 cases as lockdown decision looms
Top public health officials are set to brief media on the latest Covid-19 developments.
Watch: No CPR given to Covid-19 patients, 71 new cases today
The new cases bring the total number of Covid-19 cases in NZ to 868.
Coronavirus: PM unveils leave scheme for essential workers
PM unveils leave scheme for essential workers, launches Covid-19 WhatsApp group.
89 new coronavirus cases - highest daily rise yet
The Director-General of Health and the Police Commissioner are providing a Covid-19 update
'Devastating news': New Zealand has its first coronavirus death
The latest coronavirus update from the lockdown taskforce.
Lockdown day 3 – 83 new cases of Covid-19; total 451
Twelve people are in hospital, including two in intensive care – one on a ventilator.
PM's lockdown message: Don't head to the beach (like the Aussies)
PM Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson to update the nation.
Updated: List of 'essential' services staying open
The Government has updated the list of what essential services during level 4 lockdown
Revealed: The full list of 'essential' businesses that can stay open
Govt reveals which jobs will be among those considered to be 'essential'
Govt to spend $56m to support Māori communities hit by Covid-19
The bulk of that funding is for targeted health funding for Māori
NZ border shuts at midnight: PM's historic coronavirus call
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents will be able to return.
Coronavirus: Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people banned
These measures don't apply to schools, universities, supermarkets or public transport.
Government's $12b coronavirus rescue plan - what it means for you
All eligible Covid-19 impacted workers can claim up to $585 a week from the Govt.
Air NZ 'disappointed' by Jetstar axing regional routes
Air NZ's Chairwoman says Jetstar's decisions shows the economics of flying is challenging
Govt lifts seasonal worker cap – but challenges Kiwi employers
The cap is conditional on the horticulture industry doing more to attract Kiwi workers.
PM: 'You simply can't learn distracted by an empty stomach'
'You simply can't learn distracted by an empty stomach' – says PM Jacinda Ardern.
Govt increases pay offer to teachers to $1.4b
The revised offer comes after months of strike action from teachers across the country