Politics Central

GP fees could be frozen for 12 months from July under a proposed Health NZ shake-up of the funding system. Under the proposals, around 60 percent of practices would receive increased funding through capitation re-weighting and annual funding increased. Overall funding for GPs would reportedly increase by six percent, as part of a $120.6 million injection for primary health. Health Minister Simeon Brown joined the Weekend Collective to unpack the overhaul. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon has returned from Queensland, after meeting with Anthony Albanese with a group of New Zealand businesses. No announcements have been unveiled, but the leaders discussed defence options and Luxon has been eying opportunities to get involved in the 2032 Olympics. NZ Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse joined the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says this year's budget especially strengthens Auckland's role as New Zealand's economic engine room. They point out that they're investing in health, including funding to purchase land for a future South Auckland Hospital, and a share of the Government's $5.5-billion health package. Additionally, they highlight plans for housing growth with a new $400-million fund for councils to enable more homes. Lastly, they're putting aside a billion for rail improvements, and another billion for school upgrades. But Mayor Wayne Brown says the devil is in the detail - and we'll need more clarity into a timeline of these initiatives, along with an explanation of how the Government's funding their share of the CRL. So what do these investments actually mean for Aucklanders - and how confident can we be in keeping a globally competitive city? Minister for Auckland Simon Watts talks to Tim Beveridge to discuss... LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is "freeloading" from the American military because of our low military spend. The remarks were made at an Asia-Pacific security conference in Singapore, attended by Defence Minister Chris Penk. The New Zealand Government has already announced plans to lift defence spending to around 2% of GDP over coming years — nearly double what we currently spend — but Hegseth says allies should really be aiming closer to 3.5%. That raises some big questions. At a time when New Zealanders are worried about the cost of living, hospitals and public services, why should defence move up the priority list? What are the risks if countries like New Zealand don't step up militarily? Defence Minister Chris Penk joins Tim Beveridge to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will be presenting the 2026 budget on this coming Thursday. A number of pre-budget announcements have already been made including money directed to maths and literary in schools and maritime security, while social housing and the public sector have faced budget cuts. Founder of Bagrie Economics, Cameron Bagrie, spoke to Tim Beveridge about what he expects and what he thinks should be done. One change Bagrie believes is unpopular but crucial is reforming NZ Super saying 'the current system is unsustainable'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, announced a $79 million boost over three years for tourism and farming by stopping the spread of wilding pines. The work will be concentrated around Queenstown, the Mackenzie Basin, the North Island's Central Plateau, and New Zealand's largest farm in South Marlborough. The extra funding will take the total for stopping the spread of wilding pines to $109m over the next three years. Hoggard joined Tim Beveridge to chat about the pines and their negative impact on our environment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian president Vladimir Putin says the war in Ukraine is coming to an end. The conflict has been ongoing since Russia's initial invasion in 2022, and Putin had been speaking in the Kremlin following a very scaled-back Victory Day parade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has leaked, and the Government has confirmed, that this will be the final year of fees-free support for tertiary students. The support was first introduced as a first year free incentive to help get more young people into further education, and was changed to be final year free last year. The policy has cost almost $350 million a year since it was introduced, but it seems the Government has decided that money is better spent elsewhere. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has received a preliminary proposal from the United States requesting help in opening the Strait of Hormuz - possibly as part of a coalition that would restore access to the strait. So yes we're apparently just one of a number of countries that received a proposal. Foreign Affairs minister Winston Peters says we're seeking more information and as such won't be making a decision anytime soon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SailGP won't be going ahead in the city of sails next year as the Government has pulled funding. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston wrote in a letter to mayor Wayne Brown that the event did not meet funding criteria, which requires a specific net economic benefit. It's been met with disappointment, as funding continues for larger events such as Robbie Williams and Linkin Park, of which some argue could have sold out on their own, without Government funding. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After much deliberation, the Labour Party has announced they'll back the India free trade agreement. We do see cross party agreements, but just how important will bipartisanship be for this year's election? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party have just had their annual State of the Planet Address, and this year they're calling for a National Electrification Plan. They say it's in response to the current fossil fuels crisis, and would add to their previous calls for free public transport and solutions to ease the cost of living. The plan would lay out a clear plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and use renewable energy like solar panels to reduce the cost of living. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First has announced they will be campaigning on a new policy to end the supermarket duopoly. The policy would give the Commerce Commission powers to enforce increased penalties for breaches and reform the role of the Groceries Commissioner, which the party says is currently toothless. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party have called in former broadcaster Rachel Smalley to help Auckland based MPs, including the prime minister, with their communications and media work ahead of the election this year. It's come after the public have started to notice Luxon becoming less confident and stumbling over his words recently - in contrast to the precise and decided communication style he's had in the past. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Vaianu has hit our shores and some regions are being hit particularly hard. The East Coast has seen gusts of up to 130 kilometres an hour, thousands of homes in Northland and the Bay of Plenty are without power, and weather watches and warnings remain in place for the whole North Island and parts of the South Island. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's election year again in New Zealand, and it's a process that we're all familiar with. But few are more familiar than Former PM Helen Clark and Former National MP Maurice Williamson, who joined Tim Beverige to look at what we can expect from election year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest numbers, as at one week ago, there were 24 days of petrol and 18 days of diesel in the country. Things are looking to worsen for the foreseeable future, although an uptick in public transport use and EV purchases point to people taking things into their own hands. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First will be campaigning on a policy that would see half of all mining royalties go to the region from which it came, rather than Wellington. The party says it would build up wealth and infrastructure in the regions, allowing for future development rather than having the money spent across wider national projects. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has delivered NZ First's State of the Nation address - the final one ahead of the looming election. Peters also announced a National Energy Strategy that would break up power companies, no longer allowing them to control both power and the price. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has just over 50 days worth of petrol, and a week less of diesel, while the war in Iran wages on. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact the global oil supply, and the countries we generally import oil from are considering closing up shop on exports to ensure their own security. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices are up at the pump, auto shops are selling out of jerry cans, and we've seen the reports of thousand litre IBC tanks being filled up at BP. It's raised the question around whether the closure of Marsden Point has been more harmful to New Zealand's fuel security that we had initially realised. New Zealand would still be reliant on imports to meet fuel needs, but having the ability to import crude oil rather than just refined oil would likely lift the pressure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's leadership within his own party is being questioned after he didn't fare well in a Taxpayers' Union poll this week. It has National down 2.9 points to 28.4% - but most notably, it suggests that the centre-left bloc could form a government in November. It'll be very tight though, with 61 seats for the left and 59 for the right. Luxon sits at 21% for preferred prime minister, while Hipkins is at 22.7%. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One week on, the war in Iran is progressing by the day. In the latest, the United States are gearing up to potentially send ground troops into Iran, Australia is considering whether they should send in troops, and New Zealand supports the US but won't involve itself any further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has highlighted issues within the KiwiSaver Act that have prevented a number of Kiwis from using their accounts to buy a home. Many workers in rural areas, like farm workers, rural police and teachers, are often required to live in housing provided by their employer - which stops them from being able to withdraw their KiwiSaver for a first home as they're unable to live in it. These issues have also stopped farmers from being able to purchase their own farm as it's not covered by current legislation. Changes announced this morning would remove those barriers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A joint US–Israeli strike on Iran overnight has triggered retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes - a claim Iran denied until half an hour ago, with officials saying he was “safe and sound” and “actively commanding the field”. International reaction has been mixed, with some governments condemning the strikes, others urging restraint, and many calling for urgent diplomatic talks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday Donald Trump announced a 10% levy on all goods coming into the US in response to the Supreme Court ruling his other tariffs unconstitutional. The new global tariffs were updated to 15% on Sunday. Economist Cameron Bagrie joined Tim Beveridge to talk about the implications for kiwi businesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Sunday the Government announced a plan to grant police the power to issue move-on orders to help deal with disorderly and dangerous behaviour in public places. The move-on orders apply to anyone displaying disorderly or intimidating behaviour, impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, and behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith joined Tim Beveridge to chat about what this announcement means in reality. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour is hesitant to put their support behind an India FTA without the government meeting certain conditions. It says free trade is a net positive, but agreements shouldn't cause harm to New Zealand - which is what we risk with this FTA. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT Party leader David Seymour delivered his State of the Nation address this morning. He says this government is on track to produce positive change, but it's not happening as quickly as it could be. ACT says there are three ways to break our country's slump: equal rights, positive thinking, and a smaller government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moa Point has been testing as non-compliant for all but two months of the last two years. The signs were there, but no one seemed to raise concern before the wastewater plant started pumping raw sewage into the south coast of Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From today, New Zealanders will be able to get prescriptions that won't need to be renewed through their GPs for a whole year. The change will impact those with long-term conditions like asthma and epilepsy. GPs will decide on a case by case basis whether it's safe to prescribe a medication for the full 12 months, and patients will no longer have to see their GP every 3 months for a new script. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Waitangi Day this Friday and after opting to spend the day at a marae in Akaroa last year, this year Christopher Luxon will be in town to meet with iwi. A recent RNZ-Reid poll found 62% of kiwis think it's important for the prime minister to be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day, but previous PMs have all had different approaches. Ngapuhi chairperson Mane Tahere joins to preview the week ahead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail. His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report. This case has raised questioins around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system. He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has welcomed provisional Term 4 attendance data, which shows attendance rates were higher than any Term 4 since 2022. Data shows that in Term 4 of 2025, 57.3% of students attended school regularly, which is an increase from 56.4% in Term 4 of 2024. He told Tim Beveridge that although the numbers are promising, there is still more work to be done. He said that it's not just about getting students back to the school gates, but also reintegrating them into the education system so students don't feel behind on their education. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The victims of an unprovoked attack on an Auckland train line late last year are speaking out, describing injuries and a lingering fear of using public transport. It's yet another reminder of the safety concerns many New Zealanders have at the back of their minds the next time they step onto a bus or train. Auckland Transport data shows hundreds of violent incidents across public transport services in the two years to November 2025 - and based on headlines, there's little sign that trend is easing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to give his State of the Nation Address tomorrow and being an election year, it'll be an important one. The National Party will be trying to recover from their recent polling, while kiwis will be looking for some desperately needed economic recovery. Health may also be one to keep an ear out for, after Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she'll be looking to shake up funding in the next budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year's international politics have been unstable to say the least.Trump's Tariffs, Gaza, Ukraine and the Epstein Files have been gifts that keep giving...or not. But closer to home we've managed to dodge declarations of war. However, there's still lots to reflect on and discuss. Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith and Auckland Councilman Richard Hills join Tim Beveridge to wrap the year's politics, and give an insight into what to expect next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nato chief Mark Rutte warns Western allies to prepare for war with Russia. He said that within the next five years, Nato countries will need to be prepared for a scale of war that hasn't been seen since our grandparents or great-grandparents. Donald Trump is due to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly regarding a peace deal. And the U.S. is keeping very busy as they've also seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela this week. The tanker went off course two days after its departure, listed to head for a Cuban port but rather off-loading part of its load to another ship before heading toward Asia. It was seized shortly after this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a week of back and forth for the Taxpayers' Union and the Finance Minister. Nicola Willis has challenged Union chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate, which was met with a sweet treat sent to Nicola and media. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a tough few months for Te Pati Maori, its AGM is taking place today. Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the country is "facing the most destructive government in our history," and the party is set on "making this a one term government." Meanwhile, 3 of 4 of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's requests in her ongoing legal proceedings were declined by the judge - but her request to remain a party member was accepted until February 2026. Party President John Tamihere remains in office as the AGM goes forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former police commissioner Andrew Coster claims he had briefed Chris Hipkins on Jevon McSkimming's alleged misconduct in 2022, and briefed Mark Mitchell in 2024. Coster stepped down as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency this week, after an IPCA report showed failures in how the police dealt with allegations against McSkimming. Both Hipkins and Mitchell have denied Andrew Coster's claims, and both have released statements saying they would have taken action had they known. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled the party's first policy for next year's election - low-interest loans to support doctor-owned clinics. The scheme will offer up to 50 ten year long loans a year for doctors or nurse practitioners to open or buy into local clinics, interest free for the first two years. After announcing their policy of three free GP appointments a year, questions were raised around how our already overwhelmed health system could manage more appointments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.