Podcast appearances and mentions of christopher luxon

The Green Party is proposing sweeping energy reforms, aimed at slashing household power bills and stripping market dominance from major electricity corporations with the establishment of a new publicly owned electricity entity named Kiwipower which would compete directly with the four major electricity providers, which control over 85% of both retail and generation markets, and build a more resilient network with the funding of solar power schemes.Christopher Luxon was very clear on RNZ this morning that when their budgets changes because "we take our costings as best we can at the time" and that "construction costs bounce around a lot" that is fine, but if Labour's budgets say for ferries or Auckland light rail change then it's a mismanagement from a feckless government.P aul Henry has announced his candidacy for the ACT Party list. He says while the decision came together quickly, he wants to be in parliament to create a better future for his ten grandchildren. He joined Jack Tame to discuss what that future might look like.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Weekly interview with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon; Advocate supports explicit consent law reform; Michael Campbell on Ryan Fox's Open triumph; Bird flu reports surge after H5N1 detection; Auckland explores new way to get people voting

Chris Luxon says he doesn't know if and when New Zealand could face higher tariffs from the US - but we'll weather whatever comes our way. Trade experts have suggested New Zealand could face a blanket 12.5 percent tariff as early as this Friday. It would replace the 10-percent tariff we currently face. The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking that there will continue to be strong demand for New Zealand goods. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Toby Manhire, Phil Goff and Fran O'Sullivan. They debate the latest poll results, National has slumped to its lowest level of support since Christopher Luxon became leader. So would a change in leader help? The poll suggests not. Meanwhile, the fledgling Opportunity Party has surged to within a whisker of Parliament. Plus, The Whip discusses yet another familiar face making his way into politics...what they make of Paul Henry's ACT announcement.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 15 July, 2026, we talk to Poultry Industry Association executive director Fiona MacMillan about how well we're prepared for the first case of bird flu. Wellington deputy mayor Ben McNulty explains what punishment he wants for councillors who behave badly. We hear why a treatment centre's now been set up to deal with cellphone and screen addiction. And on The Huddle, we ask Tim Wilson and Mike Munro if ACT's new candidate, Paul Henry, will be a problem for Christopher Luxon. 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.

The uncomfortable truth National MPs won't say out loud is that nothing is moving the dial. With eight consecutive polls putting the party under 30%, Christopher Luxon has a massive messenger problem. Plus, the man himself, Paul Henry, joins the podcast. He reveals why he's trading his runway for a run at Parliament with Act, and whether he can actually survive the mundane reality of Wellington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop the press, the media has a new darling. Chlöe Swarbrick and the Opportunity Party can have a breather this week, a bit of downtime, because there's only one show in town and it's Paul Henry. The self-made millionaire, the former broadcaster, has thrown his hat into the political ring again. He wants to become a polly, and not just any old polly. He has no interest in sitting on the back benches, cooling his heels, learning the ropes. He is not there to shag spiders. He's made it perfectly plain that he wants to be a minister in the next coalition government. Prime Minister, hey, why not? There is no doubt when you hear him speak that he has a real passion for New Zealand and that he wants New Zealand to be a great place for his children and grandchildren, for your children and grandchildren. And there's no doubt that he's a great cheerleader for the ACT Party. “I think with ACT I can tangibly affect change. I think with ACT, it is the only party that I think can genuinely steer this country in the right direction. By right direction I mean create policies that inspire growth of our economy because our economy is perilously small, cut wasteful government spending in so many different ways, and hopefully create an environment whereby New Zealanders, I mean your introduction was spot on, where New Zealanders aren't angsting, they're not suspicious of everything all the time. I mean the thing that holds New Zealand back, because both of us travel a lot, we can both see New Zealand with a bit of perspective from offshore. What a brilliant country with extraordinary resources and potential it is. So why is it not being realised?" That was former broadcaster Paul Henry talking to broadcaster Mike Hosking this morning. Will Paul Henry have the discipline to sit through the turgid meetings and briefings that are a part of being a politician? A lot of people go into politics and they say they're going to cut red tape and they're going to get things done, and within a matter of months they end up hogtied in the corner defeated by the red tape. Paul Henry is a loose cannon – he doesn't have to do anything. He's perfectly fine where he is. He could do whatever the hell he wanted. He's very bright, he's very quick witted. These are both blessings and curses for the ACT Party. He doesn't need the gig. He has his own thoughts. It might be a libertarian party, but by crikey, once he starts speaking his own mind within Parliament, it can create issues when you have to abide by coalition rules. And of course, Paul Henry is not the ACT Party – he's one person among many. The party has broad ranging policies and very strong ideas on just about everything, and you would have to surely look at those closely. You might like Paul Henry, but you might not like the policies that come along with Paul Henry. Do celebrities make good parliamentarians? On the one hand, it brings profile to the party, especially if they've been languishing a bit, and it's fair to say that ACT has taken a back seat to New Zealand First this year in terms of column inches generated, probably even taken a back seat to the Opportunity Party this year. National's Christopher Luxon doesn't have the pizzazz, the jazz hands of Paul Henry, nor indeed does Chris Hipkins. But I don't think Labour voters would be looking to ACT as their alternate party – but who knows, stranger things have happened. When you look at former broadcasters that have gone into politics, they've done okay, I suppose. Maggie Barry's probably the best of the recent crop. She made minister, but I think it was pretty tough going. Do self-made millionaires make good MPs? John Key was a good Prime Minister. Didn't have to do the gig and when he got bored, he went. But I think it's widely agreed that he was a pretty good PM for the times. This is probably just going to be a flash in the pan. There'll be the big announcement, we got it yesterday, it's gripped the media news cycle to the extent that we're going to wrap up I think the 24 hours of, I don't know what it was really, excitement? It wasn't shock so much, but it just seemed to be wow, it sort of energized the conversation around ACT, it energized the conversation around politics. And that's got to be a good thing. Anything that gets people interested in politics, great, but it's got to go beyond one person, it's got to go beyond celebrity, it's got to go beyond face value. As I say, if you're voting for Paul Henry you have to be very careful, as people did for Winston Peters. They liked him and the party came second. So be aware that there are broad ranging policies, have a look at those before you decide oh, I like that Paul Henry, I'm going to give him a tick. And be aware too that quick witted, mercurial people who don't need the gig might not be around for a long time. It'll be a good time, but it won't be a long time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Henry is everything Christopher Luxon isn't. He's everything Chris Hipkins isn't. He's everything his potential new boss, ACT leader David Seymour, isn't. Which is why his announcement that he's standing in this year's election has taken a lot of people by surprise. And has got some people excited. But aren't we over celebrity politicians? I certainly am. Nevertheless, if there was a political party in New Zealand that Paul Henry might be a good fit for, philosophically, it would be the ACT Party. But is he a good fit for Parliament? Or is Parliament a good fit for him? Or, more to the point - is this personality and wit that people are talking about - are they the kinds of things we need in our politicians right now? I don't think so. It's what the ACT Party needs right now. Because, of the three parties in the current coalition government, it needs a bit of a boost. And there's no doubt that Paul Henry's announcement has put the spotlight on the ACT Party. But, a lot of the time, publicity doesn't lead to substance or delivery. Take Jacinda Ardern, when she became leader of the Labour Party just weeks out from the 2017 election, she was a publicity darling. She was someone who could spin a good yarn. A great communicator, as they say. But we all got sick of that. And, as Thomas Coughlan points out in the NZ Herald, Paul Henry's announcement yesterday was a communications “masterclass”. Thomas writes: “After a brief introduction from Seymour, Henry gave probably one of the best ‘new job' press conferences since Dame Jacinda Ardern's famous 2017 effort after becoming Labour leader.” He does point out, though, that there were some differences. Yesterday, Paul Henry wasn't facing the full gallery of political journalists. He didn't need to defend any policies. And he didn't have to look like he could credibly be Prime Minister in a matter of weeks. Nevertheless, he made a good fist of it. Which you would expect from someone who's been in the public eye for yonks. Who is well used to talking about himself in front of an audience and who has a truckload of experience in the live broadcast environment. Where you have to think on your feet all the time. No wonder David Seymour and the ACT Party welcomed him with open arms. Because they need him way more than he needs them. And he has said as much. But I thought, after the Jacinda Ardern experience, that we were over celebrity politicians. I certainly am. Which is why I can't get excited about Paul Henry potentially being in Parliament after this year's election. Because I don't care about charisma. All I care about is substance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you no doubt will have heard, yesterday we lost perhaps the finest actor New Zealand has ever produced, Sir Sam Neill, at the age of 78. From Kiwi classics like 'Sleeping Dogs' and 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', to arthouse darlings like 'Possession', and blockbuster hits like 'Jurassic Park', the breadth of Sam's career was astonishing. Tributes have been pouring in from around the world today from the likes of Steven Speilberg, Jeff Goldblum, Toni Collette, Cillian Murphy, Jacinda Ardern, Christopher Luxon. Kiwi screen legend and a close friend of Sam's Ginette McDonald spoke to Emile. [picture id="4JLJJFY_GettyImages_129738219_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Christopher Luxon just delivered one of the most animated speeches of his prime ministership to 10,000 Kiwi Indians at Spark Arena. He went all out, laying down massive praise for the community. But not everyone is happy. Coalition partner Shane Jones is calling out immigration overreach, and some viewers feel regular Kiwis were completely thrown under the bus. We look at the tight politics behind it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National has fallen to its lowest level of support under Christopher Luxon in the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll. The party is now sitting on 28.7 percent - down 2.1 percent since March. Brigitte Morten, Managing Director of law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government spoke to John Campbell.

Kiwi screen legend Sir Sam Neill has died, aged 78. News of the Jurassic Park star's death was confirmed today on social media. "It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” the post read.A growing number of NZers are experiencing homelessness with 33,000 children are living in "severe housing hardship" and NZ has seen a dramatic increase since 2022David Seymour filled in for Christopher Luxon on Newstalk ZB this morning where he spoke about the Indian FTA and why Winston Peters is so very against it, the economy and the failure of the RoNS++++++++++++++++++++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/

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jetted in and out of New Zealand over the weekend, meeting with Christopher Luxon and members of the business community. Among those welcoming the closer ties is chair of the Maori-led trade body, Te Taumata Maori, Hone McGregor, who's also Chair of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Hone McGregor spoke to John Campbell.

The Prime Minister discusses Marsden Point fuel security, South Island flood recovery and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit. He also rejects calls to phase out synthetic fertiliser and backs televising the Young Farmer of the Year contest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish McKay talks to Christopher Luxon, Adam McManaway, Emma Higgins, and Brian Dela Rue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour has announced their SolarSaver policy looking to make access to solar panels easier and more affordable. National has claimed Labour is copying them, but we wonder if this new policy by Labour is "GST off fruit and veggies Mark 2" leading to a pretty insignificant improvement in the weekly finances of those hit the hardest with the cost-of-living crisis.Christopher Luxon fronted up to a rare public meeting in Whangārei last night, where about 300 locals showed up to hear what he had to say. The National leader acknowledged it has been a tough few years, but pointed out areas where he felt his party had succeeded.Marama Davidson educates David Seymour and Ryan Bridge when the two of them were very flippant about the Greens Drink, Swim, Fish policy in a clam and precises manner which demonstrated exactly why right-wing talking points fall over after the slightest scrutiny++++++++++++++++++++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/

Weekly interview with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon; Waitaki District declares state of emergency; Health NZ boss discusses strain on system at winter; Genesis chief discusses growing energy cost concerns; Young Farmer of the Year winner, Tom Slee

The Prime Minister says sport will likely be top of mind for his Indian counterpart when he visits this week. Narendra Modi will fly into Auckland on Friday for a one day visit - marking our first visit of an Indian leader in 40 years. He's set to hold a bilateral with Chris Luxon, meet business leaders and attend an Indian-New Zealand community event. Luxon told Mike Hosking that Modi is really interested in sport. He says they want to host the 2036 Olympics and are interested in our high-tech sports approach. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish McKay talks to Christopher Luxon, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, Lawrence Field, Chris Russell, and Nick Carr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister on a buoyant primary sector and how New Zealand’s Michelin-star-winning restaurants benefit tourism. Plus, the OCR, how heavy machinery rules affect farmers, and the Treasury Performance Improvement Review. And how is Police Minister Mark Mitchell doing after breaking his ribs at a charity rugby match?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish McKay talks to Christopher Luxon, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, Nick Beeby, and Lawrence Field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Bridge went full gangsta mode against Brian Tamaki making it clear of the hypocrisy that Tamaki is involved with and how any normal New Zealander would see his actions as concerning for someone who have numerous firearmsChloe Swarbrick and David Seymour clashed this morning over school lunches and lazy beneficiaries who fall asleep during the work afternoon "because of the P"The Ombudsman has upheld a complaint against the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for its handling of an official information request, which resulted in a document showing industry lobbyists met with Christopher Luxon's chief policy adviser not being released.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Weekly interview with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon; McAnulty discusses Labour's roadmap to election; Power bills rise again as network charges increase; Auckland City Missioner discusses emergency housing statistics; Suzy Cato discusses Children's Music Awards with John Campbell

The Prime Minister says the Government's about-turn on conservation reform, came down to a mistake in wording. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has scrapped a controversial clause in the Government's reform, that would have allowed sales of protected land. It follows public outcry, over Forest and Bird maps showing a large amount of land could be sold off under the clause. Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking that the wording of the clause didn't reflect the Government's intentions. He says the Government has made a mistake, and has corrected it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer has walked out from Downing Street and said it's all over, meaning Andy Burnham is almost certain to be the next UK PM, the seventh since 2016. Why did Starmer fail, who is Burnham, and is this all really about Nigel Farage and Reform? Toby talks to UK-based NZ journalist Richard Adams about the latest drama, and asks whether Christopher Luxon could learn anything.Plus: In How Good, Lyric Waiwiri-Smith reveals what she has learned about British romance from two powerful texts: Jane Austen's Persuasion and Love Island UK.At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Jin Fellet and The Spinoff. Read more at ⁠thespinoff.co.nz⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekly interview with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon; Chloe Swarbrick discusses Green Party's new tax policy; National has announced changes to KiwiSaver at its AGM; Poll finds strong opposition to selling conservation land; Supply issues continue to hit pharmacies

The Prime Minister's blasting the Greens' wealth tax, saying it would make Kiwis poorer and drive away investment. The party's proposing a 2.5% tax on net assets above 10 million dollars, excluding the family home - alongside income tax cuts for people earning under %160,000 dollars. Chris Luxon says National's focused on growing the economy, while Labour has an 18-billion-dollar hole in its plans. He told Mike Hosking that Labour would have to cover it through higher taxes or more debt, while their partner is coming out with financial lunacy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister and National Party faithful are gathering in Wellington for the party's 90th annual conference. With less than five months until the election, the biggest party in parliament is preparing to switch into campaign mode, with Christopher Luxon set to announce new policies. 1News senior political reporter Benedict Collins joins Q+A live from Wellington. 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.

Helen Clark: New Zealand's unsolved problems and fragile peace in Iran Productivity, sensible taxation and the ballooning cost of superannuation are among the uniquely thorny, long-lasting issues that New Zealand hasn't been able to conquer. It's a politically-motivated cycle of short-term flip-flopping on these important issues that The Helen Clark Foundation's new book, Facing Up To Our Future, diagnoses as the problem - released, strategically, in a general election year. Former prime minister Helen Clark joins Q+A to speak to the book's message, and to the latest developments from the war in Iran, where a MOU toward a peace deal has been signed between Iran and the US, but the Strait of Hormuz has shuttered again as Israel strikes Lebanon. Live from National's 90th annual party conference The Prime Minister and National Party faithful are gathering in Wellington for the party's 90th annual conference. With less than five months until the election, the biggest party in parliament is preparing to switch into campaign mode, with Christopher Luxon set to announce new policies. 1News senior political reporter Benedict Collins joins Q+A live from Wellington. Real estate agents, doctors shouldn't be punished for free speech: ACT policy The ACT Party has introduced a new campaign policy which it says will stop professional regulatory bodies - like the Medical Council, or Real Estate Agents Authority - from policing workers' privately-held beliefs. ACT says these regulators are increasingly overstepping their statutory roles and enforcing ideological views across their industry. ACT MP Simon Court joins Q+A. Will newcomer Andy Burnham oust PM Sir Keir Starmer? Yet another challenge has been made to the embattled UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. Former Manchester mayor and newly-elected Labour MP Andy Burnham is calling on the PM to consider his options for a handover of power just two years into the government's five-year term, the legacy party searching for renewed energy in the face of surging support for Nigel Farage's Reform party. 1News UK correspondent Kate Nicol-Williams joins Q+A from London. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

The PM ponders Fieldays, "friendly fire" from Winston and whether wilding pines should attract carbon credits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Jane Smith, Tom Slee, Bruce Weir, and Mike McIntyre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekly interview with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon; Labour's Barbara Edmonds speaks to John Campbell; Kelly Eckhold discusses how Iran war is impacting NZ economy; Paul Spoonley discusses Swiss vote on population cap; New Lower Hutt clinic inundated with enrolment interest

The Prime Minister says if the Government introduces a Bed Tax, it wants to ensure it does it the right way. An Auckland regional deal, signed by the council and the Government, includes a promise to look into a tax next year. Mayor Wayne Brown has been campaigning for the bed night levy on visitors - arguing it would help fund destination marketing and events. Christopher Luxon says there are a lot of conversations to be had. He says it's a question of whether it should be a national tax, as travellers may be frustrated with different levies in different regions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest story of the week hit on Wednesday. And no, the biggest story of the week wasn't fare caps on public transport. I mean, that was - they say - a $65 million policy that I reckon is three times that, but it wasn't the big one. It wasn't whether or not Labour had a tent at Fieldays either. I mean, hello - come on. It was when Christopher Luxon released a $51 million policy to accelerate the rollout of technologies onto farms to reduce emissions and remain competitive in the global market. This is the policy that Winston Peters has come out and questioned: “Why are we doing this? Why are we doing this? Why are we doing this?” I'll tell you why in a moment, Winston. But it wasn't actually the policy itself that was big. It was the Prime Minister saying we will not be buying $5 billion worth of carbon credits because we are looking like failing to meet the targets we agreed to under the Paris Climate Accord. Can I repeat? He said we will not be buying $5 billion worth of carbon credits - despite what Winston says today. But he did say, on the emissions targets, “We haven't given up”, and that hitting emissions targets is hard. Then he said, “But we'll give them a good go.” How Kiwi is that? Now look, Winston, this is no great shame. No industrialised economies - like the US, the EU as a whole, or the big emitters - are on track for a two-degree Celsius pathway based on their actual policies. They're not hitting the targets. And the Paris Agreement is exactly what it says it is: an agreement. But remember, we retain our sovereignty - our right to do what we see fit and what we're able to do. Just the same way that the United Nations has no real authority over us, despite what you'll hear from right-wing commentators and a plethora of talkback callers who say they're controlling us and our sovereignty. No, they're not. They make suggestions. We then decide what we're going to do. The Prime Minister has decided we will not pay $5 billion for carbon credits because we're not going to meet the targets we signed up to under the Paris Climate Accord. At the same stand-up, Todd McClay said the job of emissions reduction is a responsibility of farmers. It's not the government's job to force change. Here's $51 million for you to find some way to cut your emissions a bit. Give it a good go, mate. Give it a good go. And that is a message that most farmers will welcome. They hate being portrayed as wreckers of the environment when the environment is at the heart of their business. They want to do something - give them some money to do it - but don't tell them they're not doing enough. It's also important to signal to overseas markets - which are becoming leery of buying New Zealand products because of our carbon footprint - that we're still committed to making changes and that we are trying. Labour and the Greens' hard hits on the way we farm and generate energy, I thought, did far more damage to New Zealand Inc than they did in helping the environment. So I'm happy to give it a good go without killing the goose that lays the golden egg, and I think farmers are too. And I think the Prime Minister got the balance right. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie talks to Christopher Luxon and Todd McClay, Ray Smith, Kate Acland and Kate Scott, and Winston Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has said he will not paying the billions of dollars Treasury estimates is needed for New Zealand to meet its climate commitments. Treasury today said it could cost up to $5 billion to pay for overseas carbon credits, to meet a shortfall in the country's pledge to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. At Fieldays in Hamilton, Christopher Luxon said New Zealand was staying in the Paris Agreement but the government won't chase emissions reductions at the expense of economic growth. Climate change correspondent Kate Newton reports.

Fieldays day one: Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Todd McClay, Todd Charteris, Lawrence Meredith, Tim Ewing-Jarvie, Sam Whitelock, Mark de Lautour, and Dominic Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country catches up with the Prime Minister by phone and the Minister of Agriculture in person at Fieldays. McClay talks about the “Minister of Agriculture Future Leaders Scholarship”, backing three emerging primary sector leaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inoltre: nuovo attacco israeliano a Gaza causa la morte di sette persone tra cui due donne e un bambino; incontro tra il primo ministro neozelandese Christopher Luxon e Anthony Albanese: nello sport: prezioso pareggio (1-1) tra Australia e Svizzera in vista dei prossimi Campionati del mondo; Kimi Antonelli parte in pole position al GP di Monaco.

Is it just me, or did anyone else notice what a contrast it was watching Christopher Luxon cracking jokes with Anthony Albanese, compared to what it was like when Jacinda Ardern visited Australia? For all her kindness and communication when she was Prime Minister, she would use those trips to Australia to give then–Prime Minister Scott Morrison a tongue-lashing—usually over the 501 deportees, which was pointless because the Aussies weren't going to change their minds. This weekend, though, was a bit of a love-in. And that's despite the fact that we've done something that could genuinely have upset the Aussies. Because Nicola Willis has probably gone a bit too hard, having cracks at them for their capital gains tax changes in their budget—which they're very sensitive about, because they're copping huge blowback. And yet…it was no drama. Albanese wrote it off as cheekiness. And then, instead of yet another trans-Tasman drama, he was cracking jokes with Luxon about Kiwi immigrants. They were taking turns going first with the questions, and they were affirming each other—welcoming closer ties, strengthening shared resilience. It's turning into a bit of a cliché thing to say now, but Luxon is in his element overseas. He sounded every bit the statesman—someone who has thought deeply about the degrading state of international affairs and what New Zealand needs to do to weather the coming storm. And I thought, as I listened to him pitch how kick-ass Australia and New Zealand are going to be, that he was doing a better job of selling Australasia to the world than the Prime Minister of Australia was. He's a big-ideas guy—selling his country and his region and getting on with people is his party trick. Isn't that a better strategy, when you think about it, than always fighting with your only ally? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 8th of June with Heather du Plessis-Allan, we get to the bottom of the "secret spending" from the Budget. The Prime Minister reckons it's not all that exciting. Christopher Luxon also talks his Australia trip and whether the government is going to go further in stopping unelected members voting on local councils. Heather also finds out why only four percent of eligible people are donating plasma. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the Super Rugby playoffs and Heather's netball experience on the Commentary Box. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to chat about his Australia trip. Lat week, after it was announced four New Zealand MPs would be banned from China for a year, Australia commented condemning China's decision. Luxon responded saying it was not a matter for Australia to be involved in, but today he stated he was 'appreciative' of the support anyway. A focus of the trip was economic integration in a 'volatile world', including facilitating infrastructure partnerships. Luxon said "my job on those things is to be like the super salesman for New Zealand, really is how I look at the international part of my job." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tainui leader Tukoroirangi Morgan has claimed at the Waitangi Tribunal that Christopher Luxon's National-led government is the most racist New Zealand has ever seen. Duncan Garner says it is time to call this out and hold Tuku's feet to the fire because the claim simply doesn't survive contact with reality. To call this political landscape the most discriminatory in our history means completely forgetting the past. We look back at the Foreshore and Seabed legislation under Helen Clark's Labour government, which actually stripped Māori of their legal rights to have customary claims tested in court. That was real discrimination that fractured relationships and birthed the Māori Party. This current government continues to fund Māori language education, kura kaupapa schools, Te Māngai Pāho, housing projects, and fully protects the budget for Te Matatini while other departments face massive cuts. Disagree with co-governance debates all you want, but calling this racial persecution is ridiculous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Prime Minister ponders his Fieldays plans, the latest Roy Morgan poll, and whether we are freeloading on defence spending. Plus, should we remain nuclear-free, and why should we even contemplate bailing out Moana Pasifika?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Matt Bolger, Mia Ryan, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 2nd of June with Heather du Plessis-Allan, the number of times school staff are having to physically restrain students has risen. The Prime Minister joins on a Tuesday to respond to Pete Hegseth's "freeloading" comments and discusses what they're going to do with superannuation in this year's election. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville take us through the long weekend of sport, including the game of the NRL season so far between the Warriors and Panthers. 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.

“We choose our defence spending and no one else,” the Prime Minister says as the United States continues to pressure other nations, including New Zealand, to increase military spending. Speaking with Heather du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast, Christoper Luxon has backed New Zealand's defence spending. Luxon denied New Zealand is “freeloading” off America after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired comments at New Zealand over the weekend. “We choose our defence spending and no one else,” Luxon said. “I'm damn proud we're doubling [the budget] it's been run down over 30 years and it's a big job building it back.” He said spending 2.5% of the country's GDP on defence was “a start and a good place for us to get to” in wake of recent conflict. Luxon confirmed New Zealand is going to maintain its nuclear-free position. “It's [nuclear-free] one of the best things we've done. “I'm very proud and it isn't changing while I'm prime minister. Period.” Over the long weekend, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue defence and security conference that New Zealand was “freeloading” off the US military. The claim came in response to a question from Kiwi journalist Anna Fifield, after Hegseth said allies that “refuse to stand up and carry their weight for our collective defence will face a clear shift in how we do business”. At the Singapore conference, Hegseth said he expected allied governments to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence. Last week's Budget outlined how New Zealand will boost defence spending to just over 2% of GDP over eight years. Fifield asked Hegseth if that meant New Zealand was considered a “free rider”. Hegseth said 2% of GDP was not enough, so “2% is freeloading” – though he also said New Zealand and the US' relationship had been “a very fruitful one for a very long time”. Allies couldn't just say: “‘Oh, we've been friends for a long time, so let's work together',” Hegseth said. “It's: ‘We've been friends for a long time so you better have the same visibility as we do, because if we don't, our alliance is meaningless'.” Hegseth also said he didn't have anything against New Zealand and was looking forward to working with New Zealand's Defence Minister and ”enhancing capabilities". Defence Minister Chris Penk was in the audience. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Emma Higgins, Christopher Luxon, David Buick, Richard Allen, and Jane Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio this morning for their weekly chat. With the budget coming up this week they spoke about the pre-budget announcements so far, and what's yet to come. Luxon said that more spending announcements will be revealed on Thursday, but the budget is strict. "That's what we have to have, good fiscal financial discipline year in year out in order to get the ship, you know, the books back in order again." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon has jumped into the immigration debate, promising a careful approach, putting social cohesion ahead of business profit. It's already prompted scepticism from his coalition partner New Zealand First - which says the India free trade deal suggests otherwise. The Prime Minister made the comments in a speech to business leaders in Auckland this morning, also signalling a tighter-than-expected Budget to land in two weeks' time. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.