Stories by Craig McCulloch

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

Police are investigating after a teenage woman complained of inappropriate behaviour following a Young National event.

Hundreds of midwives are going on strike today, promising "maximum disruption" for District Health Boards while not putting women and babies at risk. Audio

New figures reveal the Green MP has approved nearly every application to cross her desk over nine months, rejecting just 30 hectares out of almost 60,000 hectares.

Prisoners look unlikely to get the vote any time soon even after a Supreme Court ruling in their favour. Video

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she is not thinking of sacking her immigration minister over revelations he took just an hour to consider the Czech drug smuggler case, after coming under renewed… Audio

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has admitted he took only an hour to decide to let Karel Sroubek stay in New Zealand and did not read the entire case file. Audio

The Defence Force has abandoned its strict rules preventing Kiwi soldiers in Iraq from being identified, as the threat of the terrorist group Islamic State wanes.

New Zealand looks highly unlikely to secure a better deal for dairy exporters as part of an improved free trade agreement with China. Audio

A proposed law to measure child poverty in New Zealand has been progressed, passing its penultimate reading in Parliament with near-unanimous support.

The Czech Republic is soon to launch efforts to extradite the convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek from New Zealand.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has rejected claims her promise to stop further regional fuel taxes was made up on the spot.

City and district councils are calling for another way to raise money after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took regional fuel taxes off the table. Audio

National Party leader Simon Bridges says he's "gutted" by new allegations his former MP Jami-Lee Ross manipulated and entrapped women.

Fuel companies are pushing back against the Prime Minister's claim that New Zealanders are being "fleeced" at the pump. Audio