Justin Hu
@hujustin.bsky.social
✍️ digital politics reporter @tvnz.bsky.social
🔗 http://1news.co.nz/reporter/justin-hu/
⛓️💥 http://justinhu-nz.github.io/
📧 [email protected]
📍 auckland !
🔗 http://1news.co.nz/reporter/justin-hu/
⛓️💥 http://justinhu-nz.github.io/
📧 [email protected]
📍 auckland !
The managing director of Foodstuffs NZ says plans to break up the supermarkets - including one aimed squarely at his organisation - have a "populist" streak, saying they risk higher rather than lower food prices.
'Populist' streak in supermarket break-up plans - Foodstuffs boss
Chris Quin said the plans had alarmed the owners of the co-operative's stores.
www.1news.co.nz
October 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
The managing director of Foodstuffs NZ says plans to break up the supermarkets - including one aimed squarely at his organisation - have a "populist" streak, saying they risk higher rather than lower food prices.
Decisions about Auckland's roads are now split, with councillors overseeing busy arterial routes and local boards taking calls on quieter streets, as AT steps back from roading in new changes.
AT no longer runs Auckland's roads from today - so who does?
Responsibility for the region's road control has changed hands.
www.1news.co.nz
October 1, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Decisions about Auckland's roads are now split, with councillors overseeing busy arterial routes and local boards taking calls on quieter streets, as AT steps back from roading in new changes.
A re-elected National Party government would trial paperless travel across the Tasman before the 2028 T20 World Cup, under a plan that needs Australia's backing, party leader Christopher Luxon has announced.
No passport to show: Luxon promises NZ-Australia border trial
But the passport would not disappear from the process as travellers would have to register online ahead of time.
www.1news.co.nz
October 1, 2026 at 10:37 PM
A re-elected National Party government would trial paperless travel across the Tasman before the 2028 T20 World Cup, under a plan that needs Australia's backing, party leader Christopher Luxon has announced.
Labour would crack down on a wide array of "unfair" consumer fees, if elected, in what the party calls a "fair go" policy that will protect people from being ripped off.
Labour takes aim at hidden fees with wide-ranging consumer crackdown
Party leader Chris Hipkins made the announcement alongside Labour's commerce spokesperson Arena Williams.
www.1news.co.nz
October 1, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Labour would crack down on a wide array of "unfair" consumer fees, if elected, in what the party calls a "fair go" policy that will protect people from being ripped off.
More than half of voters now disapprove of Christopher Luxon's performance as Prime Minister, dragging his approval rating to its lowest point this term, and Labour leader Chris Hipkins has little reason to gloat.
Poll: Both Luxon, Hipkins' approval ratings down ahead of election
Voters aren't highly approving of either the leaders of the two top political parties.
www.1news.co.nz
September 29, 2026 at 10:11 PM
More than half of voters now disapprove of Christopher Luxon's performance as Prime Minister, dragging his approval rating to its lowest point this term, and Labour leader Chris Hipkins has little reason to gloat.
It's pre-election books day, with Treasury's fiscal update out as the Greens hit a poll high and Opportunity sets bottom lines. With the election six weeks away, follow 1News for the latest.
Election live: Labour hits back at Opportunity's 'bottom line' policies
It's weeks before voting begins in this year's election — follow 1News for the latest politics news.
www.1news.co.nz
September 28, 2026 at 11:13 PM
It's pre-election books day, with Treasury's fiscal update out as the Greens hit a poll high and Opportunity sets bottom lines. With the election six weeks away, follow 1News for the latest.
Explainer: The 1News Verian Poll now gives two approaches to the question of how Parliament might look.
The two ways of calculating seats for the 1News Verian poll
There are now two approaches to the question of how Parliament might look given some of the uncertainty present in the current political environment.
www.1news.co.nz
September 28, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Explainer: The 1News Verian Poll now gives two approaches to the question of how Parliament might look.
Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says her party's best-ever 1News poll result is "pretty cool" – though on the latest numbers, Opportunity would still be kingmaker.
'Pretty cool isn't it' - Party reacts to best-ever 1News poll result
The Greens' Chlöe Swarbrick says her party was taking nothing for granted.
www.1news.co.nz
September 28, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says her party's best-ever 1News poll result is "pretty cool" – though on the latest numbers, Opportunity would still be kingmaker.
ACT leader David Seymour has accused National of "shamelessly" joining a pile-on against Foodstuffs and Woolworths - calling break-up plans "insane" and "unethical" as he revealed his party's supermarkets policy.
