Jane Patterson

The Social Development Minister says police may not collect specific data on crime in and around emergency housing, but are aware of local hotspots.

Neither the police nor MSD is actively monitoring… Audio

Rising tensions between Australia and China have raised the question of where New Zealand would stand if things escalate further.

Close trans-Tasman friend and ally, Australia is taking a more… Audio

A leading defence analyst says there may be some hard decisions coming up for New Zealand, as relations between Australia and China deteriorate.

Australia's new Defence Minister Peter Dutton recently… Audio

The Foreign Minister says it puts New Zealand in an uncomfortable situation to see Australia treated in a "punitive" way by China.

After a year in which China's targeted Australia with heavy trade… Audio

There were explosive scenes at Parliament last night, when Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard went on the attack over the controversy in which he mistakenly accused a former parliamentary staffer of… Audio

There's been a blunt exchange between New Zealand and China today, with each country positioning itself for increasing diplomatic disagreements.

A major China Business Summit was held today… Audio

The Prime Minister is predicting more diplomatic disagreements with China but says that does not need to derail the relationship. Jacinda Ardern made the speech at the China Business Summit this… Audio

Large sums of money are being handed over to moteliers to cover damages caused by emergency housing clients - officials aren't keeping track of what's being spent - and can't put a total figure on it.

A Waikato woman who runs her motel as emergency housing is speaking out about how tough and dangerous the job can be.

It's costing $1 million a day for emergency and transitional housing prompting… Audio

The Associate Housing Minister has described some emergency housing as inhumane and not fit for human habitation.

Those at the coal face say there is not enough oversight, with families mixed in with… Audio

One of the government's own ministers has condemned some emergency housing as "inhumane", while taking aim at moteliers - accusing them of turning a quick buck at the expense of safety and a decent… Audio

The dragon, the taniwha - and the kangaroo?

In a speech earlier this week Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta used the metaphor of the dragon and the taniwha to describe the China New Zealand… Audio

National's Nicola Willis says the government needs to work harder to find better alternatives for emergency housing than motels.

Conditions in many have been described as dangerous, and there are… Audio

The Prime Minister has told Parliament the Case B MIQ worker "lied" to his employer. As we've been reporting - Case B - who tested positive for Covid-19 in the past week, had his last recorded test… Audio

A border worker who recently tested positive for Covid-19 was not tested for several months, despite a requirement to be tested every two weeks. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment… Audio

Members bills have produced dramatic law changes like anti-smacking, marriage equality and more recently assisted dying - but up until now it's been the luck of the draw.

MPs who are not ministers… Audio

A new team of experts has been set up to advise the government on critical Covid-19 decisions as the country moves into the next phase of the pandemic response.

These include how many people should… Audio

Pack your bags, book your flights - the trans-Tasman bubble will be open for business within a matter of weeks.

As well as reconnecting friends and family, the government's eyeing an economic boost… Audio

The plan to create a new mega public broadcaster is now "off ice" with the strong signal from the Broadcasting Minister he wants progress made at pace.

Kris Faafoi's announced an eight person… Audio