#BHN Big Hairy News

Labour has announced it's first election promise of 2026, capping public transport costs nationwide in a bid to ease the cost of living for everyday people.Qiulae Wong, leader of the Opportunity Party sits down with Guy Espiner to break down some of the party's policies, including full tax system overhaul, citizens income and wanting to be the new 'Kingmaker' and overthrow Winston Peters from his throne.David Seymour's truancy fines for parents whose children are not attending school has affected the parents of children who are disables, unwell and in some cases dying, as reported by the blog 'Emily Writes'.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

National have walked back the levy on gentailers to pay for their backup LNG terminal but will continue to move along the development. Opposition have criticised it is too close to the election for a big costly project to move forward.The 2026 budget has some hidden unknown costs that future govts will have to pay for, essentially borrowing from future budgets, which is frowned upon.Rakesh Naidoo is under investigation by the police commissioner after it was revealed yesterday he was running for Labour this election and ranking 13th on the Labour MP ranking list.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Labour revealed their MP list rankings for the 2026 election, with huge shifts up and down the rankings with many high profile sitting MPs moving position.Nicola Willis on Breakfast this morning was asked about the rise in number of children in housing deprivation, and what he govt plans to do about it. Her office also responds to Chloe Swarbrick accusing the govt of missing millions in their budget to account for the rise in govt contributions to KiwisaverNational have announced a number of election promises, including three days of hospital stay for mothers post-partum, and a boost to the QEII investment fund to please the farmer vote.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donations

Four MPs that visited Taiwan recently in an unofficial capacity have been banned from entering China for one year citing a betrayal of the One-China Policy.Qiulae Wong, leader of Opporunity Party, addresses criticisms of her party but also lays out some non-negotiables for the party should they enter coalition talks.Trevor Noah and Hasan Piker discuss politics and the state of America, echoing much of what is playing out in NZ's democracy.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Act MP Laura McClure joined Green MP Ricardo Menendes March on the NZ Herald this morning and accidently said the quiet part out loud confirming the only "minority" that ACT is ever focused on is Māori, which we've always known, but fascinating to hear the list MP publicly state it.
Chris Penk joined Keiran McAnulty on Breakfast this morning where Penk spent a lot of time explain what he meant when he spoke of a conversation around NZ's nuclear free status and both members of parliament traded thoughts on the ongoing controversary between Fonterra and the PM's office.
The country's political reporters are in a stand-off with the Speaker Gerry Brownlee over his contemplation of a temporary ban of Stuff Digital from Parliament. Brownlee is set to make a ruling on Stuff's access to the Parliamentary precinct after raising concerns about some of its reporting last month.
++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/