Stories by Craig McCulloch
News
Aucklanders may need to be in lockdown for at least a month - Hendy
New Zealand's Covid-19 quarantine hotels are under increasing pressure with more than 200 infected with the virus and predictions the number could hit 1000.
Analysis: Sluggish vaccine rollout deserves an explanation
Monday's media conference contained a sobering admission: many infected in the Delta outbreak had not been vaccinated as they were not yet eligible, Craig McCulloch writes.
Simon Bridges' book details events leading to toppling: 'The bedwetters won'
Former National leader Simon Bridges says his time in charge was "damned and doomed" due to the "circling wolves" and MPs who thought themselves bigger than the party.
Collins signals focus shift to 'big issues' in conference speech
National leader Judith Collins has used a speech to party members to signal a shift in focus away from race matters and on to seven "big issues" facing New Zealanders.
National Party conference: Goodfellow re-elected prompting Carter to resign
National Party president Peter Goodfellow has been re-elected to the position, prompting his challenger David Carter to resign from the board.
Ministers warned students are 'falling through the cracks'
Education officials have warned their ministers that students are "falling through the cracks" because the curriculum does not clearly signal when they need more support.
Number of rejections for emergency housing tripled in 2020
About 3000 requests for emergency housing were rejected by the government last year, nearly triple the number the year before. Audio
Trans-Tasman bubble: Cabinet considers closing travel to Australia
Cabinet ministers have convened a special virtual meeting this afternoon to discuss the trans-Tasman bubble, including a potential pause of the entire arrangement.
'Gang members have taken over our streets' - ACT proposes limiting freedoms
The ACT Party wants to strip some gang members of their freedoms, introducing "gang injunction orders" which could ban them from certain areas or activities.
APEC meeting: 'Just the fact that it is happening is powerful'
Foreign policy watchers have high hopes for tonight's "extraordinary" APEC meeting which will bring together the globe's heavy-hitters to discuss the Covid-19 crisis.
Officials dismissed dedicated MIQ facilities as 'unfeasible'
MBIE confirms the government rejected "numerous proposals" to custom-build quarantine facilities, but ministers insist the idea is being genuinely considered.
Chinese embassy dismisses claims spies infiltrating NZ universities
The Chinese embassy has hit back at claims spies are infiltrating universities in New Zealand, calling the accusations groundless and "pure hearsay". Audio
Muller seeing out term depends on caucus - Collins
National Party leader Judith Collins says it is up to her caucus whether her predecessor Todd Muller remains in Parliament for another two years.
'Events like this are killing hospitality and tourist businesses'
Tourism and hospitality operators have let out for a cry for help as the trans-Tasman bubble pause dashes hopes of a winter visitor influx. Audio
Labour, National tight-lipped on former Kiwi-Chinese MPs' departure
Labour and National are refusing to comment on reports that say they orchestrated the resignations of two Chinese MPs last year due to security concerns.
Budget 2021: Benefits boost in 'quest to reduce inequality’
Beneficiaries will reap the rewards of this year's Budget with a welfare boost billed as the "biggest in a generation".
Govt urged to 'pull every lever' to address housing crisis
The government is dampening down expectations of any major new housing measures in tomorrow's Budget, saying it announced most of its plan in March.
'It doesn't mean much': Judith Collins dismisses poll drop
National MPs are backing their leader Judith Collins following last night's dire political poll and have endorsed her persistent claims that the government is pursuing a "separatist" agenda.
SFO files criminal charges against six people in Labour Party donations case
The six people charged by the Serious Fraud Office over a donation made to the Labour Party are accused of trying to conceal the true identity of the donor.
'Budget for the Battlers': ACT Party reveals its alternative budget
The ACT party has laid out its alternative vision ahead of next week's Budget, proposing to slash spending by $11.2 billion to both reduce debt and cut taxes.
Govt dismisses calls for medicinal cannabis review to be widened
A Ministry of Health document leaked to RNZ shows officials will not even consider extending an amnesty to allow all chronically sick people to use illicit cannabis.
Hipkins tells MPs to 'step back' after unruly scenes in Parliament
Senior Labour MP Chris Hipkins has denounced the unruly scenes in Parliament last night, saying they did not reflect well on anyone involved.
Rent controls: 'We are very much keeping this conversation alive' - Greens
The Green Party is urging the government to keep rent control on the table, as many renters find themselves stretched to their financial limit.
Northland DHB misses Covid-19 vaccination target by nearly 4000 doses
Northland has been singled out as the worst performing district health board when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, falling short of its target by almost 4000 doses.
National proposes fixed rules for its future leadership bids
National is considering setting fixed rules for future leadership bids with more constraints around its MPs to ensure a "fair process" and "acceptable result".