Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined by Labour’s Duncan Webb and National’s Gerry Brownlee.   They discussed Winston Peter's comments about the mosque attack and whether he is fit for a role in a potential government.   Is New Zealand's response to the Gaza situation strong enough?   And will National's plan to have gang members wear makeup to cover up offensive tattoos work?   LISTE...

All Blacks legend Frank Bunce joined John MacDonald on the show ahead of Sunday's World Cup Final.   He relived his experience against the Springboks 28 years ago, and also spoke about the importance for our retiring players to have a plan for when life in rugby has finished.    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been keeping an eye on all the international news networks, just in case there’s breaking news about something.   Of course, there’s breaking news about all sorts of stuff. But not the breaking news I’ve been looking out for.   And I reckon if I flicked between the channels all day, I still wouldn’t see any coverage of little old New Zealand’s call for a “ humanitarian pause” in the conflict...

If you thought the election campaign lasted forever, it seems the counting of the special votes is taking forever too. It’s also looking like this drawn-out process is going to cost a lot of money. Because it’s looking like Labour is going to keep the money tap running all the way until the bitter end. It is nuts, even though it knows full-well that the incoming government wants to scrap the Three...

Yes and Yes. They’re my answers to the two questions about our justice system and whether change is needed when it comes to parole. Because who says it’s right that someone sentenced to two years or less gets out after serving half their sentences? And who says it’s right that someone serving more than two years can be considered for parole after serving just a third of their sentence? That’s unle...

Today John MacDonald spoke to Labour's new Christchurch East MP, Reuben Davidson, and National's Matt Doocey on Politics Friday.   They discussed the election result and coalition agreements. Plus. what is wrong with our justice system when we see so many offenders getting granted home detention and early parole?    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps might be on a winning streak at the world cup. But things aren't quite the same for the Canterbury Cricket Trust, which is struggling to re-pay a $1.5 million loan to the Christchurch City Council for the lighting towers at Hagley Oval. Originally, the council was charging a 2 percent interest rate. But that’s gone up to 5.4 percent. Which means the cricket people are really struggl...

The legendary Rodger Fox Big Band is coming to Christchurch this weekend.   They’re fusing the modern big band sound with Aotearoa-New Zealand hip-hop, and collaborating with multi-award-winning Aotearoa hip-hop legend King Kapisi and special guest Erna Ferry.   John MacDonald spoke to Rodger ahead of the concert.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger. He pressed the Mayor on his threats to cut funding to libraries and pools in order to avoid rates increases. Does the Mayor stand by those comments? And what will happen following the review of the Bromley Wastewater Plant fire?   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year ago today, Christchurch man Tony Kelly was rushed to hospital after being kicked in the head “martial arts-style” by a teenager in Cashel Mall, outside Ballantynes. Tony didn’t survive his injuries. And, as we are finding out today, insult is being added to those injuries. It was just after six o’clock at night, when Tony was followed by a group from the bus interchange in town who had some...

How confident are you in the Christchurch City Council’s ability to run its finances?   Because, just like Auckland and Wellington, we’ve now got the Christchurch council saying it’s in a financial mess.   Mayor Phil Mauger is saying that the council’s finances are "deep shtuck". That’s how he’s politely putting it. He’s also saying that the council is up a certain creek. And you know which creek...

Let’s kick-off with a bit of financial advice. If you have shares in a sausage roll factory or an ice cream shop, sell them now. Because, after today, sales are going to plummet without the politicians screaming around the country filling their gobs and scooping the cold stuff into cones. Come midnight tonight, we are done for another three years. Although the real action is still to come with vot...

In the final edition of Politics Friday before election day, John was joined by Labour’s Megan Woods and National’s Gerry Brownlee live in studio.    They discussed the campaign, whether it’s been the most negative they’ve seen, and the policies they’re the proudest of leading into the election.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you imagine what it’s like on the National Party bus today after those three poll results that came out in the last 24 hours? All three of them - the 1News Kantar poll, the Newshub poll, and the Guardian poll - have Winston Peters being the coalition kingmaker. They’ve got NZ First somewhere between 6 percent and 8.2 percent. Anything over 5 percent, and Winston, Shane and the rest of the crew...

There is an ad on the radio at the moment featuring a brilliant impersonation of Labour’s Finance spokesperson and current Finance Minister Grant Robertson. The Taxpayers Union is behind it. They’ve also got a website that goes with it and even have vehicles painted up, as if they are a legitimate business. They're calling it "Robbo’s Removal Company” and the gist of the whole thing is that Grant...

Now in the final week of the election campaign, Labour leader Chris Hipkins joined John MacDonald live in studio to discuss the issues that matter the most to Canterbury.   They discussed the state of the region’s afterhours care, whether there’s any fat in the public sector spending, and what will have to go in order to fund their GST policy.   Plus, does he think Jacinda Ardern’s support will he...

Remember the old Ministry of Works? Reckon we need it back again? I reckon we do. Because we have another example today of what happens when you rely on governments and individual organisations to run big infrastructure projects. So think of all the drama over the new stadium in Christchurch. Think of all the money wasted on the Auckland Harbour Bridge cycleway that went absolutely nowhere. The Ci...

Christchurch Airport’s nose is going to be out of joint today. Because the boss at Queenstown Airport, Glen Sowry, has come out firing over Christchurch’s plan to build a new airport at Tarras, in Central Otago. He’s saying there is no need at all for another airport in the South Island and he’s put out a statement saying “it’s time to set the record straight”. Which is a statement of intent if ev...

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...

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is back from his sister-city trips and joined John in studio today for his regular catch up.   They discussed the trip and benefits that came from it, as well as the reason rates are looking to increase so drastically.   They also touched on just what is going on with the city's speed limits.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you needed any further evidence that our criminal justice system is out-of-whack, we’ve got it today.   And if you thought the bail system was tickety-boo and doing what it should to keep you and I safe, you might want to think again.    That’s because a report which has just been released under the Official Information Act paints a very different picture of the bail system that I’m guessing yo...

The feathers are flying with Labour accusing Christopher Luxon of being too chicken to front up to a leaders debate here in Christchurch.   And I mean, literally, too chicken. Because it’s going nuts on social media saying Luxon’s running scared with a photo of him in a chicken suit.   And I reckon National will be quietly loving it. Because how desperate does Labour look? How desperate? Very desp...

Chris Luxon told  Canterbury Mornings  the photoshopped pictures of him wearing a chicken suit circulating social media, after pulling out of The Press Leader's debate, was "a load of rubbish".   "Let's be clear, [Chris Hipkins] is isolating in his hotel with Covid, we're ten days from an election and we have a debate next week anyway with TVNZ," the National leader said.   "We have a busy schedul...

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald was joined by Duncan Webb and Gerry Brownlee in studio for Politics Friday.    They discussed the need for a police chopper in Christchurch after word was released that National may seek to bring one to the city.   National's fiscal plan is out later today, will it hold all the information voters need?   And which coalition will truly be the...

If you want proof that people will see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear, I’ve got it for you.   And it’s to do with last night’s leaders’ debate on TV3. Which, by the way, blew last week’s debate on TV1 out of the water, didn't it?   Not just because Chris Hipkins appeared to be awake this time. But also because it had a much better structure and didn’t waste time on pointless...