@jonathanmilne.bsky.social
Crown abuse response minister Erica Stanford is 'furious' and tells me she's referred this breach of vulnerable Lake Alice abuse survivors' privacy to the Public Service Commissioner. Laura Walters and I reveal the breach at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/27/s...
'Significant' breach of privacy of Lake Alice survivors, by Crown abuse office
A 'furious' Erica Stanford has referred the privacy breach to the Public Service Commissioner, write Jonathan Milne and Laura Walters.
newsroom.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Crown abuse response minister Erica Stanford is 'furious' and tells me she's referred this breach of vulnerable Lake Alice abuse survivors' privacy to the Public Service Commissioner. Laura Walters and I reveal the breach at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/27/s...
Developer Stu Adams didn’t know what he was starting, when he pushed back against a Greater Wellington Regional Council decision on his proposed housing project. He didn't just overturn the decision; he helped overturn regional councils, as I report at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/26/t...
The developer who inadvertently demolished the regional councils
The Government wants to carve up the 11 regional councils' assets, liabilities and responsibilities between central govt, local councils, multi-council companies and the private sector. 'Fantastic,' s...
newsroom.co.nz
November 26, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Developer Stu Adams didn’t know what he was starting, when he pushed back against a Greater Wellington Regional Council decision on his proposed housing project. He didn't just overturn the decision; he helped overturn regional councils, as I report at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/26/t...
Sanford’s execs are finalising the annual report. The HR bosses are dealing with a strike by mussel crews. The new CEO has got rid of the PR staff because, “I literally don’t know what they were doing”. So David Mair is taking @newsroom.co.nz’s call himself, in Japan. newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/05/g...
Govt answers fishing chief's billion dollar question on climate disclosures
There are just a handful of corporates that stand to benefit from Commerce Minister Scott Simpson's unexpected call to dramatically loosen climate reporting requirements; some are political donors. Jo...
newsroom.co.nz
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Sanford’s execs are finalising the annual report. The HR bosses are dealing with a strike by mussel crews. The new CEO has got rid of the PR staff because, “I literally don’t know what they were doing”. So David Mair is taking @newsroom.co.nz’s call himself, in Japan. newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/05/g...
I saw David Seymour's announcement, sending Compass off to the four winds and replacing it with 10 regional school lunch providers. Looks like Subway must be back in the frame, if they're now pricing school lunches according to roll size? 6 inch, 12 inch... 😁
November 7, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I saw David Seymour's announcement, sending Compass off to the four winds and replacing it with 10 regional school lunch providers. Looks like Subway must be back in the frame, if they're now pricing school lunches according to roll size? 6 inch, 12 inch... 😁
After a long legal fight the fuel giant Z, consumer and enviro groups find one thing to agree on: Govt must step up to ensure NZ’s emissions targets are achieved, they say, in a joint call. I ask CEO Lindis Jones when the firm will get out of petrol, at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/02/s...
Settlement gets Z Energy out of court – not 'out of the petrol business'
After a long legal fight the fuel giant, consumer and environmental groups find one thing to agree on: the Govt must step up to ensure NZ's emissions targets are achieved, they say. Jonathan Milne rep...
newsroom.co.nz
November 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
After a long legal fight the fuel giant Z, consumer and enviro groups find one thing to agree on: Govt must step up to ensure NZ’s emissions targets are achieved, they say, in a joint call. I ask CEO Lindis Jones when the firm will get out of petrol, at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/02/s...
Ex-minister David Parker, electricity sector leader Keith Turner and acting Reserve Bank chair Rodger Finlay go where the Govt feared to tread: they tell me they want to finance and fast-track the multi-billion-dollar Lake Onslow pumped hydro project. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/24/s...
Smallest company looks to build biggest dammed hydro lake NZ has seen
Ex-minister David Parker, electricity sector leader Keith Turner and acting Reserve Bank chair Rodger Finlay go where the Govt feared to tread: they want to finance and fast-track the multi-billion-do...
newsroom.co.nz
October 24, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Ex-minister David Parker, electricity sector leader Keith Turner and acting Reserve Bank chair Rodger Finlay go where the Govt feared to tread: they tell me they want to finance and fast-track the multi-billion-dollar Lake Onslow pumped hydro project. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/24/s...
