Michael Neilson is a senior political reporter for the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament in Wellington.
Michael Neilson is a political reporter based at Parliament in Wellington. He has been a journalist since 2016, first at the Gisborne Herald before joining the NZ Herald in 2018, covering social issues, the environment and Māori affairs.
'Catastrophic failure': National vows to end emergency housing in Rotorua motels
The social housing waitlist has exploded in recent years.
Govt offers historic teacher pay rise in $4.4 billion package
An arbitration panel recommended a 14.5 per cent increase.
'Bit of a mess': Labour's election hopes on the line
Kiri Allan resigned as Justice Minister after crashing her car and being arrested.
Kiri Allan on mental health leave after 'hitting the wall'; PM faces questions, admits 'issues raised'
The report refers to matters from over a year ago.
National MP denies 'mother and father' comment homophobic as Kiri Allan hits out
Speech came amid child support debate, claims comment aimed instead at 'deadbeat dads'.
All the reaction to Budget 2023: ‘blowout’ says National, Greens want stronger action on poverty
National has accused the Government of 'wasteful spending'.
Budget 2023: $160m to gaming sector, rebate for video game developers
The sector contributed $7 billion towards New Zealand’s GDP in 2021.
Budget 2023 breakdown: Massive EV charging expansion among climate change initiatives
New climate-focused initiatives include expanding the electric vehicle charging network.
Budget 2023: Massive boost for Te Matatini kapa haka festival
Te Matatini gets an additional $34 million in funding over the next two years.
Budget 2023: What’s in it for you
Free medicines, cheaper transport and childcare among initiatives.
Government ups fight against ram raiders with $9 million boost to retail support
Ram raids have steadily declined from a peak mid-last year.
Three Waters reset: Govt to create 10 new entities; Luxon calls rebrand a 'dumb policy'
The Government will announce its Three Waters replacement today.
Govt announces six new bridges; new Minister of Police confirmed
Hipkins announced Cyclone Gabrielle measures and a new Police Minister.
Govt to spend $2 billion in welfare boost: Are you eligible?
It will see Govt support increase in line with inflation of over 7 per cent.
Cabinet reshuffle: Little, Mahuta demoted; range of new ministers
Hipkins reveals a refreshed Cabinet team as one if his first tasks as PM.
'Greatest privilege of my life' Ardern says in final words as PM at Rātana
It is Ardern's last public outing as Prime Minister.
Watch: Luxon hits out at Labour, confronts co-governance at Rātana
It is Ardern's last public outing as Prime Minister.
Ardern’s last act as PM: Emotional farewell at Rātana, battle of the Chrises ignites
The traditional start to the political year is tipped to be more explosive than usual.
New Year Honours: Doctor, ‘saint’, and now Sir Ashley Bloomfield
“I look back at that with a sense of pride, in what we achieved as a country.”
Police investigating after reports more Te Urewera huts destroyed
Fires are believed to have occurred sometime between November 19 and 29.
High Court orders halt to Te Urewera hut demolitions
The demolitions had been the subject of numerous protests.
'Rip the guts out': Fed farmers condemns Govt's rural emission plan
Govt says it is largely based on sector's own suggestions with some 'tweaks'.
Live: Lights out tonight! Govt scraps traffic light system, almost all mask rules
Government moves to new phase of Covid-19 response.
Luxon v Ardern in Parliament after MP Sam Uffindell sent back to Tauranga
It comes amid new revelations about the under-fire MP.
Ardern hints traffic light system could be shelved post-winter
Hospitalisations remain elevated and pressure on the health system continues.
Watch: 'I was a bully, a thug' - Sam Uffindell on schoolboy assault
"I've felt remorse and very upset about this for some time."
Watch: Standing ovation as Dr Ashley Bloomfield signs off for the last time
Dr Ashley Bloomfield gives his final Covid-19 briefing before leaving his job.
'Code red': DHBs warned Govt of 'critical workforce issues' a year ago
It comes amid reports health system is in crisis mode amid 'twindemic' of Covid and flu.
Auckland daily case numbers drop below 1000 first time in 4 months
Meanwhile hospitalisation and mortality rates tell another story.
$6 million Govt support plan to thwart ram raiders
$6 million from Proceeds of Crime Fund used to fight ram raids
Budget 2022: Nearly $1b to disability sectors and changes to benefits
Benefit changes are expected to lift up to 14,000 more children out of poverty.
'Open for business': NZ's borders fully reopen from July 31
Despite 'heavy clouds', Kiwis have cause to be optimistic.
Watch: $230m trades training programme announced - Govt to support 38,000 people into work
It comes as the PM isolates at home with her fiance positive for Covid-19.
Reunited! Border reopens to international visitors from visa-waiver countries
International arrivals are slowly starting to pick up again.
Student took 1914 days to re-engage, get back to classroom
One student not attending took 1914 days to re-engage and get back into the classroom.
Govt committed to get Rotorua Māori seats bill 'right'
It comes after the Attorney-General found its current form could breach Bill of Rights.
23 deaths, 14,120 Covid cases reported today
There are 692 people in hospital, including 30 patients in intensive care.
New Covid variant could force tougher rules if it arrives in NZ - Bloomfield
While cases are dropping Auckland remains with the highest hospitalisations per capita.
NZ to remain at red traffic light, next review on April 14 - PM
It comes after nine more Covid-related deaths were reported today.
Omicron rules changed: Gathering limits, vax passes - what you need to know
From 11.59pm on Monday 4 April, vaccine passes will no longer be required to be used.
