Smellie Sniffs the Breeze: on Labour's chances

Smellie Sniffs the Breeze: on Labour's chances
Adulation offshore helped Labour in July, but the domestic political grind now beckons. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
Strange though it may be to suggest it, the government may look back on July 2022 as a pretty good month.The prime minister spent much of it offshore, in Europe and Australia, building on a visit to The White House and a late-night US TV appearance that served to remind New Zealanders that however shop-worn she may look at home, Jacinda Ardern is still a bit of a global star.Meanwhile, her primary opponent, Christopher Luxon, was making a bit of a hash of his own $2 shop attempt at prime ministerial globe-trotting, with the main story for local...

More Policy

Compass dropped in major school lunch shake-up
Policy

Compass dropped in major school lunch shake-up

Ministry appoints 10 regional suppliers; Compass misses out after bidding for RFP.

Cécile Meier 07 Nov 2025
$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms
Policy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms

The fund has been expanded to cover gas storage.

Ian Llewellyn 06 Nov 2025
Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation
Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025
EPA head quits with fast-track changes
Policy

EPA head quits with fast-track changes

The latest fast-track reforms go far beyond supermarket resource consenting.