Tag: National Party
Luxon on his game, at ease with people
There’s no doubting the Prime Minister’s convictions and commitment to the job he won in last year’s general election.
A few times in Christopher Luxon’s...
Making maths education count
By Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister and MP for Botany
We recently held the first National Party annual general meeting since forming the Government last...
Mark Mitchell’s promised gang crackdown arrives
A public commitment to crack down on gang crime made two years ago in east Auckland by National Party police spokesperson Mark Mitchell has...
Luxon joins thousands marking Chinese New Year
Thousands of people including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have celebrated the arrival of the Chinese New Year in east Auckland.
The Botany MP and National...
Parent keen to see new school gender and sexuality guidelines
An east Auckland parent strongly opposed to some of the material to be taught to primary school children on gender and sexuality wants to...
SFO defends prosecution after convictions overturned
The law enforcement agency that laid charges against seven people over political donations is defending its decision to prosecute after the Court of Appeal...
Chartered accountant Nancy Lu enters Parliament as List MP
East Auckland chartered accountant Nancy Lu has a new career, having entered Parliament as a National Party List MP.
Her new role is due to...
Police seek help to identify culprit after MPs’ offices vandalised
Multiple MPs' offices in Auckland were vandalised by a group protesting the military conflict in Gaza in the Middle East.
National Party leader and incoming...
Convictions quashed in SFO donations case
The Court of Appeal has overturned the convictions of three businessmen in relation to large donations they made to the National Party.
Yikun Zhang, Shijia...
Incoming PM Christopher Luxon receives hero’s welcome during school visit
Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon received a rapturous welcome from excited pupils during his first visit to his old school since winning this year's general...
‘We have a massive job ahead of us’
In less than a week Simeon Brown should find out if he's going from being an Opposition MP to a Cabinet minister in the...
National will rebuild the economy
By Christopher Luxon, Leader of the Opposition and MP for Botany
This election is about the economy, and which party has the plan to...
Seymour lashes Labour on crime, spending
David Seymour has told east Auckland voters Government spending needs to be brought under control and the country needs to change its attitude toward...
‘The most important election in my lifetime’
They arrived ready to enthusiastically back their local MP for another three-year term in Parliament and left carrying letters to deliver to voters.
More than...
Kiwis worried about the economy and cost of living
By Christopher Luxon, National Party Leader and MP for Botany
There are just 31 days to go until the election, and I'm on the...
Luxon launches National’s campaign with pledge to New Zealanders
Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon has launched his party's election campaign with a guarantee it will achieve eight important commitments to...
Schools have cell phone rules in place
Many secondary schools in the east Auckland area already have rules in place regarding cell phone usage.
The National Party recently announced it will ban...
Election 2023 – Race for the Beehive is on
Small armies of enthusiastic volunteers equipped with timber, power tools and political hoardings descended on east Auckland on Saturday to mark the start of...
Accountant Nancy Lu selected as National Party candidate
An east Auckland chartered accountant is standing as a List-only candidate for the National Party at this year's general election.
Nancy Lu says as a...
Luxon urges supporters to ‘see through the attacks’
National Party leader Christopher Luxon has accused the Labour Government of engaging in personal attacks against him because it doesn't have a record to...
Luxon extends condolences to victims of Auckland CBD shooting
Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon says his thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people killed and injured...
Nicola Willis delivers National’s election pitch to seniors
National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis has delivered her party’s election pitch to several hundred residents at an east Auckland retirement complex.
Willis, who is...
Rising fuel prices exacerbate cost of living crisis
It hasn’t taken long for east Auckland motorists to feel more pain at the pump after the Labour Government reinstated the 25 cents per...
National to increase sentences and support victims if elected
The National Party will introduce tougher sentences for crime and provide more support for victims if elected to Government at this year’s general election...
Ram-raid burglaries up 55 per cent since February
Police data provided to the National Party shows ram-raid burglaries have increased by 55 per cent since February.
