Podcast appearances and mentions of David Seymour

A think tank leader believes the Act Party is asking a fair question of the public service. It's promising a reset in government agencies, ending what it calls “race-based hiring” if re-elected. The policy includes removing “good employer” requirements while also prohibiting agencies from resourcing any cultural or spiritual practices in the workplace. New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking that Parliament's already written merits into the Public Service Act, yet departments are still pursuing the diversity agenda. He says they can explain how much an individual ethnic group is paid, yet Treasury can't say how many economists it employs - so there's still work to do. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Opportunity Party confesses its tax and welfare reform plans wouldn't happen in one term as an avenue emerges for it to join a right-bloc Government. The latest 1 News-Verian poll shows neither side could form a Government without Opportunity. National's Christopher Luxon has ruled out the idea. But ACT leader David Seymour says he's open to it, if Opportunity drops its universal basic income and land tax policy. Opportunity's Qiulae Wong says she may be able to work around that. "I think what we would love to do is have a seat at the table to explore them with potential coalition partners with the other parties in Parliament, and also have more of an opportunity to share that with the public." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Christopher Luxon first survived a vote of confidence among National MPs in April, Act leader David Seymour said at the time he was pleased to see the party stable and "drawing a line under any trouble they may have had." Fast forward 4 months, and the Prime Minister's leadership is being tested again. He's survived another vote of confidence. Just like the last one, National's coalition partners, ACT and NZ First, were watching on. ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

David Seymour says important work is going on, despite the ructions within National's caucus. National party leader Christopher Luxon survived a confidence vote yesterday, launched by Chris Penk. The Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP was then sent packing from his Cabinet portfolios for his efforts, and later announced he'll quit politics at the election. Coalition partner and ACT leader David Seymour told Ryan Bridge it shouldn't be the focus now. He says the government itself is a joint project, which is functioning very well. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy Prime Minister won't make a prediction on the outcome of today's National leadership challenge, but says a Prime Minister leading a coalition that's ahead in the polls should be supported. Christopher Luxon called an emergency caucus meeting for this morning in response to the growing speculation over his ability to lead the party into the election. David Seymour told Mike Hosking he's not going to sit there and bag Luxon, who is doing the best he can, given difficult circumstances. He says the National party leader has foibles just like everyone else, but he's managed to unite his own party and the Coalition. Seymour said the leadership challenge was “not helpful” and was a distraction from policy – specifically replacing the RMA, which he claimed was "the only thing that really matters" for New Zealand's future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12th of August, former National MP Wayne Mapp and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour talk about the damage to the National Party as the Luxon leadership speculation rolls on. We break down all the rumours and likely outcomes of the National Party caucus meeting – who supports Luxon, who doesn't, and if there will be a vote. Mark Mitchell gets put into some tough positions on Politics Wednesday while Ginny Andersen looks on gleefully. 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.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 10 August, 2026, ACT leader David Seymour explains why he's at odds with National on tax policy. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown tells us why he's so against the controversial Delmore development. Heatha from Harcourts says she's just being herself with her videos getting millions of views on social media. And on The Huddle, Josie Pagani and Phil O'Reilly discuss a bad week for Prime Minister 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.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has suggested a higher fuel tax, a bed tax and a bank levy could be discussed as part of a second term, but the ACT Party's not so keen. Leader David Seymour says voters don't want new taxes, and there's a possibility that they could grow as discussions continue. He says income tax started out as a small percentage impacting a handful of earners, and now we all pay up to eight times that starting rate. "That's just a perfect example of why you say you're going to put a tax just on banks...but we all know that the customers will pay that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politically-speaking, the current MMP coalition government is the most successful one we've ever had. Because, unlike coalitions of the past, the minor parties - ACT and NZ First - have managed to maintain their presence and identity. In the past, the minor parties have been swallowed up by the bigger parties and, generally, disappeared from view. This time around it's a completely different