Stories by Russell Palmer

The government is set to expedite thousands of residence visa applications, RNZ understands.

The National Party is calling for New Zealand to first end lockdowns then reopen to the world based on two vaccination targets.

Mayors around the country are lining up for a fight as the controversial Three Waters reforms approach another deadline.

The climate minister's trip to the COP26 conference and his delegation's use of MIQ spaces upon their return is again being criticised by the opposition.

New Zealand needs to be careful not to be left behind as some of its close partners agree to share defence resources, but politically and on trade the move is good for Aotearoa, politicians and…

The proposed law banning conversion therapy practices is not strong enough, some submitters have argued, and needs work to ensure it will do what it aims to.

Church groups making oral submissions on the bill banning conversion therapy have offered a range of views about it, some calling for it to be scrapped outright and others in firm support.

The plan to reopen New Zealand to the world with a risk-based border has not changed in light of the Delta variant, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says, but there may be some delays.

Travelling to Glasgow after criticising Parliament sitting at alert level 4 is breathtaking hypocrisy, ACT's David Seymour says, but Shaw's office says he is following all health advice.

Te Pūnaha Matatini Covid-19 data modelling expert Shaun Hendy says alert level 4 in Auckland is working nearly as well against Delta as it did last year.

Experts say the government needs to prioritise more funding and health resources for South Auckland, which will remain New Zealand's ongoing front line in the battle against Covid-19.

Rushed counter-terrorism laws could risk stigmatising refugees, which would only reinforce the false justifications of the New Lynn terrorist, the parties say.

A group that has been petitioning the government for such changes says it does not address the lack of supply of MIQ rooms, and there's little confidence they will make things fairer.

National's leader Judith Collins says it was the prime minister's call to bring back Parliament under level 4, and she could have suspended it one more day if she was worried about it. Audio

Cabinet is exploring a second phase evacuation from Afghanistan, and the effects resettlement would have on New Zealand.

Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party have said they will not attend Parliament while Wellington is at alert level 4. ACT says the prime minister is using public health for political purposes.

The government is not considering mandatory vaccines for the wider workforce, the minister says, but employers could write vaccination requirements into future employment contracts.

Health officials should have been more up front after discovering five people could have been given saline instead of the vaccine, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has fronted to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, defending the government's planning and use of the Covid-19 Response and Recovery fund.

National Party leader Judith Collins says she has "no confidence" the Taliban will change their brutal style of rule in Afghanistan, and it is clear women there will have "little future".

National, ACT and the Green Party agree more needs to be done to help those in Afghanistan.

After an alarming international report on climate change, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says criticism of New Zealand's response is "unfair".

The energy minister has demanded answers from generators about intentional power cuts overnight, but the opposition says she knew about the problems in the system and should step down.

The government is reassuring disabled people their voices will be heard as it presses on with major reforms to New Zealand's district health boards.

Explainer - What restrictions could be expected to be placed on someone like Suhayra Aden, coming to New Zealand after time with IS? RNZ is here to clear it all up.