Chris Luxon
Political road rage - budget holes and emissions omissions
The UN says we've reached "the era of global boiling". Given that, you'd think climate might have got more of a mention from the media as the National Party released its road-heavy $24 billion… Audio
Poll analysis unhitches itself from reality
Nothing much changed in a 1News Verian poll released on Monday. Some commentators treated the boring results as a blank canvas on which to express their creativity. Audio
Labour's tax announcement puts coalitions on shaky ground
The Prime Minister is being accused of both cynicism and arrogance over his decision not to introduce a wealth tax or capital gains tax as long as he is leader.
Labour's potential coalition partners… Audio
Christopher Luxon, the unknowable man
Political reporters often say people need to get to know National leader Christopher Luxon. But he's ubiquitous in the media and has been in the job 18 months. Is it possible he's unknowable? Or is it… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - RNZ's Russiagate; 'rinky-dink' politics & forecast fatigue
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Anna Thomas about RNZ's 'pro-Russia edits' saga now extending stories about other countries - and a newspaper's feature story that fell short… Audio
I oppose this awful [add details] plan
Budget day is all about the Minister of Finance’s big reveal. But spare a thought for other party leaders who must prepare speeches opposing something they haven't read yet. Audio
Luxon v Sepuloni exchanges follow repetitive rhythm
A rare series of square-offs between Opposition Leader Chris Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni in her capacity as Acting Prime Minister became repetitive. Audio
Nash says he'll stay on in Napier seat despite Ministerial sacking
Labour MP Stuart Nash has been sacked from all of his ministerial portfolios, over a quote "inexcusable" breach of Cabinet rules.
Nash was already on a 'final warning' before a Stuff report last… Audio
Chris Hipkins axes more government policies in reprioritisation
Less than two months into Chris Hipkins' time as Prime Minister and the Government's agenda is looking much slimmer.
Hipkins has axed - or amended - a swathe of programmes in his second policy purge… Audio
Political leaders converge on Rātana Pā
Chris Hipkins will be sworn in as Prime Minister this morning, formally completing the handover of power from Jacinda Ardern.
Ardern will head to Government House to officially tender her… Audio
National to 'crack down' on youth offending
Military academies and ankle bracelets on children as young as 10 are among the proposals National's touting today to crack down on serious young offenders.
It's pointing to the rise in ram raids… Audio
National, ACT struggle over co-governance
The battle lines have been drawn in an ideological struggle between National and the ACT Party, ahead of any potential coalition arrangements.
ACT wants to put the Treaty of Waitangi to a public and… Audio
Christopher Luxon on the Queen's death
National party leader Christopher Luxon tells Kathryn he remembers first seeing the queen as a three year old when she visited for the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. Audio
National's newest MP fronts up to colleagues
The leader of the National Party is backing his newest MP, Sam Uffindell, after it was revealed he violently assaulted a 13 year old schoolmate when at King's College.
Sam Uffindell admitted he made… Audio
National Party rules David Seymour out of finance portfolio
It was a rough day in Parliament yesterday for ACT leader David Seymour.
It started off with being called a "useless Maori" and ended with being ruled out as Finance Minister in a potential… Audio
Polling, protesters credited for vaccine mandate end, PM denies politics a factor
Protesters, polling and political pressure - all three are being credited for the Government's withdrawal of vaccine mandates and passes.
The Prime Minister says that is not the case - she says it's… Audio
Judith Collins demoted in National Party reshuffle
The National Party has a new front bench that features some freshly promoted new faces, and former leader Judith Collins sent to the back to the pack.
It's one of six portfolio reshuffles off the… Audio
No man is an airline
The National Party has new leadership, after an intense focus on the outgoing leader Judith Collins. But while no-one will forget her in a hurry, the name of her successor still seems to confuse the… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: Chris Luxon's baptism of fire
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about the barrage of tough questions that met Chris Luxon upon his ascent to the National leadership, a media… Audio
Government pressing ahead with three waters reforms
The Local Government Minister may allow for more council influence in the contentious water reforms, but still refuses to rule out changing the law to force councils to sign up.
Under Three Waters… Audio