Podcast appearances and mentions of David Seymour

David Seymour has explained what we're missing out on by not investing in the medicinal cannabis industry. The ACT Leader's looking at further improvements to speed up processing for exports of the plant, which he believes could one day rival the wine industry. He's open to improving regulation domestically as well. David Seymour told Mike Hosking they want to simplify the process it takes to get a licence. He says regardless of what people might think of the plant, there's a market for it, it's worth several hundred million dollars to the economy, and creates jobs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 6th of March, will New Zealand pull the trigger on a youth social media ban at the select committee's recommendation? Could New Zealand become a powerhouse when it comes to medicinal cannabis? David Seymour thinks so. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson go down memory lane as they Wrap the Week. Well, Mike and Tim do anyway. 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.

Imagine applying for 1000 jobs in New Zealand and getting nowhere, only to find more opportunities in Siberia. Tony joins us to share his sobering reality of leaving home for Russia just to survive on one income. Plus, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour joins Duncan to discuss the Iranian invasion, the upcoming budget, and why he wants to time-limit welfare benefits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I heard David Seymour talking up the potential of New Zealand's medicinal cannabis industry, I was immediately transported to a world where the Far North was once again a thriving powerhouse of the New Zealand economy, as it used to be. Where bright young people could get meaningful jobs without having to leave home, where once again New Zealand's brilliant scientists combined with primary producers, just as they do in agriculture, to innovate and disrupt. Now, I realise I was getting a little ahead of myself, but only a bit. The medicinal cannabis export business is growing. A Ministry of Health paper released under the Official Information Act showed we exported more than a tonne of cannabis flower in 2024. That document was obtained by Newstalk ZB and showed that was more than double the 485.6 kilograms exported in 2023 So, you know, there is potential for growth there. I had the pleasure of visiting ANTG's cannabis growing facility in Armidale in New South Wales towards the end of last year. I had no idea what I was expecting to see when I went to see a cannabis growing lab, but it was just like visiting a high-level medical research lab, which is what it is. It's not a couple of old stoners growing some weed in the back garden. The security is military level. The level of hygiene and sanitation is exactly as you'd expect to see in a medical laboratory. Before you go in to where the bud has been dried and then is taken off the plant and put into the sterilised capsules to be sent off to its buyers, you have to go into a hermetically sealed room and then you have to put on outerwear and outer shoes and masks and then you can only go through one at a time. You're not allowed to pick anything up or put anything in your pocket. When you come back, you have to take off your outerwear. Like, it's the full rig. It's a full operation, as it should be. There's an entire research branch where you've got young graduates and young doctorate young people going through their doctorates working on they're either working in medicine, alternative therapies, horticulture, so there's a wide range of skills where they've been given research grants to either come up with ways of alleviating common conditions, get more out of the plant itself, find new ways of growing that are more that need less electricity or, you know, less of the anyway, it was amazing. I can't even begin to explain what I saw. Unless you've seen it, you probably unless you have been to something like this, you probably wouldn't appreciate the level of sophistication, the level of technology, the level of security that goes into exporting cannabis. We're so used to seeing cannabis as a way of gangs making money and people being sent to jail and it being something dirty and underhand. It's a complete reset of your thinking when you see it in this particular setting and this particular environment. In an interview, Seymour noted that people have said the industry could be the new high value export similar to New Zealand's wine industry. He said medicinal cannabis is some people's drug of choice and they're prepared to pay a lot of money for it. New Zealand could become, just as we are with wine, a high value powerhouse. He said the Government was looking to give exporters more permanent licenses to reduce red tape and bureaucracy and saw the rise in exports as a positive for the New Zealand economy. We need to get money into the country. Not everybody likes this stuff, but there is definitely a market for it, Seymour said. I would venture to suggest that not everybody likes the idea of cannabis being sold as a recreational drug. Some people really don't like that. Some people don't like the stuff because it's gang currency. Some people don't like the stuff because there are turf wars over it. But that's illegal cannabis. What we're talking about is medicinal cannabis, which is a whole universe away from the underhand drug dealing that goes on and is undertaken by gangs. This is next level with doctors, with scientists, with horticulturalists, with exporters putting their back into it and turning it into a billion-dollar industry. I think Seymour's quite right. I think we need to get absolutely in behind it and the very areas that would grow it best, where the investment should be, are the areas that need the jobs and the economic boost the most. The place I visited in New South Wales is just one of many, but is in a small rural area. Their primary industry appears to be private schools where farmers' daughters can take themselves and their ponies and be educated. And apart from that, it's medicinal cannabis. And it keeps really bright young minds in the district. There's a university there and the really bright ones get the research grants to be able to stay and work on cures for epilepsy and irritable bowel syndrome. There's a whole range of things they're working on. So I'm all for it. I see a golden future or a green-gold future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Other countries are using our medicinal cannabis products more than we are. ACT leader David Seymour says he's looking at further improvements to speed up processing for exports of the plant, which he believes could one day rival the wine industry. He is open to improving regulation domestically as well. Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher told Ryan Bridge there's are a lot of companies growing the plant locally. He says that product is being sent offshore, in forms people can't get in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 6th of March 2025, a parliamentary committee's final report in online youth harm recommends a social media ban for under 16 year olds, Dr Parmjeet Parmar who represents Act on the committee says she was hoping for a different outcome. The Formula One 2026 season kicks off in Melbourne today, NZ Herald sports reporter Alex Powell joins Ryan from Melbourne. David Seymour thinks the medicinal Cannabis industry could be an untapped goldmine, with export levels similar to our wine industry, Cannabis Clinic CEO Waseem Alzaher shares his thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Keir Starmer announcing the UK will send four fighter jets to Qatar to strengthen UK defensive operations and Spain pushing back against the White House's claim that it agreed to cooperate militarily with Washington amid the conflict with Iran. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The medicinal cannabis industry could be worth billions of dollars to the country in the not-so-distant future, if regulation's improved. ACT leader David Seymour says he's looking at further improvements to speed up processing for exports of the plant. He's open to improving regulation domestically as well. Co-founder of NUBU Pharmaceuticals Mark Dye told Kerre Woodham New Zealand was one of the first countries to start cultivating cannabis for medical use. He says the sooner we lean into it, and back it, the sooner New Zealand could become known one of the best cannabis growing regions in the world. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 57 part 2, we continue out chat with The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Following on from last week, we get deeper into his past two years as Prime Minister, the recent India Free Trade Agreement, and whether he would work another term alongside coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour. There is no escaping Christopher Luxon’s aspiration for New Zealand nor his passion for the role that he now occupies. He’s driven by outcomes rather than slogans and that reflects in his attitude about the election campaign ahead. And if he could flick a switch, what’s the one thing he would like to change?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rev Scottie Reeve is an Anglican priest, host of the 21 Elephants podcast and a social entrepreneur from Wellington. and joins us LIVE tonight at 9pm to talk about the idea coming out of the US that the war in Iran is, as one Military Commander said, a ‘Part Of God's Divine Plan'. The Commander had a “big grin” on his face while saying Donald Trump “has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran."David Seymour and Marama Davidson joined Ryan Bridge this morning on HeraldNOW to talk Air New Zealand losses and US/Israeli strikes on IranWinston Peters has finally publicly commented on the actions of the US and Israel and subsequent war in the Middle East and on the PM's inability to be clear in his messaging around what NZ's official response to that war is ++++++++++++++++++++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/

The Deputy Prime Minister and Act Party leader comments on Trump’s bombing, Trump’s tariffs, “degenerate dog owners” in Northland, and selling Air New Zealand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Wayne Langford, Bruce Weir, Riley Kennedy, and Phil Duncan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is disagreement between the ACT and NZ First leader over the Government's stake in Air New Zealand. ACT Leader David Seymour proposed selling the Government's stake, which Winston Peters called 'economic lunacy'. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'David Seymour and Winston Peters have never seen eye to eye at all and it's remarkable really that both have been part of the same cabinet for two years.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to see regional routes kept, despite Air New Zealand's poor financial showing. Some regional flights could be axed or scaled back in response to the company's $40million half-year loss. Act leader David Seymour has called for the Government to sell its majority shareholding in the airline, which New Zealand First's Winston Peters calls economic lunacy. Associate Transport Minister James Meager told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Air New Zealand should consider efficiencies.He says there are some commercial decisions they could make, and hopes scrapping regional connectivity is not one of them LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political correspondent wraps the week as Winston Peters and David Seymour disagree once again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy Prime Minister has got his own safety message for Air New Zealand after the airline posted a $40 million loss for the six months ended December. David Seymour has described the national carrier's ticket prices as "crazy", and has renewed his call for the government to sell its 51 percent stake in Air New Zealand. Deputy Prime Minister and ACT leader David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Winston Peters responds to David Seymour's calls for the government to sell its shares in Air New Zealand. He spoke to Corin Dann.