ACT reveals supermarkets policy, decries 'insane' break-up proposals
"The biggest barrier to a third, fourth, or fifth supermarket chain in New Zealand isn't Foodstuffs or Woolworths. It's the government," says David Seymour.
www.1news.co.nz
September 28, 2026 at 11:12 PM
ACT leader David Seymour has accused National of "shamelessly" joining a pile-on against Foodstuffs and Woolworths - calling break-up plans "insane" and "unethical" as he revealed his party's supermarkets policy.
Sir John Key has told National Party faithful that Christopher Luxon "has not blinked" through three tough years, backing the PM as he formally launched his party's bid for a second term in Auckland today.
Key hypes Luxon as Willis teases fiscal outlook at campaign launch
The former prime minister said the country had been through a difficult term, but Luxon had been holding firm.
www.1news.co.nz
September 27, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Sir John Key has told National Party faithful that Christopher Luxon "has not blinked" through three tough years, backing the PM as he formally launched his party's bid for a second term in Auckland today.
Labour will wipe 10% off the student loans of New Zealand-based graduates next April if it wins the election, and clear balances of $2000 or less entirely.
Labour pledges wiping 10% off student loans for NZ-based borrowers
Current and future students would get the same cut once they had stayed in New Zealand for three years after finishing their studies.
www.1news.co.nz
September 27, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Labour will wipe 10% off the student loans of New Zealand-based graduates next April if it wins the election, and clear balances of $2000 or less entirely.
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says any possible arrangement with National is a "live conversation" among party members, while warning they would have to shift a long way before her left-wing party could work with it.
Greens-National deal a 'conversation' but gap wide - Davidson
"Our members and our supporters know that the National Party policies are also harmful and are so far removed from where the Green Party is aiming," she says.
www.1news.co.nz
September 27, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says any possible arrangement with National is a "live conversation" among party members, while warning they would have to shift a long way before her left-wing party could work with it.
The Reserve Bank held interest rates at record lows longer than it needed to during the pandemic, driving inflation to record highs and triggering a boom-bust cycle the country is still paying for, a review has found.
Reserve Bank too slow to lift rates in Covid boom - review
The economy "overheated to an historically extreme degree", according to the review's findings released today.
www.1news.co.nz
September 24, 2026 at 10:19 PM
The Reserve Bank held interest rates at record lows longer than it needed to during the pandemic, driving inflation to record highs and triggering a boom-bust cycle the country is still paying for, a review has found.
Canterbury bus passengers can now finally buy a Motu Move card, nearly two years after the troubled national public transport card was meant to launch, with the minister backing what he calls a "world-leading" system.
Delayed $1.4bn Motu Move system 'world-leading' – Transport Minister
The rollout also comes as there are changes for older passengers and SuperGold cardholders in Greater Christchurch.
www.1news.co.nz
September 23, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Canterbury bus passengers can now finally buy a Motu Move card, nearly two years after the troubled national public transport card was meant to launch, with the minister backing what he calls a "world-leading" system.
Auckland's passenger rail network has recorded its busiest week ever during the first seven days of City Rail Link services, with more than half a million boardings, beating a record that had stood since 2019.
City Rail Link breaks Auckland train patronage records
Last week's train usage set an all-time record in the city amid the opening of the long-awaited $5.5 billion train tunnel and new stations.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Auckland's passenger rail network has recorded its busiest week ever during the first seven days of City Rail Link services, with more than half a million boardings, beating a record that had stood since 2019.
Labour will make no changes to interest deductibility rules for residential landlords if elected, as party leader Chris Hipkins confirms he wouldn't revisit the settings.
Labour rules out interest deductibility changes for landlords
The opposition has previously derided the changes as "landlord tax cuts," but now Chris Hipkins says he won't change the rules if elected.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Labour will make no changes to interest deductibility rules for residential landlords if elected, as party leader Chris Hipkins confirms he wouldn't revisit the settings.
Labour will force Woolworths and Foodstuffs to split their businesses if elected, separating their supermarket chains from the wholesale arms that supply shops — in a bid to give smaller grocers a better shot at competing.
It's breakup season: Labour, National clash on tearing up grocery duopoly
Chris Hipkins says his party's policy would give smaller grocers more places to buy products and make it easier for new supermarkets to open and grow.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Labour will force Woolworths and Foodstuffs to split their businesses if elected, separating their supermarket chains from the wholesale arms that supply shops — in a bid to give smaller grocers a better shot at competing.
