Politics
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 26 November 2025
The mother who murdered her children and hid them in suitcases has been sentenced to at least 17 years jail; The government hopes regional councils will be gone within two years, under changes… Audio
Ministers were warned against teen welfare crackdown, documents show
Officials said the changes could actually increase long-term benefit dependency.
Govt hopes regional councils will be gone within two years
The government hopes regional councils will be gone within two years, under changes announced yesterday. Independent policy analyst and researcher, Jeff McNeil spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Why English sees Luxon leading National to another election victory
Despite Christopher Luxon dropping in the polls and a "rough patch" in the economy, Sir Bill English is confident.
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 26 November 2025
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; Regional Development Minister and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones has been one of the strongest… Audio
Australia: Costly weather website, food delivery drivers' wages
Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst talks about the bombshell revelatory cost of replacing the Bureau of Meteorology's website - the cost to taxpayers has blown out to A$96.5m - about 20 times… Audio
Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni join Morning Report for the weekly political panel. Audio
Shane Jones responds to regional council announcement
Regional Development Minister and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones has been one of the strongest critics of regional government, previously saying there is "less and less of a justifiable purpose"… Audio
Government plans to scrap regional councils
The Government's plan to scrap regional councils and hand responsibilities over to mayor-led combined territories boards marks the biggest structural shift in local government in decades. Doug Leeder… Audio
Sir Bill English
Sir Bill English weighs in on Chris Luxon’s performance and whether National should consider a new leader before the election. He also reflects on his years working with Te Pāti Māori, and why he… Video, Audio
Details revealed in major shake-up of local government
The government says it is not a power grab, but about "making local government fit for purpose". Audio
Regional councils to be axed in radical government proposal
Regional councils as you know them could be for the chop under a radical plan unveiled by the government. Under the proposal 11 regional councils would be axed, and replaced with new combined… Audio
State abuse survivors want more time to give input into redress bill
Survivors say the timing of the deadline for submission is "unjust and disrespectful".
Chris Bishop says he's not plotting to roll Christopher Luxon
He's not the only MP who has been asked about a leadership challenge.
Watch: Luxon and Stanford face questions at school visit
It comes after a turbulent year, with the government pushing through numerous changes which have not always gone down well with teachers and principals.
Voting process slows but doesn't stop bills under urgency
Thirteen bills were put down to progress under urgency at Parliament last sitting block but numerous amendments and drawn out voting sessions threaten to slow the process down.
Is prison really the answer to cracking down on crime?
Could we do better when it comes to how we manage our prison populations? That's what a Canterbury University political science researcher has been looking into as part of her studies into justice… Audio
'Winston, are you in?': Labour lodges member's bill to repeal Regulatory Standards Act
" We can do it right now, if Winston Peters is willing to walk the walk."
What are regional councils actually for?
The days of regional councils could soon be over. It's understood the Government will announce a proposal for a local government shake-up later this afternoon. It comes after Prime Minister… Audio
Tākuta Ferris levels new allegations against Te Pāti Māori executive
Ousted Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris speaks candidly to Mihingarangi Forbes about the mounting internal tensions within Te Pāti Māori that led to the current fall out. Video, Audio
