Focus on Politics

Political parties are readying themselves for the election, but none are directly, or openly wooing the so-called Christian vote, not even the Conservatives. Audio

The Education Minister has once again found herself at the centre of a political storm, after allegations relating to the Kohanga Trust Board's commercial arm, have ended up with the Serious Fraud… Read more Audio

This week the Prime Minister announced the election date and his plan for a referendum on the New Zealand flag. Audio

After being officially appointed as the new ACT leader, Jamie Whyte is now being heralded as the saviour of the party that's struggling to even register in political polls. Audio

It's election year and political parties have already begun rolling out policies to win the support of voters. But what role will leadership play in the election? National's John Key is determined to… Read more Audio

Disagreement about how to reduce poverty and inequality is looming as one of the big debates of election year. Audio

Legislation to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products passed its first reading in Parliament this week with almost unanimous support. Audio

Politicians converging on Waitangi Marae this year were given a relatively easy run, with a noisy but respectful protest, and a few fish dropped at the Prime Minister's feet. History was made though -… Read more Audio

This week was the time for David Cunliffe to put his mark on the Labour Party just months after taking over the leadership from David Shearer. Audio

Election year has well and truly started - with the Prime Minister revealing which parties National would be willing to work with post-election, and the unveiling of a significant new education… Read more Audio

The Government released its Budget Policy Statement and half year economic and fiscal update this week. It is continuing to forecast a budget surplus for 2014-15 and now plans to start paying back… Read more Audio

After 18 months and at a cost of more than half-a-million dollars an inquiry into the leaking of Cabinet papers about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade restructuring could not find definitive… Read more Audio