World Politics
What should New Zealand do in Trump's new world?
Is it smarter to keep our heads down, or poke the bear as the rules change?
Tough-talking right-winger elected Costa Rica president
Laura Fernandez won Costa Rica's presidential election by a landslide, after promising to crack down on rising violence linked to the cocaine trade.
Our place in the world
Where does New Zealand sit in a new world order that ditches traditional international rules and favours the mighty over the tiny? Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 2 February 2026
New Zealand is in talks with the US about the supply of rare and critical minerals, as Donald Trump seeks to reduce America's reliance on China for materials it sees as pivotal for tech innovation and… Audio
Explainer: What are NZ's critical minerals?
In January 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment published the Crown's mineral strategy with a goal of doubling our mineral exports to three billion dollars by 2035. On Friday, we… Audio
What 3 million new documents tell us about Trump's Epstein ties
US President Donald Trump is mentioned more than 1000 times in the 3 million Jeffrey Epstein documents just released. Audio
'We will be recognised': 21-year-old Australian backs his micronation
Daniel Jackson says he has started his own country, Verdis, in Europe. Audio
Who is Stephen Miller, Trump's immigration policy architect
When Miller was in high school, his classmates made a short film about him. By 31, he was in Donald Trump's White House.
Judge orders release of 5yo, father from US immigration detention
Liam and his father were taken by immigration agents from his snowy suburban Minneapolis driveway and sent to a Texas detention facility.
Confusion as church angel restored to look like Italian prime minister
The angel had previously looked like a "generic cherub", a newspaper reported.
Trump's commerce secretary planned lunch on Epstein's island
Emails released by the US Justice Department show Howard Lutnick arranged a lunch meeting on Epstein's island years after saying he cut ties.
UN warns of 'imminent financial collapse'
The world body ended 2025 with US$1.6b outstanding, raising fears that cash could run out by July.
Five reasons why Japan's election is the most unpredictable in years
Japan's prime minister has called a snap lower house election on 8 February, which analysts say is shaping as one of the most unpredictable contests in years.
'Respect Canadian sovereignty': Carney warns Trump on Alberta separatist push
The Canadian Prime Minister's comments come following reports that Alberta separatists met with US officials numerous times.
EU adds Iran's Revolutionary Guards to terrorist list
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Keir Starmer's trip to China, the European Union formally adding Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to its… Audio
Trump set to reopen Venezuelan airspace
Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about President Trump preparing to reopen the airspace over Venezuela for commercial travel, after it was closed for almost a month as a result… Audio
Trump is scared of the politics of ICE, and it's showing
Analysis: The White House and Republicans seem to be preparing to make significant legislative concessions.
FTA deal with India dependent on Labour support
The Free Trade Agreement with India has National at loggerheads with its coalition partner New Zealand First, which is opposing the agreement, claiming it could lead to 20,000 Indians coming into New… Audio
'I saved TikTok': Why Trump changed tune on Chinese app
Does the new joint venture deal really address Washington's concerns about national security?
Doomsday Clock 2026: 'We are running out of time'
Scientists have now set the timepiece at the closest it's ever been to midnight, in part due to the impact of AI.
