<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Democracy Project: News Briefing]]></title><description><![CDATA["News Briefing: A digest of NZ news and analysis" is a comprehensive, non-partisan compendium of links to news and analysis on New Zealand politics emailed to subscribers Sunday to Friday. Launched in 2011, this long-standing service (previously called "NZ Politics Daily" has become a respected and trusted means of staying up-to-date with New Zealand politics.]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/s/newsbriefing</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UALP!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F33397d09-3ea9-4d88-a718-1f70a3d8311e_1024x1024.png</url><title>The Democracy Project: News Briefing</title><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/s/newsbriefing</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:47:04 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[democracyproject@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[democracyproject@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[democracyproject@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[democracyproject@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 5 October 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-5-october-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-5-october-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 17:58:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg" width="960" height="638" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:638,&quot;width&quot;:960,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:178236,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/218812384?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RKGW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ba35a3d-00fb-4e08-b70d-e91a2a230576_960x638.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES<br>Veronica Schmidt (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-10-2026/christopher-luxon-dead-man-walking-or-nat-with-nine-lives">Christopher Luxon: The Nat with nine lives, or a man on borrowed time?</a><br>Claire Robinson: <a href="https://www.clairerobinson.nz/blogs/the-great-dissonance-we-dont-like-small-parties-so-why-do-we-keep-voting-for-them">The Great Dissonance: We don&#8217;t like small parties, so why do we keep voting for them?</a><br>Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/new-zealand/danyl-mclauchlan-on-election-policies-the-good-the-bad-the-unworkable-pledges-on-the-big-issues/premium/ST7APIBX4JEOVMCELARFIIQJ4A/">Election policies: The good, the bad &amp; the unworkable pledges on the big issues (paywalled)</a><br>Toby Manhire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-10-2026/ipsos-urges-national-to-remove-inaccurate-claim-about-its-polling-on-tax">Ipsos urges National to withdraw inaccurate claim about its polling on tax</a><br>Chris Trotter (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140535/2026-bosses-and-workers-have-many-representatives-chris-trotter-explains-how">Class Reps</a><br>Mark Jennings (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/05/seymour-affording-a-decent-life-is-the-number-one-political-issue/">Seymour: &#8216;Affording a decent life is the number one political issue&#8217;</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/seymour-takes-on-super-and-willis/">Seymour takes on Willis (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Harman (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091496/act-needs-stars-dance-david-seymour-searches-political-rhythm">ACT needs stars to dance with as David Seymour searches for political rhythm (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1719810/act-pledges-ban-on-compulsory-karakia-in-resource-consents">ACT pledges ban on compulsory karakia in resource consents</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/04/goldies-never-needed-a-personal-vote-more-might-he-get-it-despite-himself/">Goldie&#8217;s never needed a personal vote more &#8211; might he get it despite himself?</a><br>Jane Yee (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/chris-hipkins-on-finding-the-balance-between-being-a-dad-and-leading-labour-ask-me-anything-with-paula-bennett/LAVEUJBV5NAFJCRSTU5WAYXP3I/">Chris Hipkins on finding the balance between being a dad and leading Labour &#8211; Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361092001/nicola-willis-says-she-isnt-letting-herself-think-about-being-booted-parliament">Nicola Willis says she isn&#8217;t letting herself think about being booted from Parliament (paywalled)</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361042254/oh-did-they-nz-first-candidates-awkward-backtrack-arts-debate">&#8216;Oh, did they?&#8217; NZ First candidate&#8217;s awkward backtrack at debate</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361042107/toy-guns-and-raw-mussels-day-campaign-trail-winston-peters">Toy guns and raw mussels: A day on the campaign trail with Winston Peters</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1715173/te-pati-maori-announces-one-person-party-list-for-2026-election">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori announces &#8216;one-person&#8217; party list for 2026 election</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361042156/te-pati-maori-reinforces-strategic-voting-call-sparse-party-list">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori reinforces strategic voting call with sparse party list</a><br>Verity Johnson (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041630/opportunity-party-our-new-rebound-boyfriend">The Opportunity Party is our new rebound boyfriend</a><br>Steven Cowan: <a href="https://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-opportunities-party-spreadsheet.html">The Opportunities Party: Spreadsheet politics</a><br>Josh Van Veen: <a href="https://fortunateisles.substack.com/p/a-postliberal-critique-of-the-coalition">A postliberal critique of the Coalition</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091542/acts-6000-question-and-flooding-zone-winston-peters-how-parties-are-getting-your-attention-election">ACT&#8217;s $6000 question and flooding the zone with Winston Peters: How parties are getting your attention this election (paywalled)</a><br>Nick James (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361090265/chasing-votes-where-politicians-have-spent-time-campaign-trail">Chasing votes and pressing the flesh on the campaign trail (paywalled)</a><br>David Barber (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361090605/remembering-times-and-people-who-showed-politics-can-still-inspire">Remembering times and people who showed that politics can still inspire (paywalled)</a><br>Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/some-rare-missteps-for-simeon-brown-nationals-mr-fix-it">Some rare missteps for Simeon Brown, National (paywalled)</a><br>John Hartevelt (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1687427/ai-has-finally-entered-the-election-campaign-arena">AI has finally entered the election campaign arena</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-mps-carlos-cheung-says-election-billboard-in-three-kings-deliberately-set-alight/4TLI3GODSJA7VJSB5FZG4FSRCE/">National MP Carlos Cheung says election billboard in Three Kings deliberately set alight</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1712330/election-signage-deliberately-set-on-fire-national-mp-carlos-cheung-says">Election signage deliberately set on fire, National MP Carlos Cheung says</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/julie-anne-genter-says-rongotai-electorate-name-could-return-after-next-review/SZXMD7RTCFD2TKDN6C5GOPRVRE/">Julie Anne Genter says Rongotai electorate name could return after next review</a><br>Samantha Gee (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1734467/election-26-new-faces-in-race-for-west-coast-tasman">New faces in race for West Coast Tasman</a><br>Charlie Dreaver (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/05/disabled-voters-still-hunting-for-accessible-booths-private-ballots/">Disabled voters still hunting for accessible booths, private ballots</a><br>Aziz Al Sa&#8217;afin (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/04/vote-compass-2026-compare-your-views-with-party-policies/">Vote Compass 2026: Compare your views with party policies</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1710400/as-it-happened-election-campaign-4-october">As it happened: Election campaign 4 October</a><br><br>LABOUR&#8217;S FISCAL PLANS<br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1733687/labour-s-fiscal-plan-national-s-claims-and-how-labour-is-defending-it">Labour&#8217;s fiscal plan: National&#8217;s claims and how Labour is defending it</a><br>Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/04/labours-fiscal-plan-leaves-big-questions-on-pay-equity/">Labour&#8217;s fiscal plan leaves big questions on pay equity</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-makes-election-announcement-as-campaign-ramps-up/X3MLYPADOVETPOWTTB5O76U74M/">Labour promises to reinstate pay equity, but only costs one claim, leaving $8.5b out of plan</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labours-fiscal-plan-answers-some-questions-but-leaves-10b-hanging/premium/RJATN744F5CNJOYC4WAVPQ6PJU/">Labour&#8217;s fiscal plan answers some questions, but leaves $10b hanging (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361092156/labours-fiscal-plan-same-surplus-track-national-just-25b-pay-equity">Labour&#8217;s fiscal plan near-identical to National&#8217;s; no ring-fenced fund for pay equity (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361092206/why-labour-pretending-it-wants-big-surplus">Why is Labour pretending it wants a big surplus? (paywalled)</a><br>Chris Hipkins (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361092215/responsible-plan-new-zealands-future">A responsible plan for New Zealand&#8217;s future (paywalled)</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1718141/labour-releases-its-fiscal-plan-promises-pay-rise-for-care-and-support-workers">Labour releases its fiscal plan, promises pay rise for care and support workers</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361042221/labour-releases-fiscal-plan-promises-immediate-pay-rise-care-and-support-workers">Labour releases fiscal plan, promises immediate pay rise for care and support workers</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361042287/labour-reveals-plan-give-pay-raise-care-and-support-workers">Labour reveals plan to give pay raise to care and support workers</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/04/labour-reveals-vaunted-fiscal-plan-heres-the-key-details/">Labour reveals vaunted fiscal plan - here&#8217;s the key details</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labour-clarifies-spending-revenue-objective-nationals-nicola-willis-says-not-serious-people/CWTE3GL4WNFAHMDSKPON6MWJAA/">Election 2026: Error page on Labour website as fiscal objective made &#8216;clearer&#8217;, National&#8217;s Nicola Willis says &#8216;not serious people&#8217;</a><br><br>TAX AND KIWISAVER<br>Hayden Wilson (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/the-next-government-faces-a-3b-choice-over-tax-cuts-and-public-spending">The next Government faces a $3b choice over tax cuts and public spending (paywalled)</a><br>Louise Delany and Marnie Prickett (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/05/campaign-cut-through-tax-reform-not-the-province-of-the-major-parties/">Tax reform not the province of the major parties</a><br>Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/mps-dangle-tax-and-transport-promises-over-voters/">MPs dangle tax and transport promises over voters (paywalled)</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-act-announces-multi-billion-dollar-kiwisaver-tax-cut-to-remove-government-contribution/KPX3ULS5MRCOPMV4543PEQMTS4/">Act announces multibillion-dollar KiwiSaver tax cut, to remove Government contribution</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1714907/act-pledges-removing-tax-on-kiwisaver-earnings">ACT pledges removing tax on KiwiSaver earnings</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361092125/act-party-wants-cut-tax-kiwisaver-earnings-scrap-260-government-contribution">ACT Party wants to cut tax on KiwiSaver earnings, scrap $260 government contribution (paywalled)</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361042066/act-promises-remove-tax-kiwisaver-earnings-1b-year-cost">ACT promises to remove tax on KiwiSaver earnings</a><br>Susan Edmunds (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1676467/does-kiwisaver-really-make-us-better-off">Does KiwiSaver really make New Zealanders better off?</a><br><br>SUPERMARKETS AND COST OF LIVING<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-supermarket-4db">The supermarket duopoly fights back</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/04/populist-streak-in-supermarket-break-up-plans-foodstuffs-boss/">&#8216;Populist&#8217; streak in supermarket break-up plans - Foodstuffs boss</a><br>Andrew Dickens (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/andrew-dickens-cost-of-livings-become-an-election-issue-and-supermarkets-are-getting-the-blame/">Cost of living&#8217;s become an election issue and supermarkets are getting the blame</a><br>Rachel Pannett (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/election-2026/supermarket-shakeup-and-grocery-prices-a-key-election-battleground">Supermarket shakeup and grocery prices a key election battleground (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Raynel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/retail/analysts-supportive-of-labours-fair-go-proposal-but-question-specifics/premium/NBO5E5W4HNHHBPUY3NS2R5JYZM/">Analysts supportive of Labour&#8217;s Fair Go proposal but question specifics (paywalled)</a><br>Rob Stock (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361091970/labours-planned-consumer-protection-laws-must-be-backed-properly-funded-regulator-professor-warns">Labour&#8217;s planned consumer protection laws must be backed by a properly funded regulator, professor warns (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: TRANSPORT</strong>; <strong>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>LOCAL GOVERNMENT; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 4 October 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-4-october-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-4-october-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:26:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png" width="1456" height="994" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:994,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:3345595,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/218678525?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wNTc!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9252d2ad-2e8d-47f6-8a8c-dd3715677194_2204x1504.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-supermarket-4c1">The supermarket election</a><br>Gemma Rasmussen (Consumer NZ): <a href="https://www.consumer.org.nz/shopping/supermarkets/election-2026-how-the-main-parties-plan-to-improve-the-grocery-sector">How the main parties plan to improve the grocery sector</a>]<br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/national-battles-its-own-voters-with-this-high-risk-strategy-heather-du-plessis-allan/premium/WC7XYFJA6FDX3HRR6E4A5AM66Q/">National battles its own voters with this high-risk strategy (paywalled)</a><br>Luke Malpass (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091243/national-faces-clean-out-upheaval-may-not-end-there">National faces a clean-out but the upheaval may not end there (paywalled)</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labours-fiscal-plan-has-many-questions-to-answer-pay-equity-public-service-cuts-future-fund-spending-and-taxing-promises/premium/RLGZOBIB4BASHLN2PHZ34VLFBQ/">Labour&#8217;s fiscal plan has many questions to answer &#8211; pay equity, public service cuts, future fund, spending and taxing promises (paywalled)</a><br>Andrew Ketels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/why-bad-policy-feels-as-good-in-2026-as-it-ever-did-andrew-ketels/premium/UH4DSJ4LONCUTM4KVMSNUG5EMY/">Why bad policy feels as good in 2026 as it ever did (paywalled)</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-has-the-opportunity-party-blown-it/">Has the Opportunity Party blown it?</a><br>Anna Thomas (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/an-awesome-upbringing-and-parenting-in-politics-a-road-trip-with-qiulae-wong">An &#8216;awesome&#8217; upbringing and parenting in politics: A road trip with Qiulae Wong</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politically-speaking/election-campaigning-the-pre-election-update-and-confused-voters/">Election campaigning, the pre-election update, confused voters (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-national-party-kicks-off-its-campaign-bus-launch-parties-hold-standups-and-walkabouts/QAF6SXABJ5EK7FR6XSXTU3UXCM/">National Party launches campaign bus, parties hold standups and walkabouts</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-leader-chris-hipkins-goes-on-spending-spree-during-walkabout-at-upper-hutt-outdoor-show/WQ6JX2AOABBONNUG2LZKJYCOOM/">Labour leader Chris Hipkins goes on spending spree during walkabout at Upper Hutt outdoor show</a><br>Grace Symmans (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-what-is-on-older-kiwis-minds-this-election/R6KKIUPAGJCSBLFP6TQLS2MWSU/">What is on older Kiwis&#8217; minds this election?</a><br>Lisa Davies (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/03/community-grills-political-panel-over-surge-in-youth-online-gambling/">Community grills political panel over surge in youth online gambling</a><br>Michael Reddell (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361089309/if-i-were-pm-hard-choices-renewed-prosperity">If I was PM: Hard choices for renewed prosperity (paywalled)</a><br>The Standard: <a href="https://thestandard.nz/to-overhang-or-not-to-overhang-thats-the-question/">To overhang or not to overhang, that&#8217;s the question</a><br><br>AI, MEDIA AND ELECTION INTEGRITY<br>John Hartevelt (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1687427/ai-has-finally-entered-the-election-campaign-arena">AI has finally entered the election campaign arena</a><br>Tim Niven (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084525/election-result-was-completely-overturned-social-media-was-blame">An election result was overturned - social media was to blame (paywalled)</a><br>Matthew Hooton (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091427/matthew-hooton-introducing-cognitive-warfare">Introducing &#8216;cognitive warfare&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Julie Jacobson (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083768/peeping-pixels-how-political-parties-collect-information-about-us">Peeping pixels: How political parties collect information about us (paywalled)</a><br>Mike White (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361089745/plausible-poison-threat-foreign-interference-years-election">Plausible poison: The threat of foreign interference in this year&#8217;s election (paywalled)</a><br>Michael Daubs (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/02/what-political-parties-should-consider-for-their-ai-election-policies/">What political parties should consider for their AI election policies</a><br><br>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE<br>John Gerritsen (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/1705313/whistleblowers-offer-to-aid-education-ministry-probe">Whistleblowers offer to aid Education Ministry probe</a><br>Cecilia Robinson (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/education-reform-how-schools-can-show-parents-childrens-progress-cecilia-robinson/premium/ZMQKWCFCIJARTNBKEWVYYAROCY/">Education reform: How schools can show parents children&#8217;s progress (paywalled)</a><br>Derek Cheng (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/new-legal-action-filed-on-whether-two-dose-covid-requirements-for-under-18s-was-justified/premium/LFCS6X54HBECDGZ3QTNQSTXLSY/">New legal action filed on whether two-dose Covid requirements for under-18s was justified (paywalled)</a><br>Phil Pennington (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1695057/police-cyber-crime-capabilities-weak-official-reports-show">Police cyber crime capabilities weak, official reports show</a><br>Nevil Gibson (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/book-review/above-the-law-citizens-against-the-system/">Above the law: Citizens against the system</a><br>Kiri Allan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/there-is-an-11-billion-benefit-that-belies-the-governments-flawed-conservation-reforms-kiri-allan/premium/FEU7YRE4IJDTLLQGRGXIYDFUT4/">There is an $11 billion benefit that belies the Government&#8217;s flawed conservation reforms (paywalled)</a><br>Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-there-must-be-a-way-to-keep-public-servants-accountable/">There must be a way to keep public servants accountable</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: GREENS</strong>; <strong>ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; M&#256;ORI POLITICS; LOCAL GOVERNMENT</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 3 October 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026: THE CAMPAIGN]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-3-october-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-3-october-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:30:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png" width="1456" height="816" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wCOO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6f3c9a28-fad2-4543-8cf2-8c67b052cc79_3066x1718.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026: THE CAMPAIGN<br>Tim Watkin (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1679595/how-s-this-election-different-disgruntlement-opportunity-and-first-termitis">How&#8217;s this election different? Disgruntlement, Opportunity and first-termitis</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/opportunity-is-being-exceptionally-honest-about-its-bottom-lines-has-it-made-a-big-mistake/premium/S24ZNFYXTRDO7K7SGJNVSUYX5I/">Opportunity is being exceptionally honest about its bottom lines &#8211; has it made a big mistake? (paywalled)</a><br>Duncan Garner (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/opinion/duncan-garner-two-ticks-national-have-christopher-luxon-and-john-key-got-this-wrong/premium/RTQ773IGHRGZRASGPBSK7EBBAA/">Two ticks National &#8211; have Christopher Luxon and John Key got this wrong? (paywalled)</a><br>Paul Catmur (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/an-insiders-look-at-this-elections-advertising-lies-damn-lies-and-political-party-slogans/premium/ADNXL4QW6ZDAFGZXQ6VVJL63PU/">An insider&#8217;s look at this election&#8217;s advertising: Lies, damn lies, and political party slogans (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091090/why-are-would-be-pms-picking-parties-have-never-held-ninth-floor">Why are would-be PMs picking parties that have never held the ninth floor? (paywalled)</a><br>Chris Schulz (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-10-2026/enrol-and-have-a-free-sausage-inside-the-campaigns-to-get-young-people-to-vote">&#8216;Enrol and have a free sausage&#8217;: Inside the campaigns to get young people to vote</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040701/four-big-four-small-things-you-may-have-missed-during-week-one-campaign">Four big, four small things you may have missed during week one on the campaign</a><br>Steve Braunias (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/03/the-secret-diary-of-the-campaign-week-1/">The secret diary of .. the campaign: Week 1</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/02/im-so-handsome-youre-saying-all-the-right-things/">&#8216;I&#8217;m so handsome? You&#8217;re saying all the right things&#8230;&#8217;</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politically-speaking/election-campaigning-the-pre-election-update-and-confused-voters/">Election campaigning, the pre-election update, confused voters (paywalled)</a><br>David Farrar (Kiwiblog): <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/10/the_herald_poll_of_polls_is_wrong.html">The Herald poll of polls is wrong!</a><br>Craig McCulloch (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1685563/christopher-luxon-walks-back-bizarre-claim-about-the-greens">Christopher Luxon walks back &#8216;bizarre claim&#8217; about the Greens</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091561/christopher-luxon-wrongly-suggests-allegation-about-greens-came-media-it-came-his-minister">Christopher Luxon wrongly suggests allegation about Greens came from media - it came from his minister (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Oliver (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-10-2026/local-supermarket-worker-david-seymour-seeks-new-job-in-november">Local supermarket worker David Seymour seeks new job in November</a><br>Simon Wilson: <a href="https://simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/theyre-losing-their-shit-over-chloe">They&#8217;re losing their shit over Chloe Swarbrick</a><br>John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-whats-so-scary-about-16-year-olds-voting/">What&#8217;s so scary about 16-year-olds voting?</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041207/what-taranaki-wants-election-jobs-e-bikes-and-maybe-new-gas-wells">What Taranaki wants at this election: Jobs, e-bikes and maybe new gas wells</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/wellington-bays-candidates-make-historic-trip-to-chatham-islands-for-nzs-most-remote-election-debate/HPI2OJGO5NF2ZBREQO3S32W6NM/">Wellington Bays candidates make historic trip to Chatham Islands for NZ&#8217;s most remote election debate</a><br>Nick James (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091258/political-world-away-wellington-chatham-islands-have-plenty-say">A political world away from Wellington, the Chatham Islands have plenty to say (paywalled)</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-10-2026/on-the-chatham-islands-wellington-bays-candidates-encounter-a-vastly-different-electorate">On the Chatham Islands, Wellington Bays candidates encounter a vastly different electorate</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: DEBATES<br>Farah Hancock (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1676742/winston-peters-wins-the-airtime-battle-in-first-leaders-debate-but-who-won-the-war">Winston Peters wins the airtime battle in first leaders debate, but who won the war?</a><br>Andrew Dickens (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-andrew-dickens-the-first-minor-leaders-debate-was-a-waste-of-time/">The first Minor Leaders debate was a waste of time</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1675006/minor-parties-keep-calm-and-carry-on-in-tepid-kingmakers-debate">Minor parties keep calm and carry on in tepid kingmakers debate</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140506/most-definitely-not-peters-rejects-seymours-minimum-wage-freeze-kingmakers">From sunbeds to SMEs: Whiplash from the Press Kingmakers&#8217; debate</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091125/live-kingmakers-debate-who-will-hold-balance-power">Does Winston trust David? &#8216;I didn&#8217;t like the guy but we shook hands and we made it work&#8217; (paywalled)</a>\<br>Mike Houlahan (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/in-the-immortal-words-of-mrs-merton-lets-have-a-heated-debate-df74c4qf">In the immortal words of Mrs Merton, let&#8217;s have a heated debate (paywalled)</a><br>Ian Taylor (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/are-seymour-and-swarbrick-really-the-best-we-can-do-xyb22c89">Are Seymour and Swarbrick really the best we can do? (paywalled)</a><br>Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/politics/kiwibank-splits-national-labour-at-businessdesk-myob-debate">Kiwibank splits National, Labour at BusinessDesk-MYOB debate (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Raynel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/small-business/barbara-edmonds-and-nicola-willis-clash-on-small-business-policies-in-debate/premium/6H7E35A5EBFBJENEXOKYGATQMI/">Barbara Edmonds and Nicola Willis clash on small business policies in debate (paywalled)</a><br>Fran O&#8217;Sullivan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/finance-debate-nicola-willis-and-barbara-edmonds-set-out-competing-business-plans-fran-osullivan/premium/7QH6LGCCSZHQXOEKIY5AYPW7ZU/">Finance debate: Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds set out competing business plans (paywalled)</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: PARTIES AND POLICY<br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091775/david-seymour-looks-steal-party-business-crown-shift-till-and-surge-donations">David Seymour looks to steal the &#8216;party of business&#8217; crown - with a shift at the till and a surge of donations (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091784/nicola-willis-says-100b-nz-first-policy-not-well-formed-enough-her-have-opinion-it">Nicola Willis says $100b NZ First policy not well-formed enough for her to have an opinion on it (paywalled)</a><br>Chris Penk (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041519/nicky-hagers-dirty-work-belongs-fiction-section">The Greens are striking a chord. But does their tax pitch stand up?