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For the second week running, politics has been dominated not by the major parties, but by the activities of two minor-party politicians at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Audio

Liz Banas looks at this week's successful Act Party leadership coup by the former National Party leader, Don Brash. Audio

It's ANZAC weekend, a time when the country reflects on the past sacrifices made by New Zealand's servicemen and women. The Defence Force is about to undergo a major overhaul. Political reporter Danya… Audio

Liz Banas looks at the legislation setting up a new authority to oversee the rebuilding of Christchurch and the controversy around getting it passed under urgency. Audio

In quake-ravaged Christchurch businesses are tentatively restarting, and infrastructure is being restored, but there's ongoing uncertainty about job losses and how people will survive financially… Audio

Darren Hughes has now formally resigned as an MP, effective from next Tuesday. And while the police investigation into the sexual assualt complaint against him is ongoing, the Labour Party will be… Audio

The country faces its most austere budget in twenty years, with the Prime Minister announcing there will be no new spending next financial year. Audio

The replacement for the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act is making its way through Parliament and is set to become law in the coming weeks. Our political reporter Chris Bramwell has been… Audio

The ACT party heads into its annual conference this weekend hoping to put the scandals of the past year behind it. Audio

The ACT Party heads into its annual conference this weekend hoping to put the scandals of the past year behind it. Audio

In the wake of last week's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, political parties put aside partisan differences as they offered support to the city. Audio

This week the Focus team examines the visit of the Australian Prime Minister and looks at what it means for the 'family' on this side of the Tasman. Audio

The ongoing Hone Harawira saga has once again thrown the spotlight on the Maori Party's relationship with the National Party. Audio

This week in Focus on Politics, Julian Robins looks at the early exchanges of what is shaping up to be a long year in politics. Audio

In National's first two years in government business interests complained its economic policies didn't go far enough. And the Prime Minister, John Key, didn't entirely shake off the accusation he… Audio

The Labour Party will begin the New Year with a big task ahead of it, if it's to put a dent in National's lead in the opinion polls. Audio

The National Party ends the year with its lead in the opinion polls looking as strong as ever. Audio

Winston Peters is vowing to make his brief return to Parliament this week, permanent. Audio

The ACT Party's economic spokesperson Sir Roger Douglas returned to Parliament in 2008 after an 18-year absence. His commitment to liberal economic policies remains undiminished, but his voice in… Audio

Jane Patterson takes us through the week of the Pike River Mining tragedy. Audio

Brent Edwards looks at the travel perk which this week has been scrapped by Parliament's Speaker. Audio

Government accounts out this week reveal that tax income slumped one-point-one billion dollars below forecast in the first three months of the financial year. That helped put a big hole in the public… Audio

With just two weeks until the Mana by-election, candidates vying for the north Wellington seat have been busy pounding the streets and talking to voters. Audio

Julian Robins looks at JRR Tolkein's Hobbit tale from a distinctly New Zealand political perspective. Audio

This week our political reporter, Chris Bramwell, takes a closer look at Labour's plans to change the rules around foreign investment. Audio

Just days after ejecting long serving MP Chris Carter from the party, Labour holds its annual conference in Auckland over the weekend. It's meant to be an opportunity to signal new policy directions… Audio

Name suppression laws have recently been under the legal and political microscope, and this week the Government released its plans to make it harder to get names and evidence suppressed. Audio

Law experts have criticised the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act for creating a dangerous precedent. Our political editor Brent Edwards weighs up the arguments for and against the… Audio

ACT is in further turmoil with the resignation of David Garrett from Parliament. Audio

In what should have been a watershed moment for the Maori Party this week - legislation repealing the contentious Foreshore and Seabed Act passed its first reading in Parliament. Audio