Focus on Politics

RNZ News

4.3 (80)
NEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.

5 DAYS AGO

From reset to regret: Te Pāti Māori at war

Te Pāti Māori’s internal conflict has exploded into full public view. RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks how the turmoil unfolded - and whether there's any way back from the brink. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
31 OCT

Leaked and launched: Labour debuts its tax plan

RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at Labour's long-awaited tax plan and the old ghosts now stirring. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
24 OCT

Strike and counter-strike: the pitch for public sympathy

The largest strike in decades swept the country this week - or at least tried to, as wild winds blew away rallies. Behind the picket lines, the government and unions traded accusations of bad faith and misrepresentation. In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ's acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks the high-stakes fight for public sympathy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
17 OCT

Farmers celebrate as coalition slashes methane target

Political reporter Anneke Smith looks into the government's plans to soften its targets for methane emissions - and what the farming and scientific communities think it means for the country, and the planet. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
10 OCT

Questions linger after Te Pāti Māori reset

Te Pāti Māori has regrouped after the death of an MP, a confronting outburst about multiculturalism and a key ally - Toitū Te Tiriti - severing allegiance. It held a 'reset' at Parliament this week, though it ended in the party's co-leaders storming off when asked about allegations of dictatorial leadership. Our political reporter Lillian Hanly explains why and what the party was trying to achieve this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
3 OCT

Energy tweaks expose electoral live wire for National

In Focus on Politics this week, the government's struggle to convince with its big energy announcement augurs a stormy election season ahead. With National's coalition partners amping up for the election, political reporter Russell Palmer untangles an issue that promises to electrify the electorate. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
26 SEPT

Promises of transparency from new Reserve Bank governor

A new Reserve Bank governor has been appointed, and Dr Anna Breman is well aware her first task will be to rebuild transparency and accountability at the central bank. In this week's Focus on Politics, political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the Reserve Bank's tumultuous year, and what fresh challenges await the incoming governor. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min
19 SEPT

Poll paints picture of discontent

The latest RNZ-Reid Research poll showed a deadlocked Parliament and some uninspiring results for Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins. The public is increasingly pessimistic over the way the country's going, and more are blaming the current government for New Zealand's economic struggles. In this week's Focus on Politics, political reporter Giles Dexter digs into the poll results, and what the latest GDP figures mean for the government's growth agenda. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

16 min

See All (230)

4.3

out of 5

80 Ratings

Needs a little more producing

14/05/2017

Spyrash

Just a report on what happened, can be jolting because they go straight into the story with no intro, weird when you are listening to the end of another podcast and then a report starts
Good Summaries, but

19/02/2020

Bloonspeare

Why on earth must you give Simon Bridges so much air time? He’s got absolutely nothing of value to add
Nope

07/09/2017

AshDawgles

Biased
So ‘straight down the middle'

29/09/2015

Sawhiting

… it must annoy lefties and righties equally. As close to verbatim political reporting as you can get.