</a><br>Max Rashbrooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361088198/housing-could-give-labour-way-out-its-squeeze-between-past-and-future">Housing could give Labour the way out of its squeeze between past and future (paywalled)</a><br>Paula Penfold (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041546/nz-first-candidate-defends-past-praise-controversial-influencer-andrew-tate">NZ First candidate defends past praise of controversial influencer Andrew Tate</a><br>Monique Steele (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1677946/carbon-farming-freshwater-targets-and-tax-features-of-farmer-policy-debate">Carbon farming, freshwater targets and tax features of farmer policy debate</a><br>Corin Dann (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1676357/national-still-keen-on-growing-kiwibank-with-the-help-of-private-local-investors">National still keen on growing Kiwibank with help of private local investors</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-party-passport-free-transtasman-travel-is-a-superficial-policy-win-editorial/premium/JIYEIHIXWFG4PEACJJDCWUWC5M/">Editorial &#8211; National Party&#8217;s passport-free transtasman travel is a superficial policy win (paywalled)</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361090646/ignore-hyperbole-has-not-been-austerity-government">Editorial &#8211; Ignore the hyperbole, this has not been an austerity government (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1680618/act-leader-david-seymour-doesn-t-see-why-ai-shouldn-t-write-government-cabinet-papers">ACT leader David Seymour doesn&#8217;t see why AI shouldn&#8217;t write government Cabinet papers</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1687427/ai-has-finally-entered-the-election-campaign-arena">AI has finally entered the election campaign arena</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: ENERGY POLICY; SUPERMARKETS AND COMPETITION; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; ADRIAN RURAWHE; ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>JUSTICE AND POLICE; EDUCATION AND YOUTH</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 2 October 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[THE KINGMAKERS&#8217; DEBATE]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-2-october-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-2-october-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:46:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png" width="1456" height="829" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGiN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F03d47126-597a-478a-8e89-f9d2a83ea4f2_3386x1928.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>THE KINGMAKERS&#8217; DEBATE<br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/02/kingmakers-debate-sheds-little-light-on-party-leaders-coronation-plans/">&#8216;Kingmakers&#8217; debate sheds little light on party leaders&#8217; coronation plans</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1675006/minor-parties-keep-calm-and-carry-on-in-tepid-kingmakers-debate">Minor parties keep calm and carry on in tepid kingmakers debate</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/minor-party-leaders-kickstart-election-sparring-in-breathless-first-debate-adam-pearse/premium/NROUTZMZFVAZHIN4SFD2LXZ2NE/">Minor party leaders kickstart election sparring in breathless first debate (paywalled)</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041274/winston-peters-ruthlessly-brand-and-ruthless-winning-combo-kingmakers-debate">Winston Peters, ruthlessly on brand, and ruthless - a winning combo - in Kingmakers&#8217; Debate</a><br>Luke Malpass (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091201/press-kingmakers-debate-kingmakers-set-standard-would-be-kings">The Press Kingmakers&#8217; debate: Kingmakers set a standard for the would-be kings (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/kingmakers-leave-crown-unclaimed/">Kingmakers leave crown unclaimed (paywalled)</a><br>Emma Ricketts and Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041330/heres-what-potential-kingmakers-had-say-after-stuffs-debate">Here&#8217;s what the potential Kingmakers had to say after Stuff&#8217;s debate</a><br>Liz McDonald (Press): <a href="https://www.thepress.co.nz/politics/361091151/press-kingmakers-debate-peters-crowned-winner-night-both-chris-savaged-not-league-leaders-past">Kingmakers&#8217; Debate: Winston Peters won debate, political panel says (paywalled)</a><br>Karanama Ruru (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041219/winston-peters-says-he-was-pulled-out-queue-hospital-after-doctor-recognised-him">Winston Peters says he was &#8216;pulled out&#8217; of queue at hospital after doctor recognised him</a><br><br>THE &#8220;SPLIT YOUR VOTE&#8221; CAMPAIGN AND STRATEGIC VOTING<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-rightwing">The rightwing &#8220;Split Your Vote&#8221; campaign</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361090539/absolute-rort-chris-hipkins-hits-out-mowbray-overhang-campaign">&#8216;An absolute rort&#8217;: Chris Hipkins hits out at Mowbray overhang campaign (paywalled)</a><br>Liam Hehir (The Blue Review): <a href="https://thebluereview.substack.com/p/too-clever-by-half">Too clever by half (paywalled)</a><br>John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-theres-nothing-strategic-about-strategic-voting/">There&#8217;s nothing strategic about strategic voting</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041175/new-poll-maori-voters-shows-strategic-voting-may-be-sinking">New poll of M&#257;ori voters shows strategic voting may be sinking in</a><br><br>LABOUR&#8217;S DEMOCRACY AND TRANSPARENCY PLEDGES<br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361041062/hipkins-unveils-four-point-plan-overhaul-government-transparency">Hipkins unveils four-point plan to overhaul government transparency</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361090814/labour-wants-mandatory-lobbyist-register-promises-limit-use-urgency">Labour wants mandatory lobbyist register, promises to limit use of urgency (paywalled)</a><br>Ashley Parker (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/election-2026/labour-leader-chris-hipkins-pledges-to-curb-urgency-and-toughen-official-information-act">Labour leader Chris Hipkins pledges to curb urgency and toughen Official Information Act (paywalled)</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/10/labour-on-democracy-and-trust-in.html">Labour on democracy and trust in government</a><br>Mike McRoberts (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/hipkins-promises-new-checks-on-power/">Hipkins promises new checks on power (paywalled)</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labour-will-abolish-ratepayer-roll-axing-extra-votes-of-landlords-holiday-home-owners/FUQA4VKJGFDLPF6CWHUF5IRSRY/">Labour will abolish ratepayer roll, axing extra votes of landlords, holiday home owners</a><br><br>ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES<br>Farah Hancock (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1673623/nz-first-gets-161-000-boost-from-anonymous-donors-latest-electoral-commission-disclosure-shows">NZ First gets $161,000 boost from anonymous donors, latest Electoral Commission disclosure shows</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-youth-enrolment-in-the-election-is-shocking/">Youth enrolment in the election is shocking</a><br>Nik Dirga (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1668202/explainer-did-you-know-not-enrolling-to-vote-is-against-the-law">Explainer: Did you know not enrolling to vote is against the law?</a><br>Sammy Carter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1672613/politicians-are-trying-to-be-funny-online-young-voters-are-cringing">Politicians are trying to be funny online - young voters are cringing</a><br>Duncan Greive (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-10-2026/the-worm-electrocuted-political-debate-in-2002-now-were-living-in-the-worms-world">The worm electrocuted the election debate in 2002. Now we&#8217;re living in the worm&#8217;s world</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091240/curated-chaos-campaign-trail-begins">The curated chaos of the campaign trail begins (paywalled)</a><br>Piers Fuller (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361089524/how-will-cookie-crumble-each-major-party">How will the cookie crumble for each major party? (paywalled)</a><br>Neil Sands (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/politics/hipkins-gives-hard-no-to-tax-demands-from-potential-coalition-partners-rules-out-raising-current-tax-rates/">Hipkins gives hard &#8216;no&#8217; to tax demands from potential coalition partners, rules out raising current tax rates</a><br>Ani O&#8217;Brien (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/politics/290860/">What will Chris Hipkins have to give away to become Prime Minister?</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040678/labour-ruled-them-out-national-still-counting-nine-new-taxes">Labour ruled them out, but National is still counting &#8216;nine new taxes&#8217;</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361091239/nz-first-wants-working-families-lifted-120-maybe-more">NZ First wants Working for Families lifted by $120, maybe more (paywalled)</a><br>Matthew Hooton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361090712/matthew-hooton-if-its-dog-whistling-i-refuse-identify-dog">If it&#8217;s dog whistling, I refuse to identify with the dog (paywalled)</a><br>Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/01/mt-albert-and-the-unspoken-clash-of-the-campaign/">Pawn to Queen &#8211; and the unspoken clash of the campaign</a><br>Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/02-10-2026/arena-williams-steals-the-show-at-chris-hipkins-no-bullshit-policy-launch">Arena Williams steals the show at Chris Hipkins&#8217; no bullshit policy launch</a><br>Katie Bradford (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/sir-john-keys-election-predictions-its-going-to-be-tight-getting-some-good-mps-home-election-2026-the-podcast/JMUWB7EH2FHPVKGEFZ2QPVBBNY/">Sir John Key&#8217;s election predictions: &#8216;It&#8217;s going to be tight getting some good MPs home&#8217;</a><br>Ian Taylor (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361041103/act-and-greens-we-need-know-how-ideas-developed-here-lead-our-future-prosperity">Seymour and Swarbrick can tell us who to blame. Who can tell us how to grow?</a><br>Lisa Marriott (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/01/labours-capital-gains-tax-shifts-the-tax-debate-from-being-stuck-on-repeat/">Capital gains tax starts to shift the debate from being stuck on repeat</a><br>Michael Daubs (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/02/what-political-parties-should-consider-for-their-ai-election-policies/">What political parties should consider for their AI election policies</a><br>Mihingarangi Forbes (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1671964/poll-says-maori-are-turning-to-the-greens-for-their-party-vote">Poll says M&#257;ori are turning to the Greens for their party vote</a><br>David Farrar (Kiwiblog): <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/10/maori_nzers_poll.html">M&#257;ori NZers poll</a><br>Liadhan Robinson (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089886/what-does-election-billboard-vandalism-really-achieve">Every election cycle, the vandalism reappears - and this year is no different (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Rose (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-act-candidate-antonia-modkova-heckled-over-te-tiriti-comments-at-auckland-central-debate/CZVGRUK2EZHORNTYEZNWRJMKW4/">Act candidate Antonia Modkova heckled over Te Tiriti comments at Auckland Central debate</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040878/all-play-epsom-national-minister-very-confident-making-it-sixth-time-lucky">All to play for in Epsom with National minister &#8216;very confident&#8217; in making it sixth time lucky</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/01-10-2026/one-candidate-one-pint-nationals-emma-chatterton-is-the-party-candidate-prototype">National&#8217;s Emma Chatterton is the party candidate prototype</a><br>Tom Eley (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/election-2026-farming-tax-and-climate-policy-debated-at-mystery-creek/4WNEVH5JP5BRBFI4DH6FBIB4FE/">Farming, tax and climate policy debated at Mystery Creek</a><br>Riley Kennedy (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/primary-sector/bbq-beers-and-politics-a-night-out-at-mystery-creek">BBQ, beers and politics: A night out at Mystery Creek (paywalled)</a><br>Gianina Schwanecke (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1667653/farmers-warn-opportunity-s-land-tax-has-risks">Farmers warn Opportunity&#8217;s land tax has risks</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1670830/opportunity-party-leader-qiulae-wong-on-recognising-the-good-and-the-bad-of-ai">Opportunity party leader Qiulae Wong on recognising the good and the bad of AI</a><br>Imogene Bedford (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/christopher-luxon-says-extra-security-measures-needed-for-female-mps-facing-gendered-abuse/2FMFORXQF5ALNALSW7KPGLH5FU/">Christopher Luxon says extra security measures needed for female MPs facing gendered abuse</a><br>Tom Raynel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/small-business/election-poll-support-for-coalition-parties-among-smes-falls-below-50/premium/HXLAXICMEBDTHBSLNRKC6KAYJQ/">Poll shows support for coalition parties among SMEs falling below 50% (paywalled)</a><br>BusinessDesk: <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/election-2026/sme-election-poll-national-still-leads-but-labour-support-nearly-doubles">SME election poll: National still leads, but Labour support nearly doubles (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: LABOUR&#8217;S PLEDGE ON HIDDEN FEES; NATIONAL&#8217;S TRANS-TASMAN TRAVEL PLEDGE; PAY EQUITY; PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE; DEBATE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; RESIGNATION OF TAURANGA CEO; WELLINGTON MOA POINT PROSECUTION; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>JUSTICE AND POLICE; HOUSING; MEDIA</strong></p>
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          <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-2-october-2026">
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 1 October 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-1-october-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-1-october-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:40:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg" width="1456" height="1099" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!TMGX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb14a4cb-4ecb-4338-94df-ef4f6033d01b_2048x1546.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-lobbying-reform">Lobbying reform finally has leverage</a><br>Greg Treadwell (The Conversation): <a href="https://theconversation.com/education-ministry-inquiry-the-latest-sign-nzs-official-information-act-isnt-working-293100">Education Ministry inquiry the latest sign NZ&#8217;s Official Information Act isn&#8217;t working</a><br>Emma Stanford (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/361040046/trans-tasman-races-and-secret-audits-what-oia-reveals-about-nzs-michelin-deal">Trans-Tasman races and secret audits: What an OIA reveals about NZ&#8217;s $8m Michelin deal</a><br>Kate MacNamara (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/construction/fletcher-building-cement-plant-officials-advised-against-60m-government-help/premium/T2F7TYD43RHWXMNC6YA27NBIEE/">Fletcher Building cement plant: Officials advised against $60m Government help (paywalled)</a><br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/29/govt-agrees-to-public-service-reform-over-untracked-maori-funding/">Govt agrees to public service reform over untracked M&#257;ori funding</a><br>Azaria Howell (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/public-sector-bosses-attend-upper-hutt-leadership-retreat-told-exciting-time-to-be-a-leader/WJYF4ZTR2NAIHIJZAQ5DHHRKS4/">Public sector bosses at Upper Hutt leadership retreat told now is an &#8216;exciting time&#8217; to be a leader</a><br>Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/30/major-employers-warn-against-legal-definition-of-sex/">Major export and construction firms warn against legal definition of women</a><br>Oscar Francis (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/politics/slate-of-new-digital-credentials-planned-amidst-delays-in-filling-govtnz-wallet">Slate of new digital credentials planned amidst delays in filling Govt.nz wallet (paywalled)</a><br>Rodney Hide: <a href="https://www.brashandmitchell.com/post/rodney-hide-we-stopped-believing-the-rulebook-got-religion">We stopped believing. The rulebook got religion</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088274/new-ambassador-france-francois-decoster-why-it-was-wellington-or-nowhere">New Ambassador of France, Fran&#231;ois Decoster, on why it was Wellington, or nowhere (paywalled)</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/29/agency-bosses-face-monthly-scrutiny-after-tom-phillips-inquiry/">Agency bosses face monthly scrutiny after Tom Phillips inquiry</a><br><br>THE OVERHANG AND STRATEGIC VOTING<br>Audrey Young (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/mmp-overhang-debate-how-strategic-voting-could-expand-parliament-and-benefit-the-right/premium/LAE7V4AEABA77HXSAKOAAMFTVA/">MMP overhang debate: How strategic voting could expand Parliament and benefit the right (paywalled)</a><br>Isaac Davison (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361040559/nicola-willis-chris-bishop-among-top-ministers-who-could-lose-their-seats-election-overhang-possible">Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop among top ministers who could lose their seats as election overhang possible</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089702/election-no-different-winston-peters-not-going-all-overhang-strategy">&#8216;This election is no different&#8217;: Winston Peters not going all-in on overhang strategy (paywalled)</a><br>Ani O&#8217;Brien: <a href="https://aniobrien.substack.com/p/should-the-centre-right-split-their-vote">Should the centre-right split their vote?</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040566/what-strategic-voting-and-why-dont-main-parties-it">What is &#8216;strategic voting&#8217; and why don&#8217;t the main parties like it?</a><br><br>ELECTION CAMPAIGN<br>Chris Trotter (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/politics/election-2026-when-the-tail-is-growing-large-enough-to-wag-the-ideological-dog/">Election 2026: when the tail is growing large enough to wag the ideological dog</a><br>Eva Corlett and Kat Wong (Guardian): <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/30/new-zealand-election-voters-abroad-influence-result">A tight election looms in New Zealand. This time, overseas voters could be bad news for the big parties</a><br>Amanda Gillies (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/01/very-very-tight-race-puts-election-on-a-knife-edge/">&#8216;Very, very tight race&#8217; puts election on a knife edge</a><br>Oliver Hartwich (NZ Initiative): <a href="https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/opinion/when-the-party-was-home">When the party was home</a><br>Jonathan Ayling (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/evidence-tells-us-what-works-values-tell-us-what-is-worth-doing-jonathan-ayling/premium/BDMIHPTRXZFXTD72N72XKG4NJM/">Evidence tells us what works, values tell us what is worth doing (paywalled)</a><br>John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-does-the-govt-deserve-another-three-years/">Does the Govt deserve another three years?</a><br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/01/on-the-trail-hipkins-goes-shopping-for-votes-in-new-plymouth/">On the trail: Hipkins out-ovationed, for a good cause</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-chris-hipkins-has-been-found-out/">Chris Hipkins has been found out</a><br>Glenn McLean (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361090248/hipkins-confident-labour-can-swing-new-plymouth-seat-back">Hipkins confident Labour can swing New Plymouth seat back (paywalled)</a><br>Robin Martin (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1665493/election-campaign-sees-chris-hipkins-hit-the-streets-of-new-plymouth">Election campaign sees Chris Hipkins hit the streets of New Plymouth</a><br>Mike Houlahan (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/odds-on-the-key-issue-is-the-cost-of-living-et2k2zlc">Odds on the key issue is the cost of living (paywalled)</a><br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-we-know-chloee-swarbricks-not-getting-the-finance-portfolio-right/">We know Chl&#246;e Swarbrick&#8217;s not getting the finance portfolio, right?</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140466/green-party-co-leader-chl%C3%B6e-swarbrick-talks-supermarkets-debt-kiwisaver-and">Chl&#246;e Swarbrick talks portfolios the Greens have an eye on</a><br>Stan Ellis (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040468/swarbrick-willis-reflect-those-poll-numbers">Swarbrick to Willis: &#8216;Reflect on those poll numbers&#8217;</a><br>Liz McDonald (Post): <a href="https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361089967/christopher-luxon-spots-no-more-taxes-sign-during-christchurch-factory-visit">Christopher Luxon spots &#8216;No More Taxes&#8217; sign during Christchurch factory visit (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040386/steel-sign-makes-luxons-day">Steel sign makes Luxon&#8217;s day</a><br>Jazlyn Whales (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-rollickin-gelato-in-christchurch-reveals-political-party-flavours/5AVLYHN5JRHWJGBVNMGXT5HMZU/">Rollickin&#8217; Gelato in Christchurch reveals political party flavours</a><br>Maxine Jacobs (Press): <a href="https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361088982/vote-your-taste-buds-or-your-politics-rollickin-gelato-rolls-out-election-scoop-poll">Vote with your taste buds or your politics: Rollickin Gelato rolls out election scoop poll (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1656220/a-field-guide-to-the-dissolution-of-parliament">A field guide to the dissolution of Parliament</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: ELECTORATE RACES AND DEBATES; M&#256;ORI ELECTORATES; PREFU AND THE FISCAL DEBATE; OPPORTUNITY PARTY; ACT AND THE EPSOM SCHOOL; EU TRADE DEAL CLIMATE COMPLAINT; DIRTY WORK AND THE TAXPAYERS&#8217; UNION; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; TRANSPORT; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; HEALTH; EDUCATION</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 30 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[PREFU AND THE GOVERNMENT&#8217;S BOOKS]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-30-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-30-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:35:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8Gyy!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76849673-effb-43cb-8826-078be1eee43a_1708x1074.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8Gyy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76849673-effb-43cb-8826-078be1eee43a_1708x1074.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8Gyy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76849673-effb-43cb-8826-078be1eee43a_1708x1074.png" width="1456" height="916" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/76849673-effb-43cb-8826-078be1eee43a_1708x1074.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:916,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1525160,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/218053169?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76849673-effb-43cb-8826-078be1eee43a_1708x1074.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>PREFU AND THE GOVERNMENT&#8217;S BOOKS<br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1654041/what-the-government-s-4b-surplus-means-for-the-election">What the government&#8217;s $4b surplus means for the election</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-time-for-champagne-lindauer-or-tui-treasury-lifts-lid-on-yeah-right-recovery/premium/QPNX4GDNKBESNFGPZA2WQT743E/">Time for Champagne, Lindauer or Tui? - Treasury lifts lid on &#8216;yeah right&#8217; recovery (paywalled)</a><br>Toby Manhire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/29-09-2026/the-pre-election-books-have-been-opened-do-they-bring-cause-to-cheer">The pre-election books have been opened. Do they bring cause to cheer?</a><br>Jen&#233;e Tibshraeny (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/tax/governments-books-improve-partially-thanks-to-inflation-but-treasury-warns-the-finances-remain-unsustainable-longer-term/QTNAMVKAIRB5FMM5ZTUMNWDO6I/">Govt&#8217;s books improve with return to surplus a year early, but Treasury warns ageing population threatens finances</a><br>Cushla Norman (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/29/better-picture-for-govt-books-not-a-green-light-to-spend-willis/">Better picture for Govt books, not a &#8216;green light&#8217; to spend - Willis</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039890/less-debt-bigger-surplus-coming-pre-election-fiscal-update">Less debt, bigger surplus coming in pre-election fiscal update</a><br>Craig McCulloch (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1647005/treasury-gives-willis-pre-election-boost-as-surplus-forecast-improves">Treasury gives Willis pre-election boost as surplus forecast improves</a><br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/29/recovery-slows-and-economic-risks-loom-in-pre-election-forecasts/">Recovery slows and economic risks loom in pre-election forecasts</a><br>Corin Dann (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1647394/treasury-growth-forecasts-largely-unchanged-house-prices-weaker">Treasury growth forecasts largely unchanged - house prices weaker</a><br>Corin Dann (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1654059/will-rosier-government-books-catch-the-eye-of-global-ratings-agencies">Will rosier government books catch the eye of global ratings agencies?</a><br>Jamie Gray (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/markets/nz-treasury-sends-bond-market-a-positive-surprise-with-reduced-borrowing-plan/premium/DZ7X6MYZ4JFRVD5K6H4OLU5YHA/">NZ Treasury sends bond market a positive surprise with reduced borrowing plan (paywalled)</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nicola-willis-says-surplus-must-come-before-tax-cuts-and-has-a-message-to-her-opponents-too/premium/CTPHSPKMU5AMRLBCU6GSMS2XYM/">Nicola Willis says surplus must come before tax cuts &#8211; and has a message for her opponents (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089033/prefu-nicola-willis-good-news-forecast-has-mmp-problem">Nicola Willis&#8217; PREFU good news forecast has an MMP problem (paywalled)</a><br>Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/willis-delivers-a-stay-the-course-prefu">Willis delivers a &#8216;stay the course&#8217; Prefu (paywalled)</a><br>Cameron Bagrie (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/fixing-the-books-relies-on-six-critical-assumptions">Fixing the books relies on six critical assumptions (paywalled)</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-house-price-growth-forecasts-slashed-significantly-is-labours-capital-gains-tax-in-danger/44CGDG356BADVJ5QFY37H4R4NQ/">House price growth forecasts slashed significantly - is Labour&#8217;s Capital Gains Tax in danger?</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089401/opposition-parties-say-public-has-paid-price-brighter-books">Opposition parties say the public has paid the price for brighter books (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/act-leader-david-seymour-says-prefu-numbers-hopeful-but-more-needs-to-be-done/RYF4JK6MGRGXVLZ455DYUPHYCM/">Act leader David Seymour says Prefu numbers &#8216;hopeful&#8217; but more needs to be done</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/can-williss-plan-survive-beyond-christmas/">Gone by Christmas? (paywalled)</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/labour-and-greens-promise-to-release-their-fiscal-plans-soon/">Labour and Greens promise to release their fiscal plans soon (paywalled)</a><br>Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/treasury-forecasts-wider-402b-surplus-by-june-2029">Treasury forecasts wider $4.02b surplus by June 2029 (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361089399/governments-books-are-looking-better-economic-outlook-not-so-much">The Government&#8217;s books are looking better, but the economic outlook &#8212; not so much (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361088746/treasury-brightens-forecasts-they-dont-account-recent-global-downturn">Treasury brightens forecasts - but they don&#8217;t account for recent global downturn (paywalled)</a><br>Liam Dann (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/inside-economics-an-aspirational-quality-can-we-trust-treasury-forecastsplus-oil-shock-round-two/premium/QTWL5RID7RAJPBK63IJPAC7POU/">Inside Economics: &#8216;An aspirational quality&#8217; - can we trust Treasury forecasts? ...plus, oil shock round two (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/is-the-nz-economy-really-getting-better-or-is-it-just-better-than-expected-the-front-page/L6PO3RPZCVGONPV7LQTRA7IWWY/">Is the NZ economy really getting better, or is it just better than expected? - The Front Page</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089255/housing-market-slowdown-appears-baked-treasury-pre-election-forecast-shows">Housing market slowdown appears baked in, Treasury pre-election forecast shows (paywalled)</a><br><br>OPPORTUNITY PARTY BOTTOM LINES<br>Katie Bradford (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-opportunity-party-releases-its-five-bottom-lines-with-one-big-policy-missing/WP3XKEAUMVHSJOPPFPPEWNHJB4/">Opportunity Party releases its five bottom lines &#8211; with two key policies missing</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-welcomes-opportunity-bottom-lines-national-ignores-them/4VPAEMPBY5BS3NRDKAHNM6B3EI/">Labour welcomes Opportunity bottom lines, National ignores them</a><br>Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/29/opportunity-reaches-deep-with-new-bottom-line-to-phase-out-bottom-trawling/">Opportunity reaches deep with new bottom line to phase out bottom-trawling</a><br>Ella Somers (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140455/opportunity-announces-five-non-negotiable-policy-conditions-party-plans-stand">Opportunity announces its &#8216;non-negotiable&#8217; bottom lines</a><br>Ella Somers (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/business/140458/opportunity-wants-commerce-commission-teeth-tackle-high-prices-and-monopolistic">&#8216;We need an independent watchdog with teeth&#8217;</a><br>Stewart Sowman-Lund (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088949/opportunity-leaves-tax-plan-coalition-bottom-lines">Opportunity leaves tax plan off coalition bottom lines (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1643401/health-supermarkets-and-political-lobbying-among-opportunity-party-s-bottom-lines">Health, supermarkets and political lobbying among Opportunity Party&#8217;s bottom lines</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039751/opportunity-announces-bottom-lines-hoping-appeal-both-labour-and-national">Opportunity announces bottom lines hoping to appeal to both Labour and National</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/29/no-land-tax-or-citizens-income-in-opportunitys-bottom-lines/">No land tax or &#8216;citizens&#8217; income&#8217; in Opportunity&#8217;s bottom lines</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088957/land-tax-no-fringe-idea">Editorial &#8211; A land tax is no fringe idea (paywalled)</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/09/bottom-lines.html">Bottom lines</a><br>Ani O&#8217;Brien: <a href="https://aniobrien.substack.com/p/could-opportunity-really-work-with-right">Could Opportunity really work with the Right?