Waitangi, Labour Party, unemployment, insurance and rare minerals

ANALYSIS: Inflation, interest rates, and now unemployment, are all up – three things no government wants in an election year.

WATCH: NBR political editor Brent Edwards speaks with Grant Walker.

The country’s politicians all trooped back to Waitangi this week, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as the parties made their election year pitches to iwi.

The contentious Treaty Principles Bill overshadowed Waitangi Day last year, but in 2026 it was not the central theme of

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Brent Edwards Sat, 07 Feb 2026

Contact the Writer: brent@nbr.co.nz

News tip? Question? Typo? Let us know: editor@nbr.co.nz

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