Policy
New bill aims to stop animal cruelty through imported products
The proposed bill would require imported products to meet the same animal welfare standards applied locally.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 6 May 2025
In today's episode, the government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity in a bid to cut costs, saying the current system is too loose, the consumer watchdog has released its annual… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 6 May 2025
In today's episode, the Opposition leader says there is no justification for the Education Minister, Erica Stanford, to have been using a personal email address to access documents, the Corrections… Audio
Earthquake standards risk turning Stratford into 'ghost town'
Businesses in Stratford say stickers slapped on dozens of buildings warning they are quake-prone, risk turning the Taranaki provincial hub into a ghost town. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin… Audio
MSD doesn't know if benefit sanctions leading people into work, says aim is compliance
The Ministry of Social Development says sanctions are for ensuring compliance with benefit obligations, rather than directly helping people into employment.
Corrections Minister looks at longer prison sentences
Labour's Justice spokesperson Duncan Webb says it's "depressing" the government can't come up with better solutions.
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 5 May 2025
In today's episode, Australians have re-elected Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese as their country's Prime Minister, Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced the navy will replace its fleet of… Audio
NZ's 'clean slate' law isn't working
Does hiding a criminal record after seven years help people get a job? The data says: not really.
Glass, melted plastic: School lunch programme food safety complaints soar
MPI is probing 17 complaints from term one - matching the number investigated over the previous seven years combined.
Hundreds gather for proposed gender legislation protest
Winston Peters is proposing new legislation that will define the term "woman" as "an adult human biological female".
Whanganui mayor pushes back on Seymour's attendance appeal
David Seymour called on all mayors across the country to help with school attendance last week.
Changes to KiwiSaver?
This week the government announced plans to cut the operating allowance in this year's budget by $1.1 billion, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hinted at changes to KiwiSaver. Audio
How the US 'war on woke' and women risks weakening its own military capability
Analysis - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the Women, Peace and Security initiative 'woke' and 'divisive'. But history shows soldiers of all stripes have served with honour.
Does New Zealand have too many government ministers?
The size and make-up of any executive is set by the Prime Minister.
Undecided voters may shake up Australian election
Analysis - The number of soft voters is significantly higher than at previous elections.
Seymour wants to cut number of ministers handling portfolios
ACT Party leader David Seymour wants to slash the number of ministers taking care of portfolios, calling the current set up "bloated" and "full of meaningless titles". He spoke to RNZ's Deputy… Audio
Regulatory Standards Bill claim accepted for urgency by Waitangi Tribunal
The group behind last year's Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti has been granted an urgent hearing at the Waitangi Tribunal regarding the Regulatory Standards Bill.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 1 May 2025
In today's episode, Wellington is under a red wind warning, as gale force winds lash the capital city, the South Island is also experiencing wild weather, with Selwyn under a state of emergency and… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 1 May 2025
In today's episode, a state of emergency has been declared for Canterbury's Selwyn district, a senior emergency doctor says serious staff shortages that are affecting patient care has driven her to… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 30 April 2025
In today's episode, wild weather is on its way for much of the country, with a low pressure system bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds, a former inmate has described a total prisoner voting… Audio
