Podcasts about hipkins'

Three Waters is finally getting the axe.  Labour Leader Chris Hipkins joined John MacDonald to discuss the repeal and the impact he thinks it'll have on New Zealanders.  The state of the emergency call system is also in the news, John asking if Hipkins' government really pushed back its upgrade.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says there could be Labour MPs within his caucus uncertain about their political future. The Labour leader has outlined his shadow cabinet, revealing which MPs have what portfolios. He says none of his MPs have confirmed they plan to leave politics - but wouldn't rule out if he's had conversations colleagues about bowing out. ZB political editor Jason Walls says he wouldn't be surprised to see Damien O'Connor bow out of Hipkins' cabinet.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel supporters are questioning Chris Hipkins' decision to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking as Labour Leader, and not caretaker Prime Minister, Mr Hipkins says the loss of life must end. He says he sought an agreement on his ceasefire call from the National Party but didn't get it. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Federation of Islamic Associations is pleased Chris Hipkins has called for a ceasefire of the conflict in Gaza. Mr Hipkins made the plea not as the caretaker Prime Minister, but in his role as Labour Party leader. The Federation sent a letter to Mr Hipkins and incoming Prime Minister Chris Luxon last week, asking for stronger action to condemn the violence in Gaza. Abdur Razzaq of the Federation of Islamic Associations spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The National Party is accusing caretaker Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of playing politics over Gaza after the Labour Party leader called for a ceasefire. Chris Hipkins says he sought an agreement from the National Party over the call but was unsuccessful. National says it supports the goal, but says Mr Hipkins' actions go against a long standing bipartisan approach to foreign policy. Neither Chris Hipkins nor National Party leader Christopher Luxon were available for comment. But National's foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee spoke to Corin Dann.

Chris Hipkins will find out on Tuesday if the new severely depleted Labour caucus want him to stay on as leader. The 34 MPs will gather in Upper Hutt in what is expected to be a long meeting. As well as voting on the leadership, they will also examine the party's woeful election result. Political reporter Katie Scotcher has been speaking to some of the surviving Labour MPs. Scotcher spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Labour's caucus will this morning begin picking up the pieces of its election loss at a special caucus meeting in Wellington.   As well as the party's direction and the election of whips, MPs will participate in a leadership confidence vote.  Political Commentator Grant Duncan told Kate Hawkesby that while there are some great people on that team, there's no obvious rising star to take Hipkins' place as leader.  He said that in order for Labour to succeed, they need to think about how they're going to restore themselves and voters' faith in them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The soul searching begins on Tuesday for the drastically reduced Labour caucus which meets for the first time since it's humiliating defeat to National at the weekend. First, they'll farewell their 21 colleagues who've lost their seats and then they'll start taking a long hard look at what went wrong. It's likely Chris Hipkins' future will be on the agenda - will he stay or go? Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Hipkins has claimed a National-led Government will set key Maori initiatives back extensively. The Prime Minister has hit out at the opposition, declaring National's Chris Luxon will reverse all 'By Maori for Maori' progress Labour has made. Hipkins also compared Luxon's approach to Don Brash's 'divisive' 2005 campaign. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Hipkins' allegations don't match National's stance on race relations and labelled the move 'short-sighted'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins and Chris Luxon went head-to-head last night in their final debate before polling day tomorrow. Political Editor, Jason Walls, told Kate Hawkesby that he agrees with commentators who described the tone as 'cranky'. He says it was clear Hipkins' tactic was to try get under Luxon's skin which worked for the most part. Walls says he found Hipkins to be quite aggressive during the debate. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Two Hours with the Labour Party LeaderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's Mood of the Boardroom survey ranked National's Chris Luxon over his Labour counterpart. The survey compiled responses from more than 100 chief executives and leaders- with Luxon scoring 3.24 out of 5 compared to Hipkins' 2.95. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says voters are still sceptical of National's tax package, with experts criticising the party's priorities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O'Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis.  This week, the The Spinoff's Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper. Our expert panel discusses the call that this election campaign is being marred by violence and attacks across the political spectrum. They also chat about Chris Hipkins' Covid diagnosis and the implications that will have on the final fortnight of campaigning. The experts dissect that interview with Winston Peters – and if that means National should re-think its stance to work with NZ First. Heather asks the panel whether the rise in early voting will continue – and what that might mean for the result on October 14th. Plus, they take a deep dive into the latest policy announcements – including the Greens' universal student allowance and Labour's supermarket pledge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's Mood of the Boardroom survey ranked National's Chris Luxon over his Labour counterpart. The survey compiled responses from more than 100 chief executives and leaders- with Luxon scoring 3.24 out of 5 compared to Hipkins' 2.95. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says voters are still sceptical of National's tax package, with experts criticising the party's priorities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid-19 has intervened in the election campaign, side-lining Labour leader Chris Hipkins just under two weeks out from polling day. Hipkins started to experience symptoms on Sunday and returned a positive test the same day. National's campaign chair Chris Bishop spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Labour's Chris Hipkins brought some unexpected political fire into Wednesday's second leaders' debate, to the surprise of experts and viewers. Hipkins seemed confident in his performance on the night, giving himself a rating of nine, while Luxon rated himself a seven. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Hipkins' debate performance was surprising, following a 'lackluster' and 'lifeless' start to Labour's campaign. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first debate, Labour leader Chris Hipkins appeared to suggest he had not read a book. On our epic 12-hour megapod, he confirmed that in fact he has, and what his favourite books are. Plus, Hipkins' self-assessment of his mojo, the mood in Gisborne, his prediction for turnout and political TV comfort food. This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, the debate. Firstly, I fear I may be wasting your time if you didn't see it. If you didn't, you didn't miss much. If you did see it you will have been, I assume, bored witless. If you were a Chris Hipkins fan going in I don't think he did anything to put you off. Chris Luxon did well because it was his to lose. In fact, given the build up about him being new and so on, he did very well. He looked in command of what he was saying but then, hype aside, you don't get to be the leader of a large political party by not being able to front and explain yourself. So in that sense I wasn't surprised. They agreed on a lot of stuff, which plays into the idea that National are Labour-light and may give room to the minor players who want a bit more upheaval. There were a series of hopelessly condescending quick-fire questions about their favourite beach and the last book they read and whether they had ever had a speeding ticket. Those questions are for breakfast TV, not a prime time debate. The questions from the viewers were a waste of time and smacked of tired lazy production. There is not a question out there a moderator can't ask, we don't need to see Ken of Kaitaia. Both men were respectful, and that might be to Hipkins' disadvantage. He never looks like he is desperate and he should, because he is. He is losing this campaign, and badly, and he needed to show us he cared. He never looks over-exercised about anything. Nothing is brilliant, nothing is a shambles. It's just good ol' Chippy, talking about vaping or gangs or tax or his favourite beach. If you have followed this campaign you would have learned nothing. If you had followed none of it you might have picked up a few generalities but, to be fair, if you hadn't followed the campaign you are not the sort of person to watch a debate because you clearly aren't that interested. Ultimately, that's why the debate failed its audience. People who watch debates know what's going on. We needed life, we needed spark, we needed passion. Yet, we got a couple of blokes holding their own and a moderator sadly working too hard on telling us it was fun. My theory is this campaign is over and has been for sometime, that the result is a forgone conclusion, and the debate sort of reflected that. We went through the motions, no one fell on their face and we all know what's going to happen in a couple of weeks. Was there a winner? Yes. It was those who didn't watch because you had a more productive time. And Chris Luxon, who showed he is more than up to the task.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So Labour and National kicked off their respective campaigns over the weekend to Labour's big wizz-bang attention-getter was the promise of free dental care for under 30s, but not until 2026.   National, having already announced 37 different policies, decided to stick to a pledge card detailing the party's eight main commitments, if and when elected. Both took potshots at one another over the weekend, Hipkins said that National's tax plan was sneaky.   He questioned the costings and he said National are people who want to win the election, whatever it takes and bugger the cost. Talk about pot calling the kettle black there.   Luxon fired back at Hipkins saying power doesn't concede easily and Labour's campaign was one of fear and disinformation.   Certainly, the CTU's gone all out with the attack ads. If you see the cover of this morning's Herald newspaper, it's pretty much a rich prick assault on the leader of the National Party with the ad they've taken out.   Still, that's democracy.   And if Citizens and Ratepayers decided to put something out about Hipkins' inability to be an effective Prime Minister, then I'm quite sure the Herald would take the money and wrap the ad around the newspaper.   You've got to survive in the media, you gotta take the ads. I did think Hipkins' whatever the cost comment was a bit rich, given that Labour's committed to free dental health care for under 30s, a policy Labour's considered before, but did the numbers and said it was too expensive and unworkable.   And while the Labour Party luvvies got terribly excited about the announcement, it won't be rolled out until the next election. Health Minister Ayesha Verrall was on with Mike Hosking this morning and says the free dental rollout will take until the next election because of staffing.  So much to unpack from that. For a start, we've got the mental health system that's seen a million people. Has it? Has it really, Ayesha?   And this would be the same mental health system where mental health workers at Capital Coast and Hutt Valley say that they're at their wit's end, the system is in crisis, we're overwhelmed. It's an increasingly unsafe mental health public system. We have a desperate shortage of skilled and experienced clinicians.   