Politics NZ

Labour's Kapiti candidate Sophie Handford, and National MP and Napier candidate Katie Nimon joined Ingrid Hipkiss for this week’s political panel

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Brigitte, Gareth and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics as the election campaign moves into its final week, and John Key has a message for voters.

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How can you make sense of competing polls and will overhang seats win the election? How did gangs become a liability for National as well as Labour? And we take a tour of the Māori electorates with Julian Wilcox.

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Join Wallace for a special 3 Under 30 edition of The Whip. He is joined by panellists Aryan Bhatnagar, Alex Martin and Caeden Tipler. They discuss the latest poll results, and the controversy over New Zealand First candidate Ron Mark's ad calling out Diversity, Equity and Inclusion schemes. Then, they check the temperature of youth engagement this election and take a look at the seemingly never-ending debate over gangs on the campaign trail.

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Paul Goldsmith and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Andrew Ketels and Phil Goff.

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Are the polls starting to move? Has Christopher Luxon painted himself into a corner or does he still have an opportunity with Opportunity? Who picks up the phone to whom on November 8? And win or lose, who's left from National's front bench?

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Penny Hulse, Tim Wilson and Corin Dann. Up for discussion tonight: the third and final leader's debate: who won and are there just too many debates now to follow? The latest on what the political polls are saying. the attack on Australian MP Helen Heines and what it says about political violence and our democracy. Plus we pour over the most important revelation of the election campaign so far: Christopher Luxon and his teenage waterbed.

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National and Labour's health spokespeople talk about the issues facing the sector, and their plans to fix it. National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Ayesha Verrall spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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Kathryn, Dale and Liam discuss recent events in politics including how the leaders have fared in recent TV debates.

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The debates this week told us a heap about the state of the nation and the vibe of the campaign. We discuss how Opportunity took its chance, why New Zealand First feels boxed in, and where National and Labour are getting it wrong... and what they're doing right.

Photo credit Harley Peters - TVNZ

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Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March and ACT candidate James Christmas spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about their policies and the focus on minor parties this election.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Tracey Martin, Stephen Parker and Annebelle Lee-Mather. They discuss Tuesday's TVNZ multi party debate, criticism some parties are getting for meeting with the Mongrel Mob, New Zealand's abstention of a UN vote on global pandemic preparedness and more.

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Kathryn, Neale and Brigitte discuss recent events in politics, including latest polling that suggests NZ First is gaining support.

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Major parties try new policies to reconnect with their bases, National re-writes its risk pitch, fiscal frustrations, & what stuck from the first leaders debate.

Image credit: Harley Peters - TVNZ

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Heather Roy, Ben Thomas and Ruwani Perera. They discuss last night's TVNZ leader's debate, the very latest polls that seem to show a slump for the main parties, Te Pāti Māori and their "one person" strategy, cuts to foreign aid to boost Pharmac and why doesn't Auckland's CRL have a plaque yet?

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Labour’s Barbara Edmonds and National’s Nicola Willis face-off in Morning Report’s finance debate with John Campbell.

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Labour's fiscal plan release has re-ignited the battle of the finance spokeswomen and polling trends

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The campaigns are launching and it's time to lock into politics New Zealand. Caucus returns to set the scene for Election 2026, discussing why incumbency sucks, strategic voting is controversial, and the minor parties are major players.

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Join Wallace for a special '3 Under 30' edition of The Whip. Panellists Andie McCombs, Tyler Oroanu and Eve McCallum give their scores of the campaigns so far, unpack the latest 1 New Verian poll which has the Green party surging in popularity, and assess Labour's student loan policy.

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National's Paul Goldsmith and Labour's Arena Williams spoke to John Campbell on Morning Report’s political panel.

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Ben, Tracey and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics.

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Just about the last thing that happens before a Parliament adjourns for an election

RNZ's The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.

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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 the next six weeks.

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Join Wallace Chapman for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Fran O'Sullivan, Andrea Vance and Marian Hobbs. First they discuss Nicky Hager's new book - bombshell or fizzer? Then, is the OIA fit for purpose? It's a question summoned by the leak of an Education Ministry meeting where staff were told to keep certain feedback out of written communication. And are grocery prices shaping up to be one of the defining issues this election year?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Tim, Gareth, and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the various policies to do supermarket competition.

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The House on Sunday: The Government has deluged Parliament’s committees with work but starved them of time due to extra debates and urgency. The Justice Committee had it especially tough. Also, Louis looks at some of the bills passed into law during a long week of urgency.

*RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.

