Focus on Politics

By RNZ

What's Focus on Politics about?

A weekly analysis of significant political issues.

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Focus on Politics episodes:

04.19.2024
Luxon boosts defence amid rising global tensions
As global tensions escalated this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was touring South East Asia, strengthening defence and security ties. Back home, his government was accused of drifting away from New Zealand's independent foreign policy.
04.12.2024
From lobbyist to legislator: Andrew Hoggard's vision for reform
Andrew Hoggard might be new to Parliament, but he's certainly not new to New Zealand's screens and airwaves. The Manawatū dairy farmer was president of Federated Farmers from 2020 to 2023, and one of the more prominent critics of the previous...
04.05.2024
Aim and fire? Public service targets return amid job cuts
Public Service Targets are set for a comeback but with job cuts looming over ministries and agencies, unions fear public servants are only being asked to do more with less. Originally introduced by the John Key National government, the targets have led to...
03.22.2024
Winston Peters navigates troubled waters with India, China
New Zealand must pull its weight on defence and security, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says in a sit-down interview with RNZ, after talks with both India and China. While trade was a driving force behind those engagements, it is clear tension points - like the...
03.15.2024
Labour prepares to be prepared for power
Humiliated and humbled in last year's election, Labour has spent its first months back in opposition licking its wounds. At the party's caucus retreat this week - a gathering of its MPs at a remote location to strategise for the year...
03.08.2024
Clock stops on coalition's urgency-filled 100-day plan
The House has been in full swing for four weeks, with MPs sitting long hours as the government pushes through legislation under urgency to complete its 100-day plan. What's in it? Did the government achieve it all? And how will the plan...
03.01.2024
When no news is bad news
Summary
02.23.2024
Fa'anānā Efeso Collins' death brings unity in grief
Parliament was brought to a standstill on Wednesday, with politics set aside after the sudden and shocking death of first-term Green MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins. A champion for his people, a tireless advocate, a good man - such were the tributes as Parliament mourned the loss of one...
02.16.2024
Councils get their Three Waters wish - but will they regret it?
The coalition has ticked off another objective - repealing the troubled Three Waters programme - but in doing so may have just delayed the bigger problem for another day. In this week's Focus on Politics, Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch tests the...
02.09.2024
Government faces the music at Waitangi
This year's record-breaking Waitangi celebrations drew 80,000 people to the Treaty grounds over four days, half that on Waitangi Day alone. With the dust settling on the event's biggest turnout in decades, the sense of unity and anger among many Māori will linger...
02.02.2024
Shaw's message for his successor as he prepares to bow out
Green Party co-leader James Shaw talks about his decision to step down, his time in the role, and the message he has for whoever succeeds him.
01.26.2024
Luxon fronts fierce criticism from Māori ahead of Waitangi
Coming hot on the heels of last weekend's Hui-aa-Motu and the Rātana celebrations, Waitangi Day this year promises to be highly emotive and political. The government's policies have prompted calls for resilience and resistance, and a dramatic show of unity from much of Māoridom. In this...
12.22.2023
A year of political turmoil comes to an end
Three prime ministers, four ministerial scandals, one general election and a three-way coalition: New Zealand's political landscape has been well and truly shaken up in 2023. In this week's Focus on Politics, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher takes a look back on what was a turbulent...
12.15.2023
Peters defies opposition as repeals and rollbacks roll on
Summary
12.08.2023
Māori dissent sets the scene as Parliament returns
The resumption of Parliament this week has been underlined by outcry from Māori, soon matched by fury within the debating chamber. With just two weeks before the Christmas break and Waitangi Day fast approaching on the other side, the government will have plenty to...
12.01.2023
Distractions assail coalition as it lays out ambitious agenda
The new government's first week in office saw it get straight to work, setting high expectations and unveiling its 100-day plan - but it's not exactly been smooth sailing. Fixing the economy and making a material difference for New Zealanders is a hefty workload...
11.28.2023
Bonus episode: The meaning of Tāmaki
When ACT's Brooke van Velden won the Auckland seat of Tamaki at the election, it was a triumph of shrewd campaigning. But it was also a failure for Christian conservatism in mainstream politics. In this bonus episode of Focus on...
11.24.2023
Coalition deals signed and sealed, now it's time to deliver
