Election 2023

Players in the country's space sector are optimistic over recent election commitments.   National and Labour are both promising to grow the aerospace industry, including trialling and testing new technologies.   National will also appoint New Zealand's first Minister for Space, if elected.   Rocket Lab Founder Peter Beck told Mike Hosking that the space industry isn't some future aspiration, it's...

A tax expert says that National's proposed tax changes demonstrate the challenges of conveying complicated policies to the electorate.    The party is defending its policy after it was revealed just 3000 households will reap $250 in tax relief a fortnight.   They say the promised rebate to the average family always came with the caveat that it was "up to" $250.   Geof Nightingale told Mike Hosking...

As we reflect on the —let’s be frank— end of this government’s tenure, I can’t help thinking about all the stuff they dropped the ball on, that I wonder if they regret.   Mental health, the $1.9 billion none of us know where it is. Light rail. Child poverty. Kiwibuild, a tangible disaster. Not taking the country with them when they had a majority, an unheard of opportunity to take us with them, an...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and former National staffer Ben Thomas joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!  Sir John Key got involved in a last ditch effort to turn out voters for National, following growing fears of a three-way coalition with ACT and NZ First. Is this a sign of desperate times for National? Grant Robertson has labelled National'...

Auckland's mayor has fired back at National for its claims the council has $300 million of unspent fuel tax money just sitting in its accounts. The party is campaigning on scrapping the region's fuel tax within its first 100 days in Government, if elected. Finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis says the revenue it has already made will continue to be available for transport projects. But mayor Wayne Br...

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key says he offered to endorse National in a video, urging Kiwis to vote blue and avoid uncertainty. It was released on the Party's social media channels today. He says it aimed to address complacency in the electorate. "There's quite a bit of complacency in the electorate. A lot of people are saying National's going to win- look at the TAB odds, for instance- the pr...

Labour has accused National of misleading voters with their proposed tax plan. An analysis from Council of Trade Unions (CTU) shows just 3000 households would receive the $250 per fortnight relief National promised. National's Nicola Willis defended these figures saying the claim came with the 'up to' caveat- but admitted the 3000 figure was correct. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says prospectiv...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger breaks down the latest stoush between Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis over National’s tax plan. Newstalk ZB’s Political Editor Jason Walls tells us Christopher Luxon’s big plans for the aerospace industry. He also looks ahead to tonight’s Minor Leaders Debate on TVNZ. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including National...

I reckon the National Party is feeling more than a little bit nervous. In fact, I think it’s starting to look desperate. Almost as desperate as Labour is looking. Because, if I go on what people left, right and centre are telling me, Labour is toast and we’re going to see a change in government. And, as far as I’m concerned, Labour deserves everything coming at it because of the way it has started...

Not even Covid can keep Chris Hipkins down. He joined Kerre Woodham over Zoom to take calls and answer questions. WATCH ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party's James Shaw joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on the Minor Leaders Breakfast for an intense thirty-minute interview, to see if they have what it takes to make a difference in New Zealand.   Their party may be minor, but their policies aren’t.    Mike Hosking asked the questions New Zealander’s need answered to see if the policies and the politicians can hold up under pressure.   ...

ACT’s David Seymour joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on the Minor Leaders Breakfast for an intense thirty-minute interview, to see if they have what it takes to make a difference in New Zealand.  Their party may be minor, but their policies aren’t.  Mike Hosking asked the questions New Zealander’s need answered to see if the policies and the politicians can hold up under pressure.  Will the minor...

The Electoral Commission is being defended this morning.   About 1.4 million voters haven't received their EasyVote packs three days into the 13-day voting period.   Electoral law expert Graeme Edgeler says the thing that delays them is that the cards have party lists and the names of local candidates.   He told Mike Hosking that this delay is the norm, and it would be almost impossible to get the...

I’m rallying the troops at the moment to early vote.   By troops I mean family members, but also anyone who’ll listen. So far I think just my husband, my sister and I have early voted. Others are waiting til the last minute. I’m not sure what might happen last minute that could change your mind, short of a scandal of some kind I guess. But you either like the direction the country is going and wan...

Tonight on The Huddle, Curia pollster David Farrar and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Deputy National leader Nicola Willis has criticised former National minister Paula Bennett for posting a public photo with ACT's Brooke van Velden. Is this an endorsement, or are we overthinking this? Nanaia Mahuta is fa...

Little surprise the Official Cash Rate remains unchanged- for the time being. The Reserve Bank has today held the OCR at 5.5 percent, claiming interest rates are constraining economic activity as required. Milford Asset Management's Katlyn Parker says there's a lot of uncertainty around this point in the election campaign, and the RBNZ will be waiting for a change. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

Goldman Sachs analysts have warned National's proposed tax cuts could risk worsening existing economic pressures. Andrew Boak and William Nixon believe National's plan could  exacerbate inflation, and therefore cause interest rates to remain higher for longer. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny agrees, claiming National's proposed foreign buyers tax and increased immigration fee...

Grant Robertson's reflected on his Government's record on student poverty, after a confrontation at a Wellington university today. After Robertson cast his vote at Victoria University, a student initiated a testy exchange, asking about Labour's rejection of a universal student allowance. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Grant Robertson's defence was fair, as Labour removed first-year fees duri...

The latest One News/ Verian poll shows NZ First still holds the balance of power. Labour is stagnant at 26 percent, National's leading with 36 percent- but ACT has dropped two points to 10 percent, meaning they'll need NZ First to reach the threshold. National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis isn't confident Winston Peters will stand by a possible National/ACT coalition. "It's been 27 years sinc...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger paints the picture of Christopher Luxon’s visit to the West Coast. Political Editor Jason Walls discusses what happened to Grant Robertson at Victoria University – and tells us what’s got Chris Hipkins riled up from isolation. And Newstalk ZB’s Joey Dwyer talks us through candidate debates in Epsom and Tamaki. And the Election 2023 headlin...

We thought we'd have a look at the different health policies from the various parties and get your thoughts on what would benefit you, your community, those you love the most.   National announced yesterday that after birth hospital stays for mothers would be extended to three days, an extra 24 hours. That children and young people under 18 with type one diabetes would be provided free continuous...

Everybody Eats Restaurant Manager Jack Rainey and Lowe & Co Managing Director Craig Lowe join Nick Mills on the Business Panel. Together they discuss the Wellington Town Hall's skyrocketing restoration costs, the upcoming election, crime in the CBD, housing supply in the capital, and plans to remove cars from the Golden Mile.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should I have been surprised?   The debate around the Press debate has entered day two. If it carries on today that’s day three and that's two days too many.   Sure, it's news that a Prime Minister gets ill and can't attend a pre-arranged event. But that’s about it.   There is a certain irony that, having spent the past week deciding broadly that debates are a bit of a waste of time, certain playe...

National and Labour are continuing to argue over who's going to rely on who to form a government after next week's election.   National's Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking that Labour will need to make concessions to form a government with the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori.   But Labour's Megan Woods says that National and Act will have to submit to the wishes of Winston Peters and New Zealand First...

Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Chris Luxon says he'll be active in Christchurch next Tuesday, but there's no room in his itinerary for a rescheduled Press debate. The event due to happen tonight was called off after Chris Hipkins got Covid. Is this cowardice on Luxon's...