#BHN Big Hairy News

Craig Renney joins us LIVE at 9pm to have a look over the GDP numbers which he has already described as a "dead cat bounce" which concerns about what is happening over the rest of the yearTed Cruz has been embarrassed by the strangest of places right wing commentator Tucker Carlson and we also will have a look at the history of Benjamin Netanyahu attempting to scare the world into a war with Iran.Matariki around the country, what's happening where?=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Lawyer Tania Waikato hosts a special episode of BHN on the Regulatory Standards Bill with Treaty expert Dr Carwyn Jones and Indigenous and human rights advocate Tina Ngata just days out from the close of submissions on this controversial Bill.

Joining us LIVE at 9pm is Melanie Nelson, licensed te reo Māori translator and interpreter, to chat about talk about "how the RSB could affect laws and regulation in your area – and what could change" Ryan Bridge hosted David Seymour and Chloe Swarbrick this morning talking why it is "good" to have expensive butter, sick leave and the MoH is advertising that the targets the Government had set for them are beginning to become a reality...or are they?A new poll is out tonight with a significant gap between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins as preferred prime minister with Mr Luxon falling significantly. Also, while it's only one poll, it does continue a pattern of the left bloc growing and the right bloc is decreasing=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

New Zealand's richest people might be getting wealthier, but the same cannot be said for the rest of us. Malcolm Rands, co-founder of ecostore brand, and member of 'Sharing Wealth" (the NZ version of Millionaires for Humanity) join us to talk about the wealth gap and the rich listToday the failed 3 Strikes law is brought back from the dead by this uninspiring government who seems determined to attempt to reuse failed policy thinking it'll give them a different result...that...or they know the buzz words make for good bumper stickersActing Prime Minister David Seymour, was on Herald NOW this morning talking school attendance and the three strikes law=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Labour spokesperson for the workplace Jan Tinetti joins us live at 9pm to talk PM Christopher Luxon signalling changes to sick leave twice this morning on duelling breakfast radio shows, although Brooke van Velden, the Minister charged with any changes says it was not something she was looking into.Former Finance Minister, Taxpayers' Union chair and keeper of the crypt Ruth Richardson was on Q&A saying the Coalition Government's increased borrowing is "not defensible", and there isn't a credible track back to surplus in an interview that sent cold shivers down the back of anyone who can remember stories of cash registers at Emergency Departments in the 19902.Jacinda Ardern on Trump's America and the value that governments have to put on life and, while knowingly unrealistic, her government decided to aim for no cost is too much when it comes to saving lives.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Barbara Edmonds and Craig Renney were in Christchurch talking about Govt Budgets and hinting at what Labour will campaign on such as Tax Reform. Emz shares her experience at the event.The govt is being sued by two major entities, Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ representing 300 lawyers, for regressive climate policies and not meeting it climate emission reduction targets with unambitious and regressive policies.Jacinda is meeting with big names in media and podcasts in politics promoting her book "A different kind of Power". We look at some of the reflections she has about her time as Prime Minister.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

A High Court judge has ordered right-wing activist Chantelle Baker to pay a $100,000 bond ahead of a defamation case against Stuff for its disinformation documentary Fire and Fury. We'll show you some never seen before footage tonight from a 2 hour interview Pat had with Baker.Paul Goldsmith and Ginny Anderson were on Breakfast this morning talking the cost of living crisis where it seems the current government is happy to blame international forces on where we are...all while saying to the last government they couldn't use that as an excuseThe ferries are "hanging on by a thread" according to the Maritime Union with more breakdowns and ship retirements on the way all while this government is yet to give us the plans for replacements.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

LIVE at 9pm we have Alternative Jewish Voices Marilyn Garson joining us to talk about the NZ government joining Britain, Australia, Canada and Norway in banning two 'extremist' Israeli politiciansNZ Herald's Herald NOW programme hosted their political panel today with Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick and ACT Minister Karen Chhour discuss sanctions against Israeli ministers and "taxing the rich"The Reserve Bank has revealed more details behind the shock resignation of former governor Adrian Orr in March, which has now been attributed to a "distressing" disagreement over the central bank's funding.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