It took 40 days and 40 nights - but at long last, the country knows what its new government will look like. New Zealand's first-ever three-way coalition: National, ACT and New Zealand First finally signing on the dotted line in the ultimate Black...
11.17.2023
Te Pāti Māori plans for future as it reflects on success in Māori seats
After its most successful election - taking all but one of the Māori seats - Te Pāti Māori is amping up for the next three years as "the only true opposition". It's a dramatic turnaround for a party dumped out of Parliament entirely...
11.10.2023
Coalition talks pick up pace behind closed doors
With National's potential partners ACT and NZ First finally getting together in Wellington this week, a sense of momentum is building for the trio to form a government. Labour's Chris Hipkins meanwhile has survived a vote on his MPs' endorsement of him...
11.03.2023
Peters' stock rises on final vote count, how much will Luxon pay?
The final act of the 2023 election has reset the calculus, blowing apart National's dream scenario and driving up the price for forming government. With NZ First's support now a requirement, Winston Peters is sure to demand more in negotiations. In this week's Focus on...
10.27.2023
Labour faces vexed reset and return to opposition
After a devastating collapse in their vote on election night, the Labour Party is examining what went so wrong and who is best to lead them from the opposition benches. Current and former MPs alike are calling for a wider refocusing...
10.20.2023
Election results in a clear winner, a clear loser, a complex path to power
The battle for the hearts, minds and votes of New Zealanders is over - nearly - with the preliminary results on Saturday putting National in a position to form the next government and Labour consigned to the opposition benches. National's exact path...
10.13.2023
On the campaign trail, final week: The highs and lows
It has been a rollercoaster campaign, fiscal fights, feisty debates - all with the aim of taking the government benches. In Focus on Politics this week, a look at the campaign as it all comes down to the voters.
10.06.2023
On the campaign trail, week five: Luxon grapples with his 'last resort'
TVNZ's multi-party debate this week illustrated key features of this election campaign: the minor parties' rising popularity, and the complicated role of NZ First. With polls they would need Winston Peters, National and ACT have been continuing to talk down his appeal -...
09.30.2023
On the campaign trail, week four: The week of Winston Peters
Call this the week of Winston Peters - with the New Zealand First leader, riding a wave of renewed relevancy. In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent threshold - and furthermore in...
09.22.2023
On the campaign trail, week three: Debates, polls, sausage and cheese rolls
The minor parties gave glimpses of their own cooperation styles at the Newshub Nation Powerbrokers' debate, while polls continued to signal Labour on the downturn. GDP numbers also showed no recession for New Zealand, although inflation remains high. This week's Focus on Politics is RNZ's...
09.15.2023
On the campaign trail, week two: Tax plans and spending
The second week of the election campaign has been all about the economy. There was the pre-election opening of the books, with National's tax plans and Labour's spending coming under fire. This week's Focus on Politics is RNZ's roundtable discussion covering the major happenings of...
09.08.2023
On the campaign trail, week one: False claims and ad campaigns
One week into the official election campaign and the hyperbole is flying thick and fast. Distractions persisted throughout the week, with protesters at the major parties' campaign launches, outrage over advertising, and MPs spreading blatant misinformation. This week's Focus on Politics is RNZ's first roundtable...
09.01.2023
Political parties talk strategy as campaigning begins in earnest
The Parliamentary term came to an end this week after a tumultuous term, and Labour and National's election campaigns are launching this weekend - with just six weeks remaining before the big day. Knowing voters will ultimately decide their future, the parties...
08.25.2023
Labour sells its vaping crackdown - but is it too late?
The government's pointed to vapes as a key weapon in the war against cigarettes. In the rush to reach its smokefree targets, however, there are fears the horse has bolted - with children exposed to a whole new addiction. In this week's Focus...
08.18.2023
Labour's GST-free fruit and vege strategy falls foul of the experts
Set the table for bread and butter - or in this case, fruit and veg: Labour fired its opening election campaign salvo on Sunday with a starkly populist pitch for tax-free produce. The party is pushing ahead with the pre-announced policy despite...
08.11.2023
ACT's top six candidates share their history and priorities
ACT has not only held onto the 10-fold increase in voter support it enjoyed last election, it's maintained a stable caucus and gained further traction. With polls anticipating an even bigger stable of MPs after October, the minor party is lining up for a potentially major say...
08.04.2023
