Politics Central

The Greens say they're the only ones offering solutions to tax issues, in a time where communities are crying out for change.  With next year's elections coming soon, they held their Annual meeting this weekend, and expressed their desire to lead the next government. The Party's co-leaders called for transformational change, and a future driven by fresh thinking. So what will that actually lo...

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chair Kate Acland joins Tim Beveridge to discuss the impacts of the newly announced 15% tariff on exports to the United States.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced they will revise the Conservation Act to allow for a fresh wave of concessions on DoC land, as well as increasing the charge for foreign visiters to access the more popular sites.  Forest and Bird have claimed these changes are not conservation reform, but rather "conservation retreat".  Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki joins Tim Beveridge to discu...

A suite of Electoral Act changes were announced this week, and same-day enrolments are set to be scrapped.  Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour caused some upset when he dropped the word 'drop-kick' into the conversation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until now, one company's plasterboard has had a near-duopoly in New Zealand, leading to some of the highest prices in the world - 67% more expensive than the U.S. according to the Minister of Building and Construction.  From tomorrow, thousands of overseas building products including plasterboard and cladding systems will be given the green light for use in construction in New Zealand. ...

We've had a flurry of education news this past week - giving the impression things are actually starting to look up. Numeracy and literacy results are up significantly year on year, attendance is improving, and now - the Government wants to put an end to open plan classrooms.  But today, a damning Government briefing points out significant concerns around the credibility of the NCEA system it...

The Government has announced the funidng of $6 billion worth of construction projects to begin by Christmas.  New and improved roads, school renovations, and hospital revamps - it's all been added to the National Infrastructure Pipeline which is now over $207 billion.  These projects are also expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in the coming months.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

Around 700 New Zealand soldiers and personnel are in Australia for the largest war-fighting and military training exercise in the Southern Hemisphere. 35-thousand soldiers from 19 nations are taking part in it. The Defence Force says a key goal for them is to be able to integrate its capabilities into Australian and US relations. The Government also announced ramping up defence spend earlier this...

With rising global tensions, market volatility, and an unpredictable international landscape, having a strong and credible foreign voice is becoming more important than ever for New Zealand. Foreign Minister Winston Peters travelled to Malaysia for a summit with his South East Asian counterparts, where he worked towards a comprehensive strategic partnership by October. But what does that actually...

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop is also stopping in Houston, Texas to look at how they've implemented affordable housing. He's speaking to local experts about their planning, funding and tools that have allowed them to deliver effective housing. Can the same elements be brought to New Zealand? ZB Political Editor Jason Walls speaks to Andrew Dickens... LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop is visiting New York to see the success of their congestion charging. He's proposing a similar pricing strategy back here, but is it plausible for our roads? What can be done to solve our traffic issues? Andrew Dickens is joined by Martin Glynn, AA Policy Director... LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IRD reports that New Zealand will need to restructure the tax system to fund the superannuation. Capital gains tax could be on the table, and even a GST hike from 15%. What sort of adjustments should we expect? Is there any other way to fund the super? Tim Beveridge talks to PwC Tax Policy Leader, Sandy Lau... LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is implementing new sentencing reforms to prevent soft punishments and place victims at the centre of the justice-system. Will these changes bring back faith in our judicial system? What other work needs to be done Tim Beveridge is joined by Ruth Money, Chief Victims Advisor to the Government... LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is pausing $18 million in funding for the Cook Islands following their deals with China earlier this year. What can be done to fix our relationship? Who's at fault?  Tim Beveridge is joined by Tere Carr, Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council President... LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has bombed Iran just two days after giving a two-week notice for tensions to deescalate. With the NATO Summit coming soon, tensions are high. What can we expect to happen next? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is legislating health targets to 'lock in accountability'. It's part of a slue of changes to the health system, with the aim of refocusing on outcomes rather than bureaucracy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is on his way to China next week to meet with Xi Jinping. New Zealand's relationship with the country has been a hot topic recently, with many saying we need to stop cosying up to the United States.  This past week, prominent New Zealand leaders signed an open letter to express concern about our closeness with the States, and how it could be impacting our relationship with...

The Government has announced a new Parent Boost Visa that will allow the parents of New Zealand citizens multi entry access for up to five years.  The sponsor has to earn 1.5 times the median wage, or the parent must bring $16,000 - along with other insurance and health requirements.  The Government says they are trying to make the country more attractive for skilled workers, without str...

The latest 1News/Verian poll has both National and Labour down, while an RNZ-Reid poll done in the same week has National down and Labour up, and a Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll had both up.  You see the same with overlapping polls by different agencies showing significantly different results in preferred Prime Minister.  So why are polls done this far out from an election? LISTEN ABOVE Se...

In a Parliamentary first, Act MP Laura McClure displayed a naked image of herself to highlight the need for her proposed bill.  The image wasn't truly her, it was an AI-generated deepfake - made in just minutes with technology that can be found on the first page of a Google search.  Laura's Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill would restrict the creation of non consensual deepfake...

Boy racers took over Levin and Palmerston North on Friday night, leaving seven injured and ten arrested.  The meet-up brought together around 1,000 boy racers, becoming so chaotic that police were deployed in full riot gear.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big week in politics - we're still managing the aftershocks from the Budget on Thursday.  It's also Winston Peters' final week as Deputy Prime Minister, before he'll be forced to pass the torch to David Seymour on Saturday.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Budget didn't bring any changes to the pension - but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has doubled down on his support for raising the age.  Luxon and his soon-to-be Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, are on the same page when it comes to raising the pension age to 67, but Seymour says Winston Peters is standing in the way of changes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

The Government is introducing tougher penalties for boy racers and other, what Chris Bishop called, "idiot drivers". The changes include a crushed or forfeited car for fleeing drivers, boy racers, and those taking part in intimidating convoys.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is cracking down on illegal drugs entering the country, starting with Customs.  Customs will get an additional $35 million to help combat the rising rate of organised crime groups bringing illicit drugs into the country.  It will provide Customs with the funding needed for 60 more roles.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.