Felix Desmarais

Wellington

Digital Political Reporter at 1News

the press gallery’s milk boy.

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Articles

'Small wine tasting': Bayly corrects record in House on drinking

Oct 22, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

Andrew Bayly has corrected an answer he gave in Parliament yesterday about whether he drank alcohol on the day he called a worker a "loser", now saying "after the incident and at the end of the day, I had a small wine tasting". Bayly apologised publicly on Friday after the incident during a business visit in early October came to light. He thought he was having a "light-hearted exchange" with a worker.
'Small wine tasting': Bayly corrects record on drinking

Oct 22, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

Andrew Bayly has corrected an answer he gave in Parliament yesterday about whether he drank alcohol on the day he called a worker a "loser", now saying "after the incident and at the end of the day, I had a small wine tasting". Bayly apologised publicly on Friday after the incident during a business visit in early October came to light. He thought he was having a "light-hearted exchange" with a worker.
Minister called worker 'loser', told them to 'f*** off' during visit

Oct 17, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

Minister of Commerce Andrew Bayly told a worker during a ministerial visit to "take some wine and f... off" and called them a loser while forming the shape of an 'L' on his forehead. The incident happened on a visit to a warehouse, leaving the complainant feeling "degraded, embarrassed, and deeply disrespected". Bayly said he has apologised for the interaction, to the complainant and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, adding the comments were "unintentional" and meant in a "light-hearted manner".
Poll: Just over half think PM Luxon out of touch with voters

Oct 14, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

Just over half of people think Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is out of touch with voters, according to a new 1News Verian poll. A total of 51% said he was out of touch, with 37% saying he is in touch and 12% indicating they didn't know or preferred not to say. Groups more likely to say Luxon was out of touch were Green Party supporters (88%), Labour Party supporters (75%) and New Zealand First supporters (72%). Māori (65%) and young people - 18 to 34s - (58%) were also more likely to agree.
Poll: Coalition remain in front, but Labour gain seats

Oct 13, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

The coalition is holding a steady grip on power according to the latest 1News Verian Poll, but its results see seats lost for National and gained for Labour. The poll also found 40% of voters think New Zealand is in "worse shape" and 30% "better shape" than before the election, one year ago today.
Poll: 40% say the country in 'worse' shape than before election

Oct 13, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

About two-thirds of people believe the country is in the same shape or worse a year on from the general election, according to the latest 1News Verian poll. However, almost a third believe the country is in better shape than before, a year since Labour was evicted from the Beehive by voters.
Latest 1News Verian poll to be released tonight

Oct 13, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

The latest 1News Verian poll will be released tonight - exactly one year on from the 2023 general election. The last poll results, in August, suggested voters were steadily warming to Christopher Luxon, with a 5% lift in his result as preferred prime minister, the biggest increase he’d achieved since becoming prime minister. Labour leader Chris Hipkins was in second place as preferred prime minister, with a steady result on the preceding poll at 18%.
'Normal people' are endangered: Peters speaks to party faithful

Oct 12, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has addressed a packed crowd of between 800 and 900 of party faithful today, briefly interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters. While many in the crowd appeared aggravated by the interruption, Peters was amused, saying that was considered a day's work for the protesters. Extra seats were added to accommodate those who'd come to hear Peters speak at the conference room at the Distinction Hotel.
The ideas New Zealand First will ponder at its conference

Oct 11, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

New Zealand First is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Hamilton this weekend, a gathering its leader Winston Peters says is one of its biggest in a long time. It's a chance for the caucus and wider membership to meet face to face, but also to consider policy remits. Those remits will be subject to debate among members, and being on the list does not necessarily mean they have adopted New Zealand First policy.
'Not in great shape': Fifth deficit in a row as Govt books open

Oct 9, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Felix Desmarais

The Government’s deficit grew $3.5 billion in the last financial year, with expenditure outpacing growth in revenue, including a higher tax take. It’s the fifth deficit in a row. Treasury opened the Government’s books today, publishing its financial statement for the Government for the 2023 / 2024 tax year. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the results underscored the need for the restoration of “discipline” to public spending. She said it was clear the books were “not in great shape”.