Jane Patterson
Ministers told to scrap programmes
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has signalled some existing government programmes or areas of spending may need to be changed or cut for the government to fuflill its financial promises. Video, Audio
Govt's spending plans 'going to take discipline' - Robertson
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has ordered every minister to review their portfolios, to make sure all money being spent fits with the strategy of the new government. Mr Robertson delivered his… Audio
Govt tightens rules around offshore buyers eyeing farmland
The government has moved to make it harder for wealthy offshore buyers who aren't also New Zealanders to purchase New Zealand farmland. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson reports. Video, Audio
Govt accused of trying to hide something
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her deputy Winston Peters have once again been forced to defend the decision not to make their coalition notes public, with National claiming they have something to… Audio
Focus on Politics for 17 November 2017
Much of the political focus has been at the high powered economic APEC and East Asia Summits this week, with the Prime Minister Jacinda Adern's first major foray onto the world stage. Back home… Audio
NZ opposition doubts PM's claims of progress on Manus refugees
The New Zealand opposition is sceptical of the Prime Minister's claim that progress has been made on Australia being willing to accept the offer to resettle 150 refugees from offshore detention… Audio
Opposition doubts PM's claims of progress over Manus refugees
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there's been progress made on Australia being willing to accept the offer to resettle 150 refugees, but opposition is sceptical of her claims. Audio
People smugglers see new Govt as easy target - reports
Australian authorities have intercepted four boats bound for New Zealand, run by people smugglers emboldened by the change of government, according to media reports. Jane Patterson reports. Audio
Labour forced to turn to National for TPP support
Labour will have to turn to its chief rival National to get the TPP through Parliament after the Greens said they oppose the deal. Audio
Jesus Christ, Queen removed from Parliamentary Prayer
Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard has caused ripples among MPs on all sides of the House after removing references to the Queen and Jesus Christ in the Parliamentary prayer. Audio
Parliament swearing in turns to shambles over majority claims
The vote to elect a Speaker in Parliament turned into a shambles today after National forced Labour to accept a hasty deal over select committee numbers. Jane Patterson reports. Video, Audio
Ardern refuses to side step Australia over Manus detainees
The New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern is refusing to side-step Australia and negotiate directly with Papua New Guinea over taking desperate Manus Island detainees. Audio
Winston Peters is taking legal action
The Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is taking legal action against those he thinks leaked his pension information. Papers were served today, and Our political editor Jane Patterson is with us… Audio
Trans-Tasman tension gives way to smiles
Power Play - The ingredients were all there for a tense encounter, but a new trans-Tasman bond appears to have been forged over brunch on a drizzly day in Sydney, Jane Patterson writes.
Govt slashes MP numbers on select committees
The number of MPs who will sit on select committees has been reduced, but the Leader of the House, Labour's Chris Hipkins, says all political parties agreed to it in the last Parliament. Video, Audio
Turnbull leaves door ajar on NZ offer to take Manus 150
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Manus Island situation cannot continue and she hopes Australia will accept her offer to take 150 refugees. Malcolm Turnbull says he won't completely shut the… Audio
Jane Patterson: Jacinda Ardern and Malcolm Turnbull to meet
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was winging her way to Australia on Sunday morning, where she was to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson previews… Audio
Three strikes rule to be scrapped
Repeat violent offenders face serving the full sentence for their third offence without the possibility of parole under the three-strikes law. That will be scrapped by the Labour-led government. Audio
Focus on Politics for 27 October 2017
The new government is now in place, after party deals have been revealed, portfolios allocated and new ministers sworn-in. There's been a flurry of activity at Parliament this past week as the… Audio
Labour to renegotiate TPP on sidelines of APEC
One of the most pressing matters facing the incoming government is the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotations, which are reaching a crucial point. The first order of business for the… Audio
