Home Podcasts Focus on Politics
Focus on Politics

Focus on Politics

RNZ 260 Episodes Oct 23, 2026

Focus on Politics is a weekly podcast from RNZ's gallery team, offering insight into the political issues that matter in New Zealand. Each episode examines the latest developments in politics, providing analysis and context from the country's parliamentary press gallery.

Episodes

Opportunity cost: Luxon's improbable proposition
Opportunity cost: Luxon's improbable proposition Oct 23, 2026 00:47:27 What happens if Opportunity holds the balance of power, but Christopher Luxon refuses to pick up the phone? On the latest Caucus, we pick apart Luxon's implausible proposition and Qiulae Wong's negotiating strategy. Plus: AI ads, the last ever Chris-v-Chris debate, and Paul Goldsmith's pickle. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Zombie walking to the election: 28 percent later
Zombie walking to the election: 28 percent later Oct 16, 2026 00:51:58 This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Jo Moir, Craig McCulloch and Tim Watkin discuss the multi-party debate, the strategic contest between the Greens and the Opportunity Party, and Winston Peters’ position in the election campaign. This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Jo Moir, Craig McCulloch and Tim Watkin discuss the multi-par
Debate and switch: campaign week two
Debate and switch: campaign week two Oct 9, 2026 00:46:15 This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Join Tim Watkin, along with Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch from RNZ's press gallery team, every week in the lead-up to voting day. This episode: red meat policy, the first leaders' debate and fiscal bickering.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
New Caucus, Who Dis?
New Caucus, Who Dis? Oct 2, 2026 00:50:30 In the biggest multi-verse event of 2026, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics this campaign to take you inside the fight for power. It's Caucus, but reshuffled - with Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch from RNZ's press gallery team, joining Tim Watkin every week in the lead-up to voting day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A pre-campaign catchup as parties flee Parliament
A pre-campaign catchup as parties flee Parliament Sep 25, 2026 00:16:04 The 54th Parliament has adjourned, and politicians have been let loose on the campaign trail. Before they fled the building, political reporter Giles Dexter sat down with the parties and asked what the public could expect from them over the next six weeks.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Unexpected item in National's policy area
Unexpected item in National's policy area Sep 18, 2026 00:16:04 National is campaigning to 'pursue' breaking up Foodstuffs, as the party of business surprisingly ponders intervening in private enterprise. Political reporter Giles Dexter shops around political parties' pledges to drive down grocery prices, and looks at how likely it is that National's proposal will actually happen.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
National's olive branch: bed tax out, council cash in
National's olive branch: bed tax out, council cash in Sep 11, 2026 00:16:00 National has offered councils a peace deal after rebuffing their calls for a bed tax. Instead, it's offering to give them a share of the revenue raised by an existing "tourist tax". But some councils say it still falls short. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Coalition in clean up mode
Coalition in clean up mode Sep 4, 2026 00:16:16 The government has found itself cleaning up some legislative mess. Beneficiaries and pensioners having payments wrongly suspended forced a double apology from the Prime Minister and Social Development Minister, while a select committee has told the Justice Minister to water down his controversial move-on orders so kids cannot be prosecuted for sleeping on the street. Go to this episode on rnz.co.n
National and Labour dance around areas of agreement
National and Labour dance around areas of agreement Aug 28, 2026 00:16:09 In Focus on Politics, the major parties are finding more areas of agreement ahead of the election campaign - often to the frustration of their partner parties. Political reporter Russell Palmer examines the points of tension and the entrenched politicking that seems to keep National and Labour from working together. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
An urgent call to fix the aged care crisis
An urgent call to fix the aged care crisis Aug 21, 2026 00:16:15 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
National's nightmare: come again, coup again
National's nightmare: come again, coup again Aug 14, 2026 00:16:17 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
Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week
Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week Aug 7, 2026 00:15:54 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

Recommended