The asset sale discussion is rearing its head, with the ACT leader asking whether Air New Zealand should be owned by the government. Political reporter Lillian Hanly reports.

This morning we took a look at Air New Zealand's multi-million dollar loss, with one analyst telling us the company will be looking at its labour costs; Plus, Winston Peters responded to David Seymour's calls for the government to sell its shares in the airline; We spoke to the Child Poverty Action Group following new figures that show the number of children living in material hardship has reached a ten year high; There's L plates for learner drivers, but one Auckland man has created S plates for senior drivers. We spoke to him to find out why; And, we wrap up our pulse of the economy series by taking a look at the screen industry to see how it's placed in 2026.

There is no doubt that Air New Zealand has issues. In a week of company reports, the vast majority contained good news. Air New Zealand was a glaring exception. A national airline losing money in an industry that is booming doesn't make sense. They have engine issues – that is real and it's not over. They have eight grounded planes and planes that don't fly don't make money. They have issues getting planes, but that has been applicable to everyone. So it's a perfect storm of sorts. But if you read the report the engine compensation was $55 million, but the bottom line would have been $90 million if the engines were on the plane. But add $90 million to the loss and you still aren't making a lot of profit. They blame domestic demand, or lack of it. They blame increased charges and they are real. The cost-plus-accounting of landing charges and so on is not only material, but criminal, and the Government as a main shareholder needs to do more. Then enter David Seymour in election year who says we should sell the thing. "Go woke, go broke" and "they are too politically motivated," says Seymour. Seymour is wrong. We need a national airline. Just imagine the sale to a private operator and the thing tanks. A country needs an air network and Jetstar isn't it. The Government has saved Air New Zealand before, they could do it again as a country with no airline is not a country. But that doesn't mean Seymour is completely wrong; Air New Zealand is woke and it does have reputational issues. It has focused on uniforms and departure videos to a degree that is laughable. The great airlines like Emirates, Singapore, and Qatar have ordinary uniforms and ordinary videos, but world class product and a shedload of profit. That is where Air New Zealand is badly missing. Too often they charge first-world prices for budget services and domestically the services are not reliable enough. There is a line between their genuine issues and their brand issues. They do have problems, but they also don't look like all they could be and haven't for years. Some of it is a small country with a small population. Some of it is too much purple and too much PR around Cassava crisps and $800 flights to small towns. The CEO has a hell of a job. The turnaround, they say, is coming. If you read this week's report, I don't see it yet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 26 February, 2026, we talk to Air New Zealand's boss about its net loss of $40 million and ask if David Seymour's right when he says: "Go woke, go broke." How much the Government's making from clamping cars when people fail to pay fines. We look at why men are far more likely to own the home they live in than women. And on The Huddle, Clare de Lore and Ali Jones discuss why many people are happy to see Jacinda Ardern living in Australia. 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.

So David Seymour's right about Air New Zealand - but he's also wrong about Air New Zealand. Before we get to why, let me bring you up to speed on what's happened with the airline today, because the news is not good. Air New Zealand has posted a half-year result showing a $59 million pre-tax loss, which is slightly worse than expected. And to be fair to Air New Zealand, a lot of this really isn't their fault. They've had not one, but two engine types in their fleet causing them trouble. And the economic downturn we're experiencing in New Zealand - the worst in most of our lifetimes, you have to go back more than 50 years to find anything as bad - directly affects their earnings. If we don't have money, we're certainly not spending money on flights. But some of this is their fault. They're squandering customer loyalty with poor on-time performance and a tired, diminished Koru Club offering. And this is where David Seymour is right when he says, “Go woke, go broke.” Because part of the reason Air New Zealand is losing customers to Jetstar is that there are people who no longer want to pay for Koru Club. The offering has slid from the good old days. You can't even - and this bugs people more than the airline ever seemed to realise - go into the lounge, ask for a coffee, and take it away like you can at a café. There are no takeaway coffees because Air New Zealand doesn't want paper cups going on planes. Paper cups are bad for the environment… when you're flying planes. They've wasted time and money trialling an electric aircraft they don't actually know how to integrate into their fleet. And they're constantly lecturing the government about sustainable aviation fuel - SAF - which is more expensive than standard jet fuel, and standard jet fuel is already extremely expensive right now. But here's where David Seymour is wrong - he says the solution is to sell down the Government's 51 percent stake in Air New Zealand. We can't do that. We are an isolated island nation. There are only two ways to get here - by boat or by plane, and we all know which one people actually use. We need to own those planes to make sure they keep flying. If we learned anything during COVID, it's that Air New Zealand effectively became a logistics lifeline and repatriation service for the entire country. So yes, David Seymour is part right and part wrong. We do need Air New Zealand to stop the distractions and start doing its job properly. And we do need it to remain in New Zealand hands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Air New Zealand recently posted a multi-million net loss, and it's prompted David Seymour to urge the Government to sell down shares in the airline. Do we think this is the right move? What's gone wrong here? New data from Cotality shows women are lagging behind men when it comes to home ownership. Why do we think this is? Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made the jump across the ditch and has been spotted house-hunting in Sydney. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So David Seymour's right about Air New Zealand - but he's also wrong about Air New Zealand. Before we get to why, let me bring you up to speed on what's happened with the airline today, because the news is not good. Air New Zealand has posted a half-year result showing a $59 million pre-tax loss, which is slightly worse than expected. And to be fair to Air New Zealand, a lot of this really isn't their fault. They've had not one, but two engine types in their fleet causing them trouble. And the economic downturn we're experiencing in New Zealand - the worst in most of our lifetimes, you have to go back more than 50 years to find anything as bad - directly affects their earnings. If we don't have money, we're certainly not spending money on flights. But some of this is their fault. They're squandering customer loyalty with poor on-time performance and a tired, diminished Koru Club offering. And this is where David Seymour is right when he says, “Go woke, go broke.” Because part of the reason Air New Zealand is losing customers to Jetstar is that there are people who no longer want to pay for Koru Club. The offering has slid from the good old days. You can't even - and this bugs people more than the airline ever seemed to realise - go into the lounge, ask for a coffee, and take it away like you can at a café. There are no takeaway coffees because Air New Zealand doesn't want paper cups going on planes. Paper cups are bad for the environment… when you're flying planes. They've wasted time and money trialling an electric aircraft they don't actually know how to integrate into their fleet. And they're constantly lecturing the government about sustainable aviation fuel - SAF - which is more expensive than standard jet fuel, and standard jet fuel is already extremely expensive right now. But here's where David Seymour is wrong - he says the solution is to sell down the Government's 51 percent stake in Air New Zealand. We can't do that. We are an isolated island nation. There are only two ways to get here - by boat or by plane, and we all know which one people actually use. We need to own those planes to make sure they keep flying. If we learned anything during COVID, it's that Air New Zealand effectively became a logistics lifeline and repatriation service for the entire country. So yes, David Seymour is part right and part wrong. We do need Air New Zealand to stop the distractions and start doing its job properly. And we do need it to remain in New Zealand hands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week for Friday Faceoff Nick is joined in the studio by former Wellington mayor Justin Lester and playwright and columnist Dave Armstrong. They faceoff on the biggest issues of the week, starting with the $40million net loss for Air New Zealand. David Seymour says the government should sell their shares. Our panel talk about what needs to change, and what the government should do. Then would our guests swim at Lyall Bay? They faceoff about the ongoing issues of Moa Point, particularly the lifting of the swim restrictions - is it too soon? Plus Lester and Armstrong get into the rough sleeping move on order debate, Health NZ handing out vapes to smokers and the performance of the Phoenix last game - what would it take for a win with their new manager? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If I was asked whether I'd back Defence Force professionals over politicians on Defence protocols and training, I'd back the professionals every time. ACT and New Zealand First, Winston and David, have asked questions of the Defence Minister Judith Collins on the amount of Māori culture, lore and language which is part of the Defence Force's preparation for combat. This is not a new complaint. Questions about Karakia and haka come up from time to time. Some see this a against the old God, King and country ideal. But the Defence force has always used Māori tikanga to build cohesiveness. They use haka to bring the forces together. It's a war dance after all. They use Karakia, Powhiri and other tikanga Māori a lot because a lot of Māori serve in the defence forces. Proportionately more than other segment of the population. It's part of their organizational identity because the culture is unique to New Zealand and therefore beneficial in bonding the team. And when serving in multi-national military actions it differentiates us from all the other grunts with guns. The question is whether all this multi-cultural woke stuff detracts from making us fighting fit. Well, I'd like to see David Seymour say that to a Māori SAS officer. And we've had race-based military before. The Māori battalion. And they made us proud and the world take notice. The military has always embraced Māori culture because they see it as a strength and not a weakness. It's only performative politicians in their shiny suits in election year that sees Māori culture in the Defence Force as a problem. As any of the 150,000 people at the Edinburgh Military tattoo over the weekend will tell you. The Māori stuff is well liked and is respected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac is proposing funding two new leukaemia medications in pill form from May. It could relieve pressure for hospitals. It could also apply to people currently paying for it, who'd receive funding for the treatment in a private hospital - subject to meeting criteria. Associate Health Minister David Seymour says Pharmac will sign off on this - and it's likely this will move forward. "There'll be two new blood cancer medicines and they'll help an estimated 80-90 people every five years, with what is quite a rare, but brutal disorder." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act MP Todd Stephenson has been looking to improve and extend the End of Life Bill since around August of last year. His new bill, for which he's seeking support across the House or has his fingers crossed it'll be drawn from the ballot, would incorporate every single recommendation made by the Ministry of Health's review into the End of Life Choice Act. He wants to restore the original intent of David Seymour's earlier member's bill by addressing what he calls the overly restrictive six-month prognosis requirement. So along with the recommendations, he wants to see the End of Life Bill extended. He says the narrow threshold has excluded people with terminal diagnoses who are suffering intolerably despite being in an irreversible decline. They are not going to get better. It's just going to take them a very long time to die. His new and improved bill would replace the arbitrary cutoff at six months with a test that reflects what he calls medical reality, recognising that death doesn't always follow a calendar. The review into the Act, which was released at the end of 2024 found that the Act was working pretty much as it was intended. More than 2,400 people had requested an assisted death at the time of the review. More than 970 had received an assisted death since the Act came into force on the 7th of November in 2021. There were some minor tweaks that could be made and those would be incorporated into Todd Stephenson's bill, but overall, the review found that the bill was achieving its primary purpose. However, a report out today from Alex Penk, who is the CEO of Ethos, a registered charity that offers advice, advocacy and education to promote the rights of conscience, religion and belief, says the law already goes too far and certainly does not need to be extended. The report, Penk's report, says assisted dying is already highly controversial. He says most doctors don't want to be involved. I can certainly believe that some doctors would not want to be involved, but I'd be interested to know if that is in fact correct. There would be a range of views across the medical profession when it comes to assisted dying, just as there is in the general population. I can understand some who would not want a bar of it and some who would be happy and see it as a as a generous service. Penk says the bill would introduce euthanasia for long term conditions and disabilities like chronic heart conditions, frailty, diabetes, renal failure, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. He says this would force doctors and care facilities into more conscience conflicts. He says doctors have to use ethical judgment all the time, but the bill sends a message they're just supposed to do what the State tells them and there'll be a real risk it'll force ethically minded people out of medicine. I cannot see it as the State dictating. How is the State dictating? The State has put a framework in place to ensure that it's only the person who wants assisted dying who can make that request. They have to go through hoops before they can be granted that request. It's not automatic. There are really strict criteria and doctors don't have to administer end of life injections or however it is they do it – I'm assuming it's injections. They don't have to perform the act that would take a life. They can say, No, I don't believe in it. I would rather save a life than end it. Not for me. I'll give you the name of a doctor who does believe in it." So how is the State dictating? It's not telling doctors they must kill their patients. It's not telling people they must die if they have a long-term degenerative disease. As far as I'm aware, it's about a person's choice. And on the ethics side of thing, why is it ethical to keep a person alive when they don't want to be, but they don't fit that six-month criteria? Alex Penk is perfectly within his rights to choose not to take an early exit. Doctors are perfectly within their rights to say they'd rather save lives than end them. And I want to continue to have the right and have it improved to be able to call it quits when there is no longer any value for me to be here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACT MP is looking to improve and extend the End of Life Choice Act. Todd Stephenson has proposed a member's bill that would incorporate all 25 of the recommendations made by the Ministry of Health in their review of the Act. He wants to restore the original intent of David Seymour's earlier bill, addressing the “overly restrictive” six-month prognosis requirement. Stephenson told Kerre Woodham some elements of the Act are working really well, but there are others, such as the six-month requirement, that aren't working and aren't taking into account some people's circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Alliance Party officially launched its campaign for the 2026 General Election at its National Conference in Christchurch over the weekend. Members from across Aotearoa gathered at the Trade Union Centre to ratify the party's constitution, elect national officers, and confirm the policy platform for the upcoming election. The President of the Alliance Party is Victor Billot and he joins us tonight LIVE at 9pm.Dr Grant Duncan joins us tonight LIVE at 9.30 to talk about his latest Substack on David Seymour's "State of the Nation" speech when Duncan calls our Seymour's games of Libertarian "freedom" and, among other conclusions, writes "populist tactics worked for ACT only so long as National was weak. [Rodney] Hide was ACT Party leader from 2004 to 2011, overseeing their humiliating decline from nine seats to just two in 2005. He was dumped as party leader in April 2011, to be replaced by an even less competent politician: Don Brash. ACT then fell to 1% and below. The market had spoken."See Grant's Substack here https://grantduncanphd.substack.comAndrew Eagles from the New Zealand Green Building Council joined Q&A on Sunday with an exclusive new analysis that outlines why his organisation believes the LNG import terminal plan is a mistake, and why a different plan for massive uptake of solar and heat pump hot water systems would work better.++++++++++++++++++++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/

This past week has seen the government announcing plans to construct a facility for the storage of liquid natural gas. The plans have been criticised by activists, academics, and opposition members, who say it compromises our government's commitment to reducing emissions.  Yesterday also saw ACT Party Leader David Seymour deliver his State of the Nation speech, noting different parts of society and the economy his party takes issue with. He particularly raised "five warning lights", of issues that the country must "overcome".  For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to Simon Court about each of these issues, starting with liquid natural gas. 

