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.
'There is no one like you': Jacinda Ardern fights back tears in memorial service to Michael Cullen
Tūhoe and Tūwharetoa hosted Michael Cullen's memorial service in Taneatua.
Audrey Young: Robertson's Goldilocks Budget - not too little, not too much
But managing expectations around health, will be a challenge, writes Audrey Young.
'I was incredibly scared': Kiri Allan on how cancer changed her life
Kiritapu Allan: Find your joy, whatever that is.
Audrey Young: If not now, then when for beneficiaries?
OPINION: After spending $57b on the Covid fund, the time was right to lift benefits.
Landmark foreshore and seabed decision: what it means
The Māori Party urges the Crown to resist any temptation to appeal the decision.
Audrey Young: Little's Cabinet paper shows how Heather Simpson was rolled
Opinion: Transparency will be the most important part of the health reforms.
Coalition calls for repeal of drugs law, scrapping penalties
Coalition calls for Government to put emphasis on health, not penalties for drug use.
Local veto on Māori wards will be abolished
The process is fundamentally unfair to Māori, says Nanaia Mahuta.
NZ's Covid vaccine rollout: The 10,000 workers first in line
Australia has decided to bring forward vaccination timelines, but what about NZ?
Watch: Maiden speeches - Rawiri Waititi's promise to be unapologetic voice for Maori
Simon Court, Camilla Belich, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer are speaking today.
Audrey Young: Muller's breakdown a catastrophe for Nats
COMMENT: Stepping down was necessary for his Todd Muller's well-being.
PM on Clark v Bloomfield video - I know the full story
What Ardern thought of crestfallen Bloomfield's face: 'We do have to give some respite'
Audrey Young: Muller's howler of a day
COMMENT: Labour memo cited Todd Muller as a threat. Today, not so much.
Todd Muller backtracks on 'Make America Great Again' hat - won't display it in office
Todd Muller says it is his job to "check and adjust."
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: Why Judith Collins could be kingmaker
Todd Muller is no Jacinda Ardern, writes political editor Audrey Young.
Audrey Young: Budget Covid recovery fund has political advantages
Political editor Audrey Young assesses how Budget 2020 measures up.
Lockdown tensions: Winston Peters - health an imperative 'but not at all costs... we'll be broke'
Winston Peters says there are "huge tensions" balancing health and economic issues.
How PM responded to this Washington Post headline: 'NZ isn't just flattening the curve. It's squashing it'.
Washington Post on early lockdown success: 'Triumph of science and leadership'.
Will some regions be given freedom before others?
PM Ardern is set to address the plight of overseas visitors stranded in New Zealand.
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.
NZ's eerie calm; Spain deaths pass China, global toll 20,000
Things will get worse before they get better says the Prime Minister.
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
Is this the Government's most 'dangerous' minister?
Eugenie Sage's decision over Waihī mining is causing widespread anxiety.
The petrol pinch: Kiwis now paying extra $200 a year in taxes, say Nats
Petrol price hikes are mounting up on Kiwi families, says Simon Bridges.
Police too scared to give evidence says MP
Advances in police culture is at risk of going backwards says National's Paula Bennett.
PM: Wally Haumaha's job could be up for grabs again
Wally Haumaha deserves natural justice says Police Minister Stuart Nash.
More heat on Govt over Haumaha inquiry
Police Minister's Face Book comment suggests chumminess with Deputy Commissioner.
Top cop appointment: What Police minister would have done different
Police minister says he may have acted differently if he known then what he knows now.
Bridges wants probe into top cop's role broadened
Peters must answer serious questions to ensure public confidence in police, says Bridges.
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.
Life after Winston: Is this the man to save NZ First?
Audrey Young looks at the rise of deputy Fletcher Tabuteau and the future of the party.
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.
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.
Treaty threat on water tax: 'They're dicing with death'
Minister says Labour plan opens Pandora's box and settlements may need to be renegotiated.
Bill or Jacinda? New poll on who you trust most
Opportunities Party leader Gareth Morgan rates higher than many current politicians.
'Little lost the confidence of his front bench'
OPINION: Little has done all he could in the interests of his party.
Big pay rise for thousands of NZ women
EXCLUSIVE: State-funded care workers win big increase as a result of historic equity deal.
Minister to Key: 'I'm sorry'
Trade Minister Todd McClay has apologised to Prime Minister John Key for his handling of news reports about potential trade retaliation from China.