Common Sense - 25/01/2026

News

Main stories

Labour and National had their caucus retreats this week, kicking off their respective 2026 campaigns. Luxon also announced the election will be held on November 7, a relatively late date. (Julia Gabel, NZH / Giles Dexter, RNZ)

Luxon opens election year without a spark (Joel MacManus, The Spinoff)

ICE today shot another US citizen in Minneapolis, a VA hospital nurse named Alex Pretti, with protests escalating in the city. David Farrier was on the scene minutes after the shooting with a report earlier today(). (Webworm)

The New Zealand Educational Institute and the Council of Deans of Education have accused the head of the Teaching Council and Education Minister of a conflict of interest, following messages obtained through OIAs. (John Gerritsen, RNZ)

Round up

Following a week-long strike earlier this month over poor pay and conditions, Auckland duty lawyers are considering further industrial action after no contact from the Ministry of Justice. (Finn Blackwell, RNZ)

Entities connected to Destiny Church recently liquidated by the IRD owe $5m to creditors, including the IRD. (Maria Slade, BusinessDesk, paywalled)

Seymour told the NZH that he reached out to an "old think tank buddy" to secure his meeting with Argentinian president Milei in late December. (Adam Pearse, NZH)

The NZCTU's annual Mood of the Workforce survey shows that 60% of those surveyed reported that their income had fallen behind the cost of living. The survey also asked about thoughts on politicians, with Seymour and Luxon ranking last and Swarbrick and Davidson ranking first. (RNZ / Lloyd Burr, Stuff)

NZ's annual inflation rate has risen to 3.1%, according to CPI data released this week. (Zane Small, Stuff)

Luxon has been invited to join Trump's Board of Peace initiative, the body meant to take over Gaza as a part of the "ceasefire agreement". (RNZ)

Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe and National MP Maureen Pugh have been the first to announce their retirement ahead of the 2026 election. (Lochlan Lineham, NZH / Giles Dexter, RNZ)

ACT MP and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee "shoulder-tapped" two people for the Ministerial Arms Advisory Group, with a former member calling it "jobs for your mates". (Derek Cheng, NZH, paywalled)

US fifth-generation F-22 fighter jets will be visiting New Zealand for the first time as part of the Warbirds over Wānaka airshow in April. (Elsie Williams, The Press, paywalled)

Reports of alleged sexual assault on prisoners by Corrections staff is rising, according to date released by the Department of Corrections. (Catrin Owen, Stuff)

Out of the 110 cases referred to police following the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, fewer than 10% have resulted in prosecution according to recently released information. (Tim Brown, RNZ)

The Ministry of Defence has put out a tender for advice on surveillance drones to patrol the Pacific, asking companies and academics. (Nick James, RNZ)

An Australian firm has been the first (and only) to apply for an offshore oil and gas exploration permit following the lifting of the ban, with the application now being considered. (Kate Newton, RNZ)