Focus on Politics Podcast
1) Minor parties plot major influence on election year
The leaders of ACT, New Zealand First, Te Pāti Māori, and the Green Party sit down with RNZ's press gallery team to share their thoughts on 2025, and what they've got up their sleeves for election yea...Show More
2) Luxon and Hipkins give election-year teaser
RNZ's political team sits down with the leaders of the two major parties - National's Christopher Luxon and Labour's Chris Hipkins - to reflect on 2025 and look forward to election year. Go to this ep...Show More
3) Councils prepare to tighten belts with rates relief in sight
The government is telling councils to 'live within their means' and is introducing a rates cap. It's popular with ratepayers who have seen their bills skyrocket, but councils are warning it'll come at...Show More
4) How the council 'reset' aims to spur amalgamations
Just six weeks after voters elected new regional councillors, their jobs now hang in the balance after a government proposal to abolish them. But do the promises of simplicity and savings hold up, and...Show More
5) Coalition tempers ACT’s influence on gun laws
The Arms Act has been home to New Zealand's gun laws since 1983, though it's had many, many iterations. The coalition has now overhauled the legislation - but it's not exactly the shake-up many were e...Show More
6) IPCA bombshell forces reckoning at top of police
The IPCA's blistering report has torn open a years-long saga of misconduct and misplaced loyalty. In Focus on Politics, RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch lays out how the scandal unfolded.Go...Show More
7) Introducing: Politics NZ
If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, and Context all in one fee...Show More
8) From reset to regret: Te Pāti Māori at war
Te Pāti Māori’s internal conflict has exploded into full public view. RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks how the turmoil unfolded - and whether there's any way back from the brink.Go ...Show More
9) Leaked and launched: Labour debuts its tax plan
RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at Labour's long-awaited tax plan and the old ghosts now stirring.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
10) Strike and counter-strike: the pitch for public sympathy
The largest strike in decades swept the country this week - or at least tried to, as wild winds blew away rallies. Behind the picket lines, the government and unions traded accusations of bad faith ...Show More