Nick Smith
Govt considers changes to give Parliament more clout
The Labour-led Government is considering changes which could give Parliament more clout under MMP and force governments to share power. Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader, Winston… Audio
National stokes conflict over Kermadec Sanctuary
The National Party denies it is trying to drive a wedge between the government parties as it pushes to establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary from opposition. The Nelson MP Nick Smith has lodged a… Audio
Canterbury TV chairman had no concerns over CTV building safety
Nick Smith was the Canterbury Television chairman when the CTV building collapsed. He was the sole survivor of 17 staff members. He spoke to John Campbell. Video, Audio
EPA says science deniers becoming more prevalent in NZ
The Environmental Protection Agency says its job of explaining decisions is being made harder because of a growth of anti-authoritarian "science deniers", whose views on subjects such as 1080… Audio
Unanimous council support for Queenstown housing developments
More than 2000 new houses may soon be built, and Queenstown Lakes District Council also unanimously voted in support of building affordable houses for the area's workforce. Audio
Nick Smith in the lead in Nelson
National's Nick Smith is in the lead in the Nelson electorate, ahead of Matt Lawrey from the Green Party. Audio
Video evidence appears to contradict Nick Smith's claim
Nick Smith says rat poison was rubbed 'over my face', but Checkpoint has viewed a video of the incident and we cannot see that poison made contact with the veteran MP's skin. Audio
Nick Smith squatting sculpture to go on the road
The five-metre sculpture of the Environment Minister squatting over a glass of water will be driven to Nelson and displayed next to Nick Smith's stand at the local farmers market. Video, Audio
Nick Smith statue 'crass', rat poison attack 'frightening'
Nelson MP Nick Smith has complained to the police after rat poison was allegedly rubbed on his face and clothes on Saturday. Audio
Protesters have 'no knowledge' of Nick Smith rat poison claim
A Nelson community group that's been fighting an aerial poison drop says it has no idea who may have attacked Nelson MP Nick Smith with rat poison. The Brook Valley Community Group chairman… Audio
Nothing in new freshwater push deals with nitrate - ecology expert
A new push to clean up New Zealand's waterways is being criticised for failing to address the problem of nitrate seeping off farms into rivers. RNZ science reporter Jacob McSweeny has the details. Audio
Environment Commissioner's climate change report 'not a game-changer' - Nick Smith
New Zealand's environment watchdog wants us to follow the UK's lead and get emissions reduction targets written into law. The Environment Commissioner's report is constructive, but not a… Audio
New tenets for tenants
The rights and obligations of both tenants and landlords are changing, and both groups are being asked for feedback. Audio
Building Minister defends housing affordability 'in eye of beholder'
Nick Smith says he was referring to the fact one person could view a house as affordable, but it could be out of reach for another. Audio
Housing Minister says affordable housing numbers difficult to achieve
The Building and Construction Minister, Nick Smith, says regulating house prices to ensure a percentage being built are affordable is very difficult to achieve. Audio
Ministry "struggling" to explain water standards
The Environment Minister might've sold the Government's new water standards to make 90% of all rivers swimmable by 2040 to fellow MPs, but it appears the details are still as murky for ministry… Audio
Landlords breaking new insulation law
Investigators monitoring the Government's new regulations around rental properties and insulation say landlords are breaking the law by failing to disclose how much insulation is in their rental… Audio
Green Party to contest Nick Smith's Nelson seat
The Green Party will fight National's Nick Smith for the Nelson seat in this year's election, the first time the party has tried to win a seat since 1999.
Government tackles tyres
The government is to spend $19 million on a range of initiatives to recycle used tyres. Every year five million used car tyres are generated in New Zealand, 70 per cent of which end up in landfills or… Audio