Politics

Labour says free screens aren’t enough

Earlier this week, the government announced screening for cervical cancer will be free from March next year. While endorsing the decision, Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha...

Rates Capping Bill passes first reading

A bill to limit rates increases and keep council rates affordable has passed its first reading in parliament this week. Under the Local Government (Rates...

Next step for Head Start

Councils nationwide are now relying on Wellington to help reform local government. In total, 18 proposals, including one featuring north Waikato’s Waikato District Council...

Council counts on savings

The numbers are in and it looks like Auckland mayor, Wayne Brown, won’t have to go busking in order to ensure the Super City...

Flu vaccine funding extended to young children

More than 260,000 young children are eligible for funded flu vaccines from today after Pharmac brought forward an expansion that was due to take...

Looking ahead: The next chapter for Port Waikato

As I reflect on my time representing Port Waikato, I find myself thinking about what this part of New Zealand might look like in...

New subjects, new skills, and new opportunities?

Every parent wants to know that when their child leaves school, they have the knowledge and skills to succeed. From 2029, students in Years 12...

Fuel tax rise canned

The government has cancelled a planned fuel excise increase next year, with the next increase now set to take effect from January, 2028. Fuel excise...

Making public transport attractive

By Andy Baker, Franklin ward councillor Politicians used to be accused of being willing to go to the opening of an envelope; that isn’t...

Waikato councils united?

A unanimous vote at the Waikato District Council (WDC) appears set to pave the way for a Waikato amalgamation. As our previous issue went to...