Stories by Russell Palmer

Dr Ashley Bloomfield's apology over testing delays is just the latest example of misleading the public, National says, and ACT's David Seymour wants the Director-General removed.

National is calling on the government to fast-track Ukrainian visas and bring in a humanitarian visa category for close family members of Ukrainians living in New Zealand.

Explainer - The government has announced the country is moving to phase three - but what does that mean? RNZ is here to clear it all up.

Party Leader David Seymour has called for a cost-benefit analysis of Covid-19 interventions, saying the current settings are a "mish-mash of rules that don't make sense".

More people are expected to be able to leave MIQ early under a new risk assessment, and some travellers may be able to go into self-isolation before borders open.

ACT's leader David Seymour says he has passed a message to convoy leaders that it's time for a dialogue, but the PM says it is irresponsible for MPs to meet with the protesters.

Vaccine mandates and passes should eventually end and the government should set a timeline for that, opposition parties say, but they do not support today's protests.

A ministry statement admitting rapid antigen tests in the government's order were already in the country has led to incorrect conclusions, the minister says. Audio

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Opposition leader Chris Luxon have launched stinging attacks on their opponents in their opening speeches to Parliament this year. Video

The government announced the new ministry in October, promising a single point of contact for disabled people and others in the sector.

Families Package benefits go to more than half of families with children, but housing costs and Covid-19 income disruption have eroded some of the gains, a government report shows.

Here's 12 up-and-coming bits of legislation you may have missed thanks to the hustle and bustle of Covid-19 last year.

It was the year of the vaccine, it was the year of the anti-vaxxer: 2021 has been quite a ride of politics and protests.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says her dealings with the sector over Three Waters were in good faith, and she denies a decision to mandate the reforms had already been made. Video

It will still be "flyer beware" for people hoping to travel overseas from January as the border begins reopening, the Covid-19 Response Minister says.

The government kept councils guessing for months about whether they would be forced into three waters reforms, despite having already agreed to pursue such a strategy, papers show.

The legislation setting up the government's three waters entities has been delayed to give the working group time to recommend changes to governance and accountability.

New world-first laws will ensure young people will never legally purchase cigarettes, with the age of a ban on sales rising each year, the minister says.

Other changes to the Covid-19 plan affected the advice on the Auckland boundary decision, the prime minister and Covid-19 response minister say.

The decision to keep Auckland's boundary closed for two weeks after the traffic light system began was not justified from a public health perspective, Ashley Bloomfield has told a select committee.

Christopher Luxon made his Parliamentary debut as Opposition leader this afternoon, going head-to-head with PM Jacinda Ardern in the debating chamber for the first time. Video

National's former treaty negotiations minister has confidence new leader Chris Luxon can build a strong relationship with Māori, but warns him not to be waylaid by cliches like 'one law for all'. Audio

National's new deputy leader Nicola Willis says she brings a centrist, moderate perspective of a parent of four, along with a familiarity with Parliament that balances out the new leader.

Analysis - Christopher Luxon is considered both an unknown quantity and something of a messiah for the National Party.

Colourful and controversial, with a killer eyebrow raise - she may be best known as "Crusher" but Judith Collins' nearly 20 years in politics cannot be summed up so succinctly. Audio