Podcast appearances and mentions of chris hipkins

It's a big week at Parliament this week, with the house poised to debate the Privileges Committee punishment of Te Pāti Māori and, of course, the annual Budget announcement timed for Thursday. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann.

Labour's leader says he would reverse the Government's pay equity changes - but that doesn't mean going back to how things were before. Laws passed under urgency last week halted 33 existing pay equity claims, and increased the threshold for future filings. Chris Hipkins says he can't be specific about which settings Labour would reinstate if returned to Government next year. He explained they don't want to do what National did - and again halt claims that might be 18 months down the track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 15 May 2025, is the proposed punishment for Te Pati Maori MPs too harsh? Speaker Gerry Brownlee says a proposed 21-day ban is very severe and reminded MPs they can still change their minds. Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashes with Heather on the c-word debate. Meth use is skyrocketing, and it's got us asking if more workplaces should test their staff for the drug. Plus, the Huddle debates whether a 9-year old should have been excluded from his age-group rugby team for being too big. 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.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Labour's Shanan Halbert about Chris Hipkins pre-budget speech at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the government's review into the Waitangi Tribunal, and the cost of National's FamilyBoost policy. For International Desk, they spoke to Associate Professor in Political Science at Paris Cité University, Speranta Dumitru, about Pope Leo XIV's views on migration and what this means for the papacy more broadly.  For City Counselling, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson, about how much of an impact the climate crisis will have on voters heading into local elections and incorrectly recycling lithium-ion batteries. And Tuesday Wire Host Castor spoke to PhD student in Education at the University of Auckland and primary school teacher Tom Pearce about the government's stance towards testing in schools and his concerns of over-testing.

