Focus on Politics

The controversy over the leak of National leader Simon Bridges' travel expenses took on a life of its own as the week drew to an end, with the Speaker pulling the pin on the QC inquiry he originally ordered.

Political intrigue abounds with the launch of an inquiry into the leak to media of information about the National leader Simon Bridges' travel bill.

The furore around "free speech on campuses" reached New Zealand this week after Massey University cancelled a speaking engagement by former National leader Don Brash. The move drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum and sparked debate over the limits of public expression. The firestorm culminated in a showdown between protesters and a jeering audience at a separate event at Auckland University later in the week. RNZ's political reporter Craig McCulloch has a look back at how it all unfolded.

In one of his final actions as acting Prime Minister, Winston Peters, ordered top ministers to put their heads together to find a way to deal with the recent spike in deaths from synthetic cannabis. Provisional figures from the coroner show between 40 - 45 people died in the year since last June - in the previous five years there were two confirmed deaths. Deputy Political Editor, Chris Bramwell, talks to the experts about the drug and what can be done about the problem.

This time last year Bill English was Prime Minister, Andrew Little was Labour leader with Jacinda Ardern as his deputy. Metiria Turei and James Shaw led the Greens. Three other parties supported the National government. Fast forward to July 2018 and the National MP Simon Bridges is the Leader of the Opposition, nine months into this parliamentary term.

The Government has flagged big plans for New Zealand's mental health and addiction workforce. But is it doing anything to ensure there are the right people - and enough of them - to fill the gaps in it?

The Government is being accused of dragging its feet over its pledge to convert its massive vehicle fleet to electric. Following the election, the coalition parties committed to rolling over the 25-thousand public vehicles, where possible, to emissions-free by 2025. But documents, released under the Official Information Act, show government organisations have been reluctant to make the change. Here's our political reporter Craig McCulloch.

The government is being accused of dragging its feet over its pledge to convert its massive vehicle fleet to electric. Following the election, the coalition parties committed to rolling over the 25,000 public vehicles, where possible, to emissions-free by 2025. But documents, released under the Official Information Act, show government organisations have been reluctant to make the change. Here's our political reporter Craig McCulloch.

Business confidence has slumped, and the finger of blame is being pointed at the Government. National's finance spokesperson Amy Adams accused the Finance Minister of being anti-business, and running the economy into the ground. Mr Robertson rejects that.

July the first marks the beginning of the new financial year - and with it comes a raft of changes heralded by the new Government. Its flagship families policy will deliver a boost for low and middle-income earners. New parents will get another four weeks leave and a baby allowance. And superannuitants and most beneficiaries are in line for a winter payment. The Government will be hoping all that distracts from the Auckland fuel tax which kicks in on the same day.