We are excited to have with us live not only the incredible Mihingarangi Forbes but also Eugene Bingham and Annabelle May Lee-Mather, who together are the team that worked on the Mata documentary 'ACT: The Foreign Influences That Have Shaped David Seymour's Political Agenda' We're live with the whole super hero team from 9pm, get your popcorn and front row seat for an amazing conversation with three amazing people.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

As Chewie said on the weekend, Jack Tame wore Brooke van Velden as a hat on this week's Q&A where she looked out of her depth, under prepared and unintelligent when asked to stretch he ideas 1% outside her talking points. It was so very bad she'll probably disappear for the next 6 months like after the last time she was on Q&A.David Seymour and ACT released to full unedited version of his interview with John Campbell today and he looks terrible in it. Some of the evidence that Campbell isn't the "shill" him and his supporters say, is that he cut out much of the chatter that made Seymour look even worse...but not to worry, ACT released it all so we now can see the terrible content that TVNZ hadn't published.Radio Goddess Stacey Morrison delivered a powerful speech at this years NZ Radio and Podcast Awards where she both chided and charged the assembled 700 media workers to be the bastion of furthering te reo. It was an amazing thing to see live and we want to share it with you tonight.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Elon Musk and Donald Trump are publicly fighting over Trump's Big Beautiful Bill that will see America's debt continue to increase, something that Musk was trying to avoid with his massive cuts to the US public sector.David Seymour heads to Oxford to debate that "no one can be illegal on stolen land", and ultimately loses.Left-wing socialist party The Alliance Party and it's members have perked up to endorse candidates in this years local body elections, which follows ACT's intention to endorse Local Body candidates earlier this year.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Pat and Chewie call in to recount their time at the New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards in Auckland.Parliament debates Te Pāti Māori's punishment after they left their seats to perform a haka in opposition the the Treaty Principles Bill.Seymour floats a conspiracy that 95.5% of submissions in opposition to his Regulatory Standards Bill were submitted by Bots, but let's have a look at who is actually using bots in politics.https://open.substack.com/pub/kaimataara/p/the-bot-calling-the-kettle-black=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Dame Marilyn Waring joins us tonight to talk about the Peoples Select Committee which is attempting to give a voice to NZers who would have submitted on the changes to the Fair Pay Act but were denied that chance by this Government passing their legislation under urgency The Prime Minister's deputy chief press secretary allegedly recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping, and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out. News breaks tonightDavid Seymour's episode on RNZ's show 30 with Guyon Espiner was released today making clear why he was seething about it n a weekend interview as it was a shit show and he looked petty, ignorant and inconsistent.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Workplace safety rules are changing with Brooke van Velden saying Worksafe needs to stop sweating the small stuff in, if it goes well will not be noticed, and if it goes badly could end in more workplace deaths. theBISH's perspective on Stan Walker's "crap" performance at the AMAs is indicative of this government's attitude towards Māori, the treaty and te reoDavid Seymour was on Chris Lynch's Christchurch based news show where he spoke about what he's going to do as DPM, Te Paati Maori and why RNZ hates him =================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Chris Hipkins talks with Mihingarangi Forbes on MATA, showing a clear lack of conviction and trying to play the centre.Debate lord American Charlie Kirk gets slammed by a history professor, feminist and another debate lord at Oxford University.Journalist Taylor Lorenz explains the "Somebody needs to do it" memes circling the internet, and what it reflects about society after the pandemic the wake of Trump's second term.Plus your regular memes to send you off on your weekend!=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Te Ao with Moana looked at the RSB which they say has "been described as the ‘everything bill' & the ‘zombie bill' (because its Act's 4th attempt to get it through). What is the Regulatory Standards Bill really about?"This government seems not to have friends in the public sector as leaks are such a problem they need to be addressed, which the PM did on Newstalk ZB this morning.Currently money received from boarders in private homes are non-taxable, but the government wants to change that making sure that people on benefits who have boarders, will from next year, have that board recognised as income leaving on average 7,000 vulnerable households $100 per week worse off=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