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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 prices, and looks at how likely it is that National's proposal will actually happen.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrew Williams, Guyon Espiner and Jenna Lynch. The discuss the harrowing inquiry into police and Oranga Tamariki's handling of the Tom Phillips case, two new political polls that make the major parties look more like minors, the latest pitches to bring supermarket prices down, and the historic opening of Auckland's City Rail Link.

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital. Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member. [picture id="4JIKO0K_Media_2_jfif" crop="16x10" layout="full"] Kathryn, Neale and Liam discuss recent events in politics including whether Labour has left its run too late.

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As MPs prepare to leave Parliament, their valedictory speeches offer a chance to look back. From triumphs and tribulations to political reflections and often a healthy dose of humour, these final words in the House can reveal a more candid side of politicians as they say haere ra.

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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 political editor Craig McCulloch takes a look.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Annabelle Lee-Mather, Jonathan Milne and Peter Dunne. On the show tonight: Chris Hipkins new shocking poll result, should Labour give him the heave-ho?; the Greens supermarket policy is to spend billions to create a viable, state-run alternative in the marketplace, is this even possible; how can political parties hoover up the youth vote?; and Winston Peters called music group Kneecap "low IQ weasels", little did he know NZ First had used a Kneecap song in a video for social media.

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Nicola Willis and Vanushi Walters joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Brigitte, Phil and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics.

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Parliament’s expert on its rules explains privilege, the inquiry process, and the limited options for punishment in the wake of MBIE officials being found guilty of a contempt this week.

*RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.

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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 told the Justice Minister to water down his controversial move-on orders so kids cannot be prosecuted for sleeping on the street.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Maria Slade, Chris Carter and Jacqui van der Kaay. They look at the damning crown review into Moa Point, and the future of MBIE's chief executive in light of a botched IT project he mislead Ministers on. They also chat to an undecided voter as the election creeps closer.

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Louise and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Dale, Jonathan and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including parties' various tax policy announcements.

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As the remaining weeks of the 54th Parliament tick over, MPs who have decided to step back from politics have their chance to farewell their colleagues and Parliament as an institution in the form of a valedictory statement.

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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 entrenched politicking that seems to keep National and Labour from working together.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Wayne Mapp and Penny Hulse. On the show tonight: National's social media ban; frustration is growing around the government's fast track scheme; is a 4 percent cap on local council rates achievable; it was first “no new taxes on working people” now it's just "no new taxes" and what does it take to create a good political slogan?

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Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Tim, Lianne and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Labour's finance policy.

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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.

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The House sits down with Duncan Webb for an exit interview as the former Minister and Labour Party whip calls time on his parliamentary career.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Lillian Hanly, John Boscawen and Jonathan Milne. On the show tonight: the fallout from the Chris Penk affair, is Opportunity's income tax for New Zealanders returning home from overseas fantasy policy? Does National's Paul Goldsmith have a hope in hell of taking Epsom this year?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Andrew, Neale and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the failed National leadership coup.

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[s] When criticism can get you sacked, one minister’s job is to disagree with impunity. Meet the Cabinet’s oddest role, held by the “most sued man in New Zealand”.

RNZ’s The House, providing insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.

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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 mayhem.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Chris Carter and Corin Dann. Tonight, on The Whip: the continuing saga of Christopher Luxon's leadership of the National Party. Then, the latest polls and what they say about where the vote will go. Finally Stuart Nash and Chris Findayson: BFFS? Or not?

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Janet Wilson and Wayne Mapp discuss recent events in politics, with a focus on the speculation around National Party leadership.

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Susie, Tracey and Brigitte discuss recent events in politics including National's list announcement.

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Louis heads along to a select committee briefing on Bird Flu, while Phil looks at the hodgepodge of petitions that came up in a special debate this week. 

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Three stories on questions and "answers", including Peters' doppelgänger defence, the Speaker's example on Written Questions, and the MBIE inquiry.

RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. Find our articles or podcast at RNZ.

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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.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jenna Lynch, Poto Williams and Grant Duncan. Winston Peters faces the heat over "racist" comments made in Parliament, Christopher Luxon gets scoffed at for an apology he made, and how are voter enrollments tracking with an earlier deadline this election?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Liam, Phil and Susie discuss recent events in politics including Winston Peters' comments in the House toward Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan.

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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.

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Join Emile Donovan for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Holly Bennett and Tracey Martin. They discuss the latest with rising star Opportunity, including National's supposed plan to rule out working with them. Then, the Greens came out swinging at their AGM, calling for a moratorium on new consents for AI data centres. And the story that mystified a nation: an arrest of a man in Russia, accused of spying for New Zealand.