</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026<br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/29/poll-both-luxon-hipkins-approval-ratings-down-ahead-of-election/">Poll: Both Luxon, Hipkins&#8217; approval ratings down ahead of election</a>\<br>Jenna Lynch (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039521/all-eyes-minors-labour-and-national-faceplant-out-starting-blocks">All eyes on minors as Labour and National faceplant out of the starting blocks</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088895/nz-first-seriously-pushing-election-skewing-overhang-would-make-it-far-more-likely">NZ First seriously pushing an election-skewing overhang would make it far more likely (paywalled)</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/29/surging-greens-not-here-to-play-silly-buggers-eye-portfolios/">Surging Greens &#8216;not here to play silly buggers&#8217;, eye portfolios</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039950/swarbrick-says-finance-portfolio-voters-decide-not-hipkins">Swarbrick says finance portfolio for voters to decide, not Hipkins</a><br>Stan Ellis (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039691/no-swarbrick-wouldnt-be-finance-minister-hipkins-says">No, Swarbrick wouldn&#8217;t be finance minister, Hipkins says</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089026/chris-hipkins-sets-own-bottom-line-against-minor-party-veto-power">Chris Hipkins sets own bottom line against minor-party veto power (paywalled)</a><br>Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/29/greens-shoots-grow-as-major-parties-continue-slide/">Greens&#8217; shoots grow as major parties continue slide</a><br>Adrian Beaumont (The Conversation): <a href="https://theconversation.com/nz-election-poll-watch-minor-parties-gain-as-labour-and-national-slide-292993">NZ election poll watch: minor parties gain as Labour and National slide</a><br>Paula Penfold (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361039617/national-party-member-was-told-campaign-launch-was-full-hundreds-seats-were-empty">A National Party member was told the campaign launch was full - but hundreds of seats were empty</a><br>Steven Cowan: <a href="https://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-greens-dont-owe-labour-any-favours.html">The Greens don&#8217;t owe Labour any favours</a><br>Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-strategic-voting-is-it-really-a-clever-decision/">Strategic voting &#8211; is it really a clever decision?</a><br>Alice Peacock (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/28/capital-gains-tax-a-complete-waste-of-time-as-revenue-tool-deloitte-tax-partner/">Capital gains tax a &#8216;complete waste of time&#8217; as revenue tool &#8211; Deloitte tax partner</a><br>Tom Peters (World Socialist Website): <a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/09/29/bdgx-s29.html">New Zealand election: Labour&#8217;s phony &#8220;principled&#8221; foreign policy</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039494/flip-forecaster-no-way-power-without-opportunity-unless">Flip Forecaster: No way to power without Opportunity... unless</a><br>Toby Manhire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/why-mt-albert-is-shaping-up-as-the-most-exciting-battle-of-election-2026">Why Mt Albert is shaping up as the most exciting battle of election 2026</a><br>Felix Walton (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1654226/auckland-s-seat-of-maungakiekie-has-never-been-a-safe-bet">Auckland&#8217;s seat of Maungakiekie has never been a safe bet</a><br>Nick James (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361089506/christopher-luxon-his-happy-place-just-outside-wellington">Christopher Luxon in his happy place - just outside of Wellington (paywalled)</a><br>Jen&#233;e Tibshraeny (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/tax/national-softens-its-language-on-lifting-the-age-of-eligibility-for-super-saying-political-consensus-is-needed-but-missing/premium/DDSCT3HWONBUFOBY7WKRVP6MGA/">National softens its language on lifting Super eligibility age, saying political consensus is needed, but missing (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-attack-slogans-like-taxes-are-inevitable-but-have-they-ever-been-more-misleading-editorial/premium/M5FTMV6HK5FPHOTZMD7LADZKOY/">Editorial &#8211; Election attack slogans, like taxes, are inevitable but have they ever been more misleading? (paywalled)</a><br>Shayne Currie (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-this-national-party-billboard-has-drawn-more-than-a-dozen-formal-complaints-why-advertising-watchdog-says-its-ok/premium/ANBU4X6ZNRDGJBFJOSXRIDP76M/">This National Party billboard has drawn more than a dozen formal complaints &#8211; why advertising watchdog says it&#8217;s OK (paywalled)</a><br>Kirsten Wise (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/the-missing-piece-of-nzs-political-puzzle-is-risk-kirsten-wise/premium/LWC5CRHVVBEGLBAARHA5APB5QI/">The missing piece of NZ&#8217;s political puzzle is risk (paywalled)</a><br>Cate Macintosh (Press): <a href="https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361089111/new-zealand-track-lowest-youth-vote-ever">New Zealand on track for lowest youth vote ever (paywalled)</a><br>Giles Dexter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1653198/electoral-commission-wants-number-of-youth-enrolled-to-vote-to-be-a-lot-higher">Electoral Commission wants number of youth enrolled to vote &#8216;to be a lot higher&#8217;</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1654076/best-thing-we-can-do-is-show-up-and-vote-students-urge-peers-to-have-their-say">&#8216;Best thing we can do is show up and vote&#8217;: Students urge peers to have their say</a><br>Virginia Fallon (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361085461/id-love-have-trapdoor-art-moderating-political-debate">&#8216;I&#8217;d love to have a trapdoor&#8217;: The art of moderating a political debate (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: PAY EQUITY; M&#256;ORI ELECTORATES; ADRIAN RURAWHE; PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY; EDUCATION; ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 29 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026: POLLS]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-29-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-29-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:41:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg" width="960" height="720" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/be34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:720,&quot;width&quot;:960,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:192546,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/217876790?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YeJI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe34217e-bfb1-41a2-8d32-60e5f1038e24_960x720.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026: POLLS<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-major-parties">Major parties in name only</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/28/poll-greens-surge-to-best-result-ever-as-national-labour-slide-further/">Poll: Greens surge to best result ever as National, Labour slide further</a><br>Thomas Coughlan and Chris Knox (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-coalition-loses-advantage-in-poll-of-polls-change-more-likely-than-not/premium/RVI5IH5MSVEIBF3GODLFIZO4PU/">Coalition loses advantage in poll of polls &#8211; change more likely than not (paywalled)</a><br>Karanama Ruru (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039460/greens-surge-new-high-labour-and-national-drop-latest-poll">Greens surge to new high as Labour and National drop in latest poll</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-green-party-surges-to-record-high-in-1news-verian-poll/LU6JE4FXSZAETCMYWNKKZPYRDE/">Green Party surges to record high in 1News Verian poll</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1634318/left-bloc-may-be-able-to-form-government-latest-poll-suggests">Left bloc may be able to form government latest poll suggests</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/28/pretty-cool-isnt-it-party-reacts-to-best-ever-1news-poll-result/">&#8216;Pretty cool isn&#8217;t it&#8217; - Party reacts to best-ever 1News poll result</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/28/the-two-ways-of-calculating-seats-for-the-1news-verian-poll/">The two ways of calculating seats for the 1News Verian poll</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1637878/there-s-a-long-way-to-go-act-greens-on-gains-in-polling-and-working-with-opportunity">&#8216;There&#8217;s a long way to go&#8217; - ACT, Greens on gains in polling, and working with Opportunity</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: STRATEGIC VOTING<br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088748/insanely-stupid-idea-christopher-luxon-slams-strategic-voting">&#8216;Insanely stupid idea&#8217;: Christopher Luxon warns against strategic voting (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1631392/act-nz-first-hit-back-at-national-s-warning-against-strategic-voting">ACT, NZ First hit back at National&#8217;s warning against &#8216;strategic voting&#8217;</a><br>Ryan Bridge (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/ryan-bridge-what-strategic-voting-will-do/">What strategic voting will do</a><br>Peter Williams: <a href="https://peterallanwilliams.substack.com/p/splitting-your-vote-its-the-only">Splitting your vote - It&#8217;s the only way</a><br>Toby Manhire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-09-2026/winston-peters-warms-to-overhang-strategy-you-dont-just-carry-on-with-previous-ways">Winston Peters warms to overhang strategy: &#8216;You don&#8217;t just carry on with previous ways&#8217;</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES AND THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL<br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088168/no-new-taxes-precious-few-new-ideas">Editorial &#8211; No new taxes, precious few new ideas (paywalled)</a><br>Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-both-parties-launches-reeked-of-desperation/">Both parties&#8217; launches reeked of desperation</a><br>ODT: <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/editorial/the-campaign-really-starts-now-c99nswfv">Editorial &#8211; The campaign (really) starts now (paywalled)</a><br>Audrey Young (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/campaign-launch-showdown-who-made-the-biggest-impact-as-luxon-hipkins-get-personal-audrey-young/premium/E7MV43OFL5BKNCRYTLMSUJ2DJQ/">Campaign launch showdown: Who made the biggest impact as Luxon, Hipkins get personal (paywalled)</a><br>Gordon Campbell: <a href="https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2609/S00065/on-the-flaccid-campaign-launches-and-despair-over-diesel-prices.htm">On The Flaccid Campaign Launches, And Despair Over Diesel Prices</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-christopher-luxon-speaks-to-mike-hosking-after-national-labour-launch-campaigns/P6PCZLSUGZDRHMHOKMWQV733TI/">PM Christopher Luxon speaks to Mike Hosking after National, Labour launch campaigns</a><br>Chelsea Daniels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-what-makes-a-political-campaign-work-the-front-page/O4ABBNXFJ5ECPBFNOND2UKEQRU/">What makes a political campaign work?</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-christopher-luxons-surprise-mcdonalds-mission-and-a-positive-toot-to-finger-ratio/premium/B6LLK3LH6JELBBDIELG4JQRV3E/">Christopher Luxon&#8217;s surprise McDonald&#8217;s mission and a positive &#8216;toot to finger&#8217; ratio (paywalled)</a><br>Amber Allott (Press): <a href="https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361088492/labour-leader-chris-hipkins-charm-offensive-christchurch">Labour leader Chris Hipkins on the charm offensive in Christchurch (paywalled)</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039329/im-floored-hipkins-stumped-question-ice-cream-shop">&#8216;I&#8217;m floored&#8217;: Hipkins stumped by question at ice cream shop</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038451/its-promo-winston-peters-settles-campaign-video-speculation">&#8216;It&#8217;s a promo&#8217;: Winston Peters settles campaign video speculation</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1624802/christopher-luxon-labels-policy-by-potential-coalition-partner-madness">Christopher Luxon labels policy by potential coalition partner &#8216;madness&#8217;</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: SUPERMARKETS<br>Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/danyl-mclauchlan-nationals-plan-to-intervene-in-the-business-of-supermarkets-reflects-its-desperation/premium/FQG5FTUEJNAGJMPUWOHUNMEKHU/">National&#8217;s plan to intervene in the business of supermarkets reflects its desperation (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088457/john-key-not-sure-if-nationals-supermarket-split-right-solution">Sir John Key not sure if National&#8217;s supermarket split is right solution (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361087603/foodstuffs-queries-claim-it-could-duplicate-warehouses-300m-after-break">Foodstuffs queries claim it could duplicate warehouses for $300m after break-up (paywalled)</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-acts-david-seymour-warns-politicians-in-state-of-panic-responding-to-cost-of-living-woes/IIH4CAXYENBP3EISXPLV7H5T5Q/">Act&#8217;s David Seymour warns politicians in &#8216;state of panic&#8217; responding to cost-of-living woes</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1628609/act-s-david-seymour-slams-unethical-promises-to-break-up-supermarket-duopoly">ACT&#8217;s David Seymour slams &#8216;unethical&#8217; promises to break up supermarket duopoly</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/28/act-reveals-supermarkets-policy-decries-insane-break-up-proposals/">ACT reveals supermarkets policy, decries &#8216;insane&#8217; break-up proposals</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361039195/act-promises-one-stop-shop-cut-red-tape-new-supermarkets">ACT promises &#8216;one-stop shop&#8217; to cut red tape for new supermarkets</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361088391/act-pitches-label-law-overhaul-lure-new-supermarket-operator">ACT pitches label law overhaul to lure new supermarket operator (paywalled)</a><br>NBR: <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/the-act-partys-plan-to-boost-supermarket-competition/">The Act Party&#8217;s plan to boost supermarket competition (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: LOBBYING, DONATIONS AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE; ELECTION 2026: ELECTORATE RACES AND CANDIDATES; PARLIAMENT, ELECTION AND GOVERNMENT; ELECTION 2026: STUDENT LOANS; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; WORK AND PAY EQUITY; HOUSING; HEALTH; EDUCATION; M&#256;ORI AND TREATY ISSUES; ENVIRONMENT AND PRIMARY SECTOR; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 28 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026: CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-28-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-28-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 17:52:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg" width="800" height="533" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:533,&quot;width&quot;:800,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:117321,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/217704219?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XQz0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15055ce8-cb4b-48c5-8fd7-1630efc2531c_800x533.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026: CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES<br>Jenna Lynch (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038927/pledge-card-vs-policy-inside-battle-campaign-launches">A pledge card vs a policy. Inside the battle of the campaign launches</a><br>Jamie Ensor and Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-what-stood-out-at-national-labours-campaign-launches/premium/6BMCLJ3TCFE63PYPPNVR55PBU4/">What stood out at National, Labour&#8217;s campaign launches (paywalled)</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/28/labour-launches-with-a-wahs-like-vibe-and-a-student-surprise/">Labour launches with a Wahs-like vibe and a student surprise</a><br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1619352/national-and-labour-leaders-come-out-firing-and-fed-up">National and Labour leaders come out firing - and fed up</a><br>Joel MacManus (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/28-09-2026/field-notes-from-national-and-labours-campaign-launches">Field notes from National and Labour&#8217;s campaign launches</a><br>Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/28/nationals-taxing-campaign-to-hold-the-throne/">National&#8217;s taxing campaign to hold the throne</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088053/labour-outclasses-nationals-energy-campaign-launch-day">Labour outclasses National&#8217;s energy on campaign launch day (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke and Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088052/labour-pledges-wipe-10-loans-students-who-stay-nz">&#8216;The fight in front of us&#8217;: Labour campaign launch puts the spotlight on cost of living (paywalled)</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361088009/national-party-launches-election-2026-campaign">National Party launches election campaign, vows to stand against the &#8216;economic vandals&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/hipkins-comes-out-of-the-shadows/">Hipkins comes out of the shadows (paywalled)</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-national-to-launch-campaign-with-speeches-from-john-key-christopher-luxon/QVP6QMNLZVA6NITNEQFXSGRFRU/">Christopher Luxon warns Labour bereft of ideas as he reveals National&#8217;s 10 top promises</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-kicks-off-campaign-after-national-hammers-home-tax-attack/JJ6SXVR3HJH2RB7BF4567UTSDI/">Labour reveals policy to forgive student loan debt as party kicks off election campaign</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038926/student-loan-write-vs-pledge-card-chrises-launch-their-campaigns">Student loan write-off vs pledge card: The Chrises launch their campaigns</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1611275/the-job-isn-t-done-luxon-launches-national-s-election-campaign-in-auckland">&#8216;The job isn&#8217;t done&#8217;: Luxon launches National&#8217;s election campaign in Auckland</a><br>Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1615271/it-made-me-so-angry-hipkins-targets-cost-of-living-at-labour-campaign-launch">&#8216;It made me so angry&#8217;: Hipkins targets cost of living at Labour campaign launch</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1602565/national-and-labour-launch-election-2026-campaigns">National and Labour launch election 2026 campaigns</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1612259/labour-promises-to-write-off-10-percent-of-some-student-loan-balances">Labour promises to write off 10% of some student loan balances</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/27/key-hypes-luxon-as-willis-teases-fiscal-outlook-at-campaign-launch/">Key hypes Luxon as Willis teases fiscal outlook at campaign launch</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/27/labour-pledges-wiping-10-off-student-loans-for-nz-based-borrowers/">Labour pledges wiping 10% off student loans for NZ-based borrowers</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140432/labour-promises-wipe-small-student-loans-and-cut-debt-10-nationals-nicola">Labour goes after student loan debt, National goes after tax</a><br>Mike Houlahan (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/promises-and-pledges-election-campaigns-officially-under-way-yh288136">Promises and pledges: election campaigns officially under way (paywalled)</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/a-tale-of-two-election-campaign-launches/">A tale of two election campaign launches (paywalled)</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: PARTIES, ELECTORATES AND VOTERS<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-campaign-to">The campaign to engineer a National overhang</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038445/two-thirds-kiwis-think-politicians-dont-care-about-people-them">Two-thirds of Kiwis think politicians don&#8217;t care about people like them</a><br>Verity Johnson (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038419/hey-nz-please-dont-be-conscientious-objector-voter-november">Hey NZ, please don&#8217;t be a conscientious objector voter this November</a><br>Michael Swanson: <a href="https://politicsinnewzealand.substack.com/p/gaming-the-house-overhang-seats-and">Gaming the House: overhang seats and the 2026 election</a><br>Isaac Davison (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361038203/labour-has-held-mt-albert-80-years-even-loyal-supporters-fear-it-could-finally-turn-blue">Labour has held Mt Albert for 80 years. Even loyal supporters fear it could finally turn blue</a><br>Chris Trotter (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140431/kiwi-left-has-discovered-there-are-more-ways-skin-capitalist-cat-revolutionary">Undue influence</a><br>Richard Harman (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087141/richard-harman-porirua-way">Barbara Edmonds does it the &#8216;Porirua Way&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Fox Meyer (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/27/greens-say-change-wont-come-from-reheating-the-political-nachos/">Greens say change won&#8217;t come from reheating the same political nachos</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/27/greens-national-deal-a-conversation-but-gap-wide-davidson/">Greens-National deal a &#8216;conversation&#8217; but gap wide - Davidson</a><br>Maria Slade (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/growing-grey-vote-is-tiring-of-lack-of-options">Growing grey vote is tiring of lack of options (paywalled)</a><br>Shawn McAvinue (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/rural-events/agriculture-politicians-share-their-vision-for-southern-rural-communities-jdellmhw">Agriculture politicians share their vision for southern rural communities (paywalled)</a><br><br>HOUSING<br>Eric Frykberg (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/new-zealand/rising-housing-inequality-widening-wealth-gaps-is-the-bank-of-mum-dad-to-blame/premium/GQKGRKMSARC6XKMWQIOLNVE2FE/">Rising housing inequality &amp; widening wealth gaps: Is the Bank of Mum &amp; Dad to blame? (paywalled)</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361086191/ten-years-without-power-how-wellingtons-social-housing-system-failing-its-most-vulnerable">Ten years without power: How Wellington&#8217;s community housing system is failing its most vulnerable (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Hunt (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361087482/government-selling-36-empty-wellington-state-homes">Government selling up 36 empty Wellington state homes (paywalled)</a><br>Simon Wilson (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/opinion/simon-wilsons-city-desk-wider-auckland-needs-about-1000-emergency-beds-move-on-orders-wont-fix-that/premium/75HQ6KCO5RBKLAVYN3JUZIYKYU/">Wider Auckland needs about 1000 emergency beds. Move-on orders won&#8217;t fix that (paywalled)</a><br>Kate Newton (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1619940/ministry-delays-rules-on-too-hot-homes">Ministry delays rules on too-hot homes</a><br>Ellen O&#8217;Dwyer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1596920/kainga-ora-decision-to-sell-off-wellington-housing-blocks-disappoints-locals">K&#257;inga Ora decision to sell off Wellington housing blocks disappoints locals</a><br>Sunday Star Times: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083379/cheap-homes-may-change-schools">Cheap homes may change schools (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: SUPERMARKETS, COMPETITION AND COST OF LIVING; PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE; TAX, PREFU AND THE FISCAL OUTLOOK; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; TREATY OF WAITANGI; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; JUSTICE AND POLICE; HEALTH AND PRIVACY; MEDIA</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 27 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026 CAMPAIGN]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-27-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-27-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 18:09:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png" width="1456" height="1040" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1040,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:4257370,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/217566643?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wBJ2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7800e4e-334f-46ab-b675-6ebc19e2bfac_2016x1440.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026 CAMPAIGN<br>Emily Simpson (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/27/its-going-to-get-scrappy-tova-obrien-and-jack-tame-predict-a-heated-election-2026/">&#8216;It&#8217;s going to get scrappy&#8217;: Tova O&#8217;Brien and Jack Tame predict a heated Election 2026</a><br>Giles Dexter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1594972/politicians-have-fled-parliament-here-s-what-they-say-to-expect-on-the-campaign-trail">Politicians have fled Parliament. Here&#8217;s what they say to expect on the campaign trail</a><br>Henry Cooke (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087923/8000-doors-league-table-and-bit-rain-inside-first-weekend-election-campaign">8000 door knocks, a league table and a bit of rain - inside the first weekend of the election campaign (paywalled)</a><br>Vernon Small (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361087161/another-week-another-policy-quietly-shuffled-later-pile">Another week, another policy quietly shuffled into the &#8216;later&#8217; pile (paywalled)</a><br>Kylie Klein Nixon (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361085402/kylie-klein-nixon-get-youth-voting-we-might-need-take-piss-little-bit">To get youth voting, we might need to take the piss a little bit (paywalled)</a><br>Caroline Williams (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038701/orange-guy-got-140k-makeover-somethings-missing">Orange Guy got a $140k makeover - but something&#8217;s missing</a><br>Matthew Hooton (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087347/dont-make-orange-guy-angry-and-drag-you-court">Don&#8217;t make the Orange Guy angry and drag you off to court (paywalled)</a><br>Peter Davis (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361084963/if-i-was-pm-how-reach-new-equilibrium-fiscal-responsibility">If I was PM: How to reach a new equilibrium on fiscal responsibility (paywalled)</a><br>Duncan Garner (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/opinion/duncan-garner-forget-the-nicky-hager-sideshow-theres-a-new-cost-of-living-shock-set-to-hit-before-election-day/premium/SJYRLBIH5BFP7IDF2DWIUHEUDY/">Forget the Nicky Hager sideshow, there&#8217;s a new cost-of-living shock set to hit before election day (paywalled)</a><br><br>NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK<br>Damien Grant (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361038258/why-nicky-hagers-latest-book-falls-well-short">Why Nicky Hager&#8217;s latest book falls well short</a><br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nicky-hager-book-naive-heather-du-plessis-allan/premium/4SF4PARRFJEY3G5RFU7HZ725QM/">Nicky Hager&#8217;s Dirty Work attack on Taxpayers&#8217; Union &#8216;naive&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Matthew Tukaki (Waatea News): <a href="https://waateanews.com/2026/09/26/te-kaupapa-dirty-work-maiki-sherman-and-the-question-of-who-really-shapes-our-politics/">Dirty Work, Maiki Sherman and the Question of Who Really Shapes Our Politics</a><br>Steven Cowan: <a href="https://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2026/09/dirty-work-shining-light-on-machinery.html">Dirty Work: Shining a Light on the Machinery of Conservative Politics</a><br>Stewart Sowman-Lund (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087075/nicky-hager-still-makes-media-lose-its-mind-do-we-all-need-calm-down">Nicky Hager still makes the media lose its mind: Do we all need to calm down? (paywalled)</a><br><br>CHRIS HIPKINS AND LABOUR ON THE TRAIL<br>Anna Thomas (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/where-did-the-nickname-chippy-come-from-a-road-trip-with-chris-hipkins">Where did the nickname &#8216;Chippy&#8217; come from?: A road trip with Chris Hipkins</a><br>Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1592401/labour-s-chris-hipkins-targets-auckland-turnout-ahead-of-campaign-launch">Labour&#8217;s Chris Hipkins targets Auckland turnout ahead of campaign launch</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-has-labours-chris-hipkins-campaigning-improved-since-tough-2023-and-whats-trevor-mallard-doing/premium/KSOFZQQ2D5FSHCJIKT7PHDCTCM/">Has Labour&#8217;s Chris Hipkins&#8217; campaigning improved since 2023 &#8211; and what&#8217;s Trevor Mallard doing? (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1589615/what-s-a-woman-vision-nz-s-karl-mokaraka-heckles-chris-hipkins-at-otara-markets">&#8216;What&#8217;s a woman?