Stories by Jane Patterson
Audio and features
Coalition talks pick up pace behind closed doors
With National's potential partners ACT and NZ First finally getting together in Wellington this week, a sense of momentum is building for the trio to form a government.
Labour's Chris… Audio
Election results in a clear winner, a clear loser, a complex path to power
The battle for the hearts, minds and votes of New Zealanders is over - nearly - with the preliminary results on Saturday putting National in a position to form the next government and Labour consigned… Audio
Polls and fiscal holes put major parties on notice
With recent polling giving both major parties cause for concern and the election less than three months away, the countdown is on - and the policies are starting to roll out.
Labour has launched… Audio
Politicians tackling AI regulation - but will it be too late?
Warnings from those behind artificial intelligence (AI) technology have made lawmakers around the world take notice.
The tech sector itself is engaged with the government and is considering six… Audio
Meka Whaitiri rebellion hones parties' loyalties
Meka Whaiti's defection brings Labour's solid 65-strong majority down to 62, opening it up to accusations of disunity and instability. Lumping in Elizabeth Kerekere's resignation from the Greens… Audio
Parties navigate fresh tax debate ahead of 'no frills' Budget
Expectations are being kept very low for the 18 May Budget, so any surprises can have maximum political impact.
With a tight election looming, Labour will want to offer a proverbial carrot to voters… Audio
National's three waters plan leaves councils to carry the can
While National's solution to the Three Waters problem may please the councils steadfastly opposed to the government's plan, it remains plagued by a financial fishhook.
But, as journalist Bernard… Audio
Cyclone makes Robertson's Budget balancing act perilous
While somewhat bound politically by Labour's promise of no new taxes this term, Finance Minister Grant Robertson is keeping all options open in his search for a way to fund the recovery from Cyclone… Audio
Co-governance debate heats up at Rātana, Waitangi
In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson parses the co-governance rhetoric of the past few weeks. Audio
Ardern weighs spending priorities and Cabinet line-up ahead of election year
A newly prioritised spending plan and fresh ministerial line-up are part of Labour's plan to reset the political landscape for the start of 2023 - election year.
The political headwinds are… Audio
Recession prediction leaves Labour with a labour problem
Dire economic predictions and high interest rates from the Reserve Bank this week have increased the pressure on Labour, and given National a chance to pitch itself as the solution.
The opposition… Audio
Labour, National cross swords over tax, social insurance
Labour claims New Zealand's economy is holding up well compared to many others, but global pressures and new policies may threaten its re-election chances.
National has been on the attack, with the… Audio
Budgeting during a cost-of-living crisis
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson sits down with the Finance Minister Grant Robertson and National's Nicola Willis to preview this month's Budget. Audio
Regional security weighs on Ardern's Asia trade trip
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson looks past the spectacle of Ardern's first official trip since Covid-19 to the geopolitical tensions beneath. Audio
Finding solutions to Russia's Putin in diplomacy and law
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson examines the state of play in Ukraine, and the legal and political instruments being brought to bear against Russia. Audio
Russia's war, New Zealand's sanctions, and the question of China
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson interrogates the ramifications for New Zealand of Russia's war against Ukraine. Audio
Cost of living crisis: Luxon's cuts put Labour on guard
National's tax plan, and the highest inflation in decades has the government feeling the pinch. Political Editor Jane Patterson counts the costs for both parties. Audio
Red light and rapid antigen requisition
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson assesses the government's readiness for the Omicron variant. Audio
A sit-down with National leader Christopher Luxon
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson talks to National's leader Chris Luxon in his new office to assess what his leadership will look like. Video, Audio
Intensive care: Can New Zealand weather the surge?
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson and Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn examine New Zealand's ICU and health capacity as Covid-19 spreads, and elimination shifts to… Audio
Will traffic lights see Covid hitting the gas?
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson hits the brakes and looks ahead to the traffic light system, and what it means for Covid-19 in New Zealand. Audio
Leaving lockdown at the traffic lights: Is New Zealand ready?
In Focus on politics, Is New Zealand ready to move to the new Covid future? Audio
Viral inequality and ganging up on Covid-19
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson takes politicians' temperature on Covid-19 and the economic response, and how that impacts efforts to combat inequality. Audio
Focus on Politics: ACT's identity crisis
More from Jane Patterson and the focus team... Video, Audio
David Seymour - Act Party
David Seymour is a long-time ACT member, having started his association with ACT on Campus.
