Adam Pearse

Wellington

Political Reporter at New Zealand Herald

NZ Herald political reporter

Articles

National infrastructure plan demands Govt must ‘lift its game’

3 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Ministers Chris Bishop (right) and Simeon Brown are key figures in deciding the Government's infrastructure priorities. Photo / Mark Mitchell A new national infrastructure plan says central government must “lift its game” on infrastructure planning, condemning much of it as “short-term and reactive”. The Infrastructure Commission today released the draft plan, now open for consultation, that analyses New Zealand’s infrastructure spend and recommends how it could be improved.
Parliament to speak on US’ attacks on Iran as President Trump claims ceasefire

4 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Parliament is expected to address the United States’ bombings in Iran and the wider conflict between Israel and Iran when the House meets this afternoon. Foreign Minister Winston Peters will make a ministerial statement to the House, which other political parties will have an opportunity to speak to. A livestream of the House’s proceedings will be at the top of this article from 2pm.
US ‘acting in collective self-defence’ claim in New Zealand’s response to bombings - Winston Peters

5 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is noting the United States’ claim it acted in “collective self-defence consistent with the United Nations charter” when it bombed Iran, as he conveys New Zealand’s position on the attacks. It comes as Labour and the Greens call on the Government to denounce the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites as a breach of international law.
PM Christopher Luxon open to scrapping regional councils amid RMA reform

5 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he wants to explore the possibility of scrapping New Zealand’s regional councils as the Government reforms the Resource Management Act. NZ First minister Shane Jones told a local government forum last week his party does not see a compelling case for maintaining regional government. Speaking to Newstalk ZB today from Belgium before the Nato leaders’ summit in The Hague, Luxon was asked whether he supported disestablishing regional councils.
US strikes on Iran: New Zealand deploying Defence Force plane to Middle East

6 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

New Zealand is deploying a Defence Force plane to the Middle East in the hope of evacuating Kiwis from the region absorbed in “extremely worrying” conflict. It comes after the United States bombed several nuclear sites in Iran, almost 50 years since the US Air Force was last active in Iran.
Three bidders confirmed for next Northland Expressway section

6 days ago | newstalkzb.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Three groups of construction and infrastructure companies will be bidding to build the next section of the new Northland Expressway after the shortlist for the public-private partnership has been confirmed. Transport Minister Chris Bishop today revealed the three consortia, selected by the NZ Transport Agency, would move on to the next step in the bidding process to build a 26-kilometre, four-lane expressway from Warkworth.
Three bidders confirmed for next Northland Expressway section

6 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Three groups of construction and infrastructure companies will be bidding to build the next section of the new Northland Expressway after the shortlist for the public-private partnership has been confirmed. Transport Minister Chris Bishop today revealed the three consortia, selected by the NZ Transport Agency, would move on to the next step in the bidding process to build a 26-kilometre, four-lane expressway from Warkworth.
Scrutiny stunts shouldn’t distract from the warning voters are sending - Adam Pearse

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Opinion by Adam PearseAdam Pearse is Deputy Political Editor for the New Zealand Herald based in the gallery in Wellington. Learn moreTHE FACTS GDP figures out this week showed 0.8% growth for the first quarter of 2025The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor revealed Kiwis still think the cost of living is the most important issue facing the country.
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands funding over China deal stoush

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters in Rarotonga. Photo / RNZ New Zealand is pausing its funding to the Cook Islands in the wake of a controversial deal signed between China and the Cook Islands. Foreign Minister Winston Peters today confirmed funding for the island nation in free association with New Zealand will not resume until the Cook Islands Government “takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust”.
Exclusive: National loses control of cost of living to Labour in new survey

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Adam Pearse

The Government’s Budget is doing little to reassure voters National can manage the cost of living with a new poll showing more people back Labour to bring down prices. The latest Ipsos NZ issues monitor survey, conducted immediately after this year’s Budget and obtained exclusively by the Herald, found National had lost New Zealanders’ confidence in managing inflation/the cost of living with voters instead trusting Labour more to handle what was considered the primary issue in the country.