&#8217;: Vision NZ&#8217;s Karl Mokaraka heckles Chris Hipkins at &#332;tara Markets</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/karl-mokaraka-heckles-chris-hipkins-at-otara-markets-as-trevor-mallard-steps-in/EI5NPUDBDNBRDPGKTYYZSWX32E/">Karl Mokaraka heckles Chris Hipkins at &#332;tara markets as Trevor Mallard steps in</a><br><br>NZ FIRST, THE WAITANGI TRIBUNAL AND THE TREATY<br>Andrea Vance (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087177/andrea-vance-winstons-winning-long-war">Winston&#8217;s winning the Long War (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1593210/new-zealand-first-announces-plan-to-abolish-waitangi-tribunal">New Zealand First announces plan to abolish Waitangi Tribunal</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-first-plan-to-abolish-waitangi-tribunal-shift-modern-claims-to-maori-ministry/TMYEVRXUIVEV5NYMEW7UFW33KI/">NZ First plan to abolish Waitangi Tribunal, shift modern claims to M&#257;ori ministry</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038702/nz-first-pledges-100-day-plan-abolish-waitangi-tribunal">NZ First pledges 100-day plan to abolish Waitangi Tribunal</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/26/nz-first-vow-to-immediately-abolish-waitangi-tribunal-if-elected/">NZ First vow to &#8216;immediately abolish&#8217; Waitangi Tribunal if elected</a><br>Chris Knox (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/whenua-20-updated-map-new-histories-showing-maori-pakeha-land-deals-in-new-zealand/6S6VAPGCAFHBNJIPE6GAQW5I6Y/">Whenua 2.0: Updated map, new histories showing M&#257;ori-P&#257;keha land deals in New Zealand</a><br><br>ACT&#8217;S NOISE CAMERA POLICY<br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1587808/act-promises-noise-cameras-to-combat-boy-racers-in-tamaki">ACT promises noise cameras to combat boy racers in T&#257;maki</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-act-wants-to-deploy-noise-cameras-to-catch-loud-cars-boy-racers/OZK4C4ZVNRHN7PDBPE6IGTCJLA/">Election 2026: Act wants to deploy &#8216;noise cameras&#8217; to catch loud cars, boy racers</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038466/act-clamp-down-noisy-cars">ACT to clamp down on noisy cars</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/26/act-promises-noise-cameras-tougher-penalties-for-loud-vehicles/">ACT promises noise cameras, tougher penalties for loud vehicles</a><br><br>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: SUPERMARKETS AND THE FOODSTUFFS BREAKUP; ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY; PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE; JUSTICE AND POLICE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; CITY RAIL LINK, TRANSPORT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 26 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-26-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-26-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:21:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FQ8a!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b9182d-be9b-4be7-a87a-3357b54fe06a_960x720.jpeg" width="960" height="720" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026<br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087140/why-mowbray-plot-skew-election-probably-wont-work">Why the Mowbray plot to skew the election probably won&#8217;t work (paywalled)</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087066/ready-set-go-everything-play-election">Ready, set, go! Everything to play for in this election (paywalled)</a><br>Isaac Davison (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361038441/report-card-policies-which-government-didnt-campaign-did-anyway">Report Card: The policies which the Government didn&#8217;t campaign on but did anyway</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labour-claims-christopher-luxon-mia-on-campaign-national-reveals-what-pms-been-doing/CV4UC3YYRBEV7ISIOVFN7PPRCA/">Labour claims Christopher Luxon &#8216;MIA&#8217; on campaign, National reveals what PM&#8217;s been doing</a><br>Emma Ricketts and Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038338/where-prime-minister-hipkins-says-he-missing-action">Where is the prime minister? Hipkins says he is missing in action</a><br>Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038290/politicians-sneak-about-says-climate-protester-after-missing-luxon">Politicians &#8216;sneak about&#8217; says climate protester after missing Luxon</a><br>Mike Houlahan (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/hes-not-missing-in-action-hes-right-there-in-the-spotlight-k6e5dpz1">He&#8217;s not missing in action, he&#8217;s right there in the spotlight (paywalled)</a><br>Tom McKinlay (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/life-and-style/the-mix/festival-rocking-for-democracy-n30uyv2d">Festival rocking for democracy (paywalled)</a><br>Paul Gorman (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/life-and-style/the-mix/campaign-builds-to-enrol-young-voters-hu992b00">&#8216;Everything sucks, but that&#8217;s why young people&#8217;s voices matter&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-are-these-election-promises-worth-it-to-you/">Are these election promises worth it to you?</a><br>James Nokise (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361086624/look-out-slop-ai-takes-centre-stage-election-campaigns">Look out for the slop as AI takes centre stage in election campaigns (paywalled)</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labours-ginny-andersen-ahead-of-minister-chris-bishop-in-hutt-south-race-poll/3YATA3PQRBAXTJKQP6CLDRYRJM/">Labour&#8217;s Ginny Andersen ahead of minister Chris Bishop in Hutt South race - poll</a><br>Alice Peacock (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/23/judith-collins-successor-has-skin-in-the-game-in-papakura/">Judith Collins&#8217; successor has skin in the game in Papakura</a><br>Tim Brown (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1564994/the-election-fight-for-wigram-is-taking-flight">The election fight for Wigram is taking flight</a><br>Fox Meyer (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/23/labours-west-coast-candidate-endorses-fast-tracked-hydro-scheme-once-damned-as-destructive/">Labour&#8217;s West Coast candidate backs fast-track hydro once damned as &#8216;destructive&#8217;</a><br>Will Johnston (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361087824/jones-talks-gas-industry-and-backs-new-candidate-taranaki-meeting">Jones talks gas, industry and backs new candidate at Taranaki meeting (paywalled)</a><br>Robin Martin (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1574614/shane-jones-backs-nz-first-s-controversial-new-plymouth-candidate-selection">Shane Jones backs NZ First&#8217;s controversial New Plymouth candidate selection</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1572460/new-zealand-first-names-new-plymouth-deputy-mayor-murray-chong-as-election-candidate">New Zealand First names New Plymouth Deputy Mayor Murray Chong as election candidate</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038332/controversial-new-plymouth-councillor-stand-nz-first">Controversial New Plymouth councillor to stand for NZ First</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361038245/coalition-government-wanted-build-more-faster-did-it-succeed">The Coalition Government wanted to build more, faster. Did it succeed?</a><br><br>NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-in-defence-of">In defence of Nicky Hager&#8217;s Dirty Work</a><br>Steve Braunias (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/26/the-secret-diary-of-nicky-hagers-book/">The secret diary of .. Nicky Hager&#8217;s book</a><br>Dane Giraud (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nicky-hager-is-of-an-elite-intelligentsia-who-hold-a-kind-of-free-speech-union-derangement-revealed-in-dirty-work-dane-giraud/premium/HGGVP6CFRJGVTHK5W4JVCVYZDY/">Nicky Hager is of an elite intelligentsia who hold a kind of Free Speech Union derangement revealed in Dirty Work (paywalled)</a><br>Ben Thomas (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361086741/nicky-hager-lobs-dampish-squib-while-chris-hipkins-self-detonates">Nicky Hager lobs a dampish squib while Chris Hipkins self-detonates (paywalled)</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politically-speaking/dirty-work-monetary-policy-mistakes-and-local-government-reform/">Dirty Work, monetary policy mistakes, local government reform (paywalled)</a><br><br>TAX AND FISCAL POLICY<br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/landlord-tax-cut-was-about-the-labour-party-not-property-thomas-coughlan/premium/XAJQQRNY3JF7LIG3QP2UCSAFRM/">Landlord tax cut was about the Labour Party, not property (paywalled)</a><br>Chelsea Daniels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-do-kiwis-want-more-tax-less-tax-or-no-tax-the-front-page/AIRIZBTEEZC4FCLNZ4LXL2OLOU/">Do Kiwis want more tax, less tax, or no tax? &#8211; The Front Page</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140408/unemployment-pushes-top-four-issues-facing-new-zealanders-and-64-support">Ipsos poll suggests 64% support wealth tax of 2.5% on assets above $10m</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/09/taxing-rich-is-popular.html">Taxing the rich is popular</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361086505/nearly-half-voters-would-support-delaying-return-surplus-year-restore-pay-equity">Nearly half of voters would support delaying return to surplus by a year to restore pay equity (paywalled)</a><br><br>LOCAL GOVERNMENT<br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361087228/head-start-becomes-false-start">Editorial &#8211; Head Start becomes a false start (paywalled)</a><br>ODT: <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/editorial/bordering-on-the-absurd-shurvvgt">Editorial &#8211; Bordering on the absurd (paywalled)</a><br>Sue Teodoro and Tom Hunt (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361086997/amalgamation-freeze-leaves-councils-stuck-limbo">Amalgamation freeze leaves willing councils stuck in limbo (paywalled)</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-council-amalgamation-something-else-this-govt-didnt-deliver/">Council amalgamation &#8211; something else this Govt didn&#8217;t deliver</a><br>Ruby Shaw (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/no-goalposts-have-been-shifted-watts-dismisses-dunedin-mps-critical-of-council-merger-stunt-s7er5eko">&#8216;No goalposts have been shifted&#8217;: Watts dismisses Dunedin MPs critical of council merger &#8216;stunt&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Rebecca Hogan (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361087665/angst-irony-and-lost-time-wider-manawatu-reacts-government-pausing-council-reforms">&#8216;Angst&#8217;, &#8216;irony&#8217; and &#8216;lost time&#8217;: Wider Manawat&#363; reacts to Government pausing council reforms</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/25/local-councils-left-in-limbo-after-amalgamation-process-paused/">Local councils &#8216;left in limbo&#8217; after amalgamation process paused</a><br>Bronson Perich (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/otorohanga-mayor-local-government-reform-delay-a-bit-like-the-wahs/LULXX6UTYBAINH2UJ4UN6DADXQ/">&#332;torohanga Mayor: Local government reform delay &#8216;a bit like the Wahs&#8217;</a><br>Bronson Perich (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/local-government-reform-forced-merger-proposal-process-a-waste-of-time-turangi-councillor/4XRZAWNNENDPTJ5GCVC3TO56HA/">Forced merger proposal process a waste of time &#8211; T&#363;rangi councillor</a><br>Jordan Smith (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/thames-coromandel-council-reveals-cost-as-head-start-proposals-delayed/YSFNHLNE4VCKHBK72JOT4LOBJU/">Thames-Coromandel council reveals cost as Head Start proposals delayed</a><br>Ayla Yeoman (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/local-government-reform-tauranga-western-bay-mayors-on-government-decision-delay/7753MQML3NGB3NLX24TC5DZ5HY/">Tauranga, Western Bay mayors on Government decision delay</a><br>Lianne Dalziel (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/23/council-voting-rights-attack-is-a-dogs-breakfast-for-the-sake-of-a-dog-whistle/">Council voting rights attack is a dog&#8217;s breakfast for the sake of a dog whistle</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/22/auckland-leaders-warnings-over-maori-votes-ignored-by-govt-bruising-relationships/">Auckland leaders&#8217; warnings over M&#257;ori votes ignored by Govt, bruising relationships</a><br>Moana Ellis (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/ngati-rangi-blasts-horizons-over-complaints-process-after-iwi-leader-cleared-of-conflict-concerns/XFJTQ7EMT5BINH7EZV6WPUGEXE/">Ng&#257;ti Rangi blasts Horizons over complaints process after iwi leader cleared of conflict concerns</a><br>Craig Ashworth (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/iwi-want-early-say-in-south-taranaki-council-decisions/RLK3L2PJLRCBRC3A5QGQQS67WE/">Iwi want early say in South Taranaki council decisions</a><br>Andrew Little (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361086139/andrew-little-tough-decisions-are-coming">Tough decisions are coming (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: EDUCATION AND THE OIA INQUIRY; GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE; HEALTH; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; MEDIA</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 25 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION CAMPAIGN]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-25-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-25-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:37:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ODwm!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff73ef2cb-e0fe-4a4a-90aa-ba9331103f4a_960x318.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ODwm!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff73ef2cb-e0fe-4a4a-90aa-ba9331103f4a_960x318.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ODwm!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff73ef2cb-e0fe-4a4a-90aa-ba9331103f4a_960x318.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ODwm!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff73ef2cb-e0fe-4a4a-90aa-ba9331103f4a_960x318.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ODwm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff73ef2cb-e0fe-4a4a-90aa-ba9331103f4a_960x318.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION CAMPAIGN<br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/new-survey-shows-two-thirds-of-kiwis-want-wealth-tax-labours-control-of-main-issues-slipping/NNCXRCXCQNDWDCBYZZXNJJ2JLE/">New survey shows two-thirds of Kiwis want wealth tax, Labour&#8217;s control of main issues slipping</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1563852/labour-s-lead-on-top-issues-narrows-as-national-gains-survey">Labour&#8217;s lead on top issues narrows as National gains - survey</a><br>Toby Manhire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-09-2026/__trashed-4">Health and unemployment concern on the rise in final big issues poll before election</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-in-supermarket-break-up-battle-voters-unlikely-to-defend-duopoly-editorial/premium/XBUMQIGLPRDUBJUAZSCS3E4RKI/">Editorial &#8211; In supermarket break-up battle, voters unlikely to defend duopoly (paywalled)</a><br>Chelsea Daniels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-the-official-battle-for-your-vote-begins-now-the-front-page/V5SQQTNEVBE6DBO4JOTWHY7DS4/">The official battle for your vote begins now</a><br>Jordan Meyers (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361085691/why-so-many-new-zealanders-are-set-be-surprised-november-7">Why so many New Zealanders are set to be surprised on November 7 (paywalled)</a><br>Isaac Davison (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361037724/report-card-did-government-achieve-its-promises-infrastructure">Did Government achieve its promises on infrastructure?</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361037908/dogs-dinosaurs-and-twilight-day-out-campaign-chris-hipkins-hamilton">Dogs, dinosaurs and Twilight: A day out on the campaign with Chris Hipkins in Hamilton</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1551643/te-pati-maori-co-leader-debbie-ngarewa-packer-scales-back-election-trail-due-to-very-unwell-mother">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer scales back election trail due to &#8216;very unwell&#8217; mother</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/24/debbie-ngarewa-packer-to-scale-back-campaign-as-mum-becomes-unwell/">Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to scale back campaign as mum becomes unwell</a><br>Robin Martin (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1556073/election-2026-one-issue-trumps-them-all-in-new-plymouth">One issue trumps them all in New Plymouth</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1563676/controversial-dunedin-councillor-benedict-ong-to-run-as-independent-in-general-election">Controversial Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong to run as independent in general election</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361086242/culture-deserves-more-campaign-leftovers">Editorial &#8211; Culture deserves more than campaign leftovers (paywalled)</a><br>Natalia Albert: <a href="https://nataliaalbert.substack.com/p/we-cant-explain-the-super-problem">We can&#8217;t explain the Super problem, let alone solve it</a><br><br>COUNCIL AMALGAMATIONS PAUSED<br>Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/24/govt-pauses-plans-for-council-amalgamations-until-after-the-election/">&#8216;Cowards&#8217;: Govt pauses work on council mergers until after the election</a><br>Gwynn Compton: <a href="https://localaotearoa.substack.com/p/they-rushed-councils-now-watts-and">They rushed councils, now Watts and Bishop are ducking for cover on Head Start</a><br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-lets-hope-the-government-hasnt-lost-its-nerve-on-amalgamations/">Let&#8217;s hope the Government hasn&#8217;t lost its nerve on amalgamations</a><br>Nick James (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361086438/government-pause-head-start-process-until-after-election">Furious councils accuse Government of wasting ratepayer time and money over amalgamation plans (paywalled)</a><br>Ellen O&#8217;Dwyer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1564050/mayors-left-stunned-by-government-s-council-amalgamation-u-turn">Mayors left stunned by Government&#8217;s council amalgamation U-turn</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1552378/government-hits-pause-on-council-amalgamation-plan-until-after-election">Government hits pause on council amalgamation plan until after election</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/mayors-fuming-after-minister-simon-watts-halts-local-govt-reform/N2NHIFN2TRFNDKBZ6JMASXEK5U/">Mayors &#8216;fuming&#8217; after minister Simon Watts halts Local Govt reform</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/coalition-disagreement-understood-to-be-behind-halt-to-local-government-reforms/377JQXXEMFCG5G2G73XLNIS4JU/">Coalition disagreement understood to be behind halt to local government reforms</a><br>Mathew Nash (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-mayor-tania-tapsell-blasts-local-government-reform-delay/LNVUILRHKFHZPNUTTKPG6USXHY/">Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell blasts local government reform delay</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140397/central-government-pauses-local-council-reform-still-expects-changes-be-place">Councils &#8216;frustrated&#8217; after Government delays local government reform</a><br>NBR: <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/council-uncertainty-as-government-slows-local-government-reform/">Council uncertainty as Government slows local government reform (paywalled)</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/24/council-amalgamation-plan-paused-after-millions-spent-on-proposals/">Council amalgamation plan paused after millions spent on proposals</a><br><br>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE<br>Audrey Young (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/top-5-performers-in-the-house-this-term-hager-saga-and-the-lawyers-on-the-sidelines-audrey-young/premium/AUP3YXZBJRBKXB2SIUA45BD4HI/">Top 5 performers in the House this term; Hager saga and the lawyers on the sidelines (paywalled)</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/25-09-2026/the-golden-gerries-awarding-the-highs-and-lows-of-the-54th-parliament-of-new-zealand">The Golden Gerries: Awarding the highs and lows of the 54th parliament of New Zealand</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/24-09-2026/echo-chamber-last-one-out-turns-off-the-lights">Last one out turns off the lights</a><br>Daniel Perese (Te Ao M&#257;ori): <a href="https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/09/25/54th-parliament-34-maori-mps-started-39-served-32-remain/">54th Parliament: 34 M&#257;ori MPs started, 39 served, 32 remain</a><br>Neil Sands (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/politics/wise-words-and-warnings-an-exit-interview-with-former-commerce-and-consumer-affairs-minister-andrew-bayly-who-quits-parliament-today/">Wise words and warnings: an exit interview with former Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly, who quits Parliament today</a><br>Asher Emanuel (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361037759/move-orders-are-latest-turn-nzs-prison-ratchet">&#8216;Move on&#8217; orders are the latest turn of NZ&#8217;s prison ratchet</a><br>Sammy Carter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1551346/firefighters-union-says-fenz-shake-up-can-t-wait-until-after-election">Firefighters&#8217; union says FENZ shake-up can&#8217;t wait until after election</a><br>Kate MacNamara (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/acc-paid-nearly-200000-for-former-ceo-megan-mains-early-departure-legal-fees-and-training/premium/EHCGJ5IJABC47IBWX3SBVPYKRY/">ACC paid nearly $200,000 for former CEO Megan Main&#8217;s early departure, legal fees and training (paywalled)</a><br>Paula Penfold (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361037864/new-zealands-financial-markets-watchdog-admits-holiday-pay-method-breached-employment-law">New Zealand&#8217;s financial markets watchdog admits holiday pay method breached employment law</a><br><br>NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-fight-over">The fight over the facts in Dirty Work</a><br>Simon Wilson: <a href="https://simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/dirty-work-and-the-disinfecting-sunshine">Dirty work and the disinfecting sunshine it deserves</a><br>Chris Penk (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361037700/nicky-hagers-dirty-work-belongs-fiction-section">Nicky Hager&#8217;s Dirty Work belongs in the fiction section</a><br><br>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: SCRUTINY OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION; ELECTION DEBATES; LABOUR&#8217;S $4.3B INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS PLAN; NZ FIRST&#8217;S SMALL BUSINESS TAX CUT; ENERGY, LNG AND MINING; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; FONTERRA; MEDIA; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; HEALTH; M&#256;ORI AFFAIRS; AI AND TECHNOLOGY</strong>; <strong>CARTOONS</strong></p>
      <p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 24 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-24-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-24-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:38:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CkPp!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F79a6d9fe-fd43-4a5b-bf7f-abf951ce9a27_960x639.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CkPp!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F79a6d9fe-fd43-4a5b-bf7f-abf951ce9a27_960x639.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CkPp!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F79a6d9fe-fd43-4a5b-bf7f-abf951ce9a27_960x639.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CkPp!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F79a6d9fe-fd43-4a5b-bf7f-abf951ce9a27_960x639.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CkPp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F79a6d9fe-fd43-4a5b-bf7f-abf951ce9a27_960x639.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-whats-in-nicky">What&#8217;s in Nicky Hager&#8217;s Dirty Work</a><br>Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/books/everyone-is-talking-about-nicky-hagers-book-dirty-work-but-is-it-any-good/premium/JI4HVLTRTBCOTD3AHVLSOZUWEY/">Everyone is talking about Nicky Hager&#8217;s book Dirty Work &#8211; but is it any good? (paywalled)</a><br>Toby Manhire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/23-09-2026/nicky-hager-and-dirty-work-24-hours-on">Nicky Hager and Dirty Work, 24 hours on</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nicky-hager-book-dirty-work-fascinating-but-light-on-evidence-thomas-coughlan/premium/YW2X6KY4YRDEHK4B6F5CKSDMHE/">Nicky Hager book Dirty Work fascinating but light on evidence (paywalled)</a><br>David Fisher (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nicky-hager-to-jordan-williams-ive-checked-and-im-right/IMMTNT2BJNGVJJBULHUPYUFOBI/">Nicky Hager to Jordan Williams &#8211; I&#8217;ve checked, and I&#8217;m right</a>=<br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-you-cant-read-nicky-hagers-new-book-without-being-struck-by-bias/">You can&#8217;t read Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book without being struck by bias</a><br>Adam Pearse, Thomas Coughlan, Julia Gabel, Jamie Ensor and David Fisher (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/journalist-nicky-hager-releases-latest-book-dirty-work-on-taxpayers-union/FJTG2JKT2JBA3ADWGQ43AVIWC4/">Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book, Dirty Work: Taxpayers&#8217; Union&#8217;s Jordan Williams responds</a><br>Giles Dexter and Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1530675/no-claims-taxpayers-union-categorically-denies-sexual-harassment-payout-claim-in-nicky-hager-book">&#8216;No claims&#8217;: Taxpayers&#8217; Union &#8216;categorically denies&#8217; sexual harassment payout claim in Nicky Hager book</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1526577/1000-percent-wrong-hilarious-how-david-farrar-reacted-to-nicky-hager-s-new-book">&#8216;1000 percent wrong&#8217;, &#8216;hilarious&#8217;: How David Farrar reacted to Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book</a><br>David Farrar: <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/09/the_hager_story_implodes_even_more.html">The Hager story implodes even more</a><br>Hannah Filmer (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nicky-hagers-new-book-dirty-work-claims-of-constant-discussion-of-womens-bodies-within-taxpayers-union/GBA4MLHJTRDW7LVLT7MYIOP2YE/">Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book Dirty Work: Claims of &#8216;constant&#8217; discussion of women&#8217;s bodies within Taxpayers&#8217; Union</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-christopher-luxon-rebuffs-questions-about-nicky-hagers-book-dirty-work/3TLHBE7LJNEGNL6EGVLQAHZMG4/">Christopher Luxon rebuffs questions about Nicky Hager&#8217;s book Dirty Work</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1537411/nzers-do-not-care-about-this-topic-pm-on-new-nicky-hager-book">&#8216;NZers do not care about this topic&#8217; - PM on new Nicky Hager book</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361086090/green-party-pull-out-taxpayers-union-debates-following-nicky-hager-book">Green Party pulls out of Taxpayers&#8217; Union debates following Nicky Hager book (paywalled)</a><br>Chelsea Daniels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nicky-hagers-new-book-paints-a-picture-of-the-taxpayers-unions-influence-the-front-page/XFYE5OARDFAV3HODEHSQPK2AUQ/">Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book paints a picture of the Taxpayers&#8217; Union&#8217;s influence</a><br>Glenn McConnell and Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036953/dirty-work-what-nicky-hager-says-and-how-his-latest-book-captivated-capital">Dirty Work: What Nicky Hager says, and how his latest book captivated the capital</a><br>Henry Oliver (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/23-09-2026/nicky-hagers-dirty-work-taxpayers-union-three-waters-and-a-rotten-stench">Nicky Hager&#8217;s Dirty Work: Taxpayers&#8217; Union, Three Waters and a &#8216;rotten stench&#8217;</a><br>Gordon Campbell: <a href="https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2609/S00054/on-the-nicky-hager-book-political-donations-and-another-fine-mess-from-chris-hipkins.htm">On The Nicky Hager Book, Political Donations, And Another Fine Mess From Chris Hipkins</a><br>Richard Prebble: <a href="https://richardprebble.substack.com/p/nicky-hagers-new-book-reminds-me">Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book reminds me of my shameful mistake</a><br>Matthew Tukaki (Waatea News): <a href="https://waateanews.com/2026/09/23/opinion-the-filthmeisters-are-back-and-new-zealanders-should-care/">The Filthmeisters Are Back &#8212; and New Zealanders Should Care</a><br><br>OIA SCANDAL AT THE EDUCATION MINISTRY<br>John Gerritsen (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/1535344/chief-ombudsman-requests-urgent-meeting-with-head-of-education-ministry-after-oia-subversion">Chief ombudsman requests urgent meeting with head of Education Ministry after OIA subversion</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/chief-ombudsman-has-significant-concerns-after-education-officials-leaked-oia-comments/DS7CRNZFGVDL5JW6EOCYMLH54A/">Chief Ombudsman has &#8216;significant concerns&#8217; after education official&#8217;s leaked OIA comments</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361085948/chief-ombudsman-seeks-urgent-meeting-secretary-education-over-oia-conduct">Chief Ombudsman seeks urgent meeting with secretary of education over OIA conduct (paywalled)</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361037271/ombudsman-calls-urgent-meeting-considers-further-action-over-ministrys-oia-meeting">Ombudsman calls for urgent meeting, considers further action, over ministry&#8217;s OIA meeting</a><br>John Gerritsen (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/1525926/education-ministry-whistleblower-claims-oia-subversion-not-an-isolated-incident">Education Ministry whistleblower claims OIA subversion not an isolated incident</a><br>Ian Taylor (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361037374/we-hang-catherine-law-out-dry">Before we hang Catherine Law out to dry</a><br>Steven Price: <a href="https://medialawjournal.co.nz/a-few-notes-on-the-oia-scandal/">A few notes on the OIA scandal</a><br>ODT: <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/editorial/oia-row-flash-in-the-pan-syn1qk86">Editorial &#8211; OIA row flash in the pan (paywalled)</a><br><br>ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES<br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361037322/election-unlike-any-other-and-its-all">This is an election unlike any other, and it&#8217;s all on</a><br>Janet Wilson (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084439/election-lets-rule-transparency-voters-and-rule-out-strategic-games">This election, let&#8217;s rule in transparency with voters and rule out &#8216;strategic&#8217; games (paywalled)</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361085705/lets-not-treat-election-national-shutdown">Editorial &#8211; Let&#8217;s not treat the election like a national shutdown (paywalled)</a><br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/23/hipkins-defends-labours-ambition-even-on-tax-to-wellington-supporters/">Hipkins defends Labour&#8217;s ambition &#8211; even on tax &#8211; to Wellington supporters</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/chris-hipkins-on-lack-of-advertisement-budget-says-party-doesnt-have-multimillionaire-donors-to-help/C33RTETJ3VE33OSSXXZUPFEKCQ/">Chris Hipkins on lack of advertisement budget, says party doesn&#8217;t have &#8216;multimillionaire&#8217; donors to help</a><br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/22/how-a-national-election-win-could-wipe-out-luxons-top-ministers/">How a National election win could wipe out Luxon&#8217;s top ministers</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/24/a-candidate-of-the-left-turning-heads-in-the-right-places/">A candidate of the Left turning heads in the Right places</a><br>Hanna McCallum (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/22/act-candidate-paul-henry-eyes-local-government-portfolio/">Act&#8217;s Paul Henry eyes local govt portfolio to slash extravagance</a><br>Audrey Young (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/lawrence-xu-nan-reflects-on-winston-peters-comments-condemned-as-racist/premium/YRPHHBDVIZAS5FHGRVUJL24RVQ/">Lawrence Xu-Nan reflects on Winston Peters&#8217; comments condemned as racist (paywalled)</a><br>Ricardo Simich (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/society-insider/society-insider-real-housewife-of-auckland-gilda-kirkpatrick-hosts-winston-peters-for-nz-first-event-at-her-paritai-drive-mansion/premium/TXD6TTWV4BHMVNCQEEHZKKDFKI/">Real Housewife of Auckland Gilda Kirkpatrick hosts Winston Peters for NZ First Event at her Paritai Drive mansion (paywalled)</a><br>Nicholas Pointon (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/opportunity-holds-the-key-to-labours-retirement-villager-eforms/">Opportunity holds the key to Labour&#8217;s retirement village reforms (paywalled)</a><br>Joel MacManus (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/24-09-2026/new-zealand-city-centres-have-an-empty-shop-problem-do-the-greens-have-the-answer">New Zealand city centres have an empty shop problem. Do the Greens have the answer?