Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Bishop

The Transport Minister is denying weighing up using an emergency fund on public transport. Chris Bishop says a contingency fund in this Budget - is for targeted, timely fuel-crisis support - if needed. Bishop says if the Government wants to do something around public transport, it would look to infrastructure. "I'm not proposing, in fact, I never said we were proposing, it's been wildly misreported that we'd use the emergency fund for that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you think needs to happen with public transport? According to some, we need to get more people using it. For all the usual reasons: less cars on the road. Lower emmissions. All of that. Which is why Labour has come up with this election policy which, for those of us in the greater Christchurch area, would mean paying no more than $20-a-week to take as many bus rides and ferry rides as we like. National's responded with its own idea. But I think they're both flogging a dead horse. At the bus interchange in Christchurch yesterday, people were saying they liked the sound of Labour's policy. The same with people using the Diamond Harbour ferry. Bring it on, was their reaction. But no surprises there. Because, you ask anyone if they want to pay less for something and, of course, they'll say yes. Which is what this policy would mean. At the moment, Christchurch public transport users pay a maximum of $30-a-week. Labour is pledging to take that down to no more than $20-a-week. And, being election year, the government has responded straight away with its own idea. An idea that it, obviously, didn't think was worth including in the budget a couple of weeks ago. Nevertheless, today we've got transport minister Chris Bishop saying the government could take $450 million from its emergency fund to put more buses on during peak periods. His thinking is that, if more taxpayer money is going to go into public transport, then it should be spent on improving services - instead of providing subsidies. But, do you know what I think? I think we could throw as much money as we want at public transport and it wouldn't make much difference. I think National's idea is better than Labour's. But I don't think either of them would achieve much. Not to mention the fact that taking $450 million out of the government's emergency fund to spend on public transport would be a very risky thing to do. And this is coming from someone who uses public transport at least a couple of times a week. I don't use buses to get to work. So I'm not on them every day. But, here in Christchurch, buses can be a great way of getting around. But, the thing is, there are two types of people in this world and I don't see any political party policy changing the way these people behave. The first type are the ones who have probably always used public transport and always will. They're already taking the bus now and don't need any encouragement to continue. Yes, they'll like the idea of paying less. But they're converts already. Then you've got the people who have always seen the bus as the loser cruiser and there's no way in hell they would start using buses just because it's cheaper. So that's why Labour's idea isn't going to work. As for Chris Bishop's idea of dipping into the emergency fund to put more buses on. I don't see that shifting the dial, either. Because we would need to spend way more than $450 million to have a public transport system that the non-users would even think about using. People would only buy into it if we had services like you have overseas in countries with way more people than us. Trains, trams, buses and ferries that run day and night - pretty much whenever you need them. That would be the gamechanger. But we're dreaming if we think anything like that is achievable here. So my advice to the politicians is this: don't think throwing money at public transport is going to get more people using it. It's not worth the money and effort. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geez, how sorry do you feel for Paul Goldsmith at the Music Awards, eh? So, he's invited to the awards and he hasn't got his mate Chris Bishop with him this time. Bishop didn't go after what happened with Don McGlashan last year. Paul Goldsmith's not invited to speak—apparently no one is—which means that when Lynda Topp gets up and starts speaking and tells him off, he's got no right of reply. Here's what she had to say: “Paul, if you listen up for a minute, I'd like you to take a message back to Wellington. I did a speed read on the Budget this afternoon—there doesn't appear to be any money for music. But in big, big letters: $2.1 billion for defence. What the f***?” Now, I think we have to cut Lynda a bit of slack. She's only lost her twin in the past week and she's entitled, of course, to say exactly what she likes. She didn't say anything particularly rude and it's a fair opinion that she holds. But it is becoming a bit of a pattern, isn't it? Ministers turning up to the Music Awards and having to sit through that night's chosen form of protest about whatever the issue of the year is. Last year it was the Treaty Principles Bill; this year it's the Budget. In Paul Goldsmith's defence—given that he wasn't able to mount one—yes, there was no money in the Budget for the arts. There was also no money in the Budget for anything. Most of us looked at it and found nothing for ourselves. That's how it should be in difficult times. The country is not flush. And yes, there is money for defence—a lot of money for defence. That is also how it should be right now. If you were to listen to some, we may be only tens of months away from China potentially taking Taiwan. We have no real conception of what chain of events that could trigger in our region. Even though the drones and the frigate upgrades in this Budget won't protect the entire coastline of New Zealand—that's a fair criticism—we are still expected by our allies and partners to at least try to do our bit. Just try. So, hands up—which minister wants to go to the awards next year? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to Chris Bishop, Director of Western Regional Sales for LynTec about what they'll have in store for booth N7435 in the west hall. We also discuss power management and the solutions needed to keep that power stable.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Minimum income related rent contributions for social housing will rise from 25 to 30 percent. That means 84,000 households will be paying an average of $31 more a week in rent. The flip side; more than 100,000 other families will get higher accommodation supplement rates; an average of $15 a week. The assessment for social housing is being redesigned - so its " more tightly prioritised" for those who need it. Housing Minister Chris Bishop spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sue Kedgley and Dean Hall. First up, a social housing shake up was on today's pre-budget menu. Chris Bishop announced reforms that'll save the government 387 million dollars over a twelve month period. It's about to get harder to qualify for a social house, and tenancy durations will be shortened. Then, last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that he was 'deeply supportive' of banning social media for under 16s. But over the weekend the government scrambled to pause a member's bill from National backbencher Catherine Wedd which would see parliament vote on the social media ban. Why the cold feet?

