The Whip for 27 May 2026

Political commentators Tracey Martin and Liam Hehir

Tracey, Liam and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the post-Budget mop-up. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=33ec9aaa-42ab-46e7-a55d-62ebd4b33c0b]

Politics; starting them young

Parliament hums with activity, teeming with MPs, staffers, petitioners, journalists, officials… and school students. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=00dfc857-f1e9-4d92-930b-bcaa33d10b96]

Penk's verbal nuclear bomb inflames defence debates

In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer recounts how and why a debate about nuclear free policy ended before it began, links to defence spending, and the impact on the relationship with Australia. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=8a6ae9a2-7fcc-4a35-ae8a-80141a8e17b3]

The Whip for 3 June 2026

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Jenna Lynch and Peter Dunne. First: Is New Zealand "freeloading" off America's military, as suggested by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth? And how do panellists score the political management of Chris Penk's comments supporting a nuclear "conversation"? Then, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little is unimpressed by the Government's deadline to plan amalgamation, with just 10 weeks to go. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=883553a0-2ed8-4582-9384-d25b5e9bdf92]

Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Louise Upston and Tangi Utikere

Louise Upston and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=38c43d04-eff8-46f9-ac92-af6665d0c4f4]