Q+A

Marama Davidson on Greens' super-rich tax, KiwiMart, and working with National After scandal and tragedy saw five Green MPs leave parliament before the end of the term, the Green Party 'reset' in late 2025. Now, the Greens are polling higher than their 2023 general election result and are campaigning to keep their historic three electorate seats. Their KiwiMart policy - a government owned supermarket chain introduced to break up the Foodstuffs and Woolworths duopoly - promises lower grocery prices, but they won't be drawn on a dollar figure saving. And while a wealth tax has been rubbished by both National and Labour, making it unlikely to become government policy, an Ipsos survey found two thirds of New Zealanders support it. Co-leader Marama Davidson joins Q+A for the first leader interview this election season. Commerce Commission boss reveals $360 million bid-rigging problem A Commerce Commission investigation into government procurement has indicated nearly one million dollars a day in public spending is lost through bid-rigging practices. Chair John Small says these contracts can go unnoticed, and it takes whistle-blowers inside the offending firms calling out anti-competitive behaviour in order for any action to be taken. John Small joins Jack Tame to explain the Commission's findings and to reflect on an election period dominated by competition policy, especially around supermarkets. Election 2026: The 'lucky' electorate with a four-way race After a dramatic year of internal party turmoil, voters in New Zealand's northern-most Māori seat will have the choice of four high-profile candidates come November: incumbent and former Te Pāti Māori candidate Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of the newly-formed Te Tai Tokerau Party, Te Pāti Māori's new candidate Aperahama Edwards, Labour's Willow-Jean Prime, and the Green Party's Huhana Lyndon. Reporter Whena Owen heads up north to meet them. Election 2026: How Auckland holds the keys to the next parliament Auckland alone provides $172 billion of GDP and accounts for 37 percent of New Zealand's economy. It's little wonder then that political parties of all stripes will be wanting to convince the city's 1.1 million voters that they have the best vision for the future of the country. 1News business correspondent Jason Walls reports. 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.

Auckland alone provides $172 billion of GDP and accounts for 37 percent of New Zealand's economy. It's little wonder then that political parties of all stripes will be wanting to convince the city's 1.1 million voters that they have the best vision for the future of the country. 1News business correspondent Jason Walls reports. 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 Commerce Commission investigation into government procurement has indicated nearly one million dollars a day in public spending is lost through bid-rigging practices. Chair John Small says these contracts can go unnoticed, and it takes whistle-blowers inside the offending firms calling out anti-competitive behaviour in order for any action to be taken. John Small joins Jack Tame to explain the Commission's findings and to reflect on an election period dominated by competition policy, especially around supermarkets. 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.

After a dramatic year of internal party turmoil, voters in New Zealand's northern-most Māori seat will have the choice of four high-profile candidates come November: incumbent and former Te Pāti Māori candidate Mariameno Kapa-Kingi of the newly-formed Te Tai Tokerau Party, Te Pāti Māori's new candidate Aperahama Edwards, Labour's Willow-Jean Prime, and the Green Party's Huhana Lyndon. Reporter Whena Owen heads up north to meet them. 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.

After scandal and tragedy saw five Green MPs leave parliament before the end of the term, the Green Party 'reset' in late 2025. Now, the Greens are polling higher than their 2023 general election result and are campaigning to keep their historic three electorate seats. Their KiwiMart policy - a government owned supermarket chain introduced to break up the Foodstuffs and Woolworths duopoly - promises lower grocery prices, but they won't be drawn on a dollar figure saving. And while a wealth tax has been rubbished by both National and Labour, making it unlikely to become government policy, an Ipsos survey found two thirds of New Zealanders support it. Co-leader Marama Davidson joins Q+A for the first leader interview this election season. 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.

