Thomas Coughlan

5 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Thomas Coughlan

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in March. Photo / Mark MitchellOpinion by Thomas CoughlanThomas Coughlan, Political Editor at the New Zealand Herald, loves applying a political lens to people's stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives. Learn moreTHREE KEY FACTSThe Government passed controversial reforms to the 2020 Pay Equity regime this week. The reforms were passed under urgency in two days.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Thomas Coughlan

The Privileges Committee met again tonight to discuss complaints against three Te Pāti Māori MPs – Rawiri Waititi (left), Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke (not pictured). Photo / Mark MitchellPrivileges Committee chairwoman Judith Collins said a decision on three Te Pāti Māori MPs is imminent. The MPs were referred after performing a haka during a vote on David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Thomas Coughlan

NZ Herald Live: MP David Parker's valedictory speech. Video / Parliament TVDavid Parker will deliver his valedictory speech this evening. Parker has been an MP since 2002. Parker is known for his work creating the Emissions Trading Scheme and campaigning for a wealth tax. After 23 years as an MP, Labour’s David Parker will bow out of Parliament tonight, delivering his valedictory speech. The speech is due to begin about 5.40pm and will be livestreamed at the top of this story.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Thomas Coughlan |Julia Gabel

Te Pāti Māori MPs Rawiri Waititi, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke may learn what punishment the Privileges Committee will hand down to them for their 2024 haka today, after skipping the Privileges Committee’s inquiry into a haka performed last year. Records are patchy, but the earliest haka performed in the House was almost exactly 110 years ago.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Thomas Coughlan

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says emergency housing changes made last year have saved $1 billion more than expected. Photo / Adam PearseFinance Minister Nicola Willis said emergency housing changes made last year have saved $1 billion more than expected. The savings will be reinvested in the forthcoming Budget, which will be unveiled on May 22. Willis said there is a Budget measure that Treasury believes will improve New Zealand’s growth to the extent it has included it in the latest forecasts.