On Wednesday, Tairāwhiti Gisborne senior doctors went on a second 24-hour strike in the space of four weeks. They had previously written letters to the Government, stating senior doctor vacancies at Gisborne Hospital were at 37% in August 2024 and 44% as of April 2025.The Runit Straight event has claimed it's first life with Ryan Satterthwaite suffering a serious head injury while playing a game based on the controversial craze with friends in Palmerston North. He died in hospital on Monday night.David Seymour's latest distraction has been passed today with separate hairdressing regulations being scrapped, with cabinet agreeing to all four recommendations from a regulatory review into the hairdressing and barbering industry=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Te Paati Maori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa Packer and Rawiri Waititi join us LIVE at 9pm to talk about the Privileges Committee, the Regulatory Standards Bill and the drip among other issues and opinions that come up from the live chat and the conversation=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Nicola Willis' disastrous Q&A appearance with her attempt to talk up the 1% growth over 20 years and defend the culture of cuts, the lack of growth in her "growth budget", pay equity and child povertyDavid Seymour appeared on NZME's brand now online show, Herald NOW, this morning talking Pay Equity, Regulatory Standards and moreMehdi Hasan appeared on Piers Morgan last week where he, once again, perfectly and logically unpacked the crimes being committed by Israel. Piers Morgan also finally made the statement that Hasan is and has been correct over Israel in a 'welcome to the right side of history Mr Morgan'=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

After an incredibly miserable budget announcement yesterday, we've scrapped the bottom of the barrel to find some good news for this week's Friday edition of BHN but there were plenty of memes!Erica Stanford has won over a small portion of the education sector with yesterday's budget - but at what cost?The next generations, Gen Z and Gen alpha, might be our knights in shining armour as they reach voting age.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNewsFollow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Join us live at 9pm for a wrap of the budget, the headlines, the deep dives and what CTU's Craig Renney and Labour's Barb Edmonds have found in the numbers=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Join us at 2pm for the headlines from the Budget as Craig Renney comes our from the lock up and gives is a first look=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Te Pati Maori lawyer Tania Waikato joins us live at 9pm to talk about the RSB and also the suspension of the three Te Pati Maori MPsChloe Swarbrick was on with Guyon Espiner in his show '30' in what was a pretty banal interview with nothing new learned and is demonstrating how so much of the media want to judge the singular action, as opposed to the system that the action is happening within. John Tamihere was on the Bradbury Group and pondered what if a "brown woman" had been the first person in the Commonwealth to use the 'C' word in parliament as opposed to a "nice white woman"=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Former Jacinda Ardern advisor Clint Smith joins us to have a pre-budget discussion looking at what the budget is actually about and what happened in the house today and where to from here.Christopher Luxon went on Mike Hosking's radio show and have to explain what Hosking calls "the Maorification" of NZ along with chastising Gerry Brownlee for being fair to TPM and allowing debate on their suspensionChippy was on Breakfast this morning explaining how the inconsistencies in suspensions from parliament including two cases in the current parliament where bully and intimidation were found by the privileges committee and no suspensions were handed out.Also, we will look over what happened both inside the house, and outside it today with people not being allowed into the viewing gallery=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Chloe Swarbrick was on Q&A in the weekend and probably can come out of it with a C+ score. Many before Swarbrick haven't been prepared well enough to face Jack Tame, and he asked several questions that the Greens co-leader needed to defer to another time. Overall Swarbrick covered a lot of ground talking alternative budget, inheritance tax, free dental, nurses pay and more.Martyn 'Bomber' Bradbury starts a new podcast this week and he joins us tonight live at 9pm to talk about news of the day and what to expect from his new broadcast.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi are facing a three-week suspension without pay from Parliament over the haka they did during a vote on the Treaty Principles Bill whereas Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who initiated the haka, is facing a seven-day suspension but Speaker Gerry Brownlee has decided, as the punishments are unprecedented and so harsh, the entire Parliament must debate them=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

