The Detail

Public sector cuts ignite election fight

20 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Government's announcement of massive public sector cuts has ramped up the election year battle - even between Coalition mates With less than a we...

The social issue that's more of a moral panic

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Immigration as an issue is being dressed up for the election and called a major social problem that needs to be solved - but an expert says that's not...

Nature and climate in the spotlight 

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The praise for a new plan for green credit trading was quickly forgotten as two more announcements landed in the headlines  A trio of decisions from ...

The fight for the Māori vote

17 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Te Tai Tokerau is becoming the new ground zero in a fierce battle for Māori political powerMāori politics has erupted as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi launch...

Simon Barnett on grief, healing, and hope

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Broadcaster Simon Barnett reflects on life after Jodi, opening up his heart again, changing careers - and being beaten by a Black Fern on TV this mont...

Why ultra-processed foods are so addictive

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New research from Auckland University reveals why it's not entirely our own fault for loving junk foodThe marketers of ultra-processed foods have take...

A path to employability

13 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trades trainers hope the shifting of government money from free university fees to vocational pathways will give students a better start in their work...

Media under fire from all angles

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Political pressure, public distrust and a media in meltdown - the country is witnessing a reckoning for journalism New Zealand media is in the firing ...

An anti-fireworks tipping point

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Parliamentary Petitions Committee has taken the unusual step of recommending the government overhaul our fireworks laws by banning their sale to t...

Bereaved parents fight banks to stop alcohol sales to kids

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An underage teenager was able to buy alcohol from three different places without being asked for ID, before he drove drunk to his death. His parents a...

The noticeably absent finalist at the Ockham Awards

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pens are poised, pages are turning, and egos are trembling; it's time for the biggest night in books at the Ockham Awards - but Dame Jacinda Ardern wo...

The dark horse party of opportunities

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's a new opportunity this election for the party started by economist Gareth Morgan to have a break-out year The new-look Opportunity Party is l...

The immigrant doctors keeping New Zealand alive

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An American doctor in Palmerston North says he can't think of a single ED doctor in his team who was born here. With about 70 percent of new registrat...

The price of being a hero 

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Firefighters are battling bosses under pressure to cut costs, but FENZ's failures have seen the organisation face Parliamentary scrutinyFirefighters a...

The mystery of the dying eels

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of eels have been found dead after a Manawatū lagoon dried out, raising urgent environmental questions Thousands of eels are found dead in ...

Digital health and privacy breaches

03 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The digital health revolution is here, and so are serious questions about privacy and cybersecurityData is the new gold - but many health organisation...

Medical migration the only option for many blood cancer sufferers 

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand's lack of investment in blood cancer drugs and treatments is forcing patients to seek care in countries like Australia and ChinaThe Oz/NZ ...

The modern abolition movement

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A Bill to trace modern slavery in the supply lines of businesses has the near complete approval of Parliament - here's what it does, and doesn't doAn ...

Plotting a path to victory

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Slightly more than six months before voting day, two of the country's astute political journalists give us their opinions on the lie of the land Guyo...

To sell or not to sell

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The sale of state assets is shaping up to be an election-year battle as the country struggles to cope with rising costs and debtSome disastrous state ...

Checking in with the Chathams 

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The unique, remote island that's a financial basket case, bankrolled by the New Zealand taxpayerThe Government has handed out millions, and is now ask...

The gallantry of Kiwi soldiers immortalised in a tiny French town

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A bond more than a century old is stronger than ever thanks to a French town that will never forget the sacrifice made by New Zealand soldiers at Le Q...

The 'whack-a-mole' of protecting pounamu 

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A large bust earlier this week and a separate conviction earlier this month highlight the growing threat to legitimate pounamu collecting and tradeDes...

'Butter chicken' commentary meets a nation on edge

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As Shane Jones talks of a 'butter chicken tsunami', new data shows Kiwis hardening on immigration and deeper fractures in trust, identity, and belongi...

The end of a short but sweet era for Moana Pasifika

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Moana Pasifika's uncertain future sparks fears for Pacific representation in Super Rugby and raises questions about finances and governance The rugby ...

