Government
Free lunches in school trial announced in Rotorua
A programme to feed hungry kids with a free lunch at school each day is going to be trialled in 30 schools next year.
The Prime Minister announced the initiative at the launch of the Child and Youth… Video, Audio
Dr David Halpern: When nudging isn't enough anymore
Dr David Halpern, an experimental psychologist, was part of the original nudge unit put together by the British government to address policy challenges where human behaviour was a key component. Audio
Public Finance Act could be improved with better analysis
It's been 30 years since the government put its books in order and began accounting for its finances using commonly accepted ways of reporting accounts. Audio
Govt asks furniture industry to make products safer
The government wants furniture manufacturers and retailers to make their products safer and more fire-resistant but hasn't committed to regulating the industry. Video, Audio
Emanuel Kalafatelis: Only one in two Kiwis support fizzy drink tax
A recent survey by Research New Zealand shows that only 47% of people support the idea of the Government adopting a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages such as fizzy drinks, with 27% disagreeing and 20%… Audio
Are robotic fruit pickers the way of the future?
The Government says developing new technology like robotic fruit pickers is the future of work and will help shift the focus from volume to value for those in the agricultural sector. Audio
Oranga Tamariki working closely with iwi – Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says iwi and Oranga Tamariki working together with whānau who may be at risk of having a child uplifted has been a successful model in the Waikato. Audio
Govt warned about implementing digital services tax
The government released details this afternoon of how it intends to tax large online multinational companies like Facebook, Google, Uber and Airbnb. However, a tax expert is warning the government not… Audio
Government releases plan to tackle plastics recycling
The government is adopting all of the recommendations from a taskforce set up last year to respond to China's ban on importing most types of plastics, that saw recycling stockpiles growing across the… Audio
Pathway to residency 'simply doesn't exist' - immigration lawyer
Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont says new visas are a victory for four of his clients - Indian students who were deported in 2017 - but there are about 150 others kept out in the cold. Video, Audio
Govt considering 'national interest' test for foreign investment
The government is considering a "national interest test" for screening major investments by foreign companies, saying it needs the power to stop purchases that might harm public health and safety or… Audio
Human Rights Commission wants religious groups protected
The Human Rights Commission wants the Government to consider changing the law to protect religious groups against hate speech, something that's also supported by the country's Federation of Muslim… Audio
Three minutes max: Raf Manji
Three Minutes Max: short, sharp opinions from commentators around New Zealand. Christchruch City Councillor Raf Manji's been doing some thinking about how to measure and implement well-being for… Audio
Corrections identified 'Māori nationalist groups' as potential threats
Māori leaders are calling for heads to roll after a Corrections working group on countering violent extremism identified "Māori nationalist groups" as a potential threat to the public. Audio
How to prepare Auckland for 2 million people
Auckland is at a turning point and faces critical choices about its growth and how to pay for it, according to a new book by Owen Gill. But those choices will require bold thinking about how to raise… Audio
Richard Baldwin: The globotics upheaval
The globotics upheaval – a combination of globalisation and robotics – is coming, and it's taking jobs with it. Dr Richard Baldwin has written a book looking at the future of work and warns of a… Audio
Economist Bernard Hickey: what to make of all the tax talk
Throughout the week tax has been hitting the headlines with National saying their new plan would give the average worker an extra $430 a year. Economist Bernard Hickey looks at the numbers. Audio
Government scraps interim KiwiBuild targets
The government is ditching its year on year KiwiBuild targets as it struggles to deliver its flagship home building programme. Meanwhile, prime minister Jacinda Ardern is promising 2019 will be the… Audio
National welcomes push for new environmental party
National Party is backing former Green Party candidate Vernon Tava's push for a new environmental party, but the government says it's a laughable attempt by the opposition to make friends. Audio
What's changed in NZ's health system a year after govt formed
Half a million people will soon pay less to see a doctor, under a change implemented by the coalition government. Health Correspondent Karen Brown looks at what's been achieved in the health system… Audio