Jacinda Ardern
Covid-19: Ardern defends dropping mask rules
After more than two and a half years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has dropped almost all restrictions.
Masks are now only needed in hospitals or aged care facilities, vaccine requirements… Audio
Covid traffic light system is gone, mask requirements dropped
As of this morning, the Covid Traffic Light system is a thing of the past. Instead of going to the Green Light setting, Cabinet yesterday decided to scap the Covid-19 Protection Framework altogether… Audio
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
The Prime Minister delivers a speech following the passing of the Queen, and releases details about the next steps. There will be a memorial in the United Kingdom, followed by another in New Zealand… Audio
Prime Minister rules out setting up NZ embassy in Ukraine
A former Defence Minister is calling for the establishment of an Embassy in Ukraine.
Ron Mark says soldiers says the number of people interested in joining the cause has ballooned since Dominic… Audio
Prime Minister on recovering body of soldier killed in Ukraine
New Zealand soldier Corporal Dominic Abelen died fighting Russian forces while on leave without pay.
As of Friday, the government did not know where his body was, or if it would be possible to bring… Audio
Photo Essay: Next Speaker please
A Parliament with no Speaker is a motley collection of disputants and debaters awaiting direction. This week Parliament elected itself a new leader and the Governor General affirmed their choice. We…
Interview invitations fall on PM's deaf ears
Today FM’s Tova O’Brien said recently - tongue in cheek - it was easier to get President Zelenskiy in Ukraine on her show than our own leader. Her colleague Lloyd Burr got no response when he wanted… Audio
EU-NZ trade agreement 'by no means a done deal'
In today's Focus on Politics, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher looks back on a trade deal both sides found fault with, and ahead to the challenges it still faces. Audio
Ardern adamant there was no predetermination on Sharma's future before caucus meeting
Jacinda Ardern is adamant there was no predetermination on Labour MP Gaurav Sharma's future.
The Prime Minister says the final decision on the Hamilton West MP will be made by caucus tomorrow.
He… Audio
Ardern on complaints from MP, former Parliament staffer
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she doesn't believe issues of bullying is widespread across the party, but she says these issues come up from time to time with a large workplace.
"Across the 65… Audio
From passenger to pilot: subbing in as Parliament chair
A couple of MPs this week unexpectedly got to run the show from the big chair, because Parliament’s debating chamber can’t function without a chairperson presiding. Audio
Prime Minister disputes bullying claims raised by Labour MP
The Prime Minister is disputing claims raised by Labour MP Gaurav Sharma that bullying is rampant within Parliament.
Dr Sharma says that bullying is promoted by the party's whips and parliamentary… Audio
Parliament: The week inside
In the week after a big party conference you might expect that the themes raised in Parliament would often match the talking points from that event. You would be right. Audio
National Party 'out of touch' with welfare plan - Labour
The Labour Party says the opposition National Party is "out of touch" after it released its new welfare plan during its national conference at the weekend.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon… Audio
Mediawatch: A government in the gun over accidental generosity
The government came under fire over some misdirected cost of living payments this week, but the more enduring story might be who didn't get paid, rather than who did. Audio
'Vast majority' of Cost of Living Payment recipients meet criteria - Ardern
The Prime Minister admits the government knew some ineligible people would receive the $350 cost of living payment.
The first instalment of $116 will be paid today to tax residents who earned less… Audio
PM weighs in on Green Party leadership woes
The Green Party is down to one leader after nearly a third of voting members chose to reopen nominations rather than re-elect James Shaw at the party's general meeting on Saturday.
He's yet to… Audio
Paving the way to Australian citizenship
The new Australian prime minister is keen, so will Kiwis' rights across the Tasman finally be brought in line with Aussies' rights here? Audio
Covid-19: Prime Minister on skyrocketing case numbers
Covid-19 cases continue to skyrocket.
Yesterday there were 9000 new cases reported, and hospitalisations were up to 662, the highest mark since the fifth of April.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has… Audio
Jacinda Ardern ends Europe tour with UK meetings
The final leg of the Prime Minister's visit to Europe wrapped up at the weekend with a royal meeting.
Jacinda Ardern also sat down with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition Leader Keir… Audio