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Focus on Politics

RNZ
New Zealand
National Party
Israel
Russia
China
Iran
New Zealand Defence Force
Environmental Protection
Fast Track Approvals Bill
Climate Change
Resource Management Act
Philippines
Singapore
Infrastructure Development
Nicola Willis
AUKUS
Gaza
Ngāti Toa
Ministers Chris Bishop, Simeon Brown, Shane Jones
Corruption

Weekly insight into the political issues that matter from RNZ's gallery team.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes244Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Focus on Politics

Latest Episodes

The fuel crisis has forced responses from the government on supply and cost, but the problem must be handled with care - and perceptions of a lack of support could see National's own support suffer. Labour is refusing to help by offering solutions, a... more

YouTube

The coalition is urging calm in face of the war in the Middle East, insisting New Zealand has ample fuel supplies, while quietly exploring targeted cost-of-living relief. But as the price at the pump climbs, so too are the political stakes. RNZ deput... more

YouTube

Former Labour MP Peeni Henare has called time on his 12 year career in Parliament. He sits down with political reporter Lillian Hanly to discuss his resignation, and the balancing act of "being Māori" and "being a politician."

Go to this episode on... more

YouTube

As the government "acknowledges" the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, opposition parties are questioning their legality. Political reporter Giles Dexter looks at the response to the latest conflict, and the Prime Minister's struggle to articulate the gove... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Nicola Willis
Minister/Politician discussed in the episode
New Zealand Parliament
Episode: Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
Callie Eckholt
Economist from Westpac
Westpac
Episode: Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
Susan St John
Economist from the Child Poverty Action Group
Child Poverty Action Group
Episode: Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
John Key
Former Prime Minister referenced as a policy parallel
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Episode: Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
Cameron Bagry
Economist quoted on inflation outlook
Unknown (Economist)
Episode: Fuel fears rise as government shifts tone
Peeni Henare
Labour MP for 12 years in Parliament (valedictory interview)
Labour Party
Episode: Peeni Henare farewells Parliament after 12 years
Chris Hipkins
Leader of the Labour Party
Labour Party
Episode: The state of the opposition
Jill Day
President of the Labour Party
Labour Party
Episode: The state of the opposition
Chloe Swarbrick
Co-leader of the Green Party
Green Party
Episode: The state of the opposition

Hosts

Giles Dexter
Host of Focus on Politics
Anneke Smith
Host of Focus on Politics
Craig McCulloch
Host of Focus on Politics

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 137 ratings
  • Love it

    Great summary of what is happening in nz politics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Reviewer SJ9
    Australiaa year ago
  • Good Summaries, but

    Why on earth must you give Simon Bridges so much air time? He’s got absolutely nothing of value to add

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bloonspeare
    New Zealand6 years ago
  • Great for Aussies

    We hear almost nothing about New Zealand on Australian news. This podcast is a great way to understand that there are alternatives to Australia’s style of politicking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stapling King
    Australia8 years ago
  • Nope

    Biased

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AshDawgles
    New Zealand9 years ago
  • Needs a little more producing

    Just a report on what happened, can be jolting because they go straight into the story with no intro, weird when you are listening to the end of another podcast and then a report starts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Spyrash
    New Zealand9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Nope—Biased
So 'straight down the middle',... it must annoy lefties and righties equally. As close to verbatim political reporting as you can get.
Good Summaries, but—Why on earth must you give Simon Bridges so much air time? He's got absolutely nothing of value to add
Needs a little more producing—Just a report on what happened, can be jolting because they go straight into the story with no intro, weird when you are listening to the end of another podcast and then a report starts
Great for Aussies—We hear almost nothing about New Zealand on Australian news. This podcast is a great way to understand that there are alternatives to Australia's style of politicking.
Love it—Great summary of what is happening in NZ politics

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#72
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Peeni Henare farewells Parliament after 12 years
Q: Why are you leaving Parliament now, and how do you hope your legacy will be viewed?
I am leaving for personal reasons, especially time with my family and to allow the kaupapa to continue moving forward with new energy and leadership.
Peeni Henare farewells Parliament after 12 years
Q: What would you say your greatest achievement is during your time in Parliament?
I am proud of the policy work and the ability to advocate for Māori within a mainstream party, even when that required balancing competing interests and navigating complex caucus dynamics.
Gas plan derailed by definitional dispute
Q: Will people's power bills go up or down?
The Cabinet paper claims the new levy will add to household costs, but it's said that it will be more than offset by lower electricity prices.
Politics and the police
Q: Do you have evidence that the increased police patrols have reduced crime?
Yes, we’ve seen a decrease in violent crime in several areas, contributing to the narrative of safety with increased police presence.
Politics and the police
Q: What is the Green Party's position on defunding the police or abolishing the police?
The policy that the party has is around breaking down systemic discrimination and racism within the police.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Focus on Politics

What is Focus on Politics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on politics delivers weekly, data-driven analysis of New Zealand political issues, policy developments, and governance debates. Episodes cover a broad spectrum—from housing and urban policy to energy, taxation, local government reform, and public sector responses—presented with emphasis on factual reporting and multiple viewpoints. The format tends to prioritize clear explanations of policy proposals, legislative developments, and the practical implications for citizens, businesses, and institutions. A notable trait is the straightforward, near-verbatim reporting style that aims to keep listeners informed without sensational framing, though audiences sometimes debate coverage choices and guest selections. For potential listeners and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Focus on Politics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Focus on Politics:

1. Gone By Lunchtime
2. Mediawatch
3. The Detail
4. Nine To Noon Politics
5. Politics NZ

How many episodes of Focus on Politics are there?

Focus on Politics launched 19 years ago and published 244 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Focus on Politics?

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What guests have appeared on Focus on Politics?

Recent guests on Focus on Politics include:

1. Nicola Willis
2. Callie Eckholt
3. Susan St John
4. John Key
5. Cameron Bagry
6. Peeni Henare
7. Chris Hipkins
8. Jill Day

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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