Brent Edwards
Peters criticises Lockwood Smith's London appointment
The New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, has criticised the appointment of Parliament's Speaker Lockwood Smith as the next High Commissioner to London. Audio
Green Party's year ends on a high
The Green Party recorded an historic high party vote of 11 percent in last year's election and this year its support has not waned. Audio
Opposition says Govt wavering on deficit
The Government says that it remains committed to getting its books back into surplus in 2014-15 but Opposition parties think it's already starting to waver on its target. Audio
Focus on Politics for 14 December 2012
This year has been a tough one for the National-led Government as it's dealt with a series of political crises - many of its own making. Audio
PM defends Justice and Education Ministers
The Prime Minister is defending his Justice and Education Ministers against accusations they have mismanaged their responsibilities. Audio
Parata shrugs off accusations about Salisbury.
The Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, has shrugged off accusations in Parliament she was prepared to put the safety of vulnerable girls at risk. Audio
Committee doesn't want to criminalise legitimate risk taking
Parliament's commerce select committee has recommended changes to new business legislation to avoid criminalising legitimate risk taking by company directors. Audio
PM refuses to be drawn into sacking of Actors Equity VP
The Prime Minister is refusing to comment on claims Tourism New Zealand wanted the vice-president of Actors' Equity sacked as a tour guide. Audio
Govt ally condemns Actors Equity v-p's sacking.
One of the Government's allies has joined Opposition parties in condemning the sacking of the vice-president of Actors' Equity, Todd Rippon, as a Wellington tour guide. Audio
Comments and union membership blamed for tour guide sacking
A senior member of Actors' Equity has been sacked as a Wellington tour guide for allegedly making a derogatory comment about the filming of The Hobbit movies. Audio
Big funds underpin cluster bomb profits
Government funds are still investing in companies that make cluster bombs despite this country signing up to a global ban on the weapons in 2008. Audio
Greens accuse Peters of being too quick to sack Horan
The Green and Maori Parties are accusing the New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, of being too quick to sack list MP Brendan Horan from his caucus. Audio
Govt to probe how many beneficiaries paid to go to Aus
The Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett, is to investigate how many beneficiaries have had their airfares paid to fly to Australia to work. Audio
Greens accused Reserve Bank governor of bank bias
The Green Party is accusing the new Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler of being biased in favour of the Australian-owned banks. Audio
Support for Labour strengthening
A year after recording just 27% party support in the general election, and just weeks after major ructions at its party conference, the Labour party has strengthened in two major political polls. Audio
Focus on Politics for 30 November 2012
The first of The Hobbit movies had its premiere in Wellington this week. Audio
Labour's ruling council meets for constitutional changes
The Labour Party's ruling council has been meeting today to put into place the constitutional changes its annual conference endorsed two weeks ago. Audio
Parliament is no place for sweeties
The Labour MP, Trevor Mallard, is one of Parliament's toughest operators. Audio
Labour criticises MFAT chief for taking pay increase
The Labour Party has criticised the chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, John Allen, for accepting a pay increase in the wake of what is called a botched restructuring of the ministry. Audio
PM accuses Labour of doing nothing on housing while in Govt.
The Prime Minister has accused the Labour Party of doing nothing to improve the quality of housing when it last led the Government. Audio