Politics NZ
If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, & Context all in one feed.
Episodes
Leader of the House: Juggling a jigsaw puzzle
Louise Upston gives her take on her new part-time full-time job: managing the Government’s entire legislative programme as Leader of the House.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 8 July 2026
Join Wallace for an action-packed half hour of politics. He is joined by panellists Corin Dann, Jenna Lynch and Sue Bradford.
First, how should we be reading into China's missile test in the South Pacific? Then, as coalition partners opt out of backing a proposed social media ban, could National and Labour join forces to get it through? And what does that say about the state of the coalition? Fina
Political commentators Neale Jones and Tracey Martin
Neale, Tracey and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: Ministerial responsibility & key bills from a big week
We ask whether ministers can evade questions by claiming operational independence, and note some key bills from a huge week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Outrage over emergency housing targets
Following revelations the Ministry of Social Development had implemented performance measures related to cutting the number of people in emergency housing, political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the reaction and asks the top boss whether they've left more people sleeping on the streets. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 1 July
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Annabelle Lee-Mather and John Boscawen. First, they look at a scathing report on the stripped back school lunch programme, and then, National's new Kiwisaver policy. Did they rob Labour's glory? And, are MPs domestic travel bills getting out of hand?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for m
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Peter Dunne and Andrew Ketels
Peter, Andrew and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the wind-back by National on the Conservation Amendment Bill.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: Misinforming MPs, and an election-free QT
Allegations that officials kept ministers and MPs in the dark, and MPs as bad examples. Plus, the Speaker quashes Question Time electioneering.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
National converts to KiwiSaver
National made its first major election year policy announcement this week. If elected, it would make KiwiSaver compulsory, including for those over 65 still working, automatically enroll babies and provide government contributions to those on parental leave. The suite of changes would cost more than a billion dollars over four years. New Zealand First said National had copied its own policy, and o
The Whip for 24 June 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Sue Kedgley, Jacqui Van Der Kaay, and Tim Wilson. First, a bombshell poll for both National and Labour, putting their combined numbers at 61. Then, could tax reform be the deciding topic of the election, and is National piggy-backing on other parties with their new policy to make Kiwisaver compulsory?G
Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten
Neale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the National Party's annual conference. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: The final scrutiny week of the 54th Parliament
The House reviews the last estimates scrutiny week for the 54th ParliamentGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Officials in firing line over $30m immigration failure
A failed immigration technology project has left taxpayers more than $30 million out of pocket. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says officials misled Cabinet. Now an independent investigation is being launched into what went wrong. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 17 June 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. With him are panellists Stephen Parker, Holly Bennett and Phil Goff. Topics:
The Greens are up and National treading water in some new polls: Immigration Minister Erica Stanford blasts her ministry saying officials "deliberately withheld" information from ministers. Almost all of parliament has backed the 30 year Infrastructure
Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Gareth Hughes
Tim, Gareth and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the Labour Party's latest campaign policy, and the first post-Budget poll. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Financial scrutiny in an election year
June's scrutiny week will be the last chance select committees get to do detailed financial scrutiny in the current 54th Parliament, to learn more The House chats to David Wilson and James Picker.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Labour joins election race with fare cap promise
Labour has finally joined the election campaign, unveiling its first major policy of the year: a public transport fare cap. But questions remain over the numbers, the funding, and whether already-stretched bus and rail networks can cope. RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch takes a look. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 10 June 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Lillian Hanly and Tracey Martin. First, Labour's first big election policy is out - a weekly cap on public transport fares. Then they look at the controversy surrounding the newly announced Labour candidate who's a top police staffer. And 30 years on, has MMP served New Zealand well?Go t
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Supuloni
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Tracey Martin and Liam Hehir
Tracey, Liam and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the post-Budget mop-up. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Politics; starting them young
Parliament hums with activity, teeming with MPs, staffers, petitioners, journalists, officials… and school students.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Penk's verbal nuclear bomb inflames defence debates
In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer recounts how and why a debate about nuclear free policy ended before it began, links to defence spending, and the impact on the relationship with Australia.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 3 June 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Jenna Lynch and Peter Dunne. First: Is New Zealand "freeloading" off America's military, as suggested by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth? And how do panellists score the political management of Chris Penk's comments supporting a nuclear "conversation"? Then, Wellington Mayor Andrew
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Louise Upston and Tangi Utikere
Louise Upston and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The House on Sunday: Chamber blowback & biscuit tin tactics
On The House, Louis Collins considers the motivations that may lie behind governing-side members' bills; and Phil Smith considers the political version of Newton's Third law of Motion – chamber blowback.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: Budget day and its aftermath
Budget Day is a Broadway production with dance numbers (emphasis on numbers), undue laughter and applause, and everyone’s a critic. Then comes the legislating.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The deliberately boring election-year Budget
The government has delivered its third Budget pointing to an earlier return to surplus, but with no election-year lolly scramble. Political reporter Giles Dexter pores through the books, and looks at the looming debate over superannuation.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Morning Report: Weekly Political Panel
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni discuss tomorrow's Budget on Morning Report, for our Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 27 May 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Stephen Parker, and Wayne Mapp. On the dawn of Budget day, they ponder what is left to announce. Then they discuss whether Wellington-based MPs should be claiming accommodation allowances for houses they own, before revisiting the strangest story of the week: Labour's leaked media traini
Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Tim Hurdle
Gareth, Tim and Susie discuss recent events in politics including the pre-Budget announcements. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Public service cuts spur debates on AI, shorts and flying
In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer asks if the government's public service cuts are made to measure, whether AI will help, and what it means for the election and beyond.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 20 May 2026
Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Phil Goff and Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira. On the slab for discussion today: the government's public service cuts; Winston Peters and the resurrection of the BNZ, the NCEA replacement and the return of grades; and is the government walking a tightrope between Crown and Māori relations?
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Dale Husband and Ben Thomas
Dale, Ben and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including NZ First policy to buy back BNZ bank. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: farewells and funding
While Judith Collins farewell speech was probably the most notable event in the House this week, a relatively low key motion on Parliament funding was more than notable constitutionally. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Te Pāti Māori's shrinking caucus: "No story here"
Te Pāti Māori's internal turmoil has exploded again - with MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi quitting to launch her own party and fresh questions swirling around the loyalties of two more MPs. Lillian Hanly unpacks the fractures in this week's Focus on Politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 13 May 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jenna Lynch, Corin Dann and Heather Roy.
On the show today they discuss Christopher Luxon's pre-budget speech, reaction to Winston Peters' leak of the government's plan to scrap the fees free scheme and the big Te Pāti Māori split that has bubbled over to the formation of a new party.Go to this episod
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Neale Jones and Peter Dunne
Kathryn, Peter and Neale discuss recent events in politics including plans by the Internal Affairs Minister for a citizenship test. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: Learning on the ministerial job
When an MP becomes a government minister or changes portfolios, how do they transition to the new role? We ask a recently elevated minister, Chris Penk.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The GP crisis politicians can't ignore
GPs say the system is at breaking point - and they want politicians to listen. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes the temperature of primary care in this week's Focus on Politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Dale Husband and Liam Hehir
Dale Husband is a long time broadcaster and Radio Waatea presenter hosting a Maori focused current affairs programme.
Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Gareth Hughes
Gareth Hughes is the Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa is a former Green MP and is no longer a member of any political party.
Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, consultant and director of several companies.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Anti-slavery law uses new rule to bypass ballot
In a historic first, Parliament used a new rule to debate slavery legislation that has wide support in the House, but that government coalition partners don’t agree on.
Plus other stories from a week of unlikely allies and surprising foes. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Coalition parties trade blows over India agreement
The Free Trade Agreement with India has been signed, with National and New Zealand First continuing to disagree over what's been signed up to. Political reporter Giles Dexter examines how free the trade agreement actually is, and the coalition clash over investment and immigration.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 29 April 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Holly Bennett, and Tracey Martin. First, they unpack a frosty few days between Government Ministers and TVNZ, as allegations of the conduct of Political Editor Maiki Sherman capture attention. Then, they look at the Labour Party's policy plan, or lack thereof, in the countdown to the el
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni
Web caption:
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A week of party politics spilling over into the House
With distracting party politics the focus out side the House, MPs were brought back on task by the Speaker on more than one occasion this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Confidence call: Luxon's uneasy victory
Christopher Luxon has stared down his critics in caucus, forcing his MPs to demonstrate their loyalty with a dramatic vote of confidence. He survived the week - but still faces an almighty challenge in turning around poor polling and keeping together an increasingly fractious coalition. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 22 April 2026
Join Wallace chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Jacqui van Der Kay and Wayne Mapp. On this week's show: Christopher Luxon survives a vote of confidence, but will he survive Winston Peters?; the politics of the India FTA and the "butter chicken tsunami"; Trump extends the Iran War indefinitely, what does that mean and back home
Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere
Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Victorian Parliament: Amid slum, disease, fires and illegal demolition
Step into the past and picture the early days of Parliament and the 1890s Victorian neighbourhood it sat in, with help from historian Elizabeth Cox.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Vaianu: better safe than sorry?
