Stories by Craig McCulloch

New Zealand First's proposal to ensure migrants respect Kiwi values has been labelled "dog-whistle politics" and has won little support within Parliament.

Travellers who refuse to hand over their phone or laptop passwords to Customs officials can now be slapped with a hefty fine.

The controversial waka-jumping bill has passed its final hurdle to become law this afternoon, after more than 27 hours of debate in Parliament.

Government officials are warning the move to halt new offshore oil exploration permits could cost the country billions.

The National Party is questioning the Prime Minister's financial nous after she misspoke in an interview about economic growth figures. Audio

A Ban 1080 activist has denied killing any of the native birds that were scattered across Parliament's steps by children in a protest over the use of the pesticide. Audio

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has admitted he was mistaken when he earlier said all his MPs had signed up to a good behaviour contract.

Another stoush may be brewing between Labour and New Zealand First over changes to employment law, but government ministers from both parties are playing down the prospect.

The cost of the government's two-day Criminal Justice Summit has ballooned to $1.5 million, more than twice what was originally estimated.

The government has announced a $152 million funding injection into Gisborne and surrounding regions.

The Regional Development Minister has made his case to the Reserve Bank governor that he should prevent banks from shutting rural branches.

Former MP Marama Fox has officially resigned as the co-leader of the Māori Party. Audio

The State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has directed some District Health Boards to urgently improve how they deal with requests for official information.

Labour's Māori MPs are rallying behind sidelined Minister Meka Whaitiri and say it's only fair she stays on as their co-chair.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says if Labour ministers don't meet her expectations, she will act, amid an allegation against sidelined Labour MP Meka Whaitiri.

Labour MP Meka Whaitiri is being investigated over claims she physically assaulted a staff member in her ministerial office, RNZ has learned.

Small businesses in the Prime Minister's home town are worried the new business advisory council is a sign large companies are being prioritised ahead of them. Audio

Some public sector bosses could end up better off under their new contracts despite being stripped of their performance bonuses.

National MP Nick Smith is lodging a complaint with Parliament over a "draconian" good behaviour contract which New Zealand First MPs are required to sign.

Nearly all foreigners have been banned from buying most Kiwi homes in a bid to crack down on overseas speculators.

Parliament's referee Trevor Mallard will today reveal whether he'll launch a full-scale investigation into who leaked National leader Simon Bridges' $114k travel bill.

The deadlock over Ngāpuhi treaty negotiations shows no sign of breaking after a series of hui with Treaty Settlements Minister Andrew Little over the weekend. Audio

Housing New Zealand's chief executive had no intention of giving interviews on the meth contamination hysteria, instead planning a "low key" response to media, official documents show.

The young New Zealanders credited with driving momentum for a Zero Carbon Act have implored MPs not to mess it up in the final stages.