Politics
Very few beneficiaries offered non-financial sanctions
Thousands have had their benefits cut since new non-financial sanctions were introduced, and only nine offered the new alternative.
Labour announces new sovereign wealth fund
Labour has laid out its plan to grow businesses while also giving the Government a new revenue stream, with a proposed sovereign wealth fund. Simplicity co-founder Sam Stubbs and chief economist from… Audio
Educators feeling blind-sided by curriculum changes
Educators feel blind-sided by major changes to the Maths and English curriculum less than a year since the last update. Rachel Graham reports. Audio
World News Wrap for 21 October 2025
Let's catch up with what's been going on around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins. Audio
Charter school to be opened for Pasifika girls
The high school will offer traditional activities and languages for 120 students from Term 1 next year.
Seymour on strikes, inflation, high performance sport schools
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour talks public service strikes and government spending priorities Audio
Why claims of ‘transformational’ school reading improvement are premature
Comment - student achievements in phonics don't translate to claims students are better at reading, and clear data is only available for 516 pupils nationally, a senior lecturer in education says.
'Not ever been overspent': Te Pāti Māori MP hits back at allegations
Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says she has taken "some time" to decide how to respond to the claims by Te Pāti Māori's leadership.
The Panel with Andie McCombs and Deborah Hart, Part 1
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Andie McCombs and Deborah Hart. First up, is it a politically motivated stunt, or a desperate plea for adequate investment? The friction… Audio
Govt to spend $515m on buying properties for new roads
The government will spend more than half a billion dollars buying properties for its Roads of National Significance.
Oppostion take swipes at Labour policy announcement
The Labour party has launched its first new policy this term - and it hasn't taken long for its opponents to start taking swipes at it. Today opposition leader Chris Hipkins announced a future fund… Audio
Broughton resigns as president of Local Government NZ
It comes after a landslide loss in the Selwyn District mayoralty race.
Labour Party releases first policy announcement
The Labour Party wants to set up a 'Future Fund' to invest in New Zealand infrastructure and businesses. It is the party's first policy announcement since it's bruising defeat at the last election… Audio
Marine protection law creates 'dangerous precedent'
A recreational fishing advocacy group has accused the government of creating exclusive zones for commercial fishing with a new marine protection law.
What you need to know about this week's mega strike
Explainer - There's a huge strike coming. Who's taking part, why are they protesting and what's so 'mega' about it? Audio
'Future Fund': Labour announces first key election policy
The $200 million fund comes ahead of the party's highly-anticipated tax policy, expected this month.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 20 October 2025
Inflation has edged to a 15-month-high on the back of higher rents, rates, electricity, and food, touching the top of the Reserve Bank's target band but unlikely to prevent further rate cuts; Local… Audio
Government compromises on consumer finance law change
The amendment included a retrospective fix that would see banks avoid a blanket penalty over disclosure breaches between 2015 and 2019.
Greens accuse government of 'clownish' smear campaign
The party has savaged the government's response to the looming mega-strike.
Political commentators Ben Thomas and Andrew Kirton
Ben Thomas is a former National government press secretary, a columnist and a director of public affairs firm Capital. Audio
