Danyl McLauchlan is a politics writer, feature writer and book reviewer for the NZ Listener
Danyl Mclauchlan is a Wellington based writer. He studied biology, computer science and creative non-fiction at Victoria University. He's published two novels and a book of essays, and primarily writes about politics, economics, science and culture. And dogs.
Danyl McLauchlan: Donald Trump’s victory could be a sign of our political future
The US election has been impossible to ignore, even though we have no say over the result.
Why economies fail: Stark lessons for NZ from a 2024 Nobel Prize winner
Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu’s theories on why economies fail should make Kiwis nervous.
Wellington Council’s government intervention: A long history of incompetence
Incompetence stretching back years lies at the heart of the paralysis in Wellington.
Danyl McLauchlan: Crouching Kiwi, hidden tax breaks
An NZ economy that aspires to be like Singapore’s might have to borrow tax policies.
Danyl McLauchlan: Why the govt's fast-track bill could turn into its own Three Waters debacle
Risks of cronyism claims and speed wobbles could create potential pitfalls.
Danyl McLauchlan: The government cuts that won’t heal
Backflip on Dunedin’s new hospital contrasts with willingness to pour billions into roads.
Danyl McLauchlan: Our politicians agree a four-year term is better so why don't voters?
We should be talking about wider changes to our democracy, not just the length of terms.
Danyl McLauchlan: Crisis or opportunity? Electrification could transform NZ’s energy landscape
Expert report finds salvation in green energy switch, so why aren't our leaders listening?
Danyl McLauchlan: Doomed debate around Act’s Treaty Principles Bill turns up heat on polarising issue
Like Don Corleone in The Godfather, Seymour’s offer to Māori is this: nothing.
Schools' shake-up: What some find ‘terrifying’ about govt plans for charter schools
Do charter schools offer NZ an opportunity or is there a bigger agenda at play?
Danyl McLauchlan: Will our political parties ever work together on infrastructure?
The major parties cancel each other’s grand projects nearly every time the govt changes.
Danyl McLauchlan: Local councils are a perfect target for a government desperate to find scapegoats
Centralisation is emerging as a grand theme of this coalition’s approach.
Danyl McLauchlan: Lives are about to become translated into long-term assets and liabilities
National hopes to force ministries to see their charges as people rather than case files.
Danyl McLauchlan: The balance of power
In our own exclusive Olympics of national decline, energy shortage surges out of the gates
Danyl McLauchlan: Sacrifices may be called for if Greens are to flourish
Darlene Tana follows the standard go-rogue script, but do the Greens have deeper issues?
Danyl McLauchlan: Could the coalition government face allegations of corruption?
The coalition's clampdown on "liberal overreach" could have unexpected consequences.
Danyl McLauchlan: Politicians may not like the daily news media, but they’ll miss them when they’re gone
A government lifeline for preserving balanced journalism might be a little late in coming.
Danyl McLauchlan: Why The Opportunities Party could still be a force to be reckoned with
All the party needs is a leader, a campaign, and a lot of money.
Danyl McLauchlan: The great blotting-out of key Labour policies has been accomplished
Expect more plaudits for PM Christopher Luxon’s next 100-day plan.
Efeso Collins’ death and Grant Robertson’s retirement mark the beginning of a new era
The future of NZ will look more like South Auckland and a lot less like Wellington.
Danyl McLauchlan: Where’s the political courage to mete out tough love to the wealthy?
Beneficiaries are in the firing line again.
Danyl McLauchlan: It’s been a summer of discontent for the coalition government
The PM will be hoping for calmer times ahead.
Danyl McLauchlan: The National MPs we can expect to see more of when the government is announced
Who runs National and what will they do with their newly won political power?
Danyl McLauchlan: How strategic conservatives have made NZ First a political force
MMP has spawned a group of voters who act as a handbrake on the left and the right.
Danyl McLauchlan: What’s influencing modern politics?
"The state can help people, but it can also waste incredible amounts of money."
Danyl McLauchlan: Labour left few policies behind that will provide a lasting legacy
The party lost the election in spectacular fashion.
Danyl McLauchlan: The urgent issues that just won’t wait any longer
National faces a number of problems – none of which will be easy to solve.
Symbolic victories and bombshell defeats. Welcome to the new challenges of a fragmented future
Anxious wait for special votes count could force Luxon to deal with Peters.
Danyl McLauchlan: How the major parties’ fortunes waxed and waned ahead of the election
Comeback king Winston Peters has played his cards right, leaving uncertainty in his wake.
Danyl McLauchlan: The major parties don’t have the answers to NZ’s failing infrastructure and housing crisis
The winners and losers in the party policy stakes.
Danyl McLauchlan: A week of squabbles, scandals and harassment
As advance voting starts, National releases its manifesto and the PM gets Covid.
Cost of Living Part 2: Why is living in NZ is so expensive?
The expectation of rising prices becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The genetic lottery: Are our lives determined at birth?
Controversial book suggests success or failure is hard-coded in our genes.
Danyl McLauchlan: Scraps, pledges and a shopping list of policy commitments
As politicians continue tussling, poll results are causing voters to think strategically.
Our parties marketing-oriented approach to policy is raising problems for voters
Today, political parties curate gigantic databases of information about voters wants.
Danyl McLauchlan: A week of prospects, protests and possibilities
With three weeks to go, parties reveal their power partnerships
What you need to know in politics: Polls, false claims and tax policy hole
As voting day nears, Labour continues to lose voters amid spouting false claims.
Danyl McLauchlan: Why Labour’s support has disintegrated
Looking back at polling trends suggests that the 2023 budget was the turning point.
Cost of living crisis: Which party would serve you better?
Inflation kills govts, so what are the parties’ solutions and how do they benefit voters?
What you need to know in politics: Campaigns launch, hecklers and attack ads
Both major parties have kicked off their campaigns as promises continue to roll out.
‘Corrections does not correct’: Victim advocate’s solutions for broken justice system
Ruth Money more funding for victim support could help stop the cycle of crime.
Home detention failures and rise of violent crime: What are the govt's solutions?
The tide is going out on effective justice reform and rehabilitation for young offenders.
What you need to know in politics: Interruptions, parties ruled out and tax
Major parties make major announcements as election day draws closer for voters.
Danyl McLauchlan: Although large, National’s tax package doesn’t change much
No vision of how economy may generate more wealth or how to solve any long-term problems.
What you need to know in politics: Labour takes dramatic fall
No matter what promises Labour makes, they keep taking hits in the polls.
New science explains the rise of political instability, oligarchy and elites
Scientist has been able to identify cycles of stability and violence across human history.
Danyl McLauchlan: Labour’s food GST exemption a rotten policy
Labour doesn’t want to help people on low incomes buy food: it wants to win the election.
What you need to know in politics: New policies ignore ‘bread and butter’ issues
Political parties come out with range of policies, but none cover “bread & butter” issues.
Danyl McLauchlan: Labour’s new party list shows who’s valuable (and who isn’t)
Low rankings a gentle suggestion that MPs should do something else with their life.
Political week in review: Kiri Allan saga raises questions about ‘toxic’ political culture
Why has the government haemorrhaged ministers during an election year?
Dr Shane Reti’s DIY approach no match for vast, dysfunctional bureaucracy
Gang house reception may have been gracious, but health bureaucracy could be more brutal.
Danyl McLauchlan: Kiri Allan the architect of her own downfall
Allan’s career is almost certainly over and this is both a personal and political tragedy.
Danyl McLauchlan: The opaque nature of political lobbying in NZ
With all that charm, it’s easy to forget that these people are deeply political actors.