Russell Palmer

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

All bets are off in Hamilton West, with political parties largely tempering expectations of a by-election win.

The government is signalling it will set up an inquiry into the Covid-19 response - though it has not announced specific plans yet.

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says he met with National's Barbara Kuriger and her son - who have both been involved in an ongoing dispute with the ministry - at an event.

The government has reintroduced two visas that have been on hold for years. Here's what you need to know.

Farming and agriculture groups are decrying the government's proposal for farm-level emissions pricing, while environmentalists say it does not go far or fast enough.

The government has proposed bringing in split-gas farm-level emissions pricing from 2025 in a world-first scheme.

ACT has released a policy document setting out its opposition to co-governance, and proposals for how to counter it.

The government is hailing the latest child poverty report as evidence its approach is working, but critics on the front line say it's a reminder of how much more needs doing.

Claims New Zealand has "a high rate" of child poverty does not square with international data, but having 130,000 children in material hardship is still too high, a new report says.

New Zealand's largest media organisations want more detail and more guarantees of independence from the proposed mega public media entity.

Less than three months after leaving Parliament, former government minister Kris Faafoi is heading up a new PR and lobbying firm.

ACT MP Karen Chhour says she has accepted the apology from Minister for Children Kelvin Davis over comments he made yesterday, and she hopes they can move forward constructively.

Accusations of nastiness and race-based attacks have been flying at Parliament, in a clash between ACT and Labour over Oranga Tamariki. Video

With polls closing in less than a fortnight, some council candidates are focusing on opposition to three waters reforms - but will have little ability to stop it. Audio

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Digital Political Reporter Russell Palmer wades into the three waters debate, assessing the situation ahead of local and general elections.

National MPs have not seen an executive summary or the report into Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell, and say they would not expect to.

The government argues its bill will protect against asset sales and the contracts are nothing new, but critics say it should release details of an economic regulator first.

Expanded programmes for young people at risk of being caught in the cycle of crime is just window dressing from a soft-on-crime government, the opposition says.