story. With ACT and NZ First making their presence well and truly felt. Not just recently. But for the whole term. Some might put that down to Christopher Luxon's failure to keep David Seymour and Winston Peters under control. But no one can say that ACT and NZ First have disappeared off the radar the way the Maori Party did after being in cahoots with National. Even the Greens found the confidence and supply arrangement they had with Labour between 2017 and 2020 took the spotlight off them. This time, though, we've had a coalition government like never before. In that none of the parties have become bit players. So, from a purely political perspective, it's been a raging success. But Christopher Luxon wants a referendum on our voting system to find out if people are still happy with MMP. He's obviously not a fan, because he says he doesn't want to work with “yahoos and numpties” in a coalition cabinet. His ham-fisted announcement on Newstalk ZB yesterday was news to his caucus colleagues. It was news to his coalition partners too. With Winston Peters describing it as an “inexplicable power grab”.But I reckon that if we didn't have MMP, there'd be a truckload of people unable to bring themselves to vote in this year's election. That might be an easy thing to say, given we've had MMP for the past 30 years and because MMP has given us more voting options. But the idea, after all this time, of going back to the days where it was pretty much Labour or National doesn't sound great, does it? And, whatever your politics, you'vec got to say that the choice and the variety MMP gives us is brilliant. There's certainly no way I would want to see it go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon says he supports having another referendum on the MMP voting system if he's re-elected as he encourages greater support for National so the party can avoid working with “some yahoo and numpty” in Cabinet. Act leader David Seymour says he's not opposed to another referendum but suggests Luxon “may not have thought through what he's saying” regarding ministers from other parties, noting the number of National ministers who had been dismissed this term. Speaking on Newstalk ZB this morning, Luxon made the statement in response to a listener who had texted in asking whether the PM would address the power held by minor parties in governing arrangements. Luxon initially pointed to the Government working towards a referendum on whether to extend government terms from three years to four, before saying he was “open” to asking voters whether they were “still supportive of MMP”. Asked if he would do so if he were Prime Minister next year, Luxon replied: “Yeah, I think I would.” He added: “I think I would because I actually think, you know, that it is quite right to check in constitutionally and say, is this the system, New Zealand, you still want? “You know, you voted for this in the 90s, we've had a check-in in the [20]10s, 20 years down the road or whatever it has been, is it still where you want to be?” Luxon went on to talk about his 20-person Cabinet, currently made up of ministers from National, Act and New Zealand First. He argued the best way to provide a “strong and stable government” was to have as many National ministers in Cabinet as possible. “When you have to form coalition governments, you don't have the same values, you don't have the same policies, you're not talking to the same people. “You try and find the common ground and I feel like I have done the best I can in two and a half years to find common ground on the economy, law and order, education and health. “I think you've got to ask the question, I feel like I've got responsible, sensible ministers delivering: Mark Mitchell, Todd McCay, Erica Stanford Nicola Willis, Simeon Brown, Chris Bishop, you know, I've got amazing people doing incredible work who take it very seriously. “The question is, I keep saying, I don't need some yahoo or numpty from some other party around that table, I can do a lot more to get the centre-right agenda, centre being the operative word, done and out the door so think about your vote, November 7, it's important.” Asked if his current coalition partners were yahoos and numpties, Luxon replied: “No, I'm just saying I can do better with National Party ministers, I think New Zealand's better served by that.” Asked by ZB host Kerre Woodham if he'd prefer Mitchell around the Cabinet table over former National MP and current NZ First candidate Michael Laws, Luxon replied: “You said it.” Act leader David Seymour defended the work of his ministers. Photo / Mark Mitchell Speaking to the Herald, Seymour said he wasn't certain whether Luxon was calling his ministers yahoos and numpties. “Who knows, I suspect that he's being a bit free-wheeling and may not have thought through what he's saying there.” Seymour noted how several National ministers had been dismissed during this term before pointing to work achieved by Act ministers, including on school attendance and reforms concerning the Holidays Act, Arms Act and the Resource Management Act. “I'm not here to start bagging other parties' ministers but I think anyone who's an objective observer would say that Act ministers have been pretty effective.” On a referendum, Seymour said he wasn't opposed but said any change would be unlikely to be implemented until the 2032 or 2035 elections and there were “more urgent problems” to address. In a statement on social media, Peters commended MMP for having “broke the stranglehold” of Labour and National on “running roughshod over our economy without social licence”. “Now