Adam Pearse is a Political Reporter for the New Zealand Herald based in the gallery in Wellington.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Two new polls show Labour/Greens/Te Pāti Māori can form Government, NZ headed in wrong direction
The polls also show the gap closing between Hipkins and Luxon in the preferred PM rankings
Please invest: PM’s message to world as year’s first ‘action plan’ released
Govt's plan has 40 points across the economy, law and order and public service.
Watch: 'Get off!' Security stops Seymour driving Land Rover up Parliament steps
Parliament security demanded Seymour get off the steps immediately.
Govt to relax immigration settings to attract wealthy foreign investors who ‘don’t love’ renting
The PM argues Labour oversaw a declining level of investment.
Watch: PM faces continued questions about his Waitangi Treaty Grounds absence
The Prime Minister's opted for Akaroa over Northland this year.
‘I just gave them $10m’: Shane Jones threatens to stop funding for Waitangi National Trust
It came after David Seymour had his microphone taken off him twice during his speech.
Seymour's mic taken away, protesters turn their backs during Waitangi speech
The atmosphere was intense as David Seymour bent down to pick up the wero.
Te Pāti Māori to demand a new Te Tiriti Commissioner to audit Governmentt policy
The co-leaders indicated it could be a bottom line policy.
Mexican Ambassador to meet with Winston Peters amid Shane Jones' ‘xenophobic’ comments
The comments from Shane Jones have been deemed 'xenophobic' by the Greens.
Ngā Puhi to welcome Te Pāti Māori, Māori Queen ahead of Government pōwhiri
The remaining five political parties will be welcomed tomorrow.
Waitangi 2025: Fallen MP inspires Marama Davidson's challenge to Govt amid political return
Davidson's return comes eight months after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Waitangi 2025: An absent PM, a returning Green leader and the tension-raising Treaty bill
Organisers accept reaction to the Treaty Principles Bill could disrupt proceedings.
Watch live: PM on school lunches, Parliament’s ‘Mexican Stand-off’ and economic growth
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is confident school lunch issues will be solved.
National and NZ First’s frustration over Treaty bill only set to grow
OPINION: NZ First leader Winston Peters looked annoyed when he spoke of the bill's future.
Watch: PM Christopher Luxon speaks at Rātana Pa
Rātana locals are seeking reassurance from the PM about the Treaty Principles Bill.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins promising robust policy but keeps powder dry
Policy announcements are expected "in the coming months".
Labour leader Hipkins on why his party won’t implode in 2025
Labour is holding its caucus retreat one day after National held its own in Hamilton.
New Health Minister: Health NZ executive will have to change
Dr Shane Reti lost the portfolio in Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's reshuffle.
Incoming Health Minister Simeon Brown to meet Commissioner today
Christopher Luxon insists he still has confidence in Shane Reti.
'Privilege to serve': Dumped Health Minister says he respects Luxon's decision
The Government has faced increasing scrutiny due to pressures within the health sector.
Politicians to choose Treaty Principles Bill submitters, hearings to begin in 10 days
Hobson's Pledge asks members if they would consider cancelling National Party membership.
Justice committee unable to hear all oral submissions on Treaty Principles Bill amid record response
Select committee members will be meeting on Thursday to decide what happens next.
PM to attend Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming’s funeral, cuts UAE trip short
The funeral was set to take place on Thursday.
What democratic ‘crisis’ worries Chris Hipkins as he recalls 2024 in politics?
'We’ve made more progress than I anticipated in terms of rebuilding our public support.'
Watch: 'Cowardly' - Opposition MPs slam Luxon's decision to skip Treaty grounds events
Where the Prime Minister will be on national day is unclear.
'I didn’t appoint him': Collins looked at stripping KC's title over alleged 'appalling behaviour'
Winston Peters says he is considering whether to take further action.
'Not a day I don’t think about it': Mixed response to Lake Alice redress package
Minister Erica Stanford acknowledges the scheme won't meet everyone's expectations.
Reviews of bootcamp participants’ death and abscondings not due until 2025
One bootcamp participant died in a car crash, triggering another to abscond.
Watch: Govt grilled after key questions on new ferries left unanswered
A cost blowout forced the cancellation of project started under the Labour Government.
'How much is being left untold': Third bootcamp participant accused of re-offending
Previously, it had only been confirmed that two participants had allegedly reoffended.
Speaker refers four MPs to Privileges Committee after haka in the House
The haka, led by Te Pāti Māori, made waves across the globe.
'Read the coalition agreement': Winston Peters' message to police on 500 extra officers target
Police maintain they won't compromise on quality just to hit the Government's target.
Labour leader repeats MP’s ‘cooking the books’ claim about Health NZ Commissioner
But his MP isn't restating her claim while not covered by Parliamentary privilege.
PM adamant bootcamp pilot not a failure, hints at changes after youths absconded
Two participants who absconded have been arrested after going missing for days.
Children’s Minister disappointed but ‘relieved’ bootcamp absconders found after alleged carjacking
It follows the tragic passing of one bootcamp participant due to a car accident.
Swarbrick on ‘probably’ the Greens' toughest year
The party is preparing for a significant policy announcement tomorrow.
'Unacceptable': Chhour slams Oranga Tamariki for not telling her of second bootcamp abscondee
The Children's Minister yesterday was only aware of one participant who had absconded.
Missing bootcamp teen who absconded from fellow participant's tangi had been in youth justice facility
The boy had been granted bail on 'compassionate grounds' to attend tangi.
Bootcamp youth dies after accident, another on the run after absconding from mate's tangi
The Herald understands the death was caused by a car accident.