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Kathryn, Lianne and Ben discuss recent events in politics including Stuart Nash's resignation as a NZ First candidate.

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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.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Maria Slade, Stephen Parker, and Lillian Hanly. They discuss the growing election issue of energy security, and how parties are trying to manage it, and then: the state of our political language. Are offensive remarks on the rise? After that, National party MPs have taken a low poll result on the chin, and finally, what's with all the party hopping in the lead-up to the election?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Kathryn, Gareth and Tim discuss recent events in politics including latest poll numbers that show the Opportunity Party has surged to within a whisker of Parliament in the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.

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With the recent slew of policy announcements, there has also been renewed calls for the establishment of a parliamentary budget office. But what should be in its remit? The House chatted to economist Dr Eric Crampton.

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RNZ political editor Jo Moir, Stuff political editor Jenna Lynch and NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan are joined by RNZ's lowly deputy political editor Craig McCulloch to dissect the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.

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Simon Watts and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Brigitte, Dale and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the visit from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Louise Upston gives her take on her new part-time full-time job: managing the Government’s entire legislative programme as Leader of the House.

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Join Wallace for an action-packed half hour of politics. He is joined by panellists Corin Dann, Jenna Lynch and Sue Bradford. First, how should we be reading into China's missile test in the South Pacific? Then, as coalition partners opt out of backing a proposed social media ban, could National and Labour join forces to get it through? And what does that say about the state of the coalition? Finally, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is decrying the India Free Trade Agreement, even as Prime Minister Modi visits New Zealand for the first time in 40 years.

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Neale, Tracey and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics.

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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We ask whether ministers can evade questions by claiming operational independence, and note some key bills from a huge week.

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Following revelations the Ministry of Social Development had implemented performance measures related to cutting the number of people in emergency housing, political reporter Lauren Crimp takes a look at the reaction and asks the top boss whether they've left more people sleeping on the streets.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Annabelle Lee-Mather and John Boscawen. First, they look at a scathing report on the stripped back school lunch programme, and then, National's new Kiwisaver policy. Did they rob Labour's glory? And, are MPs domestic travel bills getting out of hand?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Peter, Andrew and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the wind-back by National on the Conservation Amendment Bill.

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Allegations that officials kept ministers and MPs in the dark, and MPs as bad examples. Plus, the Speaker quashes Question Time electioneering.

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National made its first major election year policy announcement this week. If elected, it would make KiwiSaver compulsory, including for those over 65 still working, automatically enroll babies and provide government contributions to those on parental leave. The suite of changes would cost more than a billion dollars over four years. New Zealand First said National had copied its own policy, and others are asking what the changes might mean for Superannuation.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Sue Kedgley, Jacqui Van Der Kaay, and Tim Wilson. First, a bombshell poll for both National and Labour, putting their combined numbers at 61. Then, could tax reform be the deciding topic of the election, and is National piggy-backing on other parties with their new policy to make Kiwisaver compulsory?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Neale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the National Party's annual conference.

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The House reviews the last estimates scrutiny week for the 54th Parliament

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A failed immigration technology project has left taxpayers more than $30 million out of pocket. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says officials misled Cabinet. Now an independent investigation is being launched into what went wrong. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. With him are panellists Stephen Parker, Holly Bennett and Phil Goff. Topics: The Greens are up and National treading water in some new polls: Immigration Minister Erica Stanford blasts her ministry saying officials "deliberately withheld" information from ministers. Almost all of parliament has backed the 30 year Infrastructure plan and the surprise appointment of lobbyist Matthew Hooton to the role of editor of the Post.

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Tim, Gareth and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the Labour Party's latest campaign policy, and the first post-Budget poll.

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June's scrutiny week will be the last chance select committees get to do detailed financial scrutiny in the current 54th Parliament, to learn more The House chats to David Wilson and James Picker.

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Labour has finally joined the election campaign, unveiling its first major policy of the year: a public transport fare cap. But questions remain over the numbers, the funding, and whether already-stretched bus and rail networks can cope. RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch takes a look.

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Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Lillian Hanly and Tracey Martin. First, Labour's first big election policy is out - a weekly cap on public transport fares. Then they look at the controversy surrounding the newly announced Labour candidate who's a top police staffer. And 30 years on, has MMP served New Zealand well?

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Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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Tracey, Liam and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the post-Budget mop-up.

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Parliament hums with activity, teeming with MPs, staffers, petitioners, journalists, officials… and school students.

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