that the two old parties are losing their grip on power, they want to change the electoral system to favour their falling fortunes.” Referencing the previous referendums in 1993 and 2011, Peters said people wanted different representation in Parliament than what Labour and National could provide. “The old parties' weak and inept attitude to economic sovereignty, immigration, and woke nonsense has seen people move to a party that is offering common sense, patriotism, and old-fashioned Kiwi values. “Shutting down and taking away true democratic representation from the people of New Zealand should be seen for what it is – a power grab and an ignorance for what it means to be a democracy.” Adam Pearse is the deputy political editor and part of the NZ Herald's press gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says a decision to broaden diabetes medication met his expectations. Pharmac's widening access for several medicines for type two diabetes from September, helping to lower blood sugar and reduce kidney complications. The Associate Health Minister says more than 30 thousand people will benefit by removing ethnicity from the question. Seymour told Mike Hosking he wrote a letter to the board of what he expected. He says they need to be the best organisation in the world and forget embedding the Treaty. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is defending his use of an Air Force flight after attending a National Party fundraiser, saying he has a "busy job" and "full schedule" which is weird as he made promises when in opposition that he would use commercial airlinesThe unemployment rate has risen to 5.6 percent - the highest level in 11 years - with 171,000 people out of work. The Finance Minister is looking to blame everyone else but the government saying that an increase was expected, as businesses grappled with uncertainty in the wake of the Middle East conflict.From NZ Herald today Act leader David Seymour and Green co-leader Marama Davidson discuss the expected hike to unemployment and ACT's false advertising claims around PharmacLike 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 PM and Act Party leader comments on getting “little s***s” out of our classrooms, Winston’s baby farming policy, and the Opportunity Party's tax plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Jim Ward, David Seymour, and Farmer Tom Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shubz has been called a kūpapa. The word describes Māori who sided with the Crown in the New Zealand Wars, and it still gets thrown at Māori accused of betraying their own. Shubz gets it for having David Seymour on his show.Shubz hosts "Shubz Says So" on Radio Aotearoa. His method is simple: talk to people you disagree with, in public, without the gotcha. That has meant long conversations with David Seymour, Brian Tamaki, Don Brash and others, and it has cost him standing in parts of his own community.He sits down here with Dane Giraud, host of Free to Speak and a Council member of the Free Speech Union, who knows the same pressure from inside the Jewish community, where the equivalent word is Kapo. Both men arrive at the same question from different directions: what happens to free speech when the heaviest penalty for dissent comes not from the state but from your own people?They cover the gap between kaupapa and kūpapa, why Shubz argues Te Pāti Māori does not speak for all Māori, blood quantum and who gets to decide who counts, how little either side of the Treaty debate often knows about the history, and his argument that funding and self-preservation explain more about who polices the line than culture does.It also goes somewhere harder. Shubz is an advocate against sexual abuse, and he asks why a movement that filled the streets over the Treaty could not turn out for Sam Troth's hīkoi for survivors. He talks about what people brought to him on his own journey around Te Ika-a-Māui, and about being offered money to stop talking.Dane pushes back, particularly on whether a small community is ever right to keep its disagreements in-house. Neither man lands quite where you would expect.Content note: this episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse, including a survivor's account, and strong language throughout. Support is available. Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 or text 4334. Male Survivors Aotearoa: malesurvivors.nz. Victim Support: 0800 842 846.Mentioned in this episode:Shubz Says So on Radio Aotearoa: https://shubzlive.comThe Road to Healing Aotearoa (Sam Troth): https://www.theroadtohealing.co.nzFree to Speak is the official podcast of the New Zealand Free Speech Union: uncensored conversations on free speech, civil liberties, and the people defending them. Hosted by Dane Giraud.Join the Free Speech Union: https://www.fsu.nz/joinSupport our work: https://www.fsu.nz/donateNewsletter: https://www.fsu.nz/subscribeWebsite: https://www.fsu.nzGot feedback or a guest suggestion? podcast@fsu.nzSupport the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

