Thomas Coughlan
Political Editor
Thomas Coughlan, Political Editor at the New Zealand Herald, loves applying a political lens to people's stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives.
I’ve been working at the Herald since 2021. I’d previously worked for Stuff and Newsroom in their Press Gallery offices in Wellington. Since joining the Press Gallery in 2018, I’ve barely strayed ten paces from my first desk - it feels like home. I love putting a political lens on people’s stories and explaining the way things like transport and finance touch our lives. I’m a massive fan of spreadsheets. I love cooking and reading - generally not at the same time. If I’m not working, you’ll find me in the kitchen or at the library… or perhaps at a gig. You can find my amusing tweets at @coughlthom.
Check out Thomas’s latest content
'Potentially catastrophic' – Luxon speaks after Israel conducts ‘pre-emptive strike’ on Iran
The Prime Minister will visit China before heading to the Nato summit in Europe.
Government compromises with Auckland on housing, U-turns on 'sausage flat' promise
Auckland will opt out of the 'sausage flat' law but other councils will be forced to stay.
Moo-turn: Chris Hipkins says farming emissions policy ‘under review’
Labour on verge of giving up on a 17-year battle to price agricultural emission?
Thomas Coughlan: Govt suffers minimal political damage from pay equity shock
OPINION: Polls show pay equity changes are unpopular, but not as unpopular as feared.
Thomas Coughlan: How the Forbes scandal exposed flaws in NZ's security clearance system
Analysis: The Prime Minister is right to be concerned about vetting processes.
Police endorse decision not to charge PM’s deputy press secretary Michael Forbes
Current commissioner Richard Chambers says the police's executive team were made aware.
Millions in taxpayer cash on the line as Govt pushes for Wellington Avatar premiere
Disney stands to gain tens of millions of dollars if one of the films premieres in NZ.
Nicola Willis sets aside money for election costings unit
An old proposal to establish a unit to cost election policies has funding.
Te Pāti Māori tries to heal rift with Labour, is it too late? - Thomas Coughlan
Te Pāti Māori is trying to repair a strained relationship with Labour.
Peters rules out working with Labour after 2026 election if Hipkins is leader
The NZ First leader wants to be clear: he will never do a governing deal with Hipkins.
Thomas Coughlan: Why Govt's hard tack right in Budget is a challenge for Labour
OPINION: The Government shows its colours – and why Labour is in trouble.
Budget papers reveal effective 0.5% tax hike on 180k families, considered company tax cut
The Government considered a 5 percentage point cut to the corporate tax rate.
PM says Budget ‘backs growth’, Labour claims KiwiSaver cuts make workers up to $66k worse off
'National backs growth and I’m telling you, Labour wants to tax it,' the PM said today.
‘Show me the money’: Nicola Willis issues challenge to Labour
In a tightly fought Budget build-up, Willis still has words for the Opposition.
Why failure to compromise on Te Pāti Māori MPs' punishment bodes ill for Parliament
OPINION: Someone in Parliament needs to step up and find a compromise.
IRD not 'geared up' to know how many families, if any, received $252 tax promise
Significant lags in data are contributing to the issue.
Explained: Why the Government is getting money from the Super Fund in 2028
The Government caused quite a stir when it announced money would be paid out of the fund.
Luxon announces $164m for new 24/7 urgent care services
The Prime Minister made the pre-Budget health announcement in Botany this afternoon.
An average registered nurse's pay will fall under Greens' tax plan
Plans come at an unfortunate time, with the Opposition protesting pay equity changes.
Opinion: 54th Parliament’s worst week – Thomas Coughlan
A look back at our angry, sweary Parliament.
Nicola Willis announces $577m film investment at Peter Jackson’s film studio
The extra money brings rebate total to $1.09 billion over four years.
Watch: Brooke van Velden drops c-bomb after Labour asks if she agrees with infamous column
It comes as Labour refused to condemn the column.
