Podcasts about luxon

There are numerous approaches to management: Legacy, Ideological, Corporate, and Political Management. These combine to produce a system that cannot sustain long-term strategies. “Cultivation Management is the alternative.” According to Dr Mike Schmidt, it is also the approach that Christopher Luxon needs to adopt to retain his Prime Ministership. And then there's the question; can Mr Luxon afford to bypass the advice Schmidt has to offer? Advice that is equally applicable to most other forms of management. You can decide for yourself. And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions in Parliament today - with barbs traded between the Prime Minister and Opposition leader. Chris Luxon took a swipe at Labour's Chris Hipkins at Question Time over inflation. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told numerous MPs to cool down, after heckling from both sides. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the action from today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says Labour's concerns with the India Free Trade Agreement is "politicking", and Chris Hipkins wanting attention. Labour's saying they want the un-redacted advice about the deal and greater protection for migrant workers. In a letter to Chris Luxon, Chris Hipkins wants more clarity about the clause which requires New Zealand business to invest $33billion into India. Luxon told Mike Hosking that none of their concerns are real problems. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says Labour's concerns with the India Free Trade Agreement is "politicking", and Chris Hipkins wanting attention. Labour's saying they want the un-redacted advice about the deal and greater protection for migrant workers. In a letter to Chris Luxon, Chris Hipkins wants more clarity about the clause which requires New Zealand business to invest $33billion into India. Luxon told Mike Hosking that none of their concerns are real problems. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duncan dives into the trust problem currently rotting New Zealand politics. Whether it is Chris Hipkins flipping on capital gains or Chris Luxon introducing a new power "levy" that looks suspiciously like a tax, we ask if anything said before an election actually survives. Plus, economist Craig Renney and the Taxpayers Union's Jordan Williams join us to debate the state of the economy and why Wellington is feeling so flat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The government coalition have heavily signaled their 2026 campaign approaches but this has gone mostly missed by the media. NZ infrastructure is on its last legs and there's no overt push to bring that into a national conversation.This episode's co-hostsPhilip, Kyle, SimoneTimestamps0:00 Opening / Introductions2:03 Big Three Missed Reports3:28 Luxon at Waitangi11:39 Winston Peters Testing Facism22:57 David Seymour Colonialism Good, Actually39:09 Wastewater Treatment Plant44:12 Frequency of Disasters58:34 Blocked Fast Track1:09:10 ClosingIntro/Outro by The Prophet MotiveSupport us here: https://www.patreon.com/1of200

Epstein Files hog headlines worldwide as local angles emerge here. Also: more commentary on the tragedy at Mount Maunganui, the PM copping unfair criticism for his visits to the disaster zones, NZ radio stations under new Aussie ownership - and roadcone nonsense. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It could have been a coordinated knife to the Government's heart. On the day the unemployment rate went up, the Warehouse offered a real world example of the problem by announcing another 270 jobs would be added to the pile as they look to save and outsource and generally reorganise themselves. The irony, well lost in the throng of those who look to use the headline for political gain, was the fact the number of people employed is up. It's up by 15,000. But the headline is the headline and 5.4% is not 5.3%, or 5.2%. So it makes Gareth Kiernan at Infometrics more right that any Government member had hoped. 5.4% is deja vu. It's February of 2025 all over again. There's a lot to be pleased about but the big prize, the tail at the end of the economic dog being jobs, did not come to the party. And that old chestnut of Auckland is back to haunt us as well. They've got the highest jobless rates to be found in big cities with close to 6%. Wellington and Hamilton are close to 6% too. If the cities don't fire, the country doesn't fire. It will of course. The vibe in Auckland is palpable in a variety of different areas. Positivity is well and truly back, but it takes time. And in election year time is of the essence. Luxon's pitch so far this year is the right one. But talking about recovery is one thing, you've got to actually feel it. The real trouble in these numbers is not the headline. 1) It's those who need more work. Why? The cost of living. There is a big uptick of women back in the workforce. Ask yourself why. 2) The young people aged 15-24 is over 16%. It's always high but this is too high. Anyone with offspring in this age group knows the struggle. Our youngest has work but she hustled. 3) Australia. Say what you want about the price of a house and the inflation rate, and they are real issues and Australia is in trouble overall this year, but apples and apples, jobs to jobs, they kill us. This is not a stat for nuance and subtlety. You can't pick out some vague highlights like a region, or a sector, or an industry and try and milk it. Unemployment got worse. Full stop. With all the rest of it in place and looking so much better there is a recovery on and it will come right. But right here, right now, this week, the jobs stat for a government relying on economic credibility took a right hook and will be dazed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waitangi Day two: Luxon fronts Māori at the Iwi Chairs Forum with Climate Change front of mind.Pat catches up with Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi for a candid chat at WaitangiUnemployment numbers have risen but National refuse to give up the "economic recovery is coming" narrative.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Fire and Emergency NZ has launched an investigation into the firefighter who got caught making a crude gesture at the PM on video. Do we think this is really necessary? Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in the news again after the latest release from the Epstein files. New photos reveal the former royal crouched on all fours and touching an unidentified woman. What do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PM Luxon gives comment to the Waitangi Tribunal revealing backroom Mining negations with the US, as well campaigning on Asset Sales and finally declining the invite to Trump's Board of Peace.Shane Jones gives the final word to reject the COP30 Road Map to move away from Fossil Fuels.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi gets her latest day in Court, fighting against her unfair dismissal from TPM. ++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

It's Waitangi Day this Friday and after opting to spend the day at a marae in Akaroa last year, this year Christopher Luxon will be in town to meet with iwi. A recent RNZ-Reid poll found 62% of kiwis think it's important for the prime minister to be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day, but previous PMs have all had different approaches. Ngapuhi chairperson Mane Tahere joins to preview the week ahead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We end the week with a reality check. I was a bit underwhelmed by the Government's response to the last couple of week's weather events. $2 million is not a lot of money, which in a way is good because it indicates the damage isn't that bad. The damage is that bad. It's just the big stuff, the roads and bridges and infrastructure, is being paid for out of contingency budgets in various Government's departments. Fine. But as I asked, and got no real answer to, is that the plan, is it? Build it, watch it get destroyed, patch it up, watch it get destroyed and patch it up? It's not my favoured plan. I asked Penk, Mitchell, and Luxon what the big picture is. There is one, they reassure us. Not sure of a timeframe, which is political speak for "it's on the never-never". Yet in the Post from AA Insurance to the Buller District Mayor is the news they will be suspending cover for the region. No new business in the postcode of 7825, Westport, Carters Beach, and Cape Foulwind. This is where this goes. Just how many letters from how many insurance companies do you want before the big calls need to be made? Matata should have been the red flag and that started 20 years ago. Already Wellington, for other reasons, has insurance issues. The Upper Hunter Valley in New South Wales has been dealing with it for years. Even if you can get cover, it's at least $50,000 a year. There are, rightly or wrongly, sadly or not, chunks of the country that look problematic. Ignoring them or relying on an ever-increasing contingency budget is not going to make them any less so. The Government.is always the last port of call in crisis. The taxpayer will always be the one asked to provide the accommodation and bridge and food when the climate tips life upside down. Federated Farmers said it's not acceptable to have State Highway 2 to Waioweka cut off. Correct, it isn't. But the Government's answers are more band aids. AA Insurance's answer is no more cover. One of them is missing the point. One of them is showing you how this unfolds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Christopher Luxon announced an election date of November 7, a strip of the North Island was under siege from another bout of brutal weather. As the clean-up and recovery continues, and families and communities grieve the loss of nine lives, questions swirl around the response. In the first Gone By Lunchtime for 2026, Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire assess that response, and ask whether the bigger picture around climate adaptation and mitigation will filter through the forthcoming campaign. The year begins, meanwhile, with incessant geopolitical disorder emanating from the White House. As Mark Carney sets out his stall in compelling fashion at Davos, what does the Canadian prime minister's "new world order" approach have in common with Christopher Luxon's, where do they differ, and is New Zealand's prime minister on an election-year collision course with a foreign minister set upon below-parapet foreign relations and flirting with the thought of quitting the World Health Organisation? Speaking of Winston Peters, his New Zealand First Party has enjoyed a bump in recent polling. Could they emulate the populist-nationalist trends in Australia and the UK and climb even further? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, following weather warnings and torrential rain, slips across the Coromandel and  Bay of Plenty wreaked havoc, cutting off communities, damaging houses, and worst of all, taking lives. At the base of Mauoa, Mount Maunganui, a slip hit a council-owned campsite, claiming six lives and now eyes are turning towards how a tragedy like this could be prevented in future. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was among the world leaders offered membership on Trump's post conflict government body, the board of peace. The board has received scathing criticism for including people under investigation for war crimes and failing to have a representative voice for the Palestinian people. Luxon has, in turn, received criticism for not ruling out the invitation. Finally, the New Zealand Defence Force has begun to incorporate uncrewed vehicles and drones as it moves into a new era of increased defence spending For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wire host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about Luxons refusal to rule out joining Trump's board of peace, and the New Zealand Defence Forces incorporation of drones but began with asking him about the fatal slip in Tauranga,  

Parliament returned today for the first session of 2026, and the focus has turned to campaigning for the upcoming election. Hipkins and Luxon made their statements, with Luxon applauding the coalition's track record and Hipkins accusing the Government of being all about slogans, not delivery. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the debate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons joins LIVE to discuss the Fire at Will Bill put forward by Brooke van Velden, which would impact high earning employees from disputing unfair dismissal.The govt have announced this year's election date, November 7th. Luxon says its reasonable, Hipkins says it's rather late.The upper North Island has been slammed again with incredibly dangerous flooding. Experts look at the impact Climate Change is having on these extreme weather events expected to continue in NZ.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at 31,749 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T. The market closed at yet another new record high on Tuesday, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing recouped its early losses on the back of investor optimism over the company's fundamentals. Analysts say T-S-M-C continued to attract bargain hunters and that resulted in the chipmaker's share price rising by 0.85-per cent to close at 1,775 N-T. No invite for Taiwan to Honduras presidential inauguration The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not received an invitation to the inauguration of Honduras' president-elect Nasry Asfura. The statement comes amid reports that President Lai Ching-te had expressed an interest in attending the January 27 event. According to the foreign ministry's Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, the lack of (沒有…) an invitation is due to Taiwan not having official diplomatic ties with Honduras. The department has not said whether or not it approached members of the incoming Asfura administration for an invitation. Asfura pledged to restore ties with Taipei if he was elected president during his campaign. Epidemic flu period may begin this week, peak around Lunar New Year The Centers for Disease Control was warning that Taiwan could enter a flu epidemic as early as this week, as case numbers are continuing to rise ahead of Lunar New Year holiday. According to the C-D-C, outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like illnesses reached 104,348 from the week of January 11 to 17. That figure marked a second consecutive weekly increase and was an increase of 11.9-per cent from the previous week. The C-D-C says the number of weekly visits for flu-like illnesses could climb to as high as 140,000 during the peak period (高峰期). Health officials say 458 severe flu cases and 88 flu-related deaths have been recorded so far this flu season. The C-D-C is urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Trump: "you'll find out" how far he'll go to acquire Greenland US President Donald Trump says people will "find out" how far he's willing to go to acquire Greenland. It comes as he prepares to meet worried European allies on Wednesday in Davos, who are becoming increasingly vocal (直言不諱的) in their push back against the President's plans. Nick Harper reports from Washington NZ PM Announces National Election Date New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a national election will be held Nov. 7th. New Zealand elections are held every three years with the government selecting the date. Voters choose which party they prefer to see in government and also select a local candidate to represent their constituency (選區) in parliament. Luxon, who is leader of the center-right National party, became prime minister in 2023. His chief opponent is Chris Hipkins, leader of the center-left Labour party. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