Govt target to train 500 new police officers could miss deadline – police
The target's timeline was a source of tension within the coalition at one point.
‘We got that wrong’: Electoral Commission accepts failure over Manurewa Marae voting base selection
The commission admits its mitigation plan was not sufficient.
Health NZ to take longer to hit budget targets
The organisation is also expecting a deficit of $1.1 billion in the next year.
Pharmac minister, chair refuse to express confidence in CEO Sarah Fitt
The revelation came amid a scrappy start to Parliament's second scrutiny week.
Health Minister lauds ‘impressive’ Healthy Homes impact but can’t commit to funding boost
The programme had led to a more than 18% decrease in hospitalisations.
Waitangi Tribunal calls on Govt to reconsider Māori health authority after Treaty ‘breaches’
Alternative plans for Māori health are said to be announced next month.
‘Every human being for themselves’: Winston Peters hints at 2026 election plans
Winston Peters says all coalitions are difficult and you have to compromise.
How Seymour ‘got it wrong’ about Peters - and why Treaty bill could live on
'Difficult to see genie getting put back in the bottle.'
PM on working with Peters and Seymour and why ‘coalition of chaos’ defied critics
Luxon on the first year of his Government and how his relationship with co-leaders differs.
No extra funding for new smoking action plan as daily smokers increase
The minister remained committed to reaching the target by the end of 2025.
Our next Police Commissioner reveals his top priorities
Richard Chambers said it was an 'absolute honour' to lead the police.
Regulation ministry launches tipline in search of ‘red tape horror stories’
The new tipline is live on the Ministry for Regulation website today.
Watch: Police Minister trumpets new crime figures as officers prepare for Treaty hīkoi at Parliament
The minister has a message for gang members ahead of impending gang patch ban.
Minister calls for philanthropists to co-fund new social investment approach
Willis spoke alongside new Social Investment Agency chief executive Andrew Coster.
New poll shows Labour at 17-month peak while National’s support recovers
All four other parties in Parliament had decreased in support.
Australian diplomat’s partner gets name suppression amid assault charge
The man was not ordered to forfeit his passport.
Armed forces to fill vacant NZDF security and firefighting roles amid strike action
Defence Minister explains why she thinks it is necessary to invoke rarely-used power.
'Put your money where your mouth is': Redress questions remain unanswered for survivors amid abuse apology
It was an emotional and at times, hostile, day as the Government made its formal apology.
Abuse in Care Bill introduced to Parliament after PM makes historic apology
Christopher Luxon says sorry to the estimated 200,000 people abused in care over decades.
Watch: 'Dehumanising': Govt to outlaw strip-searching of children in response to abuse in state care
Luxon will make public apology tomorrow in the House, which will be watched by survivors.
NZ prison population exceeds 10,000 for first time in four years
Prison numbers haven't topped 10,000 since 2020.
Auditor-General rejects Labour’s request to probe heated tobacco policy
It comes as Winston Peters has yet to back up claims he's made about Dr Ayesha Verrall.
Derailed: Auckland trains won't be running for 96 days over coming 13 months
One last push: Acting mayor says the closures are "unfortunately necessary".
Foreign Minister promotes different approach to Govt’s Indian free trade deal promise
In the interview, he also threatened to poke public servants in the bum with a pitchfork.
Labour urges Winston Peters to apologise for naming public servant
Speaker Gerry Brownlee says Peters was not aligned with Parliament's rules in this case.
Union decries Casey Costello’s ‘unacceptable’ attack on Health Ministry staffer
Costello argues the union and Labour misunderstand her comments.
Watch: PM announces trial of new ‘intensive’ education programme
Christopher Luxon was joined by Education Minister Erica Stanford.
Documents reveal Treasury’s fears for Health NZ's finances: 'The more we hear, the worse it sounds'
Treasury expects the desired $2b in savings will be extremely hard to achieve.
NZ Police charge partner of Australian diplomat with assault after Wellington ‘altercation’
The man claimed diplomatic immunity as he was taken into custody.
Casey Costello says Health Ministry ‘dropped the ball’ over staffer conflict
NZ First leader Winston Peters has linked the staffer to leaks from Costello's office.
‘I just hated it’: How smoking ended Casey Costello’s father’s life
Costello admits she was angry amid attacks over alleged links to the tobacco industry.
Doctors’ union doubts impact of fast-tracking registration pathway
The move comes amid widespread concerns about New Zealand's health workforce.
Pharmac minister stops short of supporting law change amid drug-buying reform
A law change was recommended after the first national medicines summit this year.
Unredacted letter shows Andrew Bayly complainant a former Defence Force worker
The Small Business Minister has retained all of his ministerial portfolios.
Oranga Tamariki accepts reoffending possible as boot camp pilot teens return to community
The three-month in-residence phase has finished but now the 'hard work is just beginning'.
Ayesha Verrall contests Winston Peters’ conflict claim about ‘relative’ working on smoking regulation
Peters made the claim while speaking under Parliamentary privilege in the House.
Labour decries Govt ‘subverting’ proper process on Three Strikes changes
The Criminal Bar Association fears the impact the bill will have.
Listen live: PM talks to Hosking after Andrew Bayly insult controversy
Bayly apologised last week, claiming he thought his comments were 'light-hearted'.
'Take some wine and f*** off': Minister sorry for behaviour during business visit
Employee said he felt degraded and embarrassed by minister's treatment of him.
Power poll: Two-thirds slam Government inaction on electricity prices
It comes as one minister pursues Crown investment in geothermal energy.
Electoral Commission cautions political parties over late donation disclosures
The commission considered whether to refer the late disclosures to the police.