#BHN Big Hairy News

Paul Barlow joins us to talk about the Green Party poll surge - what does the data tell us about the reaction to Mondays polls.The right is now going all out to create an overhang with literal billionaire backings, we have to ask the question again...if an overhang helps decided an election, is it right for Labour to still play (what they think) is the moral game of not engendering an overhang to help the left.The Press 'Kingmakers' debate is on at 7.30, we will have a recap on what has happened, at least as much as we can depending on if the debate is complete by 9pm++++++++++++++++++++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/

A mighty Totara has fallen as former Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe passes away.Chris Hipkins keeps baring is teeth, this time with Mike Hosking.Nicola Willis defends her PREFU report while Chloe is painted as the boogeyman++++++++++++++++++++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/

Apologies for the delay, Pat was stuck in Wellington and there was no one else who could upload the podcastCraig Rennie joins us LIVE to discuss today's PREFU and what it means for the Coalition and the campaign.Opportunity knocks with 5 bottom lines they will bring to the Coalition discussions if they're over the threshold in November.Media have been playing out a Chloe vs Chippy Narrative all day , why might that be?++++++++++++++++++++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/

Apologies for the delay, Pat was stuck in Wellington and there was no one else who could upload the podcastLabour's Tertiary Studies spokesperson Shanan Halbert joins us to explain Labour's new policy on wiping up to 10% from student loans.National and Labour spent Sunday launching the election campaigns that have been going on for months - and it looks like Chris Hipkins is baring his teeth on the trail.And Marama Davidson sits down with Jack Tame on the first election one-on-one Leaders discussions for Q&A.++++++++++++++++++++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/

This month's Ipsos Issues Monitor tracks the big issues facing NZ and the populations perceptions on which of the parties are best to handle them with Labour continuing to lead on just about all of the top 10 issues.Health NZ have promise extra funding to increase staffing across the sector, but comes a little too late for some healthcare workers.Education Ministry whistleblower has claimed intentional actions by Ministry staff to subvert OIAs by not recording some communications with the Minister.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Pal Barlow joins us tonight with his weekly segment about what he found in OpenBrief this week and with all the coverage in the news about Nicky Hager's new book, it makes sense we look at the TPU and see what it shows about their activities.Labour pledges billions to build more social housing, fix hospitals in a promise of almost $3 billion to build 6000 new social houses, plus hundreds of millions more to upgrade schools and repair hospitals.Kieran McAnulty and Chris Bishop sparred on Breakfast this morning over revelations in Nicky Hagers book and why Labour have pulled out of the TPU debates and without a hint irony Chris Bishop trying to explain why politicians should go to debates with groups they disagree with seemingly forgetting that a minimum of 13 (including himself) National MPs refused to participate in the BHN debate series.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Jordan Williams appeared on any media source that would have him this morning to reply to Nicky Hager's new book. He seemingly wanted to mostly refute the accusations that TPU paid out a former worker for sexual harassment, a claim that takes up one line in Hager's 129 page book.Nicky Hager spoke to the NZ Herald this morning after Jordan Williams stated that many of the claims that Hager made are false. We'll take a look at what Harger had to say in response to Williams.Marama Davidson and Daid Seymour appeared on a panel this morning to talk about the accusation that Seymour uses race as a weapon and if the Greens should force landlords to rent out empty properties++++++++++++++++++++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/

Investigative journalist Nicky Hager is about to release his latest book with just seven weeks until the election. At the time of writing these notes we don't know what the book is about but Hager is known for books including 2014's Dirty Politics and 2002's Seeds of Distrust, which sent shockwaves through election campaigns, is set to reveal his work at 6pm at an event held at Unity Books in Wellington.Many on the left are struggling with Labour's decision to continue on with Nationals tax laws for landlords as Labour has been very clear this election cycle that Luxon's government making the choice to divert billions of dollars to landlords was bad policy that took money out of government revenue that could have been used better elsewhere.Moana Maniapoto spoke with several Māori who went on a junket to Israel, paid for by the Israeli government and seem to come back confirmed Zionists. We'll take a look tonight at one conversation she had, with former broadcaster, Neil WakaWe'll also take a look at National trying to "blame Labour" for crime during their last term by showing footage of crime that happened under their watch.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Jordan Williams was on Q&A this weekend talking CGT and Wealth Tax so we thought we'd bring on a former Senior lecturer in taxation, and current Labour spokesperson for revenue Deborah Russell on to unpack what was said about the left's tax initiativesChristopher Luxon spent time with bestie Mike Hosking this morning explaining why they have failed with their election promise to have 500 new police officers and how the reason public servants were getting treated well when it came to salary increases was they are "deeply, deeply unionised"...but he was using that as a negative...go figureEd Sheeran has made his first public statement since his horror week around Macklemore's public call to Free Palestine. There is something very clear that Ed has missed which we will cover tonightAnd anything else that comes up between time of launch and showtime++++++++++++++++++++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/

