Waatea Budget 2026 Coverage: Māori Voices, Politics and Economy
Four hours of Budget Day analysis through a Māori lens, with political leaders, economists and commentators asking who wins, who loses and what it means for whānau.
Election 2026
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Why Kāinga Ora Tenants Should Be Terrified This Election
State tenants face higher rents and the threat of being pushed back into the private market, while landlords pocket a $2.9 billion tax break. Vote like your home depends on it.
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National U-turns on Homeschooling Law Changes – Labour
Erica Stanford pushed homeschooling changes through Parliament without consultation. Less than 24 hours later, backlash from families forced National into retreat.
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Government Axes Ministry for the Environment
For 40 years, New Zealand kept a dedicated environmental voice at the heart of government. Luxon has now folded it into a development mega-ministry nobody voted for.
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Failed ETS Auctions Leave $1.4b Debt Hole
Luxon broke confidence in the carbon market. Now, according to the Greens, New Zealanders are carrying another $1.4 billion in debt to cover the failure.
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Bottom Trawling Killed 1,383 Protected Animals
Eight tonnes of coral and sponges. Four endangered Hector’s dolphins. More than 1,000 seabirds. This is the real cost of bottom trawling.
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Government Allows AI Benefit Decisions Against Beneficiaries
Jobseeker recipients now reapply every six months. MSD can now use automated systems for welfare decisions. Somehow the poorest are always first in line for State experiments.
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The Bradbury Group Turns 1: Here’s To Election 2026
One year after being pushed out for refusing to shut up, The Bradbury Group is still here, still growing, and still spoiling for Election 2026.
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English Tests for Migrant Workers, $5m Homes for Investors
Speak English if you are a migrant worker. Bring millions if you want a mansion. National’s immigration priorities could not be clearer.
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Something Smells at the Teaching Council of Aotearoa
Three elected teacher representatives resign early. Erica Stanford moves towards a fully appointed Teaching Council. And the same ugly question keeps surfacing: who is really in charge?
