Politics
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 16 October 2025
The government has no plans to back down on its proposed card surcharge ban - despite pleas from businesses to pause the move; Parliament's Speaker is planning to bring some higher standards to the… Audio
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger dies aged 90
A pragmatist who disliked being called a pragmatist, Bolger led the country through a tumultuous '90s and the first MMP government. Audio
Sean Plunket calls for Broadcasting Standards Authority to be disbanded
The host of The Platform says a decision about a listener's complaint has been made 'completely illegally'.
Sir John Key pays tribute to Jim Bolger who died on Wednesday
Sir John Key spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss following the death of Jim Bolger. Audio
Parliament Speaker plans to raise standards in the House
Parliament's Speaker is planning to bring some higher standards to the House, particularly looking at attendance and dress code.Ingrid Hipkiss spoke to Green MP Ricardo Menendez March. Audio
Ruth Richardson speaks following death of Jim Bolger
Former Finance Minister, Ruth Richardson spoke to Corin Dann regarding the death of Jim Bolger. Audio
Former PM Jim Bolger has died aged 90
Jim Bolger, who was Prime Minister for much of the 1990s, has died aged 90. Bill Hickman has more on the life of the politician nicknamed The Great Helmsman. Audio
Seymour welcomes NZ First changes to Regulatory Standards
David Seymour is welcoming New Zealand First's changes to his Regulatory Standards Bill as a 'win-win'. Political reporter Russell Palmer reports. Audio
'Footnote in history': Constitutional experts shrug off Regulatory Standards Bill tweaks
David Seymour says NZ First's changes to his bill are a 'win-win', not a backdown - but experts say the way it's been handled means it is unlikely to have lasting impact.
Sir Don McKinnon speaks following death of Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger, New Zealand's 35th Prime Minister and National Party leader for 11 years, has died aged 90. Audio
Labour's Willow-Jean Prime on education, polls
Willow-Jean Prime joins First Up for her weekly look at politics from the Labour Party's perspective. Audio
Broadcasting watchdog accused of 'Soviet era stasi' censorship
Winston Peters, Free Speech Union and veteran journalist Sean Plunket react to BSA's decision to regulate podcasts and online media.
Pension Wars: How A Gold-Plated Promise Changed NZ Politics
It's the third rail of New Zealand politics: Touch it and you die. From Richard Seddon's groundbreaking old-age pension, to Rob Muldoon's Dancing Cossacks, to Jim Bolger's "no ifs, no buts, no maybes"… Video, Audio
New Zealand on strike, again
Our workforce has had enough and will down tools on October 23 for a "mega strike", involving more than 100,000 workers Audio
Greens warn Brownlee over becoming 'fashion police'
The Speaker has given MPs a dressing down over falling standards around leave, attendance and dress. Audio
Kapa-Kingi has 'no regrets' about turning on Te Pāti Māori
The prominent activist says he knew he would be "dragged through the mud".
MPs weigh in on Parliament's 'slipping standards'
MPs have been told to smarten up their act, amid supposed slipping standards in Parliament, from no-shows through to no shoes. Politicans from across the political spectrum weighed in with their… Audio
Calls for stricter rules on dress code in Parliament
Speaker of the house Gerry Brownlee has signalled a crack down and wants to change the rules around attendance, dress standards and leave. He said he will make greater use of punishments to ensure… Audio
Polls and trolls: Is violent online abuse turning women away
Tory Whanau's candid speech on the relentless online abuse she faced as Wellington mayor would not been reassuring for candidates waiting for local election results.
