Politics
NCEA overhaul sparks optimism and concern
Unions are cautiously optimistic changes, but the opposition says the "complete overhaul" goes too far. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 4th August 2025
In today's episode, an Auckland school principal is describing the scrapping of NCEA as more window dressing than radical overhaul. Level One will be replaced with foundation literacy and numeracy… Audio
Luxon announces trip to Papua New Guinea
The trip to the capital Port Moresby also commemorates 50 years of bilateral relations.
Political commentators Brigitte Morten and Sue Moroney
Brigitte and Sue talk NCEA changes, the National Party Conference and more.
Audio
Govt proposes to scrap NCEA
The government is proposing scrapping NCEA and replacing it with a new national qualification. The Prime Minister and Education Minister have made the announcement in Auckland this morning, saying… Audio
Two Auckland seats uncontested
Auckland's Deputy Mayor is one of two candidates in the city's local election pool standing uncontested this year. There were a total of 476 nominations for the 2025 Auckland elections, with two seats… Audio
National sets economic stake
The National party gathered on Saturday for its annual conference, with Christopher Luxon putting an economic stake in the ground ahead of next year's election. RNZ's Acting Political Editor Craig… Audio
PM Luxon on party annual conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has told the National party's annual conference over the weekend that the country needs to "say yes" more, and can't rely on hope. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Q&A: Will the Government’s gamble on gas work
The Government's plan to respond to a growing energy crisis has attracted a chorus of doubters - even within its own agencies. The reversal of the oil and gas ban was passed in Parliament last week… Audio
Govt scrambles on US tariff
The Government is scrambling in the wake of the 15% tariff on all New Zealand goods recently announced by the Trump administration. MFAT's head trade official has been dispatched to Washington DC… Audio
US slaps NZ with tariff
The Opposition is calling the news that New Zealand goods sold in the US will be subjected to a 15 percent tariff "a slap in the face" for the country's exporters. Labour's trade spokesperson Damien… Audio
Luxon sets out party pitch
"Say yes" to more - was the message from the Prime Minister at his address to National party members in Christchurch. The party gathered on Saturday for its annual conference, in which Christopher… Audio
Gang insignia being sold on Temu not illegal - police
The online shopping website has removed products featuring the logos of the Killer Beez, Mongrel Mob, Black Power and the Headhunters.
Lobby group wants rules urging importation of low-emission used cars relaxed
A lobby group for secondhand car importers believes rules that encourage low-emission cars from overseas are doing more harm than good.
Northland MP promises polytechnic won't close
Grant McCallum says the government has "no intention whatsoever" of closing NorthTec, despite being on a list of institutes facing potential closure or merger.
Mediawatch: The politics of PayWave
Waving goodbye to PayWave fees in a cost-of-living crisis seemed like a win for the government, until the media checked it out.
Forest & Bird slams govt land law overhaul as 'conservation retreat'
The groups say the proposed law changes shift focus from protecting nature to exploiting it for commercial gain.
Rats and mice to sort out: Parliament's tiny laws
The big laws debated by Parliament get a lot of attention, but others are so small as to be barely noticed.
'Say yes NZ' to housing, agriculture, cruise ships, mines - Luxon
The prime minister has told National Party faithful that, if Australia shut down mining and energy industries, Kiwis wouldn't flock there.
Foreign visitors face charge for popular tourist spots
The government plans to make it easier to get a concession to operate on Conservation land.