Why the Taxpayers' Union wants government spending slashed The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is the largest taxpayer advocacy group, per capita, in the English-speaking world. They're known for high-profile stunts over public spending, like Porky the Waste-Hating Pig in 2017, Nicola's Fudge in 2025, and for the 2026 general election, the group have launched a Bribe-O-Meter tracking the projected fiscal footprint of political parties' campaign promises. Executive director Jordan Williams joins Jack Tame to give his election year pitch for no new taxes and a smaller government. Election 2026: The seat balancing on a 26-vote tightrope Labour's Rachel Boyack held the electorate seat of Nelson by just 26 votes in 2023 - and that's after a recount. Reporter Whena Owen meets the candidates vying to take New Zealand's oldest-continuous seat. Are National and Labour collapsing? Polling boss has the data Mike Turner's Freshwater Strategy public polling firm has run the numbers in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He joins Jack Tame to explain why he thinks the two big parties in this year's general election, National and Labour, aren't quite spent yet - and whether New Zealand has anything to learn from the rise of Reform in the UK and One Nation in Australia. 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.

Mike Turner's Freshwater Strategy public polling firm has run the numbers in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He joins Jack Tame to explain why he thinks the two big parties in this year's general election, National and Labour, aren't quite spent yet - and whether New Zealand has anything to learn from the rise of Reform in the UK and One Nation in Australia. 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's Rachel Boyack held the electorate seat of Nelson by just 26 votes in 2023 - and that's after a recount. Reporter Whena Owen meets the candidates vying to take New Zealand's oldest-continuous seat. 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 New Zealand Taxpayers' Union is the largest taxpayer advocacy group, per capita, in the English-speaking world. They're known for high-profile stunts over public spending, like Porky the Waste-Hating Pig in 2017, Nicola's Fudge in 2025, and for the 2026 general election, the group have launched a Bribe-O-Meter tracking the projected fiscal footprint of political parties' campaign promises. Executive director Jordan Williams joins Jack Tame to give his election year pitch for no new taxes and a smaller government. 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.

All aboard: Live from Day 1 of the CRL A journey a decade in the making, 1News business correspondent Jason Walls joins Q+A live from on board one of the brand-new train services opening up to Aucklanders on the first day of the City Rail Link. Unions prepare campaign against government policies Council of Trade Unions president Sandra Grey says there are no regrets about the union's all-out campaign against Christopher Luxon at the 2023 general election, and this year the union will be making it clear to voters where parties stand on the CTU's biggest policy asks: pay equity, Fair Pay Agreements, and scrapping 90 day trials. She joins Jack Tame to launch the CTU's election campaign. Election 2026: "Stark choice" for largest general electorate In the historic homeland of the Labour Party, the West Coast-Tasman electorate could be anyone's game this election year. Reporter Whena Owen reports. Bank CEO on profits, 'woke banking', and the superannuation problem After 17 years at ANZ, CEO Antonia Watson is handing over the reins of power to the bank's Chief Risk Officer - but don't read too much into that appointment, she says. Consumer confidence is up and Watson says New Zealand's economic recovery is finally arriving. She joins Jack Tame to reflect on a unique period of disruption in the economy - Covid, the Iran war, natural disasters - and share her parting thoughts on the biggest issues yet to come, including whether New Zealand should raise the age or means-test superannuation. 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.

In the historic homeland of the Labour Party, the West Coast-Tasman electorate could be anyone's game this election year. Reporter Whena Owen reports. 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.

After 17 years at ANZ, CEO Antonia Watson is handing over the reins of power to the bank's Chief Risk Officer - but don't read too much into that appointment, she says. Consumer confidence is up and Watson says New Zealand's economic recovery is finally arriving. She joins Jack Tame to reflect on a unique period of disruption in the economy - Covid, the Iran war, natural disasters - and share her parting thoughts on the biggest issues yet to come, including whether New Zealand should raise the age or means-test superannuation. 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.

Council of Trade Unions president Sandra Grey says there are no regrets about the union's all-out campaign against Christopher Luxon at the 2023 general election, and this year the union will be making it clear to voters where parties stand on the CTU's biggest policy asks: pay equity, Fair Pay Agreements, and scrapping 90 day trials. She joins Jack Tame to launch the CTU's election campaign. 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 journey a decade in the making, 1News business correspondent Jason Walls joins Q+A live from on board one of the brand-new train services opening up to Aucklanders on the first day of the City Rail Link. 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.

