# politics headlines (news sources) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover politics headlines. Page: Feed: --- ## [Otago councils pause regional deals after National backtracks on bed tax](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1153984/otago-councils-pause-regional-deals-after-national-backtracks-on-bed-tax) _2026-08-27 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The three Otago councils say they are now seeking clarification about what will be explored as an alternative to the accommodation levy. ## [Government's domestic violence centre cuts 22 jobs](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1153757/government-s-domestic-violence-centre-cuts-22-jobs) _2026-08-27 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Secretary for Justice Andrew Kibblewhite says the restructure will "sharpen" the organisation's focus. ## [MP Mark Cameron farewells Parliament from afar](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1153832/mp-mark-cameron-farewells-parliament-from-afar) _2026-08-27 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Retiring ACT MP Mark Cameron spoke honestly about his health and passion for rural communities as he gave his farewell statement to MPs by video link. ## [Labour promises not to increase fuel excise for a full term](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1152768/labour-promises-not-to-increase-fuel-excise-for-a-full-term) _2026-08-27 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The party is also calling on the coalition to cancel a planned increase set to kick in next year, a decision the finance minister says is all but confirmed. ## [People miss out on benefit payments after second MSD error](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1152625/people-miss-out-on-benefit-payments-after-second-msd-error) _2026-08-27 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The law change last year saw a number of people's benefit payments wrongly suspended because officials could not keep up with the paperwork, the Social Development Ministry has confirmed. ## [Advocacy group says no legislation means New Zealand falling behind in gender pay gap](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1149383/advocacy-group-says-no-legislation-means-new-zealand-falling-behind-in-gender-pay-gap) _2026-08-27 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Data shows women trail by 5.3 percent when it comes to the average hourly rate in New Zealand. ## [Upper Hutt to get Māori ward in 2028](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1151472/upper-hutt-to-get-maori-ward-in-2028) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The decision was supported by seven councillors, with three against. ## [New Zealand has gone in 'wrong direction' on addressing child poverty - action group](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1146919/new-zealand-has-gone-in-wrong-direction-on-addressing-child-poverty-action-group) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ One in seven children are living in poverty, with critics saying New Zealand has gone in the "wrong direction" on addressing the crisis. ## [ACT promises tax-free crypto gains after a year](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1151353/act-promises-tax-free-crypto-gains-after-a-year) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The ACT party wants to allow people to make tax-free profits from cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, as long as they hold onto it for more than a year. ## [Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown disappointed with National's 'nonsense' reason to reject bed tax](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1147442/auckland-mayor-wayne-brown-disappointed-with-national-s-nonsense-reason-to-reject-bed-tax) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Wayne Brown says Christopher Luxon's party is panicking ahead of the general election. ## [Hire AI-Powered Freelancers Fast (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/oqTCxGKwtIH5) _2026-08-26 · **Sponsored**_ Browse and hire skilled professionals using AI tools — free to post, free to apply. ## [National and Labour spar over how to help struggling NZers get ahead](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1138778/national-and-labour-spar-over-how-to-help-struggling-nzers-get-ahead) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Barbara Edmonds agreed the economy was not where they wanted it to be, and their challenge was to create the economic conditions to help "mum and dad" ahead. ## ['It's extraordinary how things change' - NZ election strategies dissected at summit](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1133564/it-s-extraordinary-how-things-change-nz-election-strategies-dissected-at-summit) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Kieran McAnulty says Labour needs Opportunity to get five or zero percent at November’s election for his party to have a shot at government. ## [ACT MP Mark Cameron concedes he's 'stuffed' due to health issues in his valedictory speech](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1137350/act-mp-mark-cameron-concedes-he-s-stuffed-due-to-health-issues-in-his-valedictory-speech) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Mark Cameron is leaving Parliament after six years, kidney failure, acute heart failure, and his son's death had taken their toll. ## [NZ First candidate steps down after earlier shopping himself around to other