Stories by Russell Palmer

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has backed his government's spending on costly contractors, saying National needs to be transparent about its proposed cost savings.

Campbell says his removal from two organisations in a week has little to do with his social media use, but the Public Service Commissioner says it was a clear breach.

National's finance spokesperson says her party will not borrow to pay for tax cuts, but remains committed to them - and recognises the need to borrow for the cyclone recovery.

Tax, borrow or cut: those are the broad options facing Grant Robertson as he faces the multibillion-dollar bill for Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods.

Leaders of all political parties have focused opening statements in Parliament on the storms and rebuild, with a side-order of climate change.

Disabled people have told MPs the proposed law should set up standards backed with real enforcement, or be scrapped.

ACT is criticising the government over its approach to Cyclone Gabrielle and has opposed the adjournment of Parliament, saying Labour "loves disaster politics".

Chris Hipkins and Chris Luxon have defended their records on climate change and traded barbs over a lack of ideas.

ACT leader David Seymour has delivered a speech painting National and Labour as two sides of the same coin, and calling co-governance a "culture war".

Iwi leaders have accused National and ACT of "fanning the flames of racism", urging the prime minister to be brave and not walk away from partnership on three waters.

Chris Hipkins has put the "bread and butter" issue of inflation at the top of his government's agenda, saying today's figures confirm that's the right approach.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon has used his speech at Rātana Pā to attack the government over co-governance, saying Labour has allowed a "divisive and immature" debate.

With Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing her February resignation this afternoon, Labour MPs face a choice over who could replace her as leader.

Here's 12 up-and-coming bits of legislation that haven't had much attention in amongst everything else.

Explainer - Back from the dead, cobbled together from old parts and handed to the NBA: It's not Frankenstein's monster playing basketball, it's the government's RMA replacements.

Analysis - Three Waters has left a lasting impression on Labour and the responsible minister, and seems destined to keep causing problems for whoever wins next year's election.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the Prime Minister should sack Nanaia Mahuta. Ardern says the Local Government Minister has not breached the Cabinet manual. Video

Cabinet will today discuss an entrenchment provision in the three waters legislation after lawyers and opposition parties criticised the move as unconstitutional. Audio

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says everything in its tax policy but indexed tax brackets is now under review, after today's cash rate rise.

Labour ministers are considering whether to allow 16-year-olds to vote in council elections - an easier task than for central elections.

Former National Party minister Chester Borrows says the solutions to youth crime are better social supports, and we must be prepared to pay for it as a society. Audio

The National Party has announced a new policy for combating youth crime which would target serious offenders, including sending them to boot camps.

Left-leaning parties have expressed anger, disgust and derision over National's new youth crime policy, saying it is a failed approach research shows will not work.

Immigration Minister Michael Wood says some changes to the green list might be made before the review in May, but he needs to get advice on it first.

A list of 30 health jobs should immediately be given a fast track to residency, according to Ministry of Health advice leaked to the ACT Party.