Mei Heron
3 National MPs exempt from block vote on medicinal cannabis
A decision by the National Party to vote as a block has torpedoed the chances of Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick's medicinal cannabis bill passing in Parliament. Video, Audio
Otago, Southland drought call expected as farmers struggle
The Government is expected to declare a drought in Otago and Southland tomorrow, giving farmers access to financial aid and other support. Audio
Workers urge govt to fully scrap 90-day law
Workers who have been hired and fired under the 90-day trial period are pleading with the government to scrap the law all together. Labour campaigned on replacing it, but after being lobbied, has… Audio
Mental health inquiry given just 9 months
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says nothing is off the table for the ministerial inquiry into mental health and addiction. The panel of experts will have just nine months to investigate issues ranging… Audio
Govt to announce mental health inquiry
The details of an inquiry into mental health services will be announced by the Government today. It's one of the promises Labour made in last year's election campaign - and something it pledged to do… Audio
Labour Party caucus at retreat in southern Wairarapa
The retreat is a chance for Labour to discuss its own objectives, before taking them back to the melting pot of the Labour, New Zealand First, Green Party coalition Government. Video, Audio
Labour meets for first 2018 caucus as govt nears day 100
With less than two weeks until Labour marks its 100th day in office, the Prime Minister is confident she can tick off all the party promised to achieve in that time. Labour MPs are currently in the… Audio
Political reporter comments on Ardern announcement
Winston Peters is to be Acting Prime Minister: Can the government be successfully led for six weeks by a MP who isn't part of the Labour caucus? Audio
Treasury admits estimate error
Treasury says it has wrongly estimated how many children could be lifted out poverty as a result of the Government's Families Package. Audio
Concern that abuse inquiry won't be widened
The Catholic Church in New Zealand and abuse survivors are upset the goverment may not be expanding an inquiry into abuse of children in state care to include faith-based institutions. Audio
Outspoken: Small parties on surviving the government
In this Outspoken, many smaller parties have been squeezed in the last election, while some have been all but eliminated. Our political reporter Mei Heron spoke to people from the Green, Maori… Audio
Green Party staff complain of poor treatment
Despite being part of the new Government, there's been some post-election blues for the Green Party with staff complaining of been poorly treated. RNZ has obtained a letter from disgruntled staff to… Audio
No council money to fix water supplies as gastro threat looms
Many local councils say they cannot afford to upgrade infrastructure which would help prevent hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders getting sick from drinking water. An official report into the… Audio
Detail revealed around the Government's one year free tertiary plan
New Zealanders who have just finished school or will leave in 2018 will qualify for a year of free study next year at either a provider based tertiary education or industry training. Audio
Family group conferences failing to prioritse hapu
The Childrens Commissioner says Maori families are being let down by a system designed to help at-risk children and young offenders. A report by his office has found family group conferences have… Audio
Green Party assess bios after Golriz Ghahraman's omission
New Greens MP Golriz Ghahraman has come under criticism for not including her work defending war criminals on her official MP bio. Video, Audio
Pike River robot plan may be scrapped ahead of manned re-entry
A project to send a robot into Pike River is likely to be scrapped as the new Government looks for ways to send in people instead. Video, Audio
National MPs backing Bill English
National MPs are Backing Bill. Mr English has been given a full vote of confidence from his colleagues as National is ousted into opposition for the first time in nine years. No one challanged his… Audio
What's happening today in politics?
We cross to our parliamentary team for what is happening today, including the announcement of ministerial roles by the new Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern Audio
NZ First leader says huge progress made in coalition talks
Winston Peters says he will decide tomorrow whether his party will side with National or Labour, but the public won't find out until an unspecified later date. Video, Audio