Stories by Craig McCulloch

New Zealand is heading for a major upheaval under a plan to combat the climate crisis, and while some sectors show signs of resistance the Climate Change Minister takes 'a great deal of hope' from the… Audio

With criticism piling on over the property market, the prime minister has detailed when the government will make housing announcements.

Jacinda Ardern has demanded "absolute focus" from her Labour MPs in 2021, noting "on-going vigilance" would be required to avoid another Covid outbreak.

Labour has put the focus on public housing ahead of its MPs' annual retreat, unveiling details of where 8000 promised homes will be built.

The New Zealand government believes its own negotiations with Rio Tinto will be resolved "fairly quickly" now there is certainty about the future of the Tiwai Point smelter.

The National Party has rescinded its backing for Chris Liddell to take over as secretary-general of the OECD given the recent rioting at the United States Capitol.

The new rules announced yesterday mean nearly all New Zealanders living abroad will soon have to show a negative Covid-19 test before boarding their flight home.

Travellers from nearly all countries will soon have to provide a negative Covid-19 test before arriving in New Zealand under tough new rules announced today.

Taxpayers have had stump up more than $330,000 on a legal dispute sparked by Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard falsely accusing a staffer of rape.

The prime minister's hope for political consensus regarding hate speech law is looking doubtful as the report into the Christchurch terror attack reignites the debate. Audio

Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard has apologised for comments he made last year claiming a rapist was working on the premises.

The two people charged over the handling of donations to the New Zealand First Foundation have lost a legal bid to keep their names secret.

Greens co-leader James Shaw has lashed out at Labour over rising house prices, labelling it "irresponsible" for refusing to entertain a tax on capital gains.

Shane Reti has been elected deputy leader of the National Party, unopposed, in today's caucus meeting.

Power Play - Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins went head-to-head in a muted final face-off on Thursday night, in what seemed at times to be an exercise in warding off the inevitable, writes Craig…

In a rally cry to Labour faithful, Jacinda Ardern has painted an ambitious vision of the future she says could be reality if New Zealanders "stick to our plan".

With one week of the election campaign still to run, Jacinda Ardern has spent the day rallying party faithful in deep Labour territory, encouraging supporters to lock in their vote early.

Linda Clark's voice trembled as she told Labour leader Jacinda Ardern her story: "Aged 19, I had my first puff of meth."

Analysis - National is trying to steady its ship after a shocker week on the campaign, with leader Judith Collins dogged by dissent, leaking, a debate loss and a walkabout whoopsie.

National leader Judith Collins has gone on the offensive in Nelson, encouraged by a GreyPower crowd urging her to embrace her "Crusher" persona.

A week on from National's campaign launch, the party is still battling a cascade of complaints about errors in its alternative budget.

A National government would set about expanding the country's quarantine system to allow it to gradually open up the border, RNZ understands.

Power Play - Call it what you want - canny politics or a left-wing betrayal - Labour's tax plan is far from transformational. Even National could barely muster much outrage, Craig McCulloch writes.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is distancing himself from an $11.7 million boost for a Taranaki private school after the National Party panned the taxpayer funding as "rank hypocrisy".

Cabinet ministers will meet this morning to review the Covid-19 lockdown settings, but are not expected to make a definitive decision on whether to relax them.