The Opposition Leader's welcoming Government investment into school attendance. $140 million from this year's Budget will go towards a new system and better data monitoring. Labour leader Chris Hipkins wanted truancy officers reintroduced two years ago when he was PM. Hipkins told John MacDonald it's clear disbanding the previous truancy service in 2012 was the wrong decision. He says it's a good step in the right direction, and gives credit where credit is due. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a few c-words for your Thursday morning: communist, coalition, and crash. Crash, because that's what'd happen to the economy if we lived in the Green utopia complete with the $88-billion tax train wreck. Coalition, because that's what you'd get if Labour shacks up with their neighbours on the far left. Hipkins yesterday first claimed not have read the manifesto. Whatever. This is the manifesto of a party he could well be sitting round the cabinet table within a year from now. He then refused to rule out anything in it. It won't rule out the hammer. And I won't rule out the sickle. The Greens are by far Hipkins' biggest Achilles heel, and therefore Luxon's greatest strength. Remember the hit in the polls Labour took over "defend da police"? Here's the thing about us New Zealanders, your middle voters, we may not right now be affected by the inheritance taxes, wealth taxes, higher income taxes, the company tax hikes which would put them amongst highest in the developed world. But the problem for Hipkins and Co. is that we'd like to be. Kiwi families would like to start a business and create a life for their families. An asset. An income. A future. They dream of working their way up the ladder to get that better salary to get that house they've been saving to own. They don't think it's fair for part of mum and dad's life work and savings to be stolen by the state. The election of John Key showed us families are ambitious. They believe in themselves to do better. They're motivated and ready for this recession to be over so we can get on with it. I've never doubted that spirit in New Zealand. That spirit hasn't left for Australia, it was hidden under a rock for six years. And yes, there are social problems here too. But what we learnt from the fading days of Hipkins reign is that voters don't trust if they give up their hard-earned money and assets, that the state has the ability or wherewithal to change any of this. To fix it. They're like Temu versions of a Michael Joseph Savage. Many of the houses he built still stand, building never started on most of Chippy's. And that brings us to the final C word: communist, because what else do you call them? The Greens are planning a roadshow after their pre-Budget announcement. My only question for Chlöe, Mārama and Co. is: will you be travelling to these towns and cities by bicycle or will be flying on an aeroplane?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour says the government's move to quash thirty-three pay equity claims is rough economic justice for half the population. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Chris Luxon says Labour is spreading lies about Government pay equity changes. Legislation rushed through under urgency last week cancels ongoing claims of gender-inequity in pay - and raised the bar for applying. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins spoke on social media saying the Prime Minister's taking money out of women's pay packets. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says Chris Hipkins has dug his heels in over his position - but it feels like a leap. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veteran activist and protestor John Minto joins us LIVE tonight at 9pm to talk about the findings by the ICPA that police unlawfully pepper-sprayed and arrested him at a pro-Palestinian protest in Christchurch in February 2024Clashes in Parliament today between the Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins over who is lying about the overhaul of the pay equity regime as this continues to be a terrible look for this government. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the allocation of $100m for the Elevate venture capital fund in a pre-Budget speech focused on government measures to lift economic growth through lifting productivity, exports, and encouraging direct foreign investment and to boost high-growth technology companies with strong export potential.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Ahead of the Budget we got the same message we got from a barefoot, jandal wearing Chippy on day one of his post summer break. More debt. Borrow more and spend more. Name an issue, pick a portfolio, any portfolio, where Labour has not criticised the government for cuts and promised to restore spending to pre-Willis levels. The latest example is pay parity, but that is just the latest in a long and growing list of items on the wishlist. In case they didn't get the memo, Kiwis voted for cuts at the last election. If we're doing our bit, the government ought to do its bit. That's the politics of it. The economics have been up for debate. Net core crown debt has more than doubled on pre-Covid to $182 billion or 42.6% of GDP. Like our tourist arrivals, debt has unfortunately not returned to normal pre-Covid levels. Some of this is inflation but much of it is not. There's spending that went too far and got baked in. A couple of things to note. Yes, government debt is low compared to other OECD countries. But, the credit ratings agencies are telling us we must get back to surplus and start paying it down. If you risk a credit downgrade, then borrowing costs you more. We're already spending more financing debt than we do on defence, Police, Corrections, Justice, and Customs combined. And remember, we're the shakey isles with huge exposure to trade. We need headroom to borrow big if shit hits the fan. Ask any economist or the person who runs your household and they'll tell you borrowing for everyday spending is a bad idea. We've been doing that year, after year, after year, and Willis is actually still doing more of it. If that's enough to convince you on debt, here's the kicker. The real doozy. Private debt. We have student loans and business debt and houses. We love houses. Loads of mortgages, and the problem is how much we owe and who we owe it to. Household debt is 120% of GDP and higher than America, Spain, Germany, Ireland a bunch of other countries. What's worse, much of it is owed to foreign banks. We don't have enough savings to lend to ourselves. This makes us more vulnerable as a country, keeps Reserve Bankers awake at night, explains why Nicola Willis's nickers are always in a twist when it comes to getting the government's debt levels down. Willis could, and many argue, should go harder and faster as she's still spending more than Grant Robertson. But one thing you can be sure of, because it has come from Hipkins mouth repeatedly this week, is that spending and therefore borrowing would be higher right now had they be given a third term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins was on Breakfast this morning talking about Erica Stanford using her gmail account making the case that Parliament Cyber Security have been telling MPs not to use systems outside the security of Parliament, which means if Mr Luxon is so chilled about it either security is wrong, or he doesn't care about Stanford being a security issue.

The Government is fast-tracking amendments to the Equal Pay Act, the law which prohibits employers from paying men and women different rates for the same work, in a move which will scrap all current pay equity claims and make it harder for employees to make a claim. - Craig Renney joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over the economics of the change- Labour's Workplace Relations Spokesperson, Jan Tinetti, joins us LIVE at 9.20 to talk the impact to those who the Equal Pay Act is currently helpingChris Hipkins was on Breakfast this morning talking about Erica Stanford using her gmail account making the case that Parliament Cyber Security have been telling MPs not to use systems outside the security of Parliament, which means if Mr Luxon is so chilled about it either security is wrong, or he doesn't care about Stanford being a security issue.Christopher Luxon has announced that National wants to ban under 16s from social media accounts which raises a couple of questions, the first is...is this really the most pressing issue you have right now PM to be on top of...and...id under 16s are banned from social media...who will David Seymour have to snapchat with?================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

The Opposition leader says there is no justification for the Education Minister, Erica Stanford, to have been using a personal email address to access documents, including unreleased pre-Budget material. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Alexa Cook.

