This week on the Raw Politics podcast: There were two scandals over abuse of kids in state care - one was run from some of the highest offices in the land. Plus, the new NZ First party, polls and Nimbys vs the fast-track

One of the biggest political and government scandals in NZ history - the abuse of thousands of children in state care - will soon be subject to a formal Crown apology.

Raw Politics examines if this generation's politicians and mandarins can make it right.

Newsroom political editor Laura Walters, senior political reporter Marc Daalder and co-editor Tim Murphy discuss the enormity of not only the actual abuse but the state's campaign to silence and defeat court actions from victims, as set out in a powerful new series by Aaron Smale on Newsroom.

His series - Crown cover-up? - forensically pieces together the findings of the Royal Commission with the who, what, when, where and why of the establishment, from Prime Ministers and Attorneys-General to police, justice, welfare and Crown Law leaders.

The Raw Politics panel looks at the huge political challenge thrust onto Cabinet minister Erica Stanford to resolve this injustice, the steps forward for the Luxon government, what real justice and truth might seem like for victims and whether anyone could yet be held accountable from the state.

In our second topic, we run our eye over the New Zealand First Party's conference and its policy focus in 2024 as against its foundation planks and populist and nationalist heritage, and ask if you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Our reader question is on whether Nimbys might get in the way of the Government's 149 listed fast-track development projects and should landowners and residents be worried about something large and disruptive landing on their boundaries.

Finally, the panelists recommend something to read, listen to or watch on the weekend ahead:

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This week's recommendations:

Marc: Two articles on misinformation after Hurricane Helene and ahead of the US election

Laura: A piece from Madeleine Chapman of the Spinoff on how the controversial appointments to head the human rights commission weren’t recommended by the panel

Tim: No contest this week. Aaron Smale’s formidable news series on Newsroom this week on the Crown cover-up over abuse in care

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Raw Politics will be available every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube too.

Read more on Newsroom - https://newsroom.co.nz