That would be that mental health service would it Ayesha?  That one. Because it doesn't sound like it's coping terribly well.   It sounds like the staff themselves are about to have mental breakdowns because of the pressure that they're under. The unworkable conditions that they're having to work under. So there's that.   And then we've got the dental service, the free dental care to under 30s that has been dismissed by Labour before as expensive and unworkable.   There was a story about a dentist in the Weekend Herald whose kids can't get into dentistry school despite their A+ pluses, and he's packed a stroppy, rich guy sad and said my children want to be dentists and I want to give my dentist clinic to them and they can't get into Otago.    And so Ayesha Verrall was asked why there are only 60 places offered at the University of Otago, when you get more than 500 applying every year. And she said it's very expensive, it's specialised and high cost to deliver dentistry training. And then she said there is a relatively small labour market in New Zealand for graduates.   So she's basically saying we only need 60, so this vision of universal free healthcare for under 30s must have been a relatively recent vision. Because how in the name of all that is holy are 60 new dentists going to be able to deal with the expected influx of people wanting their fangs checked?    You've also got Labour and Chris Hipkins telling the Newsroom media website last month, so not even 30 days ago, he said the health system doesn't have the capacity to deliver free dental care for all, and there would likely be a significant investment required just in order to build capacity, to meet the need for additional dental care.   So last month we didn't have the capacity in the health system to deliver universal dental care. So less than 30 days later, all of a sudden, we finesse it by saying, okay, it's gonna be for the end of 30s and it's not going to start until 2026.   Newsroom went back to him and said, how can you do this? And he said, well, every election you have a different set of priorities.   And he said it won't be too little too late, even though it takes 6 years to train a dentist and the first tranche, won't be funded till May of next year. I mean, they're basically saying whatever it takes to get votes and we shouldn't be surprised because it's an election campaign. But can they just be even a little bit clever about it?   Last month we didn't have the capacity for universal dental care. This month we do. Because the polls say it would be a good thing. I still think the most egregious turnaround and absolute disposal of any morals and principles was when Hipkins and Kelvin Davis announced they'd build two youth prisons when they realised how badly they'd lost the room when it came to law and order.   And this despite the fact it goes against everything they believe in. But they announced they'll build 2 youth prisons, no start date. But they just say it, because they realize they're losing the room on law and order.   Sacrificing everything they believe in. Just to try and get up in the polls. This universal dental plan for under 30s comes pretty close to that egregious turnaround. Labour reckons National wants to win the election quote, whatever it takes and bugger the cost.   Really, Chris Hipkins? National weren't the ones spraying around expensive, unrealistic and unachievable promises over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the Nat's tax plan – is good – and we know it's good for two reasons, one, because of all the positive feedback it's had, and two, because of how ropeable the Government are about it.   They are dark on it because they know they've been badly exposed here, by a sensible party doing sensible things, which reeks of common sense.   It reminds us just what common sense feels like - a distant memory for most of us politically these days let's be honest.   But the left are increasingly angry – they're on the ropes and you can feel it.  They're alleging all sorts of crazy and negative claims against the right, they're starting to look unhinged. Cue the government's cheerleaders stage left - the Unions.   Now here's where this whole thing's going to come unstuck and it's all going to backfire on them.   Yesterday the CTU launched an attack ad on Luxon – by mistake, it apparently got launched early by mistake.   But it was a digital billboard with a big close-up picture of an angry looking Luxon, with the caption, ‘Out of touch, too much risk.'    The ad has since been removed – but it's a signal of what's to come and where the left's heads are at; fighting dirty.   NZ Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff authorized the billboard, but the ad agency put it up before the Union itself had signed it off. It's scheduled to run next week.   And here's what voters should be worried about, undecided voters, of which there are tons, don't tend to like dirty tactics - women in particular don't like it.   They don't like personal attacks and name calling, and this is what this whole campaign is.  If you are someone who's paying union fees to the CTU, how do you feel about them spending money on this sort of negative highly personal style attack?   How do you feel about the Unions tight and perhaps now blind allegiance to a government that's pumped up your cost of living and delivered you very little?   The CTU's time and energy and money would surely be better spent on initiatives, ideas or policies that could advance the plight of its members.   There seems increasingly no separation between the Labour government and the CTU - both seem blinded by the same ideology, both seem out of step with the people who prop up their coffers.   Why are members fees not being sheeted towards billboards demanding better working conditions, policies that work better for them, new ideas around how to get real traction on solutions around pay and conditions.   For a government that campaigned last time on kindness and hugs and teddy bears, how do they justify this time round going so rogue? So gutter? So scrappy?   Even members of Labour's own support base are abandoning them. As the left's very own Chris Trotter pointed out the other day, this government has been so divisive, that it refuses to now work with anyone who ‘doesn't embrace Labour's radical social agenda.'   Trotter wrote, ‘once celebrated for its broad inclusiveness, Hipkins' party has opted to greet potential supporters with a grim pair of ideological bouncers.'  Trotter suggests that ‘those who balk at co-governance, or reject trans women competing against biological women in sport', are ‘no longer welcome inside Labour's ‘big tent'.   The party's broadchurch is increasingly, I reckon, looking like a narrow field of radical ideologues and rabid attack dogs, who when cornered, can only bite back and fight dirty.   If this election is a fight for the middle swing voter, then I think this tactic of the left is a sure-fire way to lose them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday Te Pāti Māori released their tax policy ahead of the election. The policy wasn't a huge surprise. At their election campaign launch a few weeks ago they made it clear their tax reform policy would have a focus on redistributing wealth. So the proposal for a new wealth tax, an increase in income tax for those earning over $200,000, and a tax free threshold for income up to $30,000 are all expected. During Matariki, Co leader Rawiri Waititi said, “100,000 people are homeless in New Zealand, 60,000 of those are Maori”, so it's no shock they're also pushing for new taxes for land banking and vacant houses as well as a capital gains tax. They've clearly decided to go all out. So also plan to raise the corporate tax rate from 28% to 33%, as well as new taxes for foreign companies. They call the policy radical and transformative and representative of their values - but there's plenty of debate as to whether these policies will encourage or hinder productivity. It's easy to take a radical approach when you're a minor party. When it comes to the compromises required for coalition negotiations it's important to have something to lose. Te Pāti Māori's tax reform policy comes after the Green Party recently released their plan to pursue a wealth tax and universal income guarantee. The person this creates a headache for is the Prime Minister - who recently made a Captain's Call pledging no new capital gains our wealth tax as long as he's Prime Minister. It makes for an interesting potential coalition negotiation doesn't it. And it means the Labour party needs to be very clear about their tax policy, which is expected to be announcing imminently. Obviously voters would like the labour party to be transparent about what they would be prepared to consider from coalition partners when it comes to tax reform, but they'll see no upside in having that discussion before the election. Hipkins' announcement on capital gains and wealth taxes was pure politicking, and accepted by his cabinet even if they didn't entirely agree. Which is becoming a theme. National's finance spokesperson Nicola Willis has pipped the government's tax policy announcement by doing it herself. She confidently claims Hipkins' plans to announce the removal of GST from fruit and vegetables, even after his Finance Minister ruled out the idea earlier in the year. It's a difficult idea to put in place, and it will be hard to know if we're saving 15% on our fruit or veggies without more supermarket regulation, but with the heightened cost of a weekly shop it could be a popular move. Hipkins' is making the big calls and he now has the tough job of assuring party faithful they're living by their values, while also appealing to a wide demographic feeling the pinch of a cost of living crisis. Something tells me, he may need more than just a fruity rehashed idea from 2011 to get the job done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has touched down for his first official visit to New Zealand. He's one of several foreign politicians travelling to New Zealand as part of the Fifa Women's World Cup 2023. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson suspects Blinken plans to use this visit to shore up international relations between the regions following Hipkins' relations with China. "The US has its own agenda, I think all three countries don't necessarily see eye to eye on policies, but also trade and security and human rights, which is something that can often get swept under the rug." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins struck a sombre tone when addressing this morning's deadly shooting in Auckland CBD. Two people were killed and multiple people injured when a gunman opened fire in building that was being renovated on lower Queen Street. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Hipkins was clearly emotional, but made it clear that the situation was contained and there was no threat to New Zealand's security threat level. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DescriptionWe speak with Finlay and Mikey about People Against Prisons Aotearoa and their new Care not Cages campaign and discuss crime policy and youth justice particularly in regards to right-wing rhetoric. We also manage to find time to cover Hipkins' ruling out of wealth and capital gains taxes.Find the Care Not Cages website hereThis episode's co-hosts:Kyle, Finlay, MikeyTimestamps1:46 care not cages20:45 ACT to treat 17 years as adults in the justice system30:30 Media coverage run by ACT37:40 The fear incentive for coverage43:50 Underfunding of Justice + Hipkins tax decision53:55 Labour's next stepsIntro/Outro by The Prophet MotiveSupport us here: https://www.patreon.com/1of200

It was an anti-climactic end to the NATO summit for the Prime Minister, after he had to bail out on his planned bi-lateral with the Ukrainian President - as they ran out of time. Chris Hipkins was scheduled to meet Volodomyr Zelensky as the Lithuania summit wrapped up. But after two days of diplomatic positioning and at times tense negotiations between NATO and Ukraine, a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Mr Zelensky ran long, leaving no time to meet with the New Zealand Prime Minister. But they did bump into each other as Mr Hipkins was leaving the venue. Our political editor Jane Patterson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Vilnius.

Grant Robertson admits he's disappointed Chris Hipkins has ruled out capital gains and wealth taxes. The Finance Minister told Mike Hosking he understands the reasoning for Hipkins' decision, even if he doesn't fully agree with it. “We've got a very volatile economic situation that we're in, we've got to get through that.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins has dropped an election year bombshell from the other side of the world, confirming his party won't introduce a capital gains or wealth tax under his leadership. The commitment came as a slew of documents revealed Labour had in fact been looking to introduce such a tax. The decision is testing Labour's relationship with its coalition partners, with one saying Mr Hipkins' call has effectively ended negotiations before polls have even opened. Here's our political reporter, Katie Scotcher. Our political editor Jane Patterson is travelling with the Prime Minister to the Nato summit in Lithuania and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Grant Robertson admits he's disappointed Chris Hipkins has ruled out capital gains and wealth taxes. The Finance Minister told Mike Hosking he understands the reasoning for Hipkins' decision, even if he doesn't fully agree with it. “We've got a very volatile economic situation that we're in, we've got to get through that.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After all that, it turns out Chris Hipkins will actually be meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But right now he is in attendance of the Nato leaders' summit in Lithuania focusing on what he says are 'matters of global importance'. While back in New Zealand we have this new report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade highlighting the grim reality of the future of New Zealand, with a clear need to focus on foreign policy interests, and to tighten up our security. NZ First leader and former Minister of Foreign affairs Winston Peters joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will attend the NATO leaders summit to strengthen international ties in wake of Russia's war in Ukraine. This comes off the back of Hipkins' week-long trade-focused trip to China. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says Hipkins may finally get the chance to meet Joe Biden, as both leaders will be at the NATO summit.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view the Prime Minister's trip to China wasn't entirely smooth sailing. His meeting with Xi Jinping was met with a warm reception from Chinese media. But Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says when he hit Shanghai his trip was somewhat overshadowed by Minister Kiri Allen causing drama at home. He says while there were bumps, the trip has led to some gains. "One business leader on the 29-strong business delegation said that they actually had more accomplished in the last couple of days in China then they had in 10 years." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John MacDonald was joined by Duncan Webb and Gerry Brownlee on Canterbury Mornings for Politics Friday. What on earth is going on with Kiri Allan's office? Was the fuel subsidy such a great idea now we have spent so much money on it? And what good will come from the Prime Minister's trip to China?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins had his high-powered meeting with Xi Jinping and experts noticed some hesitation. The Chinese President describing New Zealand as a friend and partner, and Hipkins stressed the importance of our ties with China- but didn't return the praise. NZ Contemporary China Research Centre director Jason Young says it's not standard for New Zealand diplomats to label other nations as 'friends'. "I think the word is more loaded for China, where they have extended friendship groups, they try to create friendly relationships and society groups all around the world." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is set to discuss some of the world's most contentious topics with one of the world's most powerful men. The Prime Minister has secured a meeting with President Xi Jinping during his week-long trade visit to the country next week. It comes as the US and China restarted high-levels talks overnight with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledging to stabilise their tense relationship during a meeting in Beijing. Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman says Hipkins and Xi are likely to discuss a range of issues, including China's position on Russia and Ukraine. He says China knows New Zealand wants Russia to return to its borders, but may want to hear from Hipkins first hand. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Transport Minister Michael Wood's suspension is among the latest Ministerial mishaps under Hipkins' term. The Labour Party has undergone a challenging six months, as the Prime Minister has stood down a Minister every six and half weeks since he took office. Victoria University political analyst Dr Bryce Edwards acknowledges this isn't Chris Hipkins' fault- and thinks this string of bad luck is 'survivable.' "I don't think he's done anything wrong here, but he's been let down by poor quality Ministers around him."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big question for Chris Hipkins over whether to remove Michael Wood from cabinet. Wood remains stood down as Transport Minister after it was revealed he was told to sell his Auckland Airport shares no fewer than 12 separate times. The opposition is calling for Wood to resign or be fired, but Wood says he has no plans to go. Former Cabinet Minister Peter Dunne, who was himself forced to resign from Cabinet in 2013 after he was found to have withheld information from an inquiry into a leak of a GCSB report, told Mike Hosking he agrees Wood needs to go. He says the recent controversies over Michael Wood, Jan Tinetti, Stuart Nash, Kiri Allan and Meka Whaitiri have detracted from Hipkins' leadership. Jan Tinetti will appear before the Privileges Committee today, accused of misleading the House over attendance figures. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You could have heard a pin drop at Question Time yesterday. How many times had Michael Wood been asked by the Cabinet Office to sell his Auckland Airport shares? We had thought six times was bad but it turned out to be 12. In a day of questions that saw the Government as decimated as any day I have seen watching these things, Paul Goldsmith of National asked Wood whether it was dishonesty or incompetence. Wood, who looked ghost-like, didn't really answer. He didn't have to. ACT, in a series of questions designed to embarrass, gave examples of whether or not people entering various processes involving Governments and Government departments could be assured that the people they were dealing with didn't have a conflict of interest. Especially if the Prime Minister couldn't trust his own minister to not have a conflict of interest. Grant Robertson, as Labour's point man on rules around questions, tried valiantly to stop it, but couldn't. He also failed yesterday to get the speaker to rule against Mark Mitchell asking Ginny Andersen if we feel safe from crime, the way she has been claiming. What matters in Question Time is twofold. First, it occasionally elicits stuff the Government don't want you to know, with yesterday being one of those days. Secondly, when it does do that, it provides the Opposition i.e National and ACT, with momentum. It's not always made public because the press gallery is such a shadow of its former self and the lack of experience means a lot of this stuff never gets recognised, far less covered. But it has been many a year, and I have seen a lot of years, since I have seen a Government as badly on the mat as this one was yesterday. Chris Hipkins has inherited the Wood scenario, providing proof, yet again, that his predecessor was barely interested in any detail at all, far less the sticky bits. You want to look at a picture of what a dead man walking looks like? You had your choice. Look at Hipkins at about 2:10pm yesterday. If Wood looked justifiably sick, Hipkins was punch drunk, barely conscious and desperate for the bell to end the round. I would have thought it goes without saying, but Wood can't survive this. Because this now goes to Hipkins' leadership. It's one thing for Ardern to be useless and hands off, but this is now on him. 12 times. Five-year-olds don't get asked 12 times to do something. No one ever, for anything, has been asked 12 times. Records in incompetence, or skulduggery, are being set here. Even though Hipkins has literally no one in his empty cupboard of ministerial talent left, he can't ignore this any longer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DescriptionToo much happened this week in politics, yet despite this political coverage in our media predominantly focused on sad, tired PR lines and horse-race politics between Labur and National as our gallery tried to show how they're somehow exactly the same. We touch briefly on that dynamic but also try to cover MDRS, managed retreat and Hipkins' ludicrous comments on the tertiary sector.This episode's co-hosts:Rustie, Josephine, KyleTimestamps00 intro03:55 MDRS32:45 Managed retreat46:30 Tertiary cuts1:04:00 Media analysisIntro/Outro by The Prophet MotiveSupport us here: https://www.patreon.com/1of200

I'm surprised that voters don't really seem to like Chris Hipkins that much.  We've spent quite a bit of time discussing Chris Luxon's poor popularity, but take a look at last night's poll: Hipkins' is really poor as well. His personal popularity in last night's TVNZ poll: 25%. Last week in the Newshub poll, only 23%. That means three-quarters of us don't want him as PM.  That's bad for an incumbent prime minister  Generally a popular prime minister will sit in the thirties or early forties if we like them. And I'm surprised people don't seem to like him that much because he technically has everything a politician needs to be popular. He's good with a one liner, good at batting down tough questions without sounding upset or nervous or angry. Really smiley demeanour, quick to laugh, and open to media, going on talkback, and taking questions. He talks like a normal kiwi. He is basically the opposite of what we had before. So why don't we like him?  I suspect it's because voters aren't quite as dumb as politicians assume, when they think a quick switcharoo at the top changes a party's fortunes. I suspect it's because voters haven't forgotten the stuff that frustrated them about Labour. They gave Chippy a chance, but they haven't seen him prove that his Labour is all that different.  Tell you what, Labour should be worried about that. This spells trouble for them because Chippy is the only asset they've got. They've got rubbish policies, they've got a rubbish track record in the last 5.5 years, they've got rubbish ministers, and they've got rubbish coalition partners. So the only thing they had going for them is a leader that was more popular than the leader of the National Party.  Well, that's not true anymore. The gap between them about ten weeks ago was 16%, the gap now is 7%.  Unless he can lift his popularity, Labour might've just lost its last best hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is welcoming the United States' growing presence in the Pacific region. Chris Hipkins has just returned from a 23-hour trip to Papua New Guinea, where a new security pact giving US armed forces uninhibited access to PNG's territorial waters and airspace was signed. It was Mr Hipkins' first time meeting some of his Pacific counterparts, and he says they back American engagement in the region. Our political reporter Anneke Smith filed this story from Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins today explained military presence doesn't necessarily signify militarisation. Chris Hipkins is at the US-Pacific Summit in Papua New Guinea on the same day America's expected to ink a cooperation deal with PNG. The agreement has prompted concerns about increased militarisation. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there are concerns surrounding the Papua New Guinea- US defence deal, but these shouldn't concern Chris Hipkins. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff joined ZB's Mike Hosking ahead of an important week for the nation- King Charles III's coronation and Chris Hipkins' meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brought the pair together again following their complicated history during Phil Goff's run as mayor of Auckland. Before taking on the role as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff also held a number of portfolios; Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of Defence. When asked whether he preferred working in the local or international sphere, Phil Goff said he enjoyed both, and acknowledged their challenges. “This is more an extension of what I was doing internationally at the time I was a Minister. But I'm really enjoying just getting out and meeting the New Zealanders- we've got about 70,000 of them across the United Kingdom, some fantastic people. And working with the Brits, I don't think there's any country on Earth that's closer to New Zealand.” The Friday evening before the coronation, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will meet with his UK equivalent at 10 Downing Street to discuss the New Zealand- UK free trade agreement. The FTA was officially agreed in principle in 2021 and signed a year later, but Hipkins' meeting with Rishi Sunak will ideally nudge its start date forward. Phil Goff explained to Mike Hosking that the free trade agreement presents the chance to build on a market linked to a high-value economy. “This is a great deal for New Zealand with the United Kingdom, but it's a great deal for the United Kingdom as well. We both benefit, we both gain advantage.” Phil Goff is no stranger to King Charles either, having met the new ruler back when he was Prince of Wales in 2014. In future audiences with the King ahead of the coronation, Phil Goff would be just as impressed with Charles' skills as a diplomat and his high opinion of the King is still apparent. “I think he is the United Kingdom's number one diplomat. People said thirty years ago[1]what's this guy talking about with sustainability and environment? What he was talking about thirty years ago is now mainstream in the world. He was ahead of his time, he's a person that wants to make a better world.” Meetings with royalty aside, Phil Goff's week has been full of other obligations, including speaking engagements and advocating for New Zealand's successful future in the eyes of the UK. “This job is about advocacy for your country, it's about engaging with the Kiwis that are here, working with them, it's about getting the best deals that we can for New Zealand.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins delivered the first of several Budget speeches and announcements, ruling out new taxes. Hipkins stated there will be no capital gains or wealth tax in the Budget and no levy to cover the costs of Cyclone Gabrielle. NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett says Chris Hipkins delivered an unusually 'meaty' pre-budget speech, a first for this Prime Minister. Claire Trevett says Hipkins' speech was good in that it directly addressed the content from a recent IRD study and immediately dismissed a predicted capital gains tax. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins delivered his pre-budget speech and experts are comparing aspects of it to National's campaign promises. Hipkins talked about reducing Government spending, highlighted strong immigration numbers and ruled out introducing a capital gains tax. The Prime Minister also promised spending would be directed to boost economic productivity, with skills, science and infrastructure labelled as priorities. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says Chris Hipkins' no-frills budget is more centrist than most Labour voters would be familiar with, comparing his speech to Bill English's previous statements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is being praised for a "business friendly" pre-budget speech. Chris Hipkins says the Government will deliver a no-frills Budget, balancing restraint with funding the basics on May 18. He's ruled out introducing a capital gains or wealth tax, and bringing in a cyclone levy to fund the recovery. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges says it provides certainty. "If he had sort of left that door around tax open, there's a very real danger he would have killed the mood amongst businesses and amongst households at a time when we've got to try and desperately lift the mood." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is being praised for a "business friendly" pre-budget speech. Chris Hipkins says the Government will deliver a no-frills Budget, balancing restraint with funding the basics on May 18. He's ruled out introducing a capital gains or wealth tax, and bringing in a cyclone levy to fund the recovery. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges says it provides certainty. "If he had sort of left that door around tax open, there's a very real danger he would have killed the mood amongst businesses and amongst households at a time when we've got to try and desperately lift the mood." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following topics- and more! Chris Hipkins delivered his pre-budget election speech today, focusing on reducing Government spending, ruling out new taxes and directing spending to boost New Zealand's economic productivity. Did it sound like it could have come from a National leader? What does this mean for National? Wellington speed limit changes are now out for public consultation- will Wellington Council listen to people's feedback? Do the speed limits need to be reduced? A new study finds men associate eating meat with manliness- how accurate is this? LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins delivered his pre-budget speech and experts are comparing aspects of it to National's campaign promises. Hipkins talked about reducing Government spending, highlighted strong immigration numbers and ruled out introducing a capital gains tax. The Prime Minister also promised spending would be directed to boost economic productivity, with skills, science and infrastructure labelled as priorities. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says Chris Hipkins' no-frills budget is more centrist than most Labour voters would be familiar with, comparing his speech to Bill English's previous statements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Politics Central, Former United Future leader and political commentator Peter Dunne explained the impact of the recent burst of misbehaviour coming out of Parliament. Later on, Otago University International Relations professor Robert Patman weighed in on Finland joining NATO this week, and suggested more nations are likely to follow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Sunday Panel, BusinessDesk Investments Editor and host of the Cooking the Books podcast Frances Cook and political commentator and partner at Freebairn and Hehir lawyers Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following topics: Anti-trans activist Posie Parker's Auckland rally got out of hand- pushing and fighting broke out between the attendees and counter-protestors and Posie Parker was doused in red liquid before being rushed out of Albert Park. Was this an acceptable reaction? What do we think of this? Chris Luxon launched National's new education policy in a a bid to push back against Hipkins' popularity in the polls. Will this push up New Zealand's international rankings? Are there any areas the education plan could be improved in? NZ First leader Winston Peters delivered his State of the Nation speech earlier in the week, is this a sign he needs to throw in something new to his political formula? A Chinese start-up has invented a 'kissing machine' that transmits user data collected through silicon lip-shaped sensors. Would you use this? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party wants a commitment to climate action from a potential coalition partner. Co-leader James Shaw voiced his distaste at the prospect of a National-Act alliance in a 'State of the Planet' address yesterday. He said it would be the most "reactionary, race-baiting, right-wing" government in decades. Clint Smith, a former advisor to Jacinda Ardern, says that the Greens aren't happy with the Prime Minister's policy bonfire either. He says they're concerned Hipkins' leadership is moving away from climate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The old, hi-vis honeymoon of Hawke's Bay and disaster politics for the Prime Minister is long gone, isn't it? There he was, flailing away on Friday lining up the decision on Stuart Nash for the weekend, looking to draw a line under it so by Monday —as in today— we've all moved on. Sorry Chris, we haven't. Among the many weaknesses of the previous Prime Minister was her inability to instil any real discipline in her people. You could essentially rob a bank and she would find an excuse for you. In fact, ironically the original sin of Nash on this show in 2020 was under her watch. She knew the Solicitor-General was looking at prosecuting and she knew the Attorney General did the telling off. How come she didn't do anything at the time? Because she was incapable of discipline. Hipkins is, sadly, cut from the same cloth. As much as I like Stuart, and as much as I think most of us get the fact he did what he did out of frustration, he broke the rules - and broke them at least twice. You either have rules or you don't. And in not sacking him Hipkins becomes as big a villain as Nash. Hipkins is soft and/or so short of proper talent he can't afford to lose anyone. The most extraordinary part of the Hipkins explanation came when he stated that Nash claims he couldn't recall the Attorney General admonishing him for the original crime. That says either Stuart has brain fade, or David Parker's admonishments are so nondescript you might have thought you were having a beer and a game of darts. If it's brain fade then Hipkins' explanation that Stuart has assured him that there is nothing else hiding in the closet is meaningless, given who knows what he remembers or doesn't. Anyway, the upshot is Stuart lives to operate another day and Chris Hipkins looks like a bloke who puts up with a lot, doesn't have any talent back up and ends up looking like his predecessor. In the grand scheme of things this doesn't shift votes. But it does build a case that has already got several worrying pieces to it. When it comes to leadership and being a saviour for the Government in election year, old 'Chippy from the Hutt' ain't quite the rock star so many in the media fell over themselves trying to make him out to be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins looks to be taking a tough stance against MPs stepping over the line. The Police Minister resigned his portfolio today over revelations he asked the Police Commissioner if he would appeal a court decision. Stuart Nash was not the responsible minister at the time of the 2021 conversation. Former Labour staffer Kaine Thompson says Hipkins' style of premiership is a change. "He is absolutely clear about his direction and his decisions, and he's also putting his ministers up front, so there is an added pressure here that may not have been there for the last couple of years."  Megan Woods has stepped in as acting Police Minister. LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced more policies will be scrapped to get Kiwis through the cost of living crisis. The $568 million clean car upgrade is gone, the plan to nationally reduce speed limits has narrowed, and an extra $2 billion will be spent on a welfare package. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says voters will have to wait until May to find out the full scope of the budget, but this refocus functions like a small-scale budget announcement. Barry Soper says that the Government has kicked climate change funding down the road by deferring several transport plans. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister Chris Hipkins yesterday ditched a raft of plans including the half-a-billion-dollar clean-car discount scheme, "re-scoping" Auckland light rail, while winding back other transport policies. The government is also deferring or cancelling work on other environmental, health, and employment and human rights policies. Chris Hipkins says his purge on various projects will save about one billion dollars - which will be spent on so-called "bread and butter" issues and cyclone recovery. Yesterday he announced benefit increases are to be linked to inflation rather than the average wage. Meanwhile a new Kantar Public poll released last night puts Labour and National neck and neck - just two points between them. Kathryn discusses with politcial commentators Gareth Hughes and Brigitte Morton.

