The Ross v Bridges affair is a kick up the arse on Chinese state influence in NZ

If there’s one takeaway from the donations controversy that sparked the National Party Meltdown, it’s that we ought to start taking such influence campaigns seriously, writes Branko Marcetic To read the Chinese Embassy response, scroll to end. It’s a story about intraparty conflict and political ambition. It’s a story about potential electoral finance lawbreaking. It’s … Read more

The Bulletin: Ross saga splinters and spirals

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Ross saga flies off in half a dozen different directions, Wellington bus drivers vote on indefinite length strike, and a tragedy for DOC. It’s not really clear what you’d call this story any more, because it’s now about half a dozen different stories. That follows another wild … Read more

The Bulletin: What fresh horrors await National today?

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: National party knife-fight gets extremely bloody, Naura detainee refugees may be allowed to come to NZ, and a shake-up coming for Māori media. The developments at Parliament yesterday are almost without precedent, as renegade National MP Jami-Lee Ross threw astonishing accusations at his party leader Simon … Read more