Politics Central

The UK is undergoing a historic political change - leaving other parts of the world wondering what comes next. The win for Labour marks the end of the Conservative's 14 years in power. With this comes new Ministers, such as the Minister for Business and Trade as well as Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Former High Commissioner to the UK, Lockwood Smith, says he believes the only poli...

This week on Politics Central, Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins the Weekend Collective to discuss the scrapping of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax - and explain why the 'wasteful' spending had to come to an end. Later, international relations expert Alex Tan unpacks Joe Biden's shaky performance in Friday's debate against Donald Trump - and examines where the Democrats go from here. LISTEN ABO...

The Transport Minister is focused on building essential infrastructure as the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax is scrapped. Auckland motorists will save 11.5 cents a litre, with the tax removed from tomorrow. Simeon Brown says hundreds of millions of dollars from the tax wasn't being spent at all. "We're stopping the waste, we're focusing it back on the basics. And that remaining funding is going to go...

Joe Biden is unlikely to step aside from the US Presidential Election. There are calls for him to stand down after he stumbled answering questions and didn't finish sentences in the debate with Donald Trump. Many were calling it Biden's chance to prove his physical and mental fitness for another Presidential term. Canterbury University Political Science and International Relations professor Alex T...

This week on Politics Central, Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot claimed cancelling the upgrade of the existing Interisland ferry fleet with two large ferries was a critical error from the Government, and Friday's Aratere grounding was a long time coming after years of warnings. Later, Children's Minister Karen Chhour unveiled her plan to cut down youth offending by introducing a new decla...

The Children's Minister says initiatives to address youth crime will provide needed consequences for young offenders. The Government is proposing to introduce a Youth Serious Offender declaration, meaning the courts could send them to a military style academy. Legislation will be introduced before the end of the year, while a pilot academy begins in Palmerston North at the end of July. Karen Chhou...

Several inquiries are underway after a suspected steering problem saw the Interisland ferry Aratere run aground near Picton. On Friday night, the ship became grounded. It was re-floated successfully last night on the high tide. Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot believes it could be a while before the ship is back sailing. "They're going to have to look at the steering system, obviously, th...

This week on Politics Central, Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman discusses whether peace in Ukraine is possible as world leaders gather in Switzerland to try and build support for Ukraine’s peace proposals - and if Putin's 'unrealistic' offer is cause for hope. Later, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, talks about the Government's announceme...

Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands for a ceasefire have been rejected by European leaders at a Ukraine summit. The leaders of Italy and Germany have lambasted Putin's proposals, which included Ukraine handing over more territory to Russia. It comes as world leaders meet in Switzerland to discuss ending the conflict. New Zealand foreign affairs expert professor Robert Patman says Putin want...

This week on Politics Central, Minister Shane Jones has confirmed the Government will lift the ban on oil and gas exploration, as he believes New Zealand's natural gas reserves were declining and sustainable sources like wind, solar and hydro were too inconsistent. Later, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey joined in to discuss the significance of Men's Health Week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

Men’s Health Week is set to run from June 10-16, encouraging men to get on top of their wellbeing – both physical and mental. New Zealand still has one of the highest rates of youth suicide in the developed world, and many are suffering from some strain of mental distress. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey joined the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Shane Jones says oil and gas exploration is necessary to deal with energy security issues, as natural gas reserves rapidly decline. The Government is reversing the oil and gas exploration ban, beyond onshore Taranaki. It comes after around 20,000 people marched in Central Auckland yesterday, to protest the Fast Track Approvals Bill. Resources Minister Shane Jones says about 20 percent of all our e...

This week on Politics Central, Otago University's Robert Patman shares his thoughts on the implications of Donald Trump's guilty verdict - and what it means for the upcoming US election. Later, ACT's David Seymour discusses last week's 2024 Budget - and weighs in on Te Pati Māori calling for their own Government. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour believes the Government can justify spending more on cancer medication. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has vowed they will deliver on spending $280 million on 13 new drugs - an election campaign promise they weren't able to deliver in the Budget. She told TVNZ's Q&A that an announcement on the drugs is coming very soon. But Mr Seymour says they have to f...

There's fears of further polarisation in the US regardless of whether Donald Trump wins the election. The former President's been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records before the 2016 election. He also faces further legal battles, including his handling of classified documents and his role in the Capitol Hill riots. Otago University professor Robert Patman fears violence may be...

This coming Thursday is Budget Day, the day when the Government sets out exactly how much money they have, where they plan to find more, and where they plan to spend it. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins shares where he would like to see the money spent, and his thoughts on the Pre-Budget announcements. Later, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the Weekend Collective to discuss how the Budget came to...

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says charter schools are the wrong way to address outlying students. Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced 15 new charter schools will be set up in the next four years, and 35 state schools will be converted in the next two. Hipkins, who shut down charter schools in 2018, says charter schools don't work and have worse outcomes. "If people are concerned ab...

The Finance Minister has warned the Government won't be spraying money around ahead of the 2024 Budget. This coming Thursday, Nicola Willis will unveil what services will get a boost in funding, and which will be slimmed down or removed entirely. Nicola Willis says inflation and interest rates are still running too high - and that impacts the Government books. "We can't, in this Budget, spray the...

The Greens have expressed hope for a more sustainable future in their State of the Planet speech, delivered in Central Auckland. Co-leader Mārama Davidson says she hopes voters understand the Party stands for supporting the wellbeing of the country and the environment. Davidson says the Greens aim to reach out to people who are feeling 'disempowered' under new legislation. "To say to the people wh...

Some of the biggest names in New Zealand music are teaming up in an attempt to stop new mining plans. Anti-mining group Ours Not Mines, have launched the Musicians Against Mines campaign to raise funds for their court battle against the OceanaGold mine, set for DOC land near Whangamata. 25 musicians have donated handwritten lyrics and art, which are available for auction on TradeMe. Co-founder Mor...

This week on Politics Central, Mārama Davidson recently delivered her State of the Planet speech about how the Green Party want to challenge the Government to prioritise people and the planet over profit. Plus, Mārama discusses the standards MPs need to follow after the Julie Anne Genter saga. Later, big names in New Zealand music are supporting a campaign against OceanaGold’s proposed gold and si...

Ahead of the 2024 Budget, Defence Minister Judith Collins has confirmed the NZDF will receive a $571 million budget increase. $163 million will boost personnel pay - and the money will also be used to upgrade the military's NH90 helicopter fleet, replace dated military vehicles and improve maritime detection systems. Former Defence Minister Dr Wayne Mapp says this move was a long time coming. LIST...

Auckland residents say they're feeling blindsided by new 24/7 parking charges. Cost challenges and better use of road space are some of Auckland Transport's reasons for this change. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck believes this is gong to disadvantage Auckland's economy. She says night time life is a third of the city's spend, so parking needs to be accessible and affordable. LISTEN ABOVE See omnys...

Big changes are coming for Auckland CBD, as it was announced today residents and visitors will be stung with new 24/7-hour parking charges. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck joined the Weekend Collective to discuss these changes. Later, former Defence Minister Dr Wayne Mapp explains why the $571 million budget increase for the NZDF is long overdue. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Simeon Brown unveiled their new water plan for the city, which will see an increase of rates by 7.2 percent, rather than the 25.8 percent proposed by Watercare. Simeon Brown joins the Weekend Collective to explain further. Later, Julie Anne Genter has been accused of 'intimidating' behaviour after a disagreement saw the Green MP leave her seat to confront a Governmen...