Anneke Smith

The fallout of a fractious week in politics isn't over - with Te Pāti Māori firing up after both major parties refused to support a proposed ban on seabed mining.

The National Party has ruled out… Audio

A former Defence Minister is applauding a close-to $750 million investment in wages, assets and infrastructure.

Defence personnel are lined up to get a sizeable pay rise after years of low morale… Audio

The government has rolled out its long-awaited health plan to ease pressure on hospitals this coming winter season.

Wait times for emergency care were the worst on record last winter.

Now, a… Audio

The Government has revealed a 24-point plan to ease pressure on the health system this winter.

The initiatives are wide-ranging but broadly aim to redirect unnecessary demand on hospitals to care in… Audio

Several hundred people have turned out to Parliament for a Speak Up For Women gathering and counter-protest, which both got underway at 12.30pm.

The women's rights group supported a visit to New… Audio

A Pacific leader says his community has been betrayed by the government's ongoing use of dawn raid tactics.

Officials have confirmed they still carry out dawn raids to arrest overstayers, following… Audio

An economist is calling this year's Budget a difficult balancing act between funding the cyclone recovery and curbing spending to help bring down inflation.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins described… Audio

The dust may be settling on Stuart Nash's dismissal but questions remain over why it took so long for his transgression to come to light. 

Nash's email, leaking confidential Cabinet information in… Audio

The High Court has ruled against the rainbow communities' bid to stop British anti-transgender activist Posie Parker into country.

The High Court has decided that the government's decision to let… Audio

Cabinet Minister Stuart Nash is under fire - again - after Crown Law confirmed it once considered prosecuting him for contempt of court. 

Nash resigned as Police Minister this week for criticising a… Audio

Less than two months into Chris Hipkins' time as Prime Minister and the Government's agenda is looking much slimmer.

Hipkins has axed - or amended - a swathe of programmes in his second policy purge… Audio

The trash talks started, but there's no fight on the cards. National MP Mark Mitchell is disappointed Police Minister Stuart Nash won't go head-to-head with him in a charity boxing match.

Mitchell… Audio

A former police officer estimates up to 200 officers were sent into last year's riot at Parliament without enough safety gear.

The anti-mandate occupation ended violently with protesters lighting… Audio

The government's being warned sacking outspoken Te Whatu Ora health boss Rob Campbell is a blow to its big health reforms.

Others say it is a golden opportunity to put a doctor in charge.

The Health… Audio

The government is poised to roll out a new Covid-19 booster for everyone over the age of 30.

The Pfizer bivalent vaccine will be available from the start of April - a move described by one… Audio

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand - is bracing for another tough winter with eight hospital 'hotspots' coming under increasing pressure.

It will use emergency provisions to ease the burden -… Audio

Voters in Tauranga got a taste of the 2023 election campaign today - with both of the 'Chrises' out and about in the electorate. 

The leaders of both major parties hit the road - talking to locals… Audio

"Bonkers" and "extremely dumb" are just some of the words critics are using to describe the Government's U-turn on transport subsidies. 

The fuel tax cut - and half price public transport - are being… Audio

Two new political polls show 'the boy from the Hutt' may have what it takes to turn around Labour's election fortunes.

The party's leader Chris Hipkins appears to have put a stop to sinking support -… Audio