parties](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1136184/nz-first-candidate-steps-down-after-earlier-shopping-himself-around-to-other-parties) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ George Ngatai was announced as NZ First’s Papakura candidate in July, but says "after careful consideration" he has decided to step down. ## [Te Pāti Māori unveils 'Kiwi tax plan' with new 5 percent 'stamp duty'](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1133037/te-pati-maori-unveils-kiwi-tax-plan-with-new-5-percent-stamp-duty) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The party’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon laid out the nine key tax changes the party wanted to see. ## ['There is a rot' - Stanford expresses confidence in Blakeley to fix MBIE](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1132796/there-is-a-rot-stanford-expresses-confidence-in-blakeley-to-fix-mbie) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ MBIE head Nic Blakeley has offered his resignation, but the immigration minister has now changed tack to say she has confidence in him. ## [ACT Party revives policy to disestablish Climate Change Commission](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1131127/act-party-revives-policy-to-disestablish-climate-change-commission) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Paul Henry has called of one the commission’s recommendations ’barking mad’. ## [Luxon defends prioritising rates cap over social media ban](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1132554/luxon-defends-prioritising-rates-cap-over-social-media-ban) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ "We’ve got a range of issues we have to deal with as a government," says the prime minister. ## [Defence Force personnel still fear speaking out on sexual and other harm audit finds](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1132019/defence-force-personnel-still-fear-speaking-out-on-sexual-and-other-harm-audit-finds) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ However, a new Defence Force complaints system is being introduced. ## [Fears raised over amendments to Resource Management Act replacement bill](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/1130592/fears-raised-over-amendments-to-resource-management-act-replacement-bill) _2026-08-26 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The Environmental Defence Society voiced strong concerns but Federated Farmers says the proposed changes introduce practicality. ## [AI News Summaries & Audio (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/1j6IxSh1Flui) _2026-08-26 · **Sponsored**_ Tap an article for an AI summary and an audio briefing. ## [Ousted Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris to stand as independent candidate](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1084870/ousted-te-pati-maori-mp-takuta-ferris-to-stand-as-independent-candidate) _2026-08-23 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Tākuta Ferris was ousted from Te Pāti Māori in 2025 following a period of internal conflict and a public falling out with the party's leadership. ## [ACT Party takes aim at 'activist judges', Treaty of Waitangi clauses](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1081781/act-party-takes-aim-at-activist-judges-treaty-of-waitangi-clauses) _2026-08-23 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Party leader David Seymour has called for "one law for all with one future together" in a policy announcement on Sunday. ## [National promises no new taxes if re-elected](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1083119/national-promises-no-new-taxes-if-re-elected) _2026-08-23 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The party has ruled out a bed tax and a bank tax, but was silent about the possibility of a fuel excise increase. ## [Otago oncology professor calls ACT's cancer centre policy 'magical thinking'](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1082300/otago-oncology-professor-calls-act-s-cancer-centre-policy-magical-thinking) _2026-08-23 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ ACT expected around $2 billion of capital investment would be required. ## [Officials keep quiet after botched Lake Alice compensation](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1082615/officials-keep-quiet-after-botched-lake-alice-compensation) _2026-08-23 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ A survivor of abuse in care's accommodation supplement was wrongly cancelled. MSD officials aren't saying if they will check to make sure others haven't been affected. ## [Labour releases fiscal strategy, promises to slash debt](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1081146/labour-releases-fiscal-strategy-promises-to-slash-debt) _2026-08-23 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Leader Chris Hipkins says his party will "get the books back into shape". ## [Exit interview with Labour's Duncan Webb](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1080620/exit-interview-with-labour-s-duncan-webb) _2026-08-22 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Outgoing senior Labour MP Duncan Webb has called time on his parliamentary career - here's what he has to say about his exit. ## [The House: Government inaction undermines early cancer diagnosis and treatment](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1080520/the-house-government-inaction-undermines-early-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment) _2026-08-22 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The government is being asked to