Focus on Politics

Over the past fortnight, Climate Change Ministers from around the world have been meeting for talks in Doha, Qatar, just weeks before the only binding treaty to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions… Read more Audio

The first of The Hobbit movies had its premiere in Wellington this week. Audio

After a tumultuous annual conference last weekend the Labour Party might be hoping it has finally put an end to the speculation about the party's leadership. David Shearer put his stamp on the party… Read more Audio

The Labour Party is holding its annual conference in Auckland over the weekend - the first for David Shearer as party leader. Audio

The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy released a damning report this week blaming both the company and the then Labour Department for failures which led to the deaths of 29 men. Audio

The Maori Party has been on the political landscape for eight years now - but has it peaked? Its performance at the last election was its worst since its inception - winning two fewer seats that it… Read more Audio

Just when the National-led Government thinks it's over a political crisis another crops up. Audio

This week the Ministry of Social Development shut down its nationwide network of self-service kiosks after it was discovered they could be used to access highly confidential ministry information. Audio

Debate over the value of the currency is heating up, with the Green Party proposing the Reserve Bank should start printing money to help rein in the run away dollar. Audio

The Prime Minister may have thought a flurry of inquiries, investigations and reviews into the illegal surveillance of Kim Dotcom would have put the whole saga to rest, but that has not been the case… Read more Audio

In a story that would could have been part of a Hollywood script Government ministers at the highest level have been dragged into a scandal complete with spies, a flamboyant internet tycoon and… Read more Audio

The Government is close to putting in place the final phase of welfare reforms that it says will reduce benefit dependency. A Social Security Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament this week that… Read more Audio