Election 2023

National's Deputy Leader Nicola Willis is defending the party warning of a second election. The party has ramped up efforts to keep New Zealand First out of the mix - warning there's a growing possibility National wouldn't be able to get a deal done. Willis told Kate Hawkesby there's always a risk they won't get enough support. She says a lot of people already believe there's going to be a change...

Claims National is trying to scare people away from voting for New Zealand First. The party has released messaging warning that there's a real possibility of a second election if they can't get a coalition deal across the line with Winston Peters party. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says they're bluffing and that it would be incredibly unlikely. He believes a move like that could frustrate the e...

The Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting. Professor of politics and director of international studies at the University of Otago, Robert Patman, joined the Weekend Collective to give his insight. Plus, with just a week away from the general election Jason Walls joins us to wrap up how the campaigns have gone.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

This week on The Sunday Panel, commentator Irene Gardiner and Freebairn and Hehir partner Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following: Could National have handled the issue of Winston Peters better? Does their reluctance to fully embrace NZ First undermine any coalition Government that is formed? What will this mean for the election? Retail crime is surging and Kiwi businesses are emb...

We're six days away from election night- and the competition is amping up. Next week marks the last week of the election campaign, and Luxon and Hipkins will be rallying as many votes as they can from prospective voters. NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett and Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls recap an 'odd' election campaign loaded with vandalism, lies, accusations and arguments over...

As you will know by now, I love a general election; but there was a moment this week when I realized I was done.    Over it.   Counting the days until it was done and dusted. The moment was when I saw a tweet from the current Minister of Health, which had Christopher Luxon dressed up as a chicken and a comment he should turn up to the Press’s leaders debate.   The last time I heard a person accuse...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger tells us how Chris Hipkins is feeling on his first day out of Covid isolation. Newstalk ZB’s Political Editor Jason Walls talks Christopher Luxon’s walkabout in Taranaki. He also explains National’s issues in the polls. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including the latest poll numbers and National’s plan for offshore win...

Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young and Political Commentator Brigitte Morten join Nick Mills for Friday Faceoff.  Together they discuss the race for Wellington Central, Winston Peters potentially making a comeback, the Town Hall's budget blowout, the council considering investing in the Reading Cinemas complex, and Mayor Tory Whanau hitting out at National and ACT. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio...

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.   NZ Rugby: 3/10 When it comes to the Ranfurly Shield, it's these sorts of examples that damage the reputation of the game, the administration, and running of the game and remind us that for all the greatness of the All Blacks and the Rugby World Cup there is a lot of very provin...

Players in the country's space sector are optimistic over recent election commitments.   National and Labour are both promising to grow the aerospace industry, including trialling and testing new technologies.   National will also appoint New Zealand's first Minister for Space, if elected.   Rocket Lab Founder Peter Beck told Mike Hosking that the space industry isn't some future aspiration, it's...

A tax expert says that National's proposed tax changes demonstrate the challenges of conveying complicated policies to the electorate.    The party is defending its policy after it was revealed just 3000 households will reap $250 in tax relief a fortnight.   They say the promised rebate to the average family always came with the caveat that it was "up to" $250.   Geof Nightingale told Mike Hosking...

As we reflect on the —let’s be frank— end of this government’s tenure, I can’t help thinking about all the stuff they dropped the ball on, that I wonder if they regret.   Mental health, the $1.9 billion none of us know where it is. Light rail. Child poverty. Kiwibuild, a tangible disaster. Not taking the country with them when they had a majority, an unheard of opportunity to take us with them, an...

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and former National staffer Ben Thomas joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!  Sir John Key got involved in a last ditch effort to turn out voters for National, following growing fears of a three-way coalition with ACT and NZ First. Is this a sign of desperate times for National? Grant Robertson has labelled National'...

Auckland's mayor has fired back at National for its claims the council has $300 million of unspent fuel tax money just sitting in its accounts. The party is campaigning on scrapping the region's fuel tax within its first 100 days in Government, if elected. Finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis says the revenue it has already made will continue to be available for transport projects. But mayor Wayne Br...

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key says he offered to endorse National in a video, urging Kiwis to vote blue and avoid uncertainty. It was released on the Party's social media channels today. He says it aimed to address complacency in the electorate. "There's quite a bit of complacency in the electorate. A lot of people are saying National's going to win- look at the TAB odds, for instance- the pr...

Labour has accused National of misleading voters with their proposed tax plan. An analysis from Council of Trade Unions (CTU) shows just 3000 households would receive the $250 per fortnight relief National promised. National's Nicola Willis defended these figures saying the claim came with the 'up to' caveat- but admitted the 3000 figure was correct. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says prospectiv...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger breaks down the latest stoush between Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis over National’s tax plan. Newstalk ZB’s Political Editor Jason Walls tells us Christopher Luxon’s big plans for the aerospace industry. He also looks ahead to tonight’s Minor Leaders Debate on TVNZ. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including National...

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...

Not even Covid can keep Chris Hipkins down. He joined Kerre Woodham over Zoom to take calls and answer questions. WATCH ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party's James Shaw joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on the Minor Leaders Breakfast for an intense thirty-minute interview, to see if they have what it takes to make a difference in New Zealand.   Their party may be minor, but their policies aren’t.    Mike Hosking asked the questions New Zealander’s need answered to see if the policies and the politicians can hold up under pressure.   ...

ACT’s David Seymour joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on the Minor Leaders Breakfast for an intense thirty-minute interview, to see if they have what it takes to make a difference in New Zealand.  Their party may be minor, but their policies aren’t.  Mike Hosking asked the questions New Zealander’s need answered to see if the policies and the politicians can hold up under pressure.  Will the minor...

The Electoral Commission is being defended this morning.   About 1.4 million voters haven't received their EasyVote packs three days into the 13-day voting period.   Electoral law expert Graeme Edgeler says the thing that delays them is that the cards have party lists and the names of local candidates.   He told Mike Hosking that this delay is the norm, and it would be almost impossible to get the...

I’m rallying the troops at the moment to early vote.   By troops I mean family members, but also anyone who’ll listen. So far I think just my husband, my sister and I have early voted. Others are waiting til the last minute. I’m not sure what might happen last minute that could change your mind, short of a scandal of some kind I guess. But you either like the direction the country is going and wan...

Tonight on The Huddle, Curia pollster David Farrar and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Deputy National leader Nicola Willis has criticised former National minister Paula Bennett for posting a public photo with ACT's Brooke van Velden. Is this an endorsement, or are we overthinking this? Nanaia Mahuta is fa...

Little surprise the Official Cash Rate remains unchanged- for the time being. The Reserve Bank has today held the OCR at 5.5 percent, claiming interest rates are constraining economic activity as required. Milford Asset Management's Katlyn Parker says there's a lot of uncertainty around this point in the election campaign, and the RBNZ will be waiting for a change. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...