Politics
One of Labour's most senior MPs calls it quits
One of Labour's longest-serving current MPs, David Parker, will resign from Parliament. Audio
Govt speaks on NZ economy and US tariff regime
The coalition government has sought to reassure New Zealanders that it has the economy in hand - as the United States' radical tariff regime risks a global recession. The US President Donald Trump has… Audio
Laws to better protect MPs from the public being considered
The prime minister will not say yet if he would support a potential law change to keep publicly elected officials safer.
Warnings inflation may rise in response to Trump's tariffs
The Finance Minister has warned global inflation could rise by as much as 0.5 percent in response to Donald Trump's tariffs. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 8 April 2025
On today's episode, the government has announced a defence funding boost, we hear from the Defence Minister and the Labour leader, markets around the world have fallen amid Trump's tariff… Audio
Call for PM to step in over minister’s carbon trading conflict of interest
Minister Mark Patterson was the director of a farming and forestry company, while participating in decisions about carbon market settings.
Who is the Defence Force spend-up meant to protect us against?
The government plans to pump billions into the Defence Force, but there are questions around just who it is the government thinks we might end up using the upgraded equipment against. Audio
Labour leader on govt's defence spending boost
The Labour leader has stopped short of outright saying he supports the government's new defence spending plan, but says it seems very similar to what was planned under the last government. Chris… Audio
New Zealand has joined the arms race, professor says
A $12 billion plan includes spending on "enhance combat capability, including strike capacity". Audio
Govt announces $12 billion Defence Capability plan
The government is pumping $12 billion over the next four years into building a "modern, combat-capable" New Zealand Defence Force. Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio
Economic Growth minister Nicola Willis on tariffs, defence
The good folk of Te Awamutu and Nicola Willis talk tariffs and trade Audio
Sensible satire?
Electoral law expert Andrew Geddis weighs in on new billboards from the Sensible Sentencing Trust - attributed at the very bottom of the billboards, in very small font. Audio
'Defund da police': Billboards attacking Greens appear in Auckland, Wellington
The billboards, which resemble Green Party campaign hoardings, contain the slogans "Defund the Police" and "Vote Green".
Research on effects of vaping on NZ youth causing concern
We need to know before it's too late, that's the message from researchers working to find out the long-term health effects of vaping on New Zealand's young people, who are nearly three times more… Audio
NZ needs to decide whether to fix pot holes or save lives - GP
Tairawhiti doctors are warning some Gisborne Hospital services are on the brink of collapse and without an influx of doctors in the next four weeks could be forced to shut down. Last week, the head of… Audio
Government unveils $12 billion defence plan
Of the $12 billion of spending, $9 billion is new money that will equate to a significant boost in annual funding for the force.
New Zealand's defence spending to increase
New Zealand's spending on defence is set for a sharp rise - with the government laying out a plan to double it within the next eight years. It's expected to bring the government's investment to more… Audio
Medicinal cannabis user worried about new drug-driving laws
A survivor of abuse in state care is worried new drug-driving laws mean he could be banned from taking the wheel due to his use of medicinal cannabis. Toni Jarvis says he uses prescribed products to… Audio
'Unchecked' industry lobbying needs regulating, say ex-politicians
Health experts and former politicians want transparency and accountability to 'end hidden lobbying'. Audio