Politics
PM skips Coalition of the Willing meeting
The virtual meeting chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was held at 1am NZ time.
Watch: Major shake-up of building consents announced
Christopher Luxon, Chris Penk to reveal what is being called the biggest changes to the system in decades. Audio
UN letter: PM firm with ministers on who should be sending responses
The PM says he has made it "pretty clear" to his ministers how they should handle correspondence with the UN.
Government announces changes to building consents
The government has announced it is changing building consent rules and regulations by spreading the liability for defective buildings, away from just councils. Under the new rules each party involved… Audio
Ministers challenged to visit troubled Wellington suburb
An open letter calls on Chris Bishop, Tama Potaka and Wellington City Council to do more.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 18th August 2025
In today's episode, Auckland business leaders' say the city's economy still needs a kick start; Donald Trump is claiming his summit with Vladimir Putin was a 10 out of 10 and made a lot of progress… Audio
Big changes coming for building consent system
The system is about to have its biggest shake up in more than two decades. Audio
Planned return of live cattle export gets held up
Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the cogs of Cabinet.
Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Lianne Dalziel
Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser and Lianne Dalziel is a life member of the Labour Party and a former MP and Cabinet Minister. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 18 August 2025
In today's episode, there's been a chorus of voices calling for the government to take action to help pull Auckland out of its economic slump; New Zealand Police are facing stiff competition across… Audio
'Absolute tragedy': Fatal crash will weigh on Rotorua council candidate forever
Adams caused the fatal crash in which 72-year-old Anna Rose Lea died 12 years ago.
Luxon says he's 'focused 100%' on economy, not passports
The PM denies the government has lost its focus, as calls intensify for action to help Auckland. Audio
PM Luxon on calls for govt to help Auckland economy
There's been a chorus of voices calling for the government to take action to help pull Auckland out of its economic slump. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Prisoners riot at Waikato prison
Corrections is playing down an incident Spring Hill Corrections Facility in which 11 rioting prisoners lit fires and pushed the Waikato prison into lockdown over the weekend. Audio
Five unions take govt to court over pay equity changes
Five major unions are taking the government to the High Court over changes to pay equity laws. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Fiume o Morte! Fascism's stranger-than-fiction poet-led first state
For his latest blending of documentary and fiction, filmmaker Igor Bezinovic has turned the camera on a stranger-than-fiction story from the history of his own port city on the Adriatic coast, Rijeka… Audio
'Nothing stopping' China from meeting PIF leaders, says expert
A geopolitics expert says there is "nothing stopping" China from attending Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting side events if dialogue partners are blocked from the event. Audio
Spine and Punishment: A review of Swarbrick v Brownlee
Analysis: Last week, the Speaker made new rules and interpretations on the fly in punishing an MP who challenged the government to show some spine.
'Shame on Shane': Protesters show out against fast-track projects
Up to 100 demonstrators came despite driving rain to voice their feelings over marina and offshore sand-mining projects currently going through the fast-track consenting process.
