Episodes
-
Outliers and overhangs
The polls are telling different stories, so who's really winning? Could overhang seats decide the election? How did the gang saga become a headache for National as well as Labour? And Julian Wilcox joins Tim Watkin, Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch for a tour of the Māori electorates. Go to this…
more -
Opportunity cost: Luxon's improbable proposition
What happens if Opportunity holds the balance of power, but Christopher Luxon refuses to pick up the phone? On the latest Caucus, we pick apart Luxon's implausible proposition and Qiulae Wong's negotiating strategy. Plus: AI ads, the last ever Chris-v-Chris debate, and Paul Goldsmith's pickle. Go...
-
Zombie walking to the election: 28 percent later
This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Jo Moir, Craig McCulloch and Tim Watkin discuss the multi-party debate, the strategic contest between the Greens and the Opportunity Party, and Winston Peters’ position in the election campaign. This campaign, the Caucus...
-
Debate and switch: campaign week two
This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Join Tim Watkin, along with Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch from RNZ's press gallery team, every week in the lead-up to voting day. This episode: red meat policy, the first leaders' debate and fiscal bickering. Go to this episode...
-
New Caucus, Who Dis?
In the biggest multi-verse event of 2026, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics this campaign to take you inside the fight for power. It's Caucus, but reshuffled - with Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch from RNZ's press gallery team, joining Tim Watkin every week in the lead-up to...
-
A pre-campaign catchup as parties flee Parliament
The 54th Parliament has adjourned, and politicians have been let loose on the campaign trail. Before they fled the building, political reporter Giles Dexter sat down with the parties and asked what the public could expect from them over the next six weeks. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more...
-
Unexpected item in National's policy area
National is campaigning to 'pursue' breaking up Foodstuffs, as the party of business surprisingly ponders intervening in private enterprise. Political reporter Giles Dexter shops around political parties' pledges to drive down grocery prices, and looks at how likely it is that National's proposal...
-
National's olive branch: bed tax out, council cash in
National has offered councils a peace deal after rebuffing their calls for a bed tax. Instead, it's offering to give them a share of the revenue raised by an existing "tourist tax". But some councils say it still falls short. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look. Go to this...
-
Coalition in clean up mode
The government has found itself cleaning up some legislative mess. Beneficiaries and pensioners having payments wrongly suspended forced a double apology from the Prime Minister and Social Development Minister, while a select committee has told the Justice Minister to water down his controversial...
-
National and Labour dance around areas of agreement
In Focus on Politics, the major parties are finding more areas of agreement ahead of the election campaign - often to the frustration of their partner parties. Political reporter Russell Palmer examines the points of tension and the entrenched politicking that seems to keep National and Labour…
more -
An urgent call to fix the aged care crisis
The aged care system is at breaking point. A new report calls for an urgent overhaul. RNZ political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the suggested solutions, and whether politicians are willing to come to the party. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
National's nightmare: come again, coup again
A second attempt to oust Christopher Luxon ended much like the first - with the National leader still standing. But this time, the party's internal revolt has dealt more damage. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch maps out the mayhem. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week
Christopher Luxon spent much of this week putting out fires of his own making. And others set by Winston Peters. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
National bolts the door as Opportunity knocks
Christopher Luxon's surprise rule-out of Opportunity may have reshaped the election campaign. So was it a masterstroke or misfire? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch analyses the move. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Stuart Nash's swan song
Stuart Nash thought he'd found a political lifeline with New Zealand First. Instead, one text message triggered another spectacular downfall. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Three Wise Pol Eds and a Poll
RNZ political editor Jo Moir, Stuff political editor Jenna Lynch and NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan are joined by RNZ's lowly deputy political editor Craig McCulloch to dissect the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Outrage over emergency housing targets
Following revelations the Ministry of Social Development had implemented performance measures related to cutting the number of people in emergency housing, political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the reaction and asks the top boss whether they've left more people sleeping on the streets.…
more -
National converts to KiwiSaver
National made its first major election year policy announcement this week. If elected, it would make KiwiSaver compulsory, including for those over 65 still working, automatically enroll babies and provide government contributions to those on parental leave. The suite of changes would cost more...
-
Officials in firing line over $30m immigration failure
A failed immigration technology project has left taxpayers more than $30 million out of pocket. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says officials misled Cabinet. Now an independent investigation is being launched into what went wrong. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more. Go to...
-
Labour joins election race with fare cap promise
Labour has finally joined the election campaign, unveiling its first major policy of the year: a public transport fare cap. But questions remain over the numbers, the funding, and whether already-stretched bus and rail networks can cope. RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch takes a look.…
more -
Penk's verbal nuclear bomb inflames defence debates
In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer recounts how and why a debate about nuclear free policy ended before it began, links to defence spending, and the impact on the relationship with Australia. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
The deliberately boring election-year Budget
The government has delivered its third Budget pointing to an earlier return to surplus, but with no election-year lolly scramble. Political reporter Giles Dexter pores through the books, and looks at the looming debate over superannuation. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Public service cuts spur debates on AI, shorts and flying
In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer asks if the government's public service cuts are made to measure, whether AI will help, and what it means for the election and beyond. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Te Pāti Māori's shrinking caucus: "No story here"
Te Pāti Māori's internal turmoil has exploded again - with MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi quitting to launch her own party and fresh questions swirling around the loyalties of two more MPs. Lillian Hanly unpacks the fractures in this week's Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more...
-
The GP crisis politicians can't ignore
GPs say the system is at breaking point - and they want politicians to listen. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes the temperature of primary care in this week's Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Coalition parties trade blows over India agreement
The Free Trade Agreement with India has been signed, with National and New Zealand First continuing to disagree over what's been signed up to. Political reporter Giles Dexter examines how free the trade agreement actually is, and the coalition clash over investment and immigration. Go to this...