The Prime Minister's popularity is rising since he took the top job last month, garnering 27 percent in the prefered prime minister ratings according to the latest 1News Kantar Public Poll. The poll found the newly refocused Labour Party could govern with the support of the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, but the election looks to be balancing on a tight rope. Chris Hipkins will be hoping his latest policy reset, axing or putting off a wide array of unpopular policies, will only aid his rise in the rankings. Deputy political reporter Craig McCulloch spoke to Jane Patterson.  

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has burned several more schemes on his policy bonfire and splashed more cash in a welfare boost as his popularity continues to increase in the latest poll. However, Hipkins' second big policy reprioritisation, particularly in the transport sector, has ruffled the feathers of their political ally the Green Party, which claims it will only make the country's future climate targets harder to achieve. Several policies have either been cut, refocused or delayed to help free up the capital for the Government's aim to reduce the cost of living, and Hipkins isn't ruling out more former priorities being torched. Hipkins told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking today that he was not trying to buy the election. “It is not at all what I have said.” As a Government, cost of living and recovering from the recent floods and cyclone was the top priority. Inflation had risen globally and New Zealand was not immune to this, Hipkins said. “I am not accepting Government spending is the primary driver of inflation.” However he conceded tax cuts and other decisions by the Government could have an impact on it. Hipkins said he did not want people on low income and superannuation “to go backwards” with the cost of living increase. “Government had to do something to bring inflation down. Interest rates will start to have an effect now.” A recent forecast from most bank economists showed inflation starting to come down from next year, Hipkins said. “Inflation is starting to trend down internationally.” Asked about retail crime, Hipkins said there needed to be more work to be done to combat it. He said the area of retail crime which had seen an increase was for shoplifting of amounts valued at under $500. “There has been a much higher level of reporting since 2017.” The fact that those businesses had reported more crime, gives police more tools to tackle it. “There was good progress made last year to tackle more serious retail offending such as aggravated robbery and ram raids. “We saw a spike last year. We made good progress, ram raiders were identified as repeat offenders, and we got them out of circulation. About 500 of those young people have been prosecuted.” Hipkins said Cabinet would receive more information on Three Waters in the next few weeks. Clean car scheme among several dumped policies Yesterday Hipkins tossed the $568 million clean car upgrade scheme that allowed people to scrap old cars to gain a grant for a more environmentally friendly vehicle, staggered the rollout of Auckland light rail, narrowed the speed reduction programme, stopped the social leasing car scheme and refocused public transport goals in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch. Hipkins said today that the removal of a couple of policies the Government had previously been investigating - including the old vehicle scrappage scheme and the social leasing scheme - was due to the fact that they would have made a very small contribution to our overall emissions budgets. There were other things the Government was doing that were proving to be more successful and had the potential to reduce the emissions by a much greater amount. ”This is about looking across the work programme and saying: ‘Okay, what's actually going to deliver the sort of change that we need? What's actually going to help New Zealanders with the cost of living?' And making sure that we're investing in and focusing in those things,” he told TVNZ. Asked if investing in those now old policies had been a waste of time, Hipkins said looking at the vehicle scrappage scheme and the social leasing scheme, the advice that he had received that both were going to prove to be “quite difficult” to implement in the time frame concerned. Between both of them, they were looking at something like 7000 tonnes of emissions reduction period. Contrasting that with the clean car upgrade scheme and the industrial carbonisation programmes, they are talking about millions of tonnes of carbon reduced within a similar time period for a lesser cost, Hipkins said. Hipkins rises in latest political poll Yesterday's bonfire came as the latest 1 News-Kantar poll on Monday led to Hipkins rising four percentage points to 27 per cent as the preferred PM, while National's Christopher Luxon dropped five points to 17 per cent - his lowest since taking on the role at the end of 2021. Labour dropped two points to 36 per cent while National fell three points to 34 per cent. The Greens and Act were both on 11 per cent, however, only the Left could form a government on those numbers - provided they were supported by Te Pāti Māori. Speaking to reporters at his post-Cabinet press conference, Hipkins defended his policy shift, saying the initiatives weren't sizeable or highly efficient contributors to the Government's efforts to reduce emissions and that more policies would be announced in due course that would help New Zealand meet its climate targets. Greens co-leader and Climate Change Minister James Shaw says he would have argued against cutting back on climate actions that would assist low-income families. “The Clean Car Upgrade would have provided households with more low-emissions choices about how to get around,” he said. “This doesn't sit well on top of the previous extension to the fossil fuel subsidies, which we know benefits the highest earners most.” Climate Change Minister and Greens co-leader James Shaw. Photo / Mark Mitchell He believed climate action was a “bread and butter issue” for many, especially those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. “Every time we kick climate action into the future, we make it harder for ourselves to meet those targets.” The National Party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis, says it is well past time that the Government inflation-adjusted tax threshold and reduce the tax that working people pay. Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Kate Hawkesby this morning, Willis said the Government had sworn black and blue that they could not afford to do that. ”Well, actually, turns out there's a lot of fat in the system, they've found a lot of money down the back of the couch - so it's time to get its priorities straight and reduce the tax that New Zealanders pay.” On benefit top-ups and getting rid of what Hawkesby called “the hated policies”, Willis said they actually agreed with those changes. ”What they're doing is correcting their own mistake. They change the way that superannuation and other benefits were calculated. “Instead of those being tagged to inflation - as they have been in the past - they tagged them to average wages. Of course, the problem is over these past few years under Labour, average wages aren't keeping up with prices - aren't keeping up with inflation.” Willis said they were pleased to see superannuants getting the payments they deserve. But what was needed as a country was a plan to get inflation under control - something that had yet to be seen from the Government, Willis said. ”What we need to see is reductions in wasteful spending elsewhere, so that we can prioritise money to the places where it counts.” National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday cited rising food prices and high inflation in his criticism of the Government's reprioritisation, while restating his call for inflation-adjusted tax thresholds. “My message to Chris Hipkins is, stop spending and cut taxes,” he said. “[Yesterday's] moves are no more than a rounding error - pocket change in Labour's grand scheme to spend, spend, spend with nothing to show for it except Kiwis struggling to feed their families with food prices spiralling.” Act leader David Seymour also doubted the value of the Government's policy shift. “New Zealanders need real change, [Chris] Hipkins U-turning on a tiny handful of policies isn't fooling anyone.” Outside of transport, Cabinet also agreed to delay advice on alcohol pricing, sponsorship and advertising reform to April next year, chose not to introduce legislation to lower the voting age to 16 for general elections, deferred work on the container return scheme and pushed back public consultation on a new test to determine the difference between a contractor and an employee. This tranche of reprioritisation, along with Hipkins' first round of cuts, would give the Government more than $1 billion to be redirected to measures to reduce the cost of living. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins during his post-Cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell Auckland's light rail survived the cut but would be staged. The first stage was expected to be confirmed by the middle of the year. “Staging the rollout will align it with other critical transport investments, particularly the second Waitematā Harbour Crossing,” Hipkins said. Speed limit changes, which had been intended to apply to 20-30 per cent of state highways in the next five years, would now be focused on the most dangerous 1 per cent of roads and where local communities supported the change. Neither the Prime Minister nor Waka Kotahi could provide the Herald with a list of what roads would be chosen, the latter saying its state highway speed management plan would be reviewed in light of today's announcement. Alongside the policy reprioritisation, Hipkins announced the annual adjustment of benefits, superannuation and other financial support in a $2b package that would see the incomes of about 1.4 million New Zealanders stay in line with inflation. The annual adjustments included an extra $311m to be spent over the next four years that allowed main benefits to be increased in line with inflation - 7.22 per cent - rather than the average wage rise as previously planned, which was costed at about $1.7b. - Adam Pearse, NZHSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was asked about his Government's approach to taxation in his first question time, but got caught out making a mistake. Hipkins was asked about the proportion of taxation compared to national GDP and incorrectly stated the current Government was taking less tax out of the economy as a proportion of the economy. Treasury figures showed this was inaccurate, as GDP rose from 27 percent to 30 percent under Labour. Barry Soper, ZB's senior political correspondent says Chris Hipkins was forced to eat his words in front of National's Nicola Willis and Finance Minister Grant Robertson. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day: How do we feel about the Government's response to Cyclone Gabrielle? Is today the day the nation comes to terms with the deaths involved with the disaster? Should the OCR decision be delayed after Cyclone Gabrielle? Would this lead to inflation going up? Simon Bridges recently said that a population of 10 million would serve New Zealand well. Could the nation handle all those people, or would upgrades need to take place? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bill to repair damage done to our roads from Cyclone Gabrielle is set to cost tens of billions of dollars. Prime Minister Hipkins is acknowledging it is time we re-think our roading infrastructure with urgency and resilience. National Road Carriers chief operating officer James Smith joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made an appearance at the Apec Business Advisory Council meeting last Sunday evening. Hipkins acknowledged that Auckland was currently going through a hard time due to the impending Cyclone Gabrielle, on top on the flurry of disasters impacting the region. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says that Chris Hipkins' appearance at Sunday's welcome reception was a surprise, as guests were unsure as to whether he would appear. Fran O'Sullivan observed that Chris Hipkins was well received, as he made plenty of jokes and enforced the idea that Auckland needed a boost, as it was the economic powerhouse of the nation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eagle-eared listeners might have picked up yesterday the non-answer from Chris Hipkins over truancy. Yes, an announcement is coming this week, maybe even today, and it's the return of the truancy officer. Not that we want to call them that, they'll be called something woke. But what he wouldn't answer was the very simple question - why now? He seems to have discovered since becoming our nation's leader that kids aren't going to school. Or is it that he has discovered since becoming Prime Minister that making an announcement about truancy officers might be smart politics? The point being, and the bit he wouldn't answer, was none of this is new. He tried to offer Covid as an excuse and it sort of is, but only sort of. Kids haven't been going to school now for years because we have created an environment where it doesn't matter. The good schools pull their hair out and spend far too much time and resource chasing kids. And for every minute they spend doing that they are distracted from teaching the kids who do turn up. There is a malaise in this country that permeates most aspects of life now and school is just one part. It's laziness, it's a culture of excuse making be it Covid, cost of living crisis or the weather. If we can close it down, stay in bed or put it off we are in like a robber's dog. It's a very sad state of affairs. Our education system, as measured by the testing around numeracy and literacy, is appalling. It's embarrassingly appalling and it's hard to learn if you aren't at school. The fact that crime has been allowed to grow under Hipkins' watch, is yet another reminder of the farcical charade the Government are trying to create around his arrival. Most of the crimes, whether economic or social, have been committed in the past five years by him being a senior member of the Jacinda Ardern clique or by him directly as minister. He was Minister of Education; the truancy crisis was overseen by him. It grew under him, he watched it and did nothing and now, magically, come election year an answer he had at his fingertips all along can somehow be produced. It's like the policy dumpster fire last week. It's decent politics and it steals another opposition idea. But the cynicism that drives it is sickening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made an appearance at the Apec Business Advisory Council meeting last Sunday evening. Hipkins acknowledged that Auckland was currently going through a hard time due to the impending Cyclone Gabrielle, on top on the flurry of disasters impacting the region. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says that Chris Hipkins' appearance at Sunday's welcome reception was a surprise, as guests were unsure as to whether he would appear. Fran O'Sullivan observed that Chris Hipkins was well received, as he made plenty of jokes and enforced the idea that Auckland needed a boost, as it was the economic powerhouse of the nation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This coming Tuesday, Chris Hipkins will table his annual Statement to the House outline. This will outline what the Government will set out to do for the rest of the year. NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett says this will likely add to the list of scrapped policies from last week's Cabinet meeting. Claire Trevett says some areas currently under review are Light Rail and the Clean Car Discount. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the time of the week where we look back at the week in politics. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson, and this week Newsroom's political editor Jo Moir spoke to Guyon Espiner.