Ahead of Budget 2026, the Government has confirmed changes are coming to social housing costs. State housing tenants will pay a minimum 30 percent of their income on rent - up from 25 percent from next April. Accommodation supplements for private renters will increase. Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the current system doesn't work for taxpayers or Kiwis on the list for social housing. "There's actually a lot of people on the social housing register who'd like to get in, but can't, because we've got this system where people are essentially trapped in social housing. And we've got a view in society that it's a social house fore life, when it actually should be timely and temporary." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 21 May, 2026, Chris Bishop on a social housing overhaul that'll leave some people worse off. The Corrections boss on cracking a network of corruption among her staff. Former Defence Minister Ron Mark tells us how our troops could help Ukrainian armed forces. And on The Huddle, Oscar Kightley and Thomas Scrimgeour on the Napier mayor's beef with the youth council. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barbara Edmonds joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk about the latest government's announced a major shake-up of social housing beginning in this year's Budget - which will boost weekly support for 110,000 families by almost $15 but leave another 80,000 families worse off by $30 a week.Tangi Utikere and Chris Bishop were on TVNZ Breakfast this morning talking about the public sector cuts. There was an interesting interaction with the TVNZ hosts where they took government talking points and asked Utikere questions based in National Party opinions as opposed to actual facts.New Zealand has condemned Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, after he taunted detained flotilla activists - including three Kiwis - who tried to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza. Foreign Minister Winston Peters demanded that Israel's ambassador, Alon Roth-Snir, front up to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a “please explain”.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21st of May, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop discusses our tangled web of regulators and Floyd du Plessis unpacks the arrests of 14 Corrections staff. We've heard throughout the war that people are turning to EVs, so Drive Electric's Kirsten Corson joined to unpack their new State of the Nation report. Kiwi entrepreneur Grant Baker talks his decades of success, and some failures, while speaking about his new book ‘No Pit Stops: The Business Of Going All In'. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Bishop says over-regulation is an economic nightmare for the country. A new report by the Ministry for Regulation maps out 267 regulators operating across the country, describing a complex system of overlapping agencies and rules. The Infrastructure and RMA Reform Minister told Mike Hosking there's far too much red tape. Bishop says we spend $1.3 billion annually alone on consenting costs for infrastructure, which is the entire cost of the Transmission Gully project. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ngauraunga to Petone Shared Path, Te Ara Tupua, officially opens to the public tomorrow. Transport Minister Chris Bishop joins Nick Mills to talk about the opneing. The project will provide a new walking and cycling route between Wellington and Lower Hutt and improve transport reliability and resilience along SH2 and the Hutt Valley rail line. Bishop says the project is100 years in the making but serious planning began in 2013/2014, and cost $350 million. Te Ara Tupua formally opens at 2pm today, and tomorrow May 16th the public open day Plus, Nick gets an update on Wellingtons SH1 improvements. Bishop says although we will not see diggers for "some time", the government is committed to the tunnels and fast track applications are on the way. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Chris Hipkins missing a gene? Does he have a self-destructive predilection? Or is he just a pillock by nature? He rolls into Auckland to tell the nation's biggest city and engine room in election year that she's all good and everyone has moved on from the lockdowns. His lockdowns. The home handyman from the Hutt, telling Auckland what's what. What an arrogant twat. He was in Auckland to build rapport, to patch up the damage, to scope the joint and to see what sort of chance his party has come November. Love or hate Auckland, elections are won and lost in the city. No one gets to Government without a good day in Auckland. Even for a small country it is true to say there are countries within countries, or cultures and vibes within cultures and vibes. It took me a while to get a grip on Wellington before I moved there. It's different to Christchurch. It's different to Dunedin, and Auckland is different to each of the other urban centres. I think Chris Bishop has found that out by suggesting his two million home debacle. He's from Wellington too. If you are too entrenched in Wellington, you don't get Auckland. Hipkins suggested the only people who ever ask him about lockdown these days is Newstalk ZB. 1) That's not true and yesterday was an example given the person who asked wasn't from Newstalk ZB. 2) Newstalk ZB is the biggest game in Auckland and by a long way. Dismissing the biggest radio player in Auckland, and the country, is about as stupid as saying Aucklanders have moved on from lockdown. Ultimately, it's another example of why I have said all year that this election is over before it starts. Labour will not win. The pain, suffering and incompetence of 2020-23 is still too raw, real and recent to forgive and forget. Making it worse is the fact the very same