Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

There are going to be some noses out of joint today, with this announcement from the Government about what it’s going to do to try and sort out the shortage of houses in this country.   In Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s own words, the Government is going to “flood” cities with more land so that more houses can be built, so that supply can go up, and so that more people can afford a roof over thei...

There’s a thing in politics called “optics”.   Which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s all about being seen to do something. It’s also about how people see whatever it is you’re doing.   You know: “Mmmm, how will this look, do you reckon? What will people think when they see us doing this, do you think?"   And that is exactly what’s behind the Government’s Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. Whi...

When I heard on Friday morning that the cops had been out in force the night before cracking down on boy racers, I thought two things. My first thought was ‘that’s great, I hope they do it again right through the weekend’. And the reason I thought that - and it was purely selfish - was because, with the kids home from uni, I knew a couple of them were planning to drive out to a party with mates on...

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined John MacDonald for their regular catchup.   The Mayor is currently in the midst of long term plan discussions, and gave his thoughts on the rates residents can expect, funding for the Arts Centre, and Orana Park.   And, the Government is looking to make it so Māori wards are up for a vote, what are Mauger’s thoughts? Does he think the bill is needed?   LISTEN...

Moses Mackay of Sol3 Mio fame is in Christchurch, performing Le Comte Ory with the New Zealand Opera.   He joined John MacDonald to discuss the show and his life in Italy.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This might be because I’m still recovering from the Bird Flu/Man Flu combo that had me stuck in bed last week. Or maybe, on this occasion, Winston Peters is actually making sense.   Either way, I agree with him that it’s Mickey Mouse that we have an epidemiologist who was involved in our COVID response, leading the inquiry into it. The Royal Commission.   Which, by the way, I think is critical. I...

When I was off sick last week, I was crook enough to need to see a couple of doctors. And I’m very glad Chris Hipkins wasn’t one of them.   Because, if he had been and if he was true to the noises he’s been making about the Government’s big cancer drugs announcement yesterday, then he’d probably spend all his time apologising to me for taking too long to work out what was actually wrong with me.  ...

Resources Minister Shane Jones was full of it when he was on Newstalk ZB this morning, talking about the Government's plan to lift the ban on oil and gas exploration.   He said you and I have two choices.   We can either go with the people he calls the "lotus-eaters". These are the people who are outraged that the Government is lifting the ban. People he says have been fed and swallowed the line a...

National’s Vanessa Weenink and Labour’s Reuben Davidson joined John MacDonald to dig into the biggest political stories of the week.   Nicola Willis believes that it is a politician's job to provide hope for their citizens, do they agree as we head towards next week’s Budget?   Is mining on the West Coast a good idea to boost the local economy, or does there need to be more consideration of the en...

Who would think that former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and current Finance Minister Nicola Willis could agree on anything? But it seems they do.   Both of them think that it’s the job of politicians to give people hope. I think that’s wishful thinking on their part.   When Grant Robertson gave his valedictory speech two months ago before leaving Parliament to become Vice-Chancellor at the Un...

Mining is on the way back.   That’s the message today from Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones who is on the West coast to announce the Government's proposal to double mining exports (which are already worth $1 billion) by allowing mining in some conservation areas - not just for coal, but other minerals too.   The Government says one of the big selling points is the number of...

So, it looks like the Government is going to ditch the First Home Buyers Scheme which gives people up to $10,000 to help get them into their first home.   All up, it costs the Government $60 million a year. It seems that money’s going to go into social housing instead.   And it’s tick, tick, tick from me. That’s because, even though I think there is a place for government involvement in helping pe...

John MacDonald was joined this morning by Chris Hipkins for their regular catchup.   Labour's leader is warning the Government it shouldn't can a grant for first home buyers.   An inquiry led by former PM Sir Bill English has found Kainga Ora needs to find significant savings to be financially viable.   The Housing Minister says every programme the state housing provider runs will be checked for c...

What an absolute shambles Kāinga Ora sounds like.   But, let’s be honest, even though the Government is making noises about what a shocker this investigation and report by Sir Bill English is - it’s probably quietly quite pleased with it, don't you think?   And, for me, the key thing it all comes down to is how involved a government, of any persuasion, should be in providing housing for people who...

Heath Franklin will return to Christchurch in June as ‘Chopper’ in his latest comedy tour on June 7. John MacDonald spoke to Heath about his career as Chopper, what it was like to meet the man himself - which turned out to be rather underwhelming, and why he walked away from a career in law to become a comedian.   LISTEN ABOVE.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shock horror from the OCD today. Shock. Horror.   It's saying that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the developed world. All right, that's what it's saying. But if you dig a little deeper, you find that our definition of homelessness is broader than most other countries, and I think we're a bit quick to classify someone as being homeless here.   I'm not saying it's a low...

If you talk to anyone who has been a manager and you ask them what’s the best thing about being a manager and what’s the worst, the answer will be the same for both. The people.   I know, because I’ve been a manager before, and I know exactly how brilliant it can be when things are going great with your people. But, when they’re not, it can be a nightmare.   And a new report out today from the Hum...

John MacDonald was joined by National's Vanessa Weenink and Labour’s Duncan Webb this week for Politics Friday.   They discussed the bullying culture in New Zealand, is it rife in workplaces? And does it come from the top, given the environment in Parliament?   Will the Government's charter schools really be the answer to our education issues?   Is the South Island being ignored when it comes to r...

Things are really packing a sad at Christchurch City Holdings Limited - the commercial outfit that looks after the city’s assets such as the airport, Orion electricity, and the port company.   There are others as well, but the big ones are a 75% stake in Christchurch Airport, 89% of the Orion electricity distribution company, and 100% ownership of the Lyttelton Port Company.   Four directors —incl...

First we had roads of significance. Now we have roads of insignificance.   And top of the list is Brougham Street, in Christchurch, with this decision by the Government to pull the plug on a $90 million upgrade of what would have to be one of the most congested and dangerous roads in the city.   Because, up until yesterday, it was all-go. It was due to be underway by the end of the year and would...

People are getting very excited - not in a good way - this plan in Auckland to start charging people 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week to park their cars in the CBD.   Apparently, mayor Wayne Brown isn’t even happy about it. But I don’t know why. I think it’s a great idea and I think we should be doing it in Christchurch.   Now, when I say I think it’s great, I’m not saying I love paying money to...

I could be wrong. But I reckon most of us wouldn’t have done what Transpower wanted us to do to try and avoid power cuts.   I could be wrong. You may have dutifully done what Transpower wanted you to do. Which was to use as little power as possible by not charging your phone and not having heaters and lights on in rooms you’re not using between 7am and 9am today.   But I reckon most people would’v...

John MacDonald was joined by Labour’s Megan Wood and National’s Matt Doocey to break down this week in Politics Friday.   This morning’s situation with the power grid sparked a lot of chatter, are we really in a third world state as David Seymour claims?   Megan Woods revealed that support for the families impacted by the mosque attack will be cut this afternoon, is this really the time?   LISTEN...

David Seymour is a muppet. I bet that’s what the Prime Minister was thinking yesterday when reporters were asking him if he agreed with Seymour’s view that sushi is “woke”.   The ACT leader and the Associate Education Minister made the claim about sushi after he’d announced that the Government is revamping the school lunches programme by getting back to the basics, like sandwiches and fruit, and s...

How about this? I found myself agreeing this morning with someone who has been described as a racist dinosaur. To a point.   This lefty wokester, that some people seem to think I am, actually agrees with this Kings Council lawyer who disagrees with tikanga Māori being compulsory for students doing a law degree at university from next year.   I agree with someone who has been described as (quote) “...