Anneke Smith
Lawmakers worry tobacco companies will outsmart ban
Lawmakers are worried tobacco companies will outsmart the government's looming ban on disposable vapes. The ban is set to come into force by the end of the year - along with new retailer restrictions… Audio
No easy fixes to school attendance - principals
The coalition has set out how it plans to boost school attendance, rolling out a communciations campaign and updating health advice for sick students, Anneke Smith reports. Audio
PM set nine government targets for the public service
The Prime Minister has set nine government targets for the public service - giving it until 2030 to achieve them. Christopher Luxon said he's bringing back targets - originally introduced by Sir John… Audio
ECE sector welcomes 'FamilyBoost' rebate, questions its reach
The tax rebate for parents with kids in pre-school is being called a welcome a relief for some households but there's also a warning only a few will enjoy the full benefits.
From October, the… Audio
Anti-trans rant and abuse of MP disrupts select committee
A Parliamentary select committee was momentarily derailed this morning, when a member of the public went on an anti-trans rant before verbally abusing an MP. It comes just a day after outgoing MP… Audio
Disability community reeling after government narrows funding
The disability community is reeling after the government moved to narrow access to funding. Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People, issued new rules for accessing financial support in a Facebook… Audio
Environmentalists slam new consent regime 'anti-nature' and "anti-democratic"
Environmentalists are crying foul over the government's new consenting regime arguing it's "anti-nature" and "anti-democratic". The coalition is introducing a revamped consenting scheme that gives a… Audio
PM misses meetings due to plane fault
The Prime Minister has had to miss bilateral meetings in Australia this morning after a maintenance after the Defence Force plane couldn't take off due to a maintenance fault.
Christopher Luxon was… Audio
PM's 757 plane grounded due to fault
The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, is flying to Melbourne on a commercial flight Tuesday morning, after the Defence Force identified a "maintenance fault" with their Boeing 757 aircraft.
Luxon is… Audio
New Zealand designates entirety of Hamas a terrorist entity
It's now a criminal offence in this country to support Hamas.
The government's designated the political wing of Hamas as a terrorist entity; it made the same ruling about the group's military wing… Audio
Prime Minister refuses to rule out liberalising access to semi-automatic guns
The Prime Minister is refusing to rule out freeing up access to semi-automatic guns.
The government is rewriting the Arms Act this term - changes that may include allowing competitive shooters access… Audio
Competitive shooters want to use outlawed semi-automatic guns
MP's have heard strong arguments for and against allowing competitive shooters to use banned semi-automatic firearms.
The weapons were outlawed in a crackdown after the March 15 terror attacks in… Audio
National and Labour trade blows over Three Waters repeal
The Government is making good on its promise to repeal Three Waters - pushing legislation through most of its stages last night ahead of a final vote soon.
It wasn't without a fight, with Labour… Audio
More protest action to come says Māori rights activist
A Māori rights activist says protest action against the government's policies is far from over.
The coalition was received at this year's Waitangi commemorations with anger about its contentious… Audio
Coalition can expect fierce, united front at Waitangi
The coalition government can expect a fierce and united front when it arrives at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds Monday morning.
Crown-Māori relations have dominated the new government's term so far… Audio
Government warned to 'be careful' with its Māori policies
The government has been warned to "be careful" with its policies affecting Maori, at the National Iwi Chairs Forum today. Pressure is mounting ahead of Waitangi Day, as the Prime Minister continues to… Video, Audio
Prime Minister prepares to speak after Iwi Forum meeting
Iwi leaders have met with Government representatives wanting more clarity on how ACT's Treaty Principles Bill might progress through parliament.
The prime minister and other members of his cabinet… Audio
Government can expect 'frank' talks at Iwi Chairs Forum - Rahui Papa
Top government ministers will sit down today with Māori leaders from nearly every corner of Aotearoa at the National Iwi Chairs Forum.
The forum is the pre-eminent grouping of indigenous leaders, who… Audio