Stories by Russell Palmer

After years of negotiation the plan to price agricultural emissions remains unclear, the Green Party says, but its co-leader says the government has a process to go through before it responds.

Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard has refused to answer questions from MPs about the trespass notices issued earlier this year - reigniting calls for him to go.

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says upcoming visits to our Pacific neighbours will have a respectful approach, contrasting it with her Chinese counterpart's whistlestop tour.

The government is considering more measures to disrupt gangs after a series of shootings, with Police Minister Poto Williams saying all options are on the table.

Local Government New Zealand admits it failed to effectively explain its strategy over three waters to its members, which strained relationships and led one council to quit.

With local body elections coming in October, the contentious reorganisation of drinking, waste and stormwater can be expected to attract a lot of heat.

Big charities will need to be more transparent over their funding, after a government review recommended changes to the law.

Privately owned rural water supplies should be able to keep managing themselves, rather than handing over to the Three Waters entities, a working group has recommended.

Explainer - The government is forging ahead with revised water system reform despite criticisms. So what's changed? RNZ is here to clear it all up.

Transport Minister Michael Wood has had to contact the Transport Agency a second time over costly road safety props, after a further three were found to have been on back order.

Police Minister Poto Williams has told Aucklanders they should "absolutely" expect a decrease in gun crime after gang attacks in recent days, and arrests have already been made.

There was a lot riding on the year's Budget: Cost-of-living challenges, health, climate, education - so did the spending match sectors' hopes?

There's a lot of spending flying around in Budget 2022 - here are the main expenses in an easy-to-read list.

Scrapping pre-departure tests will come "sooner rather than later", and more advice is being sought on whether people with adverse reactions could be exempt from workforce mandates.

Low-income families who scrap their old car will get funding to buy a low-emitting vehicle in a $569 million scheme, one of the big-ticket items in the government's first Emissions Reductions Plan.

The three waters reforms would achieve balance sheet separation and improve some councils' finances, according to analysis that paves the way for the legislation.

National leader Christopher Luxon has refused to rule in or out ACT's budget proposals if they enter government together, but says Nicola Willis - not David Seymour - would be finance minister.

There's a lot on the cutting block. ACT would reverse various efforts to curb climate change, increase defence spending, freeze the minimum wage, and abolish some government agencies.

All political parties in Parliament have supported a law improving regulation of body corporates, with hopes it will improve access to apartment living.

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick has used the reclassification of 49 drugs - including Fentanyl - to argue New Zealand's drug laws increase harms and should be replaced.

A "return to greater normality" in care of Covid-19 cases in the community will see the government spend $58.1 million to cover services through to June next year.

A cross party committee of MPs has decided former members should be treated no differently when the matter of being trespassed from Parliament is being considered.

The Green Party constitution no longer requires a male co-leader, instead requiring one woman and one person of any gender, plus a requirement that one must be Māori.

It is unacceptable the government has pushed ahead with its three waters reforms before checking if the numbers stack up on debt financing, opposition parties say.

Opposition parties should commit to protecting against privatising water assets, and front up with alternatives if they don't like the three waters reform, the government says.