stop discrimination on the basis of DNA tests, two years after it passed an as-yet unused law. ## [Motor industry calls for bipartisan approach to clean car standard](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment_climate/1080237/motor-industry-calls-for-bipartisan-approach-to-clean-car-standard) _2026-08-22 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Insiders say rapidly changing import charges on high-emission vehicles are causing headaches for the industry. ## [The 54 Nurses: dodgy stats and the real health workforce data](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1079849/the-54-nurses-dodgy-stats-and-the-real-health-workforce-data) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ This week the Minister of Health made a grudging Question Time admission that threatens his narrative of success in Health. We consider the data. ## [8.1% APY Plus Free Stock (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/uLHy0rsxxc99) _2026-08-21 · **Sponsored**_ Claim 8.1% APY and up to $1,030 in SK hynix and Nvidia stock. ## [Protesters interrupt ACT's South Island campaign launch](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1078829/protesters-interrupt-act-s-south-island-campaign-launch) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ They were calling for sanctions on Israel, but drowned out by jeers from the crowd. ## [ACT to campaign on Paul Henry's 'Starship for cancer' proposal](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1077302/act-to-campaign-on-paul-henry-s-starship-for-cancer-proposal) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Henry mused about creating a world-class cancer hospital when he announced his candidacy. ACT is running with the idea. ## [Government to retain Labour's clean car standard for imported high-emissions vehicles](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment_climate/1076355/government-to-retain-labour-s-clean-car-standard-for-imported-high-emissions-vehicles) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ It has not yet decided what its new "realistic and achievable" Clean Vehicle Standard settings will be, however. ## [Shane Jones talks up $50m-$100m koi carp policy amid Treaty stoush over Waikato rivers](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1073903/shane-jones-talks-up-50m-100m-koi-carp-policy-amid-treaty-stoush-over-waikato-rivers) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Waikato-Tainui says the government pausing changes until 2032 will subject rivers to years of degradation. ## ['Eye of the storm': Business owner's fight to keep nail tech siblings in country](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1069163/eye-of-the-storm-business-owner-s-fight-to-keep-nail-tech-siblings-in-country) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ AV Beauty Spa owner Anna Vu says her business won't be able to carry on in its current form without her siblings. ## [No guarantee shelter can be provided for every rough sleeper - officials](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1068377/no-guarantee-shelter-can-be-provided-for-every-rough-sleeper-officials) _2026-08-21 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Weeks before the government is set to give police powers to move on rough sleepers, officials have admitted they can't guarantee immediate shelter for anyone on any given night. ## [Winston Peters says US scaling back of military drill New Zealand involved in 'a surprise'](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1071560/winston-peters-says-us-scaling-back-of-military-drill-new-zealand-involved-in-a-surprise) _2026-08-20 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The defence force wasn't given a heads up that an exercise it's taking part in with allies was being significantly reduced - finding out through media reports. ## [Auckland Hospital's near-constant overcrowding putting patients at risk, doctor says](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1068573/auckland-hospital-s-near-constant-overcrowding-putting-patients-at-risk-doctor-says) _2026-08-20 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The doctor says it's leaving staff demoralised, while a patient advocate says data shows some EDs are in "a state of failure". ## [Government to put $23m towards 20 specialist education classrooms](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1071198/government-to-put-23m-towards-20-specialist-education-classrooms) _2026-08-20 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ The funding boost brings the government's total specialist education spending to $317m for 142 classrooms, including three new schools - the first in 50 years. ## [Electrical expert's experiment with soon-to-be unbanned switch sends 200 volts to toaster](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/1070753/electrical-expert-s-experiment-with-soon-to-be-unbanned-switch-sends-200-volts-to-toaster) _2026-08-20 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Electrical engineers are beating a drum of warning to the minister's door about the change, saying there's a major risk of someone getting electrocuted. ## [Government directs officials to help tackle future shortfall in carbon budgets](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment_climate/1069135/government-directs-officials-to-help-tackle-future-shortfall-in-carbon-budgets) _2026-08-20 · RNZ Politics Headlines_ Newly-released documents also confirm transport, industry and other sectors will have to permanently pick up the slack from removing agriculture from the ETS.