Artist and Activist Bruce Mahalski joins live to promote a series of upcoming public talks across the South Island asking a straight-forward question: Is climate change really an emergency? And if it is, what does that mean for ordinary people and their families?Chris Hipkins answers listeners questions on NewsTalk ZB. The host, Kerre Woodham, refused to accept Hipkins' claim that National have put the country in a worse fiscal position, so I did some fact checking on her behalf to share with you. Healthcare services and short staffing is once again on the agenda. The family of a man that died in an ED bathroom due to over capacity speaks directly to politicians to seek answers, accountability and apologies.++++++++++++++++++++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 Leader and Deputy of Trust NZ, the latest party to put their hat in the ring this election, joins tonight to promote their campaign to get people to enroll to vote... no, un-enroll to vote..?GDP numbers were released today showing an abysmal 0.2% increase. Other OECD countries have been largely unaffected by global oil shocks, but Nicola Willis is adamant global events are to blame for our slow economic recovery.Paul Barlow gives his weekly Open Brief Debrief. This week we're choo choo choosing to see how the opening of Auckland's CRL was presented in media and who made sure they took credit for it. ++++++++++++++++++++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/

Paul Barlow joins tonight for the weekly news.Supermarkets, price gouging and anti-competitive behaviour was the hot topic today with both National and Labour revealing policies to tackle the rising cost of food in New Zealand. Bishop tries to talk his way around National's latest "levy". 1News doing an excellent job of explaining the difference between a levy and tax but their definition calls into question whether Labour's CGT is in fact a tax after all...Ed Sheeran has been blasted for caving to demands to kick Macklemore from his tour after saying "Free Palestine" on stage. This has lead to a renewed discussion as to the role of influential people and Hollywood to call out atrocities and global crisis and getting political.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Brie Elliot joins tonight to co-host and discuss the latest news in the lead up to the election.Latest polling data shows major parties continue to slump in the polls and struggling to get above the 30% threshold, giving way for the minor parties to rise.ACT release a campaign policy to stop further increases to the minimum wage and reduce the wages of employees doing on-the-job training.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Sean Ackland co-hosts tonight to debrief the education debate from Dunedin this weekend and get his thoughts as our resident industry expert.The hottest topic from this weekend and today was the opening of Auckland's City Rail Link. PM Luxon joined John Campbell on Morning Report this morning to share his completely out-of-touch perspective on what this upgrade to the city's public transport means for the average person and commuter.ANZ's outgoing CEO Antonia Watson spoke with Jack Tame over the weekend to discuss the state of banking in NZ, and reviews her previous comments about implementing a CGT and having an adult conversation around tax in order to tackle the looming worker/pensioner ratio diminishing and putting pressure on future Govt finances.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Willow-Jean Prime, Labour Party's spokesperson for Social Development & Employment, joins us LIVE to discuss the MSD report findings regarding missed benefit payments.Paul Barlow joins us for the weekly Open Brief Debrief: Who needs the Kiwimart? Now here's the tricky part, finding out who's dominating the conversation about it and trying to steer public perception on the Green policy announcement. We'll take a look into tonight with Open Brief.Anthropic former and current employees have raised the alarms again on the safety of unregulated AI and super intelligence development claiming a more than 10% possibility of wiping out humanity.++++++++++++++++++++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's Ayesha Verrall was rushed by anti-vaxxers and protected by her fellow candidates at a Wellington event last night.ASA have upheld, in part, a complaint against National Party flyers spreading misinformation about Labour's tax policy.PSA workers picketed today after pay negotiations have stalled, the govt calling out the union for politicising the issue in promoting a change of govt.++++++++++++++++++++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 NZ Herald does not do their own polling, preferring to take everyone else's polls and make what has become NZ's "official" poll of polls and if you look at that, which shows trends rather than a specific data set and that trend looks terrible for LabourMore information on One News tonight about the MSD 'admin error' telling people that food was not an essential need. One very clear decision for both the Minister, Louise Upstong, and MSD itself is that they refuse to apologize for minimizing and declining their clients' needs when food was desperately needed.Christopher Luxon has accused Chris Hipkins of “flailing” after the Labour leader told reporters that “National and their mates” want to wind back climate action, with some ministers not even believing that climate change is real.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Act Party leader David Seymour isn't against Act voters giving their electorate vote to National, but the desired overhang is easier said than donePM Christopher Luxon is spinning that fewer NZ's are leaving for Australia, which is true, but still won't look how overall we continue to bleed talent to our Tasman brothers and sisters as there was a net migration loss of 28,500 people from New Zealand to Australia in the December 2025 year.A "shock poll results" has both our major parties under 30% and see's Opportunity out of parliament reigniting the conversation of "is a vote for Opportunity a wasted vote?++++++++++++++++++++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 politicians arrived at Koroneihana today, with many Māori leaders calling out the Govt and previous Govts for degrading Te Tiriti and Māori/Crown relations.A report commissioned as part of the CoC agreement didn't give the conclusion that David Seymour wanted, that the Māori and Pacific Admissions Scheme for health students is a "clear case of racial discrimination".TVNZ unveil their upcoming election "vodcast" with Jack Tame and Tova O'Brien, as well as scheduled leaders debates and more.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Aaron Hendry from Kick Back joins us live to discuss a letter written to the PM last year warning them of the potentially fatal risk of the Government's Emergency Housing policy, now calling on the govt to follow the UK's leadership and make the bold commitment to end rough sleeping by xmas. Kieran and the Bish on Breakfast: Can we get political consensus to fix our water infrastructure this time?Paul Barlow joins for the weekly Open Brief Debrief: The public is really upset with the way the health sector is being treated by the government but is our media representing how angry people really are?++++++++++++++++++++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/

