Focus on Politics

RNZ News
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Focus on Politics

The big political issues unpacked every week.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Winston Peters' takes NZ's defence and security concerns direct to Beijing

    In Focus on Politics, RNZ's political editor Jo Moir takes a look at New Zealand’s relationship with China as three Chinese warships sit off the coast of Australia, and the Cook Islands signs new agreements with the superpower, without first consulting New Zealand. Foreign Minister was in Beijing this week for high-level meetings, and RNZ's Corin Dann was there to report from the ground. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  2. FEB 21

    Shaken trust in the public service's data safeguards

    A damning report has found the safeguards government agencies have to protect data they share with third party providers to be sorely lacking, and wide open for misuse. Allegations Census and vaccination data shared at Manurewa Marae was misused are up for further investigation, but the trust in the public service has taken a hit. For Focus on Politics this week, political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the report and its findings, and what steps the public service will take to win that trust back. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  3. FEB 14

    Why the coalition's squabbles are likely to escalate

    Facing falling poll numbers and focusing squarely on growth, the prime minister's agenda this week has faced multiple distractions - and they all seemed to have one name. It's a trend that seems likely to continue into the second half of the government's term. Political Reporter Russell Palmer spoke to David Seymour and Mike Munro for Focus on Politics this week about coalition dynamics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  4. FEB 7

    Waitangi Day from the Treaty Grounds

    In this week's Focus on Politics, Lillian Hanly goes to Waitangi and experiences the manaakitanga, the politics, and the ceremony of New Zealand's national day. Thousands of people make the trip north each year to the place where Te Tiriti was first signed - though this year, the prime minister was notably absent. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  5. JAN 31

    Oral submissions begin on the Treaty Principles Bill

    ACT leader David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill is being considered by the Justice Select Committee. It received an unprecedented number of written submissions and the committee made a selection to ensure hearing a broad range of views for the first sessions on the Bill. RNZ political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look back at the first ten hours of oral submissions. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  6. 12/19/2024

    2024 in Politics: Change, Challenge, and Chuckles

    The end-of-year has arrived, and with it, the traditional suite of end-of-year reviews and thinkpieces. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch looks back on the ups and downs of politics in 2024. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  7. 12/13/2024

    All aboard the Winston Peters' rail mission

    In Focus on Politics, RNZ's political editor Jo Moir sits down with new Minister for Rail Winston Peters to discuss the future of the Interislander ferries, and what next year will bring for the New Zealand First leader. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min

  8. 12/06/2024

    Scrutiny week's political fireworks: is it all just for show?

    They call it scrutiny week at Parliament - a prolonged political prosecution - where the opposition is given the opportunity to grill ministers and department bosses and sometimes receive a little return fire. Broadly speaking, commentators have not been overly impressed with the opposition's approach. In this week's Focus on Politics, the second ever scrutiny week has launched many headlines, but is it doing what it was meant to? RNZ Political Reporter Russell Palmer examines a nascent parliamentary process. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The big political issues unpacked every week.

Information

  • Channel
    RNZ News
  • Creator
    RNZ
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2025
  • Episodes
    196
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) Radio New Zealand 2025
  • Show Website
    Focus on Politics

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