Stories by Craig McCulloch

Justice Minister Andrew Little has guaranteed that next year's cannabis referendum will be binding, but says he will explain "what binding actually means" when the next details are announced. Audio

The government's initial response to the welfare expert advisory group's 200-page report is "pathetic", National says, with interest groups and the Green Party also saying more needs to be done.

The country's terror alert level has been lowered from its highest ever setting, but still remains higher than before last month's Christchurch mosque attacks.

MPs have been deluged with thousands of submissions on the fast-tracked gun legislation, but there are concerns about the pace of change.

As recently as last year, New Zealand First MP Ron Mark boasted in Parliament about having repeatedly obstructed attempts to bolster gun control. Audio

The Prime Minister is downplaying a suggestion from National that a surveillance programme known as Project Speargun could have helped prevent the Christchurch terror attacks. Audio

The Prime Minister has implored a Christchurch high school which lost two students in Friday's massacre to help her rid the country of racism.

Media outlets have begun discussions on how best to cover the court case of the accused Christchurch terrorist without giving him a platform for propaganda.

Labour MPs have backtracked on their decision to block China expert Anne-Marie Brady from speaking at Parliament after push-back from the Opposition.

The government has poured cold water on a tobacco giant's plea for tax-breaks on its vaping and other smokefree products.

State farmer Landcorp has defended spending more than $11,000 preparing its submission to the government's Tax Working Group, telling MPs it was "money well spent".

Even if New Zealand votes to legalise cannabis, the sports anti-doping agency says it remains bound by international rules which ban athletes from using it above a certain limit.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ruled out lowering the MMP threshold in time for next year's election.

Australia's former foreign minister has sought to help the National Party return to government, sharing her experience with the party at their caucus retreat.

Australia's former foreign minister Julie Bishop has challenged all political parties to recruit more women ahead of a dinner where she will address National MPs.

The National MP has refused to answer questions about her relationship with Jami-Lee Ross and a text message allegedly sent from her phone.

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has been invited to Waitangi and he's expected to bring about 2000 supporters, but MP Shane Jones says they will cause 'issues' for the local marae and police.

Property developers have begun delivering their wish-lists to Housing Minister Phil Twyford on ways to improve the troubled KiwiBuild scheme.

Stephen Barclay says his team was on target to meet the 1000 house goal while he was in charge because they focused on targets, "not building a new ministry". Audio

Former head of KiwiBuild Stephen Barclay quit his role while being investigated over complaints from staff about his behaviour.

Mystery continues to surround the absence of KiwiBuild chief executive Stephen Barclay with the Housing Ministry rejecting reports he's resigned. Video

The former staff member who has released recordings of National MP Maggie Barry rejects any suggestion he taped her secretly and says she asked him to do so. Audio

The mother of murdered woman Sophie Elliott hopes a new strangulation offence could help others avoid her daughter's fate.

The government may have opened itself up to a costly legal battle around "double jeopardy" over its handling of the Karel Sroubek case, an immigration lawyer warns. Audio

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway was informed of Karel Sroubek's violent crimes in the Czech Republic and allowed him to stay in New Zealand anyway. Video