News
Ardern speaks to Zelensky, reiterates support and continued sanctions
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has just spoken to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone, expressing solidarity and support for his country.
Don't let war in Ukraine fuel arms race, Ardern tells NATO leaders
Russia's actions in Ukraine are an affront to the world but mustn't be allowed to create a more polarised, dangerous world, the prime minister says.
PM and Spain's leader announce working holiday visa deal
The working holiday scheme between New Zealand and Spain has been expanded to allow more young people to travel and work in each other's countries for up to two years.
PM leaves for Europe with free trade agreement in her sights
The Prime Minister leaves for Europe today, where she will push to nail down a long-awaited free trade deal with the European Union.
Ardern invited to speak at NATO summit
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to participate in the upcoming NATO Leaders Summit, becoming the first New Zealand leader to do so.
PM to raise issue of 501 deportees in meeting with Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will sit down with her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese today for their first formal talks since his election.
Victim Support hands ministry report under condition of confidentiality
Victim Support has finally given the Ministry of Justice a full copy of a report into allegations of bullying and service failure but under the condition very few people see it.
PM endorses Poto Williams in police portfolio in face of criticism
The police minister is defending her track record in the job as the National Party calls for the prime minister to replace her.
Poto Williams turns up heat over increase in gang violence
The minister of police wants the police to work faster to tackle a surge of gang violence in Auckland.
Noughty spending: Minister rebukes agency over zeroes' sum
Transport Minister Michael Wood has had to contact the Transport Agency a second time over costly road safety props, after a further three were found to have been on back order.
Government accused of neglecting Pacific partnerships
The government is being criticised for letting its relationships with Pacific islands drift, as China tries to boost its influence in the region. Audio
New Zealand joins world powers in Indo-Pacific economic alliance
New Zealand has joined an alliance of Indo-Pacific nations aimed at countering China's influence in the region.
Covid-19 pre-departure testing and mandate changes on the table - Hipkins
Scrapping pre-departure tests will come "sooner rather than later", and more advice is being sought on whether people with adverse reactions could be exempt from workforce mandates.
Emissions Reduction Plan has 'Labour hue' - James Shaw
Climate Change Minister James Shaw is sending a strong signal to voters - the plan to slash emissions would have been stronger if his party held the balance of power.
Cleaner cars and an agritech centre: Govt reveals first emissions plan
Low-income families who scrap their old car will get funding to buy a low-emitting vehicle in a $569 million scheme, one of the big-ticket items in the government's first Emissions Reductions Plan.
Is half-price public transport here to stay?
The thousands of people who use public transport every day could soon find out if the half-price fares they are enjoying now are here to stay.
Ram raiding teens should face tougher penalties, dairy owner says
According to police, in the 12 months to October last year there were 283 ram raids around the country, more than five a week.
Council spends more than $300k on post-occupation cleanup
The anti-mandate protest in the capital earlier this year has cost the Wellington City Council more than $300,000.
Covid-19 variants: Government resurgence plan
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher assesses where the government's planning is for new and potentially more deadly variants.
AudioHealth authorities preparing plan for Covid-19 resurgence
The Associate Health Minister has asked officials to draft a plan on how the government should respond if a variant arrives that is more transmissable or severe than Omicron. Audio
Russian ambassador covered by level of diplomatic immunity - Mahuta
The Russian ambassador can't be summoned to Parliament for questioning as he has diplomatic immunity, the Foreign Affairs Minister has told MPs.
Mahuta disapproving of MPs' efforts to question Russian ambassador
The Foreign Affairs Minister has called MPs' efforts to haul the Russian ambassador before them for questioning "not very useful".
Russian ambassador continues refusing 'futile' briefings
Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev has continued to decline to either appear before select committees, or to be interviewed by media, saying that would be futile.
MPs debate summonsing Russian ambassador to Parliament
MPs are debating the extraordinary step after the ambassador rebuffed two requests to appear before a committee to answer questions about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Media merger raises stakes for NZ journalism
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, the government is pressing ahead with its planned mega media merger. Political reporter Katie Scotcher explores what it will mean for RNZ and TVNZ, as well the…
Audio