Focus on Politics

Dec 05 2024 189 ep. 16 mins 1.9k

Focus on Politics Podcast artwork

Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.

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Scrutiny week's political fireworks: is it all just for show?

Dec 05 2024 15 mins

They call it scrutiny week at Parliament - a prolonged political prosecution - where the opposition is given the opportunity to grill ministers and department bosses and sometimes receive a little return fire. Broadly speaking, commentators have not been overly impressed with the opposition's approach. In this week's Focus on Politics, the second ever scrutiny week has launched man

The Coalition's First Year: Compromise and Controversy

Nov 28 2024 16 mins

In Focus on Politics, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch sits down with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to reflect on his first year in charge. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrives at Parliament

Nov 21 2024 15 mins

Mark this up as a moment in history - as Parliament held court to one of the largest protests it has ever seen - more than 42,000 people descending on the capital - to close out a nine day hīkoi that travelled across the motu. They rallied in opposition to the government's agenda for Māori, but chiefly the Treaty Principles Bill, championed by ACT's leader David Seymour. Prime Mi

Crown apologises as Cabinet mulls 'complex' redress for abuse in care

Nov 14 2024 15 mins

Tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of survivors tuned into this week's Crown apology for abuse in care. They came looking for meaningful words and a plan for restitution. The government delivered a sincere apology but survivors will have to wait until 2025 for a new redress scheme. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Trump triumph touches NZ shores

Nov 07 2024 16 mins

Mark this one down in the history books: Donald Trump, on his way back to the White House after a nail-biter race for the American presidency. No doubt the ramifications will be momentous for the United States - but what for New Zealand? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the consequences. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Minister Chris Penk lays foundations for self-certified building scheme

Oct 31 2024 16 mins

The government wants to speed up house building, aiming to allow builders to sign off their own work. It would be a risk-based approach, only used for straightforward jobs or by trusted groups - and paired with harsher penalties for rule-breakers. In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ Political Reporter Russell Palmer sits down with Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk to na

Scandals dog National, the Greens while New Zealand First takes aim at Labour

Oct 24 2024 15 mins

Multiple parties brushed up against scandal this week as National struggled to defend a bumbling minister and the Greens farewelled a rogue MP. Meanwhile New Zealand First and Labour were at loggerheads over an alleged conflict of interest. It all played out in the same week the Government intervened at Wellington City Council - trying to sort out the capital kerfuffle. Deputy poli

Wellington woes - government threatens council intervention

Oct 17 2024 15 mins

Wellington City Council has been under scrutiny this week, with the coalition government threatening to intervene. Last week, the capital's councilors voted to stop the sale of its 34 percent stake in the Wellington Airport. The decision has left the council's Long Term Plan in limbo - its investment plan for the next ten years. Political reporter Lillian Hanly breaks down the capi

Winston Peters bangs drum on UN veto reform

Oct 10 2024 15 mins

Fresh off a trip to the United Nations General Assembly leaders' week, the foreign minister Winston Peters is defending New Zealand's support for a resolution calling for Israel to leave occupied Palestinian territories within 12 months. That decision raised some eyebrows back home, as it was out of step with our Five Eyes partners, and Act leader David Seymour believes it was a bi

Tobacco debate getting heated at Parliament

Oct 03 2024 16 mins

Casey Costello is the Smokefree Minister accused of helping Big Tobacco - something she strongly denies. The pressure on her has only grown amid questions about the advice she's relied on to push through tax cuts on heated tobacco products. In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch lays out the latest revelations surrounding New Zealand's Smokefree