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Focus on Politics

RNZ
New Zealand
Labour Party
National Party
New Zealand First
Green Party
Act Party
David Seymour
Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Israel
New Zealand Police
Corruption
Te Pāti Māori
Regulatory Standards Bill
Iran
Chris Hipkins
Auckland
Christopher Luxon
Aotearoa
Climate Change
China

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes247Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Focus on Politics

Latest Episodes

Christopher Luxon has stared down his critics in caucus, forcing his MPs to demonstrate their loyalty with a dramatic vote of confidence. He survived the week - but still faces an almighty challenge in turning around poor polling and keeping together... more

YouTube

Cyclone Vaianu has resurfaced difficult questions around resilience and retreat. And did New Zealand dodge disaster - or just over-do the warnings? RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch examines the fall-out from the latest weather bomb.

Go t... more

YouTube

In Focus on Politics, political reporter Lillian Hanly takes a look at a meeting between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his US counterpart Marco Rubio, as President Donald Trump ramps up his threats toward Iran.

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

YouTube

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

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Craig Little
Mayor of Hawke's Bay region
Local Government (Hawke's Bay)
Episode: Vaianu: better safe than sorry?
Rahit Stoltz
Mayor of Gisborne
Local Government (Gisborne)
Episode: Vaianu: better safe than sorry?
Willie Te Aho
Chief Executive, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust
Iwi leadership/Trust
Episode: Vaianu: better safe than sorry?
Winston Peters
Foreign Minister of New Zealand
New Zealand Government
Episode: Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip
Anthony Albanese
Australian Prime Minister
Australia
Episode: Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case
Christopher Luxton
Prime Minister
New Zealand Government
Episode: Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case
Louise Upston
Social Development Minister
New Zealand Government
Episode: Fuel crisis forces rationing plan revisions - just in case
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

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
    Australia2 years 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
#60
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip
Q: Is it acceptable for a US president to make such threats targeting a civilisation?
Peters avoided judgment on individual statements, but the discussion reflected broader concerns about rhetoric and the impact on international relations and regional stability.
Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip
Q: What do you want from the Americans in this ongoing relationship and dialogue?
The host pressed for insight into NZ's expectations from the US, and Peters described a two-way street approach, underscoring ongoing cooperation while maintaining NZ's independent foreign policy.
Iran war dominates Winston Peters’ US trip
Q: Are you optimistic that this war is going to end shortly?
Peters indicated that while there were briefings on progress and conditions for peace, it remains premature to declare a quick end, emphasizing cautious optimism and the need to watch for follow-through.
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.

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. Cross Party Lines
5. Nine To Noon Politics

How many episodes of Focus on Politics are there?

Focus on Politics launched 19 years ago and published 247 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. Craig Little
2. Rahit Stoltz
3. Willie Te Aho
4. Winston Peters
5. Anthony Albanese
6. Christopher Luxton
7. Louise Upston
8. Nicola Willis

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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