News
Immigration changes 'should have happened a year ago' - National
Too little, too late is the broad political consensus after the government changed up immigration settings to help fill critical sector shortages.
Ardern weighs spending priorities and Cabinet line-up ahead of election year
A newly prioritised spending plan and fresh ministerial line-up are part of Labour's plan to reset the political landscape for the start of 2023 - election year.
The political headwinds are…
AudioThree Waters blunder 'made as a team, fixed as a team'
Senior ministers are refusing to explain how a contentious Three Waters clause on privatisation got through caucus.
Questions remain over how Three Waters anti-privatisation clause got past ministers
Labour's top brass somehow missed the memo at their caucus meeting last week that the Three Waters amendment they were backing was a constitutional bear trap.
Power Play: Three Waters blunder adds to storm of controversy
The Three Waters legislation just got messier as the government tries to untangle a move which lawyers and opposition parties labelled as unconstitutional, Jane Patterson writes.
Recession prediction leaves Labour with a labour problem
Dire economic predictions and high interest rates from the Reserve Bank this week have increased the pressure on Labour, and given National a chance to pitch itself as the solution.
The opposition…
AudioLuxon stays tough on parents over school attendance
The National Party leader remains unapologetic for calling on parents to take more responsibility to get their children to school.
National supports invitation for Volodymyr Zelensky to speak to Parliament
Jacinda Ardern says all parties will have the chance to consider allowing Volodymyr Zelensky to speak at Parliament, something National supports. Audio
Luxon not ruling out post-election deal with NZ First
National Party leader Christopher Luxon is not ruling out working with New Zealand First, after Winston Peters said Labour could not be trusted.
Government insists no deal done to get New Zealand influencer couple out of Iran
The government insists no deal was done to get a New Zealand couple out of Iran - but will not give any details about what happened, or why the two social media influencers were allowed to leave. Audio
Labour, National cross swords over tax, social insurance
Labour claims New Zealand's economy is holding up well compared to many others, but global pressures and new policies may threaten its re-election chances.
National has been on the attack, with the…
Audio'Appalling state of affairs': More people living in emergency housing for longer
Emergency housing is supposed to be short-term for those most in need, but some residents have now lived in motels for two years or longer - with no immediate end in sight.
Uffindell reinstated to National caucus on the back of secret report
Power Play - Voters are being asked to take a leap of faith with the return of MP Sam Uffindell to the National Party fold, Political Editor Jane Patterson writes.
Power Play: KiwiSaver tax dropped like a political hot potato
Power Play - After kicking open the door to tax changes - a major vulnerability for the party - Labour has quickly slammed it shut again, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson writes.
Rogue MP's social media missile propels Labour into damage control
Power Play - Labour MPs will be meeting for an urgent caucus this afternoon, as the party tries to manage the snowballing damage from the serious allegations being made by one of its own, Gaurav…
Power Play: Houses in disorder after turbulent week for Labour, National
What a difference less than a week can make: National lurching from success to controversy and Labour facing its own bombshell, Political Editor Jane Patterson writes.
Power Play: Luxon tries to win over his own party
The magenta wash shot through the true blue National branding is one way Christopher Luxon is making his mark as party leader, and he'll be hoping this past weekend's party conference will be another…
National lays out plan for those on welfare longer than a year
National has taken aim at those on welfare for longer than a year, in particular young people, saying it's unacceptable in a time of extreme labour shortages.
Tit for tat over tax
A war of words has broken out between National and Labour over tax cut promises, with National forced to clarify its tax cut package after questions over what it intends to take to the 2023 election.
Te Pūkenga acting chief executive grilled by select committee
The new mega polytechnic has not only apologised to staff for its handling of the transition, but also now the minister of education.
Cabinet to consider urgent law change to close donations loophole
Cabinet ministers will consider today an urgent law change to close a legal loophole allowing political parties to funnel large sums of money through shadow entities without the public ever knowing…
Luxon's gaffe, Shaw dumped as co-leader, economic woes evident
Power Play - It was quite the tableau in Parliament: National leader smarting after a social media gaffe, the Greens front bench putting on a brave face and a government feeling the weight of economic…
Stars align as hollow words for NZers in Australia shift to concrete action
Power Play: It's the first time in a long time a prime minister has returned from Australia with more than empty platitudes over the treatment of New Zealanders there.
New Zealand and EU secure historic free trade deal
More than 91 percent of tariffs will be removed the day the deal comes into effect, while the value of NZ exports to the EU are estimated to increase by $1.8b a year by 2035.
Power Play: Goodfellow's departure an overdue shift in National leadership
The imminent resignation of National Party President Peter Goodfellow marks a significant shift in the party leadership, after years of triumph and of great turmoil, writes RNZ Political Editor Jane…