Should young farmers be able to dip into their Kiwisaver to buy their first farm? How would the government support livestock farmers if a foot-and-mouth outbreak erupted? Is New Zealand too reliant on Elon Musk's Starlink for rural connectivity? Locals at Q+A's Rural Issues Debate in Morrinsville ask these questions and more to the panel of candidates: NZ First's Mark Patterson, Greens' Steve Abel, National's Todd McClay, Labour's Jo Luxton, ACT's Andrew Hoggard, and Opportunity's Daniel Eb. Catch the full debate on Q+A's YouTube page, or at TVNZ+. Te Pāti Māori was invited to attend this debate, but they were unable to due to conflicting commitments at Koroneihana. 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.

In this special Election 2026 debate, hosted at the Morrinsville Rugby and Sports Club, Jack Tame is joined by NZ First's Mark Patterson, Greens' Steve Abel, National's Todd McClay, Labour's Jo Luxton, ACT's Andrew Hoggard, and Opportunity's Daniel Eb, in front of a live audience of Morrinsville locals, to tackle the biggest issues facing rural and regional New Zealanders today. Candidates share their ideas around the future of dairy farming, New Zealand's Paris Accord targets, gene editing technology, pest control, rural health outcomes and more. Te Pāti Māori was invited to attend, but they were unable to due to conflicting commitments at Koroneihana. 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.

Willie Jackson: Labour's record on Māori issues Labour lost all but one of the seven Māori seats at the 2023 general election. This year, to rival a controversial tactic from Te Pāti Māori asking voters to engineer an overhang in Parliament, Labour says they want to win them all back. Willie Jackson, a front bench Labour MP and leader of the party's Māori campaign, joins Jack Tame to make his bid for the Māori vote. Should NZ break up the gentailers? Energy boss responds In an election year marked by energy policy, both New Zealand First and the Green Party are campaigning on breaking up the country's four gentailers, citing soaring household energy bills. Malcolm Johns, the CEO of gentailer Genesis Energy, joins Q+A, and previews the potential effects on bills if the government goes ahead with its promised LNG terminal. Election 2026: The new electorate that's 'got issues' Wellington Bays is the new name for what was the second-most left-voting electorate in the country in 2023. In the redrawn lines for Green MP Julie Anne Genter's electorate, residents are grappling with big water bills and a visible spike in homelessness. Reporter Whena Owen meets the candidates vying to take those issues on in parliament in this year's election. War in Iran: NZ must reset foreign policy - expert By some estimates, the war with Iran has now cost the United States more than 180 billion dollars. After peace talks broke down, US President Donald Trump this week announced a complete change in strategy: economic, rather than military, action. Professor Robert Patman from the University of Otago joins Jack Tame six months on from the start of the conflict. 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.

By some estimates, the war with Iran has now cost the United States more than 180 billion dollars. After peace talks broke down, US President Donald Trump this week announced a complete change in strategy: economic, rather than military, action. Professor Robert Patman from the University of Otago joins Jack Tame six months on from the start of the conflict. 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.

Wellington Bays is the new name for what was the second-most left-voting electorate in the country in 2023. In the redrawn lines for Green MP Julie Anne Genter's electorate, residents are grappling with big water bills and a visible spike in homelessness. Reporter Whena Owen meets the candidates vying to take those issues on in parliament in this year's election. 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.

