Focus on Politics

The announcement this week by Norske Skog that it is halving production at its pulp and paper mill in Kawerau again puts the focus on jobs. Audio

Does New Zealand need to impose some form of regulation on companies, organisations and individuals who lobby Members of Parliament and public servants? Audio

The National-led Government is on the defensive over whether it's doing enough to deal with poverty. Audio

United Future is holding its Annual General Meeting in Auckland this weekend. Audio

The MMP electoral system came under fire again this week, after the electoral commission announced a proposed shake-up of the system. Audio

The deaths of two New Zealand soldiers during an attack by insurgents in Bamiyan province last Saturday has renewed questions about this country's involvement in Afghanistan. While the National-led… Read more Audio

How secure is the National-led Government's partial privatisation programme? Audio

Parliament has this week passed the biggest constitutional changes to the dairy industry since Fonterra was formed more than a decade ago. The controversial Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Act… Read more Audio

The National Party is holding its annual conference in Auckland over the weekend. It is a time for party delegates to look back at what has been a rocky start to National's second term in government… Read more Audio

Our political reporter, Liz Banas, talks to the Labour Party leader, David Shearer, who has been in the job for just over six months. Audio

Members of Parliament will soon have to decide where they stand on the age people can buy alcohol. The Alcohol Reform Bill is due to get to its Committee Stages at the end of the month. Audio

Legislation paving the way for the partial sale of four State-owned energy companies passed its final stages in Parliament this week with a just one vote majority. Audio