Stories by Giles Dexter

Australia's Home Affairs minister Clare O'Neil has ignored its controversial 501 deportation policy when speaking about the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia.

A petition calling on the government to stop its farm-level emissions pricing scheme has been delivered to Parliament. But a minister who received it says its aims are at odds with the sectors own…

The government has reached a compromise with National in order to get its new electoral legislation over the line.

National MP Sam Uffindell appears to have gazumped both his party and his leader in announcing his new portfolios.

The government will ensure existing firearms owners don't get caught out in a predicted backlog of new licence applications. Audio

National Party leader Christopher Luxon says his MP Barbara Kuriger's position had become "untenable," something Kuriger herself also admitted.

The government went in eyes-wide-open when it loaned Ruapehu Alpine Lifts $15 million and it has no regrets, the minister of economic and regional development says.

The government is hailing the latest child poverty report as evidence its approach is working, but critics on the front line say it's a reminder of how much more needs doing.

Less than three months after leaving Parliament, former government minister Kris Faafoi is heading up a new PR and lobbying firm.

A Wellington tauira has launched a petition calling for the Reserve Bank to replace the monarch in the next redesign of coins and notes, with images that better represent New Zealand.

Police Minister Chris Hipkins is defending the $6 million Crime Prevention Fund which has only helped five businesses and remains - for now - entirely unspent.

Families of men killed in the 2010 Pike River Mine explosion say new public service standards will ensure no families have to go through what they did.

With less than a year until its launch, Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson says he is willing to address opposition concerns over the independence of the new government funded public media entity.

A petition has been delivered to Parliament, calling for the Russian ambassador to be expelled, and for New Zealand to sever diplomatic relations.

Ngāi Tahu will get guaranteed representation and decision-making powers on Canterbury's regional council Ecan.

The government is also pledging $12m to rebuild Apia's Savalalo Market, a historic market which was destroyed by a fire in 2016.

Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged New Zealand's unique relationship with Samoa, as the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship.

Seven mayors around the country are toasting securing government funding, which will take care of crucial infrastructure in their towns or districts, and allow them to build more houses.

Mayors say the speed and scale of local government reforms are challenging local councils whose staff are "flat out" dealing with all the changes required by government.

As New Zealand once again faces record high inflation, National and ACT say the government needs to lower spending, reduce regulatory bottlenecks and cut taxes. Audio

New Zealand may be more than a year away from the next election, but as far as the ACT Party is concerned, the campaign has already begun.

An international relations expert believes the government's defence policy review will ask some fundamental questions of the Defence Force and its identity.

Tauranga's by-election candidates are split on how to tackle the city's crime. Audio

Tauranga is New Zealand's fastest growing city and the bigger it gets, the bigger the challenges.

The petition delivered by Te Pāti Māori calls to change the country's official name to Aotearoa, and begin a process to restore te reo Māori names for all towns, cities, and places by 2026.