In this edition of The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The minimum wage is going up by $1.50 in the biggest increase in 16 years. Can businesses afford this on top of everything else? The TVNZ/RNZ merger has been scrapped- why did it take so long? Did the Government figure out a case as to why this merger was needed? Three Waters has yet to be reformed- what do we think of this?  What is going on between Scott Robertson and NZRugby? Did Scott just accidentally announce he would be the next All Blacks coach?  The IRD has asked over 80,000 people to pay back their cost of living payments- should they have bothered? Is this a waste of time? LISTEN ABOVE      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The minimum wage is going up by $1.50 in the biggest increase in 16 years. Can businesses afford this on top of everything else? The TVNZ/RNZ merger has been scrapped- why did it take so long? Did the Government figure out a case as to why this merger was needed? Three Waters has yet to be reformed- what do we think of this?  What is going on between Scott Robertson and NZRugby? Did Scott just accidentally announce he would be the next All Blacks coach?  The IRD has asked over 80,000 people to pay back their cost of living payments- should they have bothered? Is this a waste of time? LISTEN ABOVE      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has scrapped or delayed several government policies as one of his first major acts as Prime Minister. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson.spoke to Corin Dann.  

The Prime Minister hopped across the Tasman today to say 'gidday' to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. The day-trip to Canberra marks Chris Hipkins' first international trip since he took over the top job three weeks ago.mOur political reporter Anneke Smith was there.

A vote of no confidence in Chris Hipkins from Act after the extension of the fuel tax cuts. The new Prime Minister yesterday announced the 25 cent tax cuts and half-priced public transport will now be extended until June. It will cost an estimated $718 million, which opposition parties say is a continuation of old Jacinda Ardern policies. Seymour told Kate Hawkesby Labour's spending on tax cuts needs to be reined in. He says if this is Hipkins' new leadership style, then really it's just the same Labour with a someone different at the helm. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson is defending the decision to extend the fuel tax subsidy. Chris Hipkins has announced the 25 cent fuel tax cuts, and half-price public transport will now run until the end of June. Robertson said in December running it past the original March date wasn't sustainable, but that changed with Hipkins' succession. He told Mike Hosking Hipkins wanting the cost of living at the top of the agenda was one of those factors. Robertson says the policy has worked and therefore that was the policy they chose to extend to keep their cost of living focus front and centre. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A vote of no confidence in Chris Hipkins from Act after the extension of the fuel tax cuts. The new Prime Minister yesterday announced the 25 cent tax cuts and half-priced public transport will now be extended until June. It will cost an estimated $718 million, which opposition parties say is a continuation of old Jacinda Ardern policies. Seymour told Kate Hawkesby Labour's spending on tax cuts needs to be reined in. He says if this is Hipkins' new leadership style, then really it's just the same Labour with a someone different at the helm. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson is defending the decision to extend the fuel tax subsidy. Chris Hipkins has announced the 25 cent fuel tax cuts, and half-price public transport will now run until the end of June. Robertson said in December running it past the original March date wasn't sustainable, but that changed with Hipkins' succession. He told Mike Hosking Hipkins wanting the cost of living at the top of the agenda was one of those factors. Robertson says the policy has worked and therefore that was the policy they chose to extend to keep their cost of living focus front and centre. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins' new ministerial team will be sworn in at Government House this morning. In his post-Jacinda Ardern reshuffle, there were promotions, demotions and a new role. RNZ deputy editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Kim Hill.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins revealed his new outline for Cabinet in today's media briefing. Jan Tinetti has become Minister for Education, Ayesha Verrall's taken over Health from Andrew Little, and Immigration and Transport Minister Michael Wood has also become Minister for Auckland. Nanaia Mahuta has lost Local Government, and the job has gone to Kieran McAnulty instead. Grant Robertson retained Finance and Willie Jackson kept Broadcasting and Media. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says that it's unclear why Michael Wood has been promoted and got the Minister for Auckland role, considering how his policies have affected the region. LISTEN ABOVE      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New year, new Prime Minister, new Cabinet. Chris Hipkins will unveil his Ministerial reshuffle at 4pm today, plugging holes left by retiring MPs. Political Editor Jason Walls joined Early Edition. “Hipkins' assent to Prime Minister means he vacates a number of fairly chunky portfolios including education and police, those are expected to go to already senior Cabinet ministers but Hipkins has said he is looking to bring some fresh talent into his Cabinet.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political reporter Katie Scotcher accompanied the Prime Minister Chris Hipkins as he assessed the flood damage around Auckland, and covered the sometimes-awkward, and other times heated, media conference with mayor Wayne Brown.  She spoke to Kim Hill.  