people who did the damage are still there waiting for another crack. Judging by yesterday, they've learned nothing, want to learn nothing and are as arrogant as last time. Hipkins may well realise that, come election night when he loses and inevitably has to resign given he will have lost twice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's assurance scoping work on a second Auckland Harbour crossing is still under way, with plans expected mid-year. Two Transport Agency reports have detailed defects in the 67 year-old bridge, and warn it's at risk of failure. It says without long-term strengthening work, month-long lane closures, truck limits, and more wind-related restrictions are on the cards. Chris Bishop says he won't be the Transport Minister who produces a pie-in-the sky idea that turns to custard. He says they're taking an evidence led approach, engaging with the market, doing geotechnical assessments and extensive studies. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm taking this latest talk of a second Auckland Harbour crossing with a gigantic grain of salt. The development today is that Chris Bishop has revealed the Government will announce its preferred option for a second crossing by mid-year - so I suppose you could say June-ish or July-ish - and they will decide between a tunnel or a bridge. And while I really want to get excited about it, because Auckland needs this crossing and has been waiting decades for it, I cannot get excited. That's because I can see what's going on here. It's an election year and National is in danger of losing Auckland, which means potentially coming quite close in the election - as in, potentially losing it. Unlikely, but possible. So the easiest way to win favour in Auckland is to promise something big and shiny, like a bridge. Have we been here before? Yes, we have. Do you remember Michael Wood's boomer bike bridge to Birkenhead? Where are we with that? We spent $51 million-plus on consultants, and in the end it got ditched. Now, I have a strong suspicion that whatever Chris Bishop announces mid-year will go exactly the same way because we cannot afford it. I want us to be able to afford it, because we need it, but Chris Bishop is already scaling back on the Roads of National Significance that he announced before the last election. That's because we don't have the funding for those roads - because we haven't increased the fuel excise tax in what will shortly be seven years. So if we don't have the funding for those roads, why would we have the funding for this bridge? Now, unless there is committed funding and an absolutely rock-solid commitment from Labour to continue with the project if they were to win the election - or subsequent elections - I think we can see this for what it is: the cheapest and easiest pre-election trick to play on Aucklanders. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Can Auckland afford a second Harbour crossing? Chris Bishop has said we'll hear more about it in the coming months, but is this just an election promise? Can Keir Starmer bounce back from the local election drubbing? Should he resign? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have my reservations about the Government's new fast-track laws, because it encourages that whole “do something for the sake of doing something” mentality. And my reservations are only being amplified with this news that Christchurch City Council staff want to use the fast-track legislation to get on with the job of rezoning the land where the old temporary stadium is, in Addington, so it can be sold to developers. It's not the legislation itself that I'm concerned about today. I'm concerned that the city council hasn't thought this through enough. Because, even though I love One New Zealand Stadium just as much as the next person, I think it would be a mistake to put all our eggs in one basket. And I can see a time when we might actually regret deciding to do away with the facility at Addington.Because, even though the Crusaders match at the stadium tonight is another sell-out, which is brilliant, it's not always going to be the case. So wouldn't it make sense for us to keep the grounds at Addington? I'm coming around to thinking that it would.So, what's happened is council staff are recommending to councillors that they ask Resource Management Minister Chris Bishop to fast-track a change to the land's zoning. That would let the site be used for things like retail and housing. I gather it would also allow car parking and parks of some sort. If city councillors agree with council staff and do go to Chris Bishop, and he agrees to use the fast-track legislation, that would mean most of us would be excluded from the process. Things would happen much quicker, six months compared to two years, but only those affected by the change would get to have a say. And you can bet that the definition of those directly affected would be pretty narrow. That's why I think that, before the council runs off to Chris Bishop and fast-tracks things so it can sell off the land, we need to calm the farm a bit and work out whether it is actually a good idea to get rid of it or not. And I'm not convinced that it is. When Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine was in town the other week for the Super Rugby Pacific Super Round, he was telling me that the temporary stadium is a brilliant venue for football, because of the shape of it, apparently.But also the capacity. In fact, he was saying that he would love to pick it up and move it to Wellington. That's how good he thinks it is. So why would we get rid of it? What's more, who has the council actually spoken to about this? I know the rugby league people would probably love to return there. What about Mainland Football? Maybe they'd like to see the Addington stadium kept on. See what I