Stories by Russell Palmer

There's a lot of spending flying around in Budget 2022 - here are the main expenses in an easy-to-read list.

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.

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.

The three waters reforms would achieve balance sheet separation and improve some councils' finances, according to analysis that paves the way for the legislation.

National leader Christopher Luxon has refused to rule in or out ACT's budget proposals if they enter government together, but says Nicola Willis - not David Seymour - would be finance minister.

There's a lot on the cutting block. ACT would reverse various efforts to curb climate change, increase defence spending, freeze the minimum wage, and abolish some government agencies.

All political parties in Parliament have supported a law improving regulation of body corporates, with hopes it will improve access to apartment living.

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick has used the reclassification of 49 drugs - including Fentanyl - to argue New Zealand's drug laws increase harms and should be replaced.

A "return to greater normality" in care of Covid-19 cases in the community will see the government spend $58.1 million to cover services through to June next year.

A cross party committee of MPs has decided former members should be treated no differently when the matter of being trespassed from Parliament is being considered.

The Green Party constitution no longer requires a male co-leader, instead requiring one woman and one person of any gender, plus a requirement that one must be Māori.

It is unacceptable the government has pushed ahead with its three waters reforms before checking if the numbers stack up on debt financing, opposition parties say.

Opposition parties should commit to protecting against privatising water assets, and front up with alternatives if they don't like the three waters reform, the government says.

The government has accepted 44 of the three waters working group's 47 recommendations for changes to its water infrastructure reform programme, with minor changes.

White identity-motivated extremism continues to be the leading driver of online content investigated and shut down by Internal Affairs.

The minister's move to consult on climate change adaptation is welcome, and "better late than never", the National Party says.

The government is seeking feedback on a six-year plan to account for the effects of climate change like flooding, wildfire, droughts, and sea level rise. Audio

Indigenous rights, co-governance and He Puapua: the government has started work on a plan and intends to consult widely on it soon.

Today's inflation rise cannot be blamed entirely on global effects, National leader Christopher Luxon says, but the finance minister says tax cuts are not the answer.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong have added a focus on climate and sustainability to the enhanced relationship between the two countries.

The calm, confident visage of Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins slipped into confusion and contrition over mask rules this afternoon.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the latest report shows we cannot rely on a pandemic to cut emissions, and National's Christopher Luxon says more may need to be done.

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.

National has joined calls for the government to send missile launchers to support Ukraine, saying the government should at least look at the option.

Accusations a Young Nat has been trolling female politicians online has prompted an investigation by the National Party, with the abuse denounced as cowardice on all sides.