Demelza Leslie
Paula Bennett is labelled a hypocrite over welfare changes
The Social Welfare Minister was labelled a hypocrite at Parliament today as the opposition stepped up its attack on the Government's planned welfare changes. Audio
Government delaying parts of its welfare changes
The Government will delay some parts of its welfare reforms following warnings from Treasury that the system could be exploited by private providers. Audio
Government warns welfare package could be abused
The government is being warned its welfare package for young people could be open to abuse by providers. Audio
Government defends its handling of child poverty
The Government is defending its handling of child poverty in the wake of a critical new report. Audio
Chief District Court Judge pleads with MPs over legal aid
The Chief District Court Judge has pleaded with MPs to consider how changes to legal aid could make district courts work harder. Audio
Monday bill may not need Govt support to pass
A law change to make Monday a public holiday when Waitangi and Anzac Days fall on a weekend may not need the support of the Government to get through. Audio
Parliament to consider Monday-ising Waitangi, Anzac holidays
A proposed law to Monday-ise Waitangi Day and Anzac Day when they fall on weekends will be considered this year. Audio
Catherine Isaac says her appointment is not political
The former ACT party president, Catherine Isaac, has been given another Government post - this time she's being put in charge of trialing two charter schools. Audio
Opposition: charter school appointment pushes political agenda
The appointment of a former Act party candidate to lead a trial of charter schools is being questioned by opposition parties, who say it's pushing a political agenda rather than putting children… Audio
Oposition parties question appointment on charter schools
Opposition parties are questioning the selection of a leading Act party member to lead a trial of charter schools. Audio
Peter Dunne defends Prime Minister's pre-election surplus
Opposition parties say the Prime Minister should have realised before the election that the promise of a return to healthy surplus in two years was too optimistic. Audio
Ratana mulling invitation for talks with Labour at Parliament
The leadership of the Ratana Church says it is unsure what kind of relationship it will have with the Labour party, after its first meeting with Labour's new leader, David Shearer. Audio
Our reporter at Ratana with the latest
Our political reporter Demelza Leslie joins us now from Ratana near Whanganui. Audio
Shearer's first trip to Ratana key to continued support
A meeting today between the Ratana Church leadership and the new Labour leader, David Shearer, is expected to be crucial in reaffirming the church's traditional support for the party. Audio
Defence Force recommends sweeping changes throughout
The fatal Anzac Day helicopter crash has been blamed on the Air Force not training its pilots properly and a gung-ho air crew taking too many risks. Audio
Opposition says Government's partial asset sales won't work
Opposition parties say the Government's plan to keep 51-percent ownership of the state assets it wants to partially-privatise, won't work. Audio
New Government sworn-in at a ceremony in Wellington
The Prime Minister, John Key, says one of the first matters the new Government will consider is the partial sale of State assets. Audio
Labour leader expects to have shadow portfolios sorted soon
The new Labour leader, David Shearer expects to have his shadow portfolios sorted by next week. Audio
Green Party says committee will do nothing to solve poverty
Opposition parties say a high-level committee will do nothing for the thousands of people living in poverty. Audio
Hemp food could be on the market next year
Proposed changes to food standards could allow hemp growers to manufacture and sell muesli bars and protein powders made from hemp, as early as next year. Audio