In an election year marked by energy policy, both New Zealand First and the Green Party are campaigning on breaking up the country's four gentailers, citing soaring household energy bills. Malcolm Johns, the CEO of gentailer Genesis Energy, joins Q+A, and previews the potential effects on bills if the government goes ahead with its promised LNG terminal. 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 lost all but one of the seven Māori seats at the 2023 general election. This year, to rival a controversial tactic from Te Pāti Māori asking voters to engineer an overhang in Parliament, Labour says they want to win them all back. Willie Jackson, a front bench Labour MP and leader of the party's Māori campaign, joins Jack Tame to make his bid for the Māori vote. 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 health boss: Why hospitals are overwhelmed New Zealand knows that flu season can overwhelm frontline health services and still fails to plan for it. Rob Campbell says the country needs a new, 'all-of-health' approach, including housing, education, and nutrition - something successive governments have failed to provide. The former Health New Zealand chair and current chair of health alliance Ngā Kaitiaki Hauora joins Jack Tame. The NZSAS combat soldier standing for parliament Josh Jacobsen, a former NZSAS combat soldier, and a veteran of Afghanistan, holds an NZ Gallantry Medal - and a Green Party membership. He's 25 on the Party's list and standing in the North Shore electorate. He joins Jack Tame to explain how his career in the defence force led him to a party that advocates non-violence. What Kiwi soldiers in Ukraine want NZ to know Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several New Zealand-trained soldiers have travelled to the other side of the world to take up the fight. The ones who have returned home face an uncertain future. Whena Owen meets the volunteers who went against Government advice to fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers. How to fix the economy? Be a 'good ancestor' 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. He describes this central principle as 'being a good ancestor', and says it's the only way New Zealand will face down its biggest challenge: paying for the infrastructure the country will desperately need in the future. He joins Jack Tame. 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.

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. He describes this central principle as 'being a good ancestor', and says it's the only way New Zealand will face down its biggest challenge: paying for the infrastructure the country will desperately need in the future. He joins Jack Tame. 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.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several New Zealand-trained soldiers have travelled to the other side of the world to take up the fight. The ones who have returned home face an uncertain future. Whena Owen meets the volunteers who went against Government advice to fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers. 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.

New Zealand knows that flu season can overwhelm frontline health services and still fails to plan for it. Rob Campbell says the country needs a new, 'all-of-health' approach, including housing, education, and nutrition - something successive governments have failed to provide. The former Health New Zealand chair and current chair of health alliance Ngā Kaitiaki Hauora joins Jack Tame. 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.

Josh Jacobsen, a former NZSAS combat soldier, and a veteran of Afghanistan, holds an NZ Gallantry Medal - and a Green Party membership. He's 25 on the Party's list and standing in the North Shore electorate. He joins Jack Tame to explain how his career in the defence force led him to a party that advocates non-violence. 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.

Paul Goldsmith: Expanding citizen's arrests, move-on orders, and voting law reform After an eventful week led to senior minister Paul Goldsmith being landed with 11 ministerial portfolios - possibly the most a single minister has ever had - he joins Jack Tame to say why, with victims of crime declining, the Government has expanded citizen's arrest powers and is seeking to pass move-on order laws by the end of the term. And with National needing a new candidate for safe seat Kaipara-ki-Mahurangi after Chris Penk's departure, Paul Goldsmith also comments on whether he might leave his regular Epsom for a better chance at returning to Parliament at the election. Qiulae Wong: Why newcomer party wants stricter donation laws In less than a year, Opportunity have gone from sub-one percent support to eight percent in the latest 1News Verrian poll. On those numbers, leader Qiulae Wong would be entering Parliament joined by eight of her peers from the Opportunity party list come November. She joins Jack Tame to launch Opportunity's Clean Up Politics policy, which would strengthen lobbying transparency and political party donations - and to explain why, in Opportunity's flagship Citizen's Income policy, 500,000 adult New Zealanders wouldn't be eligible for $19,400 a year, but would still pay a higher income tax rate. 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.

In less than a year, Opportunity have gone from sub-one percent support to eight percent in the latest 1News Verrian poll. On those numbers, leader Qiulae Wong would be entering Parliament joined by eight of her peers from the Opportunity party list come November. She joins Jack Tame to launch Opportunity's Clean Up Politics policy, which would strengthen lobbying transparency and political party donations - and to explain why, in Opportunity's flagship Citizen's Income policy, 500,000 adult New Zealanders wouldn't be eligible for $19,400 a year, but would still pay a higher income tax rate. 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.

After an eventful week led to senior minister Paul Goldsmith being landed with 11 ministerial portfolios - possibly the most a single minister has ever had - he joins Jack Tame to say why, with victims of crime declining, the Government has expanded citizen's arrest powers and is seeking to pass move-on order laws by the end of the term. And with National needing a new candidate for safe seat Kaipara-ki-Mahurangi after Chris Penk's departure, Paul Goldsmith also comments on whether he might leave his regular Epsom for a better chance at returning to Parliament at the election. 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.

Simeon Brown: Energy prices, hospital pressures, and National's polling With power prices in the spotlight, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has become one of the key figures in Christopher Luxon's cabinet. He joins Jack Tame to explain why the Government isn't moving to break up the gentailers, the cost of maintaining frontline health services, and whether National's caucus backs Christopher Luxon. The last hold-outs against housing development With just one new housing development, the town of Prebbleton, on the outskirts of Christchurch, could increase its total number of households by over 25 percent. Birchs Village would bring 530 new houses to Prebbleton. After facing difficulties getting resource consent, the development has been listed with the Government's fast-track legislation. Q+A reporter Whena Owen meets the development's would-be neighbours, who are fearful of what their future in the town holds if it goes ahead. New laws: Will voters be turned away? In late 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith celebrated the passing of a new law which he said would speed up the voting count after a general election: unlike previous elections, in 2026, no one will be allowed to enroll once early voting starts, 13 days before election day, November 7. It's driving Electoral Commission Chief Executive Karl Le Quesne to make sure as many New Zealanders as possible are aware of the changes and enrolled before they miss out. But even with no disruption to people's ability to vote, Le Quesne says this change won't deliver the efficiency savings the Government advertised. He joins Jack Tame to share the Commission's election plan, including changes to the way EasyVote cards will be sent. 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.

In late 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith celebrated the passing of a new law which he said would speed up the voting count after a general election: unlike previous elections, in 2026, no one will be allowed to enroll once early voting starts, 13 days before election day, November 7. It's driving Electoral Commission Chief Executive Karl Le Quesne to make sure as many New Zealanders as possible are aware of the changes and enrolled before they miss out. But even with no disruption to people's ability to vote, Le Quesne says this change won't deliver the efficiency savings the Government advertised. He joins Jack Tame to share the Commission's election plan, including changes to the way EasyVote cards will be sent. 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 just one new housing development, the town of Prebbleton, on the outskirts of Christchurch, could increase its total number of households by over 25 percent. Birchs Village would bring 530 new houses to Prebbleton. After facing difficulties getting resource consent, the development has been listed with the Government's fast-track legislation. Q+A reporter Whena Owen meets the development's would-be neighbours, who are fearful of what their future in the town holds if it goes ahead. 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 power prices in the spotlight, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has become one of the key figures in Christopher Luxon's cabinet. He joins Jack Tame to explain why the Government isn't moving to break up the gentailers, the cost of maintaining frontline health services, and whether National's caucus backs Christopher Luxon. 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.

