Stories by Giles Dexter

The Prime Minister has returned from Australia, celebrating a big win in trans-Tasman relations.

The Australian government has announced a direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders, ending a tension between the two countries that has lasted for more than 20 years.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins expects significant progress will be made this weekend regarding the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia.

The PM says the number of staff working with the media has stayed "pretty much the same" since Labour entered government, and the growth has come in roles directly engaging with the public. Audio

The number of communications staff working in the core public service has tipped over the 500 mark, an increase of more than 50 percent since Labour took office.

The Fired Up Stilettos group has taken their protest to the front of Parliament, calling on the government to establish stronger rights and protections for strippers, who work as independent…

Green Party MP Elizabeth Kerekere has been chastised by party leadership after calling colleague Chlöe Swarbrick a "crybaby" in a text message sent to other MPs in error. Audio

Key health reporting data is still yet to be re-published by Te Whatu Ora, nearly three weeks since it was pulled for accuracy and quality assurance checks.

The Green Party says the number of under 5s hospitalised for Covid-19 is "horrendously high".

The new police minister says she has recently been made aware of the lack of progress - and has asked for more information.

Public Service Minister Andrew Little has rejected the option mentioned in a briefing document, saying the work is high priority.

In the year to June 2022 more than 110,000 people moved into work, after a sharp increase in those on a benefit two years earlier when the Covid-19 pandemic began.

The Greens have laid down a challenge to potential coalition partners: come to the table with faster and stronger climate action if you want our support. Audio

Ousted health boss Rob Campbell says plans to trim waste and bureaucracy in Te Whatu Ora will need to be sped up, and it will involve re-allocating or cutting hundreds of jobs.

Campbell says his removal from two organisations in a week has little to do with his social media use, but the Public Service Commissioner says it was a clear breach.

The National Party plans to use its extra place on a select committee to strongarm the government into making a crucial change to its freedom camping legislation.

When Parliament met to discuss the National State of Emergency, the Green Party co-leader said he had never felt as sad, or as angry.

The Green Party wants the government to double the maximum amount it is paying out to flood-affected Aucklanders, through the Civil Defence payments.

The decision turns Wellington into a 2023 battleground, with three brand new faces set to contest the electorate - and Shaw has already thrown his support behind Tamatha Paul.

The government's new ministers have been officially sworn in at a ceremony at Government House.

Chris Hipkins' first big meetings as prime minister are a series of charm offensives with Auckland businesses, as he seeks to understand what their priorities and issue are. Audio

Both major political parties will kick off election year with annual caucus retreats this week, and some MPs have already said it will be their last.

An advocate for children with dyspraxia says more needs to be done to increase access to diagnostic pathways and funding in New Zealand.

In their end-of-year interview with RNZ, the duo reflect on 2022, and lay out their plans for election year and beyond.

The government hopes a Royal Commission into its Covid-19 response will provide the strongest possible playbook for any future pandemic.