sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

Alex Tarrant

About

Alex is interest.co.nz's political journalist based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington. He previously spent four years in London as a journalist and assistant editor at global financial newswire Mergermarket, which was part of the FT Group. Alex worked for interest.co.nz between 2008 and 2012, returning at the start of 2017.

Email Alex

Member for

16 years 9 months

Latest articles

Veiled political LVR threats ahead of election
English and Ardern raise concerns with RBNZ's loan-to-value ratio limits, and debt-to-income ratio work, while 'respecting' RBNZ independence
by Alex Tarrant
153
English and Ardern raise concerns with RBNZ's loan-to-value ratio limits, and debt-to-income ratio work, while 'respecting' RBNZ independence
Ardern not as fixated on immigration numbers as Little
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says 'not fixated on numbers' in immigration debate; More focussed on 'getting our system right'
by Alex Tarrant
108
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says 'not fixated on numbers' in immigration debate; More focussed on 'getting our system right'
National's dog-whistle to Winston's boot campers
National's boot camp policy a dog-whistle to Winston First voters as English and Joyce seek poll jump; Alex Tarrant says the policy is an insulting acknowledgement of the National Cabinet's lack of understanding on inter-generational poverty
by Alex Tarrant
109
National's boot camp policy a dog-whistle to Winston First voters as English and Joyce seek poll jump; Alex Tarrant says the policy is an insulting acknowledgement of the National Cabinet's lack of understanding on inter-generational poverty
Labour's rural-urban wealth transfer policy
Labour's knee-jerk 'clean our rivers' call needs details so it doesn't look like a rural-to-urban wealth transfer in the sheep's clothing of a freshwater policy; On the principles of royalties; And why aren't we talking nitrates?
by Alex Tarrant
115
Labour's knee-jerk 'clean our rivers' call needs details so it doesn't look like a rural-to-urban wealth transfer in the sheep's clothing of a freshwater policy; On the principles of royalties; And why aren't we talking nitrates?
In defence of Graeme Wheeler - in his own words
A very quick defence of RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler's five year term - in his own words; Just keep in mind output and employment growth averaged 3% a year and house price growth moderated
by Alex Tarrant
5
A very quick defence of RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler's five year term - in his own words; Just keep in mind output and employment growth averaged 3% a year and house price growth moderated
Big poll jump for Labour after Ardern becomes leader
Newshub poll shows big jump for Labour and Ardern at expense of Greens, National and New Zealand First; Winston Peters still Kingmaker
by Alex Tarrant
150
Newshub poll shows big jump for Labour and Ardern at expense of Greens, National and New Zealand First; Winston Peters still Kingmaker
Metiria: 'Resigning as Co-Leader is my decision'
Metiria Turei resigns as Green Party Co-Leader due to family intrusion; Shaw to solely lead party into election
by Alex Tarrant
47
Metiria Turei resigns as Green Party Co-Leader due to family intrusion; Shaw to solely lead party into election
Labour's water tax a nod to politics over policy
Labour could have knocked the water debate out of the park; But the economics of its royalties policy just don't work; Let's hope they get some nationalistic headlines out of it before questions are asked
by Alex Tarrant
62
Labour could have knocked the water debate out of the park; But the economics of its royalties policy just don't work; Let's hope they get some nationalistic headlines out of it before questions are asked
Labour: Royalties on all commercial water use
Labour to impose royalties on all commercial water use, but says rates won't be set until after 'first 100 days' meeting with affected parties after election
by Alex Tarrant
60
Labour to impose royalties on all commercial water use, but says rates won't be set until after 'first 100 days' meeting with affected parties after election
Green rebels talk; Ardern keeps issue at arm's length
Labour leader Ardern seeks to keep Greens' troubles at arm's length as Kennedy Graham and David Clendon withdraw from Greens' caucus; English seeks to heap pressure on the Left, but ends up putting more on himself
by Alex Tarrant
149
Labour leader Ardern seeks to keep Greens' troubles at arm's length as Kennedy Graham and David Clendon withdraw from Greens' caucus; English seeks to heap pressure on the Left, but ends up putting more on himself
Later Auckland building peak could be better - PM
Steadier path to later & higher Auckland house building peak could be better for first home buyers, construction industry and high school leavers looking to enter the trades, PM English says
by Alex Tarrant
39
Steadier path to later & higher Auckland house building peak could be better for first home buyers, construction industry and high school leavers looking to enter the trades, PM English says
Two Green Party MPs quit
Green Party MPs Kennedy Graham and David Clendon to quit, reportedly in protest at co-leader Turei's decision not to resign; But also not satisfied with list places
by Alex Tarrant
61
Green Party MPs Kennedy Graham and David Clendon to quit, reportedly in protest at co-leader Turei's decision not to resign; But also not satisfied with list places
