Politics Central

National says it will only bring back live animal exports under strict regulations. The opposition wants to reverse the government's recently enacted ban on the practice. National's Christopher Luxon says New Zealand doesn't have the luxury of turning off half a billion dollars in revenue. He says they need safe for the animals, and a select list of countries to which New Zealand can export. "We c...

Today Chris Bishop joined us to unpack the Labour Party's new water reform, and later Chris Cahill explains why the Rimutaka Prison is nearly at maximum occupancy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Chris Bishop is among many members of the Opposition criticising Affordable Water Reforms. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister Kieran McAnulty scrapped several aspects of the unpopular Three Waters reforms, turning the four mega-entities into ten. Spokesperson for Urban Development Chris Bishop says that the reset is an attempt to rebrand what Hipkins and McAnulty were doing alrea...

Frontline police have been told to consider the necessity of bail arrests as the nation's largest prison nears capacity. An email sent to Wellington staff on Friday revealed Rimutaka prison is nearing maximum occupancy. The email warns repeat breach of bail and warrant offenders may be remanded in police custody for longer than usual, and officers should consider that before making an arrest. New...

This week on Politics Central, Former United Future leader and political commentator Peter Dunne explained the impact of the recent burst of misbehaviour coming out of Parliament. Later on, Otago University International Relations professor Robert Patman weighed in on Finland joining NATO this week, and suggested more nations are likely to follow. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

NATO could expand even further, as the war in Ukraine rages on. Finland became the 31st member of NATO this week, after previously being not keen on the idea. Otago University International Relations professor, Robert Patman, says Ukraine criticised the UN for failing to prevent the war. He says in a power vacuum left by the UN, more nations could sign on to the international military alliance. He...

A claim Chris Hipkins re-election efforts are being derailed by staff misconduct. At a speech at her partner Marni Dunlop's farewell from RNZ Kiri Allan criticised the company's treatment of Maori staff. It follows the sacking of Stuart Nash from his ministerial roles after he shared private cabinet information with donors. Former United Future leader, and political commentator Peter Dunne says it...

Deputy Prime Minister and Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says increasing benefits doesn't create a culture of welfare dependency. Nearly 1.4 million people were affected when the minimum wage, benefits, student allowances and superannuation all rose yesterday. The minimum wage is now $22.70 an hour, while 8,000 community nurses will have rise of up to 15 percent. Ms Sepuloni says a la...

We're joined by  Carmel   Sepuloni who talks to us about the minimum wage increases, plus Scott Opticon  informs us on how Donald Trump came to be indicted. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ First's Winston Peters has outlined several pitches to prospective voters- and issued a warning in his State of the Nation address. Winston Peters proposed more funding for frontline agencies, mandatory prison sentences for people who assault first responders and promised to strip Te Reo names from Government departments. Peters also warned his audience that a “conniving, cultural cabal” aimed...

A positive reaction to National's new education's proposal. Chris Luxon says parents and some teachers are excited by the party's plan to teach at least an hour a day of learning in reading, writing and maths. The plan also includes standardised tests, twice a year, from years three to eight. Luxon says the new plan will be clearer about what to teach, and when and where. He says they want the tea...

Australia's Defence Minister has had to defend the country's purchase of US nuclear-powered submarines. Richard Marles told the ABC once their flag's flying on the three subs in the early 2030s, they'll be under complete control of the Australian government. Australia will also be working with the US and UK to develop more submarines in future. The announcement's sparked an angry reaction from Chi...

The Greens are reminding us climate action needs to go alongside social justice action. The Green Party has today put out a stark warning to other parties to not show up to the negotiation table without strong climate policies. Co-leader Marama Davidson says people who are struggling the most will be impacted the most by extreme weather. She says, for example, preparation messages for the Auckland...

This week on Politics Central, Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson weighed in on Chris Hipkins reprioritizing more climate-focused polices this week, and discussed today's State of the Planet address.  Professor of International Studies Robert Patman also joined the show to talk about Australia's purchase of three nuclear-powered submarines and whether this is a sign of the militarization of the...

Over 50,000 teachers and principals are planning to strike Thursday, March 16th. An estimated 811,000 school-aged children will be affected by these strikes, as kindergarten, primary, and high school teachers plan to march for better wages and working conditions. New Zealand Educational Institute President Mark Potter says there's a long list of needs educators want met, and teachers have been dis...

Helen Petousis-Harris joined the show to chat about the current measles vaccination figures. The current rate is worse than it was in 2019 at the time of the last major outbreak, which hospitalized 700 people and likely spread to Samoa, killing over 83 people. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're joined by Helen Petoussis-Harris talking about our current vaccination rates, and then Mark Potter, President of New Zealand Educational Institute ahead of the Teacher's Strike on Thursday.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Chris Luxon announced a new Family Boost policy set to rebate 25 percent of childcare costs for those earning less than $180,000. Deputy leader Nicola Willis explained the positive flow-on effects of this policy here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party says its childcare policy will make life easier for struggling families. National's Family Boost policy would rebate 25 percent of childcare costs for those earning $180,000 and less. National will pay for that by cutting money spent on consultants. Deputy leader Nicola Willis says the policy will have positive flow on effects too. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Simon Watts, National's Local Government spokesperson joined the Weekend Collective to explain what 'Local Water Done Well' has to offer as a replacement for Three Waters. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party says there is still a role for central Government in water infrastructure restructuring. National has launched 'Local Water Done Well' - its' plan for the country's water infrastructure. Three Waters will be scrapped, and assets will be handed back to local councils. Investment, quality and infrastructure will be overseen by new regulators. National's Local Government spokespers...

After Cyclone Gabrielle blew through the upper North Island and destroyed property and roads, the discussion turns to climate change mitigation. Climate Minister James Shaw joined the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The North Island has had a rough go of it in 2023, with catastrophic flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle lashing the region back to back. Kieran McAnulty, Emergency Management Minister calls into to debate what this may mean for the future, and whether climate change may make disasters like this more common. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Mayor is reminding people not to put bins or rubbish out tonight and tomorrow. Cyclone Gabrielle is described as a "significant weather event". It's likely to impact the northern half of the North Island over the next week. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says they're mobilising everyone they can to dispose of already flood-damaged items. The mayor says tie down any loose things already ou...

This week on Politics Central, political commentator Peter Dunne joined Tim Beveridge to talk about new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and opposition leader Chris Luxon's first session at the annual Waitangi weekend parliamentary pōwhiri. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.