Politics Central

The Government announces a significant shake up to building and construction with reform of the building consent system.  They have proposed a number of potential changes; including establishing consenting authorities to replace the 67 BCAs New Zealand currently has, allowing councils to team up on building consents, and creating a single point of contact for building plans.  Minister fo...

RMA Minister Chris Bishop's revealed two laws will replace the old system -- one to manage environmental effects arising from activities, and another to enable urban development and infrastructure. Under-Secretary to the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Simon Court, joined Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is working on a potential next step for addressing recreational nitrous oxide use. New Medsafe advice says nitrous products, or nangs, sold for recreational use, fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, and are now illegal. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti, says the rising use of the drug is a trend seen globally in countries like Australia and the UK. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystud...

New statistics show a 22% reduction in serious assaults in Auckland CBD over the past year.  Auckland Council is reporting that crime in the city dropped 35%, and retail crime is down 50%.  Police Minister Mark Mitchell joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Cabinet discussed the draft for the Treaty Principles Bill, introduced by the ACT Party.  The three principles that were agreed upon included the Government power to govern and Parliament's power to create laws, the Crown's recognition of hapu and iwi rights, and the right to equality.  ACT Party Leader David Seymour joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE...

A recent law change saw councils given the choice to either hold a binding poll or disestablish their Maori wards.  Central Hawkes Bay Mayor Alex Walker told Tim Beveridge that publicising the issue removes the power from local governments. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party has started a discussion around a potential capital gains tax. Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins had campaigned against the tax in the 2023 election, but has since changed his mind.  Hipkins told Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective that there are several ways of implementing a capital gains tax, including potentially taxing increased value on a home without it being sold....

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is about to jet off with a senior business delegation to Malaysia followed by South Korea.  Retired Professor of International Relations Stephen Hoadley joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the importance and what we can expect.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has proposed several changes to speed limits countrywide. This week, proposing to change State Highway 1/76 in Christchurch and State Highway 1 north of Auckland from 100km/h to 110km/h. Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government New Zealand conference wrapped up this week, with local government minister Simeon Brown hinting at more streams of funding for councils.  But some councillors are unhappy with recent comments from the Prime Minister.  Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the feeling among councils after the conference.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnys...

The Government announced this afternoon that Cabinet has agreed to recommend a suite of changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill.  These changes would require applications to be sent to a panel of experts to streamline approval. Minister for Infrastructure, Chris Bishop, joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the new recommendations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Helen Clark Foundation is calling for tougher rules against corruption after a report outlined the levels of transparency in the Government.  The report's author, Philippa Yasbek, says Kiwis should be reassessing the level of threat corruption has in New Zealand to avoid the need for a "too little, too late" reaction.  Political commentator Dr Bryce Edwards joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend C...

The Government has announced $1.3 billion of funding for a new Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP) to improve road safety over the next three years.  The funding will be targeted at drunk and drugged drivers, increasing roadside testing and focusing on high-risk times and locations.  Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the new funding.  LI...

The number of households living in emergency housing has dropped by a third from December 2023 to June 2024.  Auckland saw the biggest drop, from 624 households to 354 households.  Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss what caused the drop and where to go from here.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wholesale energy prices are the highest since October 2018, with hydro-lake levels only 32% full.  Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss what can be done to help.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act MP Karen Chhour has raised concerns with Parliament becoming an unsafe working environment following personal attacks surrounding her youth offender boot camp.  Former Speaker of the House Sir David Carter joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss whether the conversation around race relations will ever cool down.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

The National Party announced a policy today to improve achievement levels in maths, following their Annual General Meeting this weekend.  Education Minister Erica Stanford joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden and Barack Obama have both given their endorsement for Kamala Harris for Presidency, following Biden announcing he would be stepping down before the next election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party has announced they are pushing back their decision on the future of Darleen Tana as they wrap up their AGM today.  Ricardo Menendez-March joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the outcome from the AGM.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga has elected Mahé Drysdale as their new mayor. He joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss his initial plans for the city.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Republican National Convention has been and gone with Donald Trump being confirmed as the Republican Presidential nominee, and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.  U.S. Correspondent Dan Mitchinson joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss how the convention went.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of Otago Professor of Politics and Director of International Relations joins Tyler Adams on The Weekend Collective to discuss how the attempted assassination will impact America's upcoming election.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop expects to see Kainga Ora evictions rise before improving.  This comes after the Government ordered the housing agency to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework in March.  The Minister joined Tyler Adams on The Weekend Collective to discuss what he hopes will come of this.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former President Donald Trump is injured after what seems to have been an assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania campaign rally. The former President says the bullet scraped his ear, while two people have died and one is seriously injured.  US Correspondent Mitch McCann spoke with Tyler Adams on The Weekend Collective to give all the latest.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The trucking industry says it is backing the Government, in its speed limit conflict with Auckland Council. The two groups have been having a war of words, over raising the speed limits and bringing in variable limits around schools. Auckland Council wants more power to set their own limits, the final decision is the Government's though. National Road Carriers Policy and Advocacy General Manager,...