Focus on Politics

Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.

Produced by RNZ Political Reporters

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The state of the opposition

With political polls predicting a knife-edge election, what is the opposition promising, how could all three parties work together, and who's really in charge on that side of the house? In Focus on Politics, political reporter Anneke Smith takes a look at the state of the opposition one year out from the 2026 Election.
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NCEA gets failing grade from government, but has it done its homework?

In Focus on Politics, the government's long-expected rework of NCEA morphed into a full replacement - at least, that's how the prime minister sold it. Teachers and students alike are uncertain about the details and worried about the short timeframes, and some think 'scrap' may just mean 'rework'. RNZ Education Correspondent John Gerritsen examines the changes.

NZ resists global push to recognise Palestinian state

As global powers like France, the UK and Canada move to recognise Palestine, New Zealand is increasingly finding itself out on its own. Opposition parties say it's time to act, but the coalition is holding the line - for now. In this week's Focus on Politics, Acting Political Editor Craig McCulloch asks why.

Butter battle fizzles as cost of living war drags on 

The debate over butter prices has National on the back foot, and the party is accusing the opposition of having no ideas - a seeming reversal from about this time in the last Parliamentary term. While the rhetoric from politicians has so far resulted in little real action, it all points to a deeper concern about cost of living. Political Reporter Russell Palmer tries to clarify the situation.

ACT’s rallying cry meets reality check

ACT launched its annual rally with a nod to coalition unity - but its leader David Seymour quickly stirred discord with a fiery letter to the United Nations. In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch examines the three-way coalition dynamic.
Focus on Politics: Composite of David Seymour, Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters, and the Beehive.

Regulatory Standards Bill gets its week of scrutiny

A select committee has heard thirty hours of submissions on David Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill. The vast majority were opposed, but the minister insists it's a valuable tool for transparency. In this week's Focus on Politics, political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the various criticisms and defences of the legislation, and what impact its passing might have.
Focus on Politics: Composite of David Seymour and Regulatory Standards Bill

Moe mai rā: Takutai Tarsh Kemp laid to rest

In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ's Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira goes to Opaea Marae, just north of Taihape, as Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp is laid to rest.
Focus on Politics: Takutai Tarsh Kemp

The United States strikes Iran

The United States enters the war between Israel and Iran, and the world calls for de-escalation. By the end of the week there's a ceasefire between the two nations, but it remains unclear what damage was done to Iranian's nuclear capabilities. Political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look at the New Zealand government's response.
Focus on Politics: Composite of Christopher Luxon and missiles

Meth use and organised crime in New Zealand

Methamphetamine use has exploded over the past year and the government is "actively" looking at ways to respond. At the same time, Associate Police and Customs Minister Casey Costello is looking at how to tackle the wider network of organised crime in New Zealand. Political Reporter Lillian Hanly takes a closer look at the Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime and how the increased availability of illicit drugs in the country is having an impact.
Focus on Politics: Composite of Casey Costello and Meth

Coalition turfed out in latest RNZ Reid-Research poll

The latest RNZ-Reid Research Poll shows the left-bloc would have enough seats to govern. Is this a punishment for the pay equity changes? And what about the punishment for a haka? Political Reporter Lillian Hanly goes through the results.
Political party leaders and poll graphics showing projected seats

Trading places: Seymour steps up, Peters gears up

In Focus on Politics, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch sits down with the incoming and outgoing deputy prime ministers to mark the historic handover. David Seymour is vowing to keep speaking freely, while an unshackled Winston Peters shifts into campaign mode.
Focus on Politics: Composite of Winston Peters, David Seymour with the Beehive in the background.

A Budget of give and take, cuts and credits

In Focus on Politics this week, the coalition debuts its second Budget - taking the knife to numerous government programmes in order to boost health, education and defence. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a deeper look at the Budget of trade-offs.
Composite of Nicola Willis with copy of 2025 budget with Winston Peters, Chris Bishop and Christopher Luxon in background

From urgency to uproar: a House of Chaos?

In Focus on Politics, RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch walks through the week at Parliament, a week featuring C-bombs and unprecedented punishments.
Focus on politics: Composite of Brooke van Velden, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi with debating chamber in background

Pay equity shake-up: billions saved, trust lost

In Focus on Politics, RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the government's shock shake-up of the pay equity regime - the changes, the fallout and what's next.
Focus on Politics: Cmposite of Brooke van Velden and protestors with signs

The pros and cons of public-private partnerships

The coalition is pushing for more public-private partnerships (PPPs) in an effort to boost infrastructure investment. Political reporter Anneke Smith takes a closer look at the government's plan and asks one expert about the pros and cons of PPPs.
Focus on Politics: Chris Bishop in safety vest with traffic cones

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