Stories by Anneke Smith

The Royal Commission of Inquiry's report into abuse in state and faith-based care unveiled this week lays bare an ugly history, offering damning evidence and denouncing leaders for silencing or… Audio

The government's draft emissions reduction plan - out this week - puts New Zealand's ability to meet its climate targets in jeopardy. That was the key takeaway for RNZ's climate change correspondent… Audio

A law giving ministers sweeping powers to greenlight infrastructure projects has attracted a wave of criticism and responses at select committee.

With ministers beginning to soften their language… Audio

Successive governments have claimed crack downs on youth vaping but retailers are flouting the law, with just one prosecution on the books. 

Retailers have until the end of the year to phase out… Audio

The House has been in full swing for four weeks, with MPs sitting long hours as the government pushes through legislation under urgency to complete its 100-day plan. 

What's in it? Did the government… Audio

This year's record-breaking Waitangi celebrations drew 80,000 people to the Treaty grounds over four days, half that on Waitangi Day alone. 

With the dust settling on the event's biggest turnout in… Audio

The Parliamentary term came to an end this week after a tumultuous term, and Labour and National's election campaigns are launching this weekend - with just six weeks remaining before the big day. 

… Audio

ACT has not only held onto the 10-fold increase in voter support it enjoyed last election, it's maintained a stable caucus and gained further traction. 

With polls anticipating an even bigger stable… Audio

Tragic circumstances putting a halt to the political career of one of Labour's rising stars, East Coast MP Kiri Allan, was just the start of the party's headaches this week. 

Along with speculation… Video, Audio

Politicians went head to head on health equity this week, with opposition parties making a concerted effort to paint a waitlist prioritisation tool as discriminatory. 

With accusations flying from… Audio

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' whistlestop trip to Papua New Guinea sends a clear message: superpowers may come and go, but New Zealand is here to stay. 

The US and PNG signing a security deal is the… Audio

Covid-19, flu, RSV and other respiratory illnesses are on the rise as we inch towards winter, so Te Whatu Ora launched its winter preparedness plan this week with the aim of easing the pain for… Audio

Hamilton West polling for a new MP closes on 10 December - a litmus test for next year's general election. Crime and the cost of living are top of mind for most voters, but so far they're not rushing… Audio

In today's Focus on Politics podcast NZ Political Reporters Katie Scotcher, Anneke Smith and Giles Dexter explore what the debate about the role of the monarchy in New Zealand - and the possibility of… Audio

In today's Focus on Politics podcast Political Reporter Anneke Smith exposes the vulnerable state of New Zealand's democracy and examines the political response.  Audio

Law and order seems a likely hot topic again in next year's election, but experts say many proposed policies would be ineffective, Political Reporter Anneke Smith writes.  Audio

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Anneke Smith looks into the Family Court system as it nears its 40-year anniversary. Audio

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Anneke Smith explores how the conversation on hate speech shifted - from an effort to curb terrorism to a political bunfight - and what the… Audio

Auckland is on the cusp of an emergency water crisis as it stares down the barrel of the region's worst drought in 25 years with reservoirs at just 43 percent. The Auckland Council is scrambling to… Video, Audio

When a routine search warrant goes suddenly wrong, an ordinary man becomes a hero. Produced by Anneke Smith. Audio

Insight - Four teenagers connected with the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere have been convicted of violent murders in just over a year. Anneke Smith visited Hawke's Bay to find out why. Audio

Hebrew-reading student Richard Myburgh has been meticulously translating and documenting Hebrew enscriptions on more than 80 headstones in the Symonds Street cemetery for two months - simply because… Video, Audio