The Regulation Minister's hopeful solar power will be well on its way to being more accessible – pre-election. A report from his ministry outlines recommendations to ease New Zealand installs. He says it'll slash costs and approval times for smaller installations and legalise plug-in systems – which are already legal in Australia. David Seymour told Mike Hosking it's a pretty affordable way for people to get into generating their own power, bringing down their bills. He says it's exactly the kind of red tape we should be cutting. Seymour admits the systems can pose a danger but says there are too many stupid rules in this country premised on the idea that the people themselves are stupid. He thinks that if Australians are smart enough to manage the danger, then New Zealanders definitely are. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour is pushing to legalise plug-in solar panels, saying Kiwis are smart enough to handle the fire risk. His Regulation Ministry's newly released report recommends ways to make New Zealand the easiest place to go solar. They also include suggestions to slash installation approval times and costs - in some cases by thousands of dollars. Seymour says plug-in solar can be hazardous, but current regulations assume people are stupid. "I think people can work this out, and it means a whole lot of people - so this is going to be like Australia, you just go to Kmart and buy a solar panel and it starts cutting down your power bill." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is defending his comments, which coalition partners Chris Luxon and David Seymour have labelled 'attention-seeking'. The New Zealand First leader yesterday responded to Chinese-born Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan heckling over vaccinations, by telling him to go back to his own country. Luxon says Peters has a long track record of inappropriate comments designed to get people talking about him. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Labour has also condemned Peters' comments and called for his resignation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask the Prime Minister about Trump’s tariffs, whether bird flu’s here to stay, why he kicked TOP to touch, whether he needs the power to discipline Winston Peters and David Seymour, and what he’s doing in the Australian Women’s Weekly?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National wants to extend paid parental leave to 30 weeks, but families will have to wait until 2030 to get the full benefit. Nicola Willis tried to blame ACT for the delay, but National never pushed for it in the first place. David Seymour joins us to set the record straight on cost, policy priorities, and whether Kiwis are just being sold another long-term promise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chloe Swarbrick was on Q&A in the weekend with guest host Tova O'Brien in what seemed like a bit of a waste of an interview where Tova seemed to want to be pedantic about singular words rather than debate the themes and play contrarian rather than investigator. In the most ironic interview of the election season so far, David Seymour wants to calm the farm when it comes to critiquing coalition partners and has come up with, what seems on the surface level, as a pretty good idea for the health system.Christopher Luxon rules out the Opportunity Party ending their potential run to hit 5%Debate Update and what you need to know about the Big Hairy Debates over the next 2 months++++++++++++++++++++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 denies the election will be fought by celebrities more interested in glitz than graft. Plus, he comments on NZ First’s oil and gas policy and why we should make life easier for agricultural drone users.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Ray Smith, David Seymour, Mike Whitty, Karn Dhaliwal, and Phil Duncan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Paul Henry standing for ACT, one thing is guaranteed: people will pay attention. Love him or loathe him, Henry knows how to command an audience, and in modern politics that's no small advantage. New Zealanders likes to think we vote on policy, and we should, but personality has always mattered. John Key's easy-going style, Jacinda Ardern's empathy, and Winston Peters' theatre are contrasting examples of how politicians communicate being just as important as what they say. I was fortunate enough to sit on TVNZ's Breakfast TV couch with Paul Henry a couple of times a week for a few years, and saw his strengths up close. He's articulate, quick-thinking, intelligent, confident, fun and fearless in front of a microphone. Those are valuable political skills. As we've seen in the short space of time since he announced his intention to stand as a list candidate for ACT, Henry attracts the kind of media coverage ACT can't buy, brings fresh attention to the party, and will probably reach voters who wouldn't normally tune into politics. If he made it into Cabinet his communication skills could make him a persuasive minister. But there's a risk. This is the man who told me I was the size of a whale live on TV when I was pregnant. Twice. Big personalities can suck the oxygen out of a campaign. David Seymour has spent years carefully building ACT into a significant political force based on consistent messaging and disciplined policy. If every interview becomes about Paul Henry rather than ACT the party, it risks becoming a personality show instead of a political movement. That's a difficult balance for any leader to manage. Henry will also be a tough character to reign in. It's a little like dealing with an adolescent - Seymour will need to set some strong boundaries. If he manages this, then Henry will probably help ACT more than he will hurt it. If Henry accepts that Seymour is the leader and not the supporting act, the two could successfully complement each other - Seymour providing the policy depth, Henry bringing the attention. As for Labour, National and the other parties, they'd be wise not to focus on Paul Henry. Taking personal shots only feeds the