Polls and fiscal holes put major parties on notice
With recent polling giving both major parties cause for concern and the election less than three months away, the countdown is on - and the policies are starting to roll out. Labour has launched accusations of fiscal mismanagement over one of National's this week,...
07.28.2023
Labour grapples with Kiri Allan's resignation, leak claims
Tragic circumstances putting a halt to the political career of one of Labour's rising stars, East Coast MP Kiri Allan, was just the start of the party's headaches this week. Along with speculation over its tax plans and signs of caucus disunity, leader...
07.21.2023
Focus on Politics for Friday 21 July 2023
In Focus on Politics, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down Labour's law-and-order week and the tragic events which brought it to an end.
07.07.2023
Green co-leader Davidson touts party's 'healing' ahead of AGM
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says this election is the final chance to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, curb environmental degradation, and reduce inequality. Following bruising internal ructions over the past year, they will need to use this weekend's AGM to redirect...
06.30.2023
Hipkins passes diplomatic test with China's Xi
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' week-long trip to China centred on a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, one of the world's most powerful men. Amid tense geostrategic conditions and with a trip to NATO in Europe looming, the stakes were sky high -...
06.23.2023
Ethnicity in health debate gets under MPs' skin
Politicians went head to head on health equity this week, with opposition parties making a concerted effort to paint a waitlist prioritisation tool as discriminatory. With accusations flying from both sides of the House, an expert says the clinician-designed tool is in fact...
06.16.2023
Politicians pitch for rural vote
In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson takes a look at the fight for the rural vote, and the politics around the Emissions Trading Scheme.
06.09.2023
Ministerial rule-breakers in hot water
Two senior ministers have this week been under pressure for breaking rules in place to ensure ministerial transparency and accountability. Political reporter Katie Scotcher examines the fall out.
06.02.2023
Politicians tackling AI regulation - but will it be too late?
Warnings from those behind artificial intelligence (AI) technology have made lawmakers around the world take notice. The tech sector itself is engaged with the government and is considering six cornerstone principles as the basis of a digital strategy, but there appears to be...
05.26.2023
Hipkins juggles competing ideologies over PNG-US deal
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' whistlestop trip to Papua New Guinea sends a clear message: superpowers may come and go, but New Zealand is here to stay. The US and PNG signing a security deal is the latest iteration of increasing competition in...
05.19.2023
Budget 2023: bare bones, blowout, or both?
The 2023 Budget has proven difficult to define: neither the belt-tightening exercise that was promised, nor the blatant bribery sometimes seen in election years. Certainly, it is no election clincher, but it has not lost Labour the election either, and backs National into an...
05.12.2023
Meka Whaitiri rebellion hones parties' loyalties
Meka Whaiti's defection brings Labour's solid 65-strong majority down to 62, opening it up to accusations of disunity and instability. Lumping in Elizabeth Kerekere's resignation from the Greens, National's Christopher Luxon has been criticising the left as a 'coalition of chaos' -...
05.05.2023
Staffing woes menace Te Whatu Ora winter health plan
Covid-19, flu, RSV and other respiratory illnesses are on the rise as we inch towards winter, so Te Whatu Ora launched its winter preparedness plan this week with the aim of easing the pain for already overstretched hospitals. The government argues its reforms unifying the...
04.28.2023
Parties navigate fresh tax debate ahead of 'no frills' Budget
Expectations are being kept very low for the 18 May Budget, so any surprises can have maximum political impact. With a tight election looming, Labour will want to offer a proverbial carrot to voters - and could yet campaign on changes to...
04.21.2023
Focus on Politics for 5:10p Sat 22 Apr
In Focus on politics, we take a detailed look at the report of the police watchdog into last year's parliamentary occupation.
04.14.2023
Three Waters rebrand: Bitterness remains despite refresh
Labour's new PM and new minister this week dumped the contentious Three Waters policy in favour of a rebranded "Affordable Water". A not-so-subtle attempt to take the heat off and reclaim the narrative, they drove home the message of cheaper rates - but...
04.01.2023
New Police Minister Ginny Andersen in opposition's sights
Police Minister is a tough gig: focusing on social issues leads to 'soft-on-crime' criticism while going too hard can look like populism. With four ministers in eight months it's ended up a hot-potato portfolio for Labour, and the latest appointee Ginny Andersen has only been in...