-
Confidence call: Luxon's uneasy victory
Christopher Luxon has stared down his critics in caucus, forcing his MPs to demonstrate their loyalty with a dramatic vote of confidence. He survived the week - but still faces an almighty challenge in turning around poor polling and keeping together an increasingly fractious coalition. RNZ…
more -
Vaianu: better safe than sorry?
Cyclone Vaianu has resurfaced difficult questions around resilience and retreat. And did New Zealand dodge disaster - or just over-do the warnings? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch examines the fall-out from the latest weather bomb. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip
In Focus on Politics, political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look at a meeting between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his US counterpart Marco Rubio, as President Donald Trump ramps up his threats toward Iran. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case
The fuel crisis has forced responses from the government on supply and cost, but the problem must be handled with care - and perceptions of a lack of support could see National's own support suffer. Labour is refusing to help by offering solutions, a strategy that may backfire. Political Reporter...
-
Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
The coalition is urging calm in face of the war in the Middle East, insisting New Zealand has ample fuel supplies, while quietly exploring targeted cost-of-living relief. But as the price at the pump climbs, so too are the political stakes. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down...
-
Peeni Henare farewells Parliament after 12 years
Former Labour MP Peeni Henare has called time on his 12 year career in Parliament. He sits down with political reporter Lillian Hanly to discuss his resignation, and the balancing act of "being Māori" and "being a politician." Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Prime Minister flubs his lines as Iran conflict reignites
As the government "acknowledges" the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, opposition parties are questioning their legality. Political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the response to the latest conflict, and the Prime Minister's struggle to articulate the government's position. Go to this episode on...
-
Move-on powers move safety nets into the spotlight
Police will be able to tell rough sleepers and 'disorderly' people to move on, with the government announcing new powers and penalties. But move on to where? Political reporter Giles Dexter looks at how these powers would work in practice, whether the government has adequately resourced the…
more -
Coalition pulls a U-turn on Auckland housing plans
The coalition has weakened housing intensification plans in Auckland after backlash from proponents of heritage homes. Political reporter Anneke Smith lays how the government got here and why there's still uncertainty about how Auckland will grow. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Gas plan derailed by definitional dispute
When is a tax not a tax? That question derailed this week's gas announcement, as ministers scrambled to explain a new levy despite having promised "no new taxes". RNZ's acting political editor Craig McCulloch examines the fallout in Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Minor parties plot major influence on election year
The leaders of ACT, New Zealand First, Te Pāti Māori, and the Green Party sit down with RNZ's press gallery team to share their thoughts on 2025, and what they've got up their sleeves for election year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Luxon and Hipkins give election-year teaser
RNZ's political team sits down with the leaders of the two major parties - National's Christopher Luxon and Labour's Chris Hipkins - to reflect on 2025 and look forward to election year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Councils prepare to tighten belts with rates relief in sight
The government is telling councils to 'live within their means' and is introducing a rates cap. It's popular with ratepayers who have seen their bills skyrocket, but councils are warning it'll come at a cost of services. Coming hot on the heels of the government's move to abolish regional…
more -
How the council 'reset' aims to spur amalgamations
Just six weeks after voters elected new regional councillors, their jobs now hang in the balance after a government proposal to abolish them. But do the promises of simplicity and savings hold up, and where does all this lead in the long term? In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer examines the...
-
Coalition tempers ACT’s influence on gun laws
The Arms Act has been home to New Zealand's gun laws since 1983, though it's had many, many iterations. The coalition has now overhauled the legislation - but it's not exactly the shake-up many were expecting. Political reporter Anneke Smith takes a closer look at the changes and explains why the...
-
IPCA bombshell forces reckoning at top of police
The IPCA's blistering report has torn open a years-long saga of misconduct and misplaced loyalty. In Focus on Politics, RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch lays out how the scandal unfolded. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Introducing: Politics NZ
If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, and Context all in one feed. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
From reset to regret: Te Pāti Māori at war
Te Pāti Māori’s internal conflict has exploded into full public view. RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks how the turmoil unfolded - and whether there's any way back from the brink. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Leaked and launched: Labour debuts its tax plan
RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look at Labour's long-awaited tax plan and the old ghosts now stirring. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Strike and counter-strike: the pitch for public sympathy
The largest strike in decades swept the country this week - or at least tried to, as wild winds blew away rallies. Behind the picket lines, the government and unions traded accusations of bad faith and misrepresentation. In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ's acting political editor Craig...
-
Farmers celebrate as coalition slashes methane target
Political reporter Anneke Smith looks into the government's plans to soften its targets for methane emissions - and what the farming and scientific communities think it means for the country, and the planet. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
-
Questions linger after Te Pāti Māori reset
Te Pāti Māori has regrouped after the death of an MP, a confronting outburst about multiculturalism and a key ally - Toitū Te Tiriti - severing allegiance. It held a 'reset' at Parliament this week, though it ended in the party's co-leaders storming off when asked about allegations of dictatorial...
-
Energy tweaks expose electoral live wire for National
In Focus on Politics this week, the government's struggle to convince with its big energy announcement augurs a stormy election season ahead. With National's coalition partners amping up for the election, political reporter Russell Palmer untangles an issue that promises to electrify the...
-
Promises of transparency from new Reserve Bank governor
A new Reserve Bank governor has been appointed, and Dr Anna Breman is well aware her first task will be to rebuild transparency and accountability at the central bank. In this week's Focus on Politics, political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the Reserve Bank's tumultuous year, and what fresh...
About this show
Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.
Hosted by
RNZ
Categories