Politics NZ

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 the show tonight: the extraordinary last 24 hours in the US-Israel Iran War. Seemingly a full-scale destruction of Iran was avoided at the 11th hour with Donald Trump giving the peace process another two weeks. Another political poll, the Taxpayer Union-Curia poll isn't great news for National, but good news for NZ First, and The Opportunity Party. The OCR - analysis on the Reserve bank's moves and what it means for politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 parody and satire law. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 politics and patient stories explores the tough trade-offs at the heart of our health system.Pharmac decides which medicines New Zealanders get and which they don’t. It’s one of the most powerful institutions in our health system, negotiating hard with global drug companies to save billions. But that success comes with a trade-off: not every life-saving treatment can be funded. So how did New Zealand end up with a system like this? In this episode of Context, we trace the history of Pharmac from its creation in the 1990s to the controversial role it plays today. Along the way, we unpack how it works: the tough negotiations, the use of generics, and the cost-benefit decisions that can determine who gets access to medicine. We also explore the human side of those decisions. The cancer patients forced to go overseas for treatment. The families campaigning for drugs that aren’t funded. And the growing political pressure on a system that was designed to stay independent. As new, high-cost treatments emerge, including weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, the stakes are only getting higher. Is Pharmac a world-leading model that protects New Zealand’s health budget? Or a system that leaves some patients behind? This is the story of the trade-offs at the heart of New Zealand’s healthcare system.Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your ideas to context@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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, a Cabinet reshuffle is due tomorrow - the panellists predict who might take up new portfolios. Then, successive governments have struggled to decide how much fuel storage is appropriate for New Zealand to have. Now that a global fuel crisis is upon us, what's the right answer to that question? Then, they look at the last week in leadership on the government's handling of the fuel crisis, and commentator's claims that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is MIA. Finally, should MPs be throwing their weight behind people facing the criminal court? That's what one Green Party MP has done.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

Brigitte, Lianne and Susie Ferguson discuss recent events in politics including the Government's response to rising fuel prices and shortages. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

With politicians' attention very much looking outward amidst talks of a potential escalation in the conflict, or even a fuel crisis reminiscent of the 1970s, Parliament still nonetheless had things to address back home.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 support could see National's own support suffer. Labour is refusing to help by offering solutions, a strategy that may backfire. Political Reporter Russell Palmer gauges the parties' handling of a hot-button issue. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. What makes voters change their minds?In this episode of Context, a potted history of Political Polling. With the National Party making headlines with its latest numbers, Corin and Guyon examine one of the most explosive poll results in NZ history.At the centre of the story is the 2004 Orewa speech by Don Brash: one of the most controversial speeches in New Zealand political history. It drew fierce criticism but at the same time it triggered a huge surge in voter support for National producing one of the biggest polling swings ever seen.So what explains that shift? Why did voters respond so strongly and what does it reveal about the gap between political commentary and public opinion? We also explore: How political polls work in New Zealand Famous polling moments, from Jim Bolger’s “bugger the pollsters” to modern campaigns The role of media coverage, debates, and messaging in shaping voter behaviour Whether a sudden swing like Orewa could still happen in today’s political climate As new polls continue to shape the narrative around Christopher Luxon and the National Party, this episode asks a bigger question: should we pay attention to Polls?Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your ideas to context@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. On the show today: the twists and turns of the fuel crisis; will New Zealand get involved in the Iran War?; Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon both had very bad weeks recently, but it looks like it hasn't hurt them in the polls, and would our panellists pay 10 thousand dollars to sit next to Christopher Luxon?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 for more details

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 for more details

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 to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 cost-of-living relief. But as the price at the pump climb, so too are the political stakes. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the government's response in this week's Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 1970s to closer economic relations with Australia. For a small nation at the edge of the world, survival has often meant learning to hustle.New Zealand's free trade agreement with India has been decades in the making, ut this isn’t the first time trade deals have reshaped the country. In this episode of Context, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann trace the story of the agreements that transformed New Zealand’s economy: from the shock of Britain joining the European Economic Community in 1973, to CER with Australia, the fight over TPP, and the huge impact of our China free trade agreement. The stakes are high, our economy depends on these deals. Along the way:Why New Zealand became one of the world’s biggest champions of free tradeThe industries that were lost along the way The protests and political battles that followedAnd whether the global backlash against globalisation could bring the free trade era to an end.Watch the video version of the episode here.Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your ideas to context@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 turmoil surrounding Chris Hipkins after claims were made on social media by his ex-wife. Then they look at the government's handling of the oil crisis, with 49 days left in stock. And as war rages on in Iran and neighbouring regions, are cracks staring to show in Donald Trump's approach? After that, they discuss an interesting proposition by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown: throw the two major parties into coalition together. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

Dale, Ben and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Mariameno Kapa-Kingi being officially reinstated to Te Pāti Māori.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 Parliament's more talented orators. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 resignation, and the balancing act of "being Māori" and "being a politician." Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details