</a><br>Jonathan Ayling (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/how-to-repair-a-shattered-nation-could-nz-still-create-a-bob-jones-jonathan-ayling/premium/VZKPQQVGHBBKBOJJD2O4JHBZXY/">NZ politics may not need another Bob Jones, but we could use a circuit breaker like him (paywalled)</a><br>Michael Swanson: <a href="https://politicsinnewzealand.substack.com/p/the-fragmentation-election-why-2026s">The fragmentation election: why 2026&#8217;s best electorate races are civil wars</a><br>Chris Trotter: <a href="https://christrotter418256.substack.com/p/shrinking-options">Shrinking Options (paywalled)</a><br>Listener: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/where-to-see-and-hear-the-biggest-political-debates-of-election-26/premium/HNWUPEPON5EHHBYWE6IJFXNZIQ/">Where to see and hear the biggest political debates of Election &#8217;26 (paywalled)</a><br>Linda Hall (Local Democracy Reporting): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/political-candidate-bitten-while-campaigning-what-hed-change-about-the-dog-control-act/WMYQ7CDTZVB75JHHPOJTRO2OWU/">Political candidate bitten while campaigning &#8211; what he&#8217;d change about the dog control act</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> OPINION POLLS; PARLIAMENT&#8217;S FINAL DAY; FIRE AND EMERGENCY; MBIE&#8217;S BOTCHED IT PROJECT; PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE; M&#256;ORI AFFAIRS; SUPERMARKETS; ENERGY AND LNG; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; HEALTH; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 23 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK AND THE TAXPAYERS&#8217; UNION]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-23-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-23-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:16:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg" width="600" height="426" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:426,&quot;width&quot;:600,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:129271,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/216955122?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rNvG!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff77749f3-9016-44f5-b1f9-2ded0d92291e_600x426.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Slane - Listener 21 August 2014</figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>NICKY HAGER&#8217;S DIRTY WORK AND THE TAXPAYERS&#8217; UNION<br>Jamie Ensor, Thomas Coughlan, Julia Gabel and Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-journalist-nicky-hagers-book-set-for-release/MEKFL37EEZAKNEEKQCRFM7S564/">Journalist Nicky Hager releases latest book Dirty Work on Taxpayers&#8217; Union</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1523329/nicky-hager-s-new-book-dirty-work-expose-of-taxpayers-union">Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book Dirty Work &#8216;expos&#233;&#8217; of Taxpayers&#8217; Union</a><br>Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/23/nicky-hager-takes-on-taxpayers-union-spiderweb/">Nicky Hager takes on Jordan Williams and the Taxpayers&#8217; Union &#8216;spiderweb&#8217;</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361085261/nicky-hager-completes-his-trilogy-right-remarkably-less-bite">Nicky Hager completes his trilogy on the right, but will sequel have same bite? (paywalled)</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/23-09-2026/a-dispatch-from-the-sweaty-feverish-launch-of-nicky-hagers-new-book-dirty-work">A dispatch from the sweaty, feverish launch of Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book, Dirty Work</a><br>Steve Braunias (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/22/live-updates-the-nicky-hager-bombshell-if-it-is-a-bombshell/">The Nicky Hager bombshell (if it is a bombshell)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361085221/nicky-hager-launches-much-hyped-new-book">Nicky Hager launches much-hyped new book (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036900/new-nicky-hager-book-targets-lobby-group-taxpayers-union">New Nicky Hager book targets lobby group Taxpayers&#8217; Union</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/22/hundreds-attend-launch-of-nicky-hagers-new-book-in-wellington/">Hundreds attend launch of Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book in Wellington</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-jordan-williams-says-taxpayers-union-may-feature-in-nicky-hagers-new-book/YNJV6CRYSBEJHGX3WYFF6IMBMA/">Jordan Williams says Taxpayers&#8217; Union may feature in Nicky Hager&#8217;s new book</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/taxpayers-union-denies-allegations-in-nicky-hager-book-dirty-work-that-lobby-group-faced-sexual-harassment-claim-from-staff-member/XKLPQQKE4ZAKPBHZC333GUPBP4/">Taxpayers&#8217; Union denies allegations in Nicky Hager book Dirty Work that lobby group faced sexual harassment claim from staff member</a><br>David Fisher (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/taxpayers-union-three-waters-campaign-driven-by-donation-surge-nanaia-mahuta-says-lobby-group-has-rotten-stench/premium/ZN36NVXS7RHF3AVHQSWFS5PLZI/">Taxpayers&#8217; Union Three Waters campaign driven by donation surge, Nanaia Mahuta says lobby group has &#8216;rotten stench&#8217;. (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/nicky-hager-takes-on-jordan-williams-and-the-hard-right/">Nicky Hager takes on Jordan Williams and the hard right (paywalled)</a><br>Peter Williams: <a href="https://peterallanwilliams.substack.com/p/whats-so-wrong-with-taxpayers-union">What&#8217;s so wrong with Taxpayers Union?</a><br>David Farrar: <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/09/hagers_work_of_fiction.html">Hager&#8217;s work of fiction</a><br>Jordan Williams (Taxpayers&#8217; Union): <a href="https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/under_attack">We&#8217;re under attack</a><br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-influence">The influence of the Taxpayers&#8217; Union in the election</a><br><br>ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND PARTIES<br>Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/23-09-2026/labours-election-pitch-expect-better-but-dont-expect-too-much">Labour&#8217;s election pitch: Better starts now&#8230; only it looks pretty much the same</a><br>Ryan Bridge (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/ryan-bridge-its-obvious-national-and-labour-are-fighting-for-centre-votes/">It&#8217;s obvious National and Labour are fighting for centre votes</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084769/chris-hipkins-told-youre-not-being-bold-wellington-bays-meeting">Chris Hipkins told &#8216;you&#8217;re not being bold&#8217; at Wellington Bays meeting (paywalled)</a><br>Amy Ridout (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361085128/unpopular-decisions-and-divisive-questions-local-mps-debate">Unpopular decisions and divisive questions at local MPs&#8217; debate (paywalled)</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-09-2026/one-candidate-one-pint-labours-sophie-handford-on-finding-zen-in-politics">One Candidate, One Pint: Labour&#8217;s Sophie Handford on finding zen in politics</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/star-vietnam-based-labour-candidate-pulls-out-of-election-race/CUFJ4BZIFZC4JNQX5U5FAOBDN4/">Star Vietnam-based Labour candidate Warrick Cleine quits election race</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1517718/labour-candidate-warrick-cleine-withdraws-nomination">Labour candidate Warrick Cleine withdraws nomination</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1517678/national-attack-ads-against-labour-use-crime-footage-from-government-s-own-term">National attack ads against Labour use crime footage from government&#8217;s own term</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084742/our-laws-took-full-effect-pm-ok-attack-ad-using-video-crimes-2024">&#8216;Before our laws took full effect&#8217;: PM OK with attack ad using video of crimes from 2024 (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036584/crime-footage-ad-accusing-labour-gaslighting-happened-under-nationals-watch">Crime footage in ad accusing Labour of &#8216;gaslighting&#8217; happened under National&#8217;s watch</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1520353/we-wrote-the-policy-winston-peters-denies-copying-campaign-group-s-health-policies">&#8216;We wrote the policy&#8217; - Winston Peters denies copying campaign group&#8217;s health policies</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036430/nz-firsts-health-policy-copy-pasted-advocacy-groups-website">&#8216;We wrote it&#8217;: Winston Peters denies copy-paste health policy</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036797/copy-paste-peters-winston-lashes-out-health-policy-questions">Copy &amp; paste Peters? Winston lashes out at health policy questions</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/22/auckland-leaders-warnings-over-maori-votes-ignored-by-govt-bruising-relationships/">Auckland leaders&#8217; warnings over M&#257;ori votes ignored by Govt, bruising relationships</a><br>Whatitiri Te Wake (Te Ao News): <a href="https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/09/23/shane-jones-defends-governments-maori-crown-record-despite-poll-showing-relations-have-worsened/">Shane Jones defends Government&#8217;s M&#257;ori-Crown record despite poll showing relations have worsened</a><br>Deborah Coddington (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/acts-one-law-for-all-policy-ties-it-in-constitutional-knots-and-ignores-history-deborah-coddington/premium/QQ5RVFLFZ5HSBFUONOVYOKMFSM/">Act&#8217;s &#8216;one law for all&#8217; policy ties it in constitutional knots and ignores history (paywalled)</a><br>David Farrar: <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/09/questions_media_didnt_ask.html">Questions media didn&#8217;t ask</a><br>Muriel Newman: <a href="https://www.nzcpr.com/strategic-voting-to-win/">Strategic Voting to Win</a><br>Oliver Hartwich (NZCPR): <a href="https://www.nzcpr.com/unravelling-mmp/">Unravelling MMP</a><br>Peter Ross (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/show-me-the-ideology-eog0dant">Show me the ideology (paywalled)</a><br><br>TAX AND INTEREST DEDUCTIBILITY<br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/mps-jostle-over-cost-of-living-and-tax-before-the-campaign/">MPs jostle over cost of living and tax before the campaign (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-they-should-eat-their-words-government-labour-spar-over-tax-cuts-for-landlords/FTEGL2ZOOJEFVGSGNYVM356CUA/">&#8216;They should eat their words&#8217; &#8211; Government, Labour spar over &#8216;tax cuts for landlords&#8217;</a><br>Katie Bradford (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/are-nationals-tax-attacks-working-the-front-page/5HP4GO6Q7ZHOVHTDZPA24QLBKE/">Are National&#8217;s tax attacks working? &#8211; The Front Page</a><br>Sammy Carter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1519690/labour-doing-a-u-turn-with-landlord-tax-break-promise-advocate-says">Labour doing a &#8216;u-turn&#8217; with landlord tax break promise, advocate says</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140349/labour-leader-chris-hipkins-says-his-party-wont-make-any-changes-interest">Labour rules out interest deductibility changes while PM celebrates India FTA</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-landlord-party.html">The Landlord Party</a><br><br>POLITICAL DONATIONS AND LOBBYING<br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-greens-calling-for-donations-cap-and-register-of-lobbyists-in-new-policy/52UOAQIMLBAAVEVK4SFO7VC53E/">Greens calling for donations cap and register of lobbyists in new policy</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1519282/green-party-seeks-to-cap-political-donations-stop-companies-donating">Green Party seeks to cap political donations, stop companies donating</a><br>Nick James (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084736/green-party-push-30k-donation-cap-millions-dollars-flow-national-and-act">Green Party push for $30k donation cap as millions of dollars flow to National and ACT (paywalled)</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036649/its-past-time-act-greens-pledge-cap-political-donations-introduce-lobbyist-register">&#8216;It&#8217;s past time to act&#8217;: Greens pledge to cap political donations, introduce lobbyist register</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/22/greens-plan-to-cap-political-donations-at-30000-block-companies/">Greens plan to cap political donations, block companies</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140366/greens-propose-greater-scrutiny-lobbyists-and-aims-%E2%80%98get-big-money-and">Greens eye capping political donations and a Lobbying Integrity Commission</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE; OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND THE EDUCATION MINISTRY</strong>; <strong>RESERVE BANK AND MONETARY POLICY; RMA REPLACEMENT; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY; TECHNOLOGY AND AI; ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 22 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[SUPERMARKETS]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-22-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-22-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:32:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 1272w, 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data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:720,&quot;width&quot;:960,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:245862,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/216790083?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kJT0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29d0da0f-4520-4b6a-a6ca-a621b640e420_960x720.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>SUPERMARKETS<br>Jonathan Baker (The Conversation): <a href="https://theconversation.com/every-party-has-pitched-its-own-supermarket-fix-what-if-we-combined-the-best-ideas-292359">Every party has pitched its own supermarket fix. What if we combined the best ideas?</a><br>Joel MacManus (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-09-2026/everyone-wants-to-break-up-the-supermarkets-what-the-hell-is-going-on">Everyone wants to break up the supermarkets. How would it actually work?</a><br>Susan Edmunds (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1509019/has-new-zealand-s-supermarket-duopoly-created-higher-prices">Has New Zealand&#8217;s supermarket duopoly created higher prices?</a><br>Liam Hehir (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/supermarkets-v-super-markets-nationals-foodstuffs-split-is-no-betrayal-of-conservative-values-liam-hehir/premium/KGFMX4VIVNF63BSVZSC34LPJ4Q/">Supermarkets v super markets: National&#8217;s Foodstuffs split is no betrayal of conservative values (paywalled)</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/21/its-breakup-season-labour-national-clash-on-tearing-up-grocery-duopoly/">It&#8217;s breakup season: Labour, National clash on tearing up grocery duopoly</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-are-politicians-trying-to-solve-a-problem-that-doesnt-exist/">Are politicians trying to solve a problem that doesn&#8217;t exist?</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1485270/national-mps-don-t-like-supermarket-break-up-policy-david-seymour">National MPs don&#8217;t like supermarket break-up policy - David Seymour</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036000/seymour-says-act-could-stop-national-nz-first-supermarket-break">Seymour says ACT could stop National, NZ First supermarket break-up</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140348/political-parties-supermarket-election-proposals-state-real-electoral-madness">ACT&#8217;s David Seymour aims to prevent coalition partners&#8217; Foodstuffs break-up if returned to government</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-christopher-luxon-in-studio-with-mike-hosking-after-pledges-on-supermarkets-screen-time/DIJXHADDRRGG5FPXACTRGOU5UM/">Christopher Luxon: Supermarket duopoly split depends on Commerce Commission</a><br>Simon O&#8217;Connor: <a href="https://onpointnz.substack.com/p/scapegoats-at-the-checkout">Scapegoats at the Checkout</a><br>Katie Bradford (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/foodstuffs-split-kawerau-new-world-owner-warns-it-would-affect-business-the-front-page/KOSI4DRSYNGRFPD7CULPEYPXRY/">Foodstuffs split: Kawerau New World owner warns it would affect business</a><br>Mike Thorpe (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kai-co-on-the-verge-of-second-christchurch-supermarket-as-sales-surge/premium/EBYEEDMX7RB6ZLYNTVSNIPIDXM/">Kai Co on the verge of second Christchurch supermarket as sales surge (paywalled)</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-te-pati-maori-to-give-maori-collectives-crown-owned-land-100m-to-set-up-supermarket-chains/5IAESMBZ5BEN7GWWD2RU36JZCI/">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori to give M&#257;ori collectives Crown-owned land, $100m to set up supermarket chains</a><br>M&#257;ni Dunlop (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084087/te-pati-maori-unveil-28b-kai-credit-plan-and-300m-food-sovereignty-push">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori unveil $2.8b kai credit plan and $300m food sovereignty push (paywalled)</a><br>Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1494123/te-pati-maori-pledges-3-point-1-billion-plan-for-kai-sovereignty-if-elected">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori pledges $3.1 billion plan for &#8216;kai sovereignty&#8217; if elected</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036262/te-pati-maori-promises-eight-weeks-free-food-low-earners">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori promises up to eight weeks of free food for low earners</a><br>Kate McVicar (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/your-business/the-organisation-that-hopes-to-shrink-demand-not-grow-it/">The organisation that hopes to shrink demand, not grow it (paywalled)</a><br>Kaitlyn Morrell (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-community-foodbank-launches-kai-now-initiative-in-response-to-cost-of-living-pressures/O5R5T452XRFD3ITULPVFKKFSV4/">Tauranga Community Foodbank launches Kai Now initiative in cost-of-living response</a><br><br>ELECTION CAMPAIGN<br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/after-nine-years-nicky-hager-is-publishing-a-book-could-it-change-the-election/premium/F4U7TMLI6NCMDP77HWBZN4ZA34/">After nine years, Nicky Hager is publishing a book - could it change the election? (paywalled)</a><br>Karanama Ruru (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036377/dont-know-who-he-luxon-unfazed-new-nicky-hager-book">&#8216;Don&#8217;t know who he is&#8217;: Luxon unfazed by new Nicky Hager book</a><br>Nick Leggett (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083541/decline-major-parties-opportunity-our-democracy-needs">Is the decline of the major parties the opportunity our democracy needs? (paywalled)</a><br>Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/what-upper-hutt-tells-us-about-chris-hipkins-nz-and-how-he-plans-to-win-this-years-election/premium/L33PGKKQNZGLXM5HN5ALJDH6NY/">What Upper Hutt tells us about Chris Hipkins&#8217; NZ and how he plans to win this year&#8217;s election (paywalled)</a><br>Rob Campbell (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/21/national-and-labour-spooked-by-greens-economic-coherence/">National and Labour spooked by Greens&#8217; economic coherence</a><br>James Ball (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/22/nationals-anti-labour-crime-ad-uses-footage-from-governments-own-term/">National&#8217;s anti-Labour crime ad uses footage from Government&#8217;s own term</a><br>Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/21/nationals-tall-talent-battles-labours-rising-star-in-kapiti-race/">National&#8217;s tall talent battles Labour&#8217;s rising star in Kapiti race</a><br>Tim Hunter (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/nbr-focus/only-act-and-opportunity-open-to-asset-sales/">Only Act and Opportunity open to asset sales (paywalled)</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036209/nz-first-loses-six-candidates-says-they-were-only-ever-potential-runners">NZ First loses six candidates, says they were only ever &#8216;potential&#8217; runners</a><br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nz-first-board-member-abandons-palmerston-north-race-over-personal-matter/MFXGWRQ7HRCT7N5R7IEZJWB6ZU/">NZ First board member abandons Palmerston North race over &#8216;personal&#8217; matter</a><br>George Heagney (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361084166/nz-firsts-palmerston-north-candidate-withdraws">NZ First&#8217;s Palmerston North candidate withdraws (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1496365/former-te-pati-maori-electorate-executive-member-becomes-list-candidate-for-te-tai-tokerau-party">Former Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori electorate executive member becomes list candidate for Te Tai Tokerau Party</a><br>Sam Sherwood (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1496847/chris-hipkins-wants-police-to-front-up-and-explain-ongoing-matter-with-rakesh-naidoo">Chris Hipkins wants police to &#8216;front up&#8217; and explain &#8216;ongoing matter&#8217; with Rakesh Naidoo</a><br>Poppy Clark (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035997/ive-got-no-idea-luxon-surprised-hear-government-department-jobs-have-biggest-pay-increases">&#8216;I&#8217;ve got no idea&#8217;: Luxon surprised to hear government department jobs have biggest pay increases</a><br>Gordon Campbell: <a href="https://werewolf.co.nz/2026/09/gordon-campbell-on-the-ongoing-relevance-of-jim-anderton/">On The Ongoing Relevance Of Jim Anderton</a><br><br>LANDLORD TAX AND PROPERTY<br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361036403/hipkins-confirms-labour-will-leave-interest-deductibility-alone">Hipkins confirms Labour will leave interest deductibility alone</a><br>Giles Dexter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1509858/property-investors-relieved-at-labour-s-landlord-tax-deduction-promise">Property investors relieved at Labour&#8217;s landlord tax deduction promise</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361084332/labour-will-not-reverse-landlord-tax-cut-interest-deductibility-change">Labour will not reverse &#8216;landlord tax cut&#8217; interest deductibility change (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1497062/labour-rules-out-changes-to-interest-deductibility-settings-for-landlords-if-elected">Labour rules out changes to interest deductibility settings for landlords if elected</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/21/labour-rules-out-interest-deductibility-changes-for-landlords/">Labour rules out interest deductibility changes for landlords</a><br>Jen&#233;e Tibshraeny (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/tax/election-2026-labour-confirms-it-will-allow-residential-property-investors-to-continue-deducting-interest-as-an-expense-when-paying-tax/premium/TUBTAANQ5ZG6VPSWLNCUGS6UIE/">Labour confirms it will allow residential property investors to continue deducting interest as an expense when paying tax (paywalled)</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/explainer-what-labours-capital-gains-tax-means-for-properties-worth-less-than-they-were-bought-for/premium/5RB2FP37EJBSBHYJ3JT57BXXPI/">Explainer: What Labour&#8217;s capital gains tax means for properties worth less than they were bought for (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/home-property/361036342/survey-reveals-how-many-property-sellers-are-letting-election-affect-their-decisions">How the election is affecting what property sellers are doing</a><br>Mike Jones (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/21/housing-outlook-dims-as-inflation-pressure-builds/">Housing outlook dims as inflation pressure builds</a><br>Susan Edmunds (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/personal-finance/1483439/the-rise-of-accidental-landlords">The rise of &#8216;accidental landlords&#8217;</a><br><br>DEMOCRACY, TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC SERVICE<br>Gavin Ellis: <a href="https://knightlyviews.com/national-must-come-clean-over-official-information-act/">National must come clean over Official Information Act</a><br>Geoff Plimmer and Charlie Mitchell (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083869/when-public-servants-mislead-parliament-and-incentive-will-keep-them-doing-it">When public servants mislead Parliament and the incentive that will keep them doing it (paywalled)</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/nbr-focus/countering-the-influence-of-lobbying-and-money-in-politics/">Countering the influence of lobbying and money in politics (paywalled)</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/09/ignoring-elephant-in-house.html">Ignoring the elephant in the House</a><br>David Harvey (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/administrative-public/when-the-state-breaks-its-own-rules-unlawful-is-unlawful-not-merely-inappropriate/">When the state breaks its own rules: unlawful is unlawful, not merely &#8216;inappropriate&#8217;</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/leaked-video-shows-top-education-curriculum-official-telling-staff-not-to-put-information-about-ministers-office-in-writing/premium/YWJ75AS2QRD6LO3EI6DRDMGZ6A/">Leaked video shows top education curriculum official telling staff not to put information about minister&#8217;s office in writing (paywalled)</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1510797/more-beneficiaries-may-have-had-payments-wrongly-suspended-but-ministry-won-t-say-how-many">More beneficiaries may have had payments wrongly suspended - but ministry won&#8217;t say how many</a><br>Oscar Francis (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/technology/govtnz-apps-secure-messaging-feature-delayed">Govt.nz app&#8217;s secure messaging feature delayed (paywalled)</a><br>Alexia Russell (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/22/the-44-resource-keeping-nz-orchestras-alive-faces-the-chopping-block/">The $44 resource keeping NZ orchestras alive faces the chopping block</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> HEALTH; EDUCATION</strong>; <strong>ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND PRIMARY SECTOR; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE; MOA POINT SEWAGE DISASTER REPORT; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; TRANSPORT</strong>; <strong>MEDIA AND ARTS</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 21 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026: CAMPAIGN, PARTIES AND POLLING]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-21-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-21-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2026 19:22:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t8ud!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5723f139-55a5-45d1-9eda-8b12cdd56671_960x720.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026: CAMPAIGN, PARTIES AND POLLING<br>Verity Johnson (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035260/election-hasnt-started-properly-and-im-already-exhausted">The election hasn&#8217;t started properly and I&#8217;m already exhausted</a><br>Henry Oliver (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/21-09-2026/the-secret-life-of-election-hoardings">The secret life of election hoardings</a><br>Matthew Hooton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083389/matthew-hooton-are-you-one-41-voters-responsible-countrys-mess">Are you one of the 41% of voters responsible for the country&#8217;s mess? (paywalled)</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/20/first-election-where-many-kiwis-use-ai-to-help-decide-vote-pollster/">First election where many Kiwis use AI to help decide vote &#8211; pollster</a><br>Claire Robinson: <a href="https://www.clairerobinson.nz/blogs/why-act-is-in-trouble">Why ACT is in trouble</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/labours-political-trap-snares-national/">Labour&#8217;s political trap snares National (paywalled)</a><br>Grant Duncan: <a href="https://grantduncanphd.substack.com/p/new-zealands-political-fragmentation">New Zealand&#8217;s political fragmentation may be under way (paywalled)</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082978/majority-want-mmp-referendum-voters-demand-more-say-over-coalition-deals">Majority want MMP referendum as voters demand more say over coalition deals (paywalled)</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081967/electoral-commission-confident-it-can-boost-enrolment-2023-levels">Electoral Commission &#8216;confident&#8217; it can boost enrolment to 2023 levels (paywalled)</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083121/dont-let-covid-crankery-follow-us-another-election">Editorial &#8211; Don&#8217;t let Covid crankery follow us into another election (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083681/introducing-posts-election-dashboard">Introducing The Post&#8217;s election dashboard (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1480033/act-launches-rural-election-campaign-with-vow-to-make-farming-fun-again">ACT launches rural election campaign with vow to &#8216;make farming fun again&#8217;</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-act-to-campaign-on-making-farming-fun-again/KEJVDRJY3JBCJERFAHT7EJWY3U/">Act to campaign on making &#8216;farming fun again&#8217;</a><br>Saraia Allais (Critic): <a href="https://www.critic.co.nz/news/article/12281/paul-henry-unlocked-but-unappreciated--">Paul Henry Unlocked! But Unappreciated?