CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
From curbing protests to controlling what can be said in Australia, state and Federal Labor governments are becoming authoritarian. Next in line is the thought police entering campus. Nick Riemer reports for Michael West Media. ANALYSIS: By Nick Riemer In December, the NSW Labor government gave itself the power to ban street marches for an ... <a title="‘Antisemitism training’ at universities. Labor’s march to authoritarianism" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/antisemitism-training-at-universities-labors-march-to-authoritarianism/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Antisemitism training’ at universities. Labor’s march to authoritarianism">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The government agreeing to lower the maximum number of houses in Auckland shows they have been listening to Aucklanders, a heritage group says. Cabinet agreed to lower the maximum number of houses in Auckland from 2 million to at least 1.6 million, it was announced on Thursday. Auckland Council had been ... <a title="Government ‘listened to Aucklanders’ by weakening housing intensification rules, Character Coalition says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/government-listened-to-aucklanders-by-weakening-housing-intensification-rules-character-coalition-says/" aria-label="Read more about Government ‘listened to Aucklanders’ by weakening housing intensification rules, Character Coalition says">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour MP Kieran McAnulty. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Labour MP Kieran McAnulty was ordered to leave the House during a tense session that included many challenges on the Speaker’s rulings. Question Time began with Gerry Brownlee indirectly rebuking New Zealand First leader Winston Peters for his remarks towards Green MP Teanau ... <a title="Labour MP Kieran McAnulty ordered to leave the House after challenging Speaker" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/labour-mp-kieran-mcanulty-ordered-to-leave-the-house-after-challenging-speaker/" aria-label="Read more about Labour MP Kieran McAnulty ordered to leave the House after challenging Speaker">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour deputy leader and spokesperson for Auckland Carmel Sepuloni. RNZ / Angus Dreaver Labour says the Housing Minister has been undermined by his leader and colleagues following the announcement to lower the maximum number of houses in Auckland from 2 million to at least 1.6 million. Meanwhile, ACT leader David Seymour ... <a title="Opposition parties react to Auckland housing U-turn" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/opposition-parties-react-to-auckland-housing-u-turn/" aria-label="Read more about Opposition parties react to Auckland housing U-turn">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has told Auckland leaders the government’s not “shagging spiders” as it progresses work on a second Auckland harbour crossing. Public discourse about another Waitematā Harbour crossing was reignited this week after the Infrastructure Commission suggested a toll as high as $9 per trip to help pay for ... <a title="‘We’re not shagging spiders’: Minister on second Auckland harbour crossing" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/were-not-shagging-spiders-minister-on-second-auckland-harbour-crossing/" aria-label="Read more about ‘We’re not shagging spiders’: Minister on second Auckland harbour crossing">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Cabinet has agreed to lower the maximum number of houses in Auckland from 2 million to at least 1.6 million. Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced the new figure to Auckland leaders at the International Convention Centre this afternoon. Auckland Council had been progressing a new plan to accommodate up to 2 ... <a title="Government weakens housing intensification rules for Auckland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/government-weakens-housing-intensification-rules-for-auckland/" aria-label="Read more about Government weakens housing intensification rules for Auckland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The government is expected to make an announcement on housing plans for Auckland. RNZ / Kate Newton The details of the government’s election year U-turn on housing plans in Auckland are expected to be announced shortly. The Housing Minister has had to grapple with potentially legislating over a plan change that ... <a title="Government expected to make announcement on Auckland housing plan U-turn" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/government-expected-to-make-announcement-on-auckland-housing-plan-u-turn/" aria-label="Read more about Government expected to make announcement on Auckland housing plan U-turn">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand University of Otago law professor Andrew Geddis. Supplied A law expert says it is ironic the coalition appears to have run out of time to put a four year Parliamentary term to a referendum. The government has ditched a bill to put a longer electoral term to a binding referendum, citing ... <a title="Ironic that government has ‘run out of time’ to pursue longer Parliamentary term – law expert" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/ironic-that-government-has-run-out-of-time-to-pursue-longer-parliamentary-term-law-expert/" aria-label="Read more about Ironic that government has ‘run out of time’ to pursue longer Parliamentary term – law expert">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 19, 2026
By Craig McCulloch, RNZ News deputy political editor Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The Greens say Peters is scapegoating migrants, while ACT’s David Seymour — his own Cabinet colleague — says Peters ... <a title="Labour’s Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/19/labours-chris-hipkins-accuses-winston-peters-of-pure-racism-in-parliament/" aria-label="Read more about Labour’s Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Artist’s visualisation of a second Mt Victoria Tunnel in Wellington. NZTA / Waka Kotahi The Transport Minister says holding off on a second Mount Victoria tunnel is something under consideration, if congestion charging shows it is not needed. But the Finance Minister insists the project is “all go,” with work already ... <a title="Is Mount Victoria tunnel ‘all go’, or still under consideration?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/is-mount-victoria-tunnel-all-go-or-still-under-consideration/" aria-label="Read more about Is Mount Victoria tunnel ‘all go’, or still under consideration?">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Fiji President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has urged legislators not to sow seeds of “fear and division” as the country moves towards a general election later this year. Speaking at the opening of the fourth and final session of Parliament before the polls, Ratu Naiqama called on political leaders and ... <a title="Fiji’s president warns against sowing ‘seeds of fear’ ahead of elections" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/fijis-president-warns-against-sowing-seeds-of-fear-ahead-of-elections/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji’s president warns against sowing ‘seeds of fear’ ahead of elections">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage, which Labour leader Chris Hipkins says was “pure racism”. RNZ Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The ... <a title="Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/chris-hipkins-accuses-winston-peters-of-pure-racism-in-parliament/" aria-label="Read more about Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament">Read more</a>
