Focus on Politics

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, investigative journalist Guyon Espiner talks to a leading defence lawyer, the chair of the IPCA and the commissioner of police about whether the police watchdog is fit for purpose. "We have police officers telling us things they don't tell police in the criminal investigations against them ... what they do tell us cannot ever be used against them,&qu...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, the government is pressing ahead with its planned mega media merger. Political reporter Katie Scotcher explores what it will mean for RNZ and TVNZ, as well the wider media sector. "The platform at RNZ and TVNZ is strong enough to support change, it's whether or not the willingness sits within the newly-formed company," - Media academic Richard P...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson interrogates the ramifications for New Zealand of Russia's war against Ukraine. "The countries which are close neighbours with a shared history and culture appear to be a ruthless enemy, and the nations which are so far away with different historical backgrounds appear to be a real friend," - Ukraine Ambassador designa...

National's tax plan, and the highest inflation in decades has the government feeling the pinch. Political Editor Jane Patterson counts the costs for both parties. "At least $200 out of our single income for him just to get to work and home each day ... that was taking away from our food" - Jeanette, whose family has been hit hard by inflation If the latest political poll is anything to g...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch recounts the siege of Fortress New Zealand and reckons with its reconnection to the world. "It's time to move forward together, safely" - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Fortress New Zealand - the 'hermit kingdom' - is soon to be no more. For almost two years, Aotearoa has been cut off - foreigners...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson assesses the government's readiness for the Omicron variant. "We know that the boosters are only just rolling out now, and we've only just started to immunise our children ... we just want people to be safe." - Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere After two years of dealing with Covid-19 in its various forms, the governmen...

In Focus on politics, RNZ's political team catch up with the minor party leaders to discuss 2021, potential allies, and Covid-19. RNZ's political team catch up with the minor party leaders to discuss 2021, potential allies, and Covid-19. With much of the political year focused on the Covid-19 response, Labour and National have soaked up much of the attention, but the minor parties have still...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch talks with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about the year that's been. "It was the year of the vaccine and to finish with rates in the mid-90 percent mark for first dose, 85 percent for Māori, over 90 percent for Pacific, I'm really proud of what New Zealand's done," - Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister Jaci...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson talks to National's leader Chris Luxon in his new office to assess what his leadership will look like. "It's easy to say the words 'unify, unify, unify' ... but, you know, that's an intellectual rational thing - you've got to make it emotional and actually get people to reset and leave some of the b...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch delineates the nuclear destruction of Judith Collins' leadership and assesses the fallout. "This is not our best day," - Shane Reti In July 2020, at what seemed like National's nadir, Judith Collins took the helm and promised to rebuild the party. She was - somewhat presciently - described as the nuclear o...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson and Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn examine New Zealand's ICU and health capacity as Covid-19 spreads, and elimination shifts to suppression. "We want to be able to provide the standard of care that we're used to providing ... the other thing that I'm concerned for is even for business as usual we're shortst...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Anneke Smith looks into the Family Court system as it nears its 40-year anniversary. "It's something that just hangs over someone's head constantly ... to be under that constant stress is just not good for families and it's not justice, really," - Family Court lawyer Marieke van den Bergh Trish - not her real name -...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson hits the brakes and looks ahead to the traffic light system, and what it means for Covid-19 in New Zealand. "If we do follow the rules, if a lot of people continue to work from home, if we don't all rush back out to try and get back to that level 1 life then the system will work better" - Covid-19 modeller Shaun H...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher takes a deeper look at New Zealand's free trade ambitions with the UK and Europe. "We've scrummed down, with packed tight and together we've got the ball over the line, and we have a deal - and I think it's a great deal." - Boris Johnson New Zealand is on the hunt for new trading opportunities across t...

In Focus on politics, Is New Zealand ready to move to the new Covid future? "The whole of the system is already under pressure ... they're anticipating what the next shift is gonna be like, are the gonna have enough nurses to be able to cope with the demand?" - Nurses organisation kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku Once New Zealand moves to the traffic light system, that's an acceptance...

In Focus on politics, Katie Scotcher explores the challenges and priorities in the inherently political transport sector. The government is at a transport crunch point - Labour's first year as a majority has seen it scrap or reshape major projects and programmes, while decisions about the future of others loom. The usual challenges of the inherently political sector are being compounded by th...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson takes politicians' temperature on Covid-19 and the economic response, and how that impacts efforts to combat inequality. "We have a program around reducing inequality that's been running throughout our time in government but when we're in a crisis we work with those local communities ... we've worked closely,...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson dives into the three waters debate, plumbing the depths of local governments' opposition to the centralisation of water infrastructure. "There is near universal agreement that the status quo is not sustainable. Our three waters assets are now liabilities" - Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta Water is one of Aotear...

Focus on Politics, is New Zealand moving away from elimination? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch details the latest Covid-19 outbreak, the government's response, and how that's been received by the public and politicians alike. "Just as we successfully stayed home and saved lives last year, I'm asking the team of five million to unite once more to defeat what is likely to be this more dangerous variant of...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Long Form Journalist Te Aniwa Hurihanganui explores the harm caused when politicians question Māori values and language. "For Māori people to see words like Aotearoa or te reo Māori and its use in general to be thrown around so lightly and so harmfully, I think it's dispiriting for a lot of people in that they start to disengage from the debate as we...

Legislation banning gay conversion therapy, a practice described as monstrous and traumatising, is making its way through Parliament but not everyone is on board. "I was sent to a counsellor who told me that I could change my sexuality ... if you have people who are telling you that you need to change something which is actually fundamental to who you are, it does do lasting damage." Pau...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Māori News Journalist Jamie Tahana and Education Correspondent John Gerritsen look at a suite of new initiatives being brought in to improve Māori achievement, reduce racism in the system and to teach history. "We're making sure that every Māori child can see themselves and their language and their culture valued in the education system ... it's...

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Anneke Smith explores how the conversation on hate speech shifted - from an effort to curb terrorism to a political bunfight - and what the minorities the law change aims to protect want to happen next. "We want to avoid the whole politicisation of hate speech ... because at the end of the day our communities suffered greatly and politi...

The Government is feeling the heat from those left in the cold. RNZ political reporter Charlie Dreaver takes stock of New Zealand's not-so-healthy homes and the standards meant to improve them. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details