Outspoken former Children's Commissioner cut short in role Dr Claire Achmad was given around five weeks' notice that she would be exiting her role of Children's Commissioner. First appointed to a five-year term to advocate for young people in New Zealand, that became a one-year term in 2025, and when she signed off on Friday July 31st, she left office two years earlier than she'd expected. She says that she has been a "fair and balanced critic" of Government policy when it comes to child poverty, and that she has not been told by the Minister for Social Development, Louise Upston, why she wasn't brought back. Dr Achmad sat down with Jack Tame in her final week in the role. Spy allegations: NZ's relationship with Russia in focus Russia's principal security service says a Russian citizen has been detained in the country's far East. The man is accused of spying for New Zealand's SIS. Jack Tame sits down with Russia's Ambassador Stanislav Krans at the Russian Embassy in Wellington to ask more about the case. And nearly four and a half years into the military invasion of Ukraine, and following 35 rounds of New Zealand sanctions against Russia, he asks about the relationship between Russia and New Zealand. Most people want fewer cars, Dutch academic says Twenty years from now, people will look back on high speed limits we have in cities now and find them just as unbelievable as smoking indoors - a relic of the past. That's the dream of a visiting Dutch academic. Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet holds the Chair on Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam and spoke at the Public Transport Association conference at Te Papa this week. While there, he caught up with Jack Tame. "Discriminatory" law focus of Green MP's bill Migrant families can be split apart when family members are denied visas on the basis that their disability would be a burden to New Zealand's health system, a Green MP says. Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan's members bill would remove the ability to discriminate and carve out a way for affected families to challenge these decisions: by making a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. 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.

Migrant families can be split apart when family members are denied visas on the basis that their disability would be a burden to New Zealand's health system, a Green MP says. Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan's members bill would remove the ability to discriminate and carve out a way for affected families to challenge these decisions: by making a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. 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.

Twenty years from now, people will look back on high speed limits we have in cities now and find them just as unbelievable as smoking indoors - a relic of the past. That's the dream of a visiting Dutch academic. Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet holds the Chair on Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam and spoke at the Public Transport Association conference at Te Papa this week. While there, he caught up with Jack Tame. 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.

Dr Claire Achmad was given around five weeks' notice that she would be exiting her role of Children's Commissioner. First appointed to a five-year term to advocate for young people in New Zealand, that became a one-year term in 2025, and when she signed off on Friday July 31st, she left office two years earlier than she'd expected. She says that she has been a "fair and balanced critic" of Government policy when it comes to child poverty, and that she has not been told by the Minister for Social Development, Louise Upston, why she wasn't brought back. Dr Achmad sat down with Jack Tame in her final week in the role. 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.

Russia's principal security service says a Russian citizen has been detained in the country's far East. The man is accused of spying for New Zealand's SIS. Jack Tame sits down with Russia's Ambassador Stanislav Krans at the Russian Embassy in Wellington to ask more about the case. And nearly four and a half years into the military invasion of Ukraine, and following 35 rounds of New Zealand sanctions against Russia, he asks about the relationship between Russia and New Zealand. 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.

Chlöe Swarbrick: Greens want one-year ban on AI data centres The Greens have announced an election campaign policy to put a one-year moratorium on the consenting and building of AI data centres in New Zealand, citing a need to put in place strong regulations before the emerging tech industry can have irreversible impacts on the country's natural resources. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick joins Tova O'Brien, and also discusses the party's energy and tax policies. Does the deepfake bill go far enough? First-term ACT MP Laura McClure captured headlines by holding up an image in parliament that appeared to show her naked: the image was a deepfake. She is the backer of a bill that would explicitly criminalise the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes, after hearing the stories of Kiwi women who were victimised by AI-generated images. Up-and-comers talk Stuart Nash, smartphone ban, and their leaders Labour MP Arena Williams and National MP James Meager join Tova O'Brien to discuss the big stories of the week, including Stuart Nash's election-killing comments on maternity leave, what local investment in data centres should look like, and their future ambitions for leadership. Does NZ need move-on orders? "No" says former judge Anthony FitzGerald served as a judge for 27 years and has seen first-hand the fortunes of Auckland's homeless caught in the justice system. This week he appeared before a parliamentary select committee to oppose the Government's move-on orders legislation. He joins Tova O'Brien to explain why he thinks communities and businesses are being misled about move-on orders as a solution to antisocial behaviour. 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.

Anthony FitzGerald served as a judge for 27 years and has seen first-hand the fortunes of Auckland's homeless caught in the justice system. This week he appeared before a parliamentary select committee to oppose the Government's move-on orders legislation. He joins Tova O'Brien to explain why he thinks communities and businesses are being misled about move-on orders as a solution to antisocial behaviour. 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 Arena Williams and National MP James Meager join Tova O'Brien to discuss the big stories of the week, including Stuart Nash's election-killing comments on maternity leave, what local investment in data centres should look like, and their future ambitions for leadership. 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.

