Mike Houlahan

1 week ago | odt.co.nz | Mike Houlahan

Proof positive this week that individual voices can turn around the ocean liner that is Parliament. Back in 2020 Catlins sheep farmer Amy Blaikie, who was obviously self-interested but who was also acting from altruism, launched a petition which called on the House of Representatives to ensure all publicly funded buildings and KiwiBuild homes were built or refurbished with New Zealand wool carpet. Her rationale was simple: "wool’s great".

2 weeks ago | odt.co.nz | Mike Houlahan

Research highlighting the abuse and threats endured by women members of Parliament is concerning but sadly unsurprising, Taieri Labour MP Ingrid Leary says. Ms Leary, the co-chairwoman of the Council of Women Parliamentarians, said that the research, which builds on similar studies by the University of Otago Wellington academics into the pressures women MPs face in doing their jobs, confirmed earlier New Zealand research and mirrored similar studies from overseas.

2 weeks ago | odt.co.nz | Mike Houlahan

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. OpinionPenny Simmonds has been keeping a low profile so far this year, but she came roaring out of the shadows this week with both a first reading speech — albeit on behalf of Judith Collins — and a general debate speech. The Invercargill National MP is not a shy and retiring type: rather, the government is not yet legislating in her portfolio areas so she is not much called upon in the House.

3 weeks ago | odt.co.nz | Mike Houlahan

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. OpinionPlus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose, as some of our more educated or veteran MPs may have contemplated this week as the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency Response and Remedial Measures) Bill hoved into view.

1 month ago | odt.co.nz | Mike Houlahan

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. OpinionThis might seem a bit unlikely, but bear with me . . . Labour could be feeling a trifle worried about its impregnable grasp on Dunedin. Now, I wrote that sentence in the full knowledge that in 2023 Rachel Brooking ran up Labour’s third-highest electorate seat majority (7980) and that in neighbouring Taieri Ingrid Leary withstood a considerable swing to National with some room to spare.