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Focus on Politics
A weekly analysis of significant political issues.
On RNZ National, Friday after 6.30pm and Saturday at 5.10pm. Online article publishes 10am on Saturdays.
Navigation for Focus on Politics
Latest audio
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On the campaign trail, week five: Luxon grapples with his 'last resort'
7 Oct 2023TVNZ's multi-party debate this week illustrated key features of this election campaign: the minor parties' rising popularity, and the complicated role of NZ First.
With polls they would need Winston… Read more Audio
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On the campaign trail, week four: The week of Winston Peters
30 Sep 2023Call this the week of Winston Peters - with the New Zealand First leader, riding a wave of renewed relevancy.
In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent… Read more Audio
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On the campaign trail, week three: Debates, polls, sausage and cheese rolls
22 Sep 2023The minor parties gave glimpses of their own cooperation styles at the Newshub Nation Powerbrokers' debate, while polls continued to signal Labour on the downturn.
GDP numbers also showed no… Read more Audio
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On the campaign trail, week two: Tax plans and spending
16 Sep 2023The second week of the election campaign has been all about the economy.
There was the pre-election opening of the books, with National's tax plans and Labour's spending coming under fire.
This… Read more Audio
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On the campaign trail, week one: False claims and ad campaigns
9 Sep 2023One week into the official election campaign and the hyperbole is flying thick and fast.
Distractions persisted throughout the week, with protesters at the major parties' campaign launches, outrage… Read more Audio
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Political parties talk strategy as campaigning begins in earnest
1 Sep 2023The Parliamentary term came to an end this week after a tumultuous term, and Labour and National's election campaigns are launching this weekend - with just six weeks remaining before the big day.
… Read more Audio
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Labour sells its vaping crackdown - but is it too late?
26 Aug 2023The government's pointed to vapes as a key weapon in the war against cigarettes.
In the rush to reach its smokefree targets, however, there are fears the horse has bolted - with children exposed to… Read more Audio
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Labour's GST-free fruit and vege strategy falls foul of the experts
18 Aug 2023Set the table for bread and butter - or in this case, fruit and veg: Labour fired its opening election campaign salvo on Sunday with a starkly populist pitch for tax-free produce.
The party is… Read more Audio
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ACT's top six candidates share their history and priorities
11 Aug 2023ACT has not only held onto the 10-fold increase in voter support it enjoyed last election, it's maintained a stable caucus and gained further traction.
With polls anticipating an even bigger stable… Read more Audio
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Polls and fiscal holes put major parties on notice
With recent polling giving both major parties cause for concern and the election less than three months away, the countdown is on - and the policies are starting to roll out.
Labour has launched… Read more Audio
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Labour grapples with Kiri Allan's resignation, leak claims
28 Jul 2023Tragic circumstances putting a halt to the political career of one of Labour's rising stars, East Coast MP Kiri Allan, was just the start of the party's headaches this week.
Along with speculation… Read more Video, Audio
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Focus on Politics for Friday 21 July 2023
21 Jul 2023In Focus on Politics, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down Labour's law-and-order week and the tragic events which brought it to an end. Audio
Focus on Politics
About Focus on Politics
A weekly analysis of significant political issues.
On RNZ National, Friday after 6.30pm and Saturday at 5.10pm. Online article publishes 10am on Saturdays.
Follow this podcast.