Election 2023: let the shadow boxing commence

Napier will be the site for the first major party skirmishes of election year. (Image: Port of Napier)

Thu, 19 Jan 2023

Either by some quirk of fate or out of deference to media companies' aversion to meeting travel expenses, the Labour and National parties are kicking off the political year on the same day – today – and in the same town – Napier.Motels and hotels are as full as ticks, there are no rental cars to be had. Direct flights from major centres are booked out over the next two days.Anyone with a bent for watching ants scuttle back and forth might want to sit somewhere on the bluff separating the city and its port to observe politi...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Law & Regulation

Mixed opinions on future of Huntly

Large users and gentailers are at odds with independents over maintaining coal plant.

Ian Llewellyn 5:00am

Opinion Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: Naming Adrian Orr's successor is past overdue

An appointment is imminent. It has taken too long.

Pattrick Smellie 5:00am

Naming Adrian Orr's successor is past overdue

Opinion

David Chaplin: Court counts out FMA's investor test case

It’s questionable whether the Govt is willing to promote any wholesale reforms.

David Chaplin 5:00am

Court counts out FMA's investor test case

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored