Politics
New sanctions to help beneficiaries find jobs - Social Development Minister
Those failing an obligation for the first time will either have to do job-search activities or attend employment-related training courses.
Moe mai rā, Bolger: MPs farewell the 'great helmsman'
On Thursday, Parliament's usual agenda was set aside, as MPs lamented the death of Jim Bolger, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990-97. Audio
Mood souring between coalition parties over Fonterra sale
The mood appears to be souring between coalition parties over the sale of well-known New Zealand's dairy brands to French multinational Lactalis. New Zealand First says the move to sell Fonterra… Audio
Health Minister takes deep dive into pay packets of doctors
The Health Minister has taken a deep dive into the pay packets and perks of senior doctors during a speech at their annual conference. Simeon Brown accused them of crossing an "ethical line" for… Audio
'Limp defences': Peters threatens Fonterra over sale of iconic brands
The NZ First leader is holding out the prospect of more regulation for the dairy giant if the sale of brands like Anchor and Mainland proceeds.
Coalition partners exchange blows over Fonterra deal
David Seymour says politicians should stick to policy, but Winston Peters says he milked cows for decades and unlike some knows "what one end of the cow looks like".
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 17 October 2025
The Health Minister will consider a law change to prevent further doctors strikes; Kaipara District Council has lodged a complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs about local election… Audio
Calls for urgent changes to how govt fights organised crime
The final report from an advisory group focusing on organised crime is calling on the government to urgently implement its proposed solutions. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Charlotte Cook.
…Council lodges complaint over election irregularities
Kaipara District Council has lodged a complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs about local election irregularities. RNZ Northland reporter Peter de Graaf was at the meeting and spoke to… Audio
Labour responds to health minister’s attack on strike action
The Health Minister will consider a law change to prevent further doctors strikes. Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Government to build 82 more classrooms and a new school
Education Minister Erica Stanford says the government had halved build costs which freed up the funding to rapidly growing areas.
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 17 October 2025
The relationship between senior doctors and the government has reached a crisis point; Global fertility rates are declining and a quarter of people now live in a country where the population is… Audio
Government's experts disagreed with pig welfare reforms
The associate agriculture minister announced the rewrite, which undoes a ban on farrowing crates, despite concerns raised by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Audio
'Never enough to go around': Charities facing hard calls as in cost-of-living bites
Charities in crisis: how government cuts and rising costs are stretching New Zealand's social safety net.
Would a stricter dress code bring political order?
The clothing of our politicians has become increasingly casual in recent years.
World News Wrap for 17 October 2025
Let's catch up with what's been going on around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins. Audio
NZ foreign minister speaks on Manawanui compensation
NZ foreign minister speaks on Mana.wanui compensation. Audio
Helping the helpers in hard times
Charities in crisis: how government cuts and rising costs are stretching New Zealand's social safety net. Audio
Guyon Espiner reflects on Jim Bolger's years in politics
The former prime minister died yesterday. Audio