David Seymour is absolutely on the money with his call to cut the number of ministers in Cabinet and outside of Cabinet. In his speech yesterday, he proposed capping the number of ministers at 20 —currently there are 28— and scrapping the position of minister outside of Cabinet. “Right now, there are ministers that have seven different departments. There are departments such as MBIE that answer to 19 different ministers. There are portfolios, just to give you one example, not to pick on it, but the Minister for Auckland that Labour created – there's no Auckland department, there's no Auckland vote in the budget, it's just a made-up thing, frankly. And I think that really, we should be moving to a world where each department has only one Minister, no portfolios exist unless they have an actual department with a budget and a thing to do, and there should be no ministers outside of the Cabinet, everyone should be sitting around the same table. That's going to take a lot of people making a concession, but if we could get there, I think the whole thing would just get stuff done faster.” Couldn't agree more. I've always seen the roles of Minister for Women, Minister for the Voluntary Sector, Minister for Auckland, Minister for the South Island, sops to lobby groups. As David Seymour said in his speech, it's symbolism. Portfolios, he said, should not be handed out like participation trophies. Could not agree more. Michael Wood was made Minister for Auckland at the beginning of 2023 in Chris Hipkins government. Did he do anything? No. Did he have any power? Not really, no. As David Seymour said, there's no budget. So why create it? Because Chris Hipkins realised he needed to get Auckland back on side after the Covid response, after the crime waves that affected so many retailers in Auckland. It was a sorry guys, here's a Minister for Auckland we prepared earlier. Didn't work, too little, too late. Later on in ‘23, the red wall crumbled in Auckland and Labour strongholds went to National. Labour knows they need to win them back and Chris Hipkins understands they need to do more than appoint an Auckland spokesperson, but I suppose it's a start. Not everybody sees them as a waste of time – when the very sound James Meager was made Minister for the South Island, the Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said it was a good move. South Island councils had told the government they felt their voice wasn't being heard, having a local MP promoted to minister outside of cabinet would provide a more direct connection with Wellington. Again, I don't think there's any real merit in having a minister for the South Island other than as a sop to South Islanders. You think we neglect you? You think Auckland's getting all the attention here? He is a minister, a fine young man we prepared earlier, have a Minister! In fact, everybody have a Minister! Minister for Hospitality, Minister for Racing, Minister for the Voluntary Sector. It nullifies the effect of having a Minister. If you don't have a budget and you don't have a vote, what is the point? If you make everybody a head prefect, what is the point? It devalues the position. It might make the minister themselves feel a little bit better, a little bit special, but if everybody's special, nobody is. The only good reason, perhaps to have a minister for anything, other than as a sop, is because you do have fine young talents like James Meager who are given a bit more responsibility. But are they? It's like an apprenticeship for becoming a real minister. It's an absolute nonsense. I couldn't agree with David Seymour more. We've had our disagreements in the past and this one I'm absolutely on board with them. There should not be a minister unless they have a budget and something to do. And government departments should only have one minister to report to, not 19. How could anybody argue with what David Seymour has proposed? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Leader is pushing back against criticism of emergency housing motels amid an increase in reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki. It estimates its seen a 45% increase in reports in the year to April, and data shows that as of March 31st, there were 1,391 children overdue to be given a social worker. Chris Hipkins is rebuking the idea the situation is a legacy of the previous Labour Government, telling John MacDonald that economic circumstances often result in a rise in negative statistics, as families are under a lot of financial pressure. He accepts this kind of thing builds over time, but an increase of this magnitude cannot solely be blamed on the previous government, and the current government has played a role. "If we've got more kids living on the streets and living in cars because they've booted everyone out of emergency accommodation and they're being referred to Oranga Tamariki as a result of that, which the government was told would happen, with their emergency accommodation policy, then yes, that is the government's responsibility." Motels were one of the Labour Party's emergency housing solutions, and Hipkins admits that it's not optimal, but it's better than having people living in cars or under bridges. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has announced the government will cut new spending in the upcoming budget. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann.

