Helicopter rides, Elton John tickets and cigars: What gifts MPs were given over the last year
The office of the Speaker has released the Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests, which includes a summary of MPs' interests as at 31 January this year. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received a range of gifts, including tickets to Elton John's concert and U2's - with those tickets gifted by lead singer Bono. Other gifts included products from Loreal, a lifetime subscription to TIME magazine, and tickets to Warriors and All Blacks matches. National leader Simon Bridges also scored free tickets to U2, and tickets to the Bledisloe Cup. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and National's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee both received cuban cigars from the Cuban Embassy or Ambassador. And helicopter flights were a theme amongst National MPs, with nine declaring they were gifted a free ride.
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Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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36.2% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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63.8% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Poll: Is Auckland’s economy improving?
The latest reporting from The Post suggests a wave of optimism for 2026. With interest rates finally heading south, businesses are feeling more positive. But for many on the ground, the real-world recovery feels a bit like a slow-moving commute on Auckland's motorways.
We want to know: Are you seeing signs of Auckland's economy improving in your industry or neighbourhood? Whether it's busier shops, new projects kicking off, or just a shift in the mood ...
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17.4% Yes
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65.8% No
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16.8% A little
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