Advertise on podcast: Focus on Politics

The polls are telling different stories, so who's really winning? Could overhang seats decide the election? How did the gang saga become a headache for National as well as Labour? And Julian Wilcox joins Tim Watkin, Jo Moir and Craig McCulloch for a tour of the Māori electorates. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What happens if Opportunity holds the balance of power, but Christopher Luxon refuses to pick up the phone? On the latest Caucus, we pick apart Luxon's implausible proposition and Qiulae Wong's negotiating strategy. Plus: AI ads, the last ever Chris-v-Chris debate, and Paul Goldsmith's pickle. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Jo Moir, Craig McCulloch and Tim Watkin discuss the multi-party debate, the strategic contest between the Greens and the Opportunity Party, and Winston Peters’ position in the election campaign. This campaign, the Caucus podcast has teamed up with Focus on Politics. Jo Moir, Craig McCulloch and Tim Watkin discuss the multi-party debate, the strategic contest between the Greens and the Opportunity Party, and Winston Peters’ position in the election campaign. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 first leaders' debate and fiscal bickering. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 gallery team, joining Tim Watkin every week in the lead-up to voting day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

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 details

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 rnz.co.nz for more details