NZ's gold-adjacent boom

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Substances that were once discarded as the useless by-product of gold are now much-sought after critical minerals From electronics to batteries to wea...

Hornet eradication effort gaining ground

19 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's hope we may have won the fight against the yellow-legged hornet, but a crucial phase lies ahead A massive eradication effort to get rid of wh...

The killer debating team from Paremoremo Prison

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Don McKinnon has travelled the world, rubbed shoulders with diplomats - and was nearly kidnapped at Paremoremo prison Nearly fifty years ago, six ...

New Zealand faces coastal retreat reality

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Following yet another storm battering our coasts last weekend, pressure mounts on coastal communities to discuss relocation New Zealand communities c...

The sobering report on water that's unlikely to spark action

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists worry that the often-long time lags between cause and effect when it comes to polluting our lakes and rivers will give politicians the excu...

The wicked problem of petroleum in our lives

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Petroleum is in everything from plumbing products to chocolate, so with the Strait of Hormuz blocked, industries face price hikes and folding projects...

No more government money for gangs

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

'Not one cent' - National MP moves to cut taxpayer funding to gang-linked groups, but one critic calls it 'short-sighted' and argue there will be fall...

Record fleet for solo trans-Tasman yacht race 

12 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Opua Cruising Club has taken over management for the iconic event, and it's promising to be bigger and better than ever The oldest competitor in ...

From inmate to influencer - Dave Letele Snr is turning lives around 

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's a second chance for criminals, which Letele says is really their first chance, given the life many of them were born into A new documentary shin...

What Artemis has done for the future of human life in space

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A 'permanent presence' on the moon is only a few years away, and Mars maybe a decade behind that - but that doesn't mean it's time to sell your house ...

No baby boom, just doom and gloom

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Birth rates are falling globally, inspiring pro-natalist movements and government schemes to incentivise procreation - but it's not working Countries...

A carbon Catch-22

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Little cellulose balls could be a big answer to burying carbon emissions - if there's proof they work. Getting that is proving difficult. A company t...

When the numbers don't add up

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Statistics are a vitally important tool to plan and inform government policy - but when they're wrong or misleading, trust is at risk A former govern...

Tamihere court decision puts the case back at square one

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Almost 40 years after two Swedish backpackers disappeared, David Tamihere has had his convictions quashed. A journalist calls it 'another example of h...

The resurrection of the Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Lake Onslow pumped hydro project could be back from the dead, with the "mega battery" that will cost billions, approved for the fast-track list by...

The strategically-placed aid game

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fear and politics are increasingly dictating where our shrinking aid money is going Giving aid to shore up your strategic position in the world isn&#...

Fisheries Bill enters murky waters

29 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The government's backdown on an undersized fish rule has intensified scrutiny of sweeping fisheries reforms There's been a U-turn on the most con...

Dice before digital - the board games revolution

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rather than being stuck behind their screens for entertainment, an old type of gaming is luring players out into the real world - one with people in i...

Why Israel and the US are in lockstep - and why that might be changing

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Billions in military aid crosses from the US to Israel in a decades-old alliance. But two current conflicts have many younger Americans questioning th...

Policing our politicians for porkies

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

South Australia has a law around truth in campaign messaging that appears to have set a better tone. We ask if New Zealand should follow.Does New Zeal...

Father's meningitis plea after daughter's death

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

"No family should go through this":  - campaign push for free jabs grows following student meningococcal casesA grieving dad renews his call for free...

A shakeup of everyday road rules on the table

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's currently illegal to ride on the footpath, but when the rubber meets the road, kids do it anyway. Proposed changes could make it legal for kids 1...

Papatoetoe's election rerun

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A community rallies to involve itself in democracy, only to be tainted with accusations of fraud when they win a seat at the table Papatoetoe's ...

Turning Kiwi pain into a punchline watched by a global audience

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kiwi dark comedy Crackhead tackles addiction and takes on the television world New Kiwi dark comedy Crackhead turns real-life addiction struggles into...

Iran war hits Kiwi wallets hard

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An economist says despite entering the year 'quite optimistic', we could now be staring down the barrel of another recession Higher fuel costs mean h...

