Stories by Russell Palmer

ACT leader David Seymour has delivered a speech painting National and Labour as two sides of the same coin, and calling co-governance a "culture war".

Iwi leaders have accused National and ACT of "fanning the flames of racism", urging the prime minister to be brave and not walk away from partnership on three waters.

Chris Hipkins has put the "bread and butter" issue of inflation at the top of his government's agenda, saying today's figures confirm that's the right approach.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon has used his speech at Rātana Pā to attack the government over co-governance, saying Labour has allowed a "divisive and immature" debate.

With Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing her February resignation this afternoon, Labour MPs face a choice over who could replace her as leader.

Here's 12 up-and-coming bits of legislation that haven't had much attention in amongst everything else.

Explainer - Back from the dead, cobbled together from old parts and handed to the NBA: It's not Frankenstein's monster playing basketball, it's the government's RMA replacements.

Analysis - Three Waters has left a lasting impression on Labour and the responsible minister, and seems destined to keep causing problems for whoever wins next year's election.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the Prime Minister should sack Nanaia Mahuta. Ardern says the Local Government Minister has not breached the Cabinet manual. Video

Cabinet will today discuss an entrenchment provision in the three waters legislation after lawyers and opposition parties criticised the move as unconstitutional. Audio

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says everything in its tax policy but indexed tax brackets is now under review, after today's cash rate rise.

Labour ministers are considering whether to allow 16-year-olds to vote in council elections - an easier task than for central elections.

Former National Party minister Chester Borrows says the solutions to youth crime are better social supports, and we must be prepared to pay for it as a society. Audio

The National Party has announced a new policy for combating youth crime which would target serious offenders, including sending them to boot camps.

Left-leaning parties have expressed anger, disgust and derision over National's new youth crime policy, saying it is a failed approach research shows will not work.

Immigration Minister Michael Wood says some changes to the green list might be made before the review in May, but he needs to get advice on it first.

A list of 30 health jobs should immediately be given a fast track to residency, according to Ministry of Health advice leaked to the ACT Party.

Labour's proposed new resource management system appears just as unpopular with other political parties as the law it would replace.

The long-awaited replacement for the Resource Management Act has been brought to Parliament, with the government promising massive cost-cutting for housing, farmers and councils.

"Globally, central banks throughout the world are under immense attack - much of it which becomes very personal very quickly," Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says.

The Reserve Bank's monetary policy decisions were consistent with the data available at the time - but should have been tightened earlier to counter inflation, a review has found.

National is criticising the long-term reappointment of the Reserve Bank Governor, saying an internal review amounts to the regulator marking its own homework.

Smaller political parties are calling for unity, saying the latest poll results show people are sick of politicking - while touting their own consistent or growing support.

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says the number of protesters was "not as many as they thought". Meanwhile, National's deputy leader Nicola Willis spent time with those who showed up.

Surrounded by the children of colleagues, Trevor Mallard has bid farewell to Parliament with a final speech that was unattended by many members of the opposition. Video