Politics NZ

House on Sunday: Politics spills over into the House throughout the week

26 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With distracting party politics going on outside the House, MPs were brought back on task by the Speaker on more than one occasion this week. Go to th...

Confidence call: Luxon's uneasy victory

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Luxon has stared down his critics in caucus, forcing his MPs to demonstrate their loyalty with a dramatic vote of confidence. He survived ...

The Whip for 22 April 2026

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Jacqui van Der Kay and Wayne M...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Victorian Parliament: Amid slum, disease, fires and illegal demolition

19 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Step into the past and picture the early days of Parliament and the 1890s Victorian neighbourhood it sat in, with help from historian Elizabeth Cox.Go...

Vaianu: better safe than sorry?

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cyclone Vaianu has resurfaced difficult questions around resilience and retreat. And did New Zealand dodge disaster - or just over-do the warnings? RN...

Sin and Scandals: When the Personal becomes Political

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Labour leader Chris Hipkins cries in response to a social media post by his ex-wife. Should we be listening? We chart the history of political scanda...

The Whip for 15 April 2026

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Marian Hobbs, and David Farrar. On the...

Morning Report political panel: Chris Bishop and Vanushi Walters

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

National's Chris Bishop and Labour's Vanushi Walters joined Morning Report for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more det...

Political commentators Neale Jones and Tim Hurdle

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Neale, Tim and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Winston Peters' recent meeting with Marco Rubio. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz fo...

Citizens assemblies: an alternative to select committees?

12 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if a group of randomly selected people were put in a room and asked to hammer out national policy? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more detai...

Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In Focus on Politics, political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look at a meeting between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his US counterpart Marco ...

NZ's Royal Problem: The Power of the Crown

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest for his links to Epstein, questions arise about his place in the line of succession. We explore how New Zeal...

The Whip for 8 April 2026

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Peter Dunne, Lillian Hanly and Corin Dann. On...

Fish fights and satire rights

05 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The House saw a dichotomy of tempos this week, from a heated debate about fisheries one day, to a lighthearted, and at times even funny debate on paro...

Pharmac: Bitter Pill or Best Medicine?

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand is the only country with a drug-buying agency like Pharmac - but how did we get here? This episode traces its origins, and through politic...

The Whip for 1 April 2026

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists David Farrar, Sue Bradford, and Luke Malpass. First, ...

Morning Report Weekly Political Panel

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Brigette Morten and Lianne Dalziel

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brigitte, Lianne and Susie Ferguson discuss recent events in politics including the Government's response to rising fuel prices and shortages. Go to t...

The House of Sunday: MPs debate both local and global issues

29 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With politicians' attention very much looking outward amidst talks of a potential escalation in the conflict, or even a fuel crisis reminiscent of the...

Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The fuel crisis has forced responses from the government on supply and cost, but the problem must be handled with care - and perceptions of a lack of ...

Words Matter: The Speech that Shifted the Polls

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As fresh polling fuels political debate, Guyon and Corin look back on our most explosive poll results - including the one that truly changed the game....

The Whip for 25 March 2026

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jacqui Van Der Kay, Lyric Waiwiri-Smith and Ron Mark....

Weekly Political Panel: Paul Goldsmith and Carmel Sepuloni

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Wednesday morning's political panel with National's Paul Goldsmith in for Nicola Willis and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz f...

Political commentators Neale Jones and Liam Hehir

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Neale, Liam and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the Government's response to rising fuel prices. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz f...

What to expect when you’re expecting an election

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With an election looming in November, The House sat down with Clerk David Wilson to get a roadmap of what’s to be expected between now and then. Go ...

Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition is urging calm in face of the war in the Middle East, insisting New Zealand has ample fuel supplies, while quietly exploring targeted co...

NZ's Free Trade Hustle

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As New Zealand closes in on its first trade deal with India, we look back at the agreements that shaped the country: from Britain’s betrayal in the ...

The Whip for 18 March 2026

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for an explosive half-hour of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Maria Slade and Sue Kedgley. They begin with the turm...

Weekly Political Panel for 18 March 2026

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Dale Husband and Ben Thomas

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dale, Ben and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Mariameno Kapa-Kingi being officially reinstated to Te Pāti Māori.Go to this episo...

Long term debates and departing reflections

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week at Parliament we heard a debate all about the future that ended up being mired in the past. We also heard a goodbye speech from one of Parli...

