Stories by Craig McCulloch
News
'What a shameful day': Labour blocks National's paid parental leave bill
National has accused Labour of "shameful, mean and spiteful" politics after the government party blocked efforts to make paid parental leave more flexible.
Willis rejects Labour's criticism of policy costings: 'It will add up'
National has hit back at Labour's criticisms of its fiscal calculations saying it's 'very telling' Labour never proceeded with plans for an independent policy-costing service.
Kiri Allan charged after car crash, resigns as minister
Allan was taken into police custody on Sunday night and was charged with careless use of a motor vehicle and refusing to accompany a police officer.
Ex-minister referred to Privileges Committee
A scathing inquiry has criticised Michael Wood for "a worrying and ongoing lack of awareness" over the need to quickly correct errors when managing conflicts of interest.
Backup plane for PM Hipkins' trip more 'unusual' than NZDF claimed
The Defence Force has conceded the prime minister's trip to China was the first time it had sent along a dedicated backup plane.
National straddles two strategies as it prepares for nail-biter election
Power Play - In letting slip its election-night target of 45 percent this weekend, the National Party revealed some of its inner thinking around its campaign strategy.
National's Nicola Willis warns against 'lazy politics of envy'
In a rousing address to National's rank and file, the party's deputy has warned against "lazy politics of envy", saying "reckless tactics" to punish the wealthy would divide the country.
Anti-poverty groups call 'bulls---' on Working For Families overhaul delays
Labour says this year's Budget was simply "not the time" to overhaul Working for Families.
Cost-of-living Budget centres on cheaper childcare
Young families are the clear target of Labour's election-year Budget, but its flagship promise - cheaper childcare - won't kick in until next year.
Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere resigns from party
Under-fire MP Elizabeth Kerekere has resigned from the Greens after earlier hitting out at the party's co-leaders over their handling of an investigation into her behaviour.
Bid to delay Green Party list ranking fails
Members were unable to reach agreement during an urgent online meeting on Thursday evening.
More Green members criticise Kerekere, say bullying targeted Māori, Pasifika
Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere's bullying included shutting out and belittling other Māori MPs, staff and volunteers, new accusers from within the party say.
Race Relations Commissioner under fire for financial support of Labour MP
The Act Party is demanding Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon be dismissed after revelations he gave financial support to Labour MP Kiri Allan during the 2020 election campaign.
'My kids said I'd be cancelled. They were right': National's ex-candidate Stephen Jack
National's ex-candidate Stephen Jack has lashed out at the media after resigning, accusing it of "woke stupidity" and "character assassination" which destroyed his political ambitions.
'People walk on eggshells around her': Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere accused of 'bullying'
Neither Kerekere nor the alleged victim of her 'crybaby' remark, Chlöe Swarbrick, would talk to RNZ about the latest claims.
'One size doesn't fit all'- Mayors anxious about promised Three Waters reset
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty are to announce their updated strategy for improving the management of drinking, waste and stormwater.
Former Labour MP Ruth Dyson caught up in political neutrality crackdown
Dyson has admitted she has not read the code of conduct governing her position as a Crown entity board member.
Sacking of Health New Zealand chair leads to claims government overreacted
The ejection of Health New Zealand's chair is becoming a larger headache for the government as it faces calls to punish him further, as well as claims it has overreacted.
Politicians weigh in on Rob Campbell's comments
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has declined to express confidence in the chair of Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ Rob Campbell after he made "inappropriate" political comments online.
'Rest assured, we will have policy' - Luxon's bold vision pale on detail
National leader Christopher Luxon is pledging to be "much bolder" than the incremental approach favoured by his forerunner John Key, as he prepares his pitch for next year's campaign. Audio
Fuel tax cut extended to end of March, subsidy to be halved - govt
The petrol tax cut has been extended from its January deadline until the end of March, but the subsidy will halve from the end of February.
Parties come down hard on govt over response to child's death
Te Pāti Māori has accused the government of being bereft of leadership and in a "state of paralysis" over its response to the murder of five-year-old Malachi Subecz.
Fuel regulations could increase pump prices, energy sector lobby group claims
National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the latest fuel sector shake-up is a "leap back to 1970s" while Energy Resources Aotearoa says the proposal is rife with fishhooks.
'There is a pathway now': Nurse ditches plans to move to Australia
Some foreign nurses who've been fighting for New Zealand residency are celebrating after learning they can apply through the reopening skilled migrant category.