The Waitangi Tribunal have called for govt to immediately halt the Regulatory Standards Bill from progressing forward, noting the bill in its current state would constitute a breach of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.A report by the Auditor General found that budget cuts to Oranga Tamariki left the organisation poorly equipped to do its job.Over in the US, Democratic representative Jasmine Crockett finds the perfect way to demonstrate that Trans people are not the enemy, the President is.Plus memes and more to send you off into the weekend!=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Te Pati Mari suspensions are the most sever in NZ parliament history, we'll take a look at what the suspensions areMore fallout from the 'C' word with another ejection from the house todayDon't listen to RFK Jr, at least that's what he thinks. The head of the US equivalent to the Ministery of Health advised people today not to listen to his advice when it comes to health choices=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

At the time of preparing this show Craig Renney and the CTU have been banned by Treasury to attend the budget lock up for the first time ever. Along with other third party, non-media groups such as the TPU, Business NZ and the NZ Initiative have also been banned. The company that makes BHN applied for access to the lock up and we'll tell you the whole sordid story tonight after 9pmMarama Davidson joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk the Green Party Alternative Budget. The Green Party is proposing an "income guarantee" that would give everyone who is out of work at least $395 a week, and to completely overhaul the Working for Families scheme. It is one of the announcements in its alternative Budget revealed this morning.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Veteran activist and protestor John Minto joins us LIVE tonight at 9pm to talk about the findings by the ICPA that police unlawfully pepper-sprayed and arrested him at a pro-Palestinian protest in Christchurch in February 2024Clashes in Parliament today between the Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins over who is lying about the overhaul of the pay equity regime as this continues to be a terrible look for this government. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the allocation of $100m for the Elevate venture capital fund in a pre-Budget speech focused on government measures to lift economic growth through lifting productivity, exports, and encouraging direct foreign investment and to boost high-growth technology companies with strong export potential.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Consultant Amy Ross joins us live at 9pm from Iceland where she is, right now, working with groups on pay equity and gender-neutral job evaluation. We chat to Amy about what was world leading legislation which is now a shadow of its former glory.Richard Chambers was appointed Police Commissioner in November last year. Since then, he's had to grapple with a dramatic increase in methamphetamine use, tougher gang laws, ambitious Government targets for police recruitment, and the question of institutional racism within Police.Act leader David Seymour denies his party is shifting its position on social media restrictions as claimed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this morning.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

New Zealanders across the nation to made their voices heard, and rallied against the coalitions decision to amend the Fair Pay agreement that passed in 2020.Pope Leo XIV, an American from Chicago Illinois, announced 24 hours after the conclave started.The Australian Labor party had a clean sweep in their recent election, re-electing Anthony Albanese. We look at what lead to this historic win, and what lessons Labour NZ could learn from not just Australia, but Canada and America as well.================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Julie Ann Genter joins us live tonight to talk about the governments dark day with changes to the Equal Pay Act killing decades of progress for pay equity for women.Christopher Luxon delivered a pre-budget speech today where he told his audience that capital expenditure, that is new money set aside in the Budget to maintain or upgrade assets, will be higher than originally forecast when the Government delivers its Budget in two weeks' time. Wonder if women can take the credit for adding to the newly found money. In what is becoming an all too common occurrence, Piers Morgan had on his panel a proud racist, white supremacist...and he had no idea until he asked about the third question. Raises the question about who we should and shouldn't platform especially when at the end of the panel, one of the other guests has to explain to Morgan why that white supremacist shouldn't say say the 'N' word on his show.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

We're starting a campaign to support Women's Refuge tonight. If this government want's to put women into hardship, then we better get behind one of the groups that helps women when they're at their most vulnerable.See www.BHNShop.nz for detailsUnemployment data released today by Statistics New Zealand shows ongoing weakness in the labour market, with falling employment, falling hours of work, and nearly half of all workers getting a pay rise less than inflation. NZCTU economist Craig Renney joins us tonight to flesh out the numbers.The fallout continues by the government halting all current pay equity claims, makes it harder to lodge new ones with a fiery day in the debate chamberDonald Trump get's old 'Never gonna happen' to his face by the Canadian PM about the US annexing their northern neighbour=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Christopher Luxon has announced that National wants to ban under 16s from social media accounts which raises a couple of questions, the first is...is this really the most pressing issue you have right now PM to be on top of...and...id under 16s are banned from social media...who will David Seymour have to snapchat with?

