Focus on Politics: The China Question
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: how is New Zealand's relationship with China? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics
Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.
Episodes
Focus on Politics: Emergency Housing
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson takes a deep look into the state of emergency housing across the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: DHBs on the Scrap Heap
Health Minister Andrew Little this week announced an extraordinary overhaul of the health system, scrapping all 20 DHBs and putting a new entity in their place. RNZ health correspondent Rowan Quinn digs into the detail of the announcement no one saw coming. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Bubble and the Border
The Government has placed a temporary ban on all travel from India, leaving Kiwis there stranded, unable to come home. In the same week, it has begun to ease border measures elsewhere, announcing it is now safe for the Trans-Tasman bubble to open. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Housing Solution?
The Government has announced a raft of measures to try and tackle the housing affordability crisis to tilt the market towards first home buyers and increase supply. But, as RNZ political reporter Charlie Dreaver reports, not everyone is convinced it will be enough to help stop runaway house prices. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Trans Tasman Tensions
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: what's behind the latest Trans-Tasman tensions? And what do they mean for ongoing relations? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Vaccine Rollout
RNZ political reporter Yvette McCullough looks into the details of the government's Covid-19 vaccine rollout plan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Covid rule-breakers
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: Is the Government being too soft on Covid-19 rule-breakers? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: An Immigration Rethink
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson takes a look at what immigration might look like in a post-Covid New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Locked Down Again
Three new cases of Covid-19 in the community forced Auckland back into lockdown for 72 hours this week, but should New Zealand's largest city have stayed in level three longer? Or were the restrictions a false alarm? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Repeal & Replace the RMA
The Government is taking on one of the most complex pieces of law in New Zealand - the RMA. It will be replaced with three new laws, with the Environment Minister describing it as a once in a generation opportunity. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Political Road to Waitangi
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson looks at the political lead up to the official Waitangi commemorations. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Reflecting on March 15
New Zealand prepares for a shake-up after the Royal Commission report into the March 15 attacks. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: China-Australia clash
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson asks: has NZ damaged its relationship with China over the row with Australia? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Robertson vs. Orr
The Government has been under pressure after ruling out any tax changes to dampen housing demand. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has now recruited the central bank to bring its considerable resource and influence to bear. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: A housing market aflame
The housing market continues to defy predictions of a post-Covid slump, with prices hitting new records around the country and RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks: what is the Government going to do about it? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Leaving behind Oranga Tamariki
Footage of the attempted removal of a Maori newborn propelled Oranga Tamariki into the spotlight, making it one of the most fraught and challenging areas for Tracey Martin as the Minister for Children. RNZ political reporter Katie Scotcher spoke to Ms Martin, who was booted from Parliament with New Zealand First at the election. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: A Full Cabinet
While all eyes may be on the volatile US election fallout, the NZ Prime Minister has spent the week quietly assembling her second term government. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at Jacinda Ardern's new Cabinet line-up and breaks down the Labour-Greens deal. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Referenda Madness
The people have spoken. The provisional referendum results are in. And it's two very different tales on euthanasia and cannabis. RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the numbers and the fallout. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Campaign Mop Up
A thumping Labour win and a National humiliation. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch checks in with the rest of the gallery team to dissect the 2020 election result and what it means for the various parties. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Campaign Week Five
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson catches up with the rest of the political team as the election creeps closer. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Campaign Week Four
A poll, policy, debates and Serious Fraud Office charges - it was a big week on the campaign trail. RNZ senior political reporter Jo Moir catches up with the rest of the gallery team who've been following the party leaders around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Campaign Chat
RNZ's political team gets together for a wrap-up of the week on the campaign trail. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Grim reading
It was a horror week of economic news as the Government opened the books ahead of the election. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson breaks down the numbers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Campaign Week One
The Covid campaign kicked off proper this week and it was Labour's tax plan front and centre. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch talks to the rest of the gallery team who've been following the party leaders around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: The Green School Fiasco
What seemed at first to be a minor misjudgement ballooned into a major scandal for the Green Party co-leader James Shaw this week, with each day bringing fresh revelations about the Green School funding fiasco. Our deputy political editor Craig McCulloch attempts to make sense of the unfurling story. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Mandatory mass masking
Cabinet has agreed to make masks mandatory on public transport at any time the country is in level 2 or above. The move was prompted by the transmission of Covid-19 on an Auckland bus, but some experts and politicians say it should've happened sooner. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: False-start to the Campaign
The election has been postponed by a further four weeks and will now be held on October 17. The decision to change the election ultimately falls on the shoulders of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, but that didn't stop other political parties trying to force her hand in the lead up to her decision on Monday. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Into the Campaign
The parliamentary term is over and the campaign begins. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Focus on Politics: Polls, Policies and Political spats
It was a week of poll results - some the Opposition accepted - others they would not. But with the election just seven weeks away there was also policy and as the campaign ramps up, there was some argy bargy amongst party leaders too. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir wraps up the week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details