2024 marks this coalition Government's first year in power, and will be one to remember.

They got straight to work repealing and introducing legislation, some being so controversial they triggered unprecedented responses in the way of protests.

Gang patches were banned, the first youth offender bootcamp trial was completed; this year truly had a bit of everything.

Former Speaker of the House and National MP, Lockwood Smith, and former Prime Minister Helen Clark join Tim Beveridge to wrap the year in politics.

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This week on Politics Central, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts opens up about the Government's new action plan set to increase the use of hydrogen energy

Later, Fleur Fitzsimmons from the PSA addresses the backlash towards the Government's new working-from-home policies.

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The Greens have today unveiled their new Emissions Reduction Plan, and taking a hit at the current Government's plan while they're at it.

They claim their plan would reduce carbon emissions more than five times the Government's draft Emissions Reduction plan by 2030.

Some of the proposed policies include the reintroduction of the clean car discount, clean heating subsidies for rooftop solar, and reinstating the oil and gas ban.

Green Party MP Steve Abel joins with more.

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Two participants of the youth offender bootcamp were missing after attending a tangi.

Police were responding to a carjacking in Hamilton when they found the two teens, who now look to be in some legal trouble.

The first youth to go missing was on bail following a court hearing, and was to be accompanied by two Oranga Tamariki stadd.

The Labour Party's Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen joins with her take.

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The Labour Party have just wrapped up their AGM in Christchurch, where they had some big decisions to make.

The party has been in conversation about whether a capital gains tax would be on the cards for the next election, and what that may look like.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins with more.

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The Government has released Phase One of the Covid inquiry - all 700 pages of it.

Here are some key points:

• There was an issue with focusing on people's health rather than all aspects of their lives.
• Vaccine requirements were too broad and were in place for too long.
• Ardern's "single source of truth" comment was found unhelpful.

Former Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield joins with his thoughts.

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The Local Government Funding Authority has allowed "high-growth" councils to borrow more.

The move is in hopes that councils will be able to deliver projects more efficiently.

Auckland, Tauranga, and Hamilton are just a few of the councils thought to be eligible for the increase.

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The ban on gang patches came into force at midnight on Thursday, with the first arrest only three minutes later.

Police report there were 12 gang insignia-related arrests within the first 24 hours.

Richard Chamber is announced as the new Police Commissioner, after serving as an officer since 1996.

One of the ten youth offender bootcamp participants have been arrested.

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