Marytn 'Bomber' Bradbury joins us live tonight at 9pm to give us an update on how he is, and to share his experience of being in the public health system, as it is functioning today, under this governmentMethanex to close Taranaki plant, citing 'decline' in gas supply. The country's largest gas user Methanex has announced it will close its Taranaki plant after more than three decades of operation, saying New Zealand's declining natural gas supply has made continuing operations unsustainable.Ryan Brodge spoke with Act Party leader David Seymour and Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson on an Instagram post made by Tamatha Paul where she called out 16 government ministers and MPs for purchasing properties after this government changed the rules for landlords. She seems to have gotten one name wrong which is now what the right wants you to focus on, not the 15 other names that no one has questioned.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Willie Jackson's made contact today saying we were unfair and a bit harsh last night in our critique of his appearance on Q&A so, as is appropriate, Willie is coming on tonight to correct what he says we got wrong and allows us to seek some clarity on some questions we had that came from the interview.Ryan Bridge hosted Chris Bishop this morning to find out is we about to borrow $1b to fix potholes? Let's look at that.Trouble in paradise? Winston Peters has taken another crack at the Christopher Luxon's political experience, after the Prime Minister said remaining in the Paris climate agreement would be a bottom line in coalition negotiations. As an aside, our Foreign Minister is currently at the Pacific Islands Forum where climate change, and what Pacific countries are going to do about it, is high on the agenda++++++++++++++++++++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/

Willie Jackson joined Jack Tame on Q&A in the weekend explaining why Chris Hipkins called Te Pati Māori's election tactics a "rort" and why it doesn't seem like Jackson, or Labour, have been actively encouraging Māori to get onto the Māori role.National have backed tracked on the fuel tax that was suppose d to be coming back on January 1st in an obvious ploy to not make voters angry at them in the lead up to the election.Nicola Willis tells NZ Herald that students have "chosen" to lean NZ and so National is now going to punish them for doing so, rather than removing hiring freezes and allowing many of our graduates to stay in NZ.We'll also have a look over the weekend event and maybe play a couple of the clips we thought were most worthwhile to repeat++++++++++++++++++++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/

Nicola Willis joins Ryan Bridge Today to plead her case that the economic recovery is still on its way.Kieran and the Bish have their weekly panel with Tova O'Brien discussing the latest child poverty report and the U16 SM ban bill.Paul Barlow joins us for our weekly OpenBrief report, we look at the loudest voices on banning social media for under 16s, and the different ways they're saying the same things.++++++++++++++++++++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/

David Seymour sits down with Moana Maniapoto to discuss a number of party and govt policies and why he has such disdain for everything Māori.There has been cross odd party consensus on two major policies of the week - the rates cap and social media ban. Labour have said they may support these two National-led bills through to select committee to have the issues fully discussed and considered.Te Pāti Māori have entered the tax game, announcing their Kiwi tax plan. Good news for National, I guess? How does TPM's plan align with other parties proposing taxes?++++++++++++++++++++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/

Clint Smith joins us to talk about new analysis argues that reverting to the old pay equity regime might cost the Government about half as much as previous estimates. Does this therefore mean that a Labour led government could find it easier to restart the pay equity conversationThe Government has confirmed plans to cap council rates at 4%. Under the proposed system, first mooted late last year, annual rates increases would remain within an initial target range of 2% to 4%. This range will be reviewed every six years and updated "where necessary to reflect costs outside councils' control".David Seymour was on Breakfast obviously straight after consuming a big old arsehole pill as he dismissively pushed aside all the negative stats around Maori. One of the interesting thing is that ACT then used that footage as a 'win' for Seymour which it clearly wasn't.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Christopher Luxon moves to ban social media for under 16-year-olds a problem for him is that Act and NZ First disagree making this dead in the waterFinance Minister Nicola Willis refuses to rule out an increase to the ACC levy if she's returned as Finance Minister. She is calling for "no new taxes" but won't commit to other areas where NZers may face increases in already established fees, levies and taxes.Economist and former Productivity Commissioner Ganesh Ahirao wants to see the way Governments plan borrowing and spending completely turned around: replacing the duty to return to surplus with a duty to provide every citizen with the basics they need to thrive. Ganes describes this as 'being a good ancestor' to think about those who came before us leaving the current economy and how we would leave it to future generations.The latest polling puts Opportunity as the kingmaker again, and Christopher Luxon doubles down on not working with them.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Paul Goldsmith and Willie Jackson's weekly panel with Ryan Bridge was dominated by National's obsession with election campaign tax promises.Greg Flemming broke ranks this week saying clearly he does not believe his Govt made the right move in removing tax rebates on charity donations over $100,000 - not the first time we've seen Greg put his head up to speak out about something he hasn't agreed with.Climate change is here, and NZ needs a plan to increase our resilience to devastating weather events, but is cross-party consensus possible in this current political climate? ++++++++++++++++++++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/

Health system in crisis because of National's choices. Ayesah Verrall joins us to talk about how National has spent the last two years pretending they've hired thousands of new nurses but yesterday, they admitted the real number is just 54 FTE across the country, and a decrease in Auckland.Quick, it's an emergency!  Paul Barlow joins us to take a look at how Open Brief tracks responses to stories involving emergency services and responses to acute incidents like fires, natural disasters and life-threatening events and explore the differences between the way left and right leaning media frame unfolding events.Protests at the PM's public events will becomes more and more common as this Government starts to learn that if they keep themselves cloistered away to friendly audiences or their own events, they people who want to see them pushed will turn up and push back++++++++++++++++++++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/

Despite repeated denial there was a hiring freeze at Health NZ, documents uncovered through the PSA's OIA request have revealed the Health Minister knew vacancies were left open to meet the govt's explicit cost-cutting expectations and stay within budget.Luxon has shown once again he is out of touch with the people, blaming cycle ways and Labour Party / Green Party aligned council members for Wellington's downer-vibes and people leaving the city. Chris Hipkins in the house also claims Luxon once called National's front bench nothing more that AirNZ middle managers.Labour's Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni defends Labour's CGT Tax on her panel with Nicola Willis and John Campbell, while Nicola Willis defends her party's attack ads fear mongering about 100 new taxes if the left-block are voted in.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Helen Clark sat down for a chat with Moana Maniapoto to discuss Winston Peters' role in govt over the decades, and what has changed in politics since she was PM.Te Pāti Māori have released their election 2026 strategy, abandoning the party vote to focus on winning all of the Māori seats.Thousands of beneficiaries missed a winter energy payment because of a legislative change made using the fast-track system.++++++++++++++++++++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 going to go over the weekends 'debate' and we're going to look into the pull out by both David Seymour and Casey Costello and will highlight, in particular, the nonsense that Seymour is spouting over why he pulled out. BHN has also been featured in a few spaces in the press this weekend, we'll take a look at that as well.Paul Goldsmith on Q&A on move on orders, citizen's arrest and changing the way NZers enroll to voteQiulae Wong spoke in the weekend about TOP's board overruling the caucus and the hole there seems to be in their UBI plan++++++++++++++++++++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 and Chris Bishop on their weekly sit down with breakfast discuss the big news of the week - the attempted coup, putting Luxon's leadership and the party's unity into question.RNZ reveals each party's ad spend on social media going into this election, of note National has targeted 90 of it's ads solely at men, and just 1 solely at women but lasted only 24 hours.How does media and commentary frame what happened in National this week? Are there differences or was this an example of media driving the public response? We'll take a look at what Open Brief shows us in the numbers - numbers which are more public than the vote count in a National Party Leadership challenge.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Ginny Andersen joins to discuss National's decision to keep Chris Luxon as leader to going into the 2026 election. How is Labour feeling about the drama?Chris Penk was ousted as the leader of the attempted coup, and portfolios taken from him.Latest 1News Verian Poll released, showing small parties are holding a lot of power going into the 2026 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/

At the time of setting up the show we have heard there is an unscheduled National Party caucus called for tonight with much speculation over Christopher Luxon leadership so as we write this we genuinely don't know if we will be talking about PM Christopher Luxon, or someone else at the head of the tableMariameno Kapa-Kingi spent some time with Moana Maniapoto talking the difference in leadership style in her new party and if she was at all disappointed that no other wahine followed her out of TPMChris Hpkins did the rounds this morning talking about why he finally ruled out Winston Peters++++++++++++++++++++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 leader Chris Hipkins has categorically ruled out working with New Zealand First if elected in November, unfortunately for Labour and Mr Hipkins the response from the media and many voters is "why did this take so long?"Simeon Brown faced off against Jack Tame on Q&A over the weekend where he struggled to firmly back leader Christopher Luxon and couldn't explain why one of the targets for the health service is to increase staffChristopher Luxon was on RNZ this morning where he had to explain Nicola Willis' "no new tax on working people" when they are going to reverse the discount to fuel excise tax etcMight check out poll of polls in NZ Herald, and check out how St John Ambulance is overworked like never before++++++++++++++++++++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 latest Curia Poll is in with a few surprises that could be outliers or a changing trend ahead.Councils around the country have sat around the table and put forth their preferred options for the Govt's demand to amalgamate. Whether the Govt will agree to their proposals is another story.Nicola Willis has announced a claw back of a loan made to Chorus to fund the roll out of fibre across the country, which will see $700m come back into the Govt coffers, but was not originally agreed to be paid back until 2036.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Paul Barlow joins us LIVE to tell us what he learned from OpenBrief this week. "Sorry, what were you talking about? Each month OpenBiref gives us a monthly discourse report to see how Kiwis talked about politics across news, commentary, radio and socials - and in July there was one organisation that drove conversation more than any other - tonight we're going to explore what we disagreed on, what we all agreed on and who is driving the things we talked about."Former National Party Cabinet Minister Chris Finlayson just called out Christopher Luxon's National Party saying that "These people are traitors to the National Party traditions, to the bipartisan traditions that have been built up over many years."Christopher Luxon says he'll hold referendum on MMP if re-elected. Speaking on talk back radio today, he promised to hold a referendum on the MMP electoral system next year if re-elected. His coalition partners seemed to be surprised by this.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Christopher Luxon is defending his use of an Air Force flight after attending a National Party fundraiser, saying he has a "busy job" and "full schedule" which is weird as he made promises when in opposition that he would use commercial airlinesThe unemployment rate has risen to 5.6 percent - the highest level in 11 years - with 171,000 people out of work. The Finance Minister is looking to blame everyone else but the government saying that an increase was expected, as businesses grappled with uncertainty in the wake of the Middle East conflict.From NZ Herald today Act leader David Seymour and Green co-leader Marama Davidson discuss the expected hike to unemployment and ACT's false advertising claims around PharmacLike 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 leader Chris Hipkins has ruled out working with New Zealand First's Winston Peters at the next election. New Zealand First's leader responded to heckling in the House on Wednesday last week by attacking the Greens' Lawrence Xu-Nan, telling him to go back to his "own country".Police investigate Tamaki after ‘heaven's hitlist' video. Police are investigating a “threatening video” posted by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki after he called on organisations and individuals to repent, “or have the fear of God on you.” Tamaki has listed, what appears to be, every person in NZ on the list and we speak to one tonight as Johnathan Dove joins us to unpack it all.Winston Peters met with PM Christopher Luxon and word on the street is that he refused to the PM and now refuses to the public to apologise for his blatant racist statements towards Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan++++++++++++++++++++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/

Martin "Bomber" Bradbury has written an article stating, "The Daily Blog has secretly been taken to Court and I'm facing 6months in prison: We can't tell you who, how, why or what" and while there is a lot that obviously cannot be said, we'll catch up with Bomber LIVE tonight at pm to see what he can tell us about the situation.We'll review the weekend's Big Hairy Debate, highs and lows, making the papers today for all the wrong reasons and explore some of the questions Pat had lined up but didn't get too due to time restraints.ACT wants to give teachers the legal power to remove "seriously or persistently disruptive" "little shits" from a classroom. Announcing the policy in Auckland on Sunday, ACT candidate Paul Henry said the law would give teachers clear legal protections and the power to regain "order" in the classroom.And we're sure there will be more news broken today which we may pick up on as well++++++++++++++++++++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/

With 100 days now until the election, Paul will take a look at what we're talking about with the help of Open Brief's agenda setting tool - looking at the difference between what media is covering and what we're saying on social media are the biggest issues facing us going into the election period - and which source seems to be influencing us more than others.Winston's racist and xenophobic comments towards Green MP Laurence Xu-Nan in the house last night were the topic of conversation around Parliament with Opposition MPs calling for him to be sacked, but Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour saying it wasn't warranted as it had nothing to do with his role Foreign Minister.Conversations around changing the regulations for domestic solar production is finally being pushed, with broad support across the political spectrum, and election campaign promises to fix it, will this govt do something about it before the 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/

Tania Waikato joins us LIVE to talk about her exciting and unique campaign to get people on the Māori roll before it closes next week.The Jobseeker benefit for 18 and 19 year olds is set to be cut later this year, which will affect 2700 young people that are on benefits for health and disability reasons. Louise Upston's responses when questioned in the house says it all about this Govt's priorities.Qiulae Wong answers Katie Bradford's quickfire questions on the party's stance on the main issues facing 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/

OpenBrief is a NZ website set up to track New Zealand's significant political news, opinion, podcasts and social media — a curated, transparent set of sources, not the whole internet. With OpenBrief you get to see the data behind the narrative. Tonight we have Martin Buhr, the developer of OpenBrief, joining us to talk about why he thinks NZ needs this resource.For transparency, BHN and OpenBrief are going to be doing some work together over the next 4 months.Chris Hipkins spent time on the NZ Herald and TVNZ this morning talking about if Labour would work with Opportunity and responding to the National party's apparent, off the cuff, exclusion of Opportunity from the podium yesterday.Winston Peters was shocked yesterday that Tova Obrien uttered the words "opal sex" when referencing Shane Hones' "kneepads" comments from their conference last weekend and the two sparred over what is, and isn't, appropriate in an interview question.The Free Speech Union has made their final death knell of irrelevance where they have some out against a journalist using their free speech to ask questions, and defended a government appointee with, what some think, is a chequered past, but we have seen this from astroturf lobby groups in the past++++++++++++++++++++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/

Chloe Swarbrick was on Q&A in the weekend with guest host Tova O'Brien in what seemed like a bit of a waste of an interview where Tova seemed to want to be pedantic about singular words rather than debate the themes and play contrarian rather than investigator. In the most ironic interview of the election season so far, David Seymour wants to calm the farm when it comes to critiquing coalition partners and has come up with, what seems on the surface level, as a pretty good idea for the health system.Christopher Luxon rules out the Opportunity Party ending their potential run to hit 5%Debate Update and what you need to know about the Big Hairy Debates over the next 2 months++++++++++++++++++++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/