There were 44 such incidents reported in...
Labour suggests people have shorter showers to cut costs
The Labour Government is rolling out a public information campaign aimed at encouraging Kiwis to take action to keep their homes warm and dry...
Luxon hits Labour over ‘Blowout Budget’
National Party leader and Botany MP Christopher Luxon says Budget 2023 shows why New Zealand needs a change of direction as well as a...
Former Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross running escort agency – report
Former Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross is reported to be running an escort agency based at residential apartments at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.
The unusual career change...
Luxon rules out forming Government with Maori Party
Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon has today ruled out working with the Maori Party should National be able to form a...
National aims to boost nurse numbers through student loan repayments
People who train as nurses or midwives will have part of their student loans repaid by taxpayers if they work in the sector in...
National to cut farm regulations, restart live animal exports
The National Party will cut red tape on New Zealand’s farming sector if it’s elected to Government at this year’s general election.
And it’s vowed...
Brown attacks Labour’s record as Ardern retires
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown has labelled the Labour Government "arrogant, entitled, and tired" during a blistering attack on its track record.
Brown was the first...
Teaching the basics brilliantly
By Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party and MP for Botany
Education has been a big focus of mine ever since I became...
National vows to raise standards for school pupils
The National Party will rewrite the school curriculum to raise educational standards for Kiwi pupils should it be elected to Government at this year's...
Luxon – National Government will rewrite New Zealand Curriculum
National Party leader and Botany MP Christopher Luxon says his party will rewrite the New Zealand Curriculum if elected to Government at this year’s...
Luxon details his vision for the next National Government
If elected to Government at this year's general election, the National Party will ban gang patches in public places, slash spending on consultants, lift...
Retail crime reaches record levels
Data obtained by the National Party shows the number of reported retail crime incidents in New Zealand has skyrocketed to more than 10,000 in...
Brown slams vandals who damaged MPs’ offices
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is slamming the actions of people who recently defaced the offices of several Members of Parliament.
Brown, the National Party's transport...
MP’s bill would penalise disruptive protesters
A member's bill in the name of Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown would create a new criminal offence of damaging or obstructing State Highways and...
Arrests follow disorder at supermarket
Several people were arrested following what police describe as a "disorder incident" in an east Auckland supermarket.
A police spokesperson says a number of calls...
More than 269,000 bus trips cancelled in Auckland
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is calling out the Labour Government over what he says is its inaction to address Auckland’s ongoing public transport crisis.
Brown,...
Luxon attacks Labour over ‘huge spin, no delivery’
An east Auckland business audience has been given a blunt but optimistic view of New Zealand’s economic and social outlook from the Leader of...
Simeon Brown confirmed as general election candidate
The National Party has re-selected incumbent Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown as its candidate for the electorate at next year's general election.
Brown was first elected...
Bishop says Labour to blame for economic woes
National Party MP Chris Bishop says the Government is to blame for New Zealand's high inflation rate and he expects the country's economic outlook...
Ram-raiders continue to target businesses
Data supplied to the National Party shows more than two ram-raid burglaries were committed across the country every day throughout August.
Numerous east Auckland businesses...
SFO explains decision to charge in donations case
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is explaining its decision to lay criminal charges over political donations after achieving convictions against just three of the...
Homes in transport project’s path
People living in part of east Auckland have been told their homes are needed to make way for a major public transport project.
The Times understands...
National launches anti-pothole campaign
People fed up with the deteriorating state of local roads are being asked to highlight the problem by exposing the worst potholes in the...
Former MP acquitted of charges over political donations
Former Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross has been found not guilty of charges laid over two large donations made to the National Party.
Justice Ian Gault...
Bungard campaigning on experience
Katrina Bungard, Howick Local Board candidate, Pakuranga subdivision
Katrina Bungard is standing for re-election to the Pakuranga subdivision of the Howick Local Board.
As a...
