Focus on Politics

Bölümler

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  Unexpected item in National's policy area 18.09.2026 16dk

  National is campaigning to 'pursue' breaking up Foodstuffs, as the party of business surprisingly ponders intervening in private enterprise. Political reporter Giles Dexter shops around political parties' pledges to drive down grocery prices, and looks at how likely it is that National's proposal will actually happen.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  National's olive branch: bed tax out, council cash in 11.09.2026 16dk

  National has offered councils a peace deal after rebuffing their calls for a bed tax. Instead, it's offering to give them a share of the revenue raised by an existing "tourist tax". But some councils say it still falls short. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Coalition in clean up mode 04.09.2026 16dk

  The government has found itself cleaning up some legislative mess. Beneficiaries and pensioners having payments wrongly suspended forced a double apology from the Prime Minister and Social Development Minister, while a select committee has told the Justice Minister to water down his controversial move-on orders so kids cannot be prosecuted for sleeping on the street. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  National and Labour dance around areas of agreement 28.08.2026 16dk

  In Focus on Politics, the major parties are finding more areas of agreement ahead of the election campaign - often to the frustration of their partner parties. Political reporter Russell Palmer examines the points of tension and the entrenched politicking that seems to keep National and Labour from working together. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  An urgent call to fix the aged care crisis 21.08.2026 16dk

  The aged care system is at breaking point. A new report calls for an urgent overhaul. RNZ political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the suggested solutions, and whether politicians are willing to come to the party.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  National's nightmare: come again, coup again 14.08.2026 16dk

  A second attempt to oust Christopher Luxon ended much like the first - with the National leader still standing. But this time, the party's internal revolt has dealt more damage. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch maps out the mayhem. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week 07.08.2026 15dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 15dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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 16dk

  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