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
Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Lianne Dalziel
Tim, Lianne and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Labour's finance policy.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: Duncan Webb exit interview
The House sits down with Duncan Webb for an exit interview as the former Minister and Labour Party whip calls time on his parliamentary career. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
An urgent call to fix the aged care crisis
The aged care system is at breaking point. A new report calls for an urgent overhaul. RNZ political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the suggested solutions, and whether politicians are willing to come to the party.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 19 August
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Lillian Hanly, John Boscawen and Jonathan Milne. On the show tonight: the fallout from the Chris Penk affair, is Opportunity's income tax for New Zealanders returning home from overseas fantasy policy? Does National's Paul Goldsmith have a hope in hell of taking Epsom this year?Go to this episode on rn
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 Neale Jones and Andrew Ketels
Andrew, Neale and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the failed National leadership coup. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Attorney General: Championing the rule of law
[s] When criticism can get you sacked, one minister’s job is to disagree with impunity. Meet the Cabinet’s oddest role, held by the “most sued man in New Zealand”.RNZ’s The House, providing insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
National's nightmare: come again, coup again
A second attempt to oust Christopher Luxon ended much like the first - with the National leader still standing. But this time, the party's internal revolt has dealt more damage. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch maps out the mayhem. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 12 August 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Chris Carter and Corin Dann.
Tonight, on The Whip: the continuing saga of Christopher Luxon's leadership of the National Party. Then, the latest polls and what they say about where the vote will go. Finally Stuart Nash and Chris Findayson: BFFS? Or not?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Wayne Mapp and Janet Wilson
Janet Wilson and Wayne Mapp discuss recent events in politics, with a focus on the speculation around National Party leadership.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Political commentators Tracey Martin and Brigitte Morten
Susie, Tracey and Brigitte discuss recent events in politics including National's list announcement. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: potpourri of petitions and a briefing on bird flu
Louis heads along to a select committee briefing on Bird Flu, while Phil looks at the hodgepodge of petitions that came up in a special debate this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: Questions and excuses
Three stories on questions and "answers", including Peters' doppelgänger defence, the Speaker's example on Written Questions, and the MBIE inquiry.RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Find our articles or podcast at RNZ.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week
Christopher Luxon spent much of this week putting out fires of his own making. And others set by Winston Peters. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 5 August 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jenna Lynch, Poto Williams and Grant Duncan. Winston Peters faces the heat over "racist" comments made in Parliament, Christopher Luxon gets scoffed at for an apology he made, and how are voter enrollments tracking with an earlier deadline this election?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
Political commentators Liam Hehir and Phil Goff
Liam, Phil and Susie discuss recent events in politics including Winston Peters' comments in the House toward Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
National bolts the door as Opportunity knocks
Christopher Luxon's surprise rule-out of Opportunity may have reshaped the election campaign. So was it a masterstroke or misfire? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch analyses the move.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 29 July
Join Emile Donovan for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics.
He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Holly Bennett and Tracey Martin. They discuss the latest with rising star Opportunity, including National's supposed plan to rule out working with them. Then, the Greens came out swinging at their AGM, calling for a moratorium on new consents for AI data centres. And the story tha
Political commentators Ben Thomas and Lianne Dalziel
Kathryn, Lianne and Ben discuss recent events in politics including Stuart Nash's resignation as a NZ First candidate. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Stuart Nash's swan song
Stuart Nash thought he'd found a political lifeline with New Zealand First. Instead, one text message triggered another spectacular downfall. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Whip for 22 July 2026
Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Maria Slade, Stephen Parker, and Lillian Hanly.
They discuss the growing election issue of energy security, and how parties are trying to manage it, and then: the state of our political language. Are offensive remarks on the rise? After that, National party MPs have taken a low poll result on the chin
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 Gareth Hughes and Tim Hurdle
Kathryn, Gareth and Tim discuss recent events in politics including latest poll numbers that show the Opportunity Party has surged to within a whisker of Parliament in the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
House on Sunday: What could a parliamentary budget office look like?
With the recent slew of policy announcements, there has also been renewed calls for the establishment of a parliamentary budget office. But what should be in its remit? The House chatted to economist Dr Eric Crampton. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Three Wise Pol Eds and a Poll
RNZ political editor Jo Moir, Stuff political editor Jenna Lynch and NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan are joined by RNZ's lowly deputy political editor Craig McCulloch to dissect the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Simon Watts and Carmel Sepuloni
Simon Watts 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 Brigitte Morten and Dale Husband
Brigitte, Dale and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the visit from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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
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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