New Zealand First has introduced a member's bill that would do away with what it calls the "woke ideology" around the subject of womanhood. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

I've got a lot of time for Simeon Brown - he's a very good politician, but I reckon he might want to take the advice of Chris Hipkins - a man who was also once the Health Minister - and just tone down the fighting talk. Because accusing the striking senior doctors of the worst kind of politics is not going to help anyone. The only thing that is going to help right now is money - and he is simply going to have to pony up the cash and pay those doctors a lot more. Look, I know, there will not be a lot of public sympathy for doctors who are on that kind of money - whether it's $350,000 like Simeon claims or only $250,000 like the doctors claim - it doesn't matter whether we think they're paid not enough or too much What matters is what the rest of the world pays, because that's who we are competing against for senior doctors. NSW, I've been told, is the part of Australia that pays senior doctors the least, and their starting pay is more than what our senior doctors get on the highest level here. And they, by the way, just had a three-day strike themselves. We already have such a shortage of senior doctors in this country that in Taupo Hospital not even a third of the positions are filled. I don't know how they're running that place. So while I appreciate that Simeon Brown is a very good politician and could well end up wining the PR battle against the doctors - ultimately, it's not the voters he has to convince, it's the doctors. And there, money talks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The associate health minister, Casey Costello, has issued a directive to Health New Zealand to refer to "pregnant women" rather than "pregnant people". Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann.

Today on the show... Chris Hipkins blasts the government's tariff strategy saying it's got no idea what it’s doing - but isn't that a bit rich? I'll read him his roll call of shame. Plus, Kiwi Legend Nigel Latta is back and he joins me for a chat. He speaks frankly about staring death in the face and his latest creation, Parentland. An app which promises to help struggling parents understand their increasingly complex kids in this digital revolution. And, some Letter's to the Editor! Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief. Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast

The Labour leader has stopped short of outright saying he supports the government's new defence spending plan, but says it seems very similar to what was planned under the last government. Chris Hipkins spoke to Alexa Cook.

The monthly check-in with leader of the Labour Party Chris Hipkins.

On today's episode, Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins us for his weekly chat, US prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, three Te Pāti Māori MPs are planning to skip Wednesday's Privileges Committee hearing, the actors for the four-part Beatles biopic have been announced, and Neil Wagner has retired from cricket.

The Labour Party leader, Chris Hipkins, says an increase in defence spending is justified regardless of whether New Zealanders support it or not. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Recently, Green MP, Tamatha Paul's comments have made headlines across mainstream New Zealand political coverage. At a panel with the University of Canterbury Greens and Peace Action Ōtautahi, Paul said Pōneke did not want to see police officers everywhere, as “for a lot of people it makes them feel unsafe,” as well as accusing police of “waiting for homeless people to leave their spot and throwing out their belongings” which she sez is a comment she received from a local MP from the Downtown Community Ministry and Salvation Army. Paul has received backlash from some politicians, including Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, and Opposition Leader, Chris Hipkins. However, many believe that what Paul said has been sensationalised. On Friday, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Press Spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa and Criminology Lecturer at the University of Auckland, Dr Emmy Rākete, about Paul's comments, and how she is viewing this whole situation. They started off by asking her how she is feeling about the reception of Paul's comments.

Jamie Mackay talks to Katie Milne, Chris Hipkins, Myfanwy Alexander, Andrew Hoggard, and Chris Russell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Also at Kirwee is the leader of the Opposition. But what sort of reception is he getting? Is Winston really looking more like an angry old man shouting at the sky? And what are the Greens on about?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today was day two of the South Island Field Days event at Kirwee - and thousands of Kiwis turned up for the event. Today, the event was swarming with politicians - including Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Labour's Chris Hipkins. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 The Prime Minister said the Greens are in la la land - and Winston Peters said they're for anarchy. Even Labour's Chris Hipkins is unimpressed and said the Greens' position is ill-advised - and an apology is warranted. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.

The Prime Minister accidentally ponders Winston's health and diet, an Indian FTA, the Investment Summit, changes to RMA, a lift in GDP, Winston wanting us out of the Paris Climate Agreement and whether the latter's war of words with Chris Hipkins will win the Nats the 2026 election by default.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government wants bipartisan support for its plans to repeal and replace the Resource Management Act before the next election. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says compromises will need to be made in reforming the Resource Management Act. The Government's replacing the Act with a new planning framework, including rules around land development and environment protections. It's seeking cross-party support. Hipkins told Mike Hosking the country's administration can't keep putting infrastructure projects on hold. He says that if there are projects underway, even if they're not the administration's first choice, they'll keep doing them. Labour also wants clarity around the Treaty of Waitangi's role in the reform. Cabinet's decided on ruling out incorporating a Treaty clause in the legislation, despite the Expert Advisory Group recommending the current clause be carried over. Hipkins told Mike Hosking they want to make sure Treaty settlements are respected. He says saying you want to respect the Treaty but then saying you don't want to put it into law is contradictory. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 26th of March, the national stadium debate is continuing to drag on - and Rugby World Cup CEO Martin Snedden is calling for some action. The government has written to Labour and the Greens asking for cross party support for its RMA reform - Mike asks Chris Hipkins whether Labour will get on board. And Mike loves the idea of people needing a qualification to be able to become a local councillor or Mayor. 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.