Chris Hipkins was on Breakfast this morning talking about Erica Stanford using her gmail account making the case that Parliament Cyber Security have been telling MPs not to use systems outside the security of Parliament, which means if Mr Luxon is so chilled about it either security is wrong, or he doesn't care about Stanford being a security issue.

The Government is fast-tracking amendments to the Equal Pay Act, the law which prohibits employers from paying men and women different rates for the same work, in a move which will scrap all current pay equity claims and make it harder for employees to make a claim. Craig Renney joins us to talk over the economics of the change and Labour's Workplace Relations Spokesperson, Jan Tinetti joins us to talk the impact to those who the Equal Pay Act is currently helping

The Government is fast-tracking amendments to the Equal Pay Act, the law which prohibits employers from paying men and women different rates for the same work, in a move which will scrap all current pay equity claims and make it harder for employees to make a claim. - Craig Renney joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over the economics of the change- Labour's Workplace Relations Spokesperson, Jan Tinetti, joins us LIVE at 9.20 to talk the impact to those who the Equal Pay Act is currently helpingChris Hipkins was on Breakfast this morning talking about Erica Stanford using her gmail account making the case that Parliament Cyber Security have been telling MPs not to use systems outside the security of Parliament, which means if Mr Luxon is so chilled about it either security is wrong, or he doesn't care about Stanford being a security issue.Christopher Luxon has announced that National wants to ban under 16s from social media accounts which raises a couple of questions, the first is...is this really the most pressing issue you have right now PM to be on top of...and...id under 16s are banned from social media...who will David Seymour have to snapchat with?================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Minister for the South Island tells Jack Tame that his position is both vital to the functioning of the government, and unnecessary as Ministers are always thinking of all NZers. So, he's a token Minster for South Islanders? Maybe a DEI hire to represent the minority South Islanders?=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Defence Minister Judith Collins has clarified a new $957 million boost to the Defence Force is in addition to the previously announced $12 billion Defence Capability Plan=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

1News has revealed that Education Minister Erica Stanford has been using her personal Gmail to send documents to herself that could be sensitive, or even damaging should they get into the hands of a nefarious actor. Spineless Christopher Luxon is just fine with it all.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

1News has revealed that Education Minister Erica Stanford has been using her personal Gmail to send documents to herself that could be sensitive, or even damaging should they get into the hands of a nefarious actor. Spineless Christopher Luxon is just fine with it all.Minister for the South Island tells Jack Tame that his position is both vital to the functioning of the government, and unnecessary as Ministers are always thinking of all NZers. So he's a token Minster for South Islanders? Maybe a DEI hire to represent the minority South Islanders?Defence Minister Judith Collins has clarified a new $957 million boost to the Defence Force is in addition to the previously announced $12 billion Defence Capability Plan=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

