The Post

Officials warn move on orders will make homelessness worse Government agencies are scathing of the proposed move-on orders - which official documents say will see an estimated six people imprisoned every year and up to 818 cases taken to court.

Officials slammed move-on orders in just-released advice, warning they would add:
- 6 people to the prison pop
- 200-800 court cases
- Make homelessness worse

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Former MP Paul Eagle blasted over $460k house upgrade, supplying misleading documents A damning Auditor-General inquiry has found the ex Chatham Island council boss and two-term Labour MP oversaw a costly home renovation, contracted his wife, and supplied misleading documents to a watc...

An investigation was launched after a 2024 annual audit raised concerns about sensitive expenditure – spending that could give a private benefit to staff – and weaknesses in procurement processes.

Wellington Council backs mayor’s three-year plan ‒ how will it affect rates? The wide-ranging plan is a blueprint for what Wellington City Council wants to achieve, and what it plans to achieve, this term.

There are at least two items that could have real impacts on Wellington ratepayers’ bank accounts.

Debt to dismissed former employee sinks company running Wellington cafe It started as disagreement over cleaning a coffee machine, escalated to a formal employment dispute, and now it has ended in liquidation.

The judge said there was no evidence of any wider public interest that would be served by Black Lion’s continued operation.

‘For f...’s sake, get on with it’: Inside the super city’s crucial housing vote Auckland’s councillors have voted to proceed with intensification within a 10km radius of the CBD, following a long and tense debate that featured songs, scripture, swearing and a fed-up mayor Wayne B...

One the liveliest council meeting match reports you'll read this year!

Auditor-general seeking info on Chris Bishop bridge decision The Office of the Auditor-General has asked the Transport Minister for more details on his decision to sign off on housing funding being used for a bridge in his electorate.

The Office of the Auditor General is asking for documents from Chris Bishop and his officials as it considers whether to look into his decision to house money earmarked for stormwater for a walking and cycling bridge in his electorate:

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Moa Point nears grim milestone of 2.5 billion litres of raw sewage An MP fumes over unanswered questions as a community leader reveals that early warning signs at the Wellington wastewater plant may have been missed, raising concerns about what went unnoticed before ...

"How is it possible that the multinational company paid millions to run our wastewater treatment plant has managed to avoid answering any serious questions about this catastrophe?"

Iran war shows us how hard it would be to go fossil-free – and how useful OPINION: The Iran conflict is a reminder that the world's dependence on fossil fuels is economically irrational, yet almost impossible to quit.

72% of the world’s population - including NZ’s - live in countries that import more energy than they produce, a situation only made possible by a Pax Americana now breaking down.

Column today on where the world might go next - China:

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

The Covid report arrives long after the country has moved on OPINION: The Inquiry’s report is a useful reckoning with the pandemic response. The problem is that, after everything, the country may simply want to forget it.

"Versions of basically all the rules were more or less agreed upon by all political parties until the Auckland lockdown dragged on ... Fundamentally, people were sick of it and just about everyone was vaccinated."

BREAKING: High Court has ruled that Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was unlawfully expelled from Te Pāti Māori. The Judge has ordered that the party write to the speaker to advise that she is once again an MP for the party.

Region’s leaders condemn move on orders in letter to PM Community leaders, among them all Wellington region mayors, have issued a sharply worded open letter condemning the Government’s move-on orders.

Describing the move as “superficial, unhelpful”, and “not welcome” the signatories note homelessness is a growing issue, being felt throughout New Zealand.

Mystery man behind cycleway vs pipe blog is a ‘pseudonym’ The publisher of a blog written by the mysterious Peter Bassett has broken her silence, confirming it is a pen name – with the original author remaining secret. The main target of Bassett’s criticism ...

The main target - Green MP and former city councillor Tamatha Paul - has hit back: “I put my name and face to everything I say and do because unlike them, I’m not a coward.”

Mayor puts kibosh on $405,000 library celebration Wellington mayor Andrew Little slashes by half the budget for an extravagant knees up to celebrate the opening of the city’s new library.

“I’ve asked the chief executive to ensure budgets for events like this reflect community expectations to keep council spending under control.”

