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.
PM responds to National claims Govt planning to remove GST from fruit, vegetables
Hipkins has had a busy day of diplomatic meetings.
Green Party vows to return stolen land to Māori
'The Aotearoa we know today has been built off of Māori land' - co-leader Marama Davidson.
Pothole Repair Fund: National's $500m pledge to fix 'shocking state' of roads
Govt says National created problem by freezing road maintenance.
Govt unveils inquiry into wild weather response; $240m to finance rebuild
It has also launched an inquiry into the response to the cyclones.
Auckland, Northland to go first in new water reforms
The Government has introduced new legislation to cover revised Three Waters model.
NZ, Aus ministers hit back at ‘greenwashing’ claims as climate partnership signed
New arrangement could pave way for electric car manufacturing Downunder.
Nats say Govt-farming emissions group is 'dead'
Time runs low on getting pricing scheme up before election.
Govt considering fertiliser tax as time to price emissions runs low
It comes as time runs out on pricing scheme, Govt looks to other funding options.
NZ Steel to transition away from burning coal with $140 million Govt subsidy
The change is equivalent to taking 300,000 cars off the road.
Explainer: Why Govt is making a big deal of steel emissions initiative
PM Chris Hipkins called it NZ's 'largest-ever emissions reduction project'.
'Uninspiring': Govt hits back at National's farming policy
Chris Luxon's policy overhauls many of Labour's rules on the environment and immigration.
Nats want to double RSE workers, add residency pathways
It also wants to ban foreign investment converting farms to forestry.
Labour’s last roll of the dice on water reforms
The new model appears to have placated some of the harshest critics, but not all.
Three Waters reset: Govt to create 10 new entities; Luxon calls rebrand a 'dumb policy'
The Government will announce its Three Waters replacement today.
'Three Waters' to become 'Affordable Water Infrastructure'?
PM Chris Hipkins signals Three Waters rebrand, to be announced 'imminently'.
NZ could face $24 billion bill to hit 2030 climate targets, officials warn
An expert says it means taking stronger action now could save money in long-term.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Task force to tackle managed retreat, flood risk and insurance issues
Robertson said affected communities would be at the centre of decision making.
Cyclone Gabrielle: PM Hipkins to announce forestry slash inquiry on Thursday
It comes after widespread devastation following two cyclones in a month.
Cyclone Gabrielle: All parties back review into forestry slash
Momentum builds for major review into forestry practices following devastating cyclones.
Greens speak on their ' ‘biggest frustration’ - and optimism for 2023
The party co-leaders say they are committed to being part of the next Government.
Three Waters passes amid fiery debate
National, Act, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori all raised concerns.
‘Dangerous precedent’: Lawyers’ concern over entrenched Three Waters provision
Amendment is to protect against privatisation, but many are concerned about the process.
‘Outrageous’: Industry concerned costs not factored into speed limit proposal
Waka Kotahi says there is no requirement to do a cost-benefit analysis.
Shaw to look at 1.5C ‘obligation’ in climate law
Activist group says need to check if Zero Carbon Act is 'is fit for purpose'.
Luxon unaware Kuriger met Agriculture Minister over son's MPI dispute
She raised the issue with Damien O'Connor several times, and he even met her son.
Luxon says proposed emissions plan will 'decimate' sheep and beef farming, Shaw says criticism 'confused'
National leader said he will repeal the plan, and support an 'industry-led solution'.
Govt rejected Shaw's preferred farming emissions plan
The Climate Change Minister feared proposal could be open to political interference.
'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'.
Forests would need to triple to account for agriculture emissions
"We cannot simply plant our way out of this problem" - PCE Simon Upton says.
Govt to block Green bill banning mining on conservation land
The Greens say Labour is going back on a 2017 promise.
Potatoes v property: Govt releases plan to protect productive land
It is aimed at protecting the country's best growing soils from urban sprawl.
Latest poll: Nats and Act can form govt, Labour at lowest since 2017
Also of note will be if recent co-leadership issues have hurt the Greens.
Govt to push through firearms law as politics heats up
Law order looks set to become more of a political issue ahead of next year's election.
National: FTA with EU a 'step forward' but agriculture 'missed opportunity'
National's trade spokesman Todd McClay gave the deal a '6 out of 10'.
$569m to get Kiwis into EVs, gas guzzlers face ban, criticism over ag 'omission'
Clean car EV trial will initially support up to 2500 vehicles.
'Open for business': NZ's borders fully reopen from July 31
Despite 'heavy clouds', Kiwis have cause to be optimistic.
Climate change: Nats back emissions budgets
It continues the cross-party approach behind the Zero Carbon Act.
One location left to eradicate cattle disease M. bovis
Government confirms a more than $100 million investment in biosecurity work.
Lockdown sees emissions drop, big cuts still needed - report
The first emissions reduction plan will be released next month.
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.
