Q+A

With former Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations Colin Keating, and Auckland mayoral candidates Wayne Brown and Kerrin Leoni.

Kerrin Leoni: Why I'd be a better Auckland mayor than Wayne Brown by Q+A with Jack Tame

Incumbent Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says his priority, if re-elected, is to "fix" Auckland Transport. . Q+A asks him about his record, how effective he's been influencing central government, and why he has been avoiding some mayoral candidate debates. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

The decision not to recognise a Palestinian state puts New Zealand out of step with the likes of Canada, the UK and Australia. . Colin Keating is New Zealand's former permanent representative to the UN and was outspoken on its Security Council as the Rwanda genocide unfolded. He gives his assessment about what New Zealand's position could mean for its standing internationally. Keating says New Zealand could have made a difference in the longer term had it decided to recognise a Palestinian state. . Meanwhile, the Government argues the time is not right as fighting continues in the Middle East. “With a war raging, Hamas still in place, and no clarity on next steps, we do not think that time is now,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in his address to the UN General Assembly. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

With HSBC economist Paul Bloxham, Christchurch mayoral candidates Sara Templeton and Phil Mauger, and 1News US Correspondent Logan Church.

Fifteen years on from the Christchurch earthquakes, the city's population is growing. The city's new stadium, Te Kaha, is set to open, and residents describe a vitality and energy that has been missing for way too long. . But a growing population means new pressure over housing, transport and infrastructure. Q+A speaks to incumbent Mayor Phil Mauger, and challenger Councillor Sara Templeton about their vision for Ōtautahi. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

According to Statistics New Zealand, economic activity as measured by GDP dropped 0.9% in the June quarter for an annual drop of 1.1%. . The Government is pinning the blame on international trade tensions and overseas conflicts. The Opposition says the Government must do more to kick the economy into gear. . A decade ago, HSBC economist Paul Bloxham coined the term “rock star economy” to describe New Zealand's activity. Q+A asks him: What does he make of Aotearoa now? . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

A pivotal diplomatic week looms at the United Nations, with world leaders gathering for the General Assembly. For Foreign Minister Winston Peters, all eyes will be on the announcement of New Zealand's position on recognising a Palestinian state. Cabinet is understood to have made an in principle decision on the matter, though it hasn't yet be revealed. . 1News US Correspondent Logan Church gives his analysis on the days ahead.

With the three candidates leading Wellington's mayoral race, Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori Professor Rawinia Higgins, Labour MP for Manurewa Arena Williams, and former Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt.

2025 marks 50 years since the first Māori Language Week. Professor Rawinia Higgins is the Chair of Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission. . She reflects on the difference between the public and the Government's attitudes toward te reo, and gives a vision for the future of the language. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Former Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt introduced stringent legislation in his country to reduce access to vapes. But since 2024, a black market for vapes has been growing in Australia. Hunt told Q+A he still believed he made the right call, based on medical evidence: "We will see over the coming decades, just as we did with cigarettes, some catastrophic health outcomes, people dying difficult deaths." . Hunt also reflected on Australia's Covid-19 response, the tensions between public and private healthcare, and New Zealand's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

As an economically depressed Wellington faces a myriad of challenges — from ageing infrastructure, rising rates, debates about heritage, and a seemingly omnipresent earthquake risk — who is best placed to lead the city? . Q+A, with Verian Public, polled Wellington voters in early September about who they want their next mayor to be. In the face of questions about Wellington City Council's governance capabilities, one candidate is outpolling the rest by a significant margin. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

With 1News political editor Maiki Sherman, former Reserve Bank chair Arthur Grimes, former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer, and Housing Minister Chris Bishop.

Further revelations, first reported by the Spinoff, show the Reserve Bank of New Zealand failed to publicly disclose a meeting held at the time it was disputing its funding with the government. It follows the resignation of Governor Adrian Orr and former board chair Neil Quigley. Q+A asked former Reserve Bank chair Arthur Grimes about how the saga has impacted the Reserve Bank's standing, and whether Kiwis should be concerned about political interference in monetary policy.

Te Pāti Māori's Oriini Kaipara has won decisively over Labour's Peeni Henare to become Tāmaki Makaurau's next MP. 1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman analyses the results, how Te Pāti Māori's social media game has encouraged people to go out and vote, what it could mean for Labour ahead of next year's election, and why voter turnout remained so low.

Full interview: Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer has dedicated much of his life to democracy. But now, with democracy seemingly in decline around the world, he says New Zealand needs to act in order to strengthen our government and society. His new book How to Save Democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand reflects on the reasons behind people's unhappiness with democracy, and how to fix it.

With Oriini Kaipara, Peeni Henare, and Teanau Tuiono

Te Pāti Māori candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election Oriini Kaipara explains why she thinks she's the best choice for voters in the electorate. But her comments also include an unconventional endorsement for her opponent, Labour's Peeni Henare, for an even bigger job. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Labour MP and candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election Peeni Henare explains why he thinks the electorate's voters should put him back in to the seat he previously held for three terms, before losing in 2023. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Polls are about to open in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, triggered by the death of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. . There are five candidates contesting the seat, including former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara for Te Pāti Māori and former Labour Cabinet Minister Peeni Henare. Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, 1News' Māori Affairs Correspondent, gives her analysis of the race. . Advance voting starts on August 25. Voters have until 7pm September 6 to cast their ballots. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

The head of Open AI, the creator of ChatGPT, says the world may be in the midst of an AI bubble. Sam Altman's warning coincides with a new report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which found that for the tens of billions of dollars spent by companies investing in AI pilots, 95% have seen no boost to profits at all. . Victoria University's Dr Andrew Lensen says it's important not to blindly give into the hype around generative AI. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

With Australia National University senior lecturer Dr Anas Iqtait, Whena Owen following up on access to Cape Palliser, Victoria University's Dr Andrew Lensen, Bagrie Economics chief economist Cameron Bagrie, and 1News' Te Aniwa Hurihanganui.

Dr Anas Iqtait is a senior lecturer at the Australian National University and author of Funding and the Quest for Sovereignty in Palestine. He tells Q+A it won't make much difference to everyday Palestinians if a state is recognised by Western nations. Iqtait says it's more important for countries like New Zealand to take a "rights-based approach".

Bagrie Economics chief economist Cameron Bagrie speaks to Q+A about the economic situation New Zealand is in, and what levers could be pulled to get the country out of the malaise. However, Bagrie says some of the levers that have been pulled in previous downturns might not be available now. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

With former finance minister Grant Robertson, 1News US correspondent Logan Church, Young Farmer of the Year Hugh Jackson, and Whena Owen on the Cape Palliser coast.

In a turbulent world of trade tensions, ever-changing tech, and climate change, what are the keys to keeping New Zealand's next generation on the farm? Q+A visited Hugh Jackson, the newly crowned Young Farmer of the Year, on his family's sheep and beef farm in Te Akau, north of Raglan. He says while the rural sector has performed strongly in recent times, he's well aware that won't always be the case.

Grant Robertson retired from politics in early 2024 to take up a new job as Otago University's Vice-Chancellor. He was back in the headlines this week after declining to show up to in-person hearings for the Covid-19 inquiry's second phase. The former Finance Minister spoke to Q+A about that decision and why he doesn't regret the Labour Government's spending decisions during the pandemic. Robertson, who is about to release his memoir Anything Could Happen, also reflects on the impact his sexuality had on his political career.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due in Washington DC next week, as US President Donald Trump wraps up his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 1News' US Correspondent Logan Church speaks to Q+A from Anchorage, Alaska. He says it's not clear if anything tangible was achieved from the Trump-Putin summit. As Trump himself said: “There were many, many points that we agreed on, most of them, I would say a couple of big ones that we haven't quite got there, but we've made some headway."

With Education Minister Erica Stanford, PM's Chief Science Advisor John Roche, and Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno.

Full interview: Education Minister Erica Stanford says the re-introduction of charter schools under Associate Education Minister David Seymour has motivated her to strengthen the state school system "so we don't have people leaving and wanting to convert to charter schools". . Stanford also says she didn't come into the job with a plan to scrap NCEA for secondary school students. But increasingly, it became clear major changes were needed, she says. Q+A asks the Minister about the impact her proposed replacement may have for students with diverse needs.