Luxon faced the public in Feilding, asked directly about the DSS bill and whether he understood the impacts and reality facing many families of disabled people with the changes proposed.Claire Achmad has not been reappointed to her role as Children's Commissioner, a decision that has sparked outrage and a petition to keep her in the role. Plus, a report by the commission reveals more children in poverty, which Claire has called a 'National shame'Trump has slapped on further Tariffs to NZ and other OECD countries citing 'Forced Labour' in the supply chains in the products we export to the US. Meanwhile, his war on Iran has caused another fuel price hike.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Leighton 'Uncle Tics' Clarke and Josh 'the Tourette's Barber' Hughes join us tonight LIVE at 9pm to talk about life with Tourette's and Felix Shaw's petition to "Recognize Tourette Syndrome as a government-funded disability in Aotearoa" as it's currently not seen in law as a disability in Aotearoa NZThe ACT Party is accusing Labour of "manufactured outrage" after it complained about new candidate Paul Henry's participation in a risqué radio game. "People want politicians who are real," ACT leader David Seymour said. "Not ones that pretend to be outraged." In the past, David Seymour was very keen to be offended when TVNZ Breakfast shot salt at a Trump doll. Hypocrisy?Kieran McAnulty and Chris Bishop were on TVNZ's Breakfast show this morning talking about Stuart Nash's history of awful behaviour. They also then covered off how with that history, NZ First still saw fit to have him as one of their candidates and took a moment to mention the other NZ First MPs who have also said some shocking things but seem to be safe in Luxon's cabinet++++++++++++++++++++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/

Politicians across the spectrum are expressing disgust at NZ First candidate Stuart Nash as he attacks his National Party opponent in the Napier electorate for taking maternity leave - naming her as the “laziest MP I have ever come across”. Christopher Luxon called it "sexist" and Chris Bishop said the comments from Nash were “disgusting”Finance Minister Nicola Willis says while inflation has been largely driven by fuel prices, rates are also an issue that needs attention and she, and National, are trying to sell the idea that it wasn't for the external pressures like the closure of the Strait of Hormuz then inflation would only be at 2.9%...funny I can't remember National giving Labour a pass on external pressures and allow them to celebrate what inflation WOULD BE if it wasn't for COVID.The Climate Change Commission has found New Zealand is not on track to meet domestic climate change targets, but the Prime Minister says he disagrees. Mr. Luxon said that his Government would respond to the Commission's latest emissions monitoring report, but “our position is really clear ... we're on track to deliver EB budget 1, EB budget 2. There'll be more work for EB budget 3, but we're on track to deliver net zero and we might even deliver it a little earlier”++++++++++++++++++++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/

In a sit-down interview with The Hui, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson took aim at the coalition government. She said that while the Greens are "readier than we have ever been" for an election, the current Government is "a pack of bastards".Chris Hipkins has come out swinging today making the observation that maybe NZ First should be called "Labour's Seconds" due to the number of former Labour MPs that were, and are, involved with Winston Peters' partyNicola Willis has fronted the media today about the increase in inflation to 4.1% saying that Trump ‘certainly made things harder' and looking for external excuses for the number, which may be true on some level, but they certainly didn't give Labour the same excuse when external excuses, in the form of a global pandemic, caused inflation to spike in the last term. Labour's finance spokesperson Barb Edmonds joins us live at 9pm to talk about today's announcement++++++++++++++++++++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 Green Party is proposing sweeping energy reforms, aimed at slashing household power bills and stripping market dominance from major electricity corporations with the establishment of a new publicly owned electricity entity named Kiwipower which would compete directly with the four major electricity providers, which control over 85% of both retail and generation markets, and build a more resilient network with the funding of solar power schemes.Christopher Luxon was very clear on RNZ this morning that when their budgets changes because "we take our costings as best we can at the time" and that "construction costs bounce around a lot" that is fine, but if Labour's budgets say for ferries or Auckland light rail change then it's a mismanagement from a feckless government.P aul Henry has announced his candidacy for the ACT Party list. He says while the decision came together quickly, he wants to be in parliament to create a better future for his ten grandchildren. He joined Jack Tame to discuss what that future might look like.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Rata Jamieson, the Labour Candidate for Ilam joins us live to discuss politics, why she is running and what matters most to her.The CEO of the lobbying group Retail NZ has made an oral submission against the current draft of the "move-on orders" bill.The Ombudsman investigation into the "missing report", handed directly to the PM's senior advisor and caused speculation of corruption, has concluded, and Z Energy boss has spoken out to clear up misconceptions of what and how the situation was reported.++++++++++++++++++++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/