On the Tiles

In this bonus episode, Katie Bradford and Thomas Coughlan regroup after an election night that had plenty of action but no clear result.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The campaign is nearly over, but will we know who’s won on election night? In the final pre-election episode of Election 2026: The Podcast, Katie Bradford is joined by campaign strategist and pollster Tim Hurdle and Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse. They look at what the Michael Laws controversy could mean for New Zealand First, why Opportunity’s chances of clearing 5% matter...

Could Christopher Luxon secure another term and still face a fight for his leadership? Katie Bradford is joined by NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor and Tō Waha Media owner Carmen Parahi to discuss National’s polling, the power its coalition partners could wield and why cost of living concerns are getting lost in the campaign. They also examine the fallout from Labour’s ca...

Could New Zealand still be waiting for a government at Christmas? Katie Bradford is joined by Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan and political strategist Campbell Barry to examine Opportunity’s potential role as kingmaker and the promises that could unravel in coalition talks. They also discuss the Power Brokers Debate, the Greens’ handling of gang engagement, business leaders&rsq...

Could the 2026 election be a make or break moment for MMP? With National and Labour neck and neck and Opportunity potentially holding the balance of power, forming the next government could be anything but straightforward. Katie Bradford is joined by Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett and Financial Services Council CEO Kirk Hope to dissect the latest leaders' debate, the growing influence o...

Could National return to government and still lose some of its biggest names? Former Labour leader and Auckland mayor Phil Goff joins Katie Bradford and NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor to unpack the campaign’s latest twists—from the risk facing National’s senior list MPs to the promises that could disappear during coalition negotiations. They also dissect the leade...

One NZ CEO Nick Judd and AUT AI expert Dr Mahsa McCauley discuss some of the upsides of AI. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crimson Education's Jamie Beaton on how we can build world-class universities in NZ. Brought to you by One NZ.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The parties share their plans for where NZ's future jobs will come from. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamatha Paul shared her thoughts on TikTok and explains further during the Future of NZ debate. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamatha Paul and Shane Jones share their views on AI  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moko Tepania and Cameron Bagrie on short-term funding and why NZ’s real crisis may be low incomes. Brought to you by One NZ.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parties share their plans for non-rainy days and did someone say Marsden Point? Brought to you by One NZ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Key passed his opinion on ethical billionaires during the NZ Herald Future of NZ Debate. Brought to you by One NZ.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oriini Kaipara and Nicole McKee on intellectual property and how far regulation should go. Brought to you by One NZ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moko Tepania and Cameron Bagrie on short-term funding and why NZ’s real crisis may be low incomes. Brought to you by One NZ.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Pahina and Jamie Beaton on whether education can stop workers being left behind by AI. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge and Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey discuss the future of energy in NZ. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Misguided” is how Sir John Key is describing people calling on National party voters to split their vote, in a new podcast being launched today by the NZ Herald. In the first episode of Election 2026: The Podcast, Key and long-time political strategist James Bews-Hair join Katie Bradford to discuss strategic voting, the fall of major parties and the rise of Opportunity. See omnystudio...

Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026. Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Hon David Parker gave a speech addressing the state of New Zealand's international relations as part of an event for Diplosphere.  Thomas chaired a Q&A after the event between Parker and the audience, and On the Tiles presents the full speech by Parker and that Q&A for this week's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Health care in New Zealand eats up a huge portion of the budget each year, and it's growing - The Government spent 7.3% of GDP on health in the year to June 2024, more than any year outside of Covid.  Treasury reckons spending is expected to grow to 10% of GDP by 2061 - so how can we get on top of it?  This week, Thomas is joined by Sir Bill English, who served as Health, Finance and Pri...

In the first political panel catchup for the year, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls and NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenee Tibshraeny to discuss a hectic period in local politics - ranging from the resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr, the firing of UK High Commissioner Phil Goff, the latest comments by Christopher Luxon, and Labour's reshuffle. ...

Competition for the top job in our biggest cities is heating up ahead of this year’s local body elections, with some potential candidates already causing a stir. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has confirmed she wants a second term although many people in the capital are wondering why, given her tumultuous entry to the world of local government. In Auckland, Mayor Wayne Brown has said he is not...

This month, the Cook Islands signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, sparking tensions between the islands and New Zealand.  It has sparked renewed discussions about China's interest in the Pacific, and how New Zealand should respond, as the Asia-Pacific region remains a hotbed of diplomatic tension between the East and West. Marco de Jong, a Pacific historian and lecturer at...