mean? There's been this assumption over the years that, because we've considered it to be the “temporary” stadium, it would go once the new one is up and running. And that seems to be what city council staff are thinking too, with this recommendation that they try to get things fast-tracked. There's no denying that flogging it off would bring in some coin for the council. It's got a rateable value of $6.6 million. But if it was rezoned for housing, it would be worth $26 million. Nevertheless, is that something we should even be doing? I don't think it is, until we have a much better understanding of whether there might actually be a need for a second, smaller stadium, and not just the shiny new one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Infrastructure Minister suspects the grandeur of Auckland's City Rail Link stations will surprise users. Chris Bishop's announced the build will be reviewed - after the project's former boss claimed it could have been completed for half the $5.5 billion spent. Bishop says the architecture is amazing, and some might describe the stations as palaces. "They're going to be incredible, but they come at a price. And you've just got to weigh up whether or not it's worth the price, and like every other project, we should do a review once it's open." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I heard Barry Soper say yesterday that, despite all the hard talk, the Government's so-called fast-tracking of local government amalgamation won't actually happen anytime soon. Certainly not before the election. Which is true. Because this is a big change the Government wants to see happen. But, in my mind, it can't happen soon enough. The fast-tracking bit is the councils being told that, if they don't come up with an amalgomation plan within three months, the government will do it for them. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon is already pushing back. He's not excited about the idea. Saying his community has made it clear that it doesn't want change. Tell that to the Government, though. Which admits that it didn't campaign on local government reform at the last election but believes there is “broad support” for what it's planning to do. There's no doubt in my mind that having nearly 70 local councils in a country the size of New Zealand is crazy. So, of course, something has change. But what that change looks like, is what matters. And for me, there's only one option for us here in the greater Christchurch area. And maybe it will only happen of the Government forces the issue. Because I don't see people like Dan Gordon jumping on board of their own accord. But the only realistic option here is to do something I've been in favour of for quite a while now. A super-city. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is saying today that the Christchurch City Council has already said it's keen to take over the work Environment Canterbury does. So why not go the whole hog and join ECan, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Waimakariri together? It makes sense to me. It's being reported today that, to keep the government happy, Christchurch is going to have to amalgamate with at least one other council. How crazy would that be? Amalgamating with just one. Christchurch amalgamating with Selwyn, but not with Waimakariri. Crazy. But, every time a super-city is mentioned, some people are quick to point to Auckland as an argument against it. The Auckland super-city brought together seven city and district councils, and the regional council back in 2010. But a super city in the greater Christchurch area would be nowhere near the same scale. We're talking here about just three councils - Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri. Plus ECan, of course. Half of the people living in Selwyn still come into Christchurch every day for work and school, and they contribute nothing towards the cost of the running of the city. They're using the city's roads and so many of the other facilities that they pay nothing for. Not to mention the relatively small distance between Selwyn, Christchurch and Waimakariri. Which is why, for me, a greater Christchurch super city is a no brainer. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RMA Minister says councils have already signalled they'd like to join forces with neighbours. The Government's announced a fast-track amalgamation process, asking councils to submit proposals for merging with neighbours to form unitary authorities. They have three months to submit a rough plan. Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there's quite a lot of momentum behind it already. He says they've had quite a lot of councillors, mayors, and people on local government land express interest in getting on with it and amalgamating, so they're giving them the opportunity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 6th of May, we have new unemployment data out today and the Government is giving local councils an amalgamation ultimation. Tracy Atiga and Kanaloa Rugby have a plan to save Moana Pasifika – a plan that's allegedly being blocked by the current group. And Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen bicker and banter their way through another Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Penny Ashton and Tim Wilson. First up, lead your own reform, or we'll do it for you: those are words straight from RMA Reform minister Chris Bishop, who has given councils a three-month ultimatum to lock in amalgamation proposals. The Panel talks to South Wairarapa Mayor Fran Wilde. Is three months enough time? Then, in Porirua a single mother has had 14 thousand dollars of debt from a car loan written off. This is thanks to the advocacy from a local budgeting facilitator, who wouldn't take no for an answer when she saw the stress this debt was causing.

