Politics
Government plans to scrap regional councils
The Government's plan to scrap regional councils and hand responsibilities over to mayor-led combined territories boards marks the biggest structural shift in local government in decades. Doug Leeder… Audio
Sir Bill English
Sir Bill English weighs in on Chris Luxon’s performance and whether National should consider a new leader before the election. He also reflects on his years working with Te Pāti Māori, and why he… Video, Audio
Details revealed in major shake-up of local government
The government says it is not a power grab, but about "making local government fit for purpose". Audio
Regional councils to be axed in radical government proposal
Regional councils as you know them could be for the chop under a radical plan unveiled by the government. Under the proposal 11 regional councils would be axed, and replaced with new combined… Audio
State abuse survivors want more time to give input into redress bill
Survivors say the timing of the deadline for submission is "unjust and disrespectful".
Chris Bishop says he's not plotting to roll Christopher Luxon
He's not the only MP who has been asked about a leadership challenge.
Watch: Luxon and Stanford face questions at school visit
It comes after a turbulent year, with the government pushing through numerous changes which have not always gone down well with teachers and principals.
Voting process slows but doesn't stop bills under urgency
Thirteen bills were put down to progress under urgency at Parliament last sitting block but numerous amendments and drawn out voting sessions threaten to slow the process down.
Is prison really the answer to cracking down on crime?
Could we do better when it comes to how we manage our prison populations? That's what a Canterbury University political science researcher has been looking into as part of her studies into justice… Audio
'Winston, are you in?': Labour lodges member's bill to repeal Regulatory Standards Act
" We can do it right now, if Winston Peters is willing to walk the walk."
What are regional councils actually for?
The days of regional councils could soon be over. It's understood the Government will announce a proposal for a local government shake-up later this afternoon. It comes after Prime Minister… Audio
Tākuta Ferris levels new allegations against Te Pāti Māori executive
Ousted Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris speaks candidly to Mihingarangi Forbes about the mounting internal tensions within Te Pāti Māori that led to the current fall out. Video, Audio
'Serious shake-up' of local government imminent
The coalition is set to announce major changes that could spell the end of regional councils, RNZ understands.
ACC focused on getting 'less serious' injuries off its books, chief executive says
ACC says efforts to get long-term claimants off of weekly compensation is not about taking support away from people who need it. Audio
Government ends Cook Strait tug contract early
The government has sunk plans to station an open ocean tug in the strait long term.
'Very, very unfair': Labour leader on lifting superannuation age
Hipkins said Labour was working on its own KiwiSaver policy and it would be released in time. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 25 November 2025
Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins spoke to Morning Report; An aviation commentator says Air New Zealand staff going on strike could have a severe impact throughout Oceania; About 70% of the 50,000 plus… Audio
Lessons from boot camp trial, OT says, but documents show history repeatin
Documents seen by RNZ show many of the lessons Oranga Tamariki says it learnt a lot from the coalition's boot camp trial were identifed more than a decade ago and shared with the programme designers.
Weekly interview with opposition leader, Chris Hipkins
Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins spoke to Morning Report. Audio
Oil and gas companies given access to confidential cabinet info
Oil and gas companies were given privileged access to confidential cabinet drafts during their two-year campaign to weaken regulations. Kirsty Johnston reports. Audio
