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Focus on Politics

by RNZ
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Latest episodes

  • Debate and switch: campaign week two

    October 9, 2026 · 46 min

    This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Join Tim Watkin, along with Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch from RNZ's press gallery team, every week in the lead-up to voting day. This episode: red meat policy, the…

  • New Caucus, Who Dis?

    October 2, 2026 · 51 min

    In the biggest multi-verse event of 2026, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics this campaign to take you inside the fight for power. It's Caucus, but reshuffled - with Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch from RNZ's press…

  • A pre-campaign catchup as parties flee Parliament

    September 25, 2026 · 16 min

    The 54th Parliament has adjourned, and politicians have been let loose on the campaign trail. Before they fled the building, political reporter Giles Dexter sat down with the parties and asked what the public could expect from them over…

  • Unexpected item in National's policy area

    September 18, 2026 · 16 min

    National is campaigning to 'pursue' breaking up Foodstuffs, as the party of business surprisingly ponders intervening in private enterprise. Political reporter Giles Dexter shops around political parties' pledges to drive down grocery…

  • National's olive branch: bed tax out, council cash in

    September 11, 2026 · 16 min

    National has offered councils a peace deal after rebuffing their calls for a bed tax. Instead, it's offering to give them a share of the revenue raised by an existing "tourist tax". But some councils say it still falls short. RNZ's deputy…

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  • Coalition in clean up mode

    September 4, 2026 · 16 min

    The government has found itself cleaning up some legislative mess. Beneficiaries and pensioners having payments wrongly suspended forced a double apology from the Prime Minister and Social Development Minister, while a select committee has…

  • National and Labour dance around areas of agreement

    August 28, 2026 · 16 min

    In Focus on Politics, the major parties are finding more areas of agreement ahead of the election campaign - often to the frustration of their partner parties. Political reporter Russell Palmer examines the points of tension and the…

  • An urgent call to fix the aged care crisis

    August 21, 2026 · 16 min

    The aged care system is at breaking point. A new report calls for an urgent overhaul. RNZ political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the suggested solutions, and whether politicians are willing to come to the party. Go to this episode…

  • National's nightmare: come again, coup again

    August 14, 2026 · 16 min

    A second attempt to oust Christopher Luxon ended much like the first - with the National leader still standing. But this time, the party's internal revolt has dealt more damage. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch maps out the…

  • Sorry, not sorry: Luxon's shocker week

    August 7, 2026 · 16 min

    Christopher Luxon spent much of this week putting out fires of his own making. And others set by Winston Peters. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

  • National bolts the door as Opportunity knocks

    July 31, 2026 · 16 min

    Christopher Luxon's surprise rule-out of Opportunity may have reshaped the election campaign. So was it a masterstroke or misfire? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch analyses the move. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more…

  • Stuart Nash's swan song

    July 24, 2026 · 17 min

    Stuart Nash thought he'd found a political lifeline with New Zealand First. Instead, one text message triggered another spectacular downfall. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the week. Go to this episode on…

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About the show

Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.