Jane Patterson
Deputy PM dismisses claims he bowed to pressure over meeting
The Deputy Prime Minister says claims his office cancelled a meeting with Hong Kong pro-democracy activists due to pressure from the Chinese government are a storm in a teacup. Audio
David Shearer says China urged him not meet democracy advocates
Labour MP David Shearer says he also came under Chinese pressure not to meet democracy campaigners visiting from Hong Kong. But unlike Bill English, who cancelled his meeting to avoid upsetting China… Audio
Deputy PM's meeting with HK activists cancelled for fear of "distractions"
A meeting between Bill English and two Hong Kong pro-democracy figures was cancelled because the government did not want any "distractions" while New Zealand's foreign minister visited Beijing. Audio
No evidence Hekia Parata was influenced to leave
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson says there's no evidence anything influenced Education Minister Hekia Parata's decision to leave Parliament next year. Video, Audio
Focus on Politics for 14 October 2016
The government has acknowledged it has to restrict the numbers of new residents allowed to come to New Zealand, as those numbers show no sign of abating. Changes introduced this week are aimed at… Audio
NZ works on putting Syria resolution before Security Council
New Zealand is working on putting a resolution on Syria before the Security Council, saying the fact there has yet to be a international response is deplorable. Audio
Govt may consider tax cuts after surplus was higher than expect
A higher than expected surplus, driven by a higher tax take, has left the government in the position to consider tax cuts. Audio
Poor parenting claims opens up police minister to claims she is out of touch
Government Primary cause of child poverty is poor parenting the opens up her to be out of touch Audio
Govt rejects accusations people are abusing immigration clause
The government says the immigration category that allows children who have settled in New Zealand to bring in their parents is not being "grossly abused" as claimed. Audio
Recording played in Australian man Gable Tostee's trial
It's day two of the trial of Australian man Gable Tostee, who is accused of murdering New Zealand tourist Warriena Wright. ABC reporter Sharnie Kim joins Checkpoint to discuss the case so far. Video, Audio
Government to reduce number of new migrants
The government announced today that it plans to reduce the number of new migrants by 5 percent, and will also look at whether work visa numbers are too high. Audio
Helen Clark didn't have chance at top UN job, analyst says
UN analyst and blogger Mark Goldberg says Helen Clark never had much of a chance at becoming the first female head of the United Nations. Audio
Helen Clark's hopes to lead UN now over
Helen Clark's hope of becoming the first female leader of the United Nations has been dashed. Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres is expected to be formally recommended as the leader. Video, Audio
Insight: NZ's Time on the UN Security Council
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson travels to the United Nations in New York, to examine New Zealand's work on the Security Council as its tenure draws to a close. Video, Audio
Aviation security crucial to prevent terrorist attack.
The Foreign Minister, Murray McCully chairs a Security Council meeting which calls on all countries to make sure they have the highest possible level of aviation security, to prevent the threat of a… Audio
US and Russia face off over Syria at UN
The US and Russia have faced off over Syria in a UN Security Council meeting chaired by John Key, who told the council it would have "blood on its hands" if it didn't find a solution soon Video, Audio
John Key presides over fiery UN exchanges on Syria
The Prime Minister John Key has presided over fiery exchanges between Russia and the United States at United Nations Security Council meeting convened to shore up the crumbling ceasefire in Syria. Our… Audio
Political Editor Jane Patterson from the UN in New York
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson is at the UN Headquarters in New York, where Prime Minister John Key addressed the UN General Assembly today. She reviews his speech for Checkpoint. Video, Audio
UN Council needs to do more for Syria - John Key
Prime Minister John Key has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, saying it has fallen short in its responsibility to Syria, which he said was "the most serious crisis of our time Video, Audio
Outrage at UN after aid convoy attacked in Syria
As UN continues debating the conflict in Syria, Iraq's prime minister thanks New Zealand for training its troops. Audio