Greens promise $88b from new taxes spanning inheritance to private jets
The Greens want a wealth tax, inheritance tax and some income tax increases.
David Parker on going ‘a bit far’ on landlord tax and calling an MP a ‘tosser’
Why a former MP thinks his tax change of 2021 went too far and how it could be fixed.
‘Debt-funded spending spree’: Economist from NZ’s largest bank aims at Labour’s Budgets
An ANZ economist has said Labour's Budgets were unsustainable and fuelled inflation.
Economic milestone set as Govt signals first Super Fund withdrawal date
The Government will make the first withdrawal since the fund was established in 2001.
Watch: 'Govt is gaslighting all Kiwi women' Hipkins says in pre-Budget speech
The Government refuses to disclose how much money it will save from reducing pay equity.
Thomas Coughlan: An ugly week for National MPs
OPINION: Pay equity row leaves backbenchers caught between party loyalty and voter anger.
Decision on fate of Te Pāti Māori MPs closer after late-night meeting
The Privileges Committee met again to discuss the actions of three Te Pāti Māori MPs.
'To Shane Jones ...': Parker bows out with a laugh and look back at 23-year career
Labour’s David Parker is leaving Parliament after 23 years.
Parliament marks 110 years of haka, as Te Pāti Māori MPs face wrath of Privileges Committee
Haka have been performed in Parliament for more than a century.
Thomas Coughlan: Government moving too fast on roll back of pay equity regime
OPINION: The coalition hasn't made a good case for urgently pushing through bill.
‘It’s hurting, it’s really hurting’: Kristine Bartlett on Government move to restrict pay equity claims
The changes are set to give the Government major cost reductions ahead of the Budget.
Govt saves $1b after hitting housing target early; Treasury changes forecasts
Treasury has incorporated new pro-growth policies into its forecasts.
Inside the battle for Labour’s wealth tax
A new generation of party activists is ready to fill David Parker's shoes after his exit.
Kiwis saving for retirement get free $1b a year - will it survive Govt cuts?
Govt currently contributes up to $521 a year if people make payments of a certain level.
Peters to travel to New Caledonia
Peters will meet the former French Prime Minister in New Caledonia.
KiwiSaver subsidies, Best Start? What the Govt might cut in Budget - and why
Why the Government is cutting spending, and what might go.
Listen: Tory Whanau rates her performance as mayor a 9/10
She's confirmed she won't be seeking re-election this year.
Nicola Willis' plan to save 'billions' thanks to Budget cuts
Nicola Willis will deliver a pre-Budget speech this morning.
Seymour sides with banks after 'disappointing' advice from Regulation Ministry
The ministry said banking rules were not out of line – Seymour and the banks disagreed.
Government plans to build thousands of EV chargers by 2030
The Government is aiming for 10,000 EV charging stations.
Inside the climate debate that quietly rocked the National Party
OPINION: A Government climate policy sparked a National Party civil war.
Luxon speaks at Gallipoli on the 'real lesson' of Anzac Day
Christopher Luxon is the first New Zealand Prime Minister to visit Gallipoli in a decade.
Anzac spirit: Aussie politicians confirm Kiwi citizenship pathway will stay
There have been fears a change of Government in Australia would axe the new rules.
Thomas Coughlan: How Labour walked away from Tory Whanau and backed Andrew Little
OPINION: In 2022, Labour quietly backed Tory Whanau. Now they want her gone.
‘I wasn’t happy’ Nicola Willis responds to Reserve Bank’s $50m splurge
The funding shake-up explained.
Reserve Bank loses millions in funding under new deal with Government
The bank's expenses will be slashed by 25% this year.
Thomas Coughlan: Inside Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters’ Donald Trump bust-up
OPINION: The PM and his deputy have been feuding from three different countries.
‘Never say never': Former Labour MP Stuart Nash on NZ First candidacy rumours
'I have an immense amount of respect for Winston Peters.'
