Anneke Smith
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
Defence experts sound alarm over new deployment to Middle East
Experts are warning New Zealand's latest deployment to the Middle East could be interpreted as supporting Israel in the Gaza conflict.
A team of six Defence Force personnel are being deployed to… Audio
Foreign Minister rules out expelling the Russian ambassador
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has ruled out expelling the Russian ambassador. This, despite his coalition partners National and ACT calling for an expulsion earlier this year. MPs had their… Audio
Wellingtonians in 2 minds about axing Let's Get Wellington Moving
Wellingtonians have expressed mixed feelings about the axing of the capital's major transport project. The new government and local councils have met and agreed to put an end to Let's Get Wellington… Audio
Labour's Kelvin Davis quits politics, lays down Waitangi challenge for new govt
Senior Labour MP Kelvin Davis has called time on politics so as not to grow "bitter" and "angry" on the opposition benches. The former deputy leader has held ministerial roles in Corrections… Audio
Political panel: Rowdy week in the house
It's been a fairly rowdy week in the house. RNZ political reporter Anneke Smith, and Stuff political editor Luke Malpass spoke to Corin Dann. Audio