Energy Policy, Voting Rights and Tobacco Excise w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: July 9th 2026

The Government’s energy strategy is back in focus this week, after new moves around petroleum exploration and the launch of New Zealand’s strategic diesel reserve. Ministers say this is about strengthening energy security and making sure the country is better prepared for global fuel shocks. Labour, meanwhile, has been promoting its solar policy, arguing that household solar and batteries could help lower power bills, reduce emissions, and make New Zealand less dependent on fossil fuels. Also this week, NZ First has announced it wants to restrict voting rights to New Zealand citizens only, which would change the current system that allows some permanent residents to vote. And in health policy, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello is looking at a review of tobacco excise, raising concerns from public health experts that cheaper tobacco could undermine progress on reducing smoking harm. For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about energy security, Labour’s solar policy, NZ First’s proposal on voting rights, and the tobacco excise review.