publicity machine - and they're unlikely to come out on top. Henry has spent decades handling criticism and often thrives on confrontation. If they do need to respond to the Henry machine, the smarter move will be to challenge his policies, question his experience, and let voters decide whether media success automatically translates into political ability. Ultimately, celebrity may get you elected, but it won't keep you there. New Zealanders enjoy a colourful character, but we also expect substance. Paul Henry will 100% make this general election campaign more entertaining. Whether he can convert attention into effective public service is still up in the air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Restrictions on innovation are being seen as a form of self-sabotage. ACT wants to introduce innovation trials – letting government ministers pause existing regulations if they block tests of new technology. Leader David Seymour told innovators the country punches above its weight when we back ourselves, but someone needs to build the framework to make it happen. New Zealand Initiative Chief Economist Dr Eric Crampton told Mike Hosking it's something New Zealand should be progressing with. He says we are too small to be stupid in this space, and need to enable innovation in new ways. LISTEN ABOVE See 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.

ACT leader David Seymour wants New Zealand to become a testing ground for emerging technologies - by allowing companies to temporarily bypass regulations through a regulatory exemption scheme. Seymour says the existing rules are 'prohibitive' and that the 'innovation trials' will help get new technology like self-driving vehicles, agricultural drones and crypto going into New Zealand faster. He says it's important we start experimenting more if we want to see technology appear in New Zealand, instead of overseas nations overlooking the country. "We've talked to people - we don't want to say exactly who - but there's certainly people who would be interested in bringing autonomous taxi services to New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Henry and I go back a long way. Decades in fact. He used to read news on a show of mine. I can't say I saw politics in his future, but then I can't say I could have ruled it out either. And why not him? He's retired, he could be bored, or he could be driven to make a contribution, if hanging out in Wellington is a contribution you want to make. He is good fun, he is bright, and he is worldly. But I don't think he will fit well into the “system”. He is a free spirit, and those sorts of people don't tend to operate well in teams with instruction. He spoke passionately about his country. It could be age, but I feel exactly the same way. I don't have to live here, I chose to because I love this place. He is in the same sort of position, so why not try to lend a hand? He spoke singularly about our debt and he is indisputably right. He could have stolen the lines and concern from me. Maybe all blokes of 60-ish age worry about our debt and our country. Maybe it's because we are old enough to remember better days and see no reason why we can't re-engineer the place to be like it once was. But politics is about more than debt. The other issue is if you're going to Wellington to save the country you really need to be in a position of power and National has more power than ACT. So this is clearly also a philosophical or ideological decision – he likes the cut of their libertarian gib. In terms of performance the place will be better for him. He's fun and quick. He might want to watch the line between serious and clown, entertaining and nutty, professional and self-indulgent. The big gamechanger for him will be accountability. Once they vote for you, once they pay for you, they own you and, boy, they let you know it. But I like people who don't have to do stuff, doing stuff. They are generally there for the right reasons. David Seymour told me it's just the shot in the arm they need right now. I think he's right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former broadcaster Paul Henry recently confirmed he plans to run for the ACT Party this election, and leader David Seymour has expressed confidence in him. Henry has announced he's running as a list-only candidate, and has resigned from TVNZ's board. The famed former broadcaster failed in a National bid for Wairarapa in 1999. He says he wants to be a minister - but won't name a portfolio. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's been left in awe of the Indian Prime Minister's x-factor. Narendra Modi stopped by Auckland on Saturday, attending a series of business, political and community events. He and Chris Luxon agreed to attempt to double two-way trade by 2030. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour told Mike Hosking that he heard Modi speak at a rally, which he attended out of political nerd-ism. He says Modi's a cross between a charismatic Baptist preacher, Winston Churchill, and a new world leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 13th of July, we've upgraded our relationship with India and Modi, so what does this 'Strategic Partnership' mean for us? David Seymour is the Acting Prime Minister and joins on the Modi visit, the social media ban and why we can't build anything on time or on budget in this country. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville cover off a huge weekend of sport - the All Blacks, the Warriors, the World Cup, Supercars and more. 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.