I asked Nicola Willis if she's encouraging agencies to speed up asset recycling – selling unwanted schools and clinics to free up capital. “Yes, in short, because I want to see us building the new schools and classrooms that are needed to deliver for today’s students.” newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/f...
Finance minister urges education and health to 'recycle' redundant properties
With grim admissions about the dire state of Health NZ and Ministry of Education asset management, Nicola Willis is urging them to speed up the divestment of unwanted schools and clinics to free up ca...
newsroom.co.nz
October 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
I asked Nicola Willis if she's encouraging agencies to speed up asset recycling – selling unwanted schools and clinics to free up capital. “Yes, in short, because I want to see us building the new schools and classrooms that are needed to deliver for today’s students.” newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/f...
I talk to @emiledonovan.bsky.social on RNZ Nights about the mystery of NZ’s famous mince and cheese pie. “Because it’s so ubiquitous today, boomers and Gen Xers have extrapolated it onto their childhoods.” @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t... www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Who invented the mince and cheese pie?
Newsroom's Jonathan Milne has been investigating, and he joins Emile Donovan to answer this question and more.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 18, 2025 at 12:31 AM
I talk to @emiledonovan.bsky.social on RNZ Nights about the mystery of NZ’s famous mince and cheese pie. “Because it’s so ubiquitous today, boomers and Gen Xers have extrapolated it onto their childhoods.” @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t... www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
And after all the huffing and puffing, mayor Craig Jepson’s heir apparent Jonathan Larsen is declared elected by 21 vote margin over Snow Tane. Will council still go through with Jepson’s complaint about ‘voting irregularities’?https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/kaiparas-mayor-his-heir-and-the-spare/
Kaipara's embarrassing mayor, his heir and the spare
Opinion: 'He's clinging on to his last day in power. I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.' – Peter Linnell, local resident
newsroom.co.nz
October 17, 2025 at 6:10 AM
And after all the huffing and puffing, mayor Craig Jepson’s heir apparent Jonathan Larsen is declared elected by 21 vote margin over Snow Tane. Will council still go through with Jepson’s complaint about ‘voting irregularities’?https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/kaiparas-mayor-his-heir-and-the-spare/
Tick, tick, tick. 6pm and still no final results for Kaipara District Council, which had been promised by late afternoon. A cynic might think council leadership was delaying the declaration of results it doesn’t like. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/k...
Kaipara's embarrassing mayor, his heir and the spare
Opinion: 'He's clinging on to his last day in power. I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.' – Peter Linnell, local resident
newsroom.co.nz
October 17, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Tick, tick, tick. 6pm and still no final results for Kaipara District Council, which had been promised by late afternoon. A cynic might think council leadership was delaying the declaration of results it doesn’t like. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/k...
‘He’s clinging on to his last day in power,' says Peter Linnell, a Kaipara resident who provoked the outgoing mayor's outburst. 'I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.’ My editorial is out from the @newsroom.co.nz paywall. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/k...
Kaipara's embarrassing mayor, his heir and the spare
Opinion: 'He's clinging on to his last day in power. I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.' – Peter Linnell, local resident
newsroom.co.nz
October 17, 2025 at 12:55 AM
‘He’s clinging on to his last day in power,' says Peter Linnell, a Kaipara resident who provoked the outgoing mayor's outburst. 'I am hoping that after today, he will be consigned to the dustbin of history.’ My editorial is out from the @newsroom.co.nz paywall. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/17/k...
With grim admissions about the dire state of Health NZ and Ministry of Education asset management, Nicola Willis tells me she's encouraging them to speed up the divestment of unwanted schools and clinics, to free up capital for new ones. Article at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/f...
Finance minister urges education and health to 'recycle' redundant properties
With grim admissions about the dire state of Health NZ and Ministry of Education asset management, Nicola Willis is urging them to speed up the divestment of unwanted schools and clinics to free up ca...
newsroom.co.nz
October 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
With grim admissions about the dire state of Health NZ and Ministry of Education asset management, Nicola Willis tells me she's encouraging them to speed up the divestment of unwanted schools and clinics, to free up capital for new ones. Article at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/f...
