Four new mayors on rolling a grenade down the road for future generations
These mayors just won office for the first time. They’re already worried they’re going to end up lumping…
Did NZ’s most brazen electoral fraud just take place in Papatoetoe?
In court, they opened up 53 wrongfully cast ballots. Fifty of them had gone to the winning side.…
Race briefing: Can anyone shake Nick Smith’s hold on Nelson?
Nelson is recovering from a natural disaster and is rapidly losing its regional economic crown to the Tasman…
With a week to go, how is voter turnout looking in the big cities?
Local elections voter turnout is notoriously low – will 2025 buck the trend? With a week to go, this…
Race briefing: Will Palmerston North grow up, or out?
In Aotearoa’s second biggest inland city, 43 people are running for 16 council positions, making for a competitive…
Race briefing: Porirua faces an existential question – is it time for a super city?
Porirua is a city of socioeconomic extremes and climate threats, but at least it’s doing better on the…
The best, worst and weirdest local elections hoardings of 2025, reviewed
As local elections fever grips the nation, council candidates are jostling for your vote the best way they…
Race briefing: Can a new mayor calm the choppy waters at Invercargill City Council?
Whoever gets the top job at our southernmost city council has a reputation to restore, a budget to…
The secrets of one of New Zealand’s most enduring political tickets
In the shifting sands of local politics, the longevity of The People’s Choice in Christchurch is an outlier. …
Windbag: Skeletons, vampires, clowns and other notes from the Mt Victoria candidates debate
Wellington mayoral candidates and contenders for the Pukehīnau/Lambton ward faced off in an unexpectedly spooky debate on Thursday.…