</a><br>Chris Penk (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035571/how-hard-it-achieve-positive-change-politics-example-shows-how-you-can-do-it">How hard is it to achieve positive change in politics? This example shows how you can do it</a><br><br>SUPERMARKETS AND GROCERY COMPETITION<br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1478631/labour-proposes-splitting-foodstuffs-and-woolworths-from-their-wholesale-arms">Labour proposes splitting Foodstuffs and Woolworths from their wholesale arms</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083560/labour-proposes-breaking-foodstuffs-and-woolworths-their-wholesale-arms">Labour proposes breaking up Foodstuffs and Woolworths from their wholesale arms (paywalled)</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labour-to-campaign-on-new-rules-for-big-supermarkets-in-effort-to-reduce-grocery-prices/JWIDHB3XTVCRRDDL2NKJVOVZDQ/">Labour to campaign on new rules for big supermarkets in effort to reduce grocery prices</a><br>Chris Trotter (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140330/policies-worthy-soviet-russia-circa-1926-seem-ludicrously-heroic-new-zealand">Don&#8217;t call it capitalism</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035804/labour-announce-grocery-duopoly-policy">Labour announce grocery duopoly policy</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/20/its-breakup-season-labour-national-clash-on-tearing-up-grocery-duopoly/">It&#8217;s breakup season: Labour, National clash on tearing up grocery duopoly</a><br>Giles Dexter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1483158/supermarket-debate-shift-encouraging-labour-national-campaign-on-reform">Supermarket debate shift &#8216;encouraging&#8217; Labour, National campaign on reform</a><br>Amanda Gillies (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1483177/supermarket-showdown-the-battle-of-the-election-policy">Supermarket showdown - the battle of the election policy</a><br>Ernie Newman: <a href="https://www.ernienewman.com/single-post/fact-and-fiction-sense-and-hysteria-thoughts-on-the-proposed-supermarket-breakup">Fact and Fiction; Sense and Hysteria &#8211; Thoughts on the Proposed Supermarket Breakup</a><br>Nicola Willis and Arena Williams (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nationals-nicola-willis-v-labours-arena-williams-on-the-supermarket-duopoly-debate/premium/E7MTLCO36ZAN5AX3GTIC3RXBTI/">National&#8217;s Nicola Willis v Labour&#8217;s Arena Williams on the supermarket duopoly debate (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Harman (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082956/richard-harman-panic-behind-nationals-supermarkets-announcement">The panic behind National&#8217;s supermarkets announcement (paywalled)</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/competition-for-supermarket-reform-heats-up/">Competition for supermarket reform heats up (paywalled)</a><br><br>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE<br>Phil Smith (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1479683/pity-the-committee-48-meeting-days-55-laws">Pity the Committee: 48 meeting days, 55 laws</a><br>David Harvey (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/the-accountability-gap-at-the-heart-of-public-service-david-harvey/premium/EKJ56VL5RNHEZEFO4GAP6SC7HA/">The accountability gap at the heart of public service (paywalled)</a><br>Gehan Gunasekara (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/21/the-regulatory-standards-act-fails-its-first-real-test/">The Regulatory Standards Act fails its first real test</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/nbr-focus/countering-the-influence-of-lobbying-and-money-in-politics/">Countering the influence of lobbying and money in politics (paywalled)</a><br>Chris Schulz (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/21-09-2026/louise-upston-was-advised-not-to-invest-in-concerts-she-did-it-anyway">Louise Upston was advised not to invest in concerts. She did it anyway</a><br>Tim Brown (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1483113/his-life-was-worth-nothing-to-them-heartbroken-families-speak-out-against-work-safety-rule-changes">&#8216;His life was worth nothing to them&#8217; - Heartbroken families speak out against work safety rule changes</a><br><br>THE TOM PHILLIPS INQUIRY<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-10-questions-arising">10 questions arising from the Tom Phillips report</a><br>Mihingarangi Forbes: <a href="https://mihiforbes.substack.com/p/marokopa-they-were-telling-the-truth">Marokopa: They were telling the truth</a><br>Sam Sherwood (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1463055/a-very-capable-and-loving-father-oranga-tamariki-s-litany-of-failures-in-the-tom-phillips-case">&#8216;A very capable and loving father&#8217;: Oranga Tamariki&#8217;s litany of failures in the Tom Phillips case</a><br>Benn Bathgate (Post): <a href="https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/361082491/home-brew-bugged-bike-and-other-odd-revelations-tom-phillips-report">Home brew, a bugged bike and other odd revelations in the Tom Phillips report (paywalled)</a><br><br>ECONOMY, BUSINESS AND IMMIGRATION<br><span>Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): </span><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/danyl-mclauchlan-if-you-think-our-economy-feels-bleak-now-wait-until-the-population-declines/premium/Z4ASN6LIDNCJDGXVBESNEPE474/"><span>If you think our economy feels bleak now, wait until the population declines (paywalled)</span></a><span><br></span>Isaac Davison (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361034859/report-card-did-government-fulfil-its-economic-promises">Did the Government fulfil its economic promises?</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361083084/simon-bridges-says-nz-recovery-no-longer-coming-what-if-hes-right">Simon Bridges says NZ recovery is no longer coming &#8210; what if he&#8217;s right? (paywalled)</a><br>Damien Venuto (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/361035344/kiwis-face-potential-764000-election-choice-what-national-and-labours-kiwisaver-policies-could-cost">Kiwis face a potential $764,000 election choice. What National and Labour&#8217;s KiwiSaver policies could cost (and give) you</a><br>Diana Clement (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/open-banking-arrival-means-third-parties-can-help-with-budgeting-loans-and-power-bills-diana-clement/premium/Z2PA4OPAIBH5DB5XNKQ2DB46U4/">Open banking arrival means third parties can help with budgeting, loans and power bills (paywalled)</a><br>Michael Sergel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/construction-growth-multi-indicators-now-pointing-to-a-rebound/4SUOW436JZG4JGICHAZHIHBJGM/">Construction growth: Multi indicators now pointing to a rebound</a><br>Tom Eley (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/hamilton-growth-business-leaders-discuss-housing-and-local-economy/premium/KHZU3AWL2FE3RLRO7JEJ6TPCYE/">Hamilton growth: Business leaders discuss housing and local economy (paywalled)</a><br>Riley Kennedy (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/primary-sector/westpac-nz-farmers-financially-well-placed-to-weather-el-nino">Westpac NZ: Farmers financially well placed to weather El Ni&#241;o (paywalled)</a><br>Thomas Manch (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/water-sector-10000-workers-short-of-meeting-spending-plans">Water sector 10,000 workers short of meeting spending plans (paywalled)</a><br>Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/fear-of-ai-backlash-or-lack-of-leadership">Fear of AI backlash or lack of leadership? (paywalled)</a><br>Mike McRoberts (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/te-ao-maori/investing-in-nature-for-future-generations/">Investing in nature for future generations (paywalled)</a><br><br>EDUCATION AND SCREEN TIME<br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1478528/national-vows-to-limit-screen-time-in-primary-schools-early-childhood-centres">National vows to limit screen time in primary schools, early childhood centres</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083565/national-wants-ban-screen-use-ece-limit-it-primary-schools-introduce-school-readiness-check">National wants to ban screen use in ECE, limit it in primary schools, introduce school readiness check (paywalled)</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-national-to-campaign-on-ending-digital-screen-use-in-early-childhood-education/P3KSLTBHVZD5TMP5ZIB3R3E3GE/">National to campaign on ending digital screen use in early childhood education</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035788/national-announce-policy-early-education">National announce policy for early education</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/20/national-promises-screen-ban-in-early-childhood-education/">National promises screen ban in early childhood education</a><br>Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1483204/early-childhood-education-advocates-give-screen-time-policy-mixed-report-card">Early childhood education advocates give screen time policy mixed report card</a><br>Derek Cheng (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/what-shorter-attention-spans-have-to-do-with-global-education-results-plummeting-to-records-lows/premium/WZC4RP4B4FCC5P66V6UJV5ZP3Q/">What shorter attention spans have to do with global education results plummeting to records lows (paywalled)</a><br>Shamubeel Eaqub: <a href="https://shamubeel.substack.com/p/nzs-education-scores">NZ&#8217;s education scores</a><br>Ian Taylor (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361035578/open-letter-erica-stanford">An open letter to Erica Stanford</a><br>Derek Cheng (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/what-shorter-attention-spans-have-to-do-with-global-education-results-plummeting-to-records-lows/premium/WZC4RP4B4FCC5P66V6UJV5ZP3Q/">What shorter attention spans have to do with global education results plummeting to records lows (paywalled)</a><br>Bevan Connell (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/20/most-school-bullying-policies-hide-what-happens-after-a-report-is-made/">Most school bullying policies hide what happens after a report is made</a><br><br>GREENS POLICY ON EMPTY SHOPS<br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1478765/greens-announce-reforms-to-lower-commercial-rents-fill-empty-shops">Greens announce reforms to lower commercial rents, fill empty shops</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083593/greens-announce-reforms-lower-commercial-rents-fill-empty-shops">Greens announce reforms to lower commercial rents, fill empty shops (paywalled)</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035790/green-party-campaigns-inner-city-rental-auctions-empty-shops">Green Party campaigns on inner-city rental auctions for empty shops</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035814/greens-announce-proposal-get-vacant-commercial-spaces-filled">Greens announce proposal to get vacant commercial spaces filled</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/20/greens-want-power-for-councils-to-fill-vacant-city-centre-shops/">Greens want power for councils to fill vacant city centre shops</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-green-party-releases-plan-to-boost-vibrancy-of-auckland-central/QE443OZ7YVCTZPWMAFCMQOW6ZA/">Green Party releases plan to boost &#8216;vibrancy&#8217; of Auckland central</a><br><br>HEALTH<br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1479982/new-zealand-first-reveals-plan-for-bold-shift-in-healthcare">New Zealand First reveals plan for &#8216;bold shift&#8217; in healthcare</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035872/make-nz-healthy-nz-first-proposes-major-overhaul-health-system">&#8216;Make NZ Healthy&#8217;: NZ First proposes major overhaul of health system</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-nz-firsts-15-point-health-policy-feat-nutrition-intravenous-vitamin-c-and-informed-consent/YIRVDCIYNVBVHKNFD3UVEERR3Q/">NZ First&#8217;s 15-point health policy feat nutrition, intravenous Vitamin C and informed consent</a><br>Ellen O&#8217;Dwyer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1483178/exasperated-nurses-strike-at-specialist-waitakere-hospital-ward">&#8216;Exasperated&#8217; nurses strike at specialist Wait&#257;kere Hospital ward</a><br>Paula Penfold (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083656/blood-soaked-chock-block-hospital-ed-farmers-heart-stopped">Blood-soaked in a &#8216;chock-a-block&#8217; hospital ED, a farmer&#8217;s heart stopped (paywalled)</a><br>Kate Green (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1481407/patient-numbers-soar-for-whanganui-hospital-s-15-bed-emergency-department">Patient numbers soar for Whanganui Hospital&#8217;s 15-bed emergency department</a><br>Jazlyn Whales (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/whanganui-hospital-ed-nurses-union-claims-680-capacity-health-nz-disputes-figure/5U6NPGH4DBCRXMVTK7TY5WGGMA/">Whanganui Hospital ED: Nurses union claims 680% capacity, Health NZ disputes figure</a><br>Denise Piper (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/whangarei-hospital-was-at-critical-capacity-seven-times-longer-this-winter/JYK2AIP6GJEK7DXLXNL7IFNDBQ/">Whang&#257;rei Hospital was at critical capacity seven times longer this winter</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/call-for-better-use-of-resources-in-mental-health-and-drug-addiction-services/2CL4EBBSPBGC3NN4PBECJELSHU/">Call for better use of resources in mental health and drug addiction services</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1479973/st-john-welcomes-move-to-allow-paramedics-to-prescribe-medicines">St John welcomes move to allow paramedics to prescribe medicines</a><br>Katie Stuart (Press): <a href="https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361082387/we-cannot-keep-recruiting-doctors-we-have-no-intention-keeping">We cannot keep recruiting doctors we have no intention of keeping (paywalled)</a><br>Anaru Eketone (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/medical-school-admissions-equal-issues-aplenty-yvj3lg4p">Medical School admissions equal issues aplenty (paywalled)</a><br>Graham Adams: <a href="https://www.brashandmitchell.com/post/graham-adams-mapas-defenders-fudge-facts-on-competence">MAPAS defenders fudge facts on competence</a><br>Ian Powell: <a href="https://otaihangasecondopinion.wpcomstaging.com/2026/09/20/health-minister-misses-health-targets-yet-again/">Health Minister misses health targets &#8211; yet again!!</a><br>Ruth Brown (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/health/bitter-pills-how-the-multibillion-dollar-wellness-industry-manipulates-science-to-make-wild-claims-about-health-benefits/premium/GFG2T4I2PVF33EUSHFKMCYNPOQ/">Bitter pills: How the multibillion-dollar &#8216;wellness&#8217; industry manipulates science to make wild claims about health benefits (paywalled)</a><br><br>LOCAL GOVERNMENT<br>Tom Hunt (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082968/wellington-deputy-mayor-warns-significant-shock-rates-cap-cuts">Wellington deputy mayor warns of &#8216;significant shock&#8217; with rates cap cuts (paywalled)</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081266/high-profile-lawyer-linda-clark-hired-upper-hutt-mayors-legal-fight-ratepayers-pick-tab">High-profile lawyer Linda Clark hired for Upper Hutt mayor&#8217;s legal fight &#8211; ratepayers pick up the tab (paywalled)</a><br>Wayne Brown (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/panicked-nats-have-an-ugly-agenda-in-attacking-our-independent-maori-statutory-board-wayne-brown/premium/DXVTWYUYQFFMRBPPO5D35KP2Q4/">Panicked Nats have an ugly agenda in attacking our Independent M&#257;ori Statutory Board (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/councils-are-getting-hazard-warnings-residents-should-pay-attention-too-editorial/premium/6UDVJ5LUBVB2PJLK26ELFNZ33Q/">Editorial &#8211; Councils are getting hazard warnings, residents should pay attention too (paywalled)</a><br>Nick Kearney (Kiwiblog): <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/09/guest_post_the_mayors_are_right_about_fast-track_auckland_council_should_apply_the_same_test_to_nga_wairau.html">The Mayors Are Right About Fast-Track: Auckland Council Should Apply The Same Test To Ng&#257; Wairau</a><br>Mike White (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082893/santanas-community-group-window-dressing-pr-stunt-says-councillor">Santana&#8217;s community group is window dressing, PR stunt, says councillor (paywalled)</a><br>John MacDonald (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch/canterbury-museum-redevelopment-faces-further-7m-cost-blowout-john-macdonald/premium/DUWFZSXAEZHKHITDUIRSUHI2EI/">Canterbury Museum redevelopment faces further $7m cost blowout (paywalled)</a><br>Jaime Cunningham (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch/christchurch-nrl-team-bid-council-backed-bid-group-held-positive-talks-with-government/RBDQTBT7RJE5RFHAEOKSVBFEJE/">Christchurch NRL team bid: Council-backed bid group held &#8216;positive&#8217; talks with Government</a><br>Ayla Yeoman (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/te-maunga-wastewater-plant-odour-council-cannot-identify-cause-after-three-months/5AL6YVNTU5FONMGJW3AX42O4ZQ/">Te Maunga wastewater plant odour: Tauranga City Council cannot identify cause after three months</a><br>Janine Rankin (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083133/dog-attacks-more-30-year-year">Dog attacks up more than 30% year-on-year (paywalled)</a><br>Adam Burns (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/emergencies_local/1479006/wellington-vulnerable-after-losing-fenz-ladder-truck-to-fire-senior-firefighter-says">Wellington &#8216;vulnerable&#8217; after losing FENZ ladder truck to fire, senior firefighter says</a><br><br>JUSTICE<br>Craig Kapitan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/auckland-socialite-millie-elder-holmes-fails-in-jurisdiction-challenge-over-gambling-ads-posted-from-hong-kong/YAONX2GOLZDD3EOESPNRQVRA6A/">Auckland socialite Millie Elder-Holmes fails in jurisdiction challenge over gambling ads posted from Hong Kong</a><br>Peter de Graaf (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1477409/number-of-meth-pipes-bongs-seized-by-customs-soars">Number of meth pipes, bongs seized by Customs soars</a><br>Silvia Cartwright (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/361073661/dame-silvia-cartwright-tv-cameras-do-alter-courtroom-behaviour">TV cameras do alter courtroom behaviour (paywalled)</a><br>Natasha Gordon (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-stalking-law-police-lay-140-charges-and-issue-918-notices-in-four-months/YY3PIJC7WVGTVHVTNYH5FCRGE4/">New stalking law: Police lay 140 charges and issue 918 notices in four months</a><br>Finn Blackwell (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1452372/nearly-1000-stalking-warnings-140-charges-since-law-came-into-effect">Nearly 1000 stalking warnings, 140 charges since law came into effect</a><br>Alecia Rousseau (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083036/bootcamps-become-sentencing-option-critics-say-they-are-failed-experiment">Bootcamps to become sentencing option but critics say they are a &#8216;failed experiment&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br><span>Rachel Moore (RNZ): </span><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1459964/hamilton-arrest-fuels-critics-concerns-over-citizen-s-arrest"><span>Hamilton arrest fuels critics&#8217; concerns over citizen&#8217;s arrest</span></a></strong><br><br><strong>CARTOONS</strong></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe 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https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yi4j!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcaccd8e0-eb4e-41c2-b86d-9a29956836e2_2283x1429.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yi4j!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcaccd8e0-eb4e-41c2-b86d-9a29956836e2_2283x1429.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yi4j!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcaccd8e0-eb4e-41c2-b86d-9a29956836e2_2283x1429.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yi4j!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcaccd8e0-eb4e-41c2-b86d-9a29956836e2_2283x1429.png" width="1456" height="911" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/caccd8e0-eb4e-41c2-b86d-9a29956836e2_2283x1429.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:911,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:976970,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/i/216623049?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcaccd8e0-eb4e-41c2-b86d-9a29956836e2_2283x1429.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" 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stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Body - NZ Herald 21 September 2026</figcaption></figure></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jy9F!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92e76d66-2e5e-4edb-93ae-e5df0868ed22_2224x1581.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Ellison - Listener 21 September 2026</figcaption></figure></div><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-21-september-2026/comments&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Leave a comment&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-21-september-2026/comments"><span>Leave a comment</span></a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 20 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-20-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-20-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2026 19:37:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg" width="788" height="900" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nsmj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe2169967-05c7-4f2a-b544-c4bdc6492c3f_788x900.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026<br>Marc Daalder (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/20/hipkins-still-getting-warmed-up-in-second-public-meeting-of-the-campaign/">Hipkins still getting warmed up as he faces the public for second time</a><br>Andrea Vance (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081528/andrea-vance-hung-overhang">Hung up on the overhang (paywalled)</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labour-leader-chris-hipkins-faces-questions-at-porirua-public-meeting-on-tax-palestine-and-the-fbi/37UWUAFA5RAYZPAHDUPIHVQQOY/">Labour leader Chris Hipkins faces questions at Porirua public meeting on tax, Palestine and the FBI</a><br>Liam Dann (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/big-bold-policies-show-political-ground-is-shiftingfinally-liam-dann/premium/YGPS4JHX2BCXTEWOL22CWQ2IXY/">Big bold policies show political ground is shifting ... finally (paywalled)</a><br>Robin Martin (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1464508/act-faithful-line-up-for-selfies-as-paul-henry-roadshow-rolls-through-new-plymouth">ACT faithful line up for selfies as Paul Henry roadshow rolls through New Plymouth</a><br>Anna Thomas (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/i-was-a-massive-nerd-a-road-trip-with-chloe-swarbrick">&#8216;I was a massive nerd&#8217;: A road trip with Chloe Swarbrick</a><br>Katherine Rich (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361080879/if-i-was-pm-productivity-education-and-ambition-heart-government">If I was PM: Productivity, education and ambition at the heart of government (paywalled)</a><br><br>SUPERMARKETS<br>Damien Grant (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361035170/public-wants-villain-over-grocery-prices-willis-and-luxon-have-now-delivered-one">Nicola Willis has betrayed the principles she once championed</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nationals-state-intervention-policy-on-supermarkets-is-a-significant-lurch-left-editorial/premium/UNR4I56235GM3B5BXZI3CFTCFU/">Editorial &#8211; National&#8217;s state intervention policy on supermarkets is a significant lurch left (paywalled)</a><br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/heather-du-plessis-allan-national-has-made-a-huge-mistake-by-threatening-a-supermarket-breakup/premium/JZF4JT5UMZDVRC7XY5VLSROJNU/">National has made a huge mistake by threatening a supermarket break-up (paywalled)</a><br>Duncan Garner (Listener): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/opinion/duncan-garner-this-is-now-the-supermarket-election-why-everyone-has-a-plan-to-get-you-cheaper-groceries/premium/ZEYQL6G3RBCMNMEWRIJFUWHMWI/">This is now the supermarket election &#8211; why everyone has a plan to get you cheaper groceries (paywalled)</a><br><br>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE<br>M&#257;ni Dunlop (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083555/government-pushes-contentious-treaty-overhaul-bills-through-first-reading-weekend-urgency">Government pushes contentious Treaty overhaul bills through first reading in weekend urgency (paywalled)</a><br>Will Dreyer (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361080990/brainwaves-behind-doors-select-committees">Brainwaves: Behind the doors of select committees (paywalled)</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-leadership-and-proportionality-speak-to-credibility/">Leadership and proportionality speak to credibility</a><br>Andy Fenton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082268/lest-we-forget-fund-our-nations-memory">Lest we forget to fund our nation&#8217;s memory (paywalled)</a><br>Judy McGregor (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082824/what-would-kate-sheppard-say-about-womens-progress-today">What would Kate Sheppard say about women&#8217;s progress today? (paywalled)</a><br>Andr&#233; Chumko (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/361080911/national-library-music-hire-service-faces-shake-amid-proposed-cuts">National Library music hire service faces shake-up amid proposed cuts (paywalled)</a><br><br>EARTHQUAKE-PRONE BUILDINGS AND NATURAL HAZARDS<br>Bijou Johnson (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/mauao-landslide-why-holiday-parks-are-reviewing-their-natural-hazard-plans/premium/FTKW6NFFGFGABDXYJTU4CWCG5Q/">Mauao landslide: Why holiday parks are reviewing their natural hazard plans (paywalled)</a><br>Natasha Gordon (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/parliament-passes-earthquake-prone-building-reforms-with-82b-savings-forecast/WPYJPNXE4VGODEOZTYMVVNQJLA/">Parliament passes earthquake-prone building reforms with $8.2b savings forecast</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1475293/thousands-of-nz-buildings-no-longer-require-earthquake-strengthening">Thousands of NZ buildings no longer require earthquake strengthening</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/19/thousands-of-buildings-to-be-deemed-no-longer-earthquake-prone/">Thousands of buildings to be deemed no longer earthquake-prone</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035576/thousands-buildings-no-longer-deemed-earthquake-prone-after-new-law-passes-unanimously">Thousands of buildings no longer deemed earthquake-prone after new law passes unanimously</a><br>Reid Basher: <a href="https://reidbasher.substack.com/p/bravo-auckland-city-says-no-to-floodplain">Bravo Auckland! City says no to floodplain development</a><br><br>CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT<br>Andrea Vance (Sunday Star Times): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082788/betrayal-government-u-turn-strips-protections-won-wake-rena">&#8216;Betrayal&#8217;: Government U-turn strips protections won in the wake of Rena (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035572/greens-vows-scrap-governments-corporate-conservation-push">Greens vow to scrap Government&#8217;s &#8216;corporate&#8217; conservation push</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/green-party-vows-to-repeal-doc-economic-requirement-in-conservation-amendment-bill/IACKNFBDOVDY7GU6J7AML7E77Q/">Green Party vows to repeal DoC economic requirement in Conservation Amendment Bill</a><br>Natasha Gordon (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/march-for-nature-thousands-protest-conservation-amendment-bill-in-auckland/6S3MXTOAEFHFJFA35CVBII6XA4/">March for Nature: Thousands protest Conservation Amendment Bill in Auckland</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/1473981/greenpeace-protests-conservation-amendment-bill-in-downtown-auckland">Greenpeace protests Conservation Amendment Bill in downtown Auckland</a><br>Felix Walton (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/1472509/forest-and-bird-calls-for-fast-tracked-coal-mining-application-to-be-declined">Forest and Bird calls for fast-tracked coal mining application to be declined</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> HEALTH</strong>; <strong>WORK, SAFETY AND THE WORKFORCE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; MEDIA AND BOOKS; ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND PRIMARY INDUSTRIES; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; JIM PETERS OBITUARY</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 19 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[ELECTION 2026 AND THE CAMPAIGN]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-19-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-19-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 18:21:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1CuS!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd87033dd-c0fb-498e-bc29-9fe78ddb55ad_960x638.