National's not announcing any changes to the team, as parties tee-up political campaigns. The Prime Minister's confirmed a November 7 date for this year's general election - speaking from National's annual caucus retreat in Christchurch. Chris Luxon says any members retiring will announce it themself, and he doesn't feel compelled to reshuffle for the sake of it. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Luxon will be hoping for the economic recovery to be more noticeable by the time the voting booths open up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is election year, of course, and I reckon we should get this thing over and done with quickly. Let's rip the band-aid off - Luxon should go to the polls early. The argument's always been - and we talked about this a lot last year - that they should wait till November, go late, let the economy recover. Make sure people feel the recovery and not just hear about it and read about it in the newspapers, but I think the political calculation has changed over the summer break. Luxon's grip on National, and the coalition more generally, has always been pretty weak, let's be honest. He struggles for cut-through. His colleagues are only really keeping him there because instability looks worse than his performance. This doesn't mean he's doing a terrible job. Inflation is coming down, recovery is underway, education is being dealt to, as is crime, this is good. But politics isn't always about facts, much as it should be. Because it's also vibes, isn't it? And it's been seen to be bold and be strong. Now, Jacinda Ardern - you won't like this, some of you - but a lot of people did. Initially, when she shut the borders, when she closed the country, it was bold. People liked it, it projected strength and it showed us who was boss. Of course, it all fell apart, but the principle of leadership is the same. Luxon should be bold and go to the polls in late July or early August. You can credibly claim a recovery is underway. You can say international events, you know, new tariffs, military action, these are unstable things and we need stability. Put your money where your mouth is, show people that you actually believe the recovery is happening and you're willing to put your job on the line to prove it. Show some leadership, surprise people. Use one of the few levers that you have as an MMP Prime Minister in a three-way coalition to put the willies up your opposition, up your opponents. But more importantly, and crucially, cut in half the amount of time that will be spent this year bickering with your cabinet colleagues, Seymour and Peters, who are after oxygen, of course, and Bishop, et al, who are after your job. The Māori Party is an absolute shambles, why give them more time to sort their act out? If Luxon is not just sleepwalking into this election, he'd be wise to take advantage and show himself as a genuine player of the game, I think. Being a good leader means knowing your limitations and your foibles. The question I'd be asking myself is whether a significant number of voters are going to miraculously warm to him between the months of July and November this year. I think, given the poll trends, this is highly doubtful. What they might not warm to, they may at least respect if he does the big boy bold move and heads to the polls with an autumn campaign season, give us some gumption. We need a Prime Minister, not a Prime Manager. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says voters shouldn't expect any big election promises this year, as the Government looks to keep the books in order. Chris Luxon's given his State of the Nation speech in Auckland before 600 business leaders. Luxon declared the economic recovery is here, and pointed to Kiwisaver, RMA and education reforms as this year's policy planks. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says the Government's dialled back the rhetoric this time round, as part of a 'low risk, low reward' strategy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Election Year is off and running with Christopher Luxon's State of the Nation address. We should know the election date later this week. What we do know is the theme of National's campaign: “Fixing the basics and building the future”. Not a shock. It's a variation of the way they've positioned themselves for a while. The party that concentrates on the need to haves and not the nice to haves - Labour trashed the economy in six years with their spending, we're the guys who'll fix it up. But the real question is what are they fixing and what are they building. Treasury's figures from the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update delivered just before Christmas, show the Government has both cut capital expenditure since its election and lowered forecasts for new spending. Capex fell by $6 billion between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 fiscal years, and spending was $1.6 billion less in 2024/25 than was budgeted. There's not a lot of fixing of leaky hospitals and rickety courtrooms going on. And yet despite that, their spending has gone up. And that's because the big ticket items like benefits and pensions have gone up, and so have costs in services like education and health. So there's not a lot of invigorating news in the near future. Our fundamentals will remain unchanged. The great hope is that private sector just gets on with it understanding the limits to our capacity. And so we get back to the unofficial slogan: "Vote for us, we're not as bad as the other lot". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National had their State of the Nation address and set the tone for their 2026 election campaign.Earlier in the year we said Farewell to the "Man, Myth and Legend" Tim Shadbolt with his funeral held a few days ago.It's been a tough summer for festivals with some no longer to continue, holding their last events this summer.Save a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Rosetta and Milly catch up with Lara Greaves to chat about Luxon's State Of The Nation Speech yesterday, and place bets on the 2026 election date. Whakarongo mai nei!

A former Finance Minister says many people aren't feeling economic relief despite positive markers. The Prime Minister is giving his State of the Nation speech at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon. Newstalk ZB understands Chris Luxon will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and back to the Government's successes at home. But Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking that it's important for Luxon to level with the public. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says his State of the Nation speech will focus on his plan for setting up the country's future Chris Luxon is set to make the address at the International Convention Centre in Auckland this afternoon. Newstalk ZB understands he will try to draw attention away from turbulent affairs overseas - and to the Government's successes back home. Luxon told Mike Hosking that he won't be announcing policy - but will reveal a framework for going forward. He says the speech is a chance to lay out where we're at, and what's going on. Chris Luxon says he will announce an election day shortly. LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to give his State of the Nation Address tomorrow and being an election year, it'll be an important one. The National Party will be trying to recover from their recent polling, while kiwis will be looking for some desperately needed economic recovery. Health may also be one to keep an ear out for, after Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she'll be looking to shake up funding in the next budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 election is set to take place later this year, and it's expected we'll see an election date by the end of next week. Speculation is growing as 2026 gets under way, with the economy and international concerns set to be the top issues impacting voters. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says it's unlikely any 'dramatic' new policies will be announced at Luxon's upcoming State of the Nation address, but he will need to prove himself to set the tone for the new year. "He's got to be on his game tomorrow, and he's got to be better at his game as the year goes on. That's going to be a mighty challenge." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best of DecemberDavid Seymour is very butt hurt over his play mates, Luxon and Winston, threatening to bully his beloved RSB out of politics next yearWhen in opposition Luxon's led National Party made ram raids the absolute responsibility of the then Labour government therefore, following the standards they set, they are 100% responsible for the world breaking uptake in methPaul 'the other one' Barlow latest research leads to some very concerning findings on who is supplying the media with political news and narratives and even more concerning, those outlets running the stories, seem to be just cutting and pasting press releases and putting them out as storiesSave a massive 30% on all items except coffee mugs at https://bhn.nz/shop/ during the summer break using the promo code XMAS2025 at checkoutLike us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkBecome a Patron and support the work we're doing and help us continue as the only independent progressive news network in NZ www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNews

Well, of course you heard it here first last Monday - the surplus has been pushed out again. It's like waiting for Christmas when you're a ten-year-old, the whole month of December feels like an eternity. This lot have now pushed it out three times and changed the definition of surplus. Not only have we moved the goalposts, we've lowered them, too. Next year's deficit is almost $14 billion, that's $1.8 billion worse than they thought it would be in May. We're not back in black till 2030 now, instead of 2029. That's what happens when you borrow a bunch of money you have to pay back and then fail to grow your way out of it. Basically, Grant Robertson went and bought a brand new lambo on the credit card and then when he buggered off, we got Nicola who promised she'd get us some more work to pay for the debt so we wouldn't go broke. But that extra work hasn't quite happened yet - so here we are. The good news is - it is coming, they tell us. More than 3 percent next year. In theory. All going to plan. And Willis is promising to get the surplus by 2029, even if the books don't show that yet. I think it's enough to get them re-elected, providing no surprises from Winston, because people know what the alternative is. And that's more debt. On ghost visits to the doctor for billionaires who don't need it with GPs we don't have. Yes, they could please Hooten and slash spending - I'd be here for it. But this is MMP and they're an unashamedly centrist party that needs to win the centre. And winning the centre means not spooking the horses, which is what massive cuts would achieve. So, another fiscal result we were mostly expecting telling us what we mostly knew was coming. Like the last two polls of the year, the pre-Christmas treat for Luxon and co. is - the growth is coming on stream, finally, in an election year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RNZ's political team sits down with the leaders of the two major parties - National's Christopher Luxon and Labour's Chris Hipkins - to reflect on 2025 and look forward to election year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Prime Minister ponders an FTA with India, the RMA reforms, the latest 1News poll, and whether lamb beats ham for Christmas in the Luxon household.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Nicola Willis-Ruth Richardson showdown looks like it'll go ahead next week after the HYEFU release. As you'll know from listening to this show on Monday night, Nicola's not happy with Ruth. And Ruth isn't too happy with Nicola. We have a structural deficit and we're not addressing it. Surplus is probably going to be pushed out - again - to 2030. So we have a showdown. But you might be wondering why the current Finance Minister is debating a former one (of some 30-odd years ago) at all. Well, here's the comms strategy on this: Ruth has credibility, as least on the right. The left reckons she permanently scarred the country, but you can't deny something had to be done. And people forget the growth and jobs that followed. Nicola's still earning her credibility, and things have not been going terribly well on that front. Spending's higher than Grant and surplus keeps getting pushed out. The growth is anaemic. So this is a way of tackling Ruth's attacks head-on and putting them to bed. Usually, ministers don't give oxygen to debates because it gives their opponent equal standing with them. A bit of the Treasury bench rubs off and can make your opponent seem credible. Which is why you wouldn't see Luxon near Hipkins outside of a Bollywood dance off - except during mandatory campaign debates. So, sorry Chlöe and sorry Barbara, this is a Ruth thing. But there's also a smarter strategy going on here from Willis, I reckon. By debating somebody on the right, she makes herself seem more centrist in the public's eyes. She distances herself from the Scrooge argument. She highlights how much they are still spending and haven't cut. And will argue cuts now would mean job losses and less growth. It's basically framing the economic debate as one between the right, and even more right. Which leaves the left out in the cold. And also looking a little trigger happy on the country credit card. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Ryan Bridge about today's political hot topics. Luxon sold the RMA reform we'll see tomorrow from Chris Bishop and Simon Court. Minister of Police Mark Mitchell is at odds with former police commissioner Andrew Coster over who knew what and when in the McSkimming scandal. A New Zealand war ship is being shadowed by a Chinese fleet near Taiwan. And, Helen Clark's father passed away. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for the annual swapping of gifts between the Prime Minister and broadcaster Mike Hosking. For Prime Minister Christopher Luxon the festive season has begun with meal tray tables bearing the longtime broadcaster's face, after the pair exchanged gifts in a Christmas tradition that dates back several years. As for Hosking, he'll leave the Newstalk ZB studio today with a bespoke calendar with a range of dates highlighted, from sports events to Parliament's Question Time and random world elections. “I get a lot of unsolicited advice when I'm in Parliament during question time. So, I've marked out in green all the times that you can give me that unsolicited advice,” Luxon said. “And then the other two big interests in your life are obviously F1 and the Warriors games, so they're all mapped out there on the planner. And then sometimes you love to give a bit of esoteric advice to the listeners around sort of the Cameroonian election that might be taking place. So, down this side, I've just given you a list of random world elections.” Luxon also gave the broadcaster two wine glass rubber lanyards, briefly alarming Hosking as he unwrapped his gift, which was “only for you and [wife] Kate”, Luxon said. “Oh my Lord, what is it?” Hosking replied before the Prime Minister revealed the lanyards were bought at Ikea after the Swedish giant opened its first New Zealand store in Auckland yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking after the pair exchanged Christmas gifts on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning. Photo / Cameron Pitney “I was the first person in the country to make a physical purchase in the store at Ikea. And I bought Mike ... wine glass lanyard[s], because as he ponders his estate ... him and Kate go wandering around and they often have a glass of wine in hand. “As you've got older, I don't want you to trip and fall, because that'd be a real problem.” You can listen here to the exchange. The tray tables were inspired by a comment Luxon made this year about him and wife Amanda eating dinner on their laps while watching Netflix. “Stop eating dinner on your knee, it's not healthy”, Hosking scolded the Prime Minister. “All I ask of you when you're sitting with that on your lap looking at me … is not to spill your food.” The Prime Minister described the trays as having “lovely wood surrounds” and the image of Hosking as being “very wistful”. “It's ponderous and thoughtful,” Hosking said. “The question I'm asking you with my eyes is, ‘Do you really think you'll win the election next year?'” The Government has been struggling in the polls as economic challenges continue, with Luxon himself the subject of ongoing speculation that his leadership may face a challenge from within his own party. But the Prime Minister's response was to the point. “Oh hell yeah, don't you worry about that.” ‘The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview' Last year, after Luxon's first full year in the top job, Hosking gave the Prime Minister a gift he described as “one of one” and a “prototype”. It was a book titled “The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview”, which Luxon described as “genius”. Luxon gave Hosking a Christmas card with a family photo on it and some “furikake seasoning,” a Japanese seasoning typically made with toasted sesame seeds and nori. “People like me, who are men of the people, just use salt, I mean, I come from a very humble background,” Luxon said. “This is what really posh people do.” “Absolutely love it,” Hosking said in response to the gift. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast with host Mike Hosking in October. Photo / Mike Hosking Luxon also gave Hosking a “special energy Voost” that was described as “posh Berrocca”. Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also exchanged gifts with Hosking during her time leading the country. This included in 2018 a framed photo given to Hosking of the pair riding Lime scooters together and, in exchange, a T-shirt with a picture of Hosking holding a vacuum cleaner. Broadcaster Mike Hosking proudly wearing his Christmas gift from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - a T-shirt immortalising a verbal stoush between the pair. Photo / Supplied The following year Ardern – who in 2021 would cancel her regular weekly interview on the Mike Hosking Breakfast – gave the broadcaster a T-shirt showing the pair mid-verbal stoush and with the slogan “I heart Tuesdays”. “This could go wrong,” Hosking then said as he prepared to give Ardern her gift, a miniature “one-off Mike Hosking vacuum cleaner”. “And I don't want you to think it's a sexist gift either because … no one loves to vacuum more than me.” Broadcaster Mike Hosking gifts Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern a miniature vacuum cleaner in their annual gift exchange in 2019. In 2020, Ardern pranked Hosking by gifting him a Labour billboard featuring the ZB host alongside the Prime Minister herself, a present she said Hosking will grow to love as the years roll on. “Do you want me on board? Have you seen my magnetism as a vote-getter?” Hosking joked. Ardern then unwrapped two presents from Hosking, one for daughter Neve and one for herself. Hosking gave Neve a Mickey Mouse soft toy with Neve's name engraved before pranking Ardern back with his own gift to her, a series of face masks with his face printed on the front. “When I first opened it, I briefly worried it was a g-string,” Ardern said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Expelled MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was heard by Justice Radich in the Wellington High Court in regard to her interim injunction against Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended the IKEA opening in Auckland today. And, head of the Justice Ministry, Andrew Kibblewhite, defended Sunny Kaushal's work as chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for victims of retail crime, including more than $227K in pay and a $3200 morning tea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PM pushes back the rumours of a rolling, but Dallow leaves TVNZ. Also: the ethics of intimate image exposure, RNZ's numbers boost - and when is it too soon to wrap up 2025?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

We've got a Code Blue on our hands. Today we dive into the explosive claims from a senior health leader who says our hospitals are so stretched they'd be treated like a patient in full emergency mode. We talk about why Kiwi-trained nurses are being left on the bench while overseas staff walk straight into jobs, and why the system feels like it's working against its own people. Chris Luxon also gives the green light to move-on orders for Auckland's homeless, and the team unpacks whether the plan is workable or just wishful thinking. Then we check in on Labour's conference, their “ready to govern” pitch, and the policies that look good on paper but come without the numbers to back them. Plus, Duncan shares a private nursing job opportunity for anyone keen to put their skills to use. Big stories, big opinions, and plenty to chew on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one kicked off with a simple question: if Christopher Luxon really was facing a leadership challenge, who would you want running the National Party? So we put it to our YouTube audience, and nearly a thousand of you delivered a fascinating result. Chris Bishop edged out Erica Stanford by just a single point, with Luxon miles back and Nicola Willis taking a real hammering. Duncan digs into why Bishop and Stanford are resonating right now, what each brings to the table, and why Luxon's position suddenly looks a whole lot more fragile than the Beehive might like to admit. We talk momentum, credibility, and the difference between being a fixer and being a leader who can move the country. There's also your feedback on New Zealand's strange lack of mandatory third-party insurance, plus a few thoughts on why consequences on our roads feel far too soft. Another sharp, punchy episode of Editor in Chief. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a lot of talk about challenges to Christopher Luxon's leadership. Toby, Ben and Annabelle do as they must and talk about the talk and whether there's more to it. First on the agenda, however, is a reform trailed as the