Politics Central

More strike action from teachers this week, with a full national strike planned for Thursday. 

Minister for Public Service Judith Collins says that the number one item on the agenda for the PPTA at a recent meeting with the Government was Palestine, not pay or education. 

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From tomorrow, beneficiaries will need to comply with two more obligations to continue receiving welfare. 

They will need to provide evidence of at least three job searches a week for four weeks, and attend employment-related training courses for at least five hours a week for four weeks. 

The sanctions are aimed at increasing employability, but critics think it's punishing beneficiaries for being out of work. 

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42 councils have held referendums on Māori wards - 17 areas have voted to keep them, while 25 have voted to remove.

The wards have been a flashpoint for debate - there were protesters in Kaipara last year when council voted to remove it.

Te Pāti Māori has described the decision to remove the wards as “racist, targeted attack on Māori, for being Māori” and that it's "an assault on Te Tiriti"

Last year, David Seymour said he'd vote against keeping Maori wards if his council held a referendum - on the basis that New Zealand is made up of people from all walks of life.

He speaks to Tim Beveridge...

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Thousands of teenagers could have their Jobseeker benefit cut next year, as the Government restricts payments.

Eighteen and 19-year-olds without children must pass a Parental Assistance Test to qualify from November 2026.

The threshold will be set at just over $65,000.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Tim Beveridge it's the same as the Supported Living Payment, and similar to the Student Allowance test.

She says those on very low incomes below that would not be able to support these teenagers.

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Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer.

Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria.

From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island. 

The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026.

Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge. 

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The Government has decided against recognising a Palestinian state at this stage. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the announcement in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, grouping New Zealand with a small handful of countries who have also decided not to make the move.

He said as long as Hamas is the Gaza Strip's de facto government, there is no legitimate State of Palestine for New Zealand to recognise. 

Peters also laid out a list of conditions that would need to be met before New Zealand makes the move - like the release of all hostages, the renouncement of terrorism, and movement toward an actual democracy - among others. 

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Foreign Minister Winston Peters is off to New York today to attend the United Nations 80th anniversary meeting. 

He says it's a great opportunity to gather information from a broad range of New Zealand's partners on how they view and manage the major conflicts happening around the world. 

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New Zealand's hospital facilities are about to get a $100 million investment boost. 

The programme will expand and modernise clinical spaces, and strengthen existing infrastructure to avoid the disruption of clinical services. 

The funding boost will provide small-scale upgrades nationwide, as well as building on more major projects like those in Nelson and Wellington. 

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The Government has just announced a new $70 million tourism package they expect will supercharge the tourism and events sectors. 

The funding includes $40 million to secure large-scale international events from next year, and a regional tourism boost campaign. 

The boost in funding will help New Zealand complete with Australia for major events. 

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Labour's education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime has met with education minister Erica Stanford to discuss the Government's plan to scrap NCEA. 

It comes after the spokesperson refused to meet with the minister while the reform was in its planning stages. 

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