The Local Government Minister says a pathway's been made for councils to fast-track reform - because they're raring to go. The Government's announced councils have three months to submit rough merger plans, for becoming unitary authorities. In November it said it would abolish regional councillors, and reform local Government over a number of years, while encouraging district councils to merge. Simon Watts says councils have been so receptive, they've invited them to fast track it. "I don't want to set the pace of this reform by the slowest council - actually, the opposite, we want the ones that are ready to go to have a pathway to do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some concerns about cost blowouts on the new Cook Strait ferries, but Minister Chris Bishop isn't too worried. A Treasury briefing from September warned of risks costs could overtake the budgeted $1.8 billion dollars. Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says the Government's working at pace on this project and the new ferries are on their way. "It's going to be tight, there's no doubt about that. But things are going pretty well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are asymmetries something we should actually be fixing… or just better understanding? Chris Bishop is an Associate Professor of Strength and Conditioning and one of the leading researchers in interlimb asymmetry, bringing years of work across performance, rehab, and applied sport science.In this conversation, Chris breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in sports performance. From how asymmetries are calculated to whether they even matter, this episode challenges common practices in screening, rehab, and training decisions. He explores why asymmetry data is often noisy, how context changes everything, and why chasing symmetry alone may not lead to better performance or reduced injury risk.Today's speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit: https://martin-buchheit.net/    Chris Bishop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bishop-a2462b35/

Minister Chris Bishop says he's confident the Infrastructure Commission has the expertise to advise frankly, and to the point, on big projects. It'll take over the role for publicly funded infrastructure projects in November, taking responsibility from Treasury. Bishop says he and the Finance Minister have been concerned by the quality of information on infrastructure offered to Government this term. He says the Commission will give a more assertive, yes-or-no take on future work. "That's exactly what ministers need when it comes to making investment decisions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obviously, what everybody in politics is talking about today is what's going to happen at the National Party caucus meeting in Wellington tomorrow morning, regarding the Prime Minister's ongoing leadership. Now, I can't call it. I can't tell you what's going to happen. On the one hand, the Prime Minister is under more pressure than he was before the weekend because of last night's One News-Verian poll. Usually, that poll is quite generous to the National Party - it tends to overestimate National to a degree. But last night, not only did it put the National Party at 29.7 percent, it also predicted a change of Government. That means this becomes not just a backbenchers losing their seats problem, but a ministers losing their jobs problem. On the other hand, Luxon has managed to get himself through a tough round of media interviews this morning with grit, steel and confidence. And his chief troublemaker, Chris Bishop, has now ruled himself out of the leadership in that Q&A interview yesterday, which surely means the move against the Prime Minister has lost some momentum. There has been a lot of poo-pooing of the polls, which I frankly just do not buy into. I have not seen any evidence that we have the kinds of polling trouble here in New Zealand that they've had in the UK, the US or Australia - where the polls call it for one side and then the other side basically comes through. Largely, we don't have that problem because we run MMP. They run first-past-the-post systems. And that actually matters because just a little bit of inaccuracy in those countries' polling can mean quite a big surprise if a bunch of marginal seats fall in a way you weren't expecting. We don't have that here - our mistakes in polling marginal seats get smoothed out by the party vote. Also, National is now sitting at around 29.7 percent in four polls in a row and there was another one about six weeks ago that started this all off. That means what you saw last night is not a rogue poll - it's a trend. Choosing not to believe the polls feels like the last refuge of those who are in complete denial about what's going on here. But ultimately, it's not really up to us, is it? It's not up to us as voters and it's not up to us