Hamish McKay talks to David Seymour, Tom Slee, Ben Picton, Dr Robyn Dynes, and Harry Newey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish McKay talks to David Seymour, Tom Slee, Harry Newey, and Phil Duncan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy Prime Minister on the importance of trade deals for New Zealand. Plus, would Act work with The Opportunity Party, and what happened with school lunches? And his plan to streamline government by reducing the number of ministers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the massive shakeup to New Zealand's road cone madness as new deregulation rules kick in. David Seymour has already saved taxpayers millions of dollars, but the Wellington media bubble completely ignored the announcement. Plus, we expose the truth about The Opportunity Party and their actual political agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A report into the revamped school lunch programme has found it saved money, but it's not clear whether it is meeting its main goals of reducing food insecurity and improving student achievement, because there's no robust monitoring. The report by the Auditor General revealed only about 50 percent of school meals were meeting nutritional standards last year. Associate Minister of Health, David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

David Seymour says the Auditor General's report on the Healthy School Lunches programme is one half of the story. Only 50% of last year's lunches complied with Education Ministry nutrition standards, and the Auditor General also took aim at safety issues, contingency planning and rollout. The Associate Education Minister claims the report's driven by former lunch providers upset about changes to the scheme. Seymour told Mike Hosking that the report doesn't compare the quality of the programme before and after he took over. He says they've been very critical in various ways, and he's happy to answer their criticism, but they haven't evaluated the whole programme. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 1st of July, an independent review is highlighting the Treasury's flaws – Secretary Iain Rennie unpacks the results. Associate Education Minister David Seymour responds to the report criticising the school lunch programme. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen discuss Labour's proposed Apprenticeship Boost expansion and the abuse Matt Doocey is facing on Politics Wednesday. And the chef at New Zealand's first two Michelin star restaurant discusses what the honour means to them. 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.

David Seymour claims the Auditor General has credibility issues, after releasing a scathing report into the Healthy School Lunches Programme. Only half of last year's lunches complied with the Ministry of Education's nutrition standards. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained the data further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work and Income's former boss says ACT's new welfare policy is 'sensible'. Party leader David Seymour's pledging to restrict what beneficiaries can buy, via work-ready Jobseekers' payment cards after four months. It'd block spending on alcohol, gambling, tobacco and cash withdrawals - allowing only essentials like groceries and rent. Christine Rankin says they shouldn't spend taxpayer money on that anyway. "It's not their money, it's given to them to help them not be stuck in poverty, because benefits equal poverty." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 29th of June, David Seymour is into election year with plans to get rid of the size of Government and what to do with the bill for beneficiaries. The Prime Minister responds to truckies, gets asked why they backed down on the conservation bill and discusses Act's ideas. Andrew Saville and Jason Pine talk the All Whites being bundled out of the World Cup, the Warriors and just how many injuries happened at the charity rugby game involving politicians! 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.