Manufacturers & exporters: Election wish list
NZ Manufacturers and Exporters Association's Election 2017 wish list: A focus on tertiary education, a targeted immigration policy, and an understanding of how automation will affect the sector
by Alex Tarrant
10
NZ Manufacturers and Exporters Association's Election 2017 wish list: A focus on tertiary education, a targeted immigration policy, and an understanding of how automation will affect the sector
Auckland Transport: A tale of two plans
National, Labour battle over how to fix Auckland's traffic congestion problems
by Alex Tarrant
71
National, Labour battle over how to fix Auckland's traffic congestion problems
Auckland transport next election battleground
Auckland transport set to be next election campaign battleground as Labour gears up for rail announcement; National's also making moves; Could they end up in agreement come 23 September?
by Alex Tarrant
75
Auckland transport set to be next election campaign battleground as Labour gears up for rail announcement; National's also making moves; Could they end up in agreement come 23 September?
Ardern on tax: 'All in good time'
'All in good time,' Ardern says on tax policy as she sets out campaign focus on housing, health, education, environment, infrastructure and Maori affairs
by Alex Tarrant
134
'All in good time,' Ardern says on tax policy as she sets out campaign focus on housing, health, education, environment, infrastructure and Maori affairs
Do Auckland land bankers even exist?
An existential Auckland housing debate during Parliament's Question Time: Do land bankers even exist? Also, building consents vs code compliance certificates (and Nick Smith's defective knob)
by Alex Tarrant
79
An existential Auckland housing debate during Parliament's Question Time: Do land bankers even exist? Also, building consents vs code compliance certificates (and Nick Smith's defective knob)
Housing, Auckland transport under Labour spotlight
First home buyers, homelessness key focus of new Labour leadership team in Parliament Wednesday; Auckland traffic congestion, health and education also talked up
by Alex Tarrant
43
First home buyers, homelessness key focus of new Labour leadership team in Parliament Wednesday; Auckland traffic congestion, health and education also talked up
Unemployment rate falls to 4.8% in June
Unemployment rate falls to 4.8%; Lowest since start of GFC as potential workers drop out of the labour force; Employment also down during June quarter; NEET rate falls
by Alex Tarrant
20
Unemployment rate falls to 4.8%; Lowest since start of GFC as potential workers drop out of the labour force; Employment also down during June quarter; NEET rate falls
'Our focus will be about bringing fairness back into New Zealand'
Tax plan looks set to be on new Labour election agenda as Little’s ‘no change’ shadow is no more; Also, Ardern on being able to handle Winston & the Greens in Cabinet; 'Election will see generational change'
by Alex Tarrant
114
Tax plan looks set to be on new Labour election agenda as Little’s ‘no change’ shadow is no more; Also, Ardern on being able to handle Winston & the Greens in Cabinet; 'Election will see generational change'
What you think about Labour's move
Labour leadership change: Interest.co.nz readers believe installing Ardern and Davis was the right move and that it'll help their election chances
by Alex Tarrant
48
Labour leadership change: Interest.co.nz readers believe installing Ardern and Davis was the right move and that it'll help their election chances
English shrugs off farmer criticism
PM English shrugs off farmer criticism over National's immigration policy, says work being done on skills lists; Also, we shouldn't forget National's polling is down as well
by Alex Tarrant
16
PM English shrugs off farmer criticism over National's immigration policy, says work being done on skills lists; Also, we shouldn't forget National's polling is down as well
Labour has a problem; How to fix it
Labour has a problem, but there are ways to fix it: A simple platform that would appease voters who left; Stay away from complex policies that attract negative reactions & scare National's swingers. And get a proper tax policy again
by Alex Tarrant
72
Labour has a problem, but there are ways to fix it: A simple platform that would appease voters who left; Stay away from complex policies that attract negative reactions & scare National's swingers. And get a proper tax policy again
The export goal, climate change & augmented reality
The government's 40% export goal, climate change, clean rivers and a case of augmented reality; With the goggles on, things look fine. But AgResearch reveals the cold, hard reality in our agriculture emissions efforts
by Alex Tarrant
31
The government's 40% export goal, climate change, clean rivers and a case of augmented reality; With the goggles on, things look fine. But AgResearch reveals the cold, hard reality in our agriculture emissions efforts
The Green Party needs to split or focus
This election and the next more than ever are screaming out for an environmental party to hold the balance of power, Alex Tarrant says; The Greens need to split or grow up and focus only on environmental issues
by Alex Tarrant
99
This election and the next more than ever are screaming out for an environmental party to hold the balance of power, Alex Tarrant says; The Greens need to split or grow up and focus only on environmental issues