Focus on Politics

Afleveringen

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  Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week 07.08.2026 15min

  Christopher Luxon spent much of this week putting out fires of his own making. And others set by Winston Peters. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  National bolts the door as Opportunity knocks 31.07.2026 16min

  Christopher Luxon's surprise rule-out of Opportunity may have reshaped the election campaign. So was it a masterstroke or misfire? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch analyses the move.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Stuart Nash's swan song 24.07.2026 16min

  Stuart Nash thought he'd found a political lifeline with New Zealand First. Instead, one text message triggered another spectacular downfall. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Three Wise Pol Eds and a Poll 17.07.2026 16min

  RNZ political editor Jo Moir, Stuff political editor Jenna Lynch and NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan are joined by RNZ's lowly deputy political editor Craig McCulloch to dissect the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Outrage over emergency housing targets 03.07.2026 16min

  Following revelations the Ministry of Social Development had implemented performance measures related to cutting the number of people in emergency housing, political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the reaction and asks the top boss whether they've left more people sleeping on the streets. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  National converts to KiwiSaver 26.06.2026 16min

  National made its first major election year policy announcement this week. If elected, it would make KiwiSaver compulsory, including for those over 65 still working, automatically enroll babies and provide government contributions to those on parental leave. The suite of changes would cost more than a billion dollars over four years. New Zealand First said National had copied its own policy, and others are asking what the changes might mean for Superannuation.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Officials in firing line over $30m immigration failure 19.06.2026 16min

  A failed immigration technology project has left taxpayers more than $30 million out of pocket. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says officials misled Cabinet. Now an independent investigation is being launched into what went wrong. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Labour joins election race with fare cap promise 12.06.2026 16min

  Labour has finally joined the election campaign, unveiling its first major policy of the year: a public transport fare cap. But questions remain over the numbers, the funding, and whether already-stretched bus and rail networks can cope. RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch takes a look. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Penk's verbal nuclear bomb inflames defence debates 05.06.2026 15min

  In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer recounts how and why a debate about nuclear free policy ended before it began, links to defence spending, and the impact on the relationship with Australia. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  The deliberately boring election-year Budget 29.05.2026 16min

  The government has delivered its third Budget pointing to an earlier return to surplus, but with no election-year lolly scramble. Political reporter Giles Dexter pores through the books, and looks at the looming debate over superannuation.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Public service cuts spur debates on AI, shorts and flying 22.05.2026 16min

  In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer asks if the government's public service cuts are made to measure, whether AI will help, and what it means for the election and beyond.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Te Pāti Māori's shrinking caucus: "No story here" 15.05.2026 16min

  Te Pāti Māori's internal turmoil has exploded again - with MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi quitting to launch her own party and fresh questions swirling around the loyalties of two more MPs. Lillian Hanly unpacks the fractures in this week's Focus on Politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  The GP crisis politicians can't ignore 08.05.2026 16min

  GPs say the system is at breaking point - and they want politicians to listen. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes the temperature of primary care in this week's Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Coalition parties trade blows over India agreement 01.05.2026 16min

  The Free Trade Agreement with India has been signed, with National and New Zealand First continuing to disagree over what's been signed up to. Political reporter Giles Dexter examines how free the trade agreement actually is, and the coalition clash over investment and immigration.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Confidence call: Luxon's uneasy victory 24.04.2026 16min

  Christopher Luxon has stared down his critics in caucus, forcing his MPs to demonstrate their loyalty with a dramatic vote of confidence. He survived the week - but still faces an almighty challenge in turning around poor polling and keeping together an increasingly fractious coalition. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Vaianu: better safe than sorry? 17.04.2026 16min

  Cyclone Vaianu has resurfaced difficult questions around resilience and retreat. And did New Zealand dodge disaster - or just over-do the warnings? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch examines the fall-out from the latest weather bomb. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip 10.04.2026 16min

  In Focus on Politics, political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look at a meeting between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his US counterpart Marco Rubio, as President Donald Trump ramps up his threats toward Iran.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case 27.03.2026 16min

  The fuel crisis has forced responses from the government on supply and cost, but the problem must be handled with care - and perceptions of a lack of support could see National's own support suffer. Labour is refusing to help by offering solutions, a strategy that may backfire. Political Reporter Russell Palmer gauges the parties' handling of a hot-button issue. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone 20.03.2026 15min

  The coalition is urging calm in face of the war in the Middle East, insisting New Zealand has ample fuel supplies, while quietly exploring targeted cost-of-living relief. But as the price at the pump climbs, so too are the political stakes. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the government's response in this week's Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Peeni Henare farewells Parliament after 12 years 13.03.2026 15min

  Former Labour MP Peeni Henare has called time on his 12 year career in Parliament. He sits down with political reporter Lillian Hanly to discuss his resignation, and the balancing act of "being Māori" and "being a politician." Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details