Chris Bramwell
Opposition want more transparency for political donations
Opposition parties say the Government is only reforming those aspects of the electoral laws that suit it. Audio
Government wants Kiwirail on commercial footing
The Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, has signalled an end to Government subsidies for Kiwirail. Audio
Sue Bradford resigns after a decade in Parliament
The Green MP Sue Bradford has resigned, admitting she's still hurt after her failed bid for the co-leadership at the end of May. Audio
Debate gets heated over ETS costs
The debate over the cost of the Government's amended Emissions Trading Scheme is heating up. Audio
Focus on politics for 18 September 2009
The embattled Emissions Trading Scheme law is about to arrive back in Parliament to be debated all over again. Audio
Opposition continues pressuring English over allowances
The Opposition is ratcheting up the pressure on the Finance Minister, Bill English, over his ministerial housing allowance. Audio
Final shape of ETS still up in the air
Just a day after announcing a deal with the Maori Party to forge a new Emissions Trading Scheme, National is saying it's still open to doing a deal with Labour. Audio
Attempt to get broad political support for ETS collapses
Work to get broad political consensus over changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme has collapsed, with National instead doing a deal with the Maori Party. Audio
Provocation defence"homophobic hangover"
The partial defence of provocation has been called a"homophobic hangover"that should have been done away with long ago. Audio
RMA bill continues to be debated
The Environment Minister Nick Smith has tried to reassure Aucklanders that the region's trees will not be left unprotected. Audio
Govt wants PHOs to be able to provide more services
The Government wants primary healthcare providers to be able to provide a wider range of services, including some currently carried out in hospitals. Audio
Drinking water subsidy scheme on hold until next year
The Government is putting a scheme on hold which grants money to small communities to upgrade their drinking water. Audio
ETS negotiations heat up
Negotiations around the Emissions Trading Scheme remain on a knife edge as the National Party scrambles to find enough support for a scheme it would find acceptable. Audio
ETS support looks shaky
The Labour Party says there are smelly political deals going on behind closed doors between National and its support parties over the Emissions Trading Scheme. Audio
Banks warn of increased costs under anti-money laundering bill
Banks are warning that proposed new rules to prevent money laundering will lead to extra charges being passed on to customers. Audio
Focus on politics for 21 August 2009
Polling has now closed in the Afghan election amid widespread claims of vote-rigging and corruption. Audio
Key says MP gave him 'personal assurance' over allegations
The Prime Minister John Key says he has had a personal assurance from his MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi that there is nothing to the allegations against him around an immigration case. Audio
Opposition parties question SAS deployment
Opposition parties are questioning how the Government can send troops to support the Afghan Government after it approved a new law removing a number of freedoms for Afghan women. Audio
Crown will not appeal makutu manslaughter sentences.
The Crown says it will not appeal the sentences handed down to the five people found guilty in the makutu manslaughter case. Audio