Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

Today National Party leader, Christopher Luxon, joined John MacDonald via phone on our first show back for 2022.  John asked him what National would do if they were in Government right now to handle the arrival of Omicron in the community, and covered other key issues such as Three Waters and opening our borders.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final show for the year, John MacDonald hosted National's Gerry Brownlee and Labour's Megan Woods live from the newly opened Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.  They discussed this great new facility for Canterbury, and the long road to recovery following the quakes. And reflected on their highlights of the year, which Gerry used to his advantage to promote his latest venture.  LISTEN A...

For the final time this year, John talked to National Party leader Christopher Luxon and found out how he is coping after a busy two weeks at the helm of the National Party. John asked about his feelings about the most recent political poll results, and what the National Party will do to win back votes the had lost.  They also discussed the passing of a bill which will allow intensive housing to b...

Today on Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald caught up with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel for our final chat for 2021. The Mayor reflected on the recent decision for the Council to stay with Local Government New Zealand, and the steps they would now take in regard to the proposed Three Waters Reform, and promoted a new water usage tool available via Council for ratepayers.  And John asked the...

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Gerry Brownlee and Duncan Webb and got their initial reaction to the Kaiapoi Doctor who has allegedly been giving false medical exemptions to those wishing not to be vaccinated.   They also discussed the latest news around Three Waters, with proceedings now being delayed and yesterday's announcement from the Government around New Ze...

Today on Politics Friday we had Megan Woods on the show solo, as unfortunately Gerry Brownlee had been caught in a bad coverage area, but will join us again next week.  Minister Woods spoke to John MacDonald about the new Traffic Light System starting today nationwide, and what that means for New Zealanders over summer.   They also discussed the Pharmac review, current Fuel Prices and more ICU bed...

Today for the first time as National Party Leader, Christopher Luxon joined John MacDonald to talk about his vision for the party moving forward.  Luxon spoke about what he felt were the key issues facing New Zealanders, including the ability to pay everyday bills without struggling, and how his party would be moving forward to become a strong opposition for the Government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel about this afternoon's Traffic Light System announcement, and which level she felt Canterbury should be starting out on. She confirmed that Council will find out the level at the same time as the public at 4pm today. The Mayor also elaborated on a congestion charge that has been discussed the by Cou...

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel regarding the proposed plans to sell land in the Arts Precinct to allow for development of a car parking building.   The mayor was questioned about a cattle feedlot on Banks Peninsula that had been given consent, which will cover almost as much area as the convention centre, and explained the limita...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is today visiting Christchurch, and spoke with Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings host, John MacDonald live on the show. John asked the Prime Minister about the new 'Traffic Light System', and off the back of recent events being cancelled in Canterbury, whether the system provided enough information and clarity for event organisers to confidently plan going forward.  The...

Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Labour's Tracey McClellan and National's Gerry Brownlee. Topics for discussion included the recent cancellations of events in Canterbury, and if Government's new Traffic Light System provided enough clarity for organisers.  They reflected on the Pike River tragedy 11 years, and discussed whether investigations should continue if they were to r...

Today on Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to National Party Leader, Judith Collins.  They discussed the latest political polls and the leadership of the National Party, and John asked why she had publicly written off Simon Bridges as a potential leader for the party.   Also, concerns around MP safety, which have been raised after a recent event with Labour's Kieran McAnulty, and Collins g...

John MacDonald caught up with Christchurch City Mayor, Lianne Dalziel.  He questioned the mayor over media coverage of a potential pay rise for Christchurch City Council chief executive, Dawn Baxendale, and whether it is an appropriate time to be giving increases.  They also discussed allegations that information about issues with the new stadium budget had been withheld from City Counsellors for...

Today on Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon.   Dan is leading the charge on Councils pushing back on the Three Waters reform, and told listeners about the concerns his residents have voiced and his request to meet with the Prime Minister.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show John MacDonald was joined by Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel.  She spoke of her shock and sadness of the fatal shooting of 16-year-old, Connor Whitehead, an innocent bystander who lost his life while attending a party last Friday night in Casebrook.   John followed up on last week's conversation about chlorine in our water, and also asked for the Mayor's thoughts about a proposed...

This week on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Labour's Megan Woods and National's Gerry Brownlee. They discussed the End Of Life Act which comes in on Sunday, and if palliative care should be free to allow a balanced choice for people with terminal illness.  Auckland Airport has joined the National Party in calling for a Royal Commission into the Government's Delta response, and shoul...

Today National Party Leader Judith Collins joined John MacDonald to discuss why she feels there is a need for a Royal Commission into the Government's Delta response.   She also discussed Auckland University deciding to mandate the vaccination for their campus, and her views on Landlords and their rights in New Zealand.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During our weekly catch up with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, John MacDonald raised a question from a caller about chlorine in our water.  The Mayor explained about the new Water Services Act and safe drinking water rules brought in by the Government, and the process for the Council to gain an exemption from having to use chlorine.  John also discussed the recent Three Waters announcement, an...

Labour's Poto Williams and National's Gerry Brownlee today joined Canterbury Mornings to discuss what has been a turbulent week for the Canterbury region. John MacDonald asked if enough had been done by the Government to protect the South Island from Covid and whether the Government had dropped the ball in preparing for the arrival of the Delta variant in New Zealand. He also questioned why the Go...

A call to get tested in Christchurch after two confirmed Covid cases in the city.  Two unvaccinated members of one household have tested positive almost two weeks after one returned from Auckland, for authorised travel for a child.  The extent of the spread remains unclear - but Epidemiologist Michael Baker told Newstalk ZB's John MacDonald there are simple things everyone can do while they wait f...

Christchurch City Councillors are dismayed following the Government’s Three Waters Reform announcement this morning.  Sam MacDonald and Phil Mauger told Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings they're dismayed at the lack of consultation and consideration given to local councils.   Their calls of concern were backed by a media release sent from Mayor Lianne Dalziel's office following the news.  LISTEN ABO...

National Party leader Judith Collins announced ahead of the Government announcement, this morning, Labour's plans to go ahead with the Three Waters Reform.  Collins stated she felt it was an asset grab, and if National were to be elected they would not proceed with the reform.   She also voiced her concern about the delay in MIQ changes, her feelings on vaccine mandates and her frustration on the...

Today it was announced that both Addington Raceway and Riccarton Park will operate behind closed doors to the public during Cup Week in Canterbury in the second week of November.  The lack of clarity around alert levels for Canterbury going forward has led to the racing clubs having no choice but to plan to race with access for industry members only, during a week which historically brings in thou...

Following conversations on the show earlier in the week, John MacDonald of Canterbury Mornings spoke to Labour's Duncan Webb and National's Gerry Brownlee regarding our local MPs and whether they were going in to bat for the South Island.  They also discussed the pandemic plan going forward in regard to ICU in New Zealand, the latest poll results and learned more about their plans on Super Saturda...

During our weekly interview with Judith Collins, John MacDonald asked the National Leader if she thought that the vaccination mandate should be extended to local authorities such as councils to help protect the South. He also discussed the ICU situation with staffing and training, and the recently released Government Statements. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.