Charity’s $20k gift to young musicians
A selfless east Auckland school pupil is helping talented and creative youngsters to achieve their musical dreams.
Ormiston Senior College student Aadi Golchha is the...
Investigator testifies in donations case
A defence lawyer has vigorously questioned a key Crown witness in a trial over election donations made to New Zealand's two largest political parties.
On...
National will get Kiwis off welfare and into meaningful work
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Last weekend the National Party held its annual conference where Christopher Luxon outlined a major part of our...
Youth MPs calling out Government inaction
Budding young east Auckland politicians have seized the chance to quiz the Government about major issues including housing affordability and mental health.
Three local teenagers...
Ex-MP’s police interview heard in court
An interview disgraced former Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross did with police during his falling out with the National Party in 2018 has been played...
Luxon slams Labour MP’s comments on East Care
The National Party is hitting back at an accusation it's to blame for the closure of east Auckland's only overnight medical service.
The after-hours service...
Political party donations trial begins
Seven people are defending charges in an Auckland High Court trial relating to alleged wrongdoing over large donations made to political parties.
Among the defendants...
National says police hamstrung by Government policy
The National Party’s police spokesperson says frontline officers want to crack down harder on gangs but are being hamstrung by a Government that wants...
Lawyer, politician dies
Long-time local body politician and Botany lawyer Ken Yee has died.
Yee, whose service was held on Saturday, passed away peacefully on June 19.
His death...
National’s deputy leader says New Zealand can do better
Nicola Willis says voters will have a clear choice at the next general election between an incumbent Labour Government that’s taking New Zealand “backwards”...
A National Government will tackle gangs and crime
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
National Party leader Christopher Luxon recently announced National's plan to tackle crime and curtail the growth of gangs...
A National Government will tackle gangs and crime
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Last week, National Party leader Christopher Luxon announced National’s plan to tackle crime and curtail the growth of...
Healthcare reforms will fail, Reti says
The current Government's move towards centralising healthcare and abolishing the District Health Boards (DHBs) will fail for several reasons, a National MP says.
National Party...
Young leader excited to tackle the big issues
Aryan Bhatnagar intends to use the next five months investigating one of the biggest issues facing young New Zealanders.
The 18-year-old former Botany Downs Secondary...
MP calls to axe regional fuel tax
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is criticising the Labour Government for leaving more than $300 million raised from the Auckland regional fuel tax unspent.
Brown, the...
$29b for light rail simply wasteful
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Two weeks ago Treasury released documents showing Labour's light rail commitment could cost up to $29 billion, nearly...
A society divided
By Christopher Luxon, MP for Botany and National Party leader
I want to address the elephant in the room: our increasingly divided society.
I entered...
Rein it in before it’s too late!
Christopher Luxon is National Party leader and the MP for Botany
It's great to be back at Parliament for 2022 with our hard-working National...
MP defends KiwiBuild’s record
A Government MP based in east Auckland is defending the Labour Party's record when it comes to building new homes in the local community.
Botany-based...
Court trials loom for accused
Three criminal trials with links to east Auckland are set to be held during 2022.
The first is scheduled to begin on March 7 at...
Government proposes income insurance scheme
Consultation is under way on the creation of a Government programme intended to help Kiwis who lose their jobs.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the...
Merry Christmas and season’s greetings from Christopher Luxon
By Christopher Luxon, the MP for Botany and National Party Leader
It's been just over 12 months since I was elected the MP for...
Luxon slams Covid decision as National rises in new poll
Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the Government should immediately move Auckland to the 'orange' level of the Covid-19 protection framework...
Luxon takes the reins
Just one year after entering Parliament as the new MP for Botany, former Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon is the new leader...
Donations cases merge for trial
The defendants charged over election donations to New Zealand's two major political parties will now be tried together.
A ruling by Auckland High Court Justice...
Luxon named as leadership contender
East Auckland’s two National Party MPs are tight-lipped on who they believe should replace ousted former leader Judith Collins.
