Stories by Craig McCulloch
News
Waikato mega-prison off the table - Govt
Plans to build a new mega-prison at Waikeria have been dropped, but the government has yet to decide what to do instead. Audio
Christchurch red zone to house thousands of bees
More than 500,000 bees are to make Christchurch's red zone their home as part of efforts to grow the endangered species and make use of the land.
Budget 2018: Money for health, housing, schools
The Labour-led government has delivered a restrained and cautious Budget in its first year, keeping money in the kitty instead of a major spend up. Video
'It divides communities - and no one wins from that'
MPs have been urged to change a "hideous" law which allows the public to challenge and overturn Māori seats on local councils.
Govt puts extra $80m towards eradicating pests
The push for a predator-free New Zealand is set to get a boost in next week's Budget.
M Bovis has 'turned neighbour against neighbour'
Farmers are butting heads and turning on one another as stress takes its toll over the battle to contain the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis. Video, Audio
National urges govt not to forget NZ-based Pasifika
National MP Alfred Ngaro is warning the government not to forget Pacific families living in New Zealand as it dramatically ramps up aid to the wider Pacific region.
Ministers rebuked over te reo Māori stance
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is playing down differences between her ministers over whether to make te reo Māori compulsory in schools.
$714m to be pumped into govt's 'Pacific reset' plan
The government is set to hike foreign aid by more than $700 million over the next four years, as part of its signalled 'Pacific reset' strategy.
Insight: Brexit won't bond New Zealand and UK
New Zealanders should not expect a closer relationship with the United Kingdom after it leaves the European Union, a former top British diplomat tells Insight.
Queen backs Charles for Commonwealth handover
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has had a private audience with the Queen, who has called on Commonwealth leaders to appoint Prince Charles their next head.
CHOGM: Ardern to toast Commonwealth at leaders' banquet
After her private audience with the Queen, Jacinda Ardern has been selected to toast the Commonwealth at a banquet of leaders at Buckingham Palace.
London mayor 'bothered' by tougher rules for Kiwis in UK
London mayor Sadiq Khan says it "absolutely" bothers him Britain has made it harder for Kiwis to live and work in the United Kingdom.
Ardern in London: What was discussed at security meeting?
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says "we cannot allow the use of chemical weapons", following a meeting with four of the Five Eyes security nations.
Merkel, Ardern discuss threats to world order
The Prime Minister says there has been a deepening in the relationship between New Zealand and Germany.
Jacinda Ardern meets German Chancellor in Berlin
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has received a red-carpet welcome with full military honours as she arrived to meet the German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.
Ardern hails trade 'vision', France's Macron to visit NZ
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hopes any roadblocks to starting negotiations for a New Zealand-EU trade deal have been removed. Video
PM's Europe trip: What's on the agenda?
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has arrived in Paris and will kick off her week-long trip to Europe with a formal meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
CHOGM great chance for PM to be gone
Power Play - After a month of putting out political fires, the Prime Minister's surely been counting the days till her escape, writes RNZ's Craig McCulloch.
NZ-EU trade deal negotiations tipped for May
Formal negotiations for a trade deal between New Zealand and the EU are set to get the green-light in just over a month, National MP Todd McClay says.
PM's science advisor: 'New prisons are not the answer'
New Zealand's justice system is broken and building new prisons is not the answer, a report from the Prime Minister's chief science advisor says.
Nats out for blood over Marcroft-Mitchell dust-up
The National Party is demanding someone take responsibility after its MP Mark Mitchell said a New Zealand First MP was sent to scare him out of supporting a local project.
NZ First MP instructed to apologise to National Party
New Zealand First MP Jenny Marcroft was instructed to apologise to National MP Mark Mitchell, after being accused of threatening to use taxpayer cash for political gain.
Māori voters get to choose between Māori and general rolls
The Electoral Commission is stressing Māori can vote for whatever party they want regardless of whether they shift between the general and Māori rolls. Video
No need for 'sledgehammer' tax avoidance rules - Westpac
Westpac is worried the government's attempted crackdown on multinational tax avoidance will act as a "sledgehammer" when an "ice pick" would do.