Demelza Leslie
Maori Party threatens to walk away over child legislation
The Maori Party is threatening to walk away from its support deal with the National Party over changes it says could create another "stolen generation". Audio
Auckland Mayor cautiously welcome powerful agencies
The Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is cautiously welcoming a government proposal to create powerful new agencies to drive major urban developments. Audio
HNZ to add 722 homes in Auckland over 3 years
Housing New Zealand will add 722 new homes in Auckland over the next three years, but with the social housing waitlist in the thousands, opposition parties say it's not good enough. Audio
NZ First says Government forced to boost police
The Prime Minister has pledged half a billion dollars to fight crime. But Winston Peters says it's an election bribe. Audio
PM kicks off election year with $500m plan to boost police
Prime Minister Bill English has promised more than 1100 extra police officers over the next four years. He made the announcement during his state-of-the-nation speech. Video, Audio
Political parties start to draw lines in the sand
Prime Minister Bill English has confirmed September 23 as this year's Election Day, but has already ruled out any post election cooperation with Labour and the Greens. Audio
MFAT head summoned to Beehive to "please explain"
Foreign Affairs Minister has given his Ministry a "telling-off" for delays in finding out how the immigration ban in the US would effect some New Zealanders. Murray McCully told Demelza Leslie "these… Audio
Trump's ban revives refugee quota debate
Should New Zealand raise its refugee quota in the wake of Donald Trump executive order, effectively shutting America's door to refugees? Local politicans are divided. Audio
Labour and Greens share the stage
Labour and The Greens present a united face but agree to differ on intelligence sharing. Audio
Owners of 300 buildings told to secure masonry
The Government is using emergency powers introduced after the November quake to require the work in Wellington, Lower Hutt, and Blenheim, where there is a heightened risk of an aftershock. Audio
Outspoken: Homelessness
RNZ's political reporter, Demelza Leslie and a panel of experts explore what can be done about an issue which was seldom out of last year's headlines, homelessness. Audio
Polticians told to come up with long term housing plan
The chief human rights commissioner says politicians need to come up with a long-term, joint-party strategy for housing New Zealanders. Audio
Bill English considers benefit hike to tackle child poverty
Bill English is considering a further rise in benefit payments to help those in need after a new poverty report shows no real improvements have been made. Audio
New chapter begins today in New Zealand politics
National's new leader Bill English and deputy leader Paula Bennett will be sworn in today as the party starts work on fresh ideas to take into the 2017 general election. Audio
Is an early election on the cards for the incoming Prime Minister?
The Opposition are agitating for an early election, once Bill English takes the reigns from John Key on Monday. But those are not the only issues the new Prime Minister will have to grapple with, as… Audio
Votes for Bill English as new PM are stacking up
Bill English, named the heir apparent by John Key, has from Monday been the clear frontrunner ahead of Judith Collins and Jonathan Coleman. Audio
Suggestions of cracks in National Party caucus
Three MPs have put themselves forward to be the new leader of the National Party, and the country's Prime Minister. Will the resulting contest reveal cracks within the caucus? And will it have any… Audio
A look back on John Key's eight years as PM
John Key has been described as a popular and charistmatic leader. After 8 years, as Prime Minister, he's stepping down. Demelza Leslie looks back at the political career of John Key. Audio
Government being boxed into a corner
There is growing pressure from opposition parties for the government to hold an independent inquiry into the abuse of children in state care. Audio
Govt plans to not place Maori children with whanau first
The Government is pushing ahead with its plans to introduce a bill that could remove more Maori children from their family and wider whanau. Audio