The Act Party is accusing some doctors of wrongfully signing off people as 'unable to work'. Under its newly announced welfare policy, the party would require all health and disability benefits to be issued by government-employed doctors. It says the number of people who are deemed not 'work ready' has increased in the last three years, despite the Government's best efforts. Act Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking that abusive behaviour and packed waiting rooms can pressure GPs to deem a patient 'unfit for work'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister responsible for the drug buying agency Pharmac is doubling down on his call for efficencies driven by AI. In a letter to Pharmac detailing his expectations for the next year, David Seymour has emphasised investment in data and digital infrastructure to enhance core functions, including the use of artificial intelligence. Associate Minister of Health David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Dr Victoria Hatton, Farmer Tom Martin, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, and Wayne Langford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only winner out of political polls is the media for the simple reason it gives them a chance to pontificate and clickbait. "Luxon fronts media after bad poll”. Why is that the headline as opposed to "Hipkins answers questions after poll collapse"? Let's do some simple math: there are about 53% of voters who are broadly centre-right. Pollsters will tell you this to be true. If you accept NZ First are doing well, their highest number is 15% so take that off your 53%, you are down to 38%. Take a chunk off for ACT, they seem to be about 7-9% so let's call it 8%, and you're at 30%, which is where National roughly are. The numbers make perfect sense. It's not a "bad poll", it's simple math. If there is one “real” story in any given poll, especially this week's one, it's that the main parties of Labour and National are sharing a shrinking slice of the vote, which if you like MMP is what is supposed to happen. The Greens, ACT and NZ First have established themselves as a permanent presence. We should be celebrating this, not because of specific policy, but because we voted for a system that spreads the vote and provides greater representation. That's what we wanted so that is good news. Also, you've got Opportunity at 4%. I don't think they'll get there, but if I'm wrong and they get the 5% and they go on to become the newest member of the permanent club, that is further support that will bleed away from the major players. The media coverage discusses none of this because I suspect they haven't thought about it, or indeed they may not even understand it. A lot of Europe with proportional systems have Governments led by parties who won the election with a vote in the 20's, if not low 20's. That is proportional representation. Here's the next big question: it's been ruled out by the Greens, but not Labour, so why not cut the head of Opportunity an electorate deal in Mt Albert? Mt Albert is tight. Helen White won it by a whisker. Opportunity could split the vote and hand the place to the Nats, or Labour could David Seymour it and Epsom her into Parliament and thus create a brand-new coalition partner. That's the really interesting part of the polls and machinations. But no, the media just want "Luxon fronts media after bad poll". They are stuck in the 90's. This is a way more gripping story than they are telling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has the Act leader and Deputy Prime Minister been knifed in the back by Simeon Brown, who compared him and Winston Peters to fighting children?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Grant Nisbett, David Seymour, Justin Ruygrok, Phil Duncan, and Jeremy Rookes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are finally seeing a pushback against the absurd woke compliance industry that has crept into our workplaces and professional regulators. Why should a real estate agent or nurse risk losing their livelihood over a lawful opinion? ACT leader David Seymour joins us to break down his new legislation aimed at stopping ideological gatekeeping. Plus, we look at public service growth and whether the economy is turning a corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Achievement and attendance gains are being celebrated at some charter schools for disengaged students. Annual reports show four of the seven that opened last year met Government attendance or achievement targets. Associate Education Minister David Seymour says Christchurch's Mastery School is the standout performer, despite missing achievement targets. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was established for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and they're close to ticking boxes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour has unveiled a report that's made extensive use of AI to reveal a messy maze of regulations that suck up people's time. The regulations minister's report into regulatory duplication and inefficiency comes just a day after the bombshell announcement of deep cuts to the public service. It was followed up with confirmation the New Zealand government logo would feature English first, ahead of Te Reo Maori. Political reporter Russell Palmer has the story.