Power Play
What next as James Shaw leaves for greener pastures?
Power Play - While the Green Party has certainly reached the other side of government and is now settling back into opposition, one might question just how safely it has landed, Craig McCulloch…
Simon Bridges, the 'characterful' politician, bows out
Power Play - "Even the bad times were good" - on that chipper note, Simon Bridges bows out after the wild ride that's been his political career, Jane Patterson writes.
Can Labour counter National's 'Christophoria' buzz?
Power Play - National has found its version of "Jacindamania" - and Labour may struggle to counter it in this volatile climate, Craig McCulloch writes.
Transparency falters at Greens' annual conference
Power Play - For a party that espouses open and transparent democracy, the secretive nature of the Greens' annual conference is a poor showing, writes Jane Patterson. Audio
Bridges on surviving in leadership role: 'I'm popularly supported'
Power Play - Whispering campaigns have undermined unanimous caucus support for Simon Bridges, but the National Party leader says he believes he can survive, writes Jane Patterson.
Budget breach: Govt clears air with timeline, but burning questions remain
Power Play - The government has finally fronted up with a timeline dismissing some of the cries of "dirty politics" - but several questions remain about the Budget data breach, writes Jo Moir.
Power Play: Breakaway Christian party a gamble, gambit or godsend?
Power Play - For the National opposition, a breakaway Christian party is a 'Hail Mary' of the highest order, writes Craig McCulloch.
Robertson faces the curse of the surplus
Power Play - It's the political curse of Finance Ministers past - deliver a surplus and immediately come under pressure to spend large, writes Jane Patterson.
Ardern's challenging last full week as PM
Power Play - The Prime Minister's due date marks the start of the handover to Winston Peters, after a week in which coalition bonds were tested, writes Jane Patterson.
Who will be the next National Party leader?
Power Play - While Bill English was given the courtesy of announcing his own resignation, potential successors have already begun agitating for support, writes Jane Patterson.
Frank conversations on National's leaders
Power Play - National's discussions on leadership come amid a sense of aggrieved disbelief the party failed to form a government in coalition negotiations, writes Jane Patterson.
Govt to spend $13m on young unemployed
The government will spend $13 million aiming to get about 2000 young unemployed people into work in the first phase of its new job scheme. 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.
Edging towards a final decision
Power Play - The New Zealand First board has packed up and gone home, and there is now a real sense of momentum towards the ultimate goal of forming a government, writes Jane Patterson.
Black Friday coalition? Not likely
Power Play - Superstitious or not, tomorrow doesn't augur well for the announcement of a new government, RNZ's Political Editor Jane Patterson writes.
While we wait, what's on the table?
Power Play - The principals have met and decision hour draws closer. RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson runs through possible permutations of the next government.
Voters' choice becoming clear as poll looms
Power Play - National is offering more of the same, while attacking Labour's vision-with-values, writes Jane Patterson.
Whatever happened to 'no surprises'?
Power Play - National's leader has just a month to repair the party's relationship with a furious Winston Peters, after personal information about his superannuation overpayment ended up in the public…
Barclay's murky departure casts shadow on PM
Power Play - Effectively resigning from Parliament was the only option left to National MP Todd Barclay, writes RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson.
Rise in uni fees increases strain on trans-Tasman relationship
Power Play - The traditional relationship between New Zealand and Australia is under severe strain, as the Prime Minister questions the very fabric of the trans-Tasman bond, RNZ's Jane Patterson…