Election 2023

The arguments for and against legalising cannabis for personal use are at the centre of tonight's debate about next month's referendum. Hosted by Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan, the debate features Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell, Associate Professor of Law Khylee Quince - who is a member of the expert panel of the PM's chief science adviser's expert panel on cannabis, Police...

Catch live action of the second instalment of The Front Bench. Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper, PR whizz and former Act Party press secretary Trish Sherson and former Labour Party minister Chris Carter have the insight word and analysis.  There's no...

The End of Life Choice Act will allow terminally ill patients to spend more time with their families, not less. Matt Vickers has advocated for euthanasia since his former wife Lecretia Seales died in 2015. After her brain cancer diagnosis, Seales battled the courts for the right to end her life. Vickers joined Kerre McIvor for an hour of talkback on the referendum, and says that many take their ow...

Labour is backing calls to make Matariki a public holiday. It would work out a winter date starting in 2022, to celebrate our national identity, cultures and traditions - and boost tourism and hospitality. Waitangi Day was the last public holiday introduced - nearly 50 years ago. Matariki - which heralds the start of the Maori New Year - would take the number of public holidays in New Zealand to 1...

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast. Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and subscribe to the podcast on iHeartRadio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A doctor advocating against the End of Life Choice Actl is concerned it doesn't let doctors have a say. Palliative care doctor and University of Otago clinical senior lecturer Amanda Landers says it feels like an incoming freight train. She joined Kerre McIvor for an hour of talk back on the referendum, and says the Bill should have more reference to the medics who it affects. "A lack of safeguard...

Last week, Kerre McIvor Mornings hosted former PM Helen Clark to talk about why cannabis should be legalised. Today, Kerre talks to Aaron Ironside from Say Nope to Dope to discuss the other side of the campaign. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Clark is throwing her weight behind cannabis legalisation because she says the drug's already widely available. The Former Prime Minister told Kerre McIvor the referendum is a once in a generation opportunity to get this law right. Clark says there is currently an illegal market where organised crime profit. “It doesn't make sense to criminalise people who take this widely used drug. “ Helen...