Dunedin based international award winning broadcaster and former #1 rating talkback host Pat Brittenden hosts various NZ commentators, comedians, academics and news makers in a casual daily news conversation in a social and relaxed nature. #BHN gives the

On the four-year anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion into Ukraine, we need to give credit where it is due and say that this Government, or at the very least the National Party and NZ First, are saying the right things around the reality of Russia illegal actions in Ukraine and where NZ's support needs to beRyan Bridge is either a useful idiot, or maybe just an idiot, as he tried to trap Chippy again and again over the cost of a new harbour crossing in Auckland and untruths about Genisis Energy.A group of female ex-MPs from the left and right of politics have taken the Government to task over the way it hurried through changes to pay equity reforms last year. The People's Select Committee called it a 'flagrant and significant abuse of power', which amounted to 'orchestrated subterfuge'.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

New legislation identified in the weekend with this government wanting to criminalize homelessness with their so called "move on orders" that could fine and/or imprison rough sleepers and the homeless. Tonight, Rawiri Waititi joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over the issue and the TPM response to it.Chris Hipkins had his State of the Nation this morning that heavily focused on climate change and talked about how a capital gains tax would help pay for some of Labour's initiativesChristopher Luxon this morning talking to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB admitted "I don't take advice from people" like any of us ever thought otkerwise.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation

The Epstein Files have prompted a UN panel of experts to label the S*x trafficking criminal enterprise by Jeffery Epstein a Crime Against Humanity. Formerly Prince Andrew was also arrested by UK police thanks to evidence released in the files.A bill submitted under urgency will require ACC claimants awaiting support payments to payback MSD for all benefit payments received if successful.Hundreds of graduating nurses have not been successful in landing jobs, particularly at Christchurch hospital despite the Nurse Shortage that prompted a push for more nursing students.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

The Fifth Hearing of Trumps Religious Liberty Commission was convened this week and former Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean, a vocal Catholic, challenged the Jewish representatives to confirm of not if being anti-Zionist immediately makes you antisemiticKieran McAnulty was ejected from the house today after challenging Gerry Brownlee's consistency around rulings over MPs saying offensive things in the house. Meanwhile Winston Peters accuses those who have called him racist of being ‘pearl clutchers' stating ‘I'm not sorry'Chris Bishop and Kieran McAnulty butted heads on Breakfast this morning on tolling new brides in Auckland and what corporate buzzwords they hate++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

On last night's The Bradbury Group conservative commentator Matthew Hooton suggested the data around the Māori Wards debate may find that is Winston Peters referendum on Māori seats went to a vote, that conservatives may well side with keeping them as opposed to losing them. Hooton suggests maybe it's time to call Winston's bluff and put it to the vote.Carmel Sepuloni and Nicola Willis clash on RNZ this morning talking about inflation, potholes versus more rail and tolls on bridgesChippy was on fire in the house attacking the government on the racist language that is already become evident in their campaign already++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Kieran McAnulty joins us LIVE for the first time in 2026 to talk infrastructure, Labour's plan for 2026 and 2am feedings.Chris Bishop released an infrastructure report on NZ's state of repair which he says will 'shock' people. We'll take a look at the 1News Verian poll that is currently painting a rosy picture for the right bloc in the early stages of election year. One thing probably is clear, that the minor parties on both sides are going to hold a lot of sway come November 8th this year++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

The Alliance Party officially launched its campaign for the 2026 General Election at its National Conference in Christchurch over the weekend. Members from across Aotearoa gathered at the Trade Union Centre to ratify the party's constitution, elect national officers, and confirm the policy platform for the upcoming election. The President of the Alliance Party is Victor Billot and he joins us tonight LIVE at 9pm.Dr Grant Duncan joins us tonight LIVE at 9.30 to talk about his latest Substack on David Seymour's "State of the Nation" speech when Duncan calls our Seymour's games of Libertarian "freedom" and, among other conclusions, writes "populist tactics worked for ACT only so long as National was weak. [Rodney] Hide was ACT Party leader from 2004 to 2011, overseeing their humiliating decline from nine seats to just two in 2005. He was dumped as party leader in April 2011, to be replaced by an even less competent politician: Don Brash. ACT then fell to 1% and below. The market had spoken."See Grant's Substack here https://grantduncanphd.substack.comAndrew Eagles from the New Zealand Green Building Council joined Q&A on Sunday with an exclusive new analysis that outlines why his organisation believes the LNG import terminal plan is a mistake, and why a different plan for massive uptake of solar and heat pump hot water systems would work better.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Mangakahia sisters Leah Timoko and Kirsty Tuhiwai join us tonight to talk about their new employment platform that aims to flip the recruitment model on its head. Instead of jobseekers having to submit one “soul-sucking” job application after another and employers having to sift through hundreds of applications, You Will Find is a candidate-focused database where employers can search through candidates and approach the most appropriate. Check out the site at www.youwillfind.co.nzFinance Minister Nicola Willis has denied playing politics with her announcement that a review into the Reserve Bank's Covid response would be released in September, just months before the election. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick described the timing as “a bit sus”.New Zealand First will campaign on a referendum to determine the future of the Māori seats in the lead-up to November's general election. Party leader Winston Peters said in contemporary times, the seats built a more representative Parliament but with record levels of Māori MPs in the House, they were redundant.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

The Salvation Army is warning that families are starving and is calling on the Government to urgently increase food aid. Its latest State of the Nation paints are dire picture of worsening child poverty and unemployment, rising family violence and stubbornly high cost of living pressures.Foreign Minister Winston Peters' office set in motion an official Middle East visit within hours of heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker inviting him to watch a fight in Saudi Arabia, newly-released documents show.Finance Minister Nicola Willis has ordered a review into the Reserve Bank's pandemic-era monetary policy.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Craig Renney LIVE to talk through some pretty interesting, and apparently unreported, findings from the LNG announcement yesterdayChris Hipkins points directly to the connection between the cancelling of 3 Waters and what is happening at Moa Point.Is it a tax? Is it a levy? An additional charge for a liquefied natural gas import terminal has turned into a communications nightmare for the Government.The ministerial advisory group charged with tackling retail crime will be disbanded months earlier than planned after a string of resignations. Retail crime advisory group disbands four months early.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Govt has announced today it is looking for interested parties to build a Liquid Natural Gas Facility to boost NZ's power reserves for dry winters.Tama Potaka sits down with Mihi Forbes on MATA, questioned on whether or not National has been part of fueling racism in NZ by supporting bills such as the Treaty Principles Bill.Phil Goff kicks off this year's Q+A show, with bold commentary on how little NZ is doing to stand up to the Trump regime and instead siding up next to America.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

It's Waitangi Day and the end of the official celebrations at Waitangi. Pat gives us his final thoughts on location.An amazing win for the environment with a fast-tracked plan to mine the Taranaki seabed declined by the approvals panel. However, in Wellington Sewage has been draining directly into the Habour.Welsh MPs could lose their seat if caught lying in Parliament or during an election, a rule which could set a precedent which other westminster style governments could follow.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Green MP Hūhana Lyndon is running for Te Tai Tokerau Māori electorate seat this year and is listening to what her community needs.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Pat sat down with Chris Hipkins at Waitangi to dive into Labour's campaign strategy and priorities going into this year's election.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Hūhana Lyndon has a chat to Pat on Day 4 of Waitangi Week.Pat also had a sit down with Chris Hipkins yesterday and dove into Labour's campaign and priorities going into this year's pivotal election.Seymour basks in the opportunity to make headlines at Waitangi Day to spread awful rhetoric that will certainly activate the worst of ACT's voter base.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Pat sits down with Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi at Waitangi for a very relaxed and authentic conversation about what's really important going into this year's election.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Waitangi Day two: Luxon fronts Māori at the Iwi Chairs Forum with Climate Change front of mind.Pat catches up with Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi for a candid chat at WaitangiUnemployment numbers have risen but National refuse to give up the "economic recovery is coming" narrative.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Labour and the Green Party made a joint appearance this morning at Waitangi to show they are united in their shared values going into election year.Changes have been announced to the Drivers License system taking effect Jan 2027, removing the second test to graduate to a full license, changes to alcohol limits, vision tests, cost and more.Another round of Epstein files have been dropped revealing a number of New Zealanders implicated in the files.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

