Focus on Politics

The long awaited overhaul of Kiwibuild has been unveiled, leaving the house building programme a shadow of its former self.

This week National released a discussion document on its plan to revitalise what it says it's a stalling economy. Political reporter Yvette McCullough looks at what National is proposing and some of the reaction to their policy ideas.

The government is keeping a watching brief on the international economic climate, and considers New Zealand's possible response.

The night New Zealand First formed a government with Labour and the Greens, its leader Winston Peters quoted the song You Can't Always Get What You Want. Almost two years later all three parties still have those lyrics ringing in their ears as they negotiate compromises, concessions and conquests week after week.

Legislation reforming abortion laws has comfortably passed its first hurdle but there was plenty of controversy along the way.

The Green Party will be taking stock this weekend at its Annual General Meeting in Dunedin. Political reporter Charlie Dreaver looks at the ups and downs of the Greens' second year in Government and where they're placed for the election.

It's that time of year when political parties venture out of the Capital for their annual conference. It's a chance for party members to come together to celebrate, or commiserate, the state of their chosen party, for policy matters to be thrashed out and the leader given some profile. Simon Bridges discusses his party, his leadership and potential friends and allies ahead of National's conference.

This week the Government announced it had reached an historic consensus with the agriculture sector on the need to implement farm-level pricing on emissions from 2025. It launched a discussion on two options for what to do in the meantime - with one option recommending the sector enter the ETS at the processor level sooner. Political reporter Yvette McCullough looks at this week's announcement and all of the reaction to it.

A solution looks like it could be on the way for Lumsden, where there have been calls for its primary birthing unit to be reinstated. Key stakeholders met on Thursday to discuss solutions for offering 24/7 backup for midwives. Political reporter Yvette McCullough looks at this story, and the wider challenges and stresses that have more and more midwives leaving the profession.

The pressure is on New Zealand's agricultural sector to come up with ways to meet climate change targets, that will be legally binding by the end of the year. Farmers will have to make significant progress on reducing methane emissions with the first target just ten years away. It means look at not only farming practices, but also technology to help them meet those legal obligations.