First-term ACT MP Laura McClure captured headlines by holding up an image in parliament that appeared to show her naked: the image was a deepfake. She is the backer of a bill that would explicitly criminalise the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes, after hearing the stories of Kiwi women who were victimised by AI-generated images. 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 Greens have announced an election campaign policy to put a one-year moratorium on the consenting and building of AI data centres in New Zealand, citing a need to put in place strong regulations before the emerging tech industry can have irreversible impacts on the country's natural resources. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick joins Tova O'Brien, and also discusses the party's energy and tax policies. 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 naval officer Chris Penk took over the helm of the defence portfolio from ministerial veteran Judith Collins in April of this year. Since then, the geostrategic environment has only grown in intensity and complexity with the continuation of conflict in Iran. Freshly returned from the NATO summit in Turkiye, and in the wake of a Chinese ballistic missile test in the Pacific, he joins Q+A to discuss New Zealand's defence preparedness. 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.

Paul Henry has worked in broadcasting for more than forty years, becoming one of the most recognisable names in New Zealand television from his time as a presenter, and more recently serving as a board member for TVNZ. On Tuesday he 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 joins Jack Tame to discuss what that future might look like. 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.

Historian Sarah Irving-Stonebraker joins Q+A to discuss her ideas around increasing societal alienation, and in her view why diminishing knowledge of shared history contributes to it. Irving-Stonebraker is in New Zealand to deliver the Maxim Institute's Sir John Graham lecture, which this year explores what it means to be a steward of history.

Mike Munro was one of the most senior behind the scenes figures in both Helen Clark, and Dame Jacinda Ardern's governments. In an interview with Q+A with Jack Tame, he explains why politics is such a seductive profession for competitive people to get into, how the political arena has changed over decades, and what it was like to work in coalition with Winston Peters. Munro also offers insights into his time on other sides of the political divide, both as a press gallery journalist, and government relations lobbyist. His new book is Ringside, and is published by Upstart Press. 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.

'Perverse incentive': MSD staff metrics include emergency housing grants Ministry of Social Development (MSD) managers are being told they can face performance management if, among other measures, their staff approve too many emergency housing requests, documents obtained by Q+A reveal. Homelessness advocates say the scale of rough sleeping is unprecedented in New Zealand, and that government policies are part of the reason why. Jack Tame put the documents, obtained under the Official Information Act, to associate housing minister Tama Potaka. Why Labour thinks it can make rapid return to government Labour strategists are hoping for a return to government just three years after one of their worst-ever election results. Campaign chair Kieran McAnulty sets out why he believes there could be a one-term National government. “Prince of the provinces”: On the road with Shane Jones Senior NZ First MPs are on a long tour of town halls around the country, with more than 30 dates planned before the election campaign begins. Reporter Whena Owen went to Kaikōura to see Shane Jones in action, as controversies swirl over recreational fishing, the party's coalition positioning, and limousine usage. “Social conservatism”: Why Alfred Ngaro joined NZ First Former National MP and minister Alfred Ngaro joins Q+A to talk about his political journey towards becoming a candidate for NZ First, his socially conservative values, and Christian Zionist beliefs. 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 National MP and minister Alfred Ngaro joins Q+A to talk about his political journey towards becoming a candidate for NZ First, his socially conservative values, and Christian Zionist beliefs. 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.

Senior NZ First MPs are on a long tour of town halls around the country, with more than 30 dates planned before the election campaign begins. Reporter Whena Owen went to Kaikōura to see Shane Jones in action, as controversies swirl over recreational fishing, the party's coalition positioning, and limousine usage. 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 strategists are hoping for a return to government just three years after one of their worst-ever election results. Campaign chair Kieran McAnulty sets out why he believes there could be a one-term National government. 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.