Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

There’s that saying that you should never waste a good crisis.  And, according to Winston Peters, the trucking companies are taking that advice and using the current fuel crisis as an opportunity to get what they’ve always wanted.  Which is a rule change to let them carry more weight on their trucks.  The Government’s looking at allowing that as part of its response to the fuel situ...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Christopher Luxon is running away from scrutiny after he cancelled his regular weekly interview on TVNZ's Breakfast programme. "The reality is that's part of the job. You're going to be subjected to scrutiny, you're going to be asked tough questions." Speaking on Canterbury Mornings, Hipkins was asked by John MacDonald whether he held the same view when former Prim...

Anyone who didn’t feel excited for and proud of Christchurch over the long weekend might need to check if they’ve still got a pulse.  Because what a ripper.   And anyone who thinks our brand new One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha isn’t going to be Christchurch's greatest asset then, maybe, they were at home all weekend and didn’t see what was going on.   Thousands of visitors in tow...

Ahead of the first fully ticketed event at One New Zealand Stadium, John MacDonald caught up with Greg May, owner of central city bar, Smash Palace. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the first fully ticketed event at One New Zealand Stadium, Venues Ōtautahi CEO took John MacDonald on a tour of One New Zealand Stadium. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Make no mistake, today is a massive day for Christchurch.   Normally, you’d say the official opening - when the ‘hoi-polloi’ gather to cut ribbons and make speeches - is massive.  But today’s the day. Because today, the stadium becomes ours.  And I’m with Mayor Phil Mauger who is saying that it has been worth every penny.  It’s a spend that not everyone has been and will be hap...

Ahead of the Super Round weekend in Christchurch, John MacDonald caught up with former All Black and Crusaders legend, Dan Carter. They discuss Dan's time as a Crusader during the earthquakes, what he reckons of the new One NZ stadium, and the 'Every Drop Challenge' that Dan is hosting at half time on Super Round Sunday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With One NZ Stadium finally opening its doors ahead of the Super Rugby Super Round, John MacDonald caught up with current Speaker of the House and former Christchurch Regeneration Minister, Gerry Brownlee. They discussed his role in getting the stadium off the ground by convincing cabinet of its importance for Cantabrians, and if he thinks the stadium has matched his expectations from over a decad...

With the Super Round days away, planning to get to the new One New Zealand Stadium will be a necessity for the over 25,000 fans who will be coming to the first event. Environment Canterbury Chair Dr Deon Swiggs' joined John MacDonald to discuss the "Event Direct" initiative, providing shuttle buses to and from pickup points across the city. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

A dog’s breakfast. That’s the only way I can describe the National Party’s handling of the speculation over Christopher Luxon’s leadership. Because “nothing to see here” never works. What’s more, I just don’t believe what they’re saying. Luxon called the confidence vote yesterday and came out of the caucus meeting saying he had the backing of his MPs and that was that. He wouldn’t answer any quest...

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon joined John MacDonald in the studio for the first of their regular catchups. They discussed some of the biggest issues for Selwyn ratepayers, including the potential cutting of council jobs to keep rates down, what she thinks of the 'Super-city' debate and if she thinks the Christchurch City Council missed a trick by not asking Selwyn to foot some of the bill for One NZ...

Excitement is brewing across Christchurch as One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha will finally open its doors on Friday. Christchurch City Council Senior Project Manager Dr Richard Gibbs joined Canterbury Mornings and discussed the part he has played in producing the world-class turf at One NZ Stadium, and his thoughts on the lack of horses that won't be moving with the Crusaders to their new home....

I can’t think of one negative impact people moving here from overseas have had on my life.  Not one.  I can tell you plenty of good things. But not anything negative.  Which is why I'll never understand why immigrants get such a bad rap. It’s an easy excuse, though. Not happy about something? Blame the immigrants.  And it’s NZ First’s Shane Jones is talking the nonsense he is....

The Green Party wants us to electrify everything, saying the current fuel crisis is a good reason to produce as much of our own energy as possible.  Which, by the way, is kind of ironic don’t you think? The Greens wanting us to produce our own energy, but not wanting us to drill for oil and gas?  Nevertheless, that’s what co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said in the party’s State of the Planet...

Over nine-thousand punters turned up for the Crusaders open training session at One New Zealand Stadium on Thursday evening. John MacDonald also went along and spoke with a few fans at the final test event before next week's Super Round.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After hearing Chris Bishop on Newstalk ZB this morning, there are two things about the National Party and its leader that I am in no doubt about. I am in absolutely no doubt that Christopher Luxon has to stand down before he’s pushed. I’m also in no doubt that, if that happens, National will be toast in this year’s election. But, when you weigh it up, there’s no way this speculation and doubt abou...

National's Matt Doocey and Labour's Tracey McLellan joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week.  They covered some of the biggest topics from the week from Christopher Luxon's leadership, the new warrant of fitness changes coming this year, and their thoughts on The Crusaders losing the pre-match horses at One NZ Stadium. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

I’ve never had a problem with the chlorine that’s been in Christchurch's water.  Which is why I'm not at all upset at the news that it’s going to be in the water forever.  What’s happened, is city councillors have been told that - even if they spent $1.5 billion on infrastructure upgrades over the next 20 years - the chlorine would most likely still be needed.  That’s because of all...

Do we need more taxes?  There are two ways we can look at it. Does The Government need more tax revenue? Yes, I think it does. Which is why those tax cuts after the last election have backfired so badly.  And do we want to pay more tax? When push comes to shove, probably not. But that’s human nature, isn’t it?  But, if we look beyond human nature - beyond gut reactions to the tax qu...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says ministers did not receive key advice about myocarditis risks for 12 to 17-year‑olds during the COVID response.  Speaking on Canterbury Mornings, Hipkins was questioned by John MacDonald about the findings from the Royal Commission into COVID‑19, which said expert advice on vaccine mandates for teenagers was delayed in being provided to ministers.   Hipkin...

Two questions: what does “woke” mean to you? And are states of emergency “woke”?  The reason I'm asking is that the Mayor of Wairoa thinks they are. Which I think is a load of old nonsense.  Unlike other mayors in other North Island areas - who declared states of emergency in anticipation of Cyclone Vaianu at the weekend - Craig Little didn’t. Because he thought it was all a bit over the...

After what happened at the weekend, I think Christopher Luxon needs to take a leaf out of Anthony Albanese's book, jump on a plane and head over to South Korea to make sure we don’t run out of fuel.  With negotiations between the U.S. and Iran falling over, President Donald Trump has announced that he’s now in charge of the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. Navy blockading the vital trade route...

Finally, someone has come up with an idea for the Anglican Cathedral in Christchurch that makes a load of sense.  It doesn’t involve running to the Government cap-in-hand. And it doesn’t involve asking ratepayers to fork out more money.  Sound too good to be true? I know - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  But I think this is an exception. And a brilliant exception,...

National's Hamish Campbell and Labour's Reuben Davidson joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week.  They covered some of the biggest topics from the week from Iran, the idea from Humphry Rolleston to sell off Enable to fund the rebuild of the Cathedral, and how to solve the wastewater problem in Bromley. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who thinks the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran is going to last the full two weeks is dreaming.  How many reasons can I give you? Because there are plenty.  First up, there are these conflicting reports coming through this regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The stretch of water that is the reason why diesel users in this country are paying more for fuel than pe...