This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Liquid Natural Gas imports and David Seymour's State of the Nation speech.  They also spoke to Professor Emeritus at Massey University, Ralph Sims, about the sustainability of an LNG terminal. And they spoke to University of Auckland Professor of Electrical Engineering Nirmal Nair about how the LNG plans would benefit power companies.  Producer Alex spoke to Professor Emeritus in Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey, about the ongoing rumblings around reforms within the World Trade Organisation, New Zealand's role, and what changes to the organisation would mean for us. He also spoke with Professor in Chemicals and Materials Engineering at the University of Auckland, and Deputy Director of the Green Energy Engineering Centre, Brent Young, about the governments LNG terminal proposal, and what it means in the context of our wider approach to fixing our energy woes.

Act hasn't made it's ‘radical' public service reform a bottom line, for potential post-election negotiations. It wants to cut government departments from 41 down to no more than 30. The number of ministers would be reduced from 28 to 20, with all of them sitting around the cabinet table. Act leader David Seymour was asked by Mike Hosking whether it's a non-negotiable. He says it's easy to say something will never happen if something isn't a bottom line..but everyone has to negotiate a position, and this is their's. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT Party leader David Seymour delivered his State of the Nation address this morning. He says this government is on track to produce positive change, but it's not happening as quickly as it could be. ACT says there are three ways to break our country's slump: equal rights, positive thinking, and a smaller government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Monday Wire... For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about Liquid Natural Gas imports and David Seymour's State of the Nation speech.  They also spoke to Professor Emeritus at Massey University, Ralph Sims, about the sustainability of an LNG terminal. And they spoke to University of Auckland Professor of Electrical Engineering Nirmal Nair about how the LNG plans would benefit power companies.  Producer Alex spoke to Professor Emeritus in Law at the University of Auckland, Jane Kelsey, about the ongoing rumblings around reforms within the World Trade Organisation, New Zealand's role, and what changes to the organisation would mean for us. He also spoke with Professor in Chemicals and Materials Engineering at the University of Auckland, and Deputy Director of the Green Energy Engineering Centre, Brent Young, about the governments LNG terminal proposal, and what it means in the context of our wider approach to fixing our energy woes.

