Focus on Politics

The new government's first week in office saw it get straight to work, setting high expectations and unveiling its 100-day plan - but it's not exactly been smooth sailing. 

Fixing the economy and… Read more Audio

When ACT's Brooke van Velden won the Auckland seat of Tamaki at the election, it was a triumph of shrewd campaigning. But it was also a failure for Christian conservatism in mainstream politics. In… Read more Audio

It took 40 days and 40 nights - but at long last, the country knows what its new government will look like.

New Zealand's first-ever three-way coalition: National, ACT and New Zealand First finally… Read more Audio

After its most successful election - taking all but one of the Māori seats - Te Pāti Māori is amping up for the next three years as "the only true opposition". 

It's a dramatic turnaround for a party… Read more Audio

With National's potential partners ACT and NZ First finally getting together in Wellington this week, a sense of momentum is building for the trio to form a government. 

Labour's Chris… Read more Audio

The final act of the 2023 election has reset the calculus, blowing apart National's dream scenario and driving up the price for forming government. 

With NZ First's support now a requirement, Winston… Read more Audio

After a devastating collapse in their vote on election night, the Labour Party is examining what went so wrong and who is best to lead them from the opposition benches. 

Current and former MPs alike… Read more Audio

The battle for the hearts, minds and votes of New Zealanders is over - nearly - with the preliminary results on Saturday putting National in a position to form the next government and Labour consigned… Read more Audio

It has been a rollercoaster campaign, fiscal fights, feisty debates - all with the aim of taking the government benches.

In Focus on Politics this week, a look at the campaign as it all comes down to… Read more Audio

TVNZ's multi-party debate this week illustrated key features of this election campaign: the minor parties' rising popularity, and the complicated role of NZ First. 

With polls they would need Winston… Read more Audio

Call this the week of Winston Peters - with the New Zealand First leader, riding a wave of renewed relevancy. 

In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent… Read more Audio

The minor parties gave glimpses of their own cooperation styles at the Newshub Nation Powerbrokers' debate, while polls continued to signal Labour on the downturn. 

GDP numbers also showed no… Read more Audio