Jane Patterson

National is ending the year in a strong position. RNZ's Poll of Polls showed a 21 point gap between the two major parties as they head into election year in 2017. Our political editor, Jane Patterson… Audio

Political deals to help out a certain candidate or party in an electorate seat have been frowned upon in the past, but the practice will become much more widespread in the 2017 election. National has… Audio

The Social Development Minister is refusing to hold an independent inquiry into the abuse of children in state care, despite the recommendation of an investigation into the abuse. Audio

A massive 7.8 earthquake centred at the top of the South Island has sparked a major government response this week. The damage wrought in Kaikoura and the wider region and in Wellington is estimated to… Audio

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson reports the lates from Parliaments civil defence bunker Audio

RNZ's political editor, Jane Patterson has the details. Audio

Sarah Stuart-Black, the Director of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has given a briefing in Parliament's bunker. RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson says 700 to 1,000 still need to be evacuated… Audio

Civil Defence has just wrapped up a press conference at the bunker in Parliament. Our political editor Jane Patterson was there - she says their main message is to remain vigilant and look out for one… Audio

Prime Minister John Key says the damage to Kaikoura and the surrounding areas is much worse than he first thought. He's just returned from an aerial survey of the area. Audio

New Zealand will use the visit of the United States Secretary of State to keep pushing for support for a resolution on Syria. John Kerry has been closely involved in negotiations to find a political… Audio

The Trans Pacific Partnership looks increasingly unlikely to come to fruition, due to Donald Trump's opposition to the deal. Audio

Reaction from Political Editor Jane Patterson. Audio

The Labour Party is defending the costings behind a new policy to get young people in the work, after media reports questioned the $60m figure. Audio

The Prime Minister says the public should be more worried about companies like Google or Facebook than anything New Zealand's spy agencies are doing. Audio

One case of a autistic boy being locked in a seclusion room in a Wellington has led to revelations the practice is much more widespread than authorities were aware of. An investigation into the use of… Audio