Thomas Coughlan: The Treaty Principles Bill is buried – for now
OPINION: Parliament was pushed to breaking point by the Treaty Principles Bill.
Watch: Luxon plans free-trade talks blitz as Trump changes tune on tariffs
Luxon will call other world leaders today in a bid to save the trading system.
Government to close under-fire $400m climate fund
The fund was caught up in the collapse of SolarZero.
Watch: Willis will not change forthcoming Budget as Trump tariffs hit NZ economy
As the economy slides, the finance minister will brief the country on tariff impact.
Thomas Coughlan: Defence overhaul will hit spending in other areas
OPINION: $12 billion does not go a long way in the defence world.
New helicopters, planes, strike capability: Govt’s $12b spend on defence revealed
The plan reveals $12 billion in funding over the next four years.
Thomas Coughlan: Luxon should vote down the Treaty Principles Bill in person
OPINION: Christopher Luxon should be in Parliament when the bill is killed.
Coalition back on track after months behind Labour
Labour has been squeezed in a new poll, while the minor parties have gained support.
Liberation Day: NZ Govt zeroes in on 20 areas that might anger Trump as tariff day dawns
The Government awaits the US President's tariff announcement.
Zelenskyy pushes for more sanctions in call with Luxon
Ukraine's President also spoke about joint efforts to ensure security for his country.
Peters slams KiwiRail after 'unacceptable' $8m consultancy payment finally revealed
The figures were released after months of wrangling with the Ombudsman
Judith Collins wants ‘performance management’ for public service chief executives
The Public Service Minister wants performance management.
Chris Hipkins trying to stay out of Benjamin Doyle controversy, slams Winston Peters
Hipkins said threats were concerning, but won't say whether Doyle's posts were appropriate
Labour-Green rift over policing prompts Hipkins to reflect on rhetoric
The Labour leader has made amends with the Greens.
Luxon grilled over ferries, Green MP's posts at post-Cabinet stand-up
Luxon was joined by Brooke van Velden.
‘Saving the taxpayer billions’: Peters reveals new ferries to replace ailing fleet
Winston Peters will announce the next steps to replace ageing Interislander ferries.
Bill English on fixing the health system - and the Auckland iwi leading the way
The former Prime Minister thinks there are plenty of ways to improve performance.
Voters want to retain living wage for govt cleaners, security guards and catering staff
A poll shows voters are in favour of the living wage continuing for govt contracts.
Cabinet blocks Bishop's plan to zone for 540,000 new Auckland homes
Housing Minister Chris Bishop's audacious proposal for new housing was overruled.
‘The first I’ve heard of it’ Tama Potaka unaware Treaty principles removed from new RMA
Cabinet was briefed on the change, but Potaka, a Cabinet minister, was unaware.
Bonfire of the authorities: How Govt's planning reforms will impact councils - and you
The Government promises to dramatically liberalise planning rules.
Thomas Coughlan: Winston Peters has a lot of thoughts about ... Labour
OPINION: Winston Peters couldn't stop talking about the Labour Party.
‘Disgrace to the country’ vs ‘left-wing fascists’: Peters scraps with protesters at speech
The NZ First leader delivered a state of the nation speech in Christchurch today.
Thomas Coughlan: Govt comes out on top this week but choppy waters ahead
The Government has fared best of late – but it is unprepared for a brutal winter.
‘False facts’: Govt hits out at Labour for ‘misleading’ attacks on PPP schools
Labour has had to change its story on PPP schools and their alleged downfalls.
Kiwi drug agency Pharmac escapes US scrutiny over prices
American pharmaceutical companies want Australia slapped with tariffs.
‘Contrary to law’: Ombudsman singles out Health NZ’s attitude to official information
Health NZ's delays to releasing official information catch the eye of outgoing Ombudsman.
Winston Peters ‘seriously pleased’ with Marco Rubio meeting, but no answer on tariffs
The Foreign Minister met with Secretary of State Rubio in Washington DC.