I'll be on RNZ Nights this evening talking with host @emiledonovan.bsky.social about the origins of the mince and cheese pie, a definitive Kiwi kai. Turns out those midnight munchies forays to the Riccarton Shell station, as a uni student, were my real education! newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
The mystery of NZ's world-famous mince and cheese pie
Who created our quintessential cuisine? Credit for first putting cheese in a pastry-topped beef pie is hotly contested – but one thing seems certain, it was a Kiwi. Jonathan Milne investigates.
newsroom.co.nz
October 16, 2025 at 5:19 AM
I'll be on RNZ Nights this evening talking with host @emiledonovan.bsky.social about the origins of the mince and cheese pie, a definitive Kiwi kai. Turns out those midnight munchies forays to the Riccarton Shell station, as a uni student, were my real education! newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
Iwi leader Snow Tane could roll Kaipara's conservative heir apparent Jonathan Larsen on special votes, I understand. Outgoing mayor Craig Jepson has called an emergency meeting claiming the Māori party ‘co-opted’ polling booths. Exclusive report is at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/k...
Kaipara mayor seeks judicial review into alleged voting irregularities
Iwi leader Snow Tane could roll heir apparent Jonathan Larsen on special votes; mayor calls emergency meeting claiming the Māori party 'co-opted' polling booths. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Iwi leader Snow Tane could roll Kaipara's conservative heir apparent Jonathan Larsen on special votes, I understand. Outgoing mayor Craig Jepson has called an emergency meeting claiming the Māori party ‘co-opted’ polling booths. Exclusive report is at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/k...
Friends and friendly foes recall Jim Bolger as a leader who confounded expectations. He was warm and open-minded. He listened to experts, he asked questions, he challenged received wisdom.
There will be many words said in his memory; here are mine at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/e...
There will be many words said in his memory; here are mine at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/e...
'Even in the darkest times, he understood the need to build our nation'
Comment: Friends and friendly foes alike recall Jim Bolger as a leader who confounded expectations. He was warm and always open-minded. He listened to experts, he asked questions, he challenged receiv...
newsroom.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Friends and friendly foes recall Jim Bolger as a leader who confounded expectations. He was warm and open-minded. He listened to experts, he asked questions, he challenged received wisdom.
There will be many words said in his memory; here are mine at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/e...
There will be many words said in his memory; here are mine at @newsroom.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/e...
Going against the tide, the final local election votes look to have broken left at the expense of conservative Northland leaders. Whangārei's Vince Cocurullo claims he's suffered a hate campaign because he opposed fluoride in the water supply. Story at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/l...
Latest mayor to be ousted claims he's a victim of 'hate speech'
Going against the tide, the final local election votes have broken left at the expense of conservative Northland leaders. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Going against the tide, the final local election votes look to have broken left at the expense of conservative Northland leaders. Whangārei's Vince Cocurullo claims he's suffered a hate campaign because he opposed fluoride in the water supply. Story at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/l...
Exclusive @newsroom.co.nz Local Elections Survey reveals who NZ elected, city by city, district by district – and what the 422 respondents stand for. Click on your council and councillors to find out how they'll vote on the big issues. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/n...
Newsroom Local Elections Survey 2025
Exclusive survey reveals who NZ elected, who our communities elected – and what they stand for. By Jonathan Milne and Marc Daalder
newsroom.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Exclusive @newsroom.co.nz Local Elections Survey reveals who NZ elected, city by city, district by district – and what the 422 respondents stand for. Click on your council and councillors to find out how they'll vote on the big issues. newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/13/n...
It’s one of my first questions, on visiting Goodtime Pie Co factory in Napier. How do you eat a pie on the move, and stop the gravy spilling out the sides? These guys have thought a lot about pies – so director Eric Hill's answer is rather distressing. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
The mystery of NZ's world-famous mince and cheese pie
Who created our quintessential cuisine? Credit for first putting cheese in a pastry-topped beef pie is hotly contested – but one thing seems certain, it was a Kiwi. Jonathan Milne investigates.
newsroom.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 1:59 AM
It’s one of my first questions, on visiting Goodtime Pie Co factory in Napier. How do you eat a pie on the move, and stop the gravy spilling out the sides? These guys have thought a lot about pies – so director Eric Hill's answer is rather distressing. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/08/t...
