Jane Patterson
Govt surplus 'a testament' to National - Simon Bridges
National's leader Simon Bridges says the government's $5.5bn surplus shows the government inherited a very healthy set of books. Audio
Govt keeping money for ‘rainy day’ after bumper $5.5b surplus
The Government has made a bumper $5.5 billion surplus but Finance Minister Grant Robertson says that doesn't herald a bumper spend-up. Political Editor Jane Patterson reports. Video, Audio
Parliamentary Service denies Nats access to older communications
Parliamentary Service has refused to give permission for an investigation into the National Party leak to trawl through staffers' communications for the several months before the actual leak happened.
…Focus on Politics: Waka jumping
Amid the flurry of stories about leaks, document dumps and the PM in New York, the government made the last push to pass the contentious Electoral Integrity Amendment Bill - better known as the waka… Audio
Investigation launched into Meka Whaitiri report leak
There's now a second leak investigation underway at Parliament, after the draft report into former minister Meka Whaitiri ended up being provided to media weeks before the final report was due to be… Video, Audio
Report detailing Whaitiri shoving claim leaked
More information has come out about what happened between former Minister Meka Whaitiri and her press secretary. Ms Whaitiri was stripped of her ministerial responsibilities after a ministerial… Audio
Focus on PM after Derek Handley releases correspondence
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has previously told Parliament she didn't respond to a text from Derek Handley about the CTO role, but communications show she did. National leader Simon Bridges is… Video, Audio
Simple capital gains tax unlikely after report
The possibility of a straight capital gains tax is looking even less likely with the release of the Tax Working Group's interim report, which included a range of proposals for environmental taxes, and… Audio
Meka Whaitiri no longer a minister, remains as MP
Meka Whaitiri has been stripped of her Ministerial roles after being involved in an altercation with a staff member, but she will remain on as an MP and as co-chair of Labour's Māori caucus. Video, Audio
Ministers refuse to bring Handley emails to question time
Government ministers have defied a pointed request from Parliament's Speaker to bring emails from former minister Clare Curran to question time today. Video, Audio
Labour, NZ First accused of hypocrisy over Iraq decision
Government parties that were highly critical of the original Iraq deployment have been accused of hypocrisy for being part of the Cabinet that approved a further extension. Political Editor Jane… Audio
NZ extends military presence in Iraq
New Zealand will stay in Iraq until June next year, but the number of Defence Force personnel deployed will be reduced by about 20. Political Editor Jane Patterson has the details. Video, Audio
National dismisses govt show of unity - political analysis
The coalition blueprint carefully choreographed to show unity has ignited a slanging match with the opposition. National says the move is little more than a photo-op, which failed to paper over the… Audio
Coalition govt holds rally in show of unity
The coalition government has staged an event in Auckland to unveil a 'blueprint' for the rest of this term, with the clear intent to demonstrate it's united, and in good shape. Over the past weeks… Audio
Focus on Politics: Industrial relations
While differences between Labour and New Zealand First on policies like the refugee quota and three strikes have been aired publicly, there may more trouble on the horizon over industrial relations… Audio
NZ First flags concerns about labour law change
Unions say they're worried Labour may cave to pressure from New Zealand First, and ditch a controversial planned labour law change. Audio
PM under pressure in wake of Clare Curran's resignation
Political Editor Jane Patterson talks to Rowan Quinn about Clare Curran's resignation, saying it came as a surprise after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this morning she had no intention of firing… Video, Audio
Jane Patterson on Claire Curran's resignation
Labour's Clare Curran has resigned as Broadcasting Minister. Ms Curran had already been demoted from Cabinet and stripped of two of her portfolios last month after she failed to properly declare a… Audio
Political headaches for Jacinda Ardern - analysis
It's been quite a week in politics Clare Curran and her gmails, Meka Whaitiri and allegations of shoving a press secretary and of course the Pacific Islands Forum. To discuss the political week we're… Audio
Customs Minister steps aside after claims of shoving
RNZ has learned the inquiry which forced Meka Whaitiri to step aside as Customs Minister centres on an allegation she manhandled her new press secretary. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a… Audio