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>ELECTION 2026 AND THE CAMPAIGN<br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/the-campaign-has-definitively-begun-is-christopher-luxon-or-chris-hipkins-ahead/premium/SLBTL2XMPJBJ5KZR63O4V7LCPQ/">The campaign has begun - is Christopher Luxon or Chris Hipkins ahead? (paywalled)</a><br>Josie Pagani (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082125/woke-joke-making-punchline-out-prudes-and-prefects">Woke is the joke: Making a punchline out of the prudes and prefects (paywalled)</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082976/mr-hipkins-small-target-strategy-shrinks-labour">Editorial &#8211; Mr Hipkins&#8217; small target strategy shrinks Labour (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034995/who-do-kiwis-trust-most-economy-not-politician">Who do Kiwis trust most with the economy? Not a politician</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/18/chloe-swarbrick-why-wouldnt-i-want-to-be-finance-minister/">Chl&#246;e Swarbrick: Why wouldn&#8217;t I want to be finance minister?</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035158/te-pati-maori-co-leaders-c-bomb-house-unacceptable-luxon-says">Hipkins laughs off Luxon&#8217;s warning of a chaotic Labour coalition</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034484/how-luxon-lost-75-nationals-maori-supporters-just-one-term">How Luxon lost 75% of National&#8217;s M&#257;ori supporters in just one term</a><br>Kayla Kingdon-Bebb (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035200/national-and-labour-are-threatened-us-they-should-be">National and Labour are threatened by us. They should be</a><br>Andrew Ketels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/minor-parties-bottom-lines-are-glorified-political-ads-not-to-be-taken-seriously-andrew-ketels/premium/HQ4S24L4QBAVVLAWV5GM7ZBPI4/">Minor parties&#8217; &#8216;bottom lines&#8217; are glorified political ads not to be taken seriously (paywalled)</a><br>Liadhan Robinson (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082856/what-keeping-young-people-roll-election-year">What is keeping young people off the roll this election year? (paywalled)</a><br>Steven Cowan: <a href="https://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2026/09/election-2026-two-main-parties-are.html">The two main parties are locked in a race to the bottom</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035131/te-pati-maori-co-leaders-c-bomb-house-unacceptable-luxon-says">Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori co-leader&#8217;s C-bomb in House &#8216;unacceptable&#8217;, Luxon says</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035249/hipkins-c-word-house-and-luxons-criticisms">Hipkins on C-word in the House, and Luxon&#8217;s criticisms</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/18-09-2026/echo-chamber-i-think-im-gonna-die-in-this-house">I think I&#8217;m gonna die in this House</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kim-dotcoms-wife-liz-to-contest-outgoing-national-mp-chris-penks-kaipara-ki-mahurangi-seat/SSDOXM43CFHDBHB3WQGVCXK5KE/">Kim Dotcom&#8217;s wife Liz to contest outgoing National MP Chris Penk&#8217;s Kaipara ki Mahurangi seat</a><br><br>SUPERMARKETS AND GROCERY COMPETITION<br>Audrey Young (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/a-decade-at-the-checkout-inside-our-food-price-crisis-and-proposed-political-solutions/premium/AG65ZBVRFNBLNIDG2BGS57DENA/">A decade at the checkout: Inside our food price crisis &#8211; and proposed political solutions (paywalled)</a><br>Fran O&#8217;Sullivan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/nationals-tax-cut-talk-and-supermarket-break-up-plan-fail-to-tackle-wider-cost-of-living-issues-fran-osullivan/premium/NZMHGTCKQZCS3PPGGAXYKWN4VI/">National&#8217;s tax-cut talk and supermarket break-up plan fail to tackle wider cost of living issues (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361077546/supermarket-competition-jigsaw-policies-parties-could-take-polls">Supermarket competition: The jigsaw of policies that parties could take to polls (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083109/can-national-keep-pandoras-box-reform-quarantined-supermarkets">Can National keep the Pandora&#8217;s box of reform quarantined to supermarkets? (paywalled)</a><br>Jen&#233;e Tibshraeny (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/retail/nationals-foodstuffs-break-up-plan-how-much-it-would-save-shoppers-and-the-cost-to-supermarket-owners/premium/DWG4MXWDZFDS7KBZZMP24T7SHY/">National&#8217;s Foodstuffs break-up: How much shopper would save and supermarket profits would be dented, if all goes to plan (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361082950/stores-could-close-foodstuffs-south-island-pen-open-letter-national">&#8216;Stores could close&#8217; Foodstuffs South Island supermarket owners pen open letter to National (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1457344/supermarket-sector-overhaul-must-be-backed-by-facts-not-assumptions-warns-foodstuffs-north-island">Supermarket sector overhaul must be backed by facts, not assumptions, warns Foodstuffs North Island</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/18/foodstuffs-challenges-national-to-show-receipts-on-supermarket-split-savings/">Foodstuffs challenges National to show receipts on supermarket split savings</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035239/david-seymour-says-national-mps-keep-complaining-him-about-their-own-supermarket-policy">David Seymour says 5 National MPs complained to him about their own supermarket policy</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/foodstuffs-denies-co-ordinating-campaign-against-nationals-plan-to-break-up-company/A3YMZCX7SBAMDDC4GA3JZVN4LY/">Foodstuffs denies co-ordinating campaign against National&#8217;s plan to break up company</a><br>Richard Prebble: <a href="https://richardprebble.substack.com/p/supermarket-policy-at-warp-speed">Supermarket Policy at Warp Speed</a><br>IDEA: <a href="https://goodideasnz.substack.com/p/would-supermarket-reform-really-have">Would supermarket reform really have a &#8220;chilling&#8221; effect on investment? (paywalled)</a><br>Juanita Neville-Te Rito (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140304/juanita-neville-te-rito-says-everyones-fighting-over-who-splits-supermarkets">Who pays?</a><br>Tom Raynel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/inflation/food-prices-rise-19-annually-as-restaurant-meals-lead-increases/OOEJS4ET4ZFZVI36CYLPS6PS5I/">Food prices rise 1.9% annually as restaurant meals lead increases</a><br><br>PARTY POLICY AND PLATFORMS<br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140312/opportunity-wants-create-national-insurance-support-framework-identify-and">Opportunity proposes national insurance support framework as part of climate policy</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140316/energy-and-resources-spokesperson-simon-court-says-acts-energy-policy-aims">ACT eyes opening electricity networks to competition</a><br>Julia Gabel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-act-wants-to-put-onus-on-lines-companies-to-justify-consumer-charges/HEJDJIKHHRBFVOGQIAS5LYGRFI/">Act wants to put onus on lines companies to justify consumer charges</a><br>Kate Newton (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment_climate/1453264/opportunity-proposes-methane-trading-scheme-5b-climate-adaptation-plan">Opportunity proposes methane trading scheme, $5b climate adaptation plan</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1455129/act-pledges-to-stop-power-companies-being-broken-apart-open-up-solar-market">ACT pledges to stop power companies being broken apart, open up solar market</a><br>Alex Brocklehurst (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083198/let-people-sell-power-they-make-act-announces-policy-open-electricity-network-more-competition">&#8216;Let people sell the power they make&#8217;: ACT announces policy to open up electricity network to more competition (paywalled)</a><br><br>PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND LAW-MAKING<br>Bryce Edwards: <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-national-should">National should let voters decide before signing the LNG deal</a><br>Max Rashbrooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082315/both-political-camps-need-lose-their-illusions-about-lobbying">Both political camps need to lose their illusions about lobbying (paywalled)</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361083294/oia-crackdown-government-eyes-tougher-rules-fees-and-limits-requesters">OIA crackdown: Government eyes tougher rules, fees and limits on requesters (paywalled)</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/09/using-austerity-to-attack-democracy-iii.html">Using austerity to attack democracy III</a><br>Azaria Howell (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/paul-goldsmith-rejects-10-increase-to-public-service-contractor-and-consultant-spending-cap/premium/OJZ4D444CREH7GH6NV5OZHFGYA/">Paul Goldsmith rejects 10% increase to public service contractor and consultant spending cap (paywalled)</a><br>Mike Houlahan (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/taking-ones-own-sweet-time-before-reaching-an-agreement-g56zwm93">Taking one&#8217;s own sweet time before reaching an agreement (paywalled)</a><br>Michael Swanson: <a href="https://politicsinnewzealand.substack.com/p/how-do-we-solve-a-problem-like-urgency">How do we solve a problem like Urgency?</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1451175/government-eases-food-safety-rules-for-small-hospitality-businesses">Government eases food safety rules for small hospitality businesses</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1451355/controversial-move-on-orders-pass-third-reading-under-urgency">Controversial move on orders pass third reading, under urgency</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/18/controversial-move-on-legislation-passes-final-reading-in-parliament/">Controversial move-on legislation passes final reading in Parliament</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361035251/government-passes-controversial-move-orders-bill-minor-changes">Government passes controversial &#8216;move-on orders&#8217; bill with minor changes</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1460464/a-real-degree-of-nastiness-and-the-need-for-respect-andrew-bayly-on-politics">&#8216;A real degree of nastiness&#8217; and the need for respect: Andrew Bayly on politics</a><br>David Farrar (Kiwiblog): <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/09/dame_margaret_clark.html">Dame Margaret Clark</a><br>Tom Hunt (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361075409/coal-council-flat-hallowed-halls-celia-wade-brown-steps-down-life-politics">From coal in a council flat to hallowed halls: Celia Wade-Brown steps down from life in politics (paywalled)</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> RETIREMENT, SUPERANNUATION AND AGEING</strong>; <strong>MEDIA</strong>; <strong>TECHNOLOGY AND AI; FIRE AND EMERGENCY NZ; AUCKLAND AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; LOCAL GOVERNMENT; WORKPLACE SAFETY AND CORPORATE HOMICIDE; TRANSPORT</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 18 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[SUPERMARKET AND GROCERY POLICY]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-18-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-18-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:57:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!V0qa!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F195afd3f-0fe2-4387-89a4-08aaf67b963c_900x582.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!V0qa!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F195afd3f-0fe2-4387-89a4-08aaf67b963c_900x582.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!V0qa!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F195afd3f-0fe2-4387-89a4-08aaf67b963c_900x582.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!V0qa!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F195afd3f-0fe2-4387-89a4-08aaf67b963c_900x582.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!V0qa!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F195afd3f-0fe2-4387-89a4-08aaf67b963c_900x582.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>SUPERMARKET AND GROCERY POLICY<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-nationals-supermarket">National&#8217;s supermarket breakup plan channels the Zeitgeist</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1437226/nicola-willis-rejects-supermarkets-criticism-pointing-to-vested-interests">Nicola Willis rejects supermarkets&#8217; criticism, pointing to vested interests</a><br>Kate MacNamara (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/retail/foodstuffs-breakup-where-the-idea-began-the-problems-and-the-only-precedent/premium/K4VUZ3RBWJHVRJ7YIL2BFUL2VA/">Foodstuffs break-up: Where the idea began, the problems and the only precedent (paywalled)</a><br>Luke Malpass (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081933/luke-malpass-major-parties-supermarket-war-wont-fix-economy">Major parties&#8217; supermarket war won&#8217;t fix the economy (paywalled)</a><br>Susan Edmunds (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1433996/supermarket-owners-shouldn-t-make-the-rich-list-supplier">Supermarket owners shouldn&#8217;t make the rich list &#8211; supplier</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034250/comrade-luxon-wins-first-supermarket-race">&#8216;Comrade&#8217; Luxon wins the first supermarket race</a><br>Audrey Young (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-supermarket-shock-why-the-party-of-business-has-taken-a-hard-left-turn-audrey-young/premium/FVGWPGJEWNH6DLZR3PDRYCKFII/">National supermarket shock: Why the &#8216;party of business&#8217; has taken a hard left turn (paywalled)</a><br>ODT: <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/editorial/summoning-supermarket-valour-y42vnw4k">Editorial &#8211; Summoning supermarket valour (paywalled)</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034729/willis-warns-vested-interests-supermarket-giant-criticises-nationals-plan">Willis warns of &#8216;vested interests&#8217; as supermarket giant criticises National&#8217;s plan</a><br>Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/17/paknsave-the-beneficiary-of-nationals-proposed-restructure-expert-says/">Pak&#8217;nSave the big winner from National&#8217;s proposed restructure, says expert</a><br>Tim Hunter (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/hunters-corner/nats-supermarket-scheme-is-harder-than-it-looks/">Nats&#8217; supermarket scheme harder than it looks (paywalled)</a><br>Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-supermarket-and-price-gouging-policies-are-fanciful/">Supermarket and price gouging policies are fanciful</a><br>John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-whats-with-national-going-anti-business/">What&#8217;s with National going anti-business?</a><br>Rodney Hide: <a href="https://www.brashandmitchell.com/post/rodney-hide-clapping-in-heaven">Clapping in heaven</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082532/nicola-willis-says-no-caucus-disunity-over-supermarket-push">David Seymour says &#8216;multiple&#8217; National MPs have asked him to stop supermarket breakup (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034873/nicola-willis-takes-foodstuffs-supermarket-showdown">Nicola Willis takes on Foodstuffs in supermarket showdown</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/foodstuffs-says-nationals-plan-to-break-up-new-world-and-paknsave-would-increase-food-costs/7GQBO52ZZBAF3B26QYY27ZCDXQ/">Foodstuffs says National&#8217;s plan to break up New World and Pak&#8217;nSave would increase food costs</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/17/important-questions-foodstuffs-on-nationals-break-up-plan/">&#8216;Important questions&#8217; &#8211; Foodstuffs on National&#8217;s break-up plan</a><br>Gianina Schwanecke (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/1430832/veggie-growers-warn-supermarket-shake-up-could-backfire-on-prices">Veggie growers warn supermarket shake-up could backfire on prices</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140302/nationals-nicola-willis-says-foodstuffs-has-vested-interest-status-quo-she">National v Foodstuffs; Nicola Willis says &#8216;decide, New Zealand, who you want to believe&#8217;</a><br>Metiria Stanton Turei (ODT): <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/tax-and-incomes-policies-are-intertwined-in-supermarket-reforms-wey29r56">Tax and incomes policies are intertwined in supermarket reforms (paywalled)</a><br>Hamish McNicol and Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/business/foodstuffs-says-it-is-thoroughly-reviewing-national-breakup-plan/">Foodstuffs says it is thoroughly reviewing National breakup plan (paywalled)</a><br>Nicholas Pointon (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/labour-wants-to-ban-price-gouging-on-essential-goods-and-services/">Labour wants to ban price gouging on essential goods and services (paywalled)</a><br><br>FIRE AND EMERGENCY NZ<br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/minister-brooke-van-velden-loses-confidence-in-fire-and-emergency-ceo-over-withholding-information/DGXZ7FX3KBFPNLWE7NLZVWYZTI/">Minister Brooke van Velden loses confidence in Fire and Emergency CEO over withholding information</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034763/minister-says-she-has-lost-confidence-fire-and-emergencys-chief-executive">Fenz boss withheld info on &#8216;seriously significant incident&#8217;, minister claims</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082646/fenz-boss-referred-serious-fraud-office-ministe">Minister expresses no confidence in FENZ boss, says matter is now with Serious Fraud Office (paywalled)</a><br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1437231/privileges-committee-chair-calls-urgent-meeting-over-leaked-fenz-report">Privileges Committee chair calls urgent meeting over leaked FENZ report</a><br>Peter de Graaf (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/emergencies_national/1440133/report-slams-fenz-for-wrong-answers-spending-275-000-on-pr-and-lawyers">Report slams FENZ for wrong answers, spending $275,000 on PR and lawyers</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/emergencies_national/1437197/fenz-minister-brooke-van-velden-questions-ceo-over-withheld-information">FENZ Minister Brooke van Velden questions CEO over withheld information</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034880/brooke-van-velden-declares-no-confidence-fire-and-emergency-nz-ceo">Brooke Van Velden declares no confidence in Fire and Emergency NZ CEO</a><br>BusinessDesk: <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/public-sector/van-velden-loses-confidence-in-fire-and-emergency-ceo-over-withheld-information">Van Velden loses confidence in Fire and Emergency CEO over (paywalled)</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/17/breach-of-trust-minister-declares-no-confidence-in-fenz-boss/">&#8216;Breach of trust&#8217;: Minister declares &#8216;no confidence&#8217; in FENZ boss</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/emergencies_national/1446367/fenz-was-breaching-their-own-law-in-regards-to-levy-collections-minister-says">FENZ was &#8216;breaching their own law in regards to levy collections&#8217;, minister says</a><br><br>RETIREMENT VILLAGE REFORM AND SUPERANNUATION<br><span>Adam Pearse (Herald): </span><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/retirement-village-repayments-leaked-plan-cuts-maximum-wait-to-nine-months/JUSNKRHFMZCSFKGQA7MLJOOCEE/"><span>Retirement village repayments: Leaked plan cuts maximum wait to nine months</span></a><span><br></span>Jenny Ruth: <a href="https://justthebusinessjennyruth.substack.com/p/labours-3-month-repayment-for-retirement">Labour&#8217;s 3-month repayment for retirement village units is stupid</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361079872/government-backtracks-year-long-repayment-window-retirees">Government backtracks on year-long repayment window for retirees (paywalled)</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/kiwisaver/compulsory-kiwisaver-is-coming-no-matter-who-forms-the-next-govt-editorial/premium/JEWMHPY5S5DWXFL64IYAOMROEI/">Editorial &#8211; Compulsory KiwiSaver is coming no matter who forms the next Government (paywalled)</a><br>Susan Edmunds (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/personal-finance/1446369/why-in-between-generation-may-miss-out-on-kiwisaver-bonuses">Why &#8216;in-between generation&#8217; may miss out on KiwiSaver bonuses</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026<br>Luke Malpass (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081629/poll-chloe-swarbrick-bests-nicola-willis-economy-voters-sceptical-growth-plan">Poll: Chlo&#235; Swarbrick bests Nicola Willis on economy as voters sceptical of growth plan (paywalled)</a><br>Jonathan Killick (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361082198/reclaim-streets-kinser-and-swarbrick-clash-raucous-cbd-debate">&#8216;Reclaim the streets&#8217;: Kinser and Swarbrick clash in raucous CBD debate (paywalled)</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/17/ikaroa-rawhiti-meet-the-candidates-for-the-east-north-island-electorate/">Ikaroa-R&#257;whiti: Meet the candidates for the east North Island electorate</a><br>Natalia Albert: <a href="https://nataliaalbert.substack.com/p/the-tax-shitshow">The Tax Shitshow</a><br>Matthew Tukaki (Waatea News): <a href="https://waateanews.com/2026/09/17/the-winston-factor-peters-turns-up-the-heat-as-election-campaign-ignites/">The Winston factor: Peters turns up the heat as election campaign ignites</a><br>Chris Trotter: <a href="https://christrotter418256.substack.com/p/one-picture">One Picture</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140280/leader-qiulae-wong-explains-opportunity-partys-land-tax-and-retirement-savings">Qiulae Wong on tax reform, retirement savings and rival party policies</a><br>Ethan Griffiths (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-chris-hipkins-certain-candidate-warrick-cleine-will-enter-parliament/XCK42TMFNBCSZC2IH5UUPPNHQ4/">Chris Hipkins certain candidate Warrick Cleine will enter Parliament</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-labour-unsure-how-many-people-will-come-to-nz-under-new-pacific-island-visa-policy/LSUFGSDXDNBW7CGTHV27RBOLQQ/">Labour unsure how many people will come to NZ under new Pacific Island visa policy</a><br>Kelly Makiha (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/election-2026-rotorua-business-chamber-event-hears-chris-hipkins-labour-election-pitch/premium/DHBFP4YONZHYZGENKJU45KCEEU/">Rotorua Business Chamber event hears Chris Hipkins&#8217; Labour election pitch (paywalled)</a><br>Megan Wilson (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/labour-leader-chris-hipkins-says-nurse-job-guarantee-would-stop-graduates-leaving-new-zealand/premium/W6V55SNIHNBFNF6JD2QNDY6APY/">Labour leader Chris Hipkins says nurse job guarantee would stop graduates leaving New Zealand (paywalled)</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034456/overseas-labour-candidate-says-hell-return-nz-if-hes-elected">Overseas Labour candidate says he&#8217;ll return to NZ - if he&#8217;s elected</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034493/political-figure-kiwis-view-most-favourably-isnt-even-politics">The political figure Kiwis view most favourably isn&#8217;t even in politics</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361082853/act-new-handbrake-party">ACT is the new handbrake party (paywalled)</a><br>Sarah Maguire (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/17-09-2026/being-a-politician-is-hard-so-is-working-for-one">Being a politician is hard. So is working for one</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> NGAREWA-PACKER&#8217;S C-WORD IN PARLIAMENT; PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE; M&#256;ORI POLITICS AND THE TREATY; ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; EDUCATION; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>JUSTICE AND POLICE; IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 17 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[SUPERMARKETS AND GROCERY COMPETITION]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-17-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-17-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 19:43:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 1272w, 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!c4yR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F27ee1094-a0f4-456d-ab9b-9994db33b244_960x720.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>SUPERMARKETS AND GROCERY COMPETITION<br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nationals-christopher-luxon-and-nicola-willis-to-make-significant-policy-announcement-in-caucus-room/E4ASATGRDNDF5DAYPF7AX52HYU/">National to campaign on splitting up Foodstuffs but only with Commerce Commission approval</a><br>Craig McCulloch (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1410766/national-vows-to-pursue-break-up-supermarket-giant-foodstuffs">National vows to &#8216;pursue&#8217; break up supermarket giant Foodstuffs</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/16/national-to-pursue-paknsave-and-new-world-break-up/">National to &#8216;pursue&#8217; Pak&#8217;nSave and New World break-up</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034020/national-joins-nz-first-it-says-it-could-split-new-world-and-pakn-save">National joins NZ First as it says it could split New World and Pak&#8217;n Save</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081324/election-2026-national-promises-pursue-breaking-foodstuffs">National promises to &#8216;pursue&#8217; breaking up Foodstuffs (paywalled)</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140274/national%E2%80%99s-nicola-willis-says-if-re-elected-government-her-party-will-look">National proposes separating Foodstuffs into two competing grocery chains</a><br>Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/election-2026/national-will-pursue-foodstuffs-breakup-if-re-elected">National will pursue Foodstuffs breakup if re-elected (paywalled)</a><br>Neil Sands (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/featured/national-will-split-foodstuffs-into-two-competing-grocery-chains/">National will split Foodstuffs into two competing grocery chains</a><br>Hamish McNicol and Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/business/foodstuffs-says-it-is-thoroughly-reviewing-national-breakup-plan/">Foodstuffs says it is thoroughly reviewing National breakup plan (paywalled)</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/business/national-proposes-structural-separation-of-foodstuffs/">National proposes structural separation of Foodstuffs (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Raynel (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/retail/nationals-foodstuffs-split-plan-criticised-over-costs-scale-and-competition/premium/IXFCWPI2PJAHXLLQIM5XXIFYPA/">National&#8217;s Foodstuffs split plan criticised over costs, scale and competition (paywalled)</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081543/act-leader-david-seymour-pours-cold-water-nationals-proposal-break-foodstuffs">ACT leader David Seymour pours cold water on National&#8217;s proposal to break up Foodstuffs (paywalled)</a><br>Craig McCulloch (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1414898/winston-peters-mocks-national-as-great-pretender-over-supermarket-policy">Winston Peters mocks National as &#8216;great pretender&#8217; over supermarket policy</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034204/winston-plays-great-pretender-after-nationals-latest-policy">Winston plays The Great Pretender after National&#8217;s latest policy</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1422696/chilling-business-groups-speak-out-against-national-s-supermarket-break-up-plan">&#8216;Chilling&#8217;: Business groups speak out against National&#8217;s supermarket break-up plan</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1423807/shoppers-split-over-foodstuffs-break-up-plan">Shoppers split over Foodstuffs break-up plan</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034319/supermarket-showdown-parties-target-prices-ahead-election">Supermarket showdown: Parties target prices ahead of election</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034229/where-do-political-parties-align-and-where-do-they-differ-great-supermarket-debate">Where do the political parties align and where do they differ in the great supermarket debate?</a><br>Susan Edmunds (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1415649/splitting-up-foodstuffs-would-it-actually-drive-down-grocery-prices">Splitting up Foodstuffs: Would it actually drive down grocery prices?</a><br>Dita De Boni (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361081339/report-finds-benefits-splitting-foodstuffs-ahead-major-government-announcement">Report finds benefits in splitting Foodstuffs as National pledges to &#8216;pursue&#8217; breakup (paywalled)</a><br>Anne Gibson (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/foodstuffs-breakup-national-partys-plan-could-force-supermarket-property-ownership-changes/premium/C74ZCG73ZZFXNIMK6FWKVBWPPU/">Foodstuffs break-up: National Party&#8217;s plan could force supermarket property ownership changes (paywalled)</a><br>Kate MacNamara (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/retail/foodstuffs-combines-gilmours-and-trents-wholesale-businesses-despite-merger-block/premium/RSUSCGZ2BJAETKCELXWNTIDNBE/">Foodstuffs combines Gilmours and Trents wholesale businesses despite Commerce Commission blocking merger of parents (paywalled)</a><br>Liam Dann (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/supermarket-break-up-will-nationals-plan-work-the-bottom-line-checks-it-out/premium/QIAXJGSMAZDJFIW3W2ZLCVFAEM/">Supermarket break-up: Will National&#8217;s plan work? The Bottom Line checks it out (paywalled)</a><br>Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/supermarket-policy-competition-shows-national-hungry">Supermarket policy competition shows National hungry (paywalled)</a><br>Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/retail/businessnz-warns-national-foodstuffs-split-sends-chilling-signal">BusinessNZ warns National Foodstuffs split sends chilling signal (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Harman: <a href="https://www.politik.co.nz/williss-supermarket-plan-bonkers/">Willis&#8217;s supermarket plan &#8220;bonkers&#8221; (paywalled)</a><br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-the-national-party-should-know-better-when-it-comes-to-business/">The National Party should know better when it comes to business</a><br>Chelsea Daniels (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/supermarkets-have-become-an-election-battleground-the-front-page/PTZEAP6ZJVAWRAULCAZ3NXYAIM/">Supermarkets have become an election battleground</a><br>Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/17-09-2026/exclusive-political-momentum-is-building-for-bringing-back-big-fresh">Political momentum is building for bringing back Big Fresh</a><br>No Right Turn: <a href="https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-overton-window-shifts.html">The Overton window shifts...