as commentators. It's up to caucus - the National Party caucus. If the Prime Minister can get himself through tomorrow and then weather whatever happens in the seven days after that and then get himself through caucus Tuesday week - so he's got two caucuses to get through - then he will most likely survive until at least well after the Budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Bishop: National leadership and his policy ambitions Chris Bishop's name has repeatedly been raised in media reports about discontent with the National Party's leadership. Despite being stripped of his campaign chair and leader of the house titles, the Hutt South MP continues to carry some of the most important portfolios in government: transport, housing, and infrastructure. Just over six months until the election, he joins Jack Tame to discuss the top job and how the $49 billion gap in funding New Zealand's roads of national significance will be addressed. Former Labour minister on building back trust after scandal Michael Wood was once a rising star in the Labour government's Cabinet, but after he failed to act on advice to divest himself of his shares in Auckland Airport, he resigned from his Ministerial portfolios in transport, workplace relations, immigration, and as minister for Auckland, and was not returned to his electorate seat in 2023. Three years on, he joins Jack Tame to discuss whether he has regained the confidence of the Labour caucus. Budget cuts come for online ANZAC commemoration Veterans and historians are in disbelief at government plans to archive the Ngā Tapuwae Trails website, a live, self-guided tour of Gallipoli and the Western Front, on the grounds that the website costs too much for a low number of people who use it. 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 senior National MP insists the party is focused on governing, despite growing unrest around Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's leadership. Our newsroom understands from three sources that a fortnight ago, Luxon didn't respond to the party's whip Stuart Smith, who tried to raise concerns about his support in caucus. It's understood MPs pushing for change could make a move in the next fortnight, with the Prime Minister likely to be formally presented with concerns. Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there's no coup, but won't say whether he's aware of other colleagues seeking to replace Luxon. He says many people —including Luxon— want the party to do better. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 17th of April, it's coup Friday! Chris Bishop was on to talk WOFs but after rumours of a National Party leadership challenge, the Minister had some tough questions to answer. Boris Johnson's former economic advisor Gerard Lyons discusses the IMF report and whether the world is heading into a global recession. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson talk the potential coup, circuses, and Fabergé eggs as they Wrap the Week. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Friday, which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the rumours of a coup in the National Party and Chris Bishop's performance on the show this morning. Also on the agenda was circuses, pet sitting, and this weekend's maiden Supercars event in Christchurch. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political panel: Chris Bishop and Vanushi Walters; India FTA: More businesses call for cross-party support; Tuvalu in state of emergency over fuel supply worries; National ticketing solution: Delays annoy Wellington; Iconic Foveaux Hotel on the market

National's Chris Bishop and Labour's Vanushi Walters joined Morning Report for the Weekly Political Panel.

Cyclone Vaianu has exposed the fragility of New Zealand's transport links. Transport Minister Chris Bishop spoke to John Campbell.

There's growing concern about the impact of the Middle East conflict, and at least one major bank has forecasted increases to the OCR. ANZ has revised its outlook, with forecasted increases to the OCR bringing rates up to 3 percent by October. Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says skyrocketing fuel prices will have a flow-on effect on the New Zealand economy - and it's likely inflation will spike too. "That's an unfortunate reality of global events...the forecast will properly come out with the Budget, that's the kind of next major event." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sarah Perriam-Lampp and Chris Wikira. First up, there is a stoush revving up on the motorcycle riding world. Riders say the increase in the cost of registration is unfair and they are putting their regos on hold. Then, housing minister Chris Bishop has lashed out at Christchurch City Council for rejecting a developer's heritage-inspired building design, saying it's 'nonsense'. Were they right to put a stop to the 'faux heritage' design?

