Brent Edwards
PM adamant health & safety legislation will make work safer
The Prime Minister is adamant changes to health and safety legislation will make workplaces safer but the Government is still to determine which industries will be deemed high risk. Critics say theā¦ Audio
The National Party annual conference
The National Party's annual conference is on in Auckland this weekend and housing, the economy, and the problems at Mt Eden Prison have all featured. Audio
Focus on Politics for 24 July 2015
The National Party is holding its annual conference in Auckland this weekend as it nears the end of the first year of its third term in government. Audio
Faltering economy likely to weigh on minds
The faltering economy is likely to weigh heavily on the minds of National Party delegates at their annual conference in Auckland this weekend. Audio
Worrying times as the interest rate cut signals Reserve Bank concern
Power Play with Brent Edwards - These are worrying times for the Government and the country with the Official Cash Rate cut signalling a faltering economy.
Corrections minister under pressure
The Corrections Minister is coming under more pressure over just when he knew about allegations a prisoner at the privately run Mt Eden Prison had been dropped from a balcony. Audio
English agrees rising house prices making inequality worse.
The Finance Minister has admitted rising house prices in Auckland are making inequality worse by shutting low and middle income earners out of the property market. Audio
Govt rejects Labour's push to stop foreigners buying homes
The Government rejects the Labour Party's view that stopping foreigners buying existing homes will help take some of the heat out of the property market. Audio
Beneficiaries will have incentive to work - Tolley
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the Government decided to lift benefit levels from next April because it is confident the move will not stop people moving into work.
Govt under renewed pressure to tackle child poverty
The Government is under renewed pressure to do more to tackle child poverty, after a newly released document confirms it was told its policies would have little impact in the short to medium term. Audio
Govt told its policies would do little to cut child poverty
Papers obtained by Radio New Zealand reveal the Government was told its policies would do little to cut child poverty in the short to medium term. Audio
Labour not backing down over Chinese buyer claims.
The Labour Party is not backing down from claims that Chinese buyers are pushing up Auckland house prices despite accusations that it's position is racist. Audio
Focus on Politics for 10 July 2015
This week the Government announced it aimed to cut greenhouse gas emissions eleven percent by 2030 from 1990 levels. Audio
English talks down surplus predictions
Power Play with Brent Edwards - The Government now looks set to achieve a surplus, so why is Bill English talking down the achievement?
Brownlee cancels drinks over concerns
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, has cancelled drinks he was hosting ahead of the the All Blacks test in Christchurch against Argentina. Audio
Labour says Treasury nuts over rail network.
The Labour Party has accused the Treasury of being nuts for suggesting the country's rail network should be closed because it costs too much. Audio
Govt signals tougher ETS to meet emissions target.
The Government is moving to toughen the emissions trading scheme as it seeks to cut carbon emissions 30 percent by 2030. Audio
PM shrugs off worries about the economy.
John Key has rejected suggestions from ANZ economists that things are getting so bad the Government will need to spend more money to stimulate the economy. Audio
Focus on Politics for 3 July 2015
New Zealand has the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, for the month of July. Audio
New Zealand First coup rumours create drama
Power Play with Jane Patterson - As coup rumours swirl around New Zealand First, Winston Peters is moved to quote Longfellow.