Anneke Smith
Transport discount for young people hits a snag
The Government's Budget promise of cheap public transport for five to 24-year-olds has hit a major snag with some of the biggest councils still figuring out a system for checking a passenger's age… Audio
Agricultural emissions plan in jeopardy as National walks back support
A plan to price the country's agricultural emissions may be put out to pasture before it gets going, as National backs away from supporting it.
A farmer and grower-led group - called He Waka Eke Noa… Audio
Electoral review suggests lower party voting age
Lowering the voting age to 16, a 3.5 per cent party vote threshold and a public referendum on a four year Parliamentary term.
These are just some of the draft recommendations to come out of a… Audio
National to meet govt after bailing on bipartisan housing deal
National has agreed to meet the government over the bipartisan housing policy it walked away from, but will not say when it will sit down with the minister.
The Opposition has gone back on its… Audio
Hipkins backs growing US presence in South Pacific
The Prime Minister is welcoming the United States' growing presence in the Pacific region.
Chris Hipkins has just returned from a 23-hour trip to Papua New Guinea, where a new security pact giving US… Audio
US on cusp of security pact with Papua New Guinea
The United States is on the cusp of signing a security pact with Papua New Guinea that will give US armed forces uninhibited access to its territorial waters and airspace.
It's part of a concerted… Video, Audio
Building supply prices to be monitored by govt
The Government has outlined plans to make the building supplies market fairer, after a Commerce Commission study found a lack of competition in the sector. Building and Construction Minister Megan… Audio
Pressure mounts for financial relief in Budget 2023 as food price inflation soars
As food prices continue their rapid climb, the Government is grappling with its own shopping list, having promised Kiwis cost-of-living relief in next week's Budget.
The food price index rose 12.5… Audio
Te Pāti Māori fires up over refusal to ban seabed mining
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
Defence Force investment nets praise from some
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
Govt unveils plan to protect hospitals through winter
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
Government releases plan to ease winter pressure on health system
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
Protestors turn out to womens rights gathering at Parliament
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
Ongoing dawn visits a 'betrayal' of Pasifika community - leader
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
Economist says 2023 'no frills' Budget will be a difficult balancing act
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
Questions remain after Stuart Nash dismissal
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
High Court denies rainbow communities bid against Posie Parker
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
Crown law considered contempt prosecution for Stuart Nash
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
Chris Hipkins axes more government policies in reprioritisation
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
Nash won't fight in charity boxing match, but 'not scared' of Mitchell
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
