The government has placed a temporary ban on all travel from India - leaving Kiwis there stranded, unable to come home. In the same week it has begun to ease border measures, announcing it is now safe for the Trans-Tasman bubble to open.

Focus on Politics the bubble and the border

A weekly analysis of significant political issues.

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In Focus on Politics, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch chews over the coalition's school lunch announcement, as well as the opposition's somewhat muted reaction.

Focus on Politics for Friday 10 May 2024

In Focus on Politics, RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch whips through a whirlwind week at Parliament.

Sideshows overshadow substance at Parliament

Successive governments have claimed crack downs on youth vaping but retailers are flouting the law, with just one prosecution on the books. 
Retailers have until the end of the year to phase out single-use products, but academics say MPs' fears vape manufacturers will just adapt are justified. 
In this week's Focus on Politics, Political Reporter Anneke Smith looks at concerns vape manufacturers will find loopholes in new regulations.

Vaping regulations battle 'immeasurably harder' under coalition - campaigner

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.

Luxon boosts defence amid rising global tensions

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 government's agricultural policies.
In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ Political Reporter Giles Dexter sits down with new MP - and new minister - Andrew Hoggard, to discuss the suite of reviews and replacements he's been tasked with.

Focus on Politics the bubble and the border

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