Foreign minister Winston Peters and American counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are meeting now in what Peters has described a "dramatically changed" American diplomatic scene. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Chris Hipkins.

As previously discussed, New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, has proposed a new member's bill to be placed in the ballot, aiming to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, targets in the public sector. This bill would amend the Public Service Act, which Peters, and NZ First, voted for when in a coalition government with the Labour Party in 2020. DEI refers to frameworks that aim to equitably represent certain individuals and communities not represented as much as other demographics in the country. The reception for this bill varies between the parties. Senior National MP, Chris Bishop, says if the bill were to be pulled out of the ballot, that the party would consider the bill, as they believe in “meritocracy,” however, would want a “public service that is reflective of modern New Zealand”. Opposition Leader from the Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, says he would want a public sector that represents all New Zealanders. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Fleur Fitzsimons, about Peter's members bill, and how she believes this will impact the public sector. They started off by asking how DEI targets work regarding the public sector.

The minister in charge of the country's school lunches programme said he doesn't think the Libelle Group going into liquidation is necessarily a bad thing. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins took aim at Mr Seymour and the Prime Minister in Parliament, saying the coalition has made a mess of the school lunches programme. Hipkins spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has given support to New Zealand First tackling what it describes as a woke agenda within government. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Could Labour’s agriculture spokeswoman be the next Minister of Agriculture if Chris Hipkins sleepwalks to victory in 2026? Why is she speaking out about the Gene Tech Bill? And why has she moved to Gisborne?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's yet again been forced to defend David Seymour over the school lunches saga in the House. The Opposition was relentless at Question Time today - with Chris Hipkins taking aim at the Government over the school lunch programme. Yet again, it was up to Chris Luxon to fend off the the attacks. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks today's events. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is defending his work as Prime Minister. The latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll suggests Chris Hipkins has leap-frogged Luxon as preferred PM. Labour's also ahead on 34.1%, with National trailing on 33.6%. The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking they're putting through legislation to address a range of issues. He says they're working harder than any government to fix what he says was a "mess" left by the last government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jenni Giblin and Chris Wikaira. They discuss the latest poll results showing Chris Hipkins ahead of Christopher Luxon, a petition against corporate tax cuts, and NZ First introducing a Members Bill to remove DEI regulation from the public service.

Labour has overtaken National - and Chris Hipkins has leap-frogged Chris Luxon as preferred Prime Minister in a new poll. The Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll has Labour on 34.1 percent and National on 33.6 percent - leaving the coalition unable to form a Government. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon doesn't appear to be bothered by this data - and he's focused on getting the economy sorted ahead of the 2026 election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins has shuffled his deck of MPs, saying his new-look Labour caucus will be focused on jobs, health, and homes for the 2026 election. The Labour leader delivered his State of the Nation speech today - with a promise Labour won't just throw out policies because National introduced them. The reshuffle has led to a new 'economics team,' and seen Jan Tinetti lose the education portfolio. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

This morning on What's Up? Jonny chats to Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins about special economic zones and a hot topic at the moment- school lunches. Listen back to the Aural Emporium and catch Jonny's interview with Sea Mouse about his upcoming gig at Cross Street plus gets the scoop from Lauren Whitney about the maaaassive programme for this year's NZ International Comedy Festival, check it out here. 

A trade war between The US and Canada, Mexico and China has sent world markets tumbling. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters meets his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Alexa Cook.

Andrew Bayly has resigned his ministerial porfolios following what he's called "overbearing" and laying a hand on a staffers upper arm during an animated discussion last week. But Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Bayly needs to go from parliament altogether. Hipkins spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Labour leader, Chris Hipkins has criticised is critical of the Prime Minister's handling of Andrew Bayly's resignation saying Christopher Luxon should have acted sooner. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An inquiry released on Tuesday found StatsNZ and the Ministry of Health failed to put adequate safeguards in place to protect the information they shared. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.