Chris Bishop's been turfed out as National's campaign chair in favour of Simeon Brown - signalling a potential dent in his relations with the PM. The National MP's also lost his Leader of the House and Associate Sport Minister roles in yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle, but is replacing outgoing MP Judith Collins as Attorney General. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says Luxon might be trying to give Chris Bishop a warning on where he stands in the party. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Tangi Utikere are in for the weekly political panel; Chris Bishop discusses the scaling back of Auckland housing target; Law professor discusses David Tamihere case developments; BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner with an update from the Middle East; Promoter Brent Eccles discusses new Western Springs plan

The government has scaled back Auckland's minimum housing target even further. Minister for Housing and RMA Reform, Chris Bishop spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Auckland housing number and the Government's housing vision now looks like a school project gone wrong. Chris Bishop, by anyone's standards, is a competent, if not excellent, political operator but he appears to have come unstuck on Auckland housing. His two million homes got the sort of reaction anyone with anything to do with Auckland might have expected, so after a lot of gnashing and expletives it got readjusted to 1.6 million and now, if you can believe it, it's 1.4 million. The real issue of course is the number. All the numbers are huge, so they freak people out. Not helping is the fact Bishop is not from Auckland, he is from the Hutt. Which doesn't mean he can't make decisions on Auckland, it just means he doesn't seem to know what rarks Auckland up, and the obvious suggestion is made that maybe that's because he is from Wellington. Making it worse is the Government has a Minister for Auckland, but he seems to be nowhere to be seen and one wonders whether he was in Bishop's ear at any point suggesting bandying around large numbers and causing confusion about high-rises in suburbia wasn't the smartest thing he could have done. It's not helpful either for the Government, given it's election year. Like it or not, elections are won and lost in the country's biggest city and economic engine room. Also about to land is a report on volcanic view shafts, another of Auckland's special features Bishop doesn't seem to get. We can delve into it another day, but in a sign Bishop is all about bottom lines and not the real world, the report suggests there is $4 billion worth of lost productivity because of these view shafts, which is $2500 per household. The inference being if we just got on and built stuff, even if they are high-rises smack bang in the middle of your Rangitoto view, we would be off to the races economically. I can tell Chris even before the report is released that this will go down worse than his original two million homes idea. In really simple terms, if the National Party, and by default the Government, want to piss a large number of Aucklanders off, let Bishop loose on the place and we'll catch up for a drink at the Opposition benches. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister says Cabinet's agreement to reduce Auckland's minimum housing capacity for a second time puts the issue to bed. The Government announced a revised density plan of 1.6 million homes just last month, and today reduced that to 1.4 million. Wayne Brown says he suspects as it's an election year, this is simply politics at play. Chris Bishop says this is about agreement between Government, Aucklanders and Council. "We achieved consensus as a Cabinet and as a Government, which is what we are always aiming to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast host Bill Cooper as he visits with John Sabati of Hawaii. John is the state chapter president of the National Wild Turkey Federation and provides up-to-date turkey hunting information about the islands, covers vacation ideas, and more. In the second segment, Chris Bishop, of Buck Chasers, provides a bird's eye view of hunting big whitetails in the Land of Lincoln, Illinois. It's a fun and informative episode of Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast.

Luxon - 1, media - 0. After no small effort on the media's part to drum up a crisis on a bad poll, there's two important points and we can put this whole nonsense to bed. 1) Luxon doesn't have a coup brewing. Despite all the detractors' best efforts, there is no one counting numbers. The nearest they have managed to get is Chris Bishop, who was more interested in being in India over the weekend than lining up a new job for the new week. Also, we don't vote for Prime Ministers. They are not presidents. We vote for parties and policies and results. If you like National you don't not vote National because the leader isn't to your taste. 