Peeni Henare farewells Parliament after 12 years

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Former Labour MP Peeni Henare has called time on his 12 year career in Parliament. He sits down with political reporter Lillian Hanly to discuss his r...

Think Big

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As new tensions in the Middle East rattle global energy markets, we look back at the oil shocks of the 1970s and how they reshaped New Zealand’s ene...

The Whip 4 March 2026

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Lillian Hanly, and Heather Roy...

Weekly Political Panel: Paul Goldsmith and Carmel Sepuloni

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Goldsmith and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ron Mark

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kathryn, Gareth and Ron discuss recent events in politics including New Zealand's response to conflict in the Middle East. Go to this episode on rnz.c...

The House: Submission advice, and Infrastructure without politics

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The House Sunday Edition has two stories from Parliament's week. First – advice on convincing a select committee to amend a bill. Then – MPs deb...

Prime Minister flubs his lines as Iran conflict reignites

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As the government "acknowledges" the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, opposition parties are questioning their legality. Political reporter Giles Dexter lo...

The Whip for 4 March 2026

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Holly Bennett, Corin Dann and Marian Hobbs. They beg...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Neale Jones and Tim Hurdle

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tim, Neale and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including New Zealand's response to Israel attacks on Iran.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz fo...

Written Questions: A less frustrating Question Time?

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

MPs Ayesha Verrall and Ricardo Menéndez March outline Parliament’s lesser known written version of Question Time, and compare it to its louder, les...

Move-on powers move safety nets into the spotlight

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Police will be able to tell rough sleepers and 'disorderly' people to move on, with the government announcing new powers and penalties. But move on to...

The Whip

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Wayne Mapp, Andrea Vance and Grant Duncan. On...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere join Morning Report for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gareth, Ben and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the latest on Auckland's housing intensification plans. Go to this episode on rnz....

Maiden speeches and memorable speeches

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Following the retirement of former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, Parliament has a new MP in, Labour's Georgie Dansey, a former teacher, and unionist based i...

Coalition pulls a U-turn on Auckland housing plans

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition has weakened housing intensification plans in Auckland after backlash from proponents of heritage homes. Political reporter Anneke Smith...

The Whip 18 February 2026

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Jonathan Milne, and Chris Carter. Fir...

Weekly Political Panel 18 February 2026

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Neale Jones and Liam Hehir

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Neale, Liam and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Finance Minister Nicola Willis' announcement into an independent review of the Res...

DEI and Employment Relations: The week's contentious bills

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Two bills made strong progress this week against fierce opposition. They aim to end diversity hiring in the public service, and "rebalance" employment...

Gas plan derailed by definitional dispute

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When is a tax not a tax? That question derailed this week's gas announcement, as ministers scrambled to explain a new levy despite having promised "no...

The Great NZ Sell-Off

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From Telecom to Air New Zealand, the BNZ to our power companies why did governments sell our state assets, and what did we get in return? Now the Gove...

The Whip

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Lillian Hanley, Guyon Espiner and former labour MP P...

Weekly Political Panel for 11 February 2026

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Megan Woods joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Brigitte Morten and Dale Husband

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the politics at this year's Waitangi commemorations. Go to this episode on rnz....

Inside the Chief of Staff role: The House chats with Kevin Hague

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The House sits down with a former MP to unpack what a Chief of Staff does, and what it’s been like to return to parliament, but in the back office. ...

Pension Wars: The NZ Super Promise That Changed Politics

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's the third rail of New Zealand politics: Touch it and you die. From Richard Seddon's groundbreaking old-age pension, to Rob Muldoon's Dancing Coss...

The Whip 4 February 2026

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Whip for 4 February 2026 Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Maria Sla...

Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Lianne Dalziel

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kathryn, Tim and Lianne discuss recent events in politics including the resignation of Judith Collins. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more detail...

How MMP changed politics

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand’s MMP voting system promised fairness and diversity — but has it delivered? In this episode of Context, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann l...

Weekly Political Panel: Simeon Brown and Carmel Sepuloni

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Simeon Brown and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Whip 28 January 2026

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by Corin Dann, Holly Bennett and Tracey Martin. They dis...

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gareth, Ben and Kathryn discuss the latest in politics including the election date, latest polls and what sort of campaign might be run this year. Go ...

Adjournment Debate: It's déjà vu all over again

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every year Parliament ends in a more or less identical way, with the adjournment debate. To prove it, we sift its moments using previous years' descri...

Minor parties plot major influence on election year

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The leaders of ACT, New Zealand First, Te Pāti Māori, and the Green Party sit down with RNZ's press gallery team to share their thoughts on 2025, an...

Behind the picket lines

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From the Cook Strait ferry strikes to the fiery union battles of the 1970s, New Zealand’s history is written in industrial action. Now, as nurses, t...

The Whip 17 December

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Maria Slade, Fran O'Sullivan and Sue Bradford. They t...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report on Wednesday for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Gareth Hughes

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kathryn, Tim and Gareth discuss recent events in politics including the reform of the Resource Management Act. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for mor...

Parliament gets urgent on voting rules and climate targets

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In its penultimate sitting block of the year, Parliament was in urgency debating 12 bills, The House looks at the two most controversial ones. Go to t...

Luxon and Hipkins give election-year teaser

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

RNZ's political team sits down with the leaders of the two major parties - National's Christopher Luxon and Labour's Chris Hipkins - to reflect on 202...

The Wild History of Inflation in NZ

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Muldoon’s Price Freeze to Today’s Cost of Living Crisis. Corin and Guyon look back to a time when the PM set the price of milk and froze wage...

The Whip 10 December 2025

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Annabelle Lee-Mather, Wayne Mapp and David F...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Dale Husband and Ben Thomas

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dale, Ben and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the latest on expelled Te Pāti Māori MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris.G...

Scrutiny Week: Politics, oversight and attention

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parliament's December Scrutiny Week is over. The House looks at the eternal tussle between politics and actual oversight, and the interlocking problem...

Councils prepare to tighten belts with rates relief in sight

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government is telling councils to 'live within their means' and is introducing a rates cap. It's popular with ratepayers who have seen their bills...

NZ's United Nations History

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Winston Peters heads to the UN, Context looks back at how NZ has shaped the world stage — from Peter Fraser at its founding to peacekeepers in Ko...

The Whip 3 December

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espinor and former Green Party MP Sue Kedgely.J...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Liam Hehir and Lianne Dalziel

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liam, Lianne and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the potential scrapping of regional councillors. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz ...

Urgency ends early after voting gaffe

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A late night voting error during a fourth evening of urgency last week forced the Government to end urgency sooner than expected.Go to this episode on...

How the council 'reset' aims to spur amalgamations

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just six weeks after voters elected new regional councillors, their jobs now hang in the balance after a government proposal to abolish them. But do t...

Booze, Bans & Backlash

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why is alcohol reform such a political minefield in New Zealand? With new reforms on the table, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace liquor laws back th...

The Whip 26 November

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for the country's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. This week Wallace Chapman is joined by journalists Andrea Vance, Jonathan Milne and...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni join Morning Report for the weekly political panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more de...

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kathryn, Ben and Gareth discuss recent events in politics including the latest on the replacement inter-island ferries. Go to this episode on rnz.co.n...

Parliament's penultimate sitting block brings long nights in the House

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Urgency was the theme of the week at Parliament this week, both in the House and during the ongoing Standing Orders review into Parliament's rules. Go...

Coalition tempers ACT’s influence on gun laws

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Arms Act has been home to New Zealand's gun laws since 1983, though it's had many, many iterations. The coalition has now overhauled the legislati...

Parliament's Rules

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Inside Parliament’s Rulebook: Why can’t MPs call each other liars? Why do Speakers wield so much power? And which MP was kicked out just for sarc...

The Whip 19 November 2025

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Dan Brunskill and Tracey Martin. On ...

Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Peter Dunne

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tim, Peter and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the political response to the Jevon McSkimming scandal. Go to this episode on rnz.c...

Loophole results in 11 day submission period for fast track amendments

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A loophole in parliamentary rules has avoided a debate, shortened a committee report back time, and resulted in 11 days for the public to have their s...

IPCA bombshell forces reckoning at top of police

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The IPCA's blistering report has torn open a years-long saga of misconduct and misplaced loyalty. In Focus on Politics, RNZ acting political editor Cr...

Spies, Allies, and the FBI

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Kash Patel’s surprise visit to Kim Dotcom’s infamous raid, New Zealand’s relationship with the FBI and America has been anything but simple...

The Whip 12 November 2025

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Toby Manhire, Andrea Vance and Phil Goff. Ton...