PM Luxon gives comment to the Waitangi Tribunal revealing backroom Mining negations with the US, as well campaigning on Asset Sales and finally declining the invite to Trump's Board of Peace.Shane Jones gives the final word to reject the COP30 Road Map to move away from Fossil Fuels.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi gets her latest day in Court, fighting against her unfair dismissal from TPM. ++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Newsroom reveals our govt is negotiating secret backroom deals with the US to mine, which the Waitangi Tribunal has stated is against Te Tiriti obligations.Leaked audio of Erika Kirk ecstatic about the number of attendees at her husband's funeral and $200k merch sales figures 11 days after her husband's assassination calls into question her character.Ashley St Clair, the baby-moma to one of Elon's children, has made a surprise reappearance in the media admitting fault for her "MAGA-era" ways and suing Elon for Grok sexualising her without consent.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Labour MP Camilla Belich joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk about National and Labour joining forces to get modern slavery legislation into Parliament, using a new process to skip the biscuit tin for the first time. The MPs backing it say the process was needed because the ACT Party and its Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden refused support.Eru Kapa Kingi and Bianca Ranson join us tonight to talk about Toitū Te Aroha — a kaupapa centered in love, connection, and community which this Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Kōmititanga at Britomart in Tāmaki, to then march to Aotea Square. Toitū Te Aroha is uniting as one to demonstrate the power of our community and show that we want a world where differences are celebrated and bring us together, rather than divide us.Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) assaulted during town hall meeting: "Here's the reality that people like this ugly man don't understand; we are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us." ++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

AUT Associate Professor Alex Plum joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk about the latest hate crime research that shows that lesbian and bisexual women in New Zealand face substantially higher risks of crime by strangers. In fact, new AUT research shows they are up to twice as likely as heterosexual women to experience sexual assault and other violent offences perpetrated by people they do not know. Chloe Swarbrick and David Seymour traded jabs on Herald Now this morning talking Winston Peters, climate change and the pollsAfter 24 years in Parliament, Judith Collins has announced her plan to retire from politics. She will start a new job, heading the Law Commission - a Crown entity which reviews the law - later this year.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Andrey Khrzhanovskiy is a journalist and activist based in the West Bank, Palestine who joins us LIVE tonight at 9pm to talk about what life is like in the West Bank to see if the threats Palestinians were facing before the "cease fire" are still as prevalentLabour leader Chris Hipkins was on the NZ Herald this morning talking elections, TPM, immigration and moreHomeowners could be left covering the costs of defective work on their properties once an overhaul of the Building Act is complete. The Government plans to give itself the ability to temporarily suspend the requirement for consumer protections to be put in place in the building sector, if the providers of these protections bail out of New Zealand or their offerings become too expensive.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

We're back baby, Pat and Chewie are LIVE from 9pm with some updates on 2026, where we are heading, what we are up to and how we are looking to effect a change in 2026.Phil Goff joins us LIVE tonight at 9pm to talk about his comments on the weekend accusation that Foreign Minister Winston Peters failed to stand up for New Zealand soldiers after US President Donald Trump said allied troops "stayed a little back" during the war in Afghanistan. In a sharply worded Facebook post on Saturday, the former high commissioner to the United Kingdom said Peters' silence in response to Trump's remarks was "deafening".A man who was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis has been identified by his family as 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. He has been described as an avid outdoorsman who loved mountain biking and is understood to have joined protests after Renee Good, also 37, was shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in her car earlier this month.We'll take a look at the tragedy at Mt Maunganui, the lives that have been lost, and the messaging from the PM of how important addressing climate change is...while this government hinders as much as possible effective policies to address climate issues.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation

Hūhana Lyndon joins live to discuss her Member's Bill to entrench Māori Seats, announced today at Rātana.Winston Peters praises Trump's move to leave the World Health Organisation, and questions NZ's involvement. The internet is pining for the days of mid-2010's internet culture, before Trump, before AI, before hyper-monetization of social media...++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation

Trump reveals his plan to takeover Greenland (or was it Iceland?) at the World Economic Forum in Davos.Let's look at how the workforce rates National's front belchers and the current MPs in charge, in part 2 of our look at the CTU's Mood of the Workforce surveyNew Zealand Health's tech infrastructure is crumbling with multiple breaks downs and security breaches.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons joins LIVE to discuss the Fire at Will Bill put forward by Brooke van Velden, which would impact high earning employees from disputing unfair dismissal.The govt have announced this year's election date, November 7th. Luxon says its reasonable, Hipkins says it's rather late.The upper North Island has been slammed again with incredibly dangerous flooding. Experts look at the impact Climate Change is having on these extreme weather events expected to continue in NZ.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

CTU's Mood of Workforce survey has revealed the disdain for this govt and sinks 'Nicky no Boats' to the bottom.Trump's America has been front and center of the news cycle since New Years Day. We look at everything we missed and the mood in America.Then abroad, Trump threatens the international status quo, with Venezuela, Greenland and Iran all in his sights.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

National had their State of the Nation address and set the tone for their 2026 election campaign.Earlier in the year we said Farewell to the "Man, Myth and Legend" Tim Shadbolt with his funeral held a few days ago.It's been a tough summer for festivals with some no longer to continue, holding their last events this summer.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Our resident wookie, Chewie, made us all proud, protesting Simeon Brown's choice to cut funding for Dunedin's new hospital.Emz gets her hands on one of those infamous school lunches to taste test. The results will SHOCK no-one.The Māori Queen Te Arikinui gave her first royal address at the Koroneihana with a speech that inspired everyone and spread a hopeful vision for the future of Aotearoa and Māoridom.____Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

In this episode we are playing the three biggest individual clips that played from BHN 2025 on YouTubeFriend of the show Sam Seder went on Jubilee's Surrounded show where he faced off against 20 young conservatives. One answer in particular seemed to sum up the views of the modern conservative millennial and Gen Z crowd which showed how their idea of white supremacy is so out in the open and casual now it almost (to them) seems normal.'Splits us into two': Willie Apiata hands over Victoria Cross over entitlements issue. New Zealand's most decorated war hero Willie Apiata had just gifted him his New Zealand Victoria Cross medal to carry to Parliament in hope of having the definition of a veteran changed in legislation.Gary's economics makes predictions not opinions and his prediction is that it's going to get much worse for the working classSave a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Tonight we are highlighting the reporting BHN did at Waitangi, on Waitangi Day in 2025Our roving reporter gives us a rundown of day 3 at Waitangi, and how awesome it was to speak with both Chris Hipkins and kiwi legend John CampbellPat officially returns to the show after a couple of weeks road-tripping for his honeymoon. He shares his favourite moments from the trip.Exclusive: Pat sat down with Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins to chat about the vibe at Waitangi this year, how his speech was received and what 2025 will look like for the Labour Party.Our one and only Pat makes an appearance to give his thoughts on the Waitangi week experience.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Best of DecemberDavid Seymour is very butt hurt over his play mates, Luxon and Winston, threatening to bully his beloved RSB out of politics next yearWhen in opposition Luxon's led National Party made ram raids the absolute responsibility of the then Labour government therefore, following the standards they set, they are 100% responsible for the world breaking uptake in methPaul 'the other one' Barlow latest research leads to some very concerning findings on who is supplying the media with political news and narratives and even more concerning, those outlets running the stories, seem to be just cutting and pasting press releases and putting them out as storiesSave a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Very senior officers, including then Commissioner Andrew Coster, have been slammed for their handling of serious complaints made against now disgraced cop Jevon McSkimming. With the announcement of the new ferries yesterday seemingly having a...shall we say...holes in it financially, we're getting Labour's Spokesperson for Transport on LIVE at 9pm to talk fact versus fiction when it comes to this dealSam Seder has been educating his US audience for two decades. His Majority Report show is firing today better than it has ever been and we see him growing month over month.We were lucky enough to get Sam for a half hour to talk about Trump and Epstein, Mamdani's win, 8 Dems folding to allow the Government to reopen and what would happen if you told someone in the 1800s what America looked like todaySave a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