Full interview: Brother Guy Consolmagno is an astronomer, meteorite expert, and heads up the Vatican Observatory. While visiting New Zealand, the Jesuit spoke to Q+A about why science and religion aren't always in conflict. Jack Tame also asks him where he stands on the Fermi Paradox — is there intelligent life beyond Earth and, if so, why haven't we found it yet?

Full interview: After a delay, the Government named Ministry for Primary Industries' John Roche as the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor. With the Government prioritising economic growth in its efforts in science, Roche reflects on the pressures he faces in the role and whether his advice is truly independent. . The former Dairy NZ principal scientist also speaks to Q+A about the lessons New Zealand learnt from its M. Bovis eradication programme, broader science sector reforms, and what changes to the school curriculum could mean for the future of STEM.

Interviews with Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, Crimson Education co-founder Jamie Beaton, Infrastructure Commission CEO Geoff Cooper, and digital infrastructure activist Julian Oliver.

Full interview: Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga chief executive Geoff Cooper joins Jack Tame to talk about the country's infrastructure pipeline, and why the spending New Zealand puts toward infrastructure doesn't necessarily result in the most effective outcomes — especially when it comes to renewing existing infrastructure.

Full interview: Senior minister Chris Bishop discusses the job losses currently being seen in the construction sector, and answers questions on whether his government's policies on infrastructure are a contributing cause. . Q+A also asks him about recent data on homelessness and rough sleeping, with Bishop indicating an openness to possible “tweaks” in policies that homelessness advocates argue have led to an increase in people sleeping on the street. . And as the newly appointed campaign chair, Bishop discusses whether Christopher Luxon's low preferred Prime Minister ratings are a cause for concern, and defends the government's decision to limit election enrolment to the day before advance voting begins.

Full interview: With the Government considering the future of NCEA, co-founder of billion-dollar company Crimson Education Jamie Beaton is urging massive changes to New Zealand's secondary school qualification, saying it is causing the country's graduates to fall behind their international peers.

Interviews with Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, educator Welby Ings, think tank researcher Max Rashbrooke, and NZ First MP Jamie Arbuckle.

Full interview: According to the latest quarterly figures, unemployment is sitting at just over 5%. New research from new think tank The Institute for Democratic and Economic Analysis recommends a range of policies to get people off a benefit and into work, faster.

Full interview: Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is overseeing huge changes to New Zealand's vocational education system. But after years of reform, could training providers stand alone as Te Pūkenga is dismantled? Q+A also asks Simmonds about her absence from major environmental policies — from freshwater management in farms to the fast-track approvals regime — as Environment Minister.

What counts as intelligence? Educator Welby Ings, labelled a "naughty" student all his life, could barely read and write until he was 15 years old. He went on to become a renowned speaker, filmmaker, teacher, and author. His new book Invisible Intelligence argues New Zealand's education system fails to recognise intelligence and ability beyond a narrow definition. Ings argues for a more "sophisticated" assessment system in an increasingly complex world.

Full interview: Community housing groups are sounding the alarm on increasing rates of homelessness. Q+A asks Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka if the Government's social housing policies have contributed to the issue.

Full interview: Andrew Browne is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who was the China Editor for the Wall Street Journal and the Asia-Pacific Editor for Reuters. While in New Zealand for the China Business Summit, he spoke with Q+A about the China-US relationship and how New Zealand can make the most of global uncertainty.

Q+A asks Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka if the Government's social housing policies have contributed to increasing homelessness. Q+A also speaks to China expert and journalist Andy Browne on US President Donald Trump's trade policies. Labour MP Jan Tinetti talks about her members' bill aimed at helping new parents.

With Dame Susan Bagshaw, Dr Philip Bagshaw, Bowen Pan, Karen Boyes and Ryan Hamilton

With Paul Goldsmith, Haehaetu Barrett, David Wilson and Cameron Luxton

With Rohan O'Neill Stevens, Tina Nixon, Paula Southgate, Campbell Barry and Nīkau Wi Neera

With Ruth Richardson, Ben Picton, Steve Abel and Cameron Brewer

With Brooke van Velden, Willie Jackson and Tākuta Ferris

With Nicola Willis and Stan Grant

With Chlöe Swarbrick, Andrew Coster, Marcel Dirsus and Suze Redmayne

With Richard Chambers, John Ryan, and Steve Abel