Labour MP Willie Jackson has drawn criticism for his fiery claims that the government is “rigging” next year’s election by restricting voter enrolment periods.
Jackson’s accusations, made during Parliament’s recent debate, were dismissed by government officials as “insane” and “hyperbole” lacking a factual basis.
The government’s Electoral Amendment Bill, which passed its first reading in Parliament, proposes major changes to New Zealand’s voting system ahead of the 2026 election.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the bill aims to improve the electoral system’s timeliness, efficiency, and integrity by ending same-day voter enrolment and banning prisoner voting.
Parliament’s Speaker, Gerry Brownlee, is pushing for the first major overhaul of Question Time rules in over 40 years, aiming to empower opposition MPs.
Calling Question Time “an unequal competition,” Brownlee argues that the current format favours government ministers, who enjoy more freedom in their lengthy answers. At the same time, questioners face tight restrictions on providing context.
New Zealand has signed a joint statement with 14 other countries supporting recognition of the State of Palestine as a step towards a two-state solution.
The foreign ministers of countries including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, and Spain expressed a “unwavering commitment” to two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting peacefully within secure, recognised borders.
Political commentator Ani O’Brien argues that the government’s move to put “New Zealand” back above “Aotearoa” on the passport is essentially inconsequential. “If I’m honest? I really don’t care,” she writes.
However, O’Brien observes: “The passport debacle is a microcosm of the slow-burning cultural tension that has been building in New Zealand for years.”
The government plans to outlaw most in-store surcharges on card payments, aiming to save consumers up to $150 million a year.
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced the Retail Payment System (Ban on Surcharges) Amendment Bill will be introduced this year, with the ban in effect no later than May 2026.
Life expectancy for Māori has increased more than other ethnic groups between 2005–2007 and 2022–2024, Stats NZ figures show.
Māori life expectancy at birth rose just over 3 years to 75.8 years, while gains for European or Other, Pacific, and Asian groups ranged from 1.5 to 1.6 years.