The big online harm SC inquiry report is out. As expected it recommends an under-16 ban. It also suggests a new regulator explore banning VPNs…

Greens and ACT both very against that and caution against the social media ban.

And part 1: www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...

Here's part 2: www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

'Perfect storm' prompts bittersweet goodbye for outdoor store Ben Kepes is philosophical about having to shutter up his Wellington retail outlet, describing the decision to leave the city he had grown up in as emotionally difficult but “absolutely” the right thi...

This is part 3 in our series, The Tipping Point, looking at the story behind the story of small business closures.

KiwiSaver’s original sin OPINION: Two decades on, the decision to let people raid their retirement savings for a house looks worse than ever.

Column this morning is on the original sin of KiwiSaver - the fact we all empty it out to buy homes

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Wellington mayor releases three-year plan Mayor Andrew Little has revealed what his council aims to do over the next three years. It could affect your rates, your bus ride and much, much more.

Andrew Little is advocating for a reversal of the law that means Crown buildings – including Parliament, schools and hospitals – do not pay rates.

From surge to slowdown: Wellington secondary rolls start to level off Wellington high schools were under pressure, but now they’re predicting a slow down.

"For years, we just accepted people off the ballot, there wasn't any real problem - there weren't any pressures. It's only in the last 10 years that as we started to grow, we really needed to enforce our zone."

NZ calls for resumption of negotiations with Iran following US attack Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters say Iran must stop retaliating in statement following US strikes.

NZ putting itself closer to the European position (neither endorsing nor condemning US attack, calling for resumption of talks) rather than the more pro-US Aus + Canada position

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Fonotī Pati Umaga never planned to tell his story. Now he’s living it on-stage After a fall left musician Fonotī Pati Umaga paralysed, he spent years rebuilding his life in private. Now, at 67, he is stepping on-stage for the first time to tell his story - not through words alon...

"Ableism is something you have to accept. It just means you don’t have to take on the frustration and the absolute absurdity of people’s views, because it just wears you down."

Infrastructure boss: Tolls and charges needed before new projects New Zealand is building costly roads it may not need, Infrastructure Commission head Geoff Cooper says, urging far greater use of tolls and congestion charges first.

In an interview with me in The Post this morning, the Infrastructure Commission head says equity arguments about the impact of congestion charges must be balanced with the equity issue of building roads we don’t need

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

‘It is embarrassing’: Site scrubs mystery author Peter Bassett’s post The mystery of Peter Bassett ‒ the elusive author of a debunked article on Wellington cycleway spending at the expense of water infrastructure ‒ deepens. One website has now removed the offending piec...

A curious update from the original poster: “I will be addressing the matter in full in my next newsletter.”

Parties head for comfort food in recess week OPINION: What do you do after backing down on housing? Focus on law and order!

First edition - the web version: www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

🚨We're reviving an old newsletter from the Stuff days tomorrow morning - Politically Correct.

It'll be a fun summary of the week in politics with some gossip about job changes and the like.

And all the stories linked with be de-paywalled.

Sign up: accounts.news.stuff.co.nz/newsletter

Poll: Kiwis back mega projects despite commission’s warning on costs New polling shows the vast majority of Kiwis want the Government to build big - but flood protection is top priority, not roads.

"We do have a history of building large projects that we know are going to significantly add to people's lives and to improve economic performance."

Move-on orders, from both sides of the street As Parliament considers move‑on powers for rough sleepers, Simon — a familiar face on Willis St — says the rules won’t fix homelessness or its causes.

"The reality is, town and city centres need to be inclusive environments - but when something changes that you need to make a move."

Mayor signals change for controversial bus lanes generating millions Wellington mayor Andrew Little has a personal history with the notorious Cambridge Tce bus lane - he was in a car that got pinged with a $150 ticket.

"I'm not convinced that the sign posting is that well done. I’m also not convinced that we need to have a bus lane that is 12 hours a day, seven days a week."

The great flush: Are new sewage laws reverting to 1930s standards? Experts and watchdogs warn new rules could allow plants like Wellington’s Moa Point to scale back treatment, raising fears of a return to outdated sewage practices.

“How in the 21st century, clean and green New Zealand can specify new environmental standards that set limits several times above decades-old resource consent limits will forever remain beyond reason.”