Focus on Politics

Footage of the attempted removal of a Maori newborn propelled Oranga Tamariki into the spotlight, making it one of the most fraught and challenging areas for Tracey Martin as the Minister for Children. RNZ political reporter Katie Scotcher spoke to Ms Martin, who was booted from Parliament with New Zealand First at the election. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While all eyes may be on the volatile US election fallout, the NZ Prime Minister has spent the week quietly assembling her second term government. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at Jacinda Ardern's new Cabinet line-up and breaks down the Labour-Greens deal. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The people have spoken. The provisional referendum results are in. And it's two very different tales on euthanasia and cannabis. RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the numbers and the fallout. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A thumping Labour win and a National humiliation. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch checks in with the rest of the gallery team to dissect the 2020 election result and what it means for the various parties. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson catches up with the rest of the political team as the election creeps closer. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A poll, policy, debates and Serious Fraud Office charges - it was a big week on the campaign trail. RNZ senior political reporter Jo Moir catches up with the rest of the gallery team who've been following the party leaders around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ's political team gets together for a wrap-up of the week on the campaign trail. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It was a horror week of economic news as the Government opened the books ahead of the election. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson breaks down the numbers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Covid campaign kicked off proper this week and it was Labour's tax plan front and centre. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch talks to the rest of the gallery team who've been following the party leaders around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What seemed at first to be a minor misjudgement ballooned into a major scandal for the Green Party co-leader James Shaw this week, with each day bringing fresh revelations about the Green School funding fiasco. Our deputy political editor Craig McCulloch attempts to make sense of the unfurling story. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Cabinet has agreed to make masks mandatory on public transport at any time the country is in level 2 or above. The move was prompted by the transmission of Covid-19 on an Auckland bus, but some experts and politicians say it should've happened sooner. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The election has been postponed by a further four weeks and will now be held on October 17. The decision to change the election ultimately falls on the shoulders of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, but that didn't stop other political parties trying to force her hand in the lead up to her decision on Monday. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The parliamentary term is over and the campaign begins. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It was a week of poll results - some the Opposition accepted - others they would not. But with the election just seven weeks away there was also policy and as the campaign ramps up, there was some argy bargy amongst party leaders too. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir wraps up the week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Focus on politics, looks at another week of scandals, sackings and forced resignations. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It was a week of turmoil and tumult for the Opposition with a host of resignations and a reshuffle. And it all ended with an outcome many in the National Party had called an impossibility: Judith Collins in charge. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch wraps up the week none could have predicted. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament was in recess this week, but that didn't stop politicians dominating the headlines. The week started with a confession and ended with another one. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Global travel restrictions forced by Covid remain a fact of life. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It doesn't take long for things to unravel when the public gets a whiff of incompetence. This week the breakdown between Health Minister David Clark and Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield coincided with a One News Colmar Brunton poll. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A border botch-up this week saw two Covid-19 cases slip through the cracks, shattering public confidence in the quarantine scheme. It sent the Government scrambling to patch the holes in the supposedly "watertight" system and prompted renewed calls for the Health Minister's head. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand has averted a health crisis, but could be headed for an economic downturn. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson talks to Finance Minister Grant Robertson about what's in New Zealand's future. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks what toll the looming election is taking on the government's creaking coalition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New National leader Todd Muller talks about the leadership spill, his caucus and the upcoming election. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

"In unprecedented times, you make unprecedented decisions" - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern New Zealand has closed its borders. Mass gatherings have been banned. Travelling Kiwis have been told to come home and stay put. And the Government has rolled out "the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history". RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch wraps up an unprecedent...

The global coronavirus outbreak has continued to escalate this week with the World Health Organisation officially declaring Covid-19 a pandemic. But at home, where the number of cases still sits in single digits, the focus has turned to the economic turmoil being wrought. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch assesses the damage and considers the Government's response. Go to this episode on...