Make stupid rules, win stupid prizes

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

'Stupid Rules' is the new book, written by a Kiwi professor, that aims to throw out the rule book Too many rules, too little judgement - why one Kiwi...

The future of the NZX

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

America's war in Iran has hit global markets, but after a tough five years for the New Zealand Stock Exchange, things here may finally be looking up ...

Southland - New Zealand's power centre 

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The country's two biggest users of electricity could both soon be located in Southland if resource consents for a new data centre bring the project to...

The "gnarly and unnecessary" fight reshaping the RSA

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There is a bitter internal rivalry shaking one of New Zealand's most storied institutions, with a rebel alliance fighting the national body of the RSA...

Graduates in a battle over job wars

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The unemployment rate for young people is three times higher than the national average - leaving new graduates in despair Three years minimum to set ...

Uncertainty over the fuel that drives our economy

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many factors feeding into see-sawing petrol prices that predicting a landing price at the pump has become impossibleIt doesn't matte...

As Covid hits again, New Zealand confronts its pandemic past

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Six years after New Zealand moved into its first lockdown, the final inquiry report examines lockdowns, mandates and the cost of the pandemic -and ano...

Athletics out of hibernation

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand track and field athletes have achieved on the world scene for decades - but now there's a new strength and diversity not seen since the 19...

The price of instant gratification

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

One million Kiwis use a Buy Now Pay Later scheme, but not everyone is convinced the regulations governing them are adequate to protect users from harm...

Landmark case could force rewrite of emissions strategy

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The once quiet workhorse of climate policy, the humble tree, is now headline material, fuelling political fights and finding itself at the very root o...

The great property breakup

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealanders finally seem to be dialling down their obsession with owning houses to create wealth New Zealand's love affair with property coul...

Iran, Israel, and 'the great Satan'

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A week after the US and Israel struck Iran, The Detail looks at what really led to the war, how Tehran hit back, and the political storm brewing at ho...

Why Air NZ is in the red while rivals soar

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our national carrier is flying through turbulent skies, with grounded planes, global conflict, and growing criticism from politicians and passengers ...

A gold mine, an Australia mining giant, and a community divided

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Central Otago is sitting on a gold mine that may be worth billions, but the decision of whether to dig has tensions simmering A proposed gold mine is ...

How supercritical geothermal energy could change our future 

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With LNG on the way, The Detail looks at two possible fuel alternatives that could deal to New Zealand's reliance on gas and coaWith geothermal energy...

Net fishing is in, then out again

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Hauraki Gulf is back in the spotlight as National backflips on their own fisheries policy, leaving the commercial fishing industry sweating - and ...

The longevity obsession

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bio-hackers are looking for the answers to stretching out their lives as long as possible, but research says there's a biological end point for our bo...

A home for granny, a headache for the homeowner

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rule changes for putting a granny flat on your section cut very little red tape, but move questions of liability from councils to homeowners The new ...

All stick, no carrot with move-on laws

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The government's making city shop owners happy with its decisive move-on orders for homeless people, but there are doubts they'll achieve anything L...

Citizens arrests, armed guards, and the power of Sunny Kaushal

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For the past decade, Sunny Kaushal has been a man on a mission to crack down on retail crime, and he's one step closer to getting his wayThe Governmen...

The arrest heard around the world

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's dramatic arrest is the first of its kind for the royal family in nearly 400 years, and has shaken the House of WindsorThe...

Barker's of Geraldine in a jam over waste

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Canterbury preserves company wants to spray wastewater - which contains cleaning chemicals - onto a neighbouring DOC reserve. It's a stark differe...

The great Australian rivalry, in New Zealand

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Between State of Origin coming to Auckland and rule changes allowing Kiwis to play, NRL strengthens its foothold on a New Zealand audience Mate again...

A state of emergency, again and again and again

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After another wild week of weather, The Detail looks at the surge in declarations of states of emergency, and whether we risk 'crying wolf' Once-in-a...

Reality bites for Kiwi job seekers as unemployment climbs

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Unemployment is at its highest level in more than a decade, but one expert offers a silver lining, saying that could actually be a sign of early econo...