</a><br>Carolyne Meng-Yee (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kiwimart-name-dispute-kapiti-entrepreneurs-say-they-came-up-with-it-before-the-green-party/premium/PPAM5EJFLRCJZIXQ2HA47JO7AY/">KiwiMart name dispute: K&#257;piti entrepreneurs say they came up with it before the Green Party (paywalled)</a><br>Emma Hildesley (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/16/greens-kiwimart-could-end-up-in-name-dispute-as-company-files-claim/">Greens&#8217; KiwiMart could end up in name dispute as company files claim</a><br><br>PRICE GOUGING AND THE COST OF LIVING<br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/chris-hipkins-announces-labour-plan-to-outlaw-price-gouging-if-elected/5YAA6YSBSVCWXJLFFM7A5X2M2I/">Chris Hipkins announces Labour plan to outlaw price gouging if elected</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1410372/labour-pledges-to-ban-big-companies-from-charging-excessive-prices">Labour pledges to ban big companies from charging excessive prices</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361034012/labour-proposes-ban-price-gouging">Labour proposes to ban price gouging</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361081340/labour-proposes-broad-ban-excessive-pricing-essential-services">Labour proposes broad ban on excessive pricing for &#8216;essential services&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140275/labour-promises-make-excessive-prices-illegal-and-set-clear-legal-test">Labour promises to crack down on &#8216;excessive prices&#8217; of basics such as food and power</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/16/labour-says-it-will-crack-down-on-price-gouging-for-essentials-if-elected/">Labour says it will &#8216;crack down&#8217; on price gouging for essentials if elected</a><br>Rodney Hide: <a href="https://www.brashandmitchell.com/post/rodney-hide-empty-fridge-full-press-conference">Empty fridge, full press conference</a><br><br>TOM PHILLIPS INQUIRY<br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1407152/tom-phillips-inquiry-exposes-multiple-mistakes-by-police-and-oranga-tamariki">Tom Phillips inquiry exposes multiple mistakes by police and Oranga Tamariki</a><br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1414738/prime-minister-apologises-to-tom-phillips-children-and-their-mother-following-inquiry">Prime Minister apologises to Tom Phillips&#8217; children and their mother following inquiry</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/marokopa-children-inquiry-agencies-feared-sharing-information-upston-says/VE2GZ5YO2NFO3J7OQ4Y47Q4MIE/">Marokopa children inquiry: Agencies feared sharing information, Upston says</a><br>Juliet Speedy (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361034278/how-many-missed-opportunities-its-failing-ignored-warnings-phillips-abducted-his-children">&#8216;How many missed opportunities before it&#8217;s a failing?&#8217; The ignored warnings before Phillips abducted his children</a><br>Robin Martin (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1415853/tom-phillips-case-circuit-breaker-moment-was-missed-says-mayor">Tom Phillips case: &#8216;Circuit breaker&#8217; moment was missed, says mayor</a><br>Hannah Brown (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/homeschool-saga-ero-warned-education-minister-erica-stanford-months-before-tom-phillips-revelation/premium/HRTKJXTZSRC2RL4NG3SA2DOJOA/">Homeschool saga: ERO warned Education Minister Erica Stanford months before Tom Phillips revelation (paywalled)</a><br>Anya Fielding (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1415308/simply-not-good-enough-barnardos-demands-more-work-to-protect-children">&#8216;Simply not good enough&#8217; - Barnardos demands more work to protect children</a><br>ODT: <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/opinion/editorial/damning-reports-need-actions-j55elxsx">Editorial &#8211; Damning reports need actions (paywalled)</a><br>John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-why-the-tom-phillips-report-doesnt-surprise-me/">Why the Tom Phillips report doesn&#8217;t surprise me</a><br>Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-the-report-shows-us-just-how-badly-the-phillips-kids-were-failed/">The report shows us just how badly the Phillips kids were failed</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026<br>Thomas Coughlan and Chris Knox (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-party-support-slides-in-latest-poll-of-polls-national-hold-steady/premium/MJWZTKQB6ZBUJNWDJ4A65A6XGU/">Labour Party support slides in latest poll of polls, National hold steady (paywalled)</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361079479/voters-dont-love-hipkins-they-really-dont-luxon">Voters don&#8217;t love Hipkins. They really don&#8217;t like Luxon (paywalled)</a><br>Te Ao M&#257;ori News: <a href="https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/09/17/whakaata-maori-poll-labour-leads-party-vote-as-te-pati-maori-dominates-maori-roll/">Whakaata M&#257;ori poll: Labour leads party vote as Te P&#257;ti M&#257;ori dominates M&#257;ori roll</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/17/cost-of-living-dominates-as-72-of-maori-rate-govt-poorly-in-poll/">Cost of living dominates as 72% of M&#257;ori rate Govt poorly in poll</a><br>M&#257;ni Dunlop (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361081289/maori-verdict-government-clear-preferred-alternative-not">M&#257;ori verdict on government clear, preferred alternative is not (paywalled)</a><br>Justin Hu (1News): <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/17/nine-new-taxes-what-to-make-of-nationals-claims-about-labour/">&#8216;Nine New Taxes&#8217;: What to make of National&#8217;s claims about Labour</a><br>Ethan Griffiths (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-labour-candidate-says-hell-only-return-to-new-zealand-if-elected-to-parliament/PS6TTONXJRCTDEMZRYDTWUNDT4/">Labour candidate says he&#8217;ll only return to New Zealand if elected to Parliament</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-act-candidate-ash-parmar-pauses-then-recommits-to-campaign/DIDOPB27XBFQZOLTAVUWVM62CE/">ACT candidate Ash Parmar pauses then recommits to campaign</a><br>David Williams (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/16/in-a-christchurch-electorate-that-flips-a-green-tilt-changes-the-race/">In a Christchurch electorate that flips, a Green tilt changes the race</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1423753/uncosted-mmp-referendum-could-maori-seats-be-on-the-chopping-block">Uncosted MMP referendum: Could M&#257;ori seats be on the chopping block?</a><br>Nik Dirga (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1409899/explainer-what-is-an-overhang-and-how-could-it-change-nz-s-election-result">What is an overhang and how could it change NZ&#8217;s election result?</a><br>Poppy Clark (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361033981/police-investigate-suspicious-electoral-billboard-fire">National election billboard burnt in &#8216;suspicious&#8217; fire</a><br>Herald Reporters (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2026-national-hoarding-targeted-in-mt-albert-arson-attack-police-investigating/HJ2IQ3EVRNFYHBKY6IA6L5TWBE/">National hoarding targeted in Mt Albert arson attack, police investigating</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1408079/nowhere-near-enough-to-live-on-act-s-minimum-wage-plan-slammed-by-union">&#8216;Nowhere near enough to live on&#8217; - ACT&#8217;s minimum wage plan slammed by union</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/edwards-on-politics/is-this-the-year-of-the-minor-parties/">Is this the year of the minor parties? (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361081524/everyone-opposition-now-except-act">Everyone is in opposition now - except ACT (paywalled)</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361080456/are-voters-angry-about-covid-politicians-think-they-are">Are voters as angry about Covid as politicians think they are? (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Prebble (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/labours-waitangi-tribunal-pledge-lets-radical-constitutional-review-proceed-richard-prebble/premium/MM4M25NNG5BKTOY2SYBOFSK4BY/">Labour&#8217;s Waitangi Tribunal pledge lets radical constitutional review proceed (paywalled)</a><br>Richard Prebble: <a href="https://richardprebble.substack.com/p/mmp-and-tamaki">MMP and T&#257;maki</a><br>Jonathan Ayling (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rhetoric-is-no-substitute-for-substance-no-matter-who-we-vote-for-jonathan-ayling/premium/Y7F3W6XL55D7DAZYKC32OPHDUU/">Rhetoric is no substitute for substance, no matter who we vote for (paywalled)</a><br>Verity Johnson: <a href="https://verityjohnson.substack.com/p/were-offered-small-change-but-theres">We&#8217;re offered small change - but there&#8217;s never been more of a hunger for big change</a><br>Mike Grimshaw: <a href="https://mikegrimshawnz.substack.com/p/are-we-experiencing-affective-polarization">Are we experiencing Affective Polarization in New Zealand?</a><br><br>LOCAL GOVERNMENT<br>Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): <a href="https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-wellingtons-600k">Wellington&#8217;s $600k Te Matapihi library website</a><br>Ayla Yeoman (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-could-receive-866000-under-nationals-international-visitor-levy-plan/F2DCRTKKJFGWTIEUSFBJ4KE6PU/">Tauranga could receive $866,000 under National&#8217;s international visitor levy plan</a><br>Katie Todd (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/regional/1408076/it-s-hell-queenstown-workers-mayor-firefighter-fed-up-with-traffic-congestion">&#8216;It&#8217;s hell&#8217;: Queenstown workers, mayor, firefighter fed up with traffic congestion</a><br>Luka Forman (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1415069/heart-of-the-city-to-elect-new-board-after-tumultuous-year">Heart of the City to elect new board after tumultuous year</a><br>Tom Hunt (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361080620/protesters-warn-quays-gridlock-if-bus-lane-plan-proceeds">Protesters warn of &#8216;quays<span>&#8209;</span>gridlock&#8217; if bus-lane plan proceeds (paywalled)</a><br>Julie Jacobson (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361081545/gday-welly-where-bloody-hell-are-ya">G&#8217;day Welly, where the bloody hell are ya? (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/regions_auckland/1415855/watercare-to-spend-95-million-on-otara-wastewater">Watercare to spend $95 million on &#332;tara wastewater</a><br>Teuila Fuatai (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/emergencies_local/1417713/tairawhiti-flood-recovery-we-re-a-long-way-off-yet">Tair&#257;whiti flood recovery: &#8216;We&#8217;re a long way off yet&#8217;</a><br>Lane Nichols (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/auckland-council-could-quit-auckland-deal-over-houkura-voting-rights-ban-mayor-wayne-brown-warns/RP7DYL45EVBSXGBGD3ZKKR5QXI/">Auckland Council could quit Auckland Deal over Houkura voting rights ban, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown warns</a><br>Jonathan Killick (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361080721/butt-out-auckland-mayor-blasts-minister-nixing-maori-board-voting-rights">&#8216;Butt out&#8217;: Auckland mayor blasts minister for nixing M&#257;ori board voting rights (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1391499/auckland-mayor-tells-local-government-minister-to-butt-out-of-his-council-s-democratic-processes">Auckland mayor tells local government minister to &#8216;butt out&#8217; of his council&#8217;s democratic processes</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361033584/wayne-brown-calls-government-butt-out-our-business-threatens-pull-out-auckland-deal">Wayne Brown calls on Government to &#8216;butt out of our business&#8217;, threatens to pull out of Auckland Deal</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/visitor-levy-sharing-is-a-good-start-but-more-needed-editorial/premium/S4TVF2UG2ZGDBARX6ALSC6P3RM/">Editorial &#8211; Visitor levy sharing is a good start but more needed (paywalled)</a><br>Neil Reid (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/councils-around-nz-warned-of-deadly-landslides-tsunamis-floods-loss-of-life/premium/3ORYGD4OPBAZXDKVGEOMN3UIEQ/">Councils around NZ warned of deadly landslides, tsunamis, floods, &#8216;loss of life&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Thomas Manch (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/water-affordability-and-capital-spending-plans-questioned">Water affordability and capital spending plans questioned (paywalled)</a><br>Ross McNaughton (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/weather/1407370/auckland-council-shuts-piha-campground-with-reopening-date-uncertain">Auckland Council shuts Piha campground with reopening date uncertain</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections:</span> PARLIAMENT, GOVERNMENT AND LOBBYING; ANDREW BAYLY&#8217;S VALEDICTORY; MEDIA; ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY; HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE; KIWISAVER AND RETIREMENT; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; HEALTH</strong>; <strong>C<span>ARTOONS</span></strong></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[News Briefing: 16 September 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[THE TOM PHILLIPS INQUIRY]]></description><link>https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-16-september-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/news-briefing-16-september-2026</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryce Edwards]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:51:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-JF!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73b90a23-a650-497a-94c6-809aea699421_960x720.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>THE TOM PHILLIPS INQUIRY<br>Adam Pearse (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-agencies-minimised-overlooked-harm-to-tom-phillips-children-inquiry-finds/7GXSS5ET35HL7E6A6HQER45MSY/?lid=cauifx1v2nt7">Police concede Phillips children could have been found in 2023 after eyewitness tip</a><br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1407152/tom-phillips-inquiry-exposes-multiple-mistakes-by-police-and-oranga-tamariki">Tom Phillips inquiry exposes multiple mistakes by police and Oranga Tamariki</a><br>Michelle Duff (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/16-09-2026/its-just-a-camping-trip-with-their-dad-marokopa-inquiry-reveals-state-of-nz-child-protection">It&#8217;s just a camping trip! With their dad! Marokopa inquiry reveals state of NZ child protection</a><br>Neil Sands (LawNews): <a href="https://lawnews.nz/criminal/apologies-galore-but-scant-accountability-over-damning-report-into-phillips-children-abduction/">Apologies galore but scant accountability over damning report into Phillips&#8217; children abduction</a><br>Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-the-failures-in-the-tom-phillips-investigation-go-on-and-on/">The failures in the Tom Phillips investigation go on and on</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/15/we-are-deeply-sorry-phillips-kids-denied-a-happy-childhood/">&#8216;We are deeply sorry&#8217; - Phillips kids denied a &#8216;happy childhood&#8217;</a><br>Sam Sherwood (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1385855/we-are-deeply-sorry-government-apologises-to-tom-phillips-children-after-damning-inquiry">&#8216;We are deeply sorry&#8217;: Government apologises to Tom Phillips&#8217; children after damning inquiry</a><br>Benn Bathgate (Post): <a href="https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/361080748/police-and-oranga-tamariki-panned-tom-phillips-report">Police and Oranga Tamariki panned in Tom Phillips report (paywalled)</a><br>Benn Bathgate (Post): <a href="https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/361080968/apologies-no-resignations-after-damning-phillips-report">Apologies but no resignations after damning Phillips report (paywalled)</a><br>Sam Sherwood (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1406566/tom-phillips-report-the-missed-opportunities-to-find-the-children">Tom Phillips report: The missed opportunities to find the children</a><br>Lillian Hanly and Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1407162/pieces-still-missing-from-tom-phillips-inquiry-academic">Pieces still missing from Tom Phillips inquiry - academic</a><br>Russell Palmer (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1396579/i-understand-how-that-sounds-police-push-back-on-tom-phillips-finding">&#8216;I understand how that sounds&#8217;: Police push back on Tom Phillips finding</a><br>Giles Dexter (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/1389732/police-commissioner-welcomes-opportunity-to-meet-with-family-to-discuss-tom-phillips-report">Police commissioner welcomes opportunity to meet with family to discuss Tom Phillips report</a><br>Jo Moir (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1384989/absolutely-appalled-labour-s-chris-hipkins-unleashes-on-oranga-tamariki-s-systemic-issues">&#8216;Absolutely appalled&#8217; - Labour&#8217;s Chris Hipkins unleashes on Oranga Tamariki&#8217;s &#8216;systemic issues&#8217;</a><br>Jenna Lynch (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361033609/woman-had-tom-phillips-her-car-and-photographed-him-police-were-diverted">Woman had Tom Phillips in her car and photographed him - but police were diverted</a><br>Lillian Hanly (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1387456/woman-told-police-she-had-tom-phillips-in-her-car-in-may-2023-but-officers-were-diverted">Woman told police she had Tom Phillips in her car in May 2023 - but officers were diverted</a><br>Neil Reid (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/private-schoolboy-to-monster-how-tom-phillips-honed-his-bushcraft-at-st-pauls-collegiates-outdoor-programme/premium/FW5BYRJIFVCNPEHJNMGXAOEWXQ/">Private schoolboy to &#8216;monster&#8217;: How Tom Phillips honed his bushcraft at St Paul&#8217;s Collegiate&#8217;s outdoor programme (paywalled)</a><br>Benn Bathgate (Post): <a href="https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/361081070/tom-phillips-5800-shopping-spree-chocolate-knives-and-14-lighters">Tom Phillips&#8217; $5800 shopping spree: chocolate, knives and 14 lighters (paywalled)</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: POLLS AND CAMPAIGN<br>Farah Hancock (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1385118/two-big-political-donors-backing-opposite-sides-explain-why-they-ve-given-over-a-million-dollars-to-different-parties">Two big political donors backing opposite sides explain why they&#8217;ve given over a million dollars to different parties</a><br>Charlyse Tansey (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/16/nzs-youth-enrolment-problem-could-change-history/">NZ&#8217;s youth enrolment problem could change history</a><br>Tim Murphy (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/16/four-media-heavy-hitters-on-what-to-look-for-in-election-2026/">Four media heavy hitters on what to look for in Election 2026</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361079449/half-voters-say-time-give-chris-hipkins-second-chance">Half of voters say time to give Chris Hipkins a second chance (paywalled)</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-slumps-in-another-poll-but-still-ahead-of-national/HDUVF4SBJJHK3LYLGXLVLG3F7U/">Labour slumps in another poll, but still ahead of National</a><br>Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/15/leaked-poll-shows-labour-dropping-but-national-still-unable-to-form-govt/">Leaked poll prompts hung Parlt warning, with no majority for Labour or Nats bloc</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1382772/possible-hung-parliament-as-labour-and-national-slump-in-latest-poll">Possible hung parliament as Labour and National slump in latest poll</a><br>Herald: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-chris-hipkins-says-all-up-from-here-after-latest-poll-result/ISUIFCPYKVGXXNLS73WCGN3GWY/">Chris Hipkins says &#8216;all up from here&#8217; after latest poll result</a><br>Henry Cooke (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361080739/not-where-we-need-be-chris-hipkins-says-labour-fighting-get-numbers-following-7-point-drop">&#8216;Not where we need to be&#8217;: Chris Hipkins says Labour fighting to get numbers up following 7-point drop (paywalled)</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1382767/a-lot-of-pressure-on-any-incoming-government-labour-leader-says">&#8216;A lot&#8217; of pressure on any incoming government, Labour leader says</a><br>Glenn McConnell (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361030311/flip-forecaster-see-seats-set-flip-and-how-will-shape-parliament">Flip Forecaster: See the seats set to flip and how that will shape Parliament</a><br>Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-do-the-political-polls-matter-to-you/">Do the political polls matter to you?</a><br>Hanna McCallum (Newsroom): <a href="https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/16/early-poll-reveals-greens-and-labour-in-dead-heat-in-wellington-bays/">Early poll reveals Greens and Labour in dead heat in Wellington Bays</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-exclusive-wellington-bays-polling-shows-green-mp-julie-anne-genter-tied-with-labour-challenger-craig-renney/AX3RHLNRONDCHCIPYVYIX4C6QQ/">Exclusive Wellington Bays polling shows Green MP Julie Anne Genter tied with Labour challenger Craig Renney</a><br>Jamie Ensor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-wellington-bays-candidates-scrap-over-the-cost-of-living-in-debate/YRPG4BPYL5FSNF7DWSFLSJFCEM/">Wellington Bays candidates scrap over the cost of living in debate</a><br>Alex Brocklehurst (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361080355/wellington-north-candidates-call-civility-keep-events-becoming-yelling-matches">Wellington North candidates call for civility to keep events from becoming &#8216;yelling matches&#8217; (paywalled)</a><br>Andrea Vance (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361079868/opportunity-knocking-meet-voters-backing-qiulae-wong">Is Opportunity knocking? Meet the voters backing Qiulae Wong (paywalled)</a><br>Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-09-2026/one-candidate-one-pint-jessica-hammond-on-being-the-last-opportunity-original-left">Jessica Hammond on being the last Opportunity original left</a><br>Azriel Taylor (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/real-life-act-party-leader-david-seymour-on-polarisation-politics-and-riding-his-e-bike/XANRAPDRRBDGZEBBJV74LOVUE4/">Real Life: Act Party Leader David Seymour on polarisation, politics, and riding his e-bike</a><br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361081083/alliances-rangitikei-candidate-withdraws-election">Alliance&#8217;s Rangit&#299;kei candidate withdraws from election (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Hunt (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361080570/alleged-health-data-leaker-barry-young-ditches-wellington-north-candidacy-after-wadestown-showdown">Alleged health data leaker Barry Young ditches Wellington North candidacy after meeting showdown (paywalled)</a><br>Catherine Groenestein (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361080723/mayor-councillor-and-mystery-nz-first-candidate">Rumours swirl as NZ First take over &#8216;Mayor&#8217;s Office&#8217; ahead of candidate announcement (paywalled)</a><br>Ethan Manera (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/mark-mitchell-says-ongoing-matter-remains-over-labour-candidate-and-former-cop-rakesh-naidoo/CZOYJAJLMJC6BAK7GIU7I3XPXU/">Chris Hipkins accuses Mark Mitchell of inventing allegations against Rakesh Naidoo, after minister raises secret &#8216;ongoing matter&#8217;</a><br>Sam Sherwood (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1386293/ongoing-matter-relating-to-labour-s-top-cop-candidate-rakesh-naidoo-police-minister">&#8216;Ongoing matter&#8217; relating to Labour&#8217;s top cop candidate Rakesh Naidoo - Police Minister</a><br>Esther Robinson (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361079136/thirty-years-our-political-culture-still-catching-mmp">30 years on our political culture is still catching up to MMP (paywalled)</a><br>Ani O&#8217;Brien: <a href="https://aniobrien.substack.com/p/what-will-hipkins-have-to-give-away">What will Hipkins have to give away to become Prime Minister?</a><br><br>ELECTION 2026: TAX, WAGES AND FISCAL POLICY<br>The Post: <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361080701/editorial-tax-cuts-hint-sign-nationals-desperation">Editorial &#8211; Tax cuts hint a sign of National&#8217;s desperation (paywalled)</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nicola-willis-hints-at-post-surplus-income-tax-cuts-if-national-re-elected/HUFMWLZZLZD6PCHV7QNDMJWGX4/">Nicola Willis hints at post-surplus income tax cuts if National re-elected</a><br>Anneke Smith (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361080565/nicola-willis-teases-national-rd-tax-credit-policy-after-pre-election-econimic-update">&#8216;More to say&#8217;: Nicola Willis teases policy on income tax bracket creep ahead of election (paywalled)</a><br>Lauren Crimp (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1384337/nicola-willis-hints-national-to-campaign-on-income-bracket-changes-research-tax-credit">Nicola Willis hints National to campaign on income bracket changes, research tax credit</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/no-new-taxes-amen-david-seymour-welcomes-businesses-to-the-church-of-low-taxes-as-survey-shows-support-for-cgt/premium/6DGOHYXPHNGT5CQESK32CYBNWM/">David Seymour welcomes businesses to the church of low taxes, as survey shows support for CGT (paywalled)</a><br>Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/mps-flag-upcoming-tax-policy-announcements-to-business-leaders/">MPs flag upcoming tax policy announcements to business leaders (paywalled)</a><br>Mandy Te (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140263/national%E2%80%99s-nicola-willis-hints-policy-around-research-and-development-tax">Politicians talk tax, KiwiSaver and bracket creep at election conference</a><br>Emma Ricketts (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361033563/tax-levy-and-levy-tax-national-party-cant-decide">Is a tax a levy and a levy a tax? The National Party can&#8217;t decide</a><br>RNZ: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1388630/business-split-on-capital-gains-tax-idea-survey-shows">Business split on capital gains tax idea, survey shows</a><br>Ryan Bridge (Newstalk ZB): <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/ryan-bride-i-wouldnt-hold-your-breath-for-tax-cuts/">I wouldn&#8217;t hold your breath for tax cuts</a><br>Cameron Bagrie (BusinessDesk): <a href="https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/fiscal-forecasts-face-a-credibility-test-as-net-debt-nears-240b">Fiscal forecasts face a credibility test as net debt nears $240b (paywalled)</a><br>Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361074963/income-tax-rates-go-and-down-depending-what-you-earn-why-not-company-tax">Income tax rates go up and down depending what you earn, why not company tax? (paywalled)</a><br>Dita De Boni (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361081077/providers-push-full-kiwisaver-compulsion-parties-split-employee-rules">Providers push for full KiwiSaver compulsion as parties split on employee rules (paywalled)</a><br>Greg Smith (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-political-parties-back-growth-but-differ-on-contribution-rates-greg-smith/2FNB5KVW45EHZBAJEUWP2BYJZA/">KiwiSaver: Political parties back growth but differ on contribution rates</a><br>Brent Edwards (NBR): <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/labour-promises-a-boost-for-kiwisaver/">Labour promises a boost for KiwiSaver (paywalled)</a><br>Anna Whyte (Interest): <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/140225/opportunity-party-wants-create-kiwisaver-20-12-tax-free-combined-employee-and">KiwiSaver 2.0: Opportunity&#8217;s plan for retirement savings, no first home withdrawals or tax on contributions</a><br>Chris Hipkins (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361079988/chris-hipkins-kiwisaver-should-be-everyone">KiwiSaver should be for everyone (paywalled)</a><br>Jen&#233;e Tibshraeny (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/tax/national-and-labour-promise-winter-energy-payment-for-all-superannuitants-while-pushing-younger-people-to-save-more-for-retirement/I4WC2RXEZNBKXPWFRXHZAECCQY/">National and Labour promise Winter Energy Payment for all superannuitants, while pushing younger people to save more for retirement</a><br>Thomas Coughlan (Herald): <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/act-to-campaign-on-three-year-minimum-wage-freeze/premium/PQGCBLJCAREJTFLSNPZNELBJK4/">Act to campaign on three-year minimum wage freeze (paywalled)</a><br>Harriet Laughton (Post): <a href="https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361080661/act-freeze-minimum-wage-if-elected">ACT to freeze minimum wage if elected (paywalled)</a><br>Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1386721/act-wants-to-freeze-minimum-wage-and-reduce-youth-training-rate">ACT wants to freeze minimum wage and reduce youth training rate</a><br>1News: <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/15/act-outlines-policy-to-freeze-adult-minimum-wage-for-three-years/">ACT outlines policy to freeze adult minimum wage for three years</a><br>Sam Smith (Stuff): <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361033496/act-pledges-freeze-adult-minimum-wage-lower-youth-training-rate">ACT pledges to freeze adult minimum wage, lower youth training rate</a><br>Stuff: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361033823/political-heavyweights-clash-over-minimum-wage-freeze-and-tax-relief">Political heavyweights clash over minimum wage freeze and tax relief</a></strong></p><p><strong><span>The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. 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