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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has kicked off her so-called year of delivery with another extended trip to Waitangi. A year ago she told Maori to hold her and her Government to account on whether they… Audio

The political year is picking up pace with the caucus retreat for Labour this past week, a State of the Nation speech from National's Simon Bridges and the first Cabinet meeting of 2019. The problems… Audio

KiwiBuild was supposed to be the coalition government's answer to the housing affordability crisis, but it has hit the rocks before the end of its first year. Housing Minister Phil Twyford this week… Audio

As Parliament closes for Christmas MPs have been reflecting on a turbulent political year, and the first year under the coalition government. At the helm is Jacinda Ardern, who as well as becoming… Audio

Simon Bridges ends the year as National Party leader, but how secure is his position? Elected after the resignation of Bill English at the start of the year, Mr Bridges inherited a large caucus stung… Audio

The government now has a challenging plan for improving New Zealanders' mental health, having received the 200 page report from the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. Audio

The Karel Sroubek saga came to a head this week with the Immigration Minister forced into an embarrassing about-face. Iain Lees-Galloway effectively over-ruled his earlier decision to let the Czech… Audio

The Minister of Sport and Recreation job isn't one of the most coveted, or controversial. But Grant Robertson has taken up the role this past year with some clear ideas about what he thinks being a… Audio

The Government this week formally announced the Royal Commission into abuse in state care, including that it will be expanded to include faith-based institutions. Our Deputy Political Editor, Chris… Audio

If the government doesn't deliver specifically for Māori in next year's wellbeing Budget the 13-strong Labour Māori caucus is going to have a lot of questions to answer. That's the reality according… Audio

Abortion, adoption and cannabis law are all political hot potatoes but the coalition government is in the midst of dealing with all three, starting with abortion, which the Law Commission reported… Audio

The coalition Government is now a year old - a year which has seen intense activity for the new administration, but one which has also had its share of turmoil. RNZ's Political Editor, Jane Patterson… Audio

There was only one story in town this week and that was the exposure of the National Party and its leadership to a range of hugely damaging accusations by its former MP Jami-Lee Ross. He has unleashed… Audio

The Finance Minister has unveiled an unexpectedly large surplus and while that's good news economically, it brings with it other political pressures. Alongside the five and half billon dollars surplus… Audio

New Zealand First this week floated the notion of a "Kiwi Values" contract which immigrants would be required to sign up to on arriving in the country. The proposal was raised at the party's annual… Audio

Amid the flurry of stories about leaks, document dumps and the PM in New York, the government made the last push to pass the contentious Electoral Integrity Amendment Bill - better known as the waka… Audio

With a major visit to the United Nations on the horizon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spent the past week clearing the decks before her departure. She's sacked a Minister and publicly squashed… Audio

While differences between Labour and New Zealand First on policies like the refugee quota and three strikes have been aired publicly, there may more trouble on the horizon over industrial relations… Audio

The New Zealand First leader blindsided the Prime Minister this week when he scuppered Labour's plans to lift the refugee quota to 1500. Winston Peters had just landed in Nauru for the Pacific Islands… Audio

Focus on Politics for 31 August 2018 Audio