Stories by Russell Palmer

Parties in Parliament have made statements acknowledging the fire at a Wellington hostel overnight, and praising the lifesaving work of emergency responders. Video

Opposition parties are rubbishing Finance Minister Grant Robertson's cost savings, saying $1 billion a year is nothing in the context of how much extra it's spending. Audio

They say Luxon's ability to vote in multiple regions in local elections undermines his "one person, one vote" philosophy; he says he would "possibly" look to repeal that.

Politicians from a variety of political parties have been urging people to heed official communications about the weather.

The leaders of Te Pāti Māori have been ejected from the House after welcoming Meka Whaitiri with a whakawātea, without permission from the other parties or the Speaker.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Labour's Māori MPs say Meka Whaitiri never raised concerns about not being listened to - and it doesn't match their own experience.

The government's Budget this year will boost Defence Force pay rates by $4000 to $15,000, at a cost of $419 million, plus $328m on assets and infrastructure.

Parliament's Speaker says he cannot release his correspondence with Meka Whaitiri, but she can if she wishes.

Expanding telehealth services and free pharmacy consultations are among 24 initiatives the government hopes will reduce pressure on the health system this winter.

Meka Whaitiri seems to have avoided the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act - but it is not yet clear exactly how.

Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri has announced she has quit Labour and will stand for Te Pāti Māori - a surprise move Labour says has not been explained.

In a formal letter, Michael Wood has told Immigration NZ it must account for the Dawn Raids apology in policy, and deportations should only occur in extreme cases.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon is not impressed with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' pre-Budget statements, and neither are ACT and the Greens.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has ruled out an additional levy to pay for the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods, and says the upcoming Budget will be "no frills".

The government's plans to cut emissions will not be enough to meet its own targets, the Climate Change Commission says, once again warning we can't plant our way to success.

Scientists say flood protection works are absolutely needed in the short term, but the government needs to consider funding a more modern, holistic approach to river management into the future.

Documents - which have since been redacted - have revealed intentions for a multimillion-dollar Budget bid for river flood protection projects.

The government's Three Waters project is moving from four entities to 10 with its start date pushed out by two years. Audio

Unprecedented levels of disinformation will only get worse this election, but systems set up to deal with it during the pandemic have all been shut down, a researcher warns.

National is demanding Marama Davidson apologise to cis white men over her comments from Saturday. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he considers the matter closed.

The Green Party co-leader says she was in shock from being hit by a motorcycle, and her comments about white men committing violence should have been clearer.

NZEI union's president says National's new education policy is "like asking the All Blacks to have their goalposts painted a different colour of white and thinking you've made a change".

National's leader Christopher Luxon has unveiled the details of their plan to improve literacy and numeracy in the primary school curriculum.

A pōwhiri, a pie, and a grilling from primary school kids: Today was the day the boy from the Hutt who grew up to be prime minister went home for a visit.

A worse-than-expected economic growth result for the final quarter of last year has elicited reassurances from Labour - but dire predictions from National.