Focus on Politics

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...