Brent Edwards
Key and Shearer start political year with exchange on housing
The Prime Minister, John Key, and the Labour Party leader, David Shearer, have started the political year by setting jobs, affordable housing and the economy as their main priorities. Audio
Focus on Politics for 25 January 2013
This week politicians ended their long summer break and got back to work. But for two government ministers - Kate Wilkinson and Phil Heatley - the return to work came as a shock when the Prime… Audio
Key fires warning shot at Auckland Council
The Prime Minister has warned the Auckland Council the Government will act if the council does not make it easier for affordable homes to be built in the city. Audio
PM due to announce changes to planning laws
The Prime Minister will today announce further changes to planning laws to make it easier to build new houses. Audio
PM relaxed about Maori Party leadership
The Prime Minister is relaxed about a possible change in the Maori Party's leadership, insisting it will have no effect on the Government. Audio
Speaker move sparks chance for Smith to return to Cabinet
Nick Smith is expected to be reinstated as a minister today in a cabinet reshuffle. Audio
PM facing criticism over suggesting Nick Smith be a minister.
The Prime Minister is facing criticism for suggesting he will give Nick Smith his old job back as a Cabinet Minister. Audio
Opposition parties have denounced Smith's likely elevation
Opposition parties have denounced suggestions that the National Party MP, Nick Smith, will be reinstated as a minister in a Cabinet reshuffle expected tomorrow. Audio
Union remains wary about check inspectors
The union which represents miners is worried that the mining industry will try to stymie attempts to set up a strong system of check inspectors at the country's underground mines. Audio
Union represting miners satisfied its voice is being heard
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union is worried the mining industry will try to undermine attempts to set up a strong system of check inspectors at the mines. Audio
Government Investment Funds
A Treasury report into the performance of government investment funds has warned that there is a limit to how much they can invest in the New Zealand stock market. Audio
English rejects criticism - not doing enough on housing
The Finance Minister has rejected criticism the Government is not doing enough to deal with a housing boom in Auckland. Audio
Brits and NZ agree to work more closely on cyber security
The New Zealand and British governments have agreed to work more closely to counter threats to cyber security. Audio
Outspoken for 10 January 2013
Brent Edwards examines the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in a written constitution. Audio
Opposition parties say Treaty must be protected.
We preview tonight's Outspoken programme on the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in our constitution. Audio
A difficult year in politics
Last week's resignation of the Secretary for Education, Lesley Longstone, capped what has been a difficult year for the Government as it has dealt with one political crisis after another. Audio
Government faces accusations of keeping information secret.
The Government is being accused of having a deliberate policy of keeping information secret which should be made public under the Official Information Act. Audio
Focus on Politics for 21 December 2012
This week the Government released its half-yearly economic and fiscal update. The Treasury is now forecasting the economy won't grow as strongly as it predicted in the May Budget. Audio
Politicians receive nearly 2 percent pay rise.
Politicians have received a wage rise of nearly two percent backdated to the beginning of July. Audio