“To be completely frank, it’s been a really shitty time with rates increases and the cost pressures on local government, and I’m not surprised by some of the results.” – second-placed Hamilton mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson on NZ's swing to the right. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 12, 2025 at 3:45 AM
“To be completely frank, it’s been a really shitty time with rates increases and the cost pressures on local government, and I’m not surprised by some of the results.” – second-placed Hamilton mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson on NZ's swing to the right. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
"I first came to the island in 1977 and was a great place to be … I think we’ve actually been sliding down the slope since then, to be honest. I’d like to think we could trim some spending back." – Greg Horler leads Chatham Islands mayoral vote count at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM
"I first came to the island in 1977 and was a great place to be … I think we’ve actually been sliding down the slope since then, to be honest. I’d like to think we could trim some spending back." – Greg Horler leads Chatham Islands mayoral vote count at @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
‘When you start talking to people, they’re not very knowledgeable about local affairs... Most people couldn’t care less and don’t know much about how councils operate but they grizzle like hell about having to pay high rates.’ –newly elected Act councillor John Hyndman newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
‘When you start talking to people, they’re not very knowledgeable about local affairs... Most people couldn’t care less and don’t know much about how councils operate but they grizzle like hell about having to pay high rates.’ –newly elected Act councillor John Hyndman newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
At @newsroom.co.nz, I've projected that in 66 mayoral races, 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Of 18 councils that imposed double-digit rates rises, 13 have elected new mayors and maybe a 14th, Whakatāne, to come. All the details... newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises
Analysis: Newsroom projects that in 66 mayoral races, at least 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Jonathan Milne reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
At @newsroom.co.nz, I've projected that in 66 mayoral races, 31 communities have elected new mayors, with two more in the balance. Of 18 councils that imposed double-digit rates rises, 13 have elected new mayors and maybe a 14th, Whakatāne, to come. All the details... newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/11/r...
Happy and surprised to agree with ZB's Mike Hosking today, when he quotes from @newsroom.co.nz's "very good" critique of the Adrian Orr restraint of trade saga. "Read the whole article and make up your own mind," Hosking says. Sterling advice. So here's my article: newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/o...
Orr what? Ex-Reserve Bank Governor's tenuous restraint of trade payout
Update:Newsroom has been supplied Adrian Orr's exit agreement revealing he was barred from disparaging the Reserve Bank, its directors, and Nicola Willis – and the gagging order was potentially even m...
newsroom.co.nz
October 9, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Happy and surprised to agree with ZB's Mike Hosking today, when he quotes from @newsroom.co.nz's "very good" critique of the Adrian Orr restraint of trade saga. "Read the whole article and make up your own mind," Hosking says. Sterling advice. So here's my article: newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/o...
Two words: Mātauranga Māori. I visited the Bioeconomy Science Institute on Saturday to interview minister Shane Reti and was lucky enough to meet Christelle, Richard and Isabel – scientists who've made an amazing breakthrough alongside iwi partners. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/c...
Cannabinoid breakthrough recognised as science minister bankrolls Māori traditional knowledge
Shane Reti funds science institute $42m to work with iwi to commercialise NZ's 80,000 indigenous species
newsroom.co.nz
October 9, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Two words: Mātauranga Māori. I visited the Bioeconomy Science Institute on Saturday to interview minister Shane Reti and was lucky enough to meet Christelle, Richard and Isabel – scientists who've made an amazing breakthrough alongside iwi partners. @newsroom.co.nz newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/07/c...
In my @newsroom.co.nz Pro editorial today, I report that Minister Judith Collins has relaxed constraints on using consultants, after departments massively over-delivered on promised spending cuts… and the Govt work-rate slowed at the same time. Out from the paywall now newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/p...
Public spend on consultants slashed – but not to those embedded deep in govt
Comment: Minister Judith Collins has relaxed constraints on consultants spend, after the public sector massively over-delivered on promised spending cuts ... and the Govt work-rate slowed accordingly.
newsroom.co.nz
October 9, 2025 at 1:54 AM
In my @newsroom.co.nz Pro editorial today, I report that Minister Judith Collins has relaxed constraints on using consultants, after departments massively over-delivered on promised spending cuts… and the Govt work-rate slowed at the same time. Out from the paywall now newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/p...