We interviewed Tabby Besley from InsideOUT to discuss the newly drafted Relationships and Sexual Education curriculum and the issue with removing information around gender fluidity, information for transgender youth, HIV and other critical sexual health information.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Peace Action Ōtautahi discuss the recent protest at UC where UC security staff assaulted students that were peacefully entering the main library.We interviewed Tabby Besley from InsideOUT talking on the proposed Relationships and Sexual Education curriculum and the removal of information around transgender issues and HIV.The Greens have kicked off election season revealing a policy that would create 40,000 green jobs around the country.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Dr Gary Payinda joins us LIVE at 9pm to share his experiences of the May Day protests and what he thinks is the next step for our ailing health system. Check out Gary's Substack https://substack.com/@drgarypayindaWe'll also cover off other Doctors strike news from around the countryACT leader and soon-to-be deputy prime minister David Seymour has criticised the ministerial line-up as looking "bloated" and full of "meaningless titles," as he calls for a smaller team of ministers, portfolios and departments.Nicola Willis was on Breakfast this morning sharing her thoughts around removing the ability for prisoners to vote. Makes for a good headline but terrible legislation as isolating prisoners even more from community will be less beneficial in the long run.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Gary Payinda joins us for a quick chat on tomorrows doctors strike, what it's all about, what you need to know and how you can get involvedWe'll show you a couple of interviews that demonstrate beautifully how much of a nightmare that Trumps first 100 days has beenThe Government is reinstating a total ban on prisoner voting rights, despite concerns raised by the courts about human rights. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed on Wednesday that Cabinet had agreed to remove the voting rights of prisoners who were serving sentences of less than three years=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Craig Renney joins us LIVE from Australia today as Finance Minister Nicola Willis says funding for almost every Government department will be frozen in this year's Budget. This means today, the forecast for the NZ economy is so much worse than any knew as of yesterday.Shock news today that The Working Group has come to an end with co-host and beloved Socialist Martyn 'Bomber' Bradbury writing a post today stating of Damien Grant that "a Free Speech Champion has been bullied into it because his right wing mates don't like my free speech" which is the reason the podcast is now ended.See the post here https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/04/29/comrades-it-is-with-deep-sadness-that-i-announce-the-working-group-has-been-cancelled-by-the-political-right/Associate Education Minister David Seymour has written to all 78 mayors - city, district and regional - asking them to consider what they could do to stamp out truancy at a time when his Government cut attendance officers in the Ministry of Education=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Labour MP Barbara Edmonds joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over the utter failure that is the FamilyBoost package that Nicola Willis was 99.988% wrong saying 21,000 families would get it, and only 249 haveCraig Renney explains how Nicola Willis does not understanding the funding of the FamilyBoost package which can be demonstrated by how she says they will open the funding, when there is no funding to openQ&A this week shared numbers around Charter Schools which lead us to only one conclusion...no one wants charter schools...which is just another failure this government has promised and not delivered on=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

In a combative exchange on Morning Report on Wednesday morning, Peters took exception to Dann's questioning about the NZ First member's bill to define the term “woman” in law, accusing the broadcaster of running the line of political opponents ending up with Mr Peters making an apparent threat to cut RNZs funding.Tesla's profits fell 71% over the first three months of this year, a company earnings release on Tuesday showed. The decline comes amid worldwide protests against CEO Elon Musk over his role in the Trump administration.Te Pāti Māori was given “one more chance” to speak to the Privileges Committee, but its MPs again refused to attend a hearing regarding their haka during the initial vote for the Treaty Principles Bill.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

The National President of the Dr Suzanne Manning joins us tonight to talk about the ruling from the Scottish Supreme Court on the definition of woman in UK equality legislation and the apparent desire for Winston Peters to put into law in NZ the same outcome.The Pope passed away over the weekend which has sent 1.4 billion Catholics into mourning and one Prime Minister to suggest that the Pope was an incredible example to the world for his "huge care for people who were vulnerable" and at no point could he see any kind of irony in what he was saying.Winston Peters has again started the campaign to get his "Penis Police" into every public toilet in NZ. We'll have a look at the introduction of NZ First's new legislation and see if there is anything, other than culture wars and headline grabbing, that can come from this desired legislation.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

This Easter Monday we are replaying, in full, the episode that we entered in the NZ Radio and Podcast awards that got us nominated for Best Independent Podcast, it features from June last year...Christopher Luxon is still happy with the scrapping Labour's ferry deal and flounders this morning on AM when he was asked as to how the NActNZ Government funded 13 cancer drugs plus an additional 41 to bootOsian Llywelyn, the Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, joins us to talk about how Wales tries to advance their minority indigenous language. We seek wise counsel as to why a Government might want to make their minority indigenous language lesser than it was before they came to power.Is there cracks in the coalition? New Zealand First has invoked its "agree to disagree" provisions in its coalition cause with National over the inquiry. It means the Government's inquiry will go ahead, however, NZ First is publicly stating it disagrees with elements of it.

Māori activist and former MP Hone Harawira has criticised a recent Te Pāti Māori candidate for confronting Cabinet Minister Casey Costello at a food court on Tuesday evening. What is the truth behind the reports? Chris Huriwai-Seger joins us live tonight to talk about what happened and the idea of access to MPs in their "off" time=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social