Politics Central

One week on, the war in Iran is progressing by the day. 

In the latest, the United States are gearing up to potentially send ground troops into Iran, Australia is considering whether they should send in troops, and New Zealand supports the US but won't involve itself any further. 

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The Government has highlighted issues within the KiwiSaver Act that have prevented a number of Kiwis from using their accounts to buy a home. 

Many workers in rural areas, like farm workers, rural police and teachers, are often required to live in housing provided by their employer - which stops them from being able to withdraw their KiwiSaver for a first home as they're unable to live in it. 

These issues have also stopped farmers from being able to purchase their own farm as it's not covered by current legislation. 

Changes announced this morning would remove those barriers. 

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A joint US–Israeli strike on Iran overnight has triggered retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran, raising fears of a wider regional escalation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes - a claim Iran denied until half an hour ago, with officials saying he was “safe and sound” and “actively commanding the field”.

International reaction has been mixed, with some governments condemning the strikes, others urging restraint, and many calling for urgent diplomatic talks.

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On Saturday Donald Trump announced a 10% levy on all goods coming into the US in response to the Supreme Court ruling his other tariffs unconstitutional.

The new global tariffs were updated to 15% on Sunday.

Economist Cameron Bagrie joined Tim Beveridge to talk about the implications for kiwi businesses. 

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On Sunday the Government announced a plan to grant police the power to issue move-on orders to help deal with disorderly and dangerous behaviour in public places.

The move-on orders apply to anyone displaying disorderly or intimidating behaviour, impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, and behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith joined Tim Beveridge to chat about what this announcement means in reality. 

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Labour is hesitant to put their support behind an India FTA without the government meeting certain conditions. 

It says free trade is a net positive, but agreements shouldn't cause harm to New Zealand - which is what we risk with this FTA. 

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ACT Party leader David Seymour delivered his State of the Nation address this morning. 

He says this government is on track to produce positive change, but it's not happening as quickly as it could be. 

ACT says there are three ways to break our country's slump: equal rights, positive thinking, and a smaller government. 

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Moa Point has been testing as non-compliant for all but two months of the last two years. 

The signs were there, but no one seemed to raise concern before the wastewater plant started pumping raw sewage into the south coast of Wellington. 

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From today, New Zealanders will be able to get prescriptions that won't need to be renewed through their GPs for a whole year. 

The change will impact those with long-term conditions like asthma and epilepsy. 

GPs will decide on a case by case basis whether it's safe to prescribe a medication for the full 12 months, and patients will no longer have to see their GP every 3 months for a new script. 

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It's Waitangi Day this Friday and after opting to spend the day at a marae in Akaroa last year, this year Christopher Luxon will be in town to meet with iwi. 

A recent RNZ-Reid poll found 62% of kiwis think it's important for the prime minister to be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day, but previous PMs have all had different approaches. 

Ngapuhi chairperson Mane Tahere joins to preview the week ahead. 

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