Focus on Politics: Scandals and Sackings
Focus on politics, looks at another week of scandals, sackings and forced resignations. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Episodes
Focus on Politics
Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.
Episodes
Focus on Politics: Collins takes control
It was a week of turmoil and tumult for the Opposition with a host of resignations and a reshuffle. And it all ended with an outcome many in the National Party had called an impossibility: Judith Collins in charge. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch wraps up the week none could have predicted. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Leaks, escapees and resignations
Parliament was in recess this week, but that didn't stop politicians dominating the headlines. The week started with a confession and ended with another one. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: A World in Lockdown
Global travel restrictions forced by Covid remain a fact of life. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Bloomfield vs Clark
It doesn't take long for things to unravel when the public gets a whiff of incompetence. This week the breakdown between Health Minister David Clark and Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield coincided with a One News Colmar Brunton poll. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Breakdown at the Border
A border botch-up this week saw two Covid-19 cases slip through the cracks, shattering public confidence in the quarantine scheme. It sent the Government scrambling to patch the holes in the supposedly "watertight" system and prompted renewed calls for the Health Minister's head. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: An eye on the purse strings
New Zealand has averted a health crisis, but could be headed for an economic downturn. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson talks to Finance Minister Grant Robertson about what's in New Zealand's future. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: A Creaking Coalition
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks what toll the looming election is taking on the government's creaking coalition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
First week for new National Party leader
New National leader Todd Muller talks about the leadership spill, his caucus and the upcoming election. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Unprecedented Times
"In unprecedented times, you make unprecedented decisions" - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern New Zealand has closed its borders. Mass gatherings have been banned. Travelling Kiwis have been told to come home and stay put. And the Government has rolled out "the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history". RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch wraps up an unprecedented week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details...
Focus on Politics: Covid-19 and economic turmoil
The global coronavirus outbreak has continued to escalate this week with the World Health Organisation officially declaring Covid-19 a pandemic. But at home, where the number of cases still sits in single digits, the focus has turned to the economic turmoil being wrought. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch assesses the damage and considers the Government's response. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details...
Focus on Politics: Covid-19 reaches NZ
New Zealand has moved into a new phase of its coronavirus response with the first cases of Covid-19 being confirmed in the country. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch looks at the Government's response on the health and economic fronts so far. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Alarm over Covid-19
The world has reacted with alarm as the coronavirus causes increasing disruption to individuals and companies around the globe, and is now putting pressure on international economies. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Serious Fraud Office investigations
This week Independent MP Jami-Lee Ross was named as one of the four people facing charges in relation to two 100 thousand dollar donations made to the National Party. The Serious Fraud Office also announced it had commenced an investigation into the New Zealand First Foundation's handling of donations Political reporter Yvette McCullough looks at how the week played out. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details...
Focus on Politics: SFO looks at NZ First Foundation
A political grenade has been lobbed into election year with the secretive NZ First Foundation facing investigation by the Serious Fraud Office over the way it handled donations. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at how the story developed over the week and considers the potential consequences for all parties. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Waitangi 2020
Political parties defend their record on Maori issues at election year Waitangi commemorations. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Big Infrastructure Spend-Up
Government splashes the cash on infrastructure to kick off election year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Māori politics in election year
The start of the political year begins with a sharp focus on what Government has (or has not) delivered for Maori Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details