The wine industry headache

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Too many grapes, international headwinds and a dramatic drop in drinkers is proving problematic for our wine producers Perfect growing conditions for...

The winners and losers from the India trade deal

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It hasn't been ratified yet but the terms of New Zealand's free trade deal with India have been agreed on, even though the details are somewhat myster...

New dietary guidelines from the US stir the pot 

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's not so much what's in the recommendations as how they were put together that's concerning some in the medical and nutrition worldsNew dietary gui...

Love, lies, and prime-time pressure

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What started as an experiment has become a global phenomenon. MAFS is a ratings powerhouse and one of the world's most argued-about shows. Former New ...

LNG plan sparks showdown in parliament

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Government's LNG plan has triggered an explosive row over the difference between a tax and a levy, but the major question is whether it will keep ...

Raw sewage still pouring into Welly waters raises questions, and anger 

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

More than 600 million litres of untreated sewage have poured into Wellington water, leaving beaches empty and questions over who's responsible  A Bre...

Auckland is SailGP's marquee event but no guarantees for future

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Auckland could become a victim of Sail GP's success, with harbour cities around the world bidding for hosting chances Great photos, terrific faciliti...

The policy shifts that took the spark out of electric cars

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From boom to brake - we look at what went wrong for EVs in New Zealand, and what needs to happen to get the spark backThe EV slowdown: How Government ...

Uncertainty over Auckland's future

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Auckland Council's planning has been thrown for a loop after what looks like yet another government-imposed rule change over housingGovernment interfe...

Kiwi grit on ice

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Skins, snow and scrutiny: How the 2026 Winter Olympics is unfolding for our athletes This year, the most contested "ice" at the Winter Olym...

'A warning shot' on the east coast

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Weeks after the January floods wreaked havoc on the east coast, The Detail visits two towns to see how locals are holding up - and what the future hol...

Our place in the world

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Where does New Zealand sit in a new world order that ditches traditional international rules and favours the mighty over the tiny? There's a rup...

Pharmacist fears for "the last bastion" of communities

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As more and more discount chain pharmacies open, locally owned and operated chemists worry their customers won't get the high level of care that saves...

Election 2026 - the policies, the politics, the peculiarities

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Once the election date is announced, politics can disintegrate into a toxic mess. Don't expect this year to be any different.Politicians sharpen their...

The treasure's in the tales

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The real treasure hidden in the wrecks of some 2500 ships buried along New Zealand's coasts isn't jewels or gold bars - but the stories of the people ...

A Kiwi on Ukraine's frontline

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealander Khol Gillies was fighting in Ukraine when he was badly injured, and he spent days in a bunker waiting to be evacuated Three months afte...

Playing Tetris with an ever-growing prison population 

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The record number of prisoners are bouncing between facilities around the country, stretching court resources and rehabilitation programmesWith prison...

Slash, storms and the fight over responsibility

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Extreme weather may be the trigger for deadly and devastating slash, but the lines on who is responsible for prevention and clean-up are blurredThe sl...

Changing our disaster focus

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The floods keep coming, and we keep rebuilding. Is there a better way to cope with increasing numbers of infrastructure-wrecking storms?New Zealand&#x...

The stories that defined a year

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The news year, unpacked, by five divas with microphonesAs the year draws to a close, The Detail looks back at 12 months of deep dives, sharp analysis,...

Heat, holidays, hikes, and a 'stinkin strong' sun

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From storms to scorchers, what this summer's wild weather means for New Zealand tourism With tourism numbers back to pre-covid levels, New Zealanders...

The things that annoy us, and the people we moan to 

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From stray dogs to traffic jams to the most controversial topic of all - berms - councillors and mayors from across the country report what's getting ...

Close up with sharks, in a safe space

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At Auckland Museum's new shark exhibition, all the models are to scale, allowing visitors to get face-to-face with some of the largest creatures on th...

Terror under the tree - the toys that can kill

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Between the high cost of living and a slew of toys failing safety tests, buying Christmas presents for kids is fraughtHow to shop for your kids this C...

2025 in sport 

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A year of highs, lows and hard questions: Inside New Zealand's rollercoaster sporting seasonThe country's biggest sports teams delivered everythi...