Audrey Young, Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament, specialises in writing about politics and power.
I’m Audrey Young – Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald. I was the NZ Herald’s political editor for 18 years, through some of the most tumultuous political times. In 2021 I moved into a new role as Senior Political Correspondent, where I now have more time to produce in depth stories, which are not necessarily part of the daily news cycle. I love getting my teeth into a complex issue or helping bring some clarity to a misunderstood issue. And I have a special interest in foreign affairs and Treaty of Waitangi issues. In 2018 and 2020 I was Voyager Political Journalist of the Year. Occasionally I also dish out my own awards and rankings to politicians, which includes rating the performance of Cabinet Ministers or the opposition’s Shadow Cabinet. I’ve been working at the Herald for so long that my 30th anniversary was mentioned in Parliament. However, I never tire of seeing what people do to try to gain power and what they do when they get there. I was pleased to be the union representative on the Press Council for six years. In a previous life, I worked as a sub-editor at the ill-fated Auckland Sun, was a tutor for a Pacific Island journalism course at Manukau Polytechnic in Otara, and was a teacher in Wellington.
Crown makes urgent move to halt 501 decision, Govt says it will change law
Government says it will urgently pass retrospective legislation when Parliament returns.
'It's the perfect document. It's just we happen to confuse it': Top Govt minister opens up on Treaty
Achieving equity for Māori would remove the sense of victimhood, says Cabinet minister.
Kelvin Davis' stinging attack on Opposition parties
Labour's Kelvin Davis accuses Opposition of privilege based on misery of his own family.
Shaw walks back comments over 'pause' to process on significant natural areas
The Government is in damage control after protests in the north over SNAs.
Ministers contact councils about SNA pause
Damien O'Connor has not ruled out compensation over a proven drop in value.
Audrey Young: If not now, then when for beneficiaries?
OPINION: After spending $57b on the Covid fund, the time was right to lift benefits.
Comment: Ardern and the morality feud with Australia
OPINION: It is difficult to respect a decision that treats NZ with such disrespect.
Audrey Young: Labour kept plans on divisive Māori wards under wraps
Opinion: The current law has made matters worse and there is justification for change.
Local veto on Māori wards will be abolished
The process is fundamentally unfair to Māori, says Nanaia Mahuta.
Covid-19: Community case left MIQ 11 days ago
The person may have been infected in MIQ after her last test.
Election Battlegrounds: The strategic seats that could shape next Govt
Some seats are make-or-break for smaller parties - that's where tactical voting comes in.
The best and worst: Rating our MPs under Covid 19
David Seymour was one of the most impressive and David Parker one of the least.
Audrey Young: For Simon Bridges, self-belief and rat-cunning weren't enough
Simon Bridges did not appear to have a jot of self-doubt, writes Audrey Young.
Audrey Young: Budget Covid recovery fund has political advantages
Political editor Audrey Young assesses how Budget 2020 measures up.
Coronavirus: NZ's first death - victim named as hospitals clear decks
The Prime Minister will chair a full Cabinet meeting today but most will join remotely.
Audrey Young: The Peters-PM partnership and why he won't step aside
COMMENT: There is one important difference between Winston Peters in 2008 and 2020.
Prime Minister confirms election date
Jacinda Ardern is set to announce September 19 as the general election date.
Whānau Ora - PM out of her depth, says Turia
A letter from Māori women leaders about their concerns went unanswered.
Audrey Young: National MPs' report card - those with a lowly 4 out of 10
Political editor Audrey Young marks the best and worst of National's First XV
Audrey Young: Simon Bridges needed to do two things today and he did neither
COMMENT: Simon Bridges did not help his own cause today.
Cabinet's troublemaker: How much strife is Shane Jones in?
There is more of a sigh than a smile when Shane Jones' name is mentioned in Government.
Audrey Young: A budget with a promise of better to come
COMMENT: A budget with a bit of something for everyone, except Simon Bridges.
Budget Live: What's in it for you and your family
Simon Bridges goes on the attack after Grant Robertson's first Budget.
Robertson has given himself more options
COMMENT: Robertson resisted calls to blow the windfall in this Budget.
Robertson promises more inclusive Budget
Winston Peters says his party will add the "heart and conscience" to the Budget.
Bridges denies any Nats involvement in false Gayford slurs
Bridges has told his MPs of a zero tolerance for peddling rumours or innuendo.
Comment | Low-life gossipers a distraction for PM's office
COMMENT: Low-lifes peddling rumours are trying to inflict maximum damage on the PM.
Ardern: TPP not a perfect deal but good enough
Green MP Golriz Ghahraman accuses her coalition government of "spin" about revised TPP.
Watch: Ardern and Turnbull front up
Ardern and Turnbull reiterated the two nations' "partnership" at Sydney press conference.
Game on: Bridges brings out mongrel in Ardern
Comment: He may be Oxford educated but it was pure Te Atatu.
Audrey Young: Joyce, Collins win campaign but not contest
Comment: Conditions of secrecy helped Joyce's campaign to get off the starting block.
Bridges closest but not close enough yet
Steven Joyce and Amy Adams have been talking over the weekend but no deals done.
Who's backing who in National's big race
Four challengers are in the race to be National's next leader. Who's backing them?
Nats 'at a crossroads' as leadership race heats up
Rival National Party leadership candidates are stepping up meetings with undecided MPs.
Peters drops legal case against journalists
Deputy PM to pursue National MPs in legal action over the story of his over-paid pension.
Treasury admits blunder over child poverty
The new projections wont be ready until the second half of February.
Joyce warns Ardern: 'Stay away from another country's business'
Barnaby Joyce has sent a less than veiled message to our PM about Manus Island.
Audrey Young: Minister resorts to bluster
Willie Jackson was not the only minister who learned a hard lesson today.
Joyce: Super leak against Peters was stupid
Jacinda Ardern says she would not have formed a government without the boost in seats.
Audrey Young: Radical change or modified status quo?
Will the new grand political coalition bring radical change or a modified status quo?
Revealed: Winston Peters set to be Deputy PM, Foreign Minister
Winston Peters is set to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
English tipped to remain National leader
Bill English is tipped to be strongly endorsed to remain National leader.
Audrey Young: Legendary tale of new leader just grows
Comment: More wanted change than not and the numbers don't lie.
Young on Peters: One offer good, two offers can get complicated
COMMENT: Which ever party takes power, NZ First could expect a deal to help it survive.
Live: MPs twiddling their thumbs as they wait
Peters said the process had been far more complex than he had originally thought.
Wooing Winston: The stumbling blocks
Choosing teams for coalition talks with NZ First sets in train the jockeying for power.
English patient as Peters pans idea of Deputy PM
Winston Peters appears in no hurry to get coalition negotiations underway.
New poll: Labour out in front, NZ First falls
The latest 1 News poll again differs from the Newshub Reid Research survey.
Ardern on Labour's 'full tax plan'
"There will be no new taxes or levies introduced in our first term of government."
Who is most capable to run the country?
More Aucklanders rate English but more Wellingtonians rate Ardern.
Jones brings extra force of personality
COMMENT: Winston Peters has not always been a fan of Shane Jones.
Political stage is set for Shane vs Shane
Shane Jones made the wrong choice of party, says PM Bill English.