Politics

Te Pāti Māori has seen the biggest movement in tonight's 1News-Verian poll, gaining three points and overtaking New Zealand First.

The latest Taxpayers-Union Curia poll shows bumps for ACT and Te Pāti Māori after the hīkoi and introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill last month.

The deputy PM is among those attending a community meeting about the mill, with calls for worker relief heading into Christmas.

RNZ's new charts, which track progress on nine public sector targets, show crime and education goals are particularly at risk.

Racing Minister Winston Peters wants to bring in legislation to extend the TAB's current monopoly over sports and racing betting to also cover online betting.

Housing is a common topic - its availability, quality, or cost. This week both housing ministers appeared before MPs. Audio

In his satirical new novel The Life and Opinions of Kartik Popat, Brannavan Gnanalingam imagines the rise of an immoral NZ politician who works against his immigrant community. Audio

One MP was arrested, another passed away, and a third was diagnosed with cancer - but through it all, "we've really stuck by our values", co-leader says.

"I think there's a chance that we will be announcing the beginning of negotiations on that [trade deal] matter," Peters says.

It comes after two young people ran away from the programme, while another died in a car crash. Audio

"This tragic accident is bigger than politics and Tamatha Paul should be ashamed of herself", Children's Minister Karen Chhour said.

"We're dealing with complex, high-risk youth offenders," Oranga Tamariki deputy chief says after confirming two out of 10 youths absconded from the trial and a third died in a crash.

The announcement that half of New Zealand's sole fund for fundamental science won't cover social sciences and the humanities came as a shock to many, writes Nicola Gaston.

New Zealand this week is hosting the second Australia-NZ Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN).