Focus on Politics

The largest strike in decades swept the country this week - or at least tried to, as wild winds blew away rallies. Behind the picket lines, the government and unions traded accusations of bad faith and misrepresentation. In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ's acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks the high-stakes fight for public sympathy.

Political reporter Anneke Smith looks into the government's plans to soften its targets for methane emissions - and what the farming and scientific communities think it means for the country, and the planet.

Te Pāti Māori has regrouped after the death of an MP, a confronting outburst about multiculturalism and a key ally - Toitū Te Tiriti - severing allegiance. It held a 'reset' at Parliament this week, though it ended in the party's co-leaders storming off when asked about allegations of dictatorial leadership. Our political reporter Lillian Hanly explains why and what the party was trying to achieve this week.

In Focus on Politics this week, the government's struggle to convince with its big energy announcement augurs a stormy election season ahead. With National's coalition partners amping up for the election, political reporter Russell Palmer untangles an issue that promises to electrify the electorate.

A new Reserve Bank governor has been appointed, and Dr Anna Breman is well aware her first task will be to rebuild transparency and accountability at the central bank. In this week's Focus on Politics, political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the Reserve Bank's tumultuous year, and what fresh challenges await the incoming governor.

The latest RNZ-Reid Research poll showed a deadlocked Parliament and some uninspiring results for Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins. The public is increasingly pessimistic over the way the country's going, and more are blaming the current government for New Zealand's economic struggles. In this week's Focus on Politics, political reporter Giles Dexter digs into the poll results, and what the latest GDP figures mean for the government's growth agenda.

There were plenty of political attacks flying around New Zealand First's annual general meeting last weekend and it's government partners weren't spared from some friendly fire. Roughly one year out from the election, government parties are making a real effort to differentiate themselves for votes. RNZ political reporter Russell Palmer examines how this is going and what impact it might have on coalition relationships.

The door to foreign home ownership was slammed shut by the Labour-New Zealand First coalition in 2018. Now, a slight tweak cracks it open for wealthy investors to buy - or build - one luxury home. What's the case for this carve out in the foreign buyers ban? Why do we have a ban in the first place? And why does Winston Peters' name keep coming up?

Labour's Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori's Oriini Kaipara are vying for the Māori seat made vacant by the shock passing of Takutai Tarsh Kemp. The contest is shaping up as one of a proven track record versus a refreshed movement, a former Labour Minister versus a first time candidate backed by a resurgent Te Pāti Māori. Political Reporter Lillian Hanly travels to Tāmaki Makaurau to meet the front-runners hoping to lead the electorate into the next election.

The coalition is under pressure from the cost-of-living crisis, with job losses, soaring food prices and a construction slowdown hitting hard. This week brought some policy changes and a Reserve Bank rate cut. On Focus on Politics, RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch looks at whether that relief will be enough to break the government’s winter of discontent.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.