What's Focus on Politics about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Focus on Politics episodes:

Luxon boosts defence amid rising global tensions

From lobbyist to legislator: Andrew Hoggard's vision for reform

Aim and fire? Public service targets return amid job cuts

Winston Peters navigates troubled waters with India, China

Labour prepares to be prepared for power

Clock stops on coalition's urgency-filled 100-day plan

When no news is bad news

Fa'anānā Efeso Collins' death brings unity in grief

Councils get their Three Waters wish - but will they regret it?

Government faces the music at Waitangi

Shaw's message for his successor as he prepares to bow out

Luxon fronts fierce criticism from Māori ahead of Waitangi

A year of political turmoil comes to an end

Peters defies opposition as repeals and rollbacks roll on

Māori dissent sets the scene as Parliament returns

Distractions assail coalition as it lays out ambitious agenda

Bonus episode: The meaning of Tāmaki

Coalition deals signed and sealed, now it's time to deliver

Te Pāti Māori plans for future as it reflects on success in Māori seats

Coalition talks pick up pace behind closed doors

Peters' stock rises on final vote count, how much will Luxon pay?

Labour faces vexed reset and return to opposition

Election results in a clear winner, a clear loser, a complex path to power

On the campaign trail, final week: The highs and lows

On the campaign trail, week five: Luxon grapples with his 'last resort'

On the campaign trail, week four: The week of Winston Peters

On the campaign trail, week three: Debates, polls, sausage and cheese rolls

On the campaign trail, week two: Tax plans and spending

On the campaign trail, week one: False claims and ad campaigns

Political parties talk strategy as campaigning begins in earnest

Labour sells its vaping crackdown - but is it too late?

Labour's GST-free fruit and vege strategy falls foul of the experts

ACT's top six candidates share their history and priorities

Polls and fiscal holes put major parties on notice

Labour grapples with Kiri Allan's resignation, leak claims

Focus on Politics for Friday 21 July 2023

Green co-leader Davidson touts party's 'healing' ahead of AGM

Hipkins passes diplomatic test with China's Xi

Ethnicity in health debate gets under MPs' skin

Politicians pitch for rural vote

Ministerial rule-breakers in hot water

Politicians tackling AI regulation - but will it be too late?

Hipkins juggles competing ideologies over PNG-US deal

Budget 2023: bare bones, blowout, or both?

Meka Whaitiri rebellion hones parties' loyalties

Staffing woes menace Te Whatu Ora winter health plan

Parties navigate fresh tax debate ahead of 'no frills' Budget

Focus on Politics for 5:10p Sat 22 Apr

Three Waters rebrand: Bitterness remains despite refresh

New Police Minister Ginny Andersen in opposition's sights