Stories by Russell Palmer
News
Clashes in Parliament over MPs' behaviour continue
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins have clashed in Parliament over Luxon's management of his ministers.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee sets out sterner approach to culture
He's advised MPs to take complaints to the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards, but ACT opposes the commissioner on ideological grounds.
Government shifting the goalposts on maths assessment - Labour
Labour is accusing the government of manipulation by using the wrong data on maths education, saying it's like shifting the goalposts after the ball has been kicked.
Health NZ: Reti defends 'shorter path' for decisions under Commissioner
The appointment of the only remaining member of the Health NZ as Deputy Commissioner makes a farce of the decision to bring in Commissioners, Labour says.
Seymour celebrates school attendance stats - despite drop in rates
David Seymour is celebrating attendance statistics, despite it having dropped compared to the same period last term.
Health NZ re-appoints former board member, crown observer as Deputy Commissioners
Health NZ's Commissioner Lester Levy has appointed as a deputy commissioner the only other board member that remained when the board was scrapped last month.
How the government's view of Health NZ changed in just five days
Health NZ's board went from "receiving the level of reporting it needed", to its financial situation being "suddenly quite different" in just five days, the health minister says.
Flurry of mishaps puts spotlight on Parliament's culture
The culture at Parliament is in the spotlight again with racially charged accusations, another MP to be censured, and criticism over the Speaker's response in recent days.
Councils want to set own fees and fines
A new report shows governments underestimate the effects of their policies on rates.
Reti faces growing pressure over Te Whatu Ora finances
Labour has seized on the confusion surrounding Health NZ's finances and management structure, saying the minister's claims cannot be trusted.
Health NZ changes: 'Everything's on the table' - Luxon
After pointing the finger at senior leadership over Health NZ's finances, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says everything is on the table when it comes to those managers' jobs.
Abuse in Care: What politicians have promised
Politicians have delivered apologies and promises after the massive report on abuse in care was made public. Audio
More opposition than support for ferry project cancellation, poll finds
A new poll by Talbot Mills suggests more New Zealanders oppose the decision to cancel the ferry contract than support it.
Officials' secret mistrust of KiwiRail led push to scrap ferry project
Analysis - Documents show officials were actively encouraging the new government to shut the Interislander replacement project down after years of mistrust about KiwiRail's goals. Audio
Interislander: KiwiRail considered selling Wellington Station, and other iReX facts
The scrapping of the Interislander ferry replacement project was one of the first decisions the coalition made after coming to power, but some details have sailed under the proverbial radar.
Interislander: Willis defends talks with Korea and hints at generic port build
Finance Minister Nicola Willis is backing her government's communications over the ferry project's cancellation. Audio
Greens back investigation after Tana claims she was silenced
The party is reiterating a call for Darleen Tana to resign from Parliament, and say they are "very confident" in the report.
Eight immigration staff stood down over 'inappropriate' messages
The employees were stood down in the past several weeks, over "a series of what appear to be inappropriate and unprofessional" online chats.
How Labour's compromise led to $100m ferry 'cost burn'
Analysis - The Interislander replacement project desperately needed more money as last year's election neared, but Labour's response put the whole plan at risk.
Minister was warned 'careful' talks needed with Korea before ferry cancellations
Despite officials warning about diplomatic risks, a call was only put in to Korea the afternoon of the announcement. Audio
New Zealand extends support for US strikes against Houthis in Red Sea
The Defence Force deployment, which had been due to end this month, has now been extended to the end of January.
Luxon not pushing for Biden meeting, says Tana an issue for Greens
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his team has not focused on securing a meeting with President Joe Biden during his trip to the US.
Who is Darleen Tana, and why is she quitting the Greens?
The Green Party is calling for its wayward MP Darleen Tana to resign - but there's a chance she could stay in Parliament. Here's how it all works.