Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Bishop

EDITORIAL: When I first heard this story, I thought this is not right, this is not fair, and I didn't think it fitted with what the coalition government stood for. What am I talking about? Of course, I'm talking about the $60 million hand out. I have to say, if you'd asked me whether I'd ever see a centre-right government stepping in to financially support a publicly listed company, I would have said with a smile, "No chance." Not because governments shouldn't support business, but because I always believed governments like this preferred to let the market decide who succeeds and who fails. Yet here we go. The Government is preparing to provide financial support to Fletcher Building, one of New Zealand's biggest companies, through a deal designed to keep local cement production alive at Golden Bay Cement in Whangārei. Fletcher Building isn't some small family-owned business that's fallen on hard times. It's one of New Zealand's biggest publicly listed companies, listed on both the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges, with thousands of shareholders and operations across the country and Australia. Now, before anyone says this is about jobs, I completely understand that argument. Hundreds of people work there directly and indirectly, and New Zealand does need a reliable supply of cement. It's a critical product. I get all that. We need it to build houses, schools, hospitals, roads and major infrastructure. You don't want to wake up one day and realise we're completely dependent on imported cement if global supply chains are disrupted. Chris Bishop said Golden Bay is an exceptional case and of national interest. But here's the question I can't get past. When did governments start picking winners? Because that's exactly what this feels like to me. This coalition government talks constantly about reducing government intervention, letting markets work, encouraging competition and creating a level playing field. Those are all principles I generally support. If you're prepared to step in and financially back one of the country's biggest listed companies, where does it stop? What about every other manufacturer battling high energy prices? What about forestry? Steel? Food processing? Hospitality? Retail? Plenty of businesses have faced enormous cost pressures over the past few years without anyone offering them a government lifeline. Why is this one different? If this is genuinely about New Zealand's strategic resilience and making sure we continue producing cement here, then tell us that. Be upfront about it. Make the case that this is about national infrastructure and supply security. But don't pretend this isn't government intervention. Because it damn well is. 60 million, cash hand out. It's not having to be paid pack. Governments have every right to protect strategically important industries if they believe it's in the national interest. But once taxpayers' money starts flowing towards large, publicly listed companies, the public deserves a very clear explanation of why this company qualifies, what safeguards are in place, what taxpayers get in return, and where the line is drawn. This isn't just about cement. It's about the role of government in the economy. More importantly to me it's about fairness. And it's about whether this Government is practising the free-market philosophy it campaigned on, it sung from the rafters—or whether, when push comes to shove, it's prepared to back the biggest players while everyone else is left to fend for themselves. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RMA Reform Minister says there's been a "mad rush" for councils and iwi to secure deals before the concept is scrapped. The Government had initially planned for the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe to be transferred to the new Resource Management Act system. But that will no longer be the case, the Government arguing these agreements have become out-of-scope and unfit for purpose. Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking the focus will instead be on identifying sites of cultural significance. He says most New Zealanders would agree pā sites and burial sites should be exempt from development. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 21st of July, we hear from the political commentator Adam Boulton as Andy Burnham becomes the UK's new Prime Minister – the seventh in a decade. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop speaks on the scrapping of iwi-council deals in the new system, and the Government's bailout for Golden Bay Cement. And Open champion Ryan Fox joins us after a night of no sleep and some red wine as the history he made continues to sink 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.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop spoke to the public today with more details about the RMA reform. Bishop confirmed all existing agreements, called Mana Whakahono ā Rohe, between councils and local iwi will be scrapped, replacing them with 'iwi participation agreements'. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan the one main goal is protecting Māori land, "and so the question is how you go about doing that in a streamlined way in the system where you don't have co-governance and you don't have broad cultural rights that are asserted". LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've heard tracks from Love? said the Commander consistently on Dan Drago's 25 O'Clock Pod pretty regularly over the years.  And every time it always caught my ear, and tug at my emotions.  I suppose that's where the genre label "emo" truly comes from.At some point, when I heard another one of their brilliant songs, I just said "alright, that's it.  I've gotta have them on the show".  And reached out to Kate Hall and Chris Bishop and we started to plan for it.Then they pitched me this great idea - they do this thing called Secret Songs where you can engage with them to use their talents to write a song for something or someone special.  You just provide them with the prompts and some key details to include lyrically.  So they offered to do that for the show and, if I was down, to have me hear it for the first time live during the broadcast.Naturally I asked them to write about the show's love and connection to ... Musikfest!  Especially with that right around the corner.  And so I gave them all the details around the Exordium, the Picks of the Platz, the Aw Shucks corn, the mugs, and so on.  Can't wait to take a listen with all of you!Don't miss this one - you'll love Love? said the Commander!Text us your thoughts on this episode, and who should be OUR #NextFavBand...As always, our hope is to bring you "your next favorite band".  If you tuned in today because you already knew this musician - thank you very much!  We hope that you enjoyed it and would consider following us and subscribing so we can bring you your #nextfavband in the future.  And check out nextfavband.com for our entire catalog of interviews!If you have a recommendation on who you think OUR next favorite band should be, hit us up on social media (@nextfavband everywhere) or send us an email at nextfavband@stereophiliastudio.com.Thank you to Carver Commodore, argonaut&wasp, and Blair Crimmins for allowing us to use their music in the show open and close.  It makes everything sound so much better!Let's catch a live show together soon!#nextfavband #livemusic #music #musicinterview #musician  #singer  #guitar  #song  #newmusic  #explorepage  #instamusic #bestmusic #musicismylife #musicindustry #musiclife #songwriter #musiclover #musicfestival 

If anyone on a council at the moment can't understand why so many of us ratepayers are so hostile towards them, sometimes bordering on hatred, can I just suggest they take a look at what's going on with these agreements with iwi? That might actually give them a bit of an idea. If you haven't followed this, Chris Bishop is planning to replace the Resource Management Act shortly and his replacement law will not allow councils to sign any more of these agreements. These agreements are called Mana Whakahono a Rohe agreements. In some cases, and certainly in the more extreme examples, they effectively cede significant decision-making power to iwi. The new law will not allow any further agreements to be signed but it will allow existing agreements to continue. So, of course, what's happening is that councils are rushing to sign as many of these things as they can before the law changes. The Far North District Council is trying to sign five of them, apparently without involving elected councillors in the process. They're reportedly not even allowed to see the detail. I've had a letter today from the Mayor of Carterton drawing my attention to the fact that Greater Wellington Regional Council, which covers Carterton, is doing exactly the same thing, despite objections from two of its constituent councils: Carterton and Kāpiti. Environment Canterbury tried to rush one through this week, then got busted and pulled it from the agenda. The fact that councils are being cynical like this will come as no surprise to anyone because they did exactly the same thing with Māori wards when they knew that, in many cases, their own ratepayers did not support them. But this gets much more difficult for the Government because it, particularly the National Party and ACT, said this co-governance stuff would end. Yet they are allowing it to continue under their new RMA laws by permitting these agreements to carry over. They need to change that law. They need to change it before it becomes law if they really meant what they said. Importantly, if they want to retain the faith of the voters who backed them to end this stuff, then they need to act when they have the chance next week, when the select committee report on the RMA reforms comes back. They need to say that these agreements will be rendered void under the new law and that whatever has been signed in a last-minute rush will count for nothing. This is the Government's big test. It's the chance to prove that what it said about co-governance wasn't just hot air. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Labour Minister Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Councils have been signing iwi partnership agreements before the RMA is replaced - are we worried about this? What is Chris Bishop trying to do? ACT leader David Seymour is looking into banning smartphones for under-16s. Do we think this is the way to go? Should we wait and figure things out? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's working for the Government at the moment is the economy. The economy looks like it's coming right, in time to milk it all the way to the election. So the Roads of National Significance reset is what you would loosely call a setback, if not a dead rat. This country has become famous for talking big and doing little, for promising things that never happen. As that reputation built up over many years and many Governments, you hoped we were slowly realising the futility of such behaviour and looking to bring it to an end. Yet, no. It's worse for National because they are the party of the economy. They are the party that gets elected historically after Labour cock it up. They are the adults in the room. So for Chris Bishop to tell us what they promised isn't happening the way they thought is a blow to the credibility. Further, the admission that the promises were ambitious is not as big a problem as admitting the promises were driven largely by the construction industry wanting a pipeline of work. That smacks of politics of convenience. It smacks of a party telling you what you want to hear. For all the criticism of Labour and Let's Get Wellington Moving, or the light rail in Auckland debacle, National admitting they over promised is not a good look. If you want the glass half-full, stuff is happening and things are being built. But lets be honest; when they say five projects are in the "slow lane", the slow lane in this country is the "no lane" - they won't happen ever. That's before you get to the prospect of a Labour election win, which will lead to the old obsession with cycleways and bus lanes and so none of it will ever come to pass. Government is about delivery. Elections are about choosing your path of choice and after that it's delivery. Labour are famous for lack of it. With National on roads it turns out they're not as bad, but they're not what they said they were on the tin. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says it's hard to know what a road will cost until construction begins. Chris Bishop has released a new phased timeline for the 17 transport projects on the Government's to do list - putting five on the back burner. The whole 17 roads are expected to come in at roughly $56 billion. Bishop says these projects will be completed in phases, and there's no market capacity to get all of these built at the same time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's not pretend that this roading announcement is not a massive letdown for anyone who voted for the National Party believing it would deliver the roads it promised. It is a huge letdown. Of the 15 Roads of National Significance promised following the last election, only six have construction dates: Takitimu North Link Stage 1 in Tauranga, Ōtaki to north of Levin, the Hawke's Bay Expressway, Warkworth to Te Hana, Cambridge to Piarere and the Ōmanawa Bridge. I don't even know where that is. The rest of them? Well, good luck to you. The second Mount Victoria Tunnel, which is one of my personal obsessions because of how badly Wellington needs it, has no construction date. In fact, the pre-construction work could take us all the way through to 2037. That is incredibly disappointing. I've heard rumours for months that this was the case. I've kept asking Chris Bishop about it on this show and he has assured me the project was all go. But it's not really, is it? And remember what National said at the last election: spades in the ground in the first term. That is now a broken promise. Now, I have to give credit where credit is due and that is to Chris Bishop because he fronted up and got honest with the public about this. That can't have been easy for him to do - for his own reputation and for the political fallout facing the National Party ahead of the next election. I know he's been anxious about this day coming and it has come. I think he's handled it as well as he could.But this is a mistake that Chris Bishop and the Nats cannot blame on anyone but themselves. They cannot blame Trump. They cannot blame tariffs. They cannot blame the conflict with Iran. They cannot blame inflation. They cannot blame the Labour Party. It was obvious in 2023 that they were being too ambitious in promising all these roads. They were warned they were being too ambitious and the warnings were correct. Now there will be significant numbers of disappointed voters who will have to wait so long for the roads they were promised that - given how changes of Government work - they may never actually get them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Treasury released a whole lot of documents showing the advice it gave the Government during the early days of the fuel crisis. One of the key things was a recommendation not to cut fuel taxes or road user charges, because it didn't think it was needed. The Government went with the advice. But, you might also remember, that the Government went a step further than that and said that the fuel tax increase - due to kick in at the start of next year - was unlikely. Which I thought was a bad move. And I still do. In the reports I've seen about yesterday's document dump, there's nothing about any Treasury advice on next year's increase. But there's two reasons for that: 1. This advice was to help the Government deal with things in-the-moment. And 2. When Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop poured cold water on the fuel tax increase, that was just politics. Because, as you'll remember, there were all sorts of people crying out for help. The Government went ahead with the support for low-to-middle income earners. But that was it. And it knew it wouldn't be a good look if it said no to everyone else wanting help and, in the same breath, said it was also going ahead with next year's fuel tax increase. But that was a bad move by the Government. My view on that hasn't changed. And that's why I think the Government needs to bite the bullet and press on with the fuel tax increase early next year. As planned. There'll be plenty of people who will say that they couldn't afford fuel taxes increasing. But I don't think the country can afford not to increase them. And I'm not the only one. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour thinks the same. He says the Government shouldn't do anything to limit its revenue from fuel taxes because of the long-term consequences for the Government's finances. And what he's talking about there, is limiting or restricting the amount of money the Government gets in to pay for road maintenance and construction. It also helps pay for things like public transport. The Finance Minister even acknowledged this negative impact when she said a few months back that the fuel tax increase was unlikely to go ahead. So, in its heart of hearts, the Government knows that increasing fuel taxes is a no-brainer. Which it is. The Government knows it. We know it. So there's only one thing for it to do. It needs to stop being so antsy and it needs to commit to putting the fuel taxes up, as planned, early next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From today Council's are required to take a common sense, risk based approach to temporary traffic management. That should mean less rows of bright orange safety cones. Tranport minister Chris Bishop spoke with Lisa Owen.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 30th of June, just how fast has the fast-track system been? Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop discusses. Tonight is the night when we find out if/how many New Zealand restaurants have been awarded a Michelin star. Kiwi singer Zac Griffith has released his debut EP so is back on the show - just wait until you hear his performance! 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.

The Infrastructure Minister says the 'one-stop shop' nature of the fast-track process is appealing to developers. Since the new law came into force in 2024, 24 projects have been approved with another 82 in the pipeline. The Government says the projects take 117 days on average to get approval, when it could've taken several years before. Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking people are able to get all their consents in one go through the new process. He says archaeology, heritage, wildlife, and conservation consents can be done together – saving time. Bishop says the approved projects aren't just 'low-hanging fruit' – some, like a Hawke's Bay housing development, are quite simple but others are more complex. He says the Waihi North Mine and two quarries are examples of complicated projects which have been approved. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss today's news in politics. Allegations have been made against police commissioner Richard Chambers, but police minister Mark Mitchell says Chambers has his support. Chris Bishop delivered bad news to truck drivers. And the inequity gap is growing, most noticeable in the classroom. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop is expected to announce the Government's preferred option for a second Auckland harbour crossing, either a tunnel or a bridge at some stage before the election. Transport Minister Chris Bishop spoke to John Campbell.

Tunnel or bridge? Chris Bishop discusses harbour crossing; Racing industry faces uncertain future, report warns; Foundation urges caution over prostate home testing; Programme encourages girls into infrastructure careers; Cricketer Bob Blair's extraordinary legacy remembered

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 24th of June, Five Eyes is warning that the threat AI poses to security could arrive in a matter of months. Just wait until you hear the latest stats around ACC and whether we are actually being rehabbed or not. Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk the Greens' tax plans, the truth around the alleged conservation land sell-off, and Chris Bishop's yoga classes on 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.

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest stories of the week thus far. They discussed the Greens' tax plan, the truth around the alleged selling off of conservation land, and Chris Bishop's yoga classes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop previously cast doubt on fuel taxes going up next year - but what could the peace deal do for that? The Iran war's effect on oil prices prompted the Government to say taxes weren't going up, but they've since indicated the increase isn't off the table. Chris Bishop says things are moving around, and if this deal holds, changes could be in order. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm going to start with good news today. Now, I know we don't normally, but it is such good news I have to comment, and it's also a topic dear to all our respective talkback hearts. And that is that almost all of Parliament is backing the 30 year infrastructure plan. You'll have heard it in our news, the Coalition Government comprising National, ACT, and New Zealand First, as well as Labour and the Greens, have committed to the Infrastructure Commission's blueprint for major works in this country, and bloody well done to them, I say. To get this sort of rare across the house support, the Commission must have done an excellent job of prioritising works, justifying the order of works, outlining what needs to happen for these works to be done. Chief Executive of the Infrastructure Commission, Geoff Cooper, is absolutely delighted, as he should be. “I think this is a great step forward. It is a significant opportunity for New Zealand to get to get better outcomes for infrastructure, and it's not every day that you've got the government and the opposition parties saying, “Yep, we can see a plan forward here."” There are 16 recommendations, 10 priorities for the next decade, and this had to happen. We don't have to imagine the cost of a stop-start approach to vital infrastructure; the numbers have already been crunched. A report out earlier this month showed that pausing, cancelling, and delaying infrastructure projects has cost New Zealand an estimated $11.8 billion in the last 25 years. Auckland Light Rail, Transmission Gully, the Interislander Ferry replacements, just in recent times have all been paused, delayed, or scrapped. Both main parties have been guilty of prioritising ideology over the country's wellbeing, but now, hopefully, the next generation won't have to see money literally disappearing down drains. Kieran McAnulty, in his foreword to the Infrastructure Commission's plan —the Government, Chris Bishop, Kieran McAnulty, and Julie Anne Genter from the Greens all wrote a foreword to the plan— put it very well. He said both Labour and National-led governments had announced projects without funding them, watched costs balloon, and then scrapped what the other side started. He said every time the plan changes, we lose time, we lose money, and we lose the skilled people who build these things —too many of them— to Australia. That's the problem this plan sets out to fix. He said the plan offered a long-term, evidence-based path that did not belong to any one government, a prize bigger than any single policy. That is very well stated. Green Party infrastructure spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said the party supported all 16 recommendations in the plan and said the Party overall welcomed the Government's intention and urges that this commitment to long-term planning and evidence-informed decision-making continues to drive investment in long-lived assets. Now, Labour and the Greens have some reservations, but not enough to put a spoke in the wheel, not enough to hold up this fantastic blueprint for the future. Ultimately, they have come together to support a long-term vision for the country that will benefit all future voters, whatever party they support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An aim to squeeze more out of every dollar on infrastructure spending. The Government's agreeing to all recommendations and acting on all priorities in the Infrastructure Commission's National Plan. The 30-year document includes reviewing the Land Transport Fund and requiring Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans. Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett told that it's really important to attach proper funding to the plan, so that when a project is announced, there's actually money to build it. He says there are a lot of phantom projects that have come and gone over the years, but they were able to be picked off politically because the money to deliver them was never properly put forward. LSTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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

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

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

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

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.