Covid vaccine passports, mandates may go as NZ woos tourists
It comes after she did a promo interview on the Australian breakfast show Sunrise.
Govt announces 'a start' of $22m for Māori Health Authority
New Zealand has been "dominated by monocultural thinking", Health NZ chair says.
Live: Ardern stands by decision not to engage with protesters, heavy police presence remains
The clean-up continues at Parliament as a heavy police presence remains.
'Misguided' - Attorney-General pours scorn on protesters; reinforcements set to join today
Police have moved into 'enforcement mode' but the occupation could last days yet.
Borders reopen from Feb 27, travellers to self-isolate, MIQ for unvaxxed
The shift to self-isolation will begin from the end of this month.
Charlotte Bellis returning to NZ in March to give birth to her baby girl
'I will be returning to my home country New Zealand at the beginning of March.'
Omicron in Queenstown; Govt under pressure after 'seizure' of rapid tests
Lack of Māori input and specific details of plan have been criticised.
New mask rules 'don't go far enough'; Govt to reveal more on plan for Omicron
It comes as testing capacity is boosted and new mask rules introduced.
36 hospitals to be upgraded in $644 million health boost
It is part of plans for operating the health system with Covid in the community.
More Kiwis support local border restrictions than oppose
But Aucklanders had a different view.
Watch: Experts explain 'gamechanger' treatments for Covid
They've been described as "gamechangers" in the fight against Covid-19.
Live: Third of Kiwi parents won't give kids Covid jab - a month from rollout
Covid-19 Response Minister says he is confident that will change once its approved.
Watch: NZ secures 60,000 doses of Pfizer's new antiviral drug
Announcement comes after the first weekend of the new traffic light system.
146 new cases, jabs for kids likely to start in Jan; Omicron expected to spread to NZ
NZ enters the new traffic light system from 11.59pm on Thursday.
'At red, it will feel a lot like level 2': Traffic light for your region revealed
There were 182 cases reported today.
Live: Vaccine pass site crashes under demand - all you need to know
It comes ahead of a signalled move to the traffic light system soon after November 29.
Watch live: NZ's Covid response - and how vaccinations impact hospitalisation rates
It comes as vaccine mandates kick in for teachers and health workers.
Live: Level 3.2 from midnight, PM sets Nov 29 'freedom day' for Auckland
Experts say it is a 'risky move' and too soon before vaccination levels are high enough.
Auckland set to ease restrictions next week, Waikato 'step 2' tomorrow - retailers to re-open
Today's announcement comes as a record number of new cases were reported.
How an iwi-led vaccination programme is racing to 90%
It comes amid a late boost to Māori vaccination rates across the country.
90% Project: How many MPs are fully vaccinated?
It comes as the Government introduces mandatory vaccinations in high-risk sectors.
Live: Northland female traveller finally found, showing Covid symptoms
Currently 87 per cent of eligible Aucklanders have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Live: D-Day as Auckland on 'knife-edge' - cases 'better today'; return to school under review
Cabinet will be today decide if there are any changes to Auckland's restrictions.
Live: Covid a 'flame thrower'; no jab, no entry for events of 100+, says expert
Outbreak now linked to a 'large' gang presence, with calls for more-targeted approach.
39 new Covid cases, person with virus dies in Auckland
Auckland today enters day 50 of its lockdown as restrictions ease slightly.
Vaccine certificates welcomed; expert says Govt should mandate worker jabs
The PM says the surest way to get to festivals this summer is to get the vaccine.
24 cases, six in Waikato; vaccine pass to be required for summer events, festivals
It comes ahead of Auckland moving to the first step of its road map tonight.
19 Covid cases today - why officials are expecting another 35 in coming days
It comes as two people tested positive at Middlemore Hospital overnight.
Oranga Tamariki 'weak, disconnected, unfit' – nearly all child uplifts to stop
The Government has accepted all 25 recommendations to "fix" Oranga Tamariki.
'Golden ticket for NZ' - PM says no level 4 with high vax rates; 15 new cases
Modelling also suggests that vaccinations alone won't be enough to keep the virus at bay.
'Unacceptable': Disparity in DHB staff vaccination levels revealed
Less than half of all staff at one DHB are fully vaccinated.
14 community cases today; new $12k fine for rule breakers
Officials have confirmed how Auckland prisoner who sparked mini lockdown became infected.
Auckland to level 3 for two weeks, rest of NZ to stay at level 2
It comes as three new cases emerged outside the Auckland lockdown overnight.
How many MPs have been fully vaccinated against Covid?
Which party is leading the way?
Live: 13 new cases; truck driver who left Auckland tests positive
It comes as the 'Shot Bro' vaccine buses start doing the rounds.
15 Covid cases today, unlinked cases fall to 10; 'Mr Whippy' vaccine buses hit streets
The numbers come as testing and vaccinations in Auckland ramp up.
Auckland lockdown extended, level 3 'in-principle' in 8 days; rest of NZ stays at level 2
There are still 17 'mystery cases', those yet to be clearly linked back to the outbreak.
Eleven new cases, officials hunt missing link between household cases with different strains
29 mystery cases under investigation, vaccination centre a location of interest.
Delta eliminated in a 'couple of weeks' - NZ response exceeds expectations, says top modeller
It follows news an extra 250,000 doses are arriving from Spain this morning.
Watch: 13 new Covid cases in community; 250k jabs coming from Spain
Thirty-one people in hospital, five in ICU or HDU, and three requiring ventilation.