Jane Patterson

The government's current plans to raise revenue won't be enough to deliver on its promises without cutting or changing some existing programmes, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. Video

Power Play - Neither National nor Labour can afford to be too self-righteous about open government and transparency.

'Sensitive land' restrictions will soon have to be applied to the purchase of farmland larger than 5ha by overseas buyers.

A font change was the reason Labour and New Zealand First's 'secret' coalition document shrank from 38 to 33 pages, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says.

The Energy Minister is flagging potential action on fuel prices which could include referring the matter to the Commerce Commission.

The government will set out in the next few days how it will deal with existing applications from overseas buyers of farmland.

GST on online goods caused the government further embarrassment in Parliament this afternoon, but that was balanced out by National's own goal on paid parental leave, writes Jane Patterson.

The opposition is sceptical of claims by the Prime Minister that progress has been made on New Zealand's offer to Australia to resettle 150 refugees from offshore detention centres.

The Prime Minister has hit back at claims New Zealand has become a soft target for people smugglers with the change of government, saying this country is helping to combat the problem on the ground.

The Green Party remains opposed to the TPP trade deal, despite the changes negotiated at APEC over the weekend. Video

It was a shaky start for some of the new Labour Party government ministers this afternoon, as opposition MPs launched into the first question time of the new term.

References to the Queen and Jesus Christ have been dropped from the parliamentary prayer delivered in Te Reo by the new Speaker of the House.

Housing, climate change and reducing child poverty were among government priorities outlined at the State Opening of Parliament.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has started the ball rolling to change monetary policy so the Reserve Bank has to take employment into account when setting the official cash rate.

Power Play - The ingredients were all there for a tense encounter, but a new trans-Tasman bond appears to have been forged over brunch on a drizzly day in Sydney, Jane Patterson writes.

Labour and National have their first major disagreement in the new Parliament over the number of MPs serving on select committees.

The Prime Minister has ruled out negotiating directly with the Papua New Guinea government over taking Manus Island detainees.

The Labour-led government has confirmed it will fund its part of the Auckland transport commitments it made during the election campaign, including light rail to the airport.

Along with the pomp of the swearing-in ceremony and delivering her first public speech, the new Prime Minister also revealed some early details about the government's plan.

Crucial Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations next month are among the most pressing matters facing the incoming government.

Power Play - The new Labour government has set itself a monumental challenge to enact the support agreements it has struck, writes Jane Patterson.

Power Play - As New Zealand's government hashes out the final details of how it will proceed, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson looks at the policy moves and promises on the line.

With an announcement due, Winston Peters said earlier today his party has still not yet decided whether to go with National or Labour. Video

Power Play - The New Zealand First board has packed up and gone home, and there is now a real sense of momentum towards the ultimate goal of forming a government, writes Jane Patterson.

Power Play - Superstitious or not, tomorrow doesn't augur well for the announcement of a new government, RNZ's Political Editor Jane Patterson writes.