Live: 'Dog and pony show' - John Key lashes Govt's drawn-out Covid announcements
PM will this morning announce changes to vaccine pass and mandate settings.
'It's a part of NZ': PM on protesters camped out at Parliament
'The only reason they can move around like this is majority of people are vaccinated.'
Act Party MP Mark Cameron on why he admires James Shaw
The "authentic rural voice" also reflects on hardships facing farmers.
165,000 migrant workers stranded in NZ due to Covid offered visas
"It will be absolutely life-changing, and well overdue."
NZ's lockdown extended until midnight Friday; Auckland's for longer
Today the country recorded the highest number of daily cases in more than a year.
Seasonal workers allowed into NZ, growers 'delighted'
Seasonal workers from Sāmoa, Tonga and Vanuatu can enter NZ from September.
New poll: Labour plunges, Nats up slightly, Act rises to all-time high
The last similar poll in May showed a huge drop for the National Party leader.
Essential skills visas extended due to Covid border restrictions
Move recognises the ongoing labour demand pressures faced by some sectors.
Govt advised against feebate exemptions for work utes
Their rising popularity seen as 'incompatible' with decarbonising the transport sector.
Migrant labour inquiry in fishing industry aims to boost Kiwi jobs
Inquiry comes as Covid-19 border restrictions highlight the reliance on migrant labour.
'I need to prioritise my health and family': Todd Muller to retire
"Being [an MP] is a huge privilege, but it does come at a cost," former party leader says.
Revealed: New fishing restrictions for Hauraki Gulf
18 new protection areas to be created under major new environmental plan.
Climate change EV feebate: How green is the ministerial car fleet?
The Government is aiming for a fully-electric Crown fleet by 2025/26.
Climate goal sees broad support, differing views on how to get there
Policies like no petrol cars from 2035 and fewer cows have copped criticism.
Climate change report: End petrol car imports by 2032
New report says petrol car imports would need to be wound down by 2032.
Budget 2021: $344m for Antarctica's Scott Base redevelopment
$300m has been announced to accelerate investment in low-carbon technology.
Horticulture, union welcome Govt's RSE announcement
Meanwhile other industries are disappointed at missing out.
500 extra MIQ spaces for skilled, critical workers
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be speaking after Cabinet this afternoon.
Would you drink treated sewage? Auckland told to stop relying on Waikato for water
Confidential agreement could see recycled wastewater on the table.
Revealed: Recreational fishers in the Gulf catch twice as much snapper as commercial - Niwa
Like anything relating to fish, there are many sides to this story.
Illegal 120m-long net in marine reserve caught sharks, rays and birds
The net was attached by a milk bottle float and tied to a mangrove tree on the shoreline
'Very sorry' anglers caught catching snapper in NZ's oldest marine reserve
It has been protected for 45 years, but the fishers allegedly claimed they did not know.
Myrtle rust discovered in Waitākere Ranges
The fungus was recently found to be killing mature native trees.
Aerial photos show dozens of sharks off Coromandel beach
The bronze whalers and hammerheads are seen enjoying the sparkling waters.
Kai Ika: Marae and fishers team up to slash waste
They've transformed 84 tonnes of what would have been scraps into delicious meals.
Dirty water: Auckland golf resort fined over wastewater discharge
'This... negligent pollution is completely unacceptable, but also completely avoidable.'
Auckland river and stream faecal contamination 'widespread' - report
Rivers in urban catchments had the poorest scores.
Climate change major disruptor to seafood sector - report
Climate change could see migration of prized Kiwi species such as snapper and kingfish.
Auckland ports report: 'Give the $2m back' - Manukau preferred over Northland
The $2m report eyes up the Manukau Harbour and not Northland as the new port option.
Hauraki Gulf crayfish take slashed in half - scientists say not enough
'A bag limit is pretty meaningless when you can't even catch one.'
Anzac Day: Listening to the Silence - by Poet Laureate David Eggleton
Read Poet Laureate David Eggleton's exclusive Anzac poem for Herald readers.
New Zealand reviewing its global emissions pledge
The review is to ensure New Zealand is doing its bit to keep global warming under 1.5C.
Dire warning for country's lakes, rivers and streams
"The path we are on threatens our native species and our own wellbeing."
New Zealand emissions barely budge, transport cuts urged
New Zealand's gross emissions have increased 24 per cent since 1990.
Coronavirus: What will alert level 4 mean for NZ?
New Zealand will move to Covid-19 alert level 4 in 48 hours.
Rain, thunderstorms on the way - which drought-affected areas will get relief
Not a "drought-breaker", but at last some relief.
Hauraki Gulf: Crayfish in peril, snapper just hanging in there - report
The State of our Gulf 2020 report calls for drastic actions to heal our big blue backyard.
Milk tankers eyed to assist parched Auckland residents
Auckland Council is also increasing the number of filling stations for residents.