Stories by Katie Scotcher
Audio and features
Luxon boosts defence amid rising global tensions
As global tensions escalated this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was touring South East Asia, strengthening defence and security ties.
Back home, his government was accused of drifting away… Audio
A year of political turmoil comes to an end
Three prime ministers, four ministerial scandals, one general election and a three-way coalition: New Zealand's political landscape has been well and truly shaken up in 2023.
In this week's Focus on… Audio
Distractions assail coalition as it lays out ambitious agenda
The new government's first week in office saw it get straight to work, setting high expectations and unveiling its 100-day plan - but it's not exactly been smooth sailing.
Fixing the economy and… Audio
Labour faces vexed reset and return to opposition
After a devastating collapse in their vote on election night, the Labour Party is examining what went so wrong and who is best to lead them from the opposition benches.
Current and former MPs alike… Audio
Hipkins passes diplomatic test with China's Xi
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' week-long trip to China centred on a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, one of the world's most powerful men.
Amid tense geostrategic conditions and with a trip… Audio
Three Waters rebrand: Bitterness remains despite refresh
Labour's new PM and new minister this week dumped the contentious Three Waters policy in favour of a rebranded "Affordable Water".
A not-so-subtle attempt to take the heat off and reclaim the… Audio
National's policy aims to school Labour on education decline
National's leader Christopher Luxon ditched Parliament for the playground this week, touring schools to sell his party's solution to declining student performance with a back-to-basics focus on… Audio
Poland missile crisis dominates amid summits in Asia
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… Audio
Queen's death reignites discussions over constitution and Te Tiriti
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… 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
Covid-19 variants: Government resurgence plan
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher assesses where the government's planning is for new and potentially more deadly variants. Audio
Media merger raises stakes for NZ journalism
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, the government is pressing ahead with its planned mega media merger. Political reporter Katie Scotcher explores what it will mean for RNZ and TVNZ, as well the… Audio
New Zealand's UK and EU free trade ambitions
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher takes a deeper look at New Zealand's free trade ambitions with the UK and Europe. Audio
Focus on Politics: The road ahead for transport
In Focus on politics, Katie Scotcher explores the challenges and priorities in the inherently political transport sector. Audio
Focus on Politics: Conversion therapy
Legislation banning gay conversion therapy, a practice described as monstrous and traumatising, is making its way through Parliament but not everyone is on board. Audio
The thin line separating free speech and hate speech
Free speech crusaders say the sacred right to freedom of expression is under threat. But minority communities say a law change is needed to protect the most vulnerable. Audio
Fears armed police will endanger south Auckland further
South Aucklanders are fearful a new police initiative aimed at making their community safer, which will see armed officers patrolling the streets, will achieve the exact opposite.
Marked police… Video, Audio
Brent Hansen: 'Live Aid was 16 hours of guessing what happened next'
The 1985 Live Aid concert was broadcast all around the world. But it very nearly wasn't seen here. Produced by Katie Scotcher. Audio
Girls Rock! Camp expands to Wellington
An Auckland music camp designed to bring more women into the music industry is about to start in the capital. Audio
Huge demand for Christmas food parcels across NZ
Hundreds of people queuing for Christmas food parcels in Auckland have been turned away as demand outstrips supply - and the city's Mission says unless there's a miracle, more families will leave… Audio
A look back on NZ’s 2018 MeToo movement
Parliament, youth wings of political parties and the Human Rights Commission - they've all all had their MeToo moment this year. Almost as soon as the explosive revelations about the behaviour of some… Audio
Who is Zhang Yikun, the alleged donor of $100,000 to National?
Zhang Yikun has rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha. Audio
NZ strawberry grower forks out $20,000 for security measures
An Auckland strawberry grower has paid more $20,000 to install metal detectors at his farm after needle-ridden strawberries were found in New Zealand. Katie Scotcher and camera man Dan Cook look at… Video, Audio
Cow and calf to be killed after attacking woman and man
The cow and calf at the centre of an attack that left a man with moderate injuries have been sent to the slaughterhouse. Video, Audio