Collins was dumped by her party’s...
Follow-through needed on Eastern Busway
By Christopher Luxon, MP for Botany
News that the Government backed down on their unfathomable $785 million cycle bridge, and instead chose to reprioritise...
Move to delay elections slammed
Legislation that will give the Government the power to delay next year’s local body elections until 2023 is being met with howls of outrage...
Donations case trial date set
A new trial date has been set for the four defendants in the National Party donations case.
Disgraced former Independent Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross and...
Petition opposes water reforms
Almost 25,000 people have signed a petition opposing the Government's "Three Waters" plan to reform the management of New Zealand's drinking water, waste water,...
Highbrook Covid vaccination centre reopens
The Covid-19 vaccination centre in Highbrook has reopened after being closed for a month while its staff were redeployed.
Numerous people have expressed confusion and...
MP: Police Minister’s actions “shameful”
Pakuranga MP and National Party police spokesman Simeon Brown is describing the actions of Police Minister Poto Williams as “shameful”.
His criticism relates to his...
SFO silent on donations trial delay
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is declining to comment on why the criminal trial of the four men accused in the National Party donations...
Labour set to control Kiwis’ speech
The National Party has always been, and always will be, a staunch protector of New Zealanders' right to free speech.
It's an important part of...
MP’s bill will stop Government from ‘funding organised crime’
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown says he will introduce a member’s bill to prevent future Government funding from being granted to organised crime units.
Brown, the...
Dirt bike riders arrested
Six men were arrested after allegedly taking part in a disruptive group dirt bike ride through east Auckland.
Counties Manukau Police road policing manager, Inspector...
‘Thanks for your trust’
In my first official column in the Times as the new MP for Botany, let me firstly say a big thank you for putting...
Christopher Luxon wins Botany seat for Nats
As the country waited with bated breath on Saturday evening while the early votes were being counted, there was a palpable buzz of excitement...
Brown bolts home by huge margin in Pakuranga
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown helped to keep east Auckland blue by easily winning re-election to Parliament at this year's general election.
The 29-year-old celebrated his...
Rima Nakhle: Strong voice for tougher laws on crime
The selection process is a rigorous one.
Rima Nakhle had to prove her mettle to be chosen from a pool of capable candidates for the...
Muller new face of National:Bridges removed as leader
Simon Bridges has been removed as leader of the National Party in favour of newcomer Todd Muller.
His deputy Paula Bennett has also lost her...
Luxon: Reduce regulations the message to GETBA
Christopher Luxon, National Party candidate for the Botany electorate, has thrown down a challenge to the coalition government to cut regulation.
At the Greater East...
SFO files charges in National Party donations case
Crime
The Serious Fraud Office filed criminal charges today against four people in relation to donations paid into a National Party electorate bank account.
Last year...
Luxon: NZ faces unprecedented challenges
There’s a General Election towards the end of the year and Christopher Luxon has been selected to stand for National in the Botany seat....
Simeon Brown: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
This is my final column for 2019 and I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from my...
Politics: National to invest in quality education for our kids
As the MP for Pakuranga, an electorate with some of the best schools in the country, I know just how a good education can...
Luxon: `I’ll be fighting hard to earn Botany’s trust’
By Farida Master
After months of speculation, former Air New Zealand Chief executive Christopher Luxon was officially elected on Monday evening as the National Party...
Battle of Botany-Lyon roars in face of Luxon
Former Air New Zealand chief executive Chris Luxon entering the Botany candidate selection for the National Party does not faze local nominee Stephen Lyon...
Lyon seeks nomination for Botany
By Jim Birchall
The first confirmed name to contest the nomination for the National Party candidacy for Botany is Stephen Lyon.
Lyon is the owner of...
Vocational education reforms concerning
The Government has announced significant changes to New Zealand’s Vocational Education sector, which will mean big changes for local polytechs including our own Manukau...