New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins heads to Auckland today to woo business leaders after spending his first full day in the top job responding to the cost of living crisis. Hipkins is due to attend a roundtable event hosted by the Auckland Business Chamber. “I'll be there to ask questions of them and to listen to them, in order to accelerate the important relationship that's needed between business and government, in order to benefit all New Zealanders and to continue to grow our economy,” Hipkins said. His Auckland charm offensive will bring him into contact with former National leader Simon Bridges. Bridges, the Auckland Business Chamber CEO, said today's meeting was good news. “That in itself gives business some confidence. It's a sense that this is where his priorities lie,” he told RNZ. “I think he's off to a good start, inasmuch as what he's saying is he's going to come back to the bread and butter issues.” Bridges said the issues confronting Auckland businesses were around plans to curb inflation, getting more workers into the country - and concerns around law and order. “I think it's incredibly refreshing to see from a new PM that he gets it, that he gets it's businesses that make an economy and actually allow governments to do the things that we all want them to do like fund better health, education, and law and order.” Cost of living front of new PM's mind The cost of living crisis dominated Hipkins' first press conference just hours after taking over the role from friend and longtime Labour colleague Jacinda Ardern. Exactly what Hipkins has in store to tackle the rising cost of living remains to be seen, something National leader Christopher Luxon latched on to, saying that simply changing the leader was not going to make a difference. Indeed Hipkins' first appearance since being sworn in by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro as the country's 41st Prime Minister came hot off the latest consumer price index showing inflation remained at 7.2 per cent - the same as the previous quarter - reflecting further pressure on household budgets across the country. Kiro had earlier received the resignation of Ardern, officially handing over what Hipkins called the “baton of responsibility”. The day started with emotional scenes as Ardern left the Beehive as Prime Minister for the last time, walking out to a crowd of her ministers, MPs and staff, sharing hugs and tears - Ardern, accompanied by fiance Clarke Gayford, even struggled to find her way to the car through the throng of people. Jacinda Ardern and then-incoming Prime Minister Chris Hipkins at Rātana Pa Marae on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell And like that after nearly six years of leadership marked through tragedy and crisis, with the mosque shootings, Whakaari and the Covid-19 pandemic, her tenure was over, making way for “my friend Chippy”, how Hipkins is affectionately known. Hipkins too was emotional at Government House as he was sworn in, surrounded by family and colleagues, saying it was the “biggest responsibility of my life”. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arriving for his first post-Cabinet press conference. Photo / Mark Mitchell He also quipped afterwards “it feels pretty real now” - acknowledging just how rapidly he'd moved into the role after Ardern announced her resignation only a week ago. The moment was clearly hugely significant also for Carmel Sepuloni, earlier shedding tears as Ardern departed before beaming as she became the first Deputy Prime Minister of Pacific heritage, with Samoan, Tongan and Pākehā roots. Jacinda Ardern waves to the crowd one last time as Prime Minister of New Zealand. Photo / NZ Labour Party In his first speech in the role Hipkins said “reprioritisation” of the Government's work was the “absolute priority”, allowing the Government to focus on the “cost of living”. “Today's unchanged inflation figure confirms this is the right immediate focus,” he said, reflecting a shift in priorities over the past year as the health pandemic made way for a “pandemic of inflation”. Ardern had last year also signalled a policy reset in the new year, with major and controversial reforms such as merging TVNZ and RNZ tipped for the scrapheap. Even when asked if he, like Ardern, had any legacy issues such as climate change or child poverty he wanted to focus on, Hipkins reverted to balancing that with “the pressures of today”. Hipkins noted the inflation level was not unexpected and was in fact lower than most comparable countries, which in turn influenced it here. Hundreds of people waited outside the Beehive to farewell Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister. Photo / NZ Labour Party Hipkins, however, said no decisions had been made on exactly what would be prioritised from the Government's programme, nor anything related to the cost of living. Hipkins said he expected to announce any changes to the Government work programme and Cabinet reshuffle in the next few weeks. He also alluded to further opening up immigration settings to ease labour shortages, though the impacts of the most recent changes appeared positive. “I just want to reassure New Zealanders that we've got this front and centre,” he said. “I'll be looking across the range of options to see what more we can do to support Kiwis.” The Government last year introduced a fuel subsidy, which runs until the end of March, and cost of living support payments. It also introduced a fast-track residency programme, which it further expanded near the end of the year after initially excluding nurses and a range of other highly sought-after health professionals. Jacinda Ardern was tearful as she sat alongside Speaker Adrian Rurawhe during her final outing as Prime Minister at Rātana Pā on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell Hipkins also spoke further on co-governance, after Māori leaders at Rātana on Tuesday called on the Government not to pull back work done to realise obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, and National to not be afraid of working with Māori. Hipkins said the topic needed to be handled “maturely”. “We should have a mature discussion about it, not one that's informed by bumper sticker slogans.” Asked if the Government had responsibility for not clearly explaining the topic and allowing fear to be sowed, Hipkins said that would be part of their new priorities. “We should make sure that we're informing New Zealanders, what we're doing and why we're doing it.” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins during his first post-Cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell Luxon earlier said he sent congratulations to Hipkins and acknowledged Ardern for her leadership. But that was where the niceties stopped, as he criticised the Government over its handling of the economy and said nothing had changed with the new leader. “It's the same team, same people, same finance minister, same, everything, nothing's changed.” Luxon said the Government needed to rein in spending and lower costs for businesses - such as scrapping the income insurance scheme. He also called for the Government to further open up the immigration settings, which drives the productive economy. Meanwhile, the Government support party the Greens wrote to the new Prime Minister calling for a “fairer Aotearoa”. They said the cost of living crisis was not being felt equally and urged him to increase benefits and make a fairer tax system targeting the wealthy. - Michael Neilson, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins heads to Auckland today to woo business leaders after spending his first full day in the top job responding to the cost of living crisis. Hipkins is due to attend a roundtable event hosted by the Auckland Business Chamber. “I'll be there to ask questions of them and to listen to them, in order to accelerate the important relationship that's needed between business and government, in order to benefit all New Zealanders and to continue to grow our economy,” Hipkins said. His Auckland charm offensive will bring him into contact with former National leader Simon Bridges. Bridges, the Auckland Business Chamber CEO, said today's meeting was good news. “That in itself gives business some confidence. It's a sense that this is where his priorities lie,” he told RNZ. “I think he's off to a good start, inasmuch as what he's saying is he's going to come back to the bread and butter issues.” Bridges said the issues confronting Auckland businesses were around plans to curb inflation, getting more workers into the country - and concerns around law and order. “I think it's incredibly refreshing to see from a new PM that he gets it, that he gets it's businesses that make an economy and actually allow governments to do the things that we all want them to do like fund better health, education, and law and order.” Cost of living front of new PM's mind The cost of living crisis dominated Hipkins' first press conference just hours after taking over the role from friend and longtime Labour colleague Jacinda Ardern. Exactly what Hipkins has in store to tackle the rising cost of living remains to be seen, something National leader Christopher Luxon latched on to, saying that simply changing the leader was not going to make a difference. Indeed Hipkins' first appearance since being sworn in by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro as the country's 41st Prime Minister came hot off the latest consumer price index showing inflation remained at 7.2 per cent - the same as the previous quarter - reflecting further pressure on household budgets across the country. Kiro had earlier received the resignation of Ardern, officially handing over what Hipkins called the “baton of responsibility”. The day started with emotional scenes as Ardern left the Beehive as Prime Minister for the last time, walking out to a crowd of her ministers, MPs and staff, sharing hugs and tears - Ardern, accompanied by fiance Clarke Gayford, even struggled to find her way to the car through the throng of people. Jacinda Ardern and then-incoming Prime Minister Chris Hipkins at Rātana Pa Marae on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell And like that after nearly six years of leadership marked through tragedy and crisis, with the mosque shootings, Whakaari and the Covid-19 pandemic, her tenure was over, making way for “my friend Chippy”, how Hipkins is affectionately known. Hipkins too was emotional at Government House as he was sworn in, surrounded by family and colleagues, saying it was the “biggest responsibility of my life”. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arriving for his first post-Cabinet press conference. Photo / Mark Mitchell He also quipped afterwards “it feels pretty real now” - acknowledging just how rapidly he'd moved into the role after Ardern announced her resignation only a week ago. The moment was clearly hugely significant also for Carmel Sepuloni, earlier shedding tears as Ardern departed before beaming as she became the first Deputy Prime Minister of Pacific heritage, with Samoan, Tongan and Pākehā roots. Jacinda Ardern waves to the crowd one last time as Prime Minister of New Zealand. Photo / NZ Labour Party In his first speech in the role Hipkins said “reprioritisation” of the Government's work was the “absolute priority”, allowing the Government to focus on the “cost of living”. “Today's unchanged inflation figure confirms this is the right immediate focus,” he said, reflecting a shift in priorities over the past year as the health pandemic made way for a “pandemic of inflation”. Ardern had last year also signalled a policy reset in the new year, with major and controversial reforms such as merging TVNZ and RNZ tipped for the scrapheap. Even when asked if he, like Ardern, had any legacy issues such as climate change or child poverty he wanted to focus on, Hipkins reverted to balancing that with “the pressures of today”. Hipkins noted the inflation level was not unexpected and was in fact lower than most comparable countries, which in turn influenced it here. Hundreds of people waited outside the Beehive to farewell Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister. Photo / NZ Labour Party Hipkins, however, said no decisions had been made on exactly what would be prioritised from the Government's programme, nor anything related to the cost of living. Hipkins said he expected to announce any changes to the Government work programme and Cabinet reshuffle in the next few weeks. He also alluded to further opening up immigration settings to ease labour shortages, though the impacts of the most recent changes appeared positive. “I just want to reassure New Zealanders that we've got this front and centre,” he said. “I'll be looking across the range of options to see what more we can do to support Kiwis.” The Government last year introduced a fuel subsidy, which runs until the end of March, and cost of living support payments. It also introduced a fast-track residency programme, which it further expanded near the end of the year after initially excluding nurses and a range of other highly sought-after health professionals. Jacinda Ardern was tearful as she sat alongside Speaker Adrian Rurawhe during her final outing as Prime Minister at Rātana Pā on Tuesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell Hipkins also spoke further on co-governance, after Māori leaders at Rātana on Tuesday called on the Government not to pull back work done to realise obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, and National to not be afraid of working with Māori. Hipkins said the topic needed to be handled “maturely”. “We should have a mature discussion about it, not one that's informed by bumper sticker slogans.” Asked if the Government had responsibility for not clearly explaining the topic and allowing fear to be sowed, Hipkins said that would be part of their new priorities. “We should make sure that we're informing New Zealanders, what we're doing and why we're doing it.” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins during his first post-Cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell Luxon earlier said he sent congratulations to Hipkins and acknowledged Ardern for her leadership. But that was where the niceties stopped, as he criticised the Government over its handling of the economy and said nothing had changed with the new leader. “It's the same team, same people, same finance minister, same, everything, nothing's changed.” Luxon said the Government needed to rein in spending and lower costs for businesses - such as scrapping the income insurance scheme. He also called for the Government to further open up the immigration settings, which drives the productive economy. Meanwhile, the Government support party the Greens wrote to the new Prime Minister calling for a “fairer Aotearoa”. They said the cost of living crisis was not being felt equally and urged him to increase benefits and make a fairer tax system targeting the wealthy. - Michael Neilson, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the first day on the job for our new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Hipkins will be officially sworn in this morning, before holding his first Cabinet meeting this afternoon. But Senior Political Correspondent, Barry Soper says that Hipkins won't be making any major decisions today. He says Hipkins has shown he's prepared to listen — a point of difference to Jacinda Ardern. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins has had his first interview on Morning Report since being confirmed as the Labour Party's pick for Prime Minister. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson spoke to Guyon Espiner.

And thus, the bribes begin.  That's the good thing about being in government in the lead up to an election - you can actually do stuff.  Give stuff away.  The opposition can only promise. You can only imagine what the opposition will give you. Labour will be readying itself for a great big lolly scramble in the lead up to the election, as the polls show Labour slipping away, threatening to consign this government to the history books. So you can bet your bippy that the bribes and the giveaways will amp up. Long way to go, long way to go till the next election, but you can never take polls for granted. Winston Peters was right about that. But as the polls - and Labour does its own internal polls as well, so they're very aware that people are grumpy. And people are grumpy because everything costs more, it's been a tough couple of years, there's numerous reasons why we're all grumpy.  And some very good reasons why we can blame this government. So they will want to promise, give away, cajole, entice, and bribe voters back to the vault. Post the Labour party conference over the weekend, the Prime Minister announced Working For Families would see an increase of an extra nine dollars for the oldest child, which would buy you a jar of marmite. A couple of boxes of Weetbix. It'll help! Every little bit will at the moment. And also an expansion to childcare subsidies.  As of April next year, people with incomes up to 109 thousand and 96 dollars will be eligible for childcare assistance subsidies.  The PM is hoping, A) to get votes, but B) that this will also make it viable for the child carers, women primarily, who are home with children to go back to work to help ease labour shortages.  Will it? Will the extra assistance make it worthwhile to go back to work? I also would have thought too that given the damning report on Early Childhood Education that came out earlier this year, it would've been better to put more money into the sector rather than to the pockets of parents, although I guess there are no votes in that.  But remember the damning report that came out earlier this year basically calling a lot of the Early Childhood Care ‘child farms,' that Early Childhood Education is a train wreck, that it's a sector heading backwards, that things have gone downhill. I would've thought to have put the money into the sector itself. It's something Chris Hipkins says is a passion of his, and that much of the criticism aimed at staffing ratios and pay in the for-profit part of the sector - which grew massively under National and is now embedded. He says would take multiple budgets to fix. But he's had multiple budgets. He's had five. And that would've helped if there'd been a focus on the sector itself. Given that it's a passion of Ardern's, and given that it's a passion of Hipkins', you would've thought it would've got a bit better. But it appears not. So, given that. If women have the choice. Mostly women, predominantly women, but some men. If you had the choice of being able to stay home, and educate your children, take them to child play centres as  opposed to childcare centres. You would wouldn't you? Given the damning report on so many, and also given how difficult it is to find a place. They might not be ideal, according to this report, but most parents need them. Because you need two incomes for most families. There are some very, very good early childhood centres out there. Very good. And a lot of them are struggling. And if you had the choice you'd stay home wouldn't you? I would love to hear from those of you who have experience of early childhood centres, who would value this assistance that the prime minister has promised, that the government has promised. Those of you that have chosen not to send children to early childhood centres, what was the reason for doing that? And, I'd love to hear too, seeing as we're on the giveaways, seeing as we're on the bribes, seeing as we've got a good ten months on the giveaways: what would make a difference for you? I can imagine for families, the assistance for early childhood education would be a great help, raising the threshold to 109 thousand would be a great help. What would help you? What would make a difference in your life? What kind of bribe would you be happy to accept?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Chris Hipkins has accused National MP Mark Mitchell of making comments that suggest diversity among police undermines confidence.Hipkins' comments on social media came after he and Mitchell clashed during an on-air interview on Newstalk ZB this morning.Hipkins tweeted that Mitchell "attacked" him during the interview for talking about increased diversity in police and the fact that a quarter of police on the frontline are women."He claimed it's undermining confidence. Wow!! National really do seem to have a problem with women at the moment!," he wrote.In the interview, Mitchell said that Hipkins should be paying attention to an increase in crime and fatigue among police.He said that "talking about diversity in the house with patsy questions was not a good start.""We've been very proud for over 30 years to have been increasing diversity in the police, it's not something new, you don't bring anything new to the table on that," he said. Mark Mitchell just attacked me on NewstalkZB for talking about increased diversity in the Police and the fact that a quarter of our frontline police are now women. He claimed it's undermining confidence. Wow!! National really do seem to have a problem with women at the moment!— Chris Hipkins (@chrishipkins) June 28, 2022 Mitchell later told the Herald that Hipkins twisted what he said in an effort to make a political attack on the National party."Instead of doing that, he should be focusing on doing what his job is meant to be and that is the police minister coming in, realising and actually being prepared to understand that there is a real problem at the moment. There is a lot of pressure our frontline."He said Hipkins should be focused on retention of current experienced staff and discussing this issue with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster."Because at the moment they're going to have a major issue emerging of people leaving the police."Hipkins said having "more cops on the beat" was going to make a difference but Mitchell argued back that an increase in cops has not been seen.He urged the police minister to "get out" and talk to frontline staff."They're fatigued with hearing you guys keep talking about that, you haven't been able to deliver the 1800, your two years behind on that. Get focused on the crime."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has formally apologised to New Zealand journalist Charlotte Bellis after releasing personal information without her consent, making incorrect statements and for the "distress" the process caused.National Party leader Christopher Luxon has penned an opinion piece in the NZ Herald saying 'Gangs shouldn't decide when to cease fire'.Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss.LISTEN ABOVE

A minor shuffle eh? Not quite so much.There was more on offer at yesterday's press conference than expected; actually, the announcement was pretty sensible. It's a good time for the Prime Minister to be making sure the right person is in the right job, shift the Opposition's focus by moving along a few folks, and attempting to arrest a slide in the polls.The shuffle was instigated by a couple of resignations, and the timing couldn't have been better for the Prime Minister.Minster for Immigration and Broadcasting Kris Faafoi announced he was leaving to spend time with his young family. He'd had wanted to resign at the last election but Ardern had convinced him to stay on, taking on portfolios undergoing major reform in broadcasting and immigration.I don't think it was a secret that he was keen to move on, especially when the man who was once regarded as the Minister of Everything went AWOL during Covid, and moved slowly to deal with immigration issues. Michael Wood picks up immigration, and let's hope he hits the ground running, and brings some relief for the many sectors crying out for migrant labour.Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard has also resigned, ending a 35-year parliamentary career in August to take up a diplomatic post in Europe, a nice reward for some average behaviour of late. This is good timing for the Prime Minister, in a recent poll only 17 percent of New Zealanders thought he was doing a good job, and after the headlines about false sexual assault claims and unhelpful antics over dealing with the Covid protest, this is nice neat solution for the Government.Chris Hipkins, who is fast becoming Labour's fix it man, takes over Police and passes Covid-19 Response to Ayesha Verrall. We now have a person with a criminology degree in charge of the police – not a bad idea, but Hipkins' ability to manage complex portfolios, deal with opposition, and communicate well with media might be more behind this move rather than a degree he did in the late 90's.Basically, he's competent.The Prime Minister said that she felt the focus for the police portfolio had changed since 2020, and the focus on what was needed for police now had been lost, but added that Poto Williams is a capable minister and retains her confidence, and stays in Cabinet as Conservation and Disabilities Minister.Hipkins is very fond of his education portfolio, but to free him up a large part of his education portfolio will go to Associate Minister Jan Tinetti – who as a former principal and teacher seems to have a good handle on the job.It's also worth noting Poto Williams lost the Building and Construction portfolio which has been handed to Megan Woods, who is the Minister of Housing. Things are not settling down in the construction sector, and this could be an issue leading into the election next year. Best to move the portfolio into more capable hands now.This reshuffle is a sign of things to come. A chance to give talent an opportunity to step up and shine before the Prime Minister undertakes a major reshuffle at the beginning of next year. It is unlikely Labour will have a caucus of 65 MPs next election, so it's also important for the party to make sure their best talent will be retained.Those given the nod are Kiri Allen, who picks up Faafoi's Justice portfolio and Adrian Rurawhe who has been nominated as Speaker. Kieran McAnulty becomes a Minister outside of Cabinet with a focus on regional issues - picking up Emergency Management, Racing, and associate minister for Local Government assisting Nanaia Mahuta with Three Waters. He's a good choice, and no doubt will be out and about around the country selling this infrastructure policy in an attempt to get it back on track.As I said, these seem like very sensible appointments, but whether any of these politicians are up to the job, depends on results so it's a 'wait and see' situation.

Entrepreneur Murray Bolton will be allowed to fly to the US and back on his private jet and then isolate at home after a backflip from MBIE.It comes after MBIE said no, so he took it to the High Court, who told MBIE to reconsider Bolton's application.In his judgment, Justice Venning was scathing of the MIQ process.Bolton told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's more delighted for other Kiwis trying to get home.“The door is being opened for a lot of other New Zealanders to challenge this ridiculous MIQ system that we're faced with in this country.”Bolton challenged Hipkins' assessment of him, saying that although he's fortunate, he had no desire to use his wealth to get to the front of the MIQ queue.“I just wanted to know that my application had been properly assessed, and that is not happening and they're assessing it only on medical grounds, and you don't know who's doing it and there's no recourse if you don't like the answer.”LISTEN ABOVE