A special "Best of Friday Shows" from 2025!Back in February we interviewed our very first Bright Hairy News guest Duncan Webb who, at the time, was chair of the Select Committee for the Treaty Principles Bill and had just completed the hearing process.Mihingarangi Forbes interviewed TPM co-leaders Debbie and Rawiri for MATA where BHN got a special mention in a list of alternative media the party trusts. Emz and Mage react live rather enthusiastically. David Seymour answers questions from a very brave 13yo about the TPB and couldn't help himself but blame Māori for being over-represented in prison stats.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Tonight we have co-leader of te pati Māori, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, LIVE at 9pm to wrap up our series of having the left leaders on to talk about this Government's decision to sit on the wrong side of history by not recognising the statehood of PalestineBrie Elliot has had some really interesting interactions with Chris Bishop online with an outcome that we will share with you tonight as Brie joins us LIVE at 9pmDuncan Garner decided to have a crack at BHN last week claiming when we mocked his video on why teachers were striking including one of the reason for striking was "about making families suffer". Duncan challenged to us to show him where his statements were wrong...which we are happy to o tonight.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Labour Housing Spokesperson Kieran McAnulty joined to talk the changes in foreign buyers' rules allowing wealthy investors on a so-called “golden visa” being allowed to buy or build a house in New Zealand as part of a bid to attract more investment and to grow the economy. Winston Peters used 'woke' 19 times in his speech to the party faithfulAn alleged whistle blower has written to Duncan Garner saying that, among other things, "Luxon is f**ked" and that "he only wants yes men" and "he hates anyone who challenges him". Is it a real email, we have our doubts, but we'll share it with you tonight to see what you think.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Best of AugustFinance Minister Nicola Willis remains hopeful that unemployment will start to reduce sometime this year but given global economic uncertainty with Donald Trump's trade wars she won't give a more exact time frame, Labour's Barb Edmonds joins us LIVE to discuss. Christopher Luxon was on Newstalk ZB today for an hour explaining how much he enjoyed the format of discussing issues "a bit deeper" all while not going in-depth at all in any way just continuing on the same old talking points.An estimated 90,000 people have marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in one of many protests against the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The bridge was closed to traffic for much of the day and police say the situation came close to catastrophe at times.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Best of July 2025Green Party Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick and DPM leader David Seymour were on Herald NOW's political panel talking retail theft, ferries and Bob Vylan.We connected with Simeon Brown's office today requesting their workings for how they got to the "average" nurse earning $125k. We got sent a document that we go over with Craig RenneyTama Potaka has what is the worst interview from any Minister of the crown in this cycle, which is saying something, in that he literally doesn't answer questions, and one has to wonder why...it's not the win they think it isSave a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Best of JuneBrooke van Velden destroyed on Q&A, how will anyone ever take her seriouslyRuth Richardson joined Jack Tame on Q&A and, among other things, refused to be accountable for all the pain her policies caused NZers for the next 30 years#BHN Ted Cruz gets humiliated by Tucker Carlson when challenged on what he knows of the middle east, a region he is keen to invadeSave a massive 30% on all items at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Best of May 2025Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi spent two hours with us in May, part of the conversation they spoke of their record breaking suspension from the houseMarama Davidson on the Green Budget, what is a green government and the C wordPiers Morgan demonstrates he doesn't understand the rules of journalism anymore as he unwittingly platforms another Nazi BarbieSave a massive 30% on all items at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Best of April 2025Tamatha Paul was on BHN throwing shade at Mark Mitchell which made the news and he coped super hardPere Huriwai-Seger on his confrontation with Casey Costello that was blown up in the media to be far more aggressive than actually was.Douglas Murray versus Dave Smith in the infamous "you've never beeeen" commentSave a massive 30% on all items at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Our New Zealand Health System is in a DIRE EMERGENCY!Live public meeting involving...Dunedin Mayor Sophie BarkerED Consultant Dr Gary PayindaCTU Economist Craig RenneySharing on the state of our public health system=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