Isn't David Seymour the guy who got himself into government at the last election and then went and set up a new government department? But, despite the irony, I agree with him that we need fewer government departments and fewer Cabinet ministers. Previously, the ACT leader has described the public sector as "a big, complicated bureaucratic beast". There are the numbers to back that up. We have 82 cabinet portfolios, 28 ministers and 41 separate government departments and agencies. David Seymour thinks that's crazy and says ACT will campaign in this year's election on changing that. And, instead of having 41 government departments and agencies, he wants us to have no more than 30. As for cabinet ministers - at the moment there are 28, David Seymour thinks we need no more than 20. I remember Oliver Hartwich from the NZ Initiative think tank saying last year that we could get away with having as few as 15 cabinet ministers, instead of the 28 we have at the moment. But he thought that 20 was more realistic. As for government departments, they are monsters. They operate in silos. They compete with each other for funding. They don't talk to each other. That's why there's so much duplication. For example, do we need a Ministry of Education and an Education Review Office? I don't think so. Do we need a Ministry of Justice and a Department of Corrections? Possibly not. As for cabinet positions, do we need a mental health minister? Could that all be part of the health minister's job? And don't get me started on things like the Minister for the South Island or the Minister for Auckland that Labour brought in. So, I'm with David Seymour and I think we could do with fewer government departments and agencies. But it will never happen. Talking about having less government departments and less cabinet ministers is easy and politicians talk about it because they know it tends to go down well with people. But it will never happen. Because, whether people admit it or not, they still expect the government and its departments to fix everything. And, unless that changes, the government isn't going to get any smaller. And its list of departments isn't going to get any shorter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT leader David Seymour outlined his party's strategy for the 2026 election this morning. Over 100 people piled into the Rydges Hotel in Christchurch for Seymour's State of the Nation speech. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says ACT is polling well and if they handle their campaign well, they could find themselves in a similar spot to the last election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Act Party leader on why it’s worth listening to Question Time, and what he makes of the Indian FTA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Chris Hipkins, Winston Peters, Christopher Luxon, Kate Acland, Todd McClay, David Seymour, Jono Pemberton, Steve Abel, and Todd Charteris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ah, Winston. Winston, Winston, Winston. He is the embodiment, as his namesake Winston Churchill famously said of Russia, of a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The canny campaigner knew exactly what he was doing when agreeing to job share the Deputy Prime Minister role with ACT leader David Seymour during the Coalition Government's startup. He, Winston, would take the first 18 months, positioning himself as a senior statesman and Foreign Minister par excellence. And indeed, he has done a very good job as Foreign Minister. Then after that 18 months, he would step aside, making way for David Seymour, more importantly, making time to campaign right up to the next election, which is just a matter of months away. It's exactly what he's doing, stirring up xenophobia in the wake of the Government, or rather National and ACT, securing a Free Trade Agreement with India. A Foreign Minister that doesn't like foreigners, all of a sudden, just in the last year. As Toby Manhire says in his piece in The Spinoff, that Winston Peters and New Zealand First are opposing the Free Trade Agreement with India is no surprise. They also opposed the Free Trade Agreement with China 18 years ago. Then as now, says Manhire, Peters was Foreign Minister. Then as now, he said it was a bad deal for New Zealand. Then as now, he invoked an agree to disagree provision in the governing arrangement. So without New Zealand First support, National will need Labour to get the Free Trade Agreement across the line. Surely that should not be a problem – although you can't blame Chris Hipkins for playing hard to get and maximizing the political capital out of the situation. As far back as 2004 Helen Clark was leading trade delegations to India, although formal negotiations only began in earnest in 2010. It has taken a long, long time and much work from our trade delegates to get to this point. And Trade Minister Todd McClay says although it's inevitable that there will be politicking around the agreement, New Zealanders should understand that this is a very important, very big deal. “Number one, there was always going to be a bit of politics around this because it is a very big deal. It's 1.4 billion people. You know, I've seen a lot of speculation about tens and tens of thousands of Indians just having the absolute right to come to New Zealand. Mike, this is a trade deal, it's not an immigration deal. They do not have that ability. The New Zealand Government has reserved the right to change visa settings as we need to. And the final point would be, we have now a trade deal, one of the best India's done with anybody. We're 5 million people, they're 1.4 billion. This is a very good deal for New Zealand, and each party in Parliament's going to have to decide how they're going to make the case of where their support lies.” And on the point of Winston's claims that New Zealand will be overrun with Indian families, Todd McClay had this to say: TM: The debate at the moment has moved to students, whether or not we can cap the number of students. And actually, there has never been a cap on the number of students. We've never said we want them from Australia, we don't want them from the UK. And I don't think any future government would ever do that. It makes no sense to. But what we have always done is we have changed the visa settings, the conditions that you have to meet to be able to get a visa to come and study in New Zealand. If we jump back to when we were in government previously, there were a very large number of students in New Zealand. As a result of COVID, it went down, but the previous government and we have changed those settings to make sure that actually the number of places and students coming in matches our requirement and what we do. And we can continue to do that.” MH: But this is general, Todd, this is just immigration policy the way it's always been. Yes? TM: That's exactly right. Of course, we need to be aware of making sure the settings are right, that immigrants to New Zealand are coming to fill jobs and maximize opportunities. We don't need more Uber drivers. We need people who are able to come here and who are able to make most of the opportunities that New Zealand has to offer. But as Todd McClay says, if we feel things are getting out of whack, we can adjust settings accordingly. I mean, that happened when, remember all the hue and cry over far too many people arriving on the parent's visa, the parent category. All these people were arriving, didn't understand a word of English, were isolated, dependent on their families, some of whom we heard buggered off to Australia and left them here, isolated, alone, you know, it was a nightmare. So back in 2016, 2017 the number of people approved for residence fell by 8%, the decrease driven by parent category approvals, which fell 63% because the settings were getting out of whack. People realized there was a loophole and so it was plugged. It's election year, and I suppose you have to expect it. And those who have followed politics for a very, very long time, as Toby Manhire points out, have seen this happen before. This is what New Zealand First does. This is what appeals to their voters. From the outside looking in, the Free Trade Agreement with India is a very good deal for New Zealand. We are fundamentally a trading nation. From the outside looking in, this is Winston doing what Winston does, doing what he does best, coming up to an election with a sail full of hot air, pounding the populist drum of anti-immigration. Where do you stand on this one? Is the Free Trade Agreement with India a good deal or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday last week, politicians including Prime Minister Chris Luxon and ACT party leader David Seymour addressed the audience during the Waitangi Day events at the Treaty Grounds. The theme this year was Mō tātou, mā tātou, which is for all of us and by all of us. As well, the past week has seen various news updates in environmental legislation including the draft decision to reject consent for seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight, Greenpeace voicing concerns about a ‘kiwi killing clause' in the proposed Natural Environment Bill, and a new Green Party bill calling to recognise the legal personhood of Tohorā — whales. This week, Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, starting with Waitangi.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 9th of February, David Seymour on a huge amount of unqualified ECE sector teachers and if we're worried about it. The Prime Minister is on to talk unemployment, fast tracking and when we will announce a State of Origin game in New Zealand. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the Superbowl, the Winter Olympics and the Davis Cup and it's disappearance from mainstream sporting events. 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.

David Seymour wants to reassure parents things have improved - despite new data showing growing workforce challenges in early childhood education. Nearly 34,000 teaching staff were employed last year, but just over two-thirds were qualified. Almost 10,000 staff had no formal qualifications - nearly double the number in 2011. Associate Education Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that parents should know the number of teachers with formal qualifications has increased. He says in actual fact the situation hasn't changed much in five years and has improved since they've been in Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 February, 2026, our political reporter at Waitangi tells us the prime minister got a harder time this year than ACT leader David Seymour. We ask why the wastewater plant pumping poo into Wellington's water wasn't fixed earlier. Is Invercargill not up with the times? The council's plan to spend $2 million on a clock tower. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Mark Sainsbury discuss how councils need to lift their game. 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.

Guest Co-Host Charles Duncan. Guest: David Seymour, COO, American Airlines. Topics: AA hit hard by weather related operational issues; A good week for Southwest, cash pouring in, will Elliott Mgt cash out? American earnings drop; JetBlue down; NTSB report issued on chopper collision with AA flight; Big increase in flights by United at ORD; Listener questions: Is there room for a new airline? What's the cost to start service at an airport?

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Sir David Fagan, Nick Webster, Hunter McGregor, and Steve Wyn-Harris. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Act Party leader and Deputy PM comments on Act's ag policy, Winston’s election campaign in full swing, and whether Waitangi Day will be divisive this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duncan Garner digs into the collapse of the government's retail crime advisory committee, a group set up to respond to ram raids and rising violence, but now facing resignations, lavish spending claims, and serious questions about accountability. With three of five members gone, six-figure invoices, and silence from the responsible minister, it looks less like crime fighting and more like a gravy train. Then we turn to immigration, the India free trade deal, and explosive whistleblower claims from inside a major pizza delivery franchise. Allegations of migrant workers paying tens of thousands of dollars for jobs, visa pathways being sold, and Kiwis locked out of work raise uncomfortable questions about enforcement, fairness, and who the system is really working for. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour joins us to answer what the government is doing about both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ACT leader David Seymour says voters need to see the result of coalition policies before heading to voting booths. The Prime Minister's announced the election will be held on November 7 - a later date than the past two, which were held in October. Seymour says the Government's done a lot of work on the economy, and a later election will give voters time to see that. "And I think it's only fair that people get to judge the Government on the benefits of its policies delivered before they choose." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Grant McCallum, Mark de Lautour, Graeme Williams, and Phil Duncan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy PM kicks off the election year on The Country, ahead of the PM’s State of the Nation speech today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.