Politics
Increase in defence spending justified: Labour leader Chris Hipkins
The Labour Party leader, Chris Hipkins, says an increase in defence spending is justified regardless of whether New Zealanders support it or not. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid… Audio
High-stakes elections taking place in US
There are some high-stakes elections taking place in the US on Wednesday, believed to be the first real test for Donald Trump since he took office in January. Washington DC correspondent Simon Marks… Audio
Rural residents challenge BOP boundary changes
The Representation Commission is consulting on its electoral boundary review that will see changes to the Tauranga, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua electorates for the 2026 general election. Audio
PM doubles down on excluding Treaty bill submissions
But legal scholars warn the move sets a worrying precedent.
Half of voters think govt should increase defence spending
A new RNZ poll has revealed about half of voters think New Zealand should increase its defence spending. Political editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Workplace Relations minister announces plans to relax health and safety laws
Brooke van Velden says business directors and management are doubling up duties because of unclear rules.
Parents should be most responsible for school lunches - poll
Most voters believe parents should be most responsible for providing school lunches - over the government - according to the first RNZ Reid Research poll. The result comes after a string of problems… Audio
Niki Gladding on being stripped of council committee roles
A Queenstown councillor was stripped of her roles after spilling the beans on confidential plans to invoke emergency powers to pump treated waste water into the Shotover river. Niki Gladding leaked… Audio
Queenstown councillor stripped of roles after plans leaked
A Queenstown councillor has been demoted after revealing a confidential council plan to discharge treated sewage into the Shotover River. Last week, Niki Gladding leaked the council's plans to pump at… Audio
Hosting America's Cup too expensive, Luxon says
Labour says it might not have shelled out the millions required either, but the government should have tried harder.
Picton residents respond to plans for new Cook Strait ferries
More than a year after work came to an abrupt halt when the government cancelled the previous mega ferries contract - Picton residents are pleased to hear there will be two new Cook Strait ferries… Audio
Te Pāti Māori MPs refuse to attend Parliament's Privileges Committee hearing
The Privileges Committee hearing was set after concerns were raised about their conduct during the first reading of the controversial bill.
Te Pati Maori MPs refuse to attend hearing over haka
Three MPs from Te Pati Maori say they will refuse to attend a hearing with Parliament's Privileges Committee tomorrow because their - quote fundamental rights - are being ignored. Party co-leaders… Audio
Threats against Benjamin Doyle referred to police - Greens
The Greens say Benjamin Doyle is feeling "scared and worried about their whānau".
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 1 April 2025
In today's episode, the new RNZ-Reid research poll has the government just ahead, as Aotearoa heads into the cooler months there are concerns rising power prices will lead to energy poverty, an… Audio
RNZ-Reid Research poll has govt ahead
The first RNZ Reid-Research poll has laid bare the razor-sharp race between the coalition and opposition parties. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira. Audio
'Bare-faced lie' to blame me for ferry saga: Peters
Chris Hipkins says it was a mistake to "accept Winston Peters' recommendation" for two mega ferries, but the NZ First leader is pushing back . Audio
The can of worms that is the Resource Management Act
Legislation designed to simplify the country's resource management laws has now become more complex than the multitude of statutes it originally replaced. So it's up for debate, again.
Law change makes those running outdoor activities responsible for injuries
The change to the Health and Safety at Work Act would mean the land owner would still be responsible for risks where their work is in the immediate vicinity, but not from the activity itself.
