Focus on Politics

The National Party is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, with revelations former leader Todd Muller was pressured to retire after being dobbed in for anonymously criticising a colleague. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson breaks down the latest in a long list of problems for the opposition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Leaked footage of a young person being manhandled at an Oranga Tamariki care and protection unit has put the agency back under the microscope. RNZ political reporter Katie Scotcher examines the events that followed. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Focus on Politics, RNZ political editor Jane Patterson digs into Labour's plan for the Defence Force, now it is unshackled from last term's coalition constraints. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week brought some more clarity to the country's Covid-19 vaccine programme as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed the first details of the wider roll-out to the general population. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at the Government's plans for "Stage Four". Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

About 30,000 nurses, midwives and other health workers have been on a seven-hour strike after nurses voted to go ahead with a strike having rejected a revised pay offer from district health boards. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison made use of the Trans-Tasman travel bubble, flying into Queenstown for a sit-down meeting with NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - one of her first since the Covid-19 pandemic. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Samoa is in the grips of a constitutional crisis: a bitter power struggle between two competing governments and two political heavyweights. Both sides are claiming power and accusing the other of a coup. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the turmoil in a country not used to instability. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Beneficiaries will reap the rewards of this year's Budget with a welfare boost billed as the "biggest in a generation". Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Race relations have been a flash point for conflict and reconciliation in NZ politics over the years. National leader Judith Collins reignited the fire this week with her speech to party faithful. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson has this week's Focus on Politics. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: how is New Zealand's relationship with China? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson takes a deep look into the state of emergency housing across the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Health Minister Andrew Little this week announced an extraordinary overhaul of the health system, scrapping all 20 DHBs and putting a new entity in their place. RNZ health correspondent Rowan Quinn digs into the detail of the announcement no one saw coming. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Government has placed a temporary ban on all travel from India, leaving Kiwis there stranded, unable to come home. In the same week, it has begun to ease border measures elsewhere, announcing it is now safe for the Trans-Tasman bubble to open. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Government has announced a raft of measures to try and tackle the housing affordability crisis to tilt the market towards first home buyers and increase supply. But, as RNZ political reporter Charlie Dreaver reports, not everyone is convinced it will be enough to help stop runaway house prices. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: what's behind the latest Trans-Tasman tensions? And what do they mean for ongoing relations? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ political reporter Yvette McCullough looks into the details of the government's Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: Is the Government being too soft on Covid-19 rule-breakers? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson takes a look at what immigration might look like in a post-Covid New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Three new cases of Covid-19 in the community forced Auckland back into lockdown for 72 hours this week, but should New Zealand's largest city have stayed in level three longer? Or were the restrictions a false alarm? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Government is taking on one of the most complex pieces of law in New Zealand - the RMA. It will be replaced with three new laws, with the Environment Minister describing it as a once in a generation opportunity. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson looks at the political lead up to the official Waitangi commemorations. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand prepares for a shake-up after the Royal Commission report into the March 15 attacks. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

RNZ political editor Jane Patterson asks: has NZ damaged its relationship with China over the row with Australia? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Government has been under pressure after ruling out any tax changes to dampen housing demand. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has now recruited the central bank to bring its considerable resource and influence to bear. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The housing market continues to defy predictions of a post-Covid slump, with prices hitting new records around the country and RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: what is the Government going to do about it? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details