Peter Dunne

Political Scientist, Historian, Liberal, former MP and Minister, who still likes to talk. Cantabrian on OE in Wellington.

Contact Peter Dunne

Twitter - @honpeterdunne

Peter Dunne - Latest News [Page 1]

Dunne's Weekly: Labour's Policy Vacuum

Thursday, 21 May 2026, 9:27 am | Peter Dunne

Labour’s problem in trying to appear responsible and realistic about its election policy commitments, unlike the naive optimism of its predecessor, is that it ends up looking insipid and unconvincing. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Waititi Correct, But Unlikely To Get His Wish

Thursday, 14 May 2026, 8:36 am | Peter Dunne

Although Labour looks to have no path to government without Te Pati Māori, Chris Hipkins has so far been disparaging of Te Pati Māori’s readiness to be part of a government and keeps refusing to say whether the two parties could work together. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: The Pragmatic Food For Fuel Deal With Singapore

Friday, 8 May 2026, 8:21 am | Peter Dunne

Since the end of World War II Singapore has consistently cited New Zealand and Australia as its two most significant regional partners. Both countries have also had to deal with changes to British foreign policy that have adversely affected them. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Luxon/Peters Spat Just Part Of Peters' Ongoing Plan

Friday, 1 May 2026, 8:11 am | Peter Dunne

And if the spat continues to respond the way it has so far, with public rebukes and put downs, National will carry on being seen as ineffectual in dealing with the far wilier Peters. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: It's Peters' Words That Count

Friday, 24 April 2026, 8:25 am | Peter Dunne

Words do matter in politics, whether it be about coalition prospects or breaking up the supermarket duopoly or the electricity gentailers. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: What To Do When Prime Ministers Become Impaired

Friday, 17 April 2026, 8:12 am | Peter Dunne

Under section 4 of 25th Amendment, the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet can declare the President unfit for office, for health or other reasons, and, with the support of the Congress, remove the President, in favour of the Vice President. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Pulled Punches Wise Diplomacy

Friday, 10 April 2026, 8:51 am | Peter Dunne

There is a fine line to tread between making the country’s position clear in US–Israel military action against Iran, consistent with our independent foreign policy and being overly belligerent in our language to the detriment of our wider interests. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: A Prime Minister, Not A CEO

Friday, 3 April 2026, 9:39 am | Peter Dunne

Christopher Luxon’s comment to an apparently taken-aback Tova O'Brien on Breakfast earlier this week, that he saw his role as “CEO of New Zealand”, shows how little he has moved on from the days when he used to run an airline. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Can Andrew Little Continue His Solid Start?

Friday, 6 March 2026, 8:31 am | Peter Dunne

Little’s early performance as Mayor is encouraging and a relief to those who despaired of the Wellington City Council ever regaining its senses. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Hipkins' Auckland Hit The Right Tone, But Is Anyone Listening?

Thursday, 26 February 2026, 8:33 am | Peter Dunne

Hipkins' primary task over the last two years has been to repair the fences Labour has broken in Auckland and to rebuild his own personal credibility before he can be taken seriously as a Prime Minister. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: MMP And Social Cohesion

Friday, 20 February 2026, 9:33 am | Peter Dunne

Peter Dunne argues that the way MMP has developed in New Zealand has enhanced neither economic prosperity nor social cohesion. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Labour Over Barrel On Free Trade Agreement

Friday, 13 February 2026, 1:27 pm | Peter Dunne

There is too much riding on this free trade deal to risk its being derailed by short-term political games. For the country’s sake, let alone its own Integrity, Labour cannot afford to cause this to happen. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Economic Numbers Tell The Story

Friday, 6 February 2026, 8:34 am | Peter Dunne

While people remain sceptical about this government’s performance, they are even more so about its predecessor. They remain to be convinced either bloc has the answers. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: A Test For Luxon's Leadership

Thursday, 29 January 2026, 9:05 am | Peter Dunne

While Luxon has done well so far, the real test of his leadership is yet to come. Fine words and sentiments in the wake of a disaster have an immediate calming effect, but their true worth is determined by the level of the response that follows. More >>

Dunne's Weekly: Election Date Announcement Sets Off Other Processes

Thursday, 22 January 2026, 8:26 am | Peter Dunne

The timing of the election also has significant implications for voters. Under changes to the Electoral Act last December, voters will now no longer be able to enrol to vote on election day, as had been the case since Labour’s 2019 amendments. More >>