Focus on Politics

A newly prioritised spending plan and fresh ministerial line-up are part of Labour's plan to reset the political landscape for the start of 2023 - election year. The political headwinds are significant: a cost-of-living crisis only set to worsen; waning support for the governing party and its high profile leader; the murky dynamics of disinformation and social disunity swirling below. In this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson sits down with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to run a ruler over the year that's been and the election to come.

Hamilton West polling for a new MP closes on 10 December - a litmus test for next year's general election. Crime and the cost of living are top of mind for most voters, but so far they're not rushing to the ballot box. In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Political Reporter Anneke Smith takes the pulse of the bellwether electorate of Hamilton West.

Dire economic predictions and high interest rates from the Reserve Bank this week have increased the pressure on Labour, and given National a chance to pitch itself as the solution. The opposition party also ditched its politically problematic plan to cut the top tax rate, after weeks of laying the groundwork. In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson revisits the interest rate shock that spells trouble for an under-pressure Labour Party.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern returned to the international stage this week, even as the war in Ukraine threatened to spill beyond its borders. The ASEAN, G20 and APEC summits offered chances for conversations with several world leaders, driving home the value of diplomacy. In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Political Reporter Katie Scotcher appraises the interplay between world leaders in a week of summits and uncertainty.

Labour faithful were in fine form at the party's annual conference last weekend, but an unflattering political poll on Sunday soon soured the mood. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - roused by conference, poll, or both - was quick to question the numbers, and turn attention to banks' high profits. In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Political Reporter Giles Dexter examines a tough week and a tough poll for Labour - and how it responded.

Labour claims New Zealand's economy is holding up well compared to many others, but global pressures and new policies may threaten its re-election chances. National has been on the attack, with the cost of living crisis cutting deep, over what it says is wasteful spending and unnecessary taxation - but its own tax plans have left it open to criticism too. In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson examines how Labour and National are facing turbulence - from their own policies and the global economy.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, RNZ Digital Political Reporter Russell Palmer wades into the three waters debate, assessing the situation ahead of local and general elections.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast NZ Political Reporters Katie Scotcher, Anneke Smith and Giles Dexter explore what the debate about the role of the monarchy in New Zealand - and the possibility of change - could mean for its people.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast Political Reporter Giles Dexter reviews the government's approach to youth crime, and examines what is missing from the debate.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast Political Reporter Anneke Smith exposes the vulnerable state of New Zealand's democracy and examines the political response.

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.

Law and order seems a likely hot topic again in next year's election, but experts say many proposed policies would be ineffective, Political Reporter Anneke Smith writes.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast Political Reporter Katie Scotcher examines one of the fastest political downfalls in New Zealand's history.