Newsable

The Government’s new laws cracking down on gangs have come into effect, with Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell saying “the free ride for gangs is over”.

From today gang insignia are banned in all public places, courts are able to issue non-consorting orders, and police will be able to stop criminal gang members from associating and communicating.

The laws are part of a broader effort to make life more difficult for gang members, but how effective will they actually be?

Lance Burdett was a senior police officer and spent much of his policing career dealing with gangs. He says people may feel safer with the new laws in place, but violent crime could actually rise.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell has announced Richard Chambers as the next police commissioner, replacing Andrew Coster who is leaving to head up the new Social Investment Agency.

Chambers, who is currently the Assistant Police Commissioner, said the job would be a "highlight" of his life, and spoke to media about his policing style, the new gang patch ban and getting the nickname "Felix".

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has approved changes to Russia’s nuclear policy, setting out new conditions under which the country would consider using nuclear weapons. The doctrine now says an attack from a non-nuclear state, if backed by a nuclear power, will be treated as a joint assault on Russia. It also now permits a nuclear response if Russia is attacked by conventional long-range missiles.

International Relations specialist at the University of Otago, Professor Robert Patman, looks at what this means for the war in Ukraine, and how serious a threat this is to the West.

Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Wellington as the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti's 9 day journey ended outside Parliament.

Stuff's Political Reporter Glenn McConnell was one of the estimated 35,000 in attendance and recaps what was a historic day in the capital.

The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived at Parliament with an estimated 35,000 people filling the grounds and surrounding streets.

A number of people gave speeches to the thousands in attendance, including hīkoi organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi, Labour Party MP Peeni Henare, and Te Pāti Māori's Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke.

ACT Party Leader David Seymour has spoken to media on the eve of the Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi arriving at Parliament. After Seymour finished speaking, Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer then addressed the media.

This follows a fiery session in Parliament last week that saw Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke suspended for 24 hours after ripping up a copy of the bill and leading a haka during its first reading.

He's the 22-year-old Kiwi who's been causing quite the stir since returning to Formula One in the latter part of this year. Liam Lawson is fighting for a permanent seat in next year's championship, and has been single-minded in his approach to making this happen. In his short time back in the top flight he has won points at two Grands Prix, developed an ongoing feud with a driver in the senior Red Bull team (including pulling the finger at him) and called the McLaren team's choice of national anthem “complete bull****.”

Now he sits down for an extended, revealing chat with Paddy to talk goals, heroes, being fast and driving a manual.

Paddy is touring Aotearoa New Zealand this November and December with a LIVE SHOW, bringing the TFN positivity to your town. He'll share yarns from his book, find a local Good Kiwi, and he's keen to meet you. For tickets go to paddygower.co.nz

The first reading of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill has begun with a speech by ACT Party leader David Seymour.

The Treaty Principles Bill, championed by ACT Party leader David Seymour, is getting its first reading in Parliament today. The bill has generated plenty of heated discussion, debate and protest since it was included as part of the coalition government agreement last year. But why has it been so controversial and divisive?

Dr Carwyn Jones, a leading academic in Māori laws and philosophy at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Victoria University, explains.

On December 9th 2019 Whakaari White Island erupted off the coast of Whakatāne. 22 people were killed in the eruption, one of whom was Hayden Marshall-Inman who was a guide on the island. His body has never been found. Five years on, Hayden's brother Mark sat down with Paddy Gower to talk about that fateful day, and his plans for a fitting memorial.

The conversation featured as part of Gower's "The F#$%ing News" podcast. Click here to listen to the full episode, or search for "Paddy Gower's TFN" on your favourite podcast player.

Paddy is touring Aotearoa New Zealand this November and December with a LIVE SHOW, bringing the TFN positivity to your town. He'll share yarns from his book, find a local Good Kiwi, and he's keen to meet you. For tickets go to paddygower.co.nz