Labour is surging, National is slipping, and New Zealand's political landscape is looking more unpredictable than ever. The latest freshwater strategy, Infrastructure New Zealand poll for The Post shows that Labour has extended its lead to 8 points ahead of National, putting them in pole position to form the next government.We'll be finishing the year's live show with the whole BHN crew and maybe some visitors as wellWe might cover a couple of other stories but we'll see how we go with Christmas festivities, remember come see us on Discord if you want to interact with us tonight https://bhn.nz/discord/=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

In some of the darker corners of the internet a few of the grubbier actors have been pushing a narrative whole heartedly fed to them by Matt McCarten without any critical eye. Matthew Tukaki joins us tonight claiming there are lies being told and amplified across the internetMarama Davidson gives David Seymour a proper telling off this morning on HeraldNow which was highly appropriate as Seymour was acting like an entitled child, not the Deputy Prime MinisterWe'll look at today's updates on the Bondi shooting and the sentence handed to Jevon McSkimming today as well.=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

Chris Hipkins joins us live at 9pm in an end of year conversation as we look to an election year next year. How does Chippy think 2025 has gone and 2026 will go?Craig Renney joins us LIVE to talk about today's HYEFU results and the fact that there is still no surplus in sightNapier mayor Richard McGrath's executive assistant, Vanessa Smith-Glintenkamp, has resigned, saying she can no longer work for him due to his “disregard for Treaty principles”Donald Trump finally does it, says something that even Republicans are pushing back against when it comes to the death of Rob ReinerWe'll get an update on the Sydney terror attack and hear from the hero who disarmed one of the shooters=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

Paul 'the other one' Barlow latest research leads to some very concerning findings on who is supplying the media with political news and narratives and even more concerning, those outlets running the stories, seem to be just cutting and pasting press releases and putting them out as storiesThe latest on the Bondi shootings after 24 hours of thousands of clips and images online for all to see.Christopher Luxon refuses to go on Q&A with Jack Tame but happily popped onto RNZ for a chat leading to amazingly in depth questions like "how are the energy levels?"=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

It's the last Bright Hairy News episode for 2025 and in Friday show fashion we're having some fun, announcing awards for everything as voted by viewers.The final episode of this year's season of South Park released this week. We recap the story line and the creators incredible ability to highlight the Trump administration's insane agenda with an even more absurd story line.There have been many changes in the gaming industry, both positive and negative, with AI adopted by big names in the industry, incredible indie developers dominating the market and the loss of consumer hardware thanks to silicon valley.=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

Bomber joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk end of the year, some of the big stories of the year and a look up into next year for what it holdsPaul 'the other one' Barlow joins us LIVE to preview this weekends The Collective, Sunday at 7pm, to let us all know what to look forward toKieran McAnulty and Chris Bishop were on Breakfast this morning talking RMA and social media bans=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork

Westpac has put its mortgage rates up even though there was an OCR drop last week, what does this mean? Will other banks follow? Craig Renney joins us LIVE at 9pm to cover off what this meansA new round of polls out today that show the trend continues and that the TVNZ poll may be an outlier for the left bloc. In saying that based on the latest Curia numbers the government today, still have the support to governAustralia bans social media for the under 16s. Will it work, what does it mean if anything for NZ? What are the first few days of the ban like for teens in Australia=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynet

Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking, Labour's spokesperson for the RMA, joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over the new legislation introduced into parliament today.The Government has unveiled its mega-overhaul of New Zealand's planning system in a radical but long-awaited shift, which it hopes will become active in 2029.Just over a third of voters believe Christopher Luxon is the best person to lead National, while almost the same number want someone else from the party's frontbench in the top job, a new 1News Verian poll reveals.=================================Come support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at https://bhn.nz/shop/ Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetwork