Podcast appearances and mentions of John Key

OPINION What is it with Prime Ministers from Auckland giving us a bad rap? First it was John Key telling us we were dying. He of course was right - he just got his decades wrong. Now we have Christopher Luxon calling us "lame-o". I haven't heard that phrase since the 90s, but that aside, he's dead right. Why? Well last year the government announced it would be offering councils the opportunity to sign up to what they called 'regional deals'. These would be a 10 year plans based on a 30 year visions which would provide a range of options for funding. Maybe toll roads, maybe a new train line, a new tunnel. Whatever it might be, the idea was to try to help the regions with the high cost of infrastructure and unlock a bit more productivity. It's a great idea. The government invited councils across the country to come up with ideas by the end of February from which it would select five regions to put forward for more in depth proposals and eventually a truckload of cash. Basically this was free cash for a big idea. It was a very good opportunity for Wellington. But guess what... we didn't even suggest anything. Eighteen proposals were submitted last month but none were from the Wellington region. Well Prime Minister Christopher Luxon didn't like that. That's where the lame-o comment came from. Luxon said every other region has been able to work together for the last six months while Wellington hasn't even shown up with a proposal.. Chris Hipkins even criticised our councils too. He said our councils need to get it together. What this really demonstrates to me is that our councils simply can't work together. How often have we said we need a super city? How often do we discuss the fact that our Mayors are not all on same page? Look at Wellington Water. They couldn't keep track of all these cost blowouts and they couldn't agree on whether to sack chair Nick Leggett. And now we find they can't agree on what is essentially free money for a big project. The rest is history, well not quite history. The name calling isn't stopping.. Wellington mayor Tory Whanau said the comments were “poor form” for a Prime Minister. "With due respect Prime Minister we will deliver a deal it'll just be on our time frame. We are determined to get this right," Whanau said. Why does she think its the council's job to dictate timeframes to a government wanting to dish out free cash? Apparently they were told by the Crown observer to concentrate on their water issues and not to put a submission together. Because its really clear our councils have been focused on water.... come on. Whoever you want to listen to, it's clear the relations between the government and Wellington councils have sunk to a new low. They keep trading jabs. What is it with the Wellington region? Why is it that they can't work together for something as simple as putting a proposal together to get some money from the government? And why do we have to keep talking about combining Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington into one council? If ever we needed confirmation that this is required for us to grow it's this week. No unanimous decision on the future of Wellington Water and no discussion to submit something to the government's regional deals. These deals were quite literally money for nothing and we didn't even want it. Frankly we are lame-o for not grasping that with both hands. This just confirms to me how desperately we need one council. One council table to take the region forward, not four. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, the announcement yesterday was on a par with John Key's resignation. The Reserve Bank Governor, Adrian Orr, pulled the plug on his career yesterday with no real explanation as to why – although it's no secret that there is friction between the Governor and the Finance Minister. You know, I know and certainly Adrian Orr knows that if she could have sacked him, she would, rather than inherit him with his five-year term as given to him by the former Labour government. Thomas Coughlan has written an excellent piece in the New Zealand Herald on the tension between Adrian Orr and Nicola Willis. He says while Willis observed the conventions of respecting the independence between the Beehive and the Bank, under questioning on Wednesday, she referred back to comments she made as the opposition finance spokeswoman when she was unmuzzled by ministerial warrant. When you're in opposition, you can say pretty much anything, you can criticise anybody you like. Once you become a minister, there are conventions to observe. So when she was asked questions about Adrian's resignation yesterday, she said, “I refer you back to earlier times when I could say what I liked”. And the comments she made back then were critical in the extreme of Adrian Orr's handling of the economy. Speaking of critical, if this is not the most withering, excoriating, damning assessment of a professional performance, I do not know what is. Former Reserve Bank senior staffer Geof Mortlock shared his thoughts on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning: “I was thinking that going through all of the Governor's since 1934, I would rank him as the worst in terms of competence – based really on the monetary policy results. You look at the inflation burst. Now some of that was external, but some of it was definitely a function of monetary policy actions. He's left taxpayers with over $10 billion of debt that could have gone into the public health system and other such things. He's nearly doubled the staff numbers of the Reserve Bank, and he's jacked up bank capital ratios to levels that I think are going to make it more difficult for the economy to actually start growing again.” Yikes. I heard that on the way into work this morning and let out a little nervous giggle-squeak in the car. I felt like I was back at school listening to a tongue lashing from Sister Clare, thinking, I'm glad it's not me, glad it's not me. ‘I've gone to 1934 and without a doubt, he is the worst in terms of competence.' There's been no explanation as to why Orr has resigned. It fits, I suppose, with his maverick nature that he'd just push off and stick two fingers to his colleagues and his staffers and indeed, the New Zealand public. The worst thing about the mess that's been left behind is that people are not criticising him with the benefit of hindsight. Even as he was making the decisions at the time, you might recall we had people ringing in saying this is going to cost us, it's too much, he's going too hard. There were people ringing in almost immediately saying we're going to pay for this and we're going to be paying for a very long time. There's going to be hell to pay along with $10 billion. And they were right. And they were calling it at the time. As a result of decisions made by Adrian Orr, and let's not forget: Grant Robertson. They were yoked together in tandem making those decisions, and a lot of Kiwis suffered. Interest rate increases in response to post pandemic inflation pushed the country into a recession and unemployment increased sharply - the words of Paul Bloxham from the HSBC who talked about the rock star economy a million years ago, when New Zealand used to have a good economy. He said, across the developed world HSBC's estimates suggest New Zealand's economy had the largest contraction in GDP in 2024 as a result of those decisions. And it's the real people, with families and jobs and bills to pay that suffered as a result of the poor decision making from the Reserve Bank Governor. It's hard to find anyone who's sorry that Adrian Orr is gone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visiting India before China could be seen as an insult in China, Beijing-based New Zealander David Mahon says. But he says China's recently announced strategic partnership with the Cook Islands, through which NZ was kept in the dark, shouldn't be viewed as insult to, or provocation of, NZ.Mahon, who is Managing Director of Mahon China Investment Management and has lived in China since 1984, spoke to interest.co.nz in a new episode of the Of Interest podcast.Luxon, who before the 2023 election said achieving a free trade agreement with India would be a major strategic priority for a National government, is set to visit India next month. He's yet to visit China as Prime Minister, but is expected to do so this year."If the Prime Minister had gone to China and conferred upon it as a great power the respect it deserved in the last year or so of his tenure, it'd be fine. But it's almost a statement of a diplomatic insult not going to China before going to India," Mahon said.He said potentially the prospects for NZ products in China over the next two to three years are very good, with China retaining a great need for protein, wanting to buy seafood, and NZ logs still selling reasonably well.However, Mahon suggested after a good relationship with China for many years, highlighted by the 2008 Free Trade Agreement (FTA), NZ is now seen as "a country of diplomatic infidelity.""And for most of my life, we've been the opposite of that. Under Helen Clark, John Key, Jim Bolger, we were the country that was respected. Now people are scratching their heads and saying, what's wrong with New Zealand? It seems to have lost its sincerity, its sense of loyalty."The recent signing of a China-Cook Islands comprehensive strategic partnership, which the NZ Government was kept in the dark over, shouldn't be viewed by NZ as an insult or provocation from China, Mahon said. The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in ‘free association' with NZ with its citizens having NZ passports."...what China is determined to do is to make sure that it retains this relationship with New Zealand, although New Zealand is struggling in many ways to hold up its end.""We shouldn't be too peevish that they [the Cook Islands] want to do a deal with someone with more money than us," Mahon said."In the end, China is going to invest throughout the Pacific, where it can. Part of it is that it wants to express its influence."The Cook Islands-China agreement reportedly includes plans for co-operation on seabed mining, the establishment of diplomatic missions and preferential treatment in regional and multi-lateral forums, but excludes security ties.An attraction of the Cook Islands deal for China will "definitely" be minerals, Mahon said."If you go back to the technological revolution, which is really what's occurring in Chinese manufacturing, they need these minerals very much," said Mahon. "China is actually very poor in resources."'China is full of Deep Seeks'Meanwhile, Mahon said recent surprise around Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company Deep Seek highlights westerners taking their eye off China and its burgeoning technology sector."China's full of Deep Seeks. There are companies in China, the names of which we just have never heard of, that are about to change major sectors that influence our lives."So Deep Seek is like the first, I don't want to say shot across the bows because it makes a sort of military metaphor, but it is a flare, a signal.""This is what China's been focused on in the last 10 years. Getting away from making nylon socks and teddy bears and cheap stuff and making really good technology, really sophisticated technology. And so this is what's going to come out of China now in waves and make all our lives cheaper in terms of buying stuff that's important to us," said Mahon."And it's going to be a major challenge to the major tech companies of the West, creating the kind of competition that markets run on. Innovation's driven by it. So this should be perceived as a positive thing."In the podcast audio Mahon talks about these issues in more detail, plus this week's meeting between President Xi Jinping and Chinese business leaders, the "shameful scandal" of NZ immigration and visas "violating the spirit" of the FTA, China's relationship with the United States in the time of Donald Trump's second presidency, tariffs, trade war, and the "ghastly concept" of potential military conflict between China and the US, possibly over Taiwan."China doesn't want a war. China doesn't want to invade Taiwan. If China were to invade Taiwan, it would be out ofthe global financial system within hours. China within six months would face a massive economic crisis," he said.*You can find all episodes of the Of Interest podcast here.

Whenever people used to bang on about Christopher Luxon being the next John Key —which, I think we all agree now, he isn't— but whenever I used to hear that talk, I pooed-pooed it. All because of what the two of them did before they got into politics. And the fact that Luxon isn't another John Key is why we've got two new political polls telling us that, if an election was held now, the left-wing parties would have enough votes and enough seats to form a government. Because his political leadership is invisible. Particularly, in relation to his handling of ACT leader David Seymour. Seymour is running rings around the Prime Minister and voters are seeing it a mile off. Which is why last night's 1News-Verian poll had National down 3% to a 34% share of the vote and Labour up 4% to 33%. Overall, the National/ACT/NZ First coalition would have 60 seats (not enough to form a government) and Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori would have 61 seats (enough to form a government). And Seymour is the reason. Or more to the point, Luxon's reluctance to thump the table publicly is the reason. Before Sir John Key got into politics, he'd been a financial trader. Christopher Luxon, before he got into politics, was a chief executive. So, what's the significance of that? Traders thrive on chaos and chief executives avoid chaos at all cost. Chief executives are like ducks on the water. They like it to look as if everything's going smoothly, nothing to see here, but underneath the water their legs are going flat out. And being a former chief executive, that's how Christopher Luxon is handling David Seymour —“nothing to see hear, nothing to see here”— and that's why we have two poll results telling us that, if an election was held now, the National/ACT/NZ First coalition would be out the door. And he was treading water again on Newstalk ZB this morning when Mike Hosking asked him what he could do about Seymour – whether he could actually sack him from Cabinet. For trying to drive the land rover up the steps at parliament yesterday but, more significantly, doing that stupid thing where he wrote a letter to the police on behalf of Philip Polkinghorne before he was accused of killing his wife and, subsequently, found not guilty. The PM was saying he didn't have time to think about David Seymour and it's natural for minor coalition partners to seek media attention, despite the fact that Seymour has got into a public spat with the Prime Minister over the letter he wrote to the police. When the PM was asked yesterday about Seymour writing to the police, he said it was “ill advised”. Straight away, Seymour fired back in a media interview saying, “before criticising a local MP for doing their job, you should know all the facts”. I reckon more and more people are looking at Luxon and thinking “when are you going to tell him to pull his head in?” Especially when you consider that, in a few months time, Seymour will be Deputy Prime Minister. Luxon's approach might be appropriate for the corporate world, but, as the numbers are showing, it's not the way to handle things in the political world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is little in life more nauseating than a sycophant. These are people who do not what they believe is right, but bend to the whim, flavour, or mood of the day. The corporate world is full of it. The tech giants have been badly exposed as they decide fact checking is for losers now that big Don is running the place. The battle is being fought locally as well. There is word New Zealand First are looking at a members bill to make banks do business properly. Currently, and this is also a major debate in Australia, banks have taken the stance that there are some businesses that they don't like. Those dabbling in fossil fuels is one of them. They have made getting money hard work. They have not done this because there isn't profit or because these businesses default. They have done this because fossil fuels are out, and climate change is in. The coalition in Australia, who at this stage are odds on to become the Government midyear, are going hard because fossil fuels are of greater importance to them than they are here. But the role of the banks, once again, is being called into question. In this country the Government is gunning for them over margins and competition. The last thing they need is another fight over their right, or predilection, for doing business with some people and not others. As the former chair of our biggest bank John Key quite rightly pointed out on this programme a number of times said, banks have a very large social licence. They are a backbone of an economy. It is not their job to play politics, or trend setter to the groovy mood of the day. Fossil fuels remain vital for keeping the lights on. You might not like that but it's true. If it changes, that's brilliant. Right now it isn't, or hasn't been, enough. Morals are personal choices, not business ones, and certainly not in businesses with the influence banks have. The thought that a Government might have legislate to make a business behave itself shows you how badly these places are reading the mood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard, the 80's are making a comeback. Lookout for denim on denim, bubble skirts, and asset sales. David Seymour is stepping up his campaign to sell state assets and privatise public services. In his State of the Nation speech last week, the ACT leader said we should be continually asking ourselves do we own the right stuff? NZ First, Labour and the Greens have all pinned their respective colours to the mast and said they are dead against the sale of any state-owned assets under their watch. NZ First and Winston Peters, of course, famously, long-standing opponent of the sale of state-owned assets. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has done what he does best and equivocated. Oh sure, I'm open to the idea, open to having a discussion, but if anything were to happen, not that I'm saying it will, but if anything were to happen, if the for sale signs were to go up, it wouldn't be until the 26th election. So, he hasn't committed either way, just waiting to see which way the wind blows. The fourth Labour Government was the government that really sold off the silverware. New Zealand changed fundamentally as a society as a result of the economic reforms driven by Roger Douglas and his cabinet. David Lange, he might have been the Prime Minister, but it was Roger Douglas who was the driving force behind the economic reforms. One of those within the cabinet, Richard Prebble, argues it was the right thing to do in today's Herald. He says that they had huge debt, and they had to resolve that somehow. He says New Zealand's privatisation was extraordinarily successful. The investors provided much better services and lower prices. Only profitable businesses pay company taxes. The privatized businesses are paying every year in company taxes more than they ever did in dividends. In contrast, he says, the history of state-owned enterprises retained in government ownership is abysmal. Solid energy went from a valuation of $3.5 billion. To being worthless, that it's $390 million debt. He said his office valued TVNZ in 1990 at around $2 billion, $4.3 billion in today's money. The station now runs at a loss, he says. Brian Gaynor argues that the asset sales were not a success, that the prime pieces of silverware were sold off and overseas investors made an absolute killing from them. There is a counter to what Richard Prebble claims. John Key brought back the prospect of state asset sales in 2010 with a deeply unpopular promise to privatise state-owned electricity companies such as Meridian. But he told Mike Hosking on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning there are better ways to improve the economy faster than by selling off what remains of New Zealand's state-owned assets. “In the scheme of things, we want the boat to go faster. There's a million things you can do, from cutting bureaucracy and taxes, and you know, making a more permissive society, better foreign investment, all those kinds of things. If you want my view, they'll make the boat go a lot faster than a few asset sales because, frankly, there ain't a hell of a lot to sell.” And there isn't. What would we sell? We've got Quotable Value, which David Seymour quoted as being an example. It values property, it doesn't receive any taxpayer money. But it provides a dividend of between half a million and one million a year, which is the sort of chump change that Grant Robertson used to find down the back of the couch. So that's not going to save New Zealand. Anyone interested in buying a television station? Could chuck in a video store as well as a sweetener on the deal? Anyone? No? Because that's the thing, too, for a successful state asset sale, you have to find buyers. Anyone for a couple of clapped-out ferries? Anyone? No? There's sort of plans for a kind of port infrastructure that's really expensive and hasn't been costed properly, that we could chuck in for free. No? Nobody? State housing. Does the government have a responsibility to house vulnerable Kiwis? Which means owning a huge portfolio of properties and more to the point, maintaining that huge portfolio of properties. From what trades people have told us, anytime they know it's a job for Kianga Ora, everything gets inflated. The cost of the products that are going in there, the carpets, the door, the joinery, the electrics and the cost of the labour. And then, of course, there's Kainga Ora buying up houses at far more than their value and distorting the property market during the post-Covid boom. But I mean really, when you look at what's left after the fourth Labour government did the massive clean out in the 80s... Do we need to own homes to house people, or should that be left to charitable organisations and private individuals? I suppose the only thing left is health, maybe? Hospitals? I mean, let's face it, it is a huge cumbersome beast. With the best will in the world, the changes to the Ministry of Health and to the hospitals that it oversees as part of its job, the changes are not going to be made within the next 10 years. Bringing everything together under one roof, all of the different hospital boards merged together as one operating unit across the country. And there's no guarantee of success. Do you put health out, privatise that? Still free to the taxpayer but not governed by the government. I don't know. I think most of it's gone. I think John Key is right, there are other, better, faster ways to improve the economy. The only thing I can see, and this is just looking at it theoretically, the only thing I can see that we've got worth selling is the property portfolio and is that what we really want to do? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Key doubts asset sales would achieve much. The former Prime Minister says cutting bureaucracy and allowing better foreign investment would have more of an impact. National says it may campaign on state-owned asset sales next election, a policy New Zealand First is dead against, while ACT's floating privatisation of health and education. Key told Mike Hosking people are opposed because of what he thinks is ideological mumbo jumbo. He says they just want to say everything is fantastic when its run by the state and you can't trust the private sector, but most things are done by the private sector already. Sir John Key says there's nothing much left to sell, anyway. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 29th of January, the Police force is set to see change in their middle management – Commissioner Richard Chambers shared the details. Privatisation is back on the minds of the Government, so Sir John Key gave his thoughts as to whether it'd serve New Zealand well. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen round out the A-team, returning for Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is this the age of outsourcing? This is not a show about call centres in India. Rather, it's a look at a much deeper shift in who we are, how we think, and where value is created. In some ways, it's the most dizzying and philosophical shift of all. In this episode, we attempt to understand outsourcing at the macro level - how corporations have outsourced so much that they've become hollow. And we look at the micro level - how we've outsourced our minds and memories to technology. Contributors Margaret MacMillan, Emeritus Professor of International History at the University of Oxford and author of several acclaimed books. James Williams is an author and technology advisor. He worked for Google for more than 10 years where he received the Founders Award for his work on search advertising. He's the author of Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy. John Key is author of The Corporation in the 21st Century. He's a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a columnist for the Financial Times.Production team Editor: Sara Wadeson Producers: Emma Close, Marianna Brain, Michaela Graichen Sound: Tom Brignell Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie MorrisonArchive Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007

We ask the former PM where his "rock star" economy has gone with NZ suffering its worst six-month period since 1991 (with the exception of the 2020 Covid shock). We also debate/discuss the age of eligibility for National Super, Trump, Winston's statesman-like persona and whether Seymour is riding roughshod over Luxon?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear former Prime Minister Sir John Key (Director - Palo Alto Networks) and Misti Landtroop (Managing Director NZ- Palo Alto Networks), as they join Paul Spain to explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.Sir John Key shares unique perspective drawn from his current and past experiences, including:- Prime Minister of New Zealand- Minister responsible of Special Intelligence Service (SIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)- Director at Palo Alto Networks- Director at ANZ Bank- Director at Air New ZealandThe episode is focussed on cybersecurity viewpoints - including predictions for 2025 from Unit 42, and reflects on the importance of continuous adaptation, education, and integration in the fight against cyber threats from various sources including powerful nation state actors. A range of other topics were discussed including weighing up the importance of privacy vs security.Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One NZ, Spark, HP and Gorilla Technology.

The hooha over the efficacy of the boot camps hasn't gone away anytime soon, although over the weekend we did hear supporters of the scheme, along with the critics. I frightened the horses on Friday morning when I suggested that this iteration of the boot camps - and there have been many, as you know, had got off to a very bad start with one young man dying in a car accident and then two young people fleeing from their community placements. Good news, the two youths have since been found. Bad news, the two were reportedly among four people taken into custody in Hamilton on Saturday night after a stolen Toyota Corolla was spotted on Cobham Drive in Hamilton. The driver allegedly fled after being signaled to stop until the car hit road spikes. Then wielding a machete, tried to carjack another vehicle which drove away. They were then arrested along with two others, the fourth being found about 5 minutes later by a dog unit. In a statement, Karen Chhour said the circumstances were disappointing, but she was relieved the pair had been found. She said the military style academy pilot programme is just that, a pilot programme. It consists of a three month in residence stay, then another nine months back out in the community with mentor support. Oranga Tamariki does not have the ability to restrict the movement of these young people or the choices they make once they're back in the community. The young people have been in either family or community placements where they're trusted to comply with their legal orders. End of statement. And as we all agreed on Friday, nobody is expecting there to be a 100% success rate. These kids are extremely troubled, that's why they're there. The key will be the successful execution of the support they've been promised out in the community. And over the weekend, as I say, we did hear from supporters of the scheme, along with the critics. Of those supporters was Phil O'Reilly, for Business NZ Chief Executive, but spoke to Heather du Plessis-Allan this morning as former welfare expert advisory group member. He says we should stick with the boot camps -they work. I was on one not as a participant, but as a sponsor of one in the John Key government, that version of it. I was not necessarily an advocate turning up to see this thing work, but boy, at the end of it, these kids had their lives changed for the better and the only issue was afterwards they just went back to their old ways and then this new one I'm told attempts to solve that issue. But now these are troubled kids, and they've had tough upbringings, so who knew sometimes they might abscond and do bad things. I know that's a terrible thing that's happened, but you can't blame the whole system just on that issue. And I think we need to see it through now because I can tell you from personal experience of seeing one of these things in action, these kids walk out better, sober, you know together more team building and so on and they just need support to reintegrate back into a better life ahead. The Chief Children's Commissioner, Dr. Claire Achmad, also came out in support of them and I must admit I was surprised. Which is my own stereotyping, my own prejudice about what the Chief Children's Commissioner might think or not think. I would have thought she'd be dead against them - not at all. She said, and I quote - “I don't think we could say that the programme is a failure. The key here is that we must not give up on these mokopuna. I've been to the military style academy pilot. I spent a few hours there while the rangatahi were there. I saw how hard the staff there were working to put in place that multi-discipline support around these young people. She says she saw how active and willing the boot camp participants from both sides were and hopes to see it continue with some finding employment and furthering their education. If somebody had said to you, do you believe the Chief Children's Commissioner is for or against the boot camps? I bet there are a few of you, like me, who would have said, oh, she'd be dead against them. Not all. Been there, seen it, likes what she's seen. There's an amendment bill before Parliament that creates a framework. For the government's new attempt at military style academies and looking at extending them. But people who have worked on the boot camps, who I spoke to, who can't go on the record, say it's not the length of time that you spend on the boot camps. While you're on the boot camps you're safe, insulated from all these stresses, from all the temptations, from all the lure of your old. You're protected. People care about you. They give a damn about you. You're important while you're there. It's all about you and what you need. And the kids do respond to that. They want to be good; they want to be sober. They want to get off the drugs, they want to get away from the gangs. And then they go home. Now the difference between previous boot camps and this one is that there has been the promise of wrap around care, community support, that the young people will get what they need to make the right choices. And let's face it, sending them to prison is not going to help. There are only two young adult units in prison and none for young women, so I guess we've got to try everything because there's nowhere else for these young people to go. There has been the promise of support for these young people to help them make the right decisions. Most of us made really stupid decisions when we were the age of these young ones. We just weren't involved in crime. So, making dumb decisions, multiplied by crime, equals trouble. I said on Friday that it got off to the worst possible start. That didn't mean I don't believe in them. I just said it wasn't a great look. The bad starts happened, but at least we've seen prominent supporters come out and say why they believe in it and what needs to happen for it to be a success. And that success does not mean a 100% strike rate and turning all of these young lives around. Hell, you'd take 20% and it would still be worth it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The minute the defence force said it didn't want a bar of the new youth boot camps, the Government should have put the brakes on then and there. It didn't, though, because it had talked a tough game before the election and like hell it was going to back away from that promise now. But it should have. So, let's give the Government another chance and let's see if it's prepared to stop being so gung-ho now that we know that two of the kids who did a runner from the programme were involved in what appears to be some sort of car-jacking attempt at the weekend. I don't hold out much hope. But, at the very least, the Government should be pressing pause. It should be pressing pause until it's worked out whether this is a full-on residential programme or whether it's still happy to have the kids go in-house for a bit and then send them back to the lives they came from in the first place. Because why would you do that? It should be pressing pause to see if it can get the military involved on a much greater scale. The scale that it talked about before getting into government - without actually talking to the military. It should be pressing pause until it gets Oranga Tamariki properly on-board. Because, let's face it, boot camps are the last thing OT wants to be involved with. I know that because I have some familiarity with OrangaTamariki and I know that sending kids to boot camps goes completely against its DNA. It should also be pressing pause so that it can get advice from actual experts in this field. Instead of pressing on blindly with something that it knew it could get votes for - but, at this point anyway, looks like something doomed to fail. Not that Phil O'Reilly feels that way. You'll know him from his time with Business New Zealand. But he was also a member of the welfare advisory group that was in place during the last version of the boot camps under John Key's government. He said on Newstalk ZB this morning that boot camps work and he hopes the Government doesn't lose its nerve. If you're thinking ‘hold on a minute, these two kids weren'tactually under lock and key because they'd finished what's called the “facility-based” part of the programe and were in family or community placements, and so why do you want to write-off the boot camps because of that?' If you're thinking that, then doesn't the fact that they did this when they were away from the boot camp show you that this idea doesn't work? Since these two did a runner, and since a third young person who was involved in the programme died in a car crash, the Government has been at great pains to point out that other kids involved have got back into education or found work. Which is great. Don't get me wrong. But it's not enough to convince me that the Government should just keep on keeping on without, at the very least, talking to a few experts, trying to get the military more involved, and deciding whether this “community placement” part of the programme is actually a good idea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former National deputy leader and cabinet minister died after a long battle with cancer. Sir John Key said Ms Kaye's initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2016 was much worse than either of them had let on publicly - but her dedication to politics had given her the strength to get through it and achieve a remarkable amount in her 44 years. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key says the late Nikki Kaye was a fierce, hardworking and wonderful friend and MP.

Politicians from all parties are coming together to pay tribute to Nikki Kaye. The former National deputy leader and Auckland Central MP has died, aged 44. Kaye served as an MP from 2008 until 2020 - taking leave from the House in 2016 for breast cancer treatment. John Key, Helen Clarke, Jacinda Ardern and Chloe Swarbrick are among those who have shared tributes, and Prime Minister Chris Luxon says she was held in great respects across the political divide. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper also says she was a hard worker - and will be remembered fondly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister John Key has fondly remembered Nikki Kaye as a brave warrior. The former National deputy leader and Auckland Central MP has died aged 44 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kaye served as an MP from 2008 until 2020 - the only National MP to win the electorate. In her valedictory, Kaye recalled Prime Minister Key swearing and telling her she wasn't going anywhere, when she was diagnosed in 2016. Key says Kaye fought valiantly - and he recalled reminding Kaye her great motivation was helping people and told her she'd beat it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins have paid tribute to former National Party minister Nikki Kaye, who has passed away aged 44 following a long battle with breast cancer. Sir John Key, who was Prime Minister when Kaye was a minister, also spoke about her political and personal legacy.

Two battleground states now have gone to the Republican candidate Donald Trump who's path to victory is now looking increasingly secure. He leads leads Kamala Harris now 246 votes to 187 - and has leads in the swing states which are still furiously counting votes. While the dominant electoral issues of the economy, abortion and immigration have been key voting factors for many Americans, there are other elements pushing people to have their say. Tim Groser, who was a minister in John Key's government as well as being New Zealand's ambassador to the United States between 2016 and 2018, during the last Trump administration spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tim Groser, who was a minister in John Key's government as well as being New Zealand's ambassador to the United States between 2016 and 2018, during the last Trump administration spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tim Groser, who was a minister in John Key's government as well as being New Zealand's ambassador to the United States between 2016 and 2018, during the last Trump administration spoke to Lisa Owen. Over the last ten days, Corin Dann has experienced the divisive nature of American politics first hand in the swing states of Arizona and Pennsylvania. He has walked the wall in the border town of Nogales and witnessed the pride and passion of Puerto Ricans as they rallied their community to vote. For his final thoughts, on the crazy train that has been this U.S election, Corin Dann spoke to Lisa Owen from Washington DC.

Donald Trump's victory in the United States is being hailed as historic. He is promising to turn around America, upon his return to the White House. While Kamala Harris is yet to concede defeat, CNN projects Trump will secure 276 votes, while Kamala Harris will secure 223. Plus, CNN projects the Republicans will win control of the Senate, while control of the House is still up for grabs. Former Prime Minister Sir John Key told Ryan Bridge he's not surprised by the scale of the victory. "Once you've got polls indicating that two thirds, if not more, of the country think you're going in the wrong direction, when the big issues are the issues you're campaigning on, then a change is very likely," Sir John say. He told Bridge there is likely to be a downside for New Zealand - with Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign goods. "I think there will be some tariffs, he's talking about 60 percent in China and 10 to 20 percent around the rest of the world," he said. "But of course, that has some quite big repercussions, not only for us, but actually the consumers that pay that so I wonder whether that might be tempered a little bit," Sir John says. "There is some downside for New Zealand and I'm not going to sugarcoat that, and they concern me." But he says there are upsides as well - like a strong stock market and a vibrant capital market. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't cry no tears... unless its because you've discovered another supremely underrated Fall-related, Manchester band: The Teardrops. Gavin and Steve dive into the band's EP and a single from this unique group. Over the duration of the band's life it featured members such as Steve Garvey, Karl Burns, Tony Friel, Martin Bramah and John Key(?!), among others. Join us on Patreon for the full episode and to listen-along to the full (great) tracks! Are you searching for the (next episode) now? Are you looking for the real thing, yeah?  You may be missing out on more great Fall-related explorations… but not if you join us on ⁠WATF PATREON:  Full A & B-SIDE discussions (Now!), special (Patreon-only) bonus episodes, side excursions into Fall-member side projects, and early access to all episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Join WATF Pod on PATREON and get them all! Including rare Fall content, merch, and exclusive chats with Gavin & Steve as they discuss everything Fall-related.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow WATF Pod on:  ⁠Instagram⁠  //  YouTube  //  ⁠Twitter⁠  //  ⁠Facebook⁠ For more Fall-related info, please visit our fellow Fall-heads' great work at:  TheFall.org  //  The Annotated Fall Theme Song by Gavin Watts: ⁠https://wearethefallpod.bandcamp.com/⁠ Produced and presented by Watts Happening Records: ⁠www.TheWattsHappening.com⁠ Advertising & Guest Inquiries - Contact:  wearethefallpod@gmail.com

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. The America's Cup and Spanish tourism: 7/10 Despite the protests and locals telling everyone to go home, more people than ever showed up. Wellington City Council: 1/10 Now that is a scandal. The Local Government Minister: 4/10 He has to act, given he's pulled the trigger and made the threat. Reputationally, you can't go round threatening people then doing nothing. Luxon: 4/10 Out of touch, according to the poll. It's not that he ain't okay, I think it's really just because he isn't John Key. It's a looooong shadow. The Solicitor General and her prosecution guidelines: 2/10 Doing exactly the opposite of what the Government wants. Explain that. Liam Lawson: 8/10 Right up there in terms of debut expectations. Love it or not, F1 is the pinnacle and it's a truly global event and we are once again flying our flag through a brilliant talent we wish all the very best. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of Raw Politics: the Prime Minister declares himself wealthy and sorted, Darleen should say goodbye even though she's Green, plus a bad retweet.Chris Luxon can't win. When he owns seven houses he's a capitalist rack renter. When he sells some of them he's exploiting Government policy changes and saving on tax.Newsroom political editor Laura Walters, senior political reporter Marc Daalder and co-editor Tim Murphy ask if the political risk of the selldown, now, of the Luxon housing portfolio is as bad as the Prime Minister's response to media queries of: "I'm wealthy and I'm sorted".The panel also discusses if former Green MP Darleen Tana should leave Parliament of her own accord before her ex party is forced to act hypocritically and have her removed as an MP. Either way, the damage to the Greens will be transitory and all but forgotten at the election in two years.Our reader question asks how Labour MP Damien O'Connor could get away with retweeting an indefensible tweet on Palestinians and Israel. We wonder if the returning Labour leader Chris Hipkins might take another view.Finally, the panelists recommend something to read, listen to or watch on the weekend ahead:--------------------This week's recommendations:Marc: A story from The Press on former E-Can chair Peter Scott's vehicle caught speeding 678 times this yearLaura: Marc Daalder's Newsroom scoop on the unredacted legal advice regarding the Govt's oil and gas exploration policy that would breach international trade obligationsTim: Sam Hayes' exclusive Stuff/3 News interview with John Key on his preferred winner of the US Presidential race--------------------Raw Politics will be available every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and here on YouTube.Read more on Newsroom - https://newsroom.co.nz

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was on Breakfast this morning talk, among other things, about the apparent conflict of interest of Casey Costello and big tobacco and about the funding being cut for te reo education for teachers. Former Prime Minister Sir John Key is fascinated by US politics and not only thinks Donald Trump will win the election in November, on balance he thinks he should. An independent Government-commissioned review into a te reo Māori course that has just had its funding cut found the programme was in high demand, its providers were “exceptional” and engagement from participants was “outstanding”. ================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Here is the first episode of the Matt & Jerry Show Victory Lap! Only 3 left... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Key is fascinated by US politics. In this sit-down interview with Samantha Hayes, he tells the Three News host why he not only thinks Donald Trump WILL win the election in November - he also thinks on balance that he SHOULD.

Thank God the UN General Assembly is underway in New York. Nothing solves global conflict like a good UNGA session. I've been to one of these before, back when John Key was the Prime Minister – there was a resolution on Iran. A lot of sitting around talking and listening, which as Winston Peters pointed out yesterday, is quite important! Netanyahu's enroute. Zelensky's there. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Putin the Pariah obviously won't be, but does anybody hold out any hope that the UN will fix the big issues? Magically solve the wars and conflict? As we reported to you on Thursday's show, China's launching missiles into the South Pacific for the first time since the 1980s. A Japanese warship's just sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time overnight. Israel's hammering Lebanon - today they said "no thanks” to a peace deal. Putin's lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons. Trump says Ukraine is dead, and delegates are talking over the top of Winston Peters at the Security Council, which he wasn't happy about, calling for the room to be quiet. "Maybe a third principal, when somebody's addressing you, the rest of the people in the room keep quiet.” Some would say these are challenges the world can face together, united as one United Nations, but most of the time it's about as useful as ashtray in a motorbike, and most countries and their leaders know this. But off they go to the off to the Big Apple, to do their dance and thump their fists and have their say, while the rest of world largely ignores and carries on - business as usual. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister talks about cosy pillow fights amongst the banks, the prospects of a capital/wealth/land tax under a National-led government, and whether she subscribes to John Key's mantra that "where Fonterra goes, New Zealand goes"? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A walkout at the Iwi Leaders' Forum, a call from John Key to turn down the temperature, and protests at parliament. Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire test the air on the coalition government relationship with iwi Māori as former minister Tracey Martin urges National to back down on its coalition commitment with Act to repeal Section 7aa of the Oranga Tamariki Act. Plus: is Karen Chhour right that the pressure she's facing in parliament crosses the line? Should MPs in the house wear more or less party insignia? And how did Christopher Luxon go at the weekend's party conference? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we change it up a bit with our Northland MP and Dairy Farmer Panel. Up for discussion - John Key, Dr Rod Carr, infrastructure, a good start to spring, and rural mental health.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act's leader's standing by his controversial Treaty Principles Bill, under criticism from Sir John Key. At National's conference in the weekend, the former Prime Minister said the temperature should be turned down on race relations. He suggested the Bill isn't workable, because the principles of Te Tiriti change over time. David Seymour told Heather du Plessis-Allan problems need open discussion. He says the Bill is about what the founding document really means, and will find out how to make New Zealand a place for all. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 5 August 2024, terrorism expert Greg Barton speaks with Heather after Australia raised its threat level , saying an attack is "probable". Finance Minister Nicola Willis on her plans to make Kiwibank more competitive - will she sell parts of it to raise more capital? Cancer advocates are upset that Health NZ has declined a drug company's offer of free treatment for cancer sufferers. Act leader David Seymour responds to John Key's plea to lower the temperature on race relations. Plus the Huddle debates whether the BBC should be removing old footage that includes disgraced ex-presenter Huw Edwards. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Key says he doesn't support the Government's controversial Treaty Principles Bill. It comes after calls from the former Prime Minster for the temperature to be turned down on race relations. The bill, championed by ACT, seeks to formally define the principals of the Treaty of Waitangi, but has been met with strong opposition. Key says not only has the bill 'wound people up' but he also thinks it wouldn't work. "I actually think philosophically it's bad policy. I'll tell you why I think it's bad - if you write down the principles, if you think they're going to stay like that, you're a dreamer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great news for the ski fields. Winter has finally decided to do its thing and snow is dumping.  And the wild and wooly weather arrived in the week we learnt that we are no more ready for a natural disaster today than we were before Cyclone Gabrielle.  A few weeks ago work stopped on the COP project.  COP is Common Operating Platform. It's a data system that could mean that any agency involved in a disaster can communicate with each other in real time. It's making sure all the computers and phones can talk to each other.  We need one for all sorts of things - weather events, fire, terrorist attacks, invasions. Everyone needs to be able to access it - Police, Fire, Army, Civil Defence.  And then the whole thing can be coordinated from a local, regional or central position.  Not having a common operating system was cited as the major failure in Gabrielle so this is a big thing. And I was very glad to hear the Prime Minister and Mike talking about it this morning.  After describing the problem, the PM then said you can see how big our turnaround job is. And yes it is.  And then Mike read out a text complaining that Ardern and Robertson were asleep at the wheel over this issue.  Blaming the previous administration for all our woes is why nothing ever happens.  The reality is the programme to create a common operating system started in 2014 under the John Key administration. His cabinet also ordered spatial data infrastructure be built to house the COP. Infrastructure that all New Zealanders could use to improve their business communication. They failed.    The Bill English administration failed to implement the system. And then the Ardern administration and then the Hipkins administration and now the Luxon administration. Because they've let the parties walk away.  The common factor in all the failures over a decade is the inability of the public services' involved to agree. They are also loathe to share data.  And there's the rub. Politicians and governments come and go, but the public service is forever. And in this case, they just may be pretty useless.  Now whenever I get stuck into public servants, I'm told off for punching down and that the buck stops at the top with the minister.  And I get that. But at some stage, you've just got to stop blaming the coach and sack some players.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We try to fit as much of the week's topics into a single episode, and fail miserably. Iran's president died, John Key named in a civil suit, the bs being pushed by National about Kāinga Ora, Kanaky protests, the ICC and ICJ took action and the UK announced a snap election.This episode's co-hostsSimon, Kyle, GinnyTimestamps0:00 Introductions1:57 Ebrahim Raisi7:47 John Key Named15:16 Kāinga Ora “Not Profitable” 29:16 Prison Privatisation31:54 Scale of Corruption35:59 Kanaky42:58 ICC Ruling and Response57:44 Hinging Hegemony1:04:26 The UK Election1:07:51 ClosingsIntro/Outro by The Prophet MotiveSupport us here: https://www.patreon.com/1of200

We have a lot to thank Jamie Arbuckle for.  Jamie is a Marlborough councillor and an MP for New Zealand First.  He is this week's political headline because he has two jobs and two salaries and has, for now, decided to keep all of them.  We thank him because it proves without a shadow of a doubt that one, if not two of these jobs aren't actual jobs as you and I might know them. Thus, it allows him to do what he calls, and the system calls, two jobs for salaries and seemingly not work himself into an early grave.  At council level, as well as being a regular councillor, he is also on the Economic Finance Committee, which is extra work and extra money.  In Parliament, of course he is a hard-working MP, deputy chair of the Justice Select Committee as well as being on the Finance and Expenditure Committee and he is also the party whip.  It is possible these are proper, full time, energy-sapping, time filling jobs and Jamie is superhuman and has skills few, if any others, possess and he works 18 or 19 hours a day.  Or they are not real jobs.  The council especially, as in so many council jobs around the country, is a make-work scheme for well-meaning and/or bored people.  We are over councilled, over regulated and, as such, we have too many Jamie's wandering around pretending they do things.  The arrival of MMP has badly exposed the work, or lack of work, required to be a list MP. You represent no one and you are answerable only to your party. If you are a Prime Minister or a Cabinet minister you can argue less electorate and more important work of national significance can be justified. Although you will note that many don't. Jacinda Ardern, Chris Luxon, as well as John Key and Helen Clark all were/are electorate MPs.  It's not about the money. In the grand scheme of things, he might earn a quarter of a million for a couple of jobs.  The point is they aren't proper jobs. We know that now because he can sit on several committees, be a whip, commute between two cities, collect two salaries, represent a lot of people and still not claim to be part of that absurd survey last week that says most of us suffer severe burn out.  The lesson is we don't need nearly as many councillors as we have and we certainly don't need as many MPs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want some savings?  I have found a couple of hundred million for you then.  A report out has looked at who gets the Winter Energy Payment. It's a shedload of money that is yet again going to be doled out this month for the colder period, so oldies don't freeze to death.  It's one of the more shameful decisions of this new Government and reminded me of the Christchurch Call, which they also inexplicably carried on with.  The Christchurch Call isn't that expensive, but it is a grandiose truckload of virtue signalling, psychobabble that, as information revealed this week shows, has achieved basically nothing but “feels”.  If a new Government was looking for easy day one savings, that would have been a goodie and the Winter Energy Payment would not have been far behind.  So, the detail is that 53% of those getting superannuation don't need a heating top up. They have enough to look after themselves.  So why do they get it?  Well, that's Labour all over, isn't it? It's a high trust model. You can opt out if you like. But who does? No one.  So, the waste builds. With that 53%, if you didn't hand it out you have just saved $205 million.  Now, you can only blame Labour until someone else comes along to re-introduce a bit of reality to the room.  Except the new lot decided not to.  It's not dissimilar to John Key who thought Working For Families was communism by stealth, until he decided to carry on with the programme. Here it is to this day, churning through billions as you work and pay your taxes only for them to take your money, have an entire battalion of public servants rifle through your entitlements and, if you are lucky, hand some of it back.  It is ruinously wasteful.  I assume someone, somewhere thought about the slightly simpler idea of you keeping the money in the first place so you don't need the paperwork and hassle of trying to repatriate it. Of course, if they did it that way they wouldn't have a financial hold over you, which of course is what a previous Labour Government had in mind when they invented it.  So, we end up with $205 million in wasted money.  Clearly not all money saving ideas have been exhausted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is fair to say the country is not in a good place right now. Job cuts dominate the headlines. A double-dip recession came true. Inflation is robbing us of our purchasing power. Last week an IPSOS poll found that 60 percent of us think that New Zealand is in decline and 65 percent believe that the economy is rigged to benefit the rich and the powerful. And when people bemoan our situation and wonder how we got here a common response is to blame the Labour Government and the Reserve Bank. A common refrain is Robertson blew all the money so we can't afford to do anything now, even something as important as paying our police more so they don't quit or leave the country. You also hear that Labour caused a debt so large our children and their children will be paying for it for decades to come. So I pricked up my ears last week when Mike Hosking talked to ASB economist Nick Tuffley about inflation and the economy in general. Mike asked him how bad was our economy and he said pretty bad but still nowhere near what happened after the GFC. To remind you, the GFC ended early in 2009 and John Key's government was in charge. To remedy the situation we borrowed, we opened up immigration and we went through austerity to a far greater degree than we're doing now. And it worked. Need I remind you that within 5 years we were described as having a rock-star economy. This is not to diminish the situation that we're in right now but it is to put a perspective on things. But Nick was also asked why inflation and bad economic tidings were still happening here when other economies like the States, the UK and Australia are bouncing back. Economies with far greater debt and spending. Tuffley essentially blamed our static productivity. He says considering we imported nearly 3 percent more population over the past 2 years our GDP should have raised, but it didn't. We seem incapable of making more money per person year on year. And it's a problem that we've had ever since Ruth Richardson's Mother of all Budgets early in the 90s. And it's a problem that exists no matter the colour of the government. It's something we need to look to ourselves for not something we can blame on the government. And it relates to the comments that Christopher Luxon made overseas that angered some when he boasted that New Zealand is now open for business. We've always been open for business. The real question is how much business are we open for?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Flava Breakfast's Off the Record - an exclusive short, sharp and a little but juicy chat you won't hear anywhere else!  In today's episode, Charlie takes us back to 2013 when John Key was in Tonga. A story involving a large number of dogs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former Prime Minister makes a surprise phone call to thank Mackay for his “truly remarkable effort” in rural broadcasting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are thousands of hours of conversation with the likes of David Lange, John Key and Helen Clark. But no one has ever heard them, and now the project. run by the Alexander Turnbull Library, is shutting down.

Sir John Key has made property predictions for the future, he believes house prices could still 'potentially' double in the next 10 years. But what does Debbie Roberts from the Property Apprentice have to say about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Key believes the time was right to step down as chair of the country's biggest bank. Key has been working with ANZ's Australian and New Zealand boards since 2017, and became chair in 2018. He says the bank is in good shape and they had an obvious replacement in mind- so he knew he was ready to retire. "The timing seemed about right for me, and it's a pretty good time for the bank as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man who's advocated for bringing back pseudoephedrine wants official recognition it was a bad idea. John Key's Government removed the cold and flu medication, hoping to stall meth manufacture. Associate Health Minister David Seymour is introducing a bill this  to reclassify the drug, so it's available in pharmacies without a prescription. Blackland PR director, Mark Blackham says a moral panic about meth forced the rushed ban, despite evidence showing it wouldn't work. "I think the only way of stopping bad decisions in the future is to get Governments to apologise for the role they had." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pharmacist fears bringing back over the counter cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, an ingredient used to make meth, will see the return of P houses and chemist shop burglaries. Losening the rules around the medicine is an ACT policy, agreed to by National in its coalition deal. And its part of the new government's 100 day work prgramme. The drug has been prescription only since 2011, a policy introduced by the National Prime Minister of the day John Key. Key was concerned about backyard cooks and gangs using the medicine to make Meth or P. Mangawhai Pharmacist Lanny Wong speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6342035877112

Sir John Key : Decision-Making During Crisis, “Jacinda was really the accidental Prime Minister!”I was lucky enough to get to interview Sir John Key, New Zealand's Former Prime Minister, for the 3rd time this year. In this episode, John and I focused on decision-making during crisis. During his time in office, John was faced with the Christchurch earthquakes, which caused widespread damage across Christchurch and killed 185 people. John was open about how he navigated making decisions during this time, and how we can all learn to make decisions under pressure.John also spoke about politics, the 2023 Elections, and AI.Please share this episode with everyone you know. We could all benefit from learning how to make decisions under pressure!----Click here to Become a VIP supporter of Lead On Purpose: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1583287/supportIf you would like to help James continue to bring on world-class guests, please consider making a small recurring donation to cover the back end, admin and editing costs. For many years, James has dedicated countless hours to the show and would LOVE to continue bringing you global thought leaders.Thank you for your support. It is greatly appreciated.With much gratitude.Full Transcript, Quote Cards, and a Show Summary are available here:https://www.jjlaughlin.com/blog-----Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Support the show

On the daily bespoke podcast today, we talk about John Key, Russian spies, and Winston Churchill's booze habits...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Hello is that you Winston? Christopher Luxon calling." That's exactly the scenario painted by the National leader, who sent a smoke signal to voters via social media this morning. "It's crunch time" he says and if he's forced to he'll ring the NZ first leader to form a government if National and ACT dont have the votes for his prefered two party coalition post election. Recent polls have New Zealand First cracking the five per cent threshold needed to get back into parliament. To date the National leader's been coy about whether he's prepared to do a deal with Winston Peters. But now Christopher Luxon couldnt be more explicit; So what's really going on here? Former Prime Minister and National Party leader Sir John Key point blank ruled Winston Peters out as a coalition partner at two elections, Sir John speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6337773731112