The upcoming general election will likely be the first where a significant number of Kiwi voters lean on AI tools to decide who to vote for, a pollster says, warning the technology is set to become a "fundamental disrupter" in politics.
First election where many Kiwis use AI to help decide vote – pollster
"This is probably the first election where a significant chunk of Kiwis use AI to tell them how they should vote," a political polling expert says.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
The upcoming general election will likely be the first where a significant number of Kiwi voters lean on AI tools to decide who to vote for, a pollster says, warning the technology is set to become a "fundamental disrupter" in politics.
Councils could take over long-vacant shopfronts and auction off the leases to small businesses and creatives under a Green Party proposal to tackle the empty retail locations blighting city centres and main streets.
Greens want power for councils to fill vacant city centre shops
Under the proposal, councils could issue a notice to owners of commercial spaces left empty in CBDs for more than a year, giving them eight weeks to find a tenant.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Councils could take over long-vacant shopfronts and auction off the leases to small businesses and creatives under a Green Party proposal to tackle the empty retail locations blighting city centres and main streets.
Cost of living is the dominant issue for Māori voters, and only 17% believe the Government is doing a good job of running the country — while 72% say it is doing a poor job, according to a new Whakaata Māori poll.
Cost of living dominates as 72% of Māori rate Govt poorly in poll
The poll comes after a term in which the Government's approach to Māori issues has been among its most contested.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Cost of living is the dominant issue for Māori voters, and only 17% believe the Government is doing a good job of running the country — while 72% say it is doing a poor job, according to a new Whakaata Māori poll.
"No new taxes" is well on its way to becoming a tried-and-tested Christopher Luxon catchphrase, but alongside that second-term commitment has been a constant refrain from the National leader that Labour and its "mates" want "nine new taxes" — how true is that?
'Nine New Taxes': What to make of National's claims about Labour
Labour disputes all but one of the nine would be a new tax under a government it leads.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:34 PM
"No new taxes" is well on its way to becoming a tried-and-tested Christopher Luxon catchphrase, but alongside that second-term commitment has been a constant refrain from the National leader that Labour and its "mates" want "nine new taxes" — how true is that?
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appointed one of his long-serving senior advisers, Jon Johansson, as New Zealand's next ambassador to Sweden, one of five diplomatic postings announced today.
Long-time adviser to Winston Peters named NZ ambassador to Sweden
Jon Johansson has advised Peters since 2017, first as chief of staff and later as a senior specialist ministerial advisor.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appointed one of his long-serving senior advisers, Jon Johansson, as New Zealand's next ambassador to Sweden, one of five diplomatic postings announced today.
A ministerial advisor has been selected as National's candidate for Kaipara ki Mahurangi, filling the safe blue seat left open after incumbent Chris Penk quit politics amid a failed party leadership challenge.
National reveals candidate for safe seat vacated by Chris Penk
Jessica Rowe, a former journalist and foreign policy officer who currently advises Social Development Minister Louise Upston, was confirmed as the party's candidate.
www.1news.co.nz
September 21, 2026 at 10:33 PM
A ministerial advisor has been selected as National's candidate for Kaipara ki Mahurangi, filling the safe blue seat left open after incumbent Chris Penk quit politics amid a failed party leadership challenge.
National has announced it will "pursue" breaking up grocery giant Foodstuffs so New World and Four Square become one chain, and Pak'nSave another, if re-elected.
National to 'pursue' Pak'nSave and New World break-up
Alongside Woolworths, which would remain Australian-owned, that would give the country three major grocery chains instead of two.
www.1news.co.nz
September 16, 2026 at 10:05 PM
National has announced it will "pursue" breaking up grocery giant Foodstuffs so New World and Four Square become one chain, and Pak'nSave another, if re-elected.
Long before the first tunnel boring machine broke ground for the City Rail Link, Auckland planners were dreaming up underground rail plans — an idea that survived nearly a century of shelved proposals to finally open this week.
Underground at last: century-long road to the City Rail Link in video
The idea of underground rail can be traced back to the early 20th century, when the city's tram network was still the dominant mode of public transport.
www.1news.co.nz
September 12, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Long before the first tunnel boring machine broke ground for the City Rail Link, Auckland planners were dreaming up underground rail plans — an idea that survived nearly a century of shelved proposals to finally open this week.