2) The revelation from the Curia poll, that on one hand they tried to tell you how unpopular Luxon was with a net negative rating of -19. It turns out Bishop is about as bad on -14. Erica Stanford is -16. Everyone is underwater. Chuck in Winston, Seymour, and Hipkins, you'll see no one is in positive territory and that tells you a couple of things as well. We live in an era where likeability is irrelevant because we hate everyone. Post-Covid we have never got over the funk, so as much as you want to bang on about Luxon not connecting, according to the numbers, no one connects. It's all over the world. Trump is underwater, Starmer is underwater, Albanese is underwater and Macron is underwater. Chris Minns who runs New South Wales is popular currently because of his handling of Bondi. Apart from that pick a politician because we hate them all. In the likeability numbers, the likes of which we see in the TV1 poll, if Hipkins was 50% and Luxon was 20% then that's an issue. But they aren't. They both have been stuck at about 20% forever and all the others are below that. That's why none of this matters. In the past the polls have shown an answer, a suitor, a name that drives a bit of fizz. We have no such names. Now, you can debate the merits or otherwise of great leaders with great personalities, or lack of them. But we are where we are and none of the current lot will go down as Churchill's, to paraphrase Trump. And Churchill, by the way, for a lot of the time wasn't popular either. So let's see this nonsense for what it is: we are voting on the economy, not show-men. There is no coup, this is but one poll. Mountain versus molehill. A waste of time. Let's all try and do a lot better. There is too much at stake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying the course when things are tough is a skill. I think you either have it or you don't. Chris Luxon will not get rolled, but he may quit. That would be a mistake of epic proportions. What would drive me, if I was him, would be rational thought. 1) This election is not about personality, it's about economic management. On that the Government are tracking well. 2) The internal polling within the National Party is fine. It does not reflect the Curia poll that the media made so much of. The unfortunate thing about Friday's pre-hyped release is it came at the same time Luxon had had a bad week on the war. That week by the way, was nowhere near as bad as some made it out to be. But the two events came together for a good week-end headline. 3) This would be the bit that would focus my mind - it's only Hipkins. Seriously, you're only lining up Labour as an opponent. On the economy. The people who wrecked the place two and a bit years ago are asking the voter to come back and do a bit more of it. You don't believe me? Read Thomas Coughlan's piece with Barbara Edmonds. 4) Even if you take the poll seriously, which you shouldn't. There is a one seat shift, so it's within a margin of error. 5) The economy will save you. You campaigned on a turnaround and the turnaround is real. Given we are voting on economics, the National leader is not a deal-breaker. If you are voting on interest rates and jobs, does Chris Bishop or Erica Stanford really change your view of your lot? They are good people and good talents, but they aren't game-changers and they won't get you a job any more than Luxon will. 6) Having done the hard yards, why quit now? The prize is just down the road and with a second term perceptions change. 7) The coalition as an operation is a success. Three parties have, and do, work well together. It's MMP in action. The alternative? Hipkins talking about a minority Government, a Green Party and extremism and a Māori Party that will not be back in anywhere near the numbers they have now. It's not a combo. This must all sit heavily with Luxon. How could it not? But that is what leadership is about. That is what you chased and bought into. If you think you will fail you will automatically be successful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council has less than two weeks to respond to a letter from the government wanting the council to outline its plan for housing intensification. Housing minister Chris Bishop spoke to Corin Dann.

Winston Peters responds to the latest actions in the Middle East; Weekly Political Panel with Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds; Housing minister, Chris Bishop; A tourism boom in the Mackenzie District; Kiwi comedian scores role as writer on new UK version of Saturday Night Live.

This morning we spoke to a Raglan dairy farmer following the decision from Fonterra shareholders to sell the company's consumer brand business Mainland Group, to Lactalis; Housing minister Chris Bishop joined us after the government lowered its housing capacity targets for Auckland; We spoke to the Airport Association. It says the regions are bearing the brunt of airfare hikes because of a lack of competition; And, we crossed to London for reaction to the overnight arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor; And the On The Fly Mataura River Festival is taking place in Gore this weekend. We spoke to its organiser.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the council isn't going to change its approach to housing intensification after the government lowered its housing capacity targets for the city. Housing Minister Chris Bishop spoke to Corin Dann.

This morning we spoke to the prime minister, Christopher Luxon, plus the Transport minister Chris Bishop joined us as repairs to roads hit by severe weather continue; It's a big week for Auckland, with the convention centre opening, and the Sail GP foiling its way into town. We spoke to mayor Wayne Brown; We were joined by our reporter Timothy Brown who covered the Christchurch mosque attacks in detail, as the gunman attempts to appeal his convictions; Wellington Water Chief Executive Pat Dougherty says locals may have to stay out of the water for months, he joined us live.

On CareerCast's "Improvising Career Success," host Anita Brick talks with Chris Bishop, who moved from touring with major rock bands to shaping strategy and innovation at IBM. He connects life on the road with navigating complex, fast-changing workplaces in surprising, practical ways. Hear how he experiments, pivots, and builds unexpected opportunities at every stage—without a script. If you're curious about mixing creativity with ambition, or wondering how to make your next move when the path isn't clear, this conversation is for you. Listen to previous episodes at www.chicagobooth.edu/careercast.