Cyclone Vaianu has resurfaced difficult questions around resilience and retreat. And did New Zealand dodge disaster - or just over-do the warnings? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch examines the fall-out from the latest weather bomb. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Sin and Scandals: When the Personal becomes Political
Labour leader Chris Hipkins cries in response to a social media post by his ex-wife. Should we be listening? We chart the history of political scandals from the Profumo Affair through to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Political scandals from the Profumo Affair through to Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky – how has journalistic reporting on this thorny issue evolved and how much do we really nee
The Whip for 15 April 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Marian Hobbs, and David Farrar. On the show tonight: Is New Zealand about to have its third Covid election? Punters suggest that in a pessimistic economic era, National might be pivoting campaign strategy to once again draw to mind the memories of Covid-19 and its management under Labour
Morning Report political panel: Chris Bishop and Vanushi Walters
National's Chris Bishop and Labour's Vanushi Walters joined Morning Report for the Weekly Political Panel.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Neale Jones and Tim Hurdle
Neale, Tim and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Winston Peters' recent meeting with Marco Rubio. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Citizens assemblies: an alternative to select committees?
What if a group of randomly selected people were put in a room and asked to hammer out national policy?
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip
In Focus on Politics, political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look at a meeting between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his US counterpart Marco Rubio, as President Donald Trump ramps up his threats toward Iran.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
NZ's Royal Problem: The Power of the Crown
After Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest for his links to Epstein, questions arise about his place in the line of succession. We explore how New Zealand remains tied to the Crown and why changing it is more complex than it seems.As scandal surrounds Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, attention has turned to his place in the royal line of succession in New Zealand. In this episode of Context, we explore
The Whip for 8 April 2026
Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Peter Dunne, Lillian Hanly and Corin Dann. On the show tonight: the extraordinary last 24 hours in the US-Israel Iran War. Seemingly a full-scale destruction of Iran was avoided at the 11th hour with Donald Trump giving the peace process another two weeks. Another political poll, the Taxpayer U
Fish fights and satire rights
The House saw a dichotomy of tempos this week, from a heated debate about fisheries one day, to a lighthearted, and at times even funny debate on parody and satire law. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Pharmac: Bitter Pill or Best Medicine?
New Zealand is the only country with a drug-buying agency like Pharmac - but how did we get here? This episode traces its origins, and through politics and patient stories explores the tough trade-offs at the heart of our health system.Pharmac decides which medicines New Zealanders get and which they don’t. It’s one of the most powerful institutions in our health system, negotiating hard with glob
The Whip for 1 April 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists David Farrar, Sue Bradford, and Luke Malpass. First, a Cabinet reshuffle is due tomorrow - the panellists predict who might take up new portfolios. Then, successive governments have struggled to decide how much fuel storage is appropriate for New Zealand to have. Now that a global fuel crisis is upon u
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel
Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Brigitte Morten and Lianne Dalziel
Brigitte, Lianne and Susie Ferguson discuss recent events in politics including the Government's response to rising fuel prices and shortages. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
MPs debate both local and global issues
With politicians' attention very much looking outward amidst talks of a potential escalation in the conflict, or even a fuel crisis reminiscent of the 1970s, Parliament still nonetheless had things to address back home.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case
The fuel crisis has forced responses from the government on supply and cost, but the problem must be handled with care - and perceptions of a lack of support could see National's own support suffer. Labour is refusing to help by offering solutions, a strategy that may backfire. Political Reporter Russell Palmer gauges the parties' handling of a hot-button issue.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz fo
Words Matter: The Speech that Shifted the Polls
As fresh polling fuels political debate, Guyon and Corin look back on our most explosive poll results - including the one that truly changed the game. What makes voters change their minds?In this episode of Context, a potted history of Political Polling. With the National Party making headlines with its latest numbers, Corin and Guyon examine one of the most explosive poll results in NZ history.At
The Whip for 25 March 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jacqui Van Der Kay, Lyric Waiwiri-Smith and Ron Mark. On the show today: the twists and turns of the fuel crisis; will New Zealand get involved in the Iran War?; Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon both had very bad weeks recently, but it looks like it hasn't hurt them in the polls, and would our panel
Weekly Political Panel: Paul Goldsmith and Carmel Sepuloni
Wednesday morning's political panel with National's Paul Goldsmith in for Nicola Willis and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Neale Jones and Liam Hehir
Neale, Liam and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the Government's response to rising fuel prices. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
What to expect when you’re expecting an election
With an election looming in November, The House sat down with Clerk David Wilson to get a roadmap of what’s to be expected between now and then. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
The coalition is urging calm in face of the war in the Middle East, insisting New Zealand has ample fuel supplies, while quietly exploring targeted cost-of-living relief. But as the price at the pump climb, so too are the political stakes. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the government's response in this week's Focus on Politics. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more det
NZ's Free Trade Hustle
As New Zealand closes in on its first trade deal with India, we look back at the agreements that shaped the country: from Britain’s betrayal in the 1970s to closer economic relations with Australia. For a small nation at the edge of the world, survival has often meant learning to hustle.New Zealand's free trade agreement with India has been decades in the making, ut this isn’t the first time
