Focus on Politics

KiwiBuild was supposed to be the coalition government's answer to the housing affordability crisis, but it has hit the rocks before the end of its first year. Housing Minister Phil Twyford this week admitted the government would fall drastically short of its 1,000 homes target by June. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks what went wrong.

Kiwibuild was supposed to be the coalition government's answer to the housing affordability crisis, but it has hit the rocks before the end of its first year. Housing Minister Phil Twyford this week admitted the government would fall drastically short of its 1,000 homes target by June. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson asks what went wrong.

Political reporter Craig McCulloch takes an irreverent (by RNZ standards) look back at the biggest stories of a year which included a Prime Ministerial baby, the collapse of two Ministerial careers and a kamikaze takedown of the Opposition.

As Parliament closes for Christmas MPs have been reflecting on a turbulent political year, and the first year under the coalition government. At the helm is Jacinda Ardern, who as well as becoming Prime Minister, became a mother to daughter Neve.

Simon Bridges ends the year as National Party leader, but how secure is his position? Elected after the resignation of Bill English at the start of the year, Mr Bridges inherited a large caucus stung by the relegation to the opposition benches and brimming with ambition.

The government now has a challenging plan for improving New Zealanders' mental health, having received the 200 page report from the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction.

The Karel Sroubek saga came to a head this week with the Immigration Minister forced into an embarrassing about-face. Iain Lees-Galloway effectively over-ruled his earlier decision to let the Czech drug smuggler stay in New Zealand, deciding instead that Sroubek was "liable for deportation". RNZ political reporter Craig McCulloch explores what prompted the Minister's change of mind and what it means.

The Minister of Sport and Recreation job isn't one of the most coveted, or controversial. But Grant Robertson has taken up the role this past year with some clear ideas about what he thinks being a good sport and recreation minister means - and a big part of his vision is keeping women in the game.

The Government this week formally announced the Royal Commission into abuse in state care, including that it will be expanded to include faith-based institutions. Our Deputy Political Editor, Chris Bramwell, takes a look at the terms of reference, talks an abuse survivor and to Bravehearts - an organisation closely involved with the Australian inquiry that wrapped up last year.

If the government doesn't deliver specifically for Māori in next year's wellbeing Budget the 13-strong Labour Māori caucus is going to have a lot of questions to answer. That's the reality according to the Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta who said she's well aware the Budget this year didn't meet the expectations of Māori and left many wondering where the targeted funding had gone. This week many in the caucus travelled alongside the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Ratana to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the spiritual movement. In a few months the government will return to Ratana and Waitangi, where Ms Ardern set the challenge last year when she told Māori leaders the government would be judged on what it does, not what it says. RNZ political reporter Jo Moir spoke to members of the government about whether they're delivering on the campaign promises made to Māori.