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Politics headlines with summaries.
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Cost of some school uniforms 'totally outrageous' - Seymour
3 Feb 2026The deputy prime minister urged schools to do something to help with the pressure. Audio
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Mission to launch satellite kept under wraps
3 Feb 2026An RNZ request for the key documents came up mostly empty, with ministerial briefings either largely blanked out or withheld entirely.
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Standardised report cards will help children who change schools - principal
3 Feb 2026Fulfilling an election campaign promise, the government has unveiled a new approach to report cards for reading, writing and mathematics at Years 0-8. Audio
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Government to monitor underspending on infrastructure
3 Feb 2026Treasury reports showed a $1.5 billion discrepancy between actual and forecast spending, and some agencies have been called to explain.
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Council looks at rule change to avoid flood buyout
3 Feb 2026Auckland Council wants to increase the amount it can spend on retaining walls and lifting homes to make them safe - a move it said would be more cost effective than writing them off.
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Lawyer argues Te Pāti Māori expulsion breached dispute process, tikanga
2 Feb 2026A hearing to consider MP Mariameno Kapa-King's expulsion from the party is underway.
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Watch: School reports to focus on reading, writing and maths
2 Feb 2026Twice-yearly standardised report cards will rank primary and intermediate children's achievements on a five-point scale. Audio
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NZ can 'claim responsible mining' - Minerals Council
2 Feb 2026New Zealand is in talks with the United States about the supply of rare and critical minerals, as Donald Trump seeks to reduce their reliance on China. Audio
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Minister shut down fossil fuels plan
2 Feb 2026Australia signed up to the 'road map' away from fossil fuels, but Shane Jones did not want New Zealand to join. Audio
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NCEA hurdle trips up 15,000 students
2 Feb 2026Thousands did not reach critical new reading, writing and maths benchmarks last year.
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Kapa-Kingi hopes to be back in Te Pāti Māori after hearing
2 Feb 2026Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is also asking the court to require the party to conduct a "proper full and open and honest process" regarding its leadership through a special general meeting.
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NZ First-National clash over India FTA a 'mature disagreement' - Luxon
2 Feb 2026National and New Zealand First have been clashing over the free trade agreement. Audio
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For pharmacists, industry changes are a hard pill to swallow
2 Feb 2026As more discount chain pharmacies open, locally owned and operated chemists worry their customers won't get the high level of care that saves trips to GPs and emergency departments.
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Live animal export industry remain hopeful practice will resume after ban
2 Feb 2026ACT campaigned during the last election to reinstate live exports by sea and Cabinet has been working on the legislation ever since.
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How to fix the 'build now, fix later' culture
2 Feb 2026Nearly 10 percent of the construction sector's total value is lost to systemic quality failure, writes industry consultant Mark Kirby.
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Concerns raised about possible changes to Commerce Act
2 Feb 2026The proposed changes could disadvantage consumers, deter investors and increase the cost of doing business.
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Ratepayers cannot afford road repairs from logging truck damage, council says
2 Feb 2026The Rangitīkei mayor says his council is spending $3.5 million dollars on repairs to the country road between Taihape and Napier.
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Adrian Rurawhe: From Rātana Pā to the Speaker's Chair
1 Feb 2026The first valedictory statement for the year was given by the former Speaker of the House, likely the first of many election-year goodbyes.
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Axed $150,000 road cone hotline an 'absurd' waste - Labour
1 Feb 2026A WorkSafe review found excessive use of cones at just 6 percent of the 250 sites inspected.
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Luxon won't join Trump's Board of Peace
30 Jan 2026In response to the decision Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said "New Zealanders need to know the story doesn't end here."
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PM to go to Waitangi, but not for the whole week
30 Jan 2026Christopher Luxon opted to stay away from Northland last year.
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What are the rules for ads in election year?
30 Jan 2026Explainer - Soon politicians will blanket the internet and airwaves with pleas for your vote. What are they allowed to do? Video
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Defence Force flies out 140 staff to weather-affected East Coast
30 Jan 2026A Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter is helping provide access to isolated communities.
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Are we stuck in a 'crisis and response' pattern?
30 Jan 2026Experts say the bill for disasters will only continue to rise unless we make changes.
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