Politics Central

A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail. 

His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report.

This case has raised questioins around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system. 

He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system. 

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Associate Education Minister David Seymour has welcomed provisional Term 4 attendance data, which shows attendance rates were higher than any Term 4 since 2022.

Data shows that in Term 4 of 2025, 57.3% of students attended school regularly, which is an increase from 56.4% in Term 4 of 2024.

He told Tim Beveridge that although the numbers are promising, there is still more work to be done. 

He said that it's not just about getting students back to the school gates, but also reintegrating them into the education system so students don't feel behind on their education. 

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The victims of an unprovoked attack on an Auckland train line late last year are speaking out, describing injuries and a lingering fear of using public transport.

It’s yet another reminder of the safety concerns many New Zealanders have at the back of their minds the next time they step onto a bus or train.

Auckland Transport data shows hundreds of violent incidents across public transport services in the two years to November 2025 - and based on headlines, there’s little sign that trend is easing.

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to give his State of the Nation Address tomorrow and being an election year, it'll be an important one. 

The National Party will be trying to recover from their recent polling, while kiwis will be looking for some desperately needed economic recovery. 

Health may also be one to keep an ear out for, after Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she'll be looking to shake up funding in the next budget. 

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This year's international politics have been unstable to say the least.Trump's Tariffs, Gaza, Ukraine and the Epstein Files have been gifts that keep giving...or not.

But closer to home we've managed to dodge declarations of war. However, there's still lots to reflect on and discuss.

Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith and Auckland Councilman Richard Hills join Tim Beveridge to wrap the year's politics, and give an insight into what to expect next year. 

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Nato chief Mark Rutte warns Western allies to prepare for war with Russia. 

He said that within the next five years, Nato countries will need to be prepared for a scale of war that hasn't been seen since our grandparents or great-grandparents. 

Donald Trump is due to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly regarding a peace deal. 

And the U.S. is keeping very busy as they've also seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela this week. 

The tanker went off course two days after its departure, listed to head for a Cuban port but rather off-loading part of its load to another ship before heading toward Asia. 

It was seized shortly after this. 

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It's been a week of back and forth for the Taxpayers' Union and the Finance Minister. 

Nicola Willis has challenged Union chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate, which was met with a sweet treat sent to Nicola and media. 

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After a tough few months for Te Pati Maori, its AGM is taking place today. 

Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the country is "facing the most destructive government in our history," and the party is set on "making this a one term government." 

Meanwhile, 3 of 4 of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's requests in her ongoing legal proceedings were declined by the judge - but her request to remain a party member was accepted until February 2026. 

Party President John Tamihere remains in office as the AGM goes forward. 

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Former police commissioner Andrew Coster claims he had briefed Chris Hipkins on Jevon McSkimming's alleged misconduct in 2022, and briefed Mark Mitchell in 2024. 

Coster stepped down as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency this week, after an IPCA report showed failures in how the police dealt with allegations against McSkimming. 

Both Hipkins and Mitchell have denied Andrew Coster's claims, and both have released statements saying they would have taken action had they known. 

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled the party's first policy for next year's election - low-interest loans to support doctor-owned clinics.

The scheme will offer up to 50 ten year long loans a year for doctors or nurse practitioners to open or buy into local clinics, interest free for the first two years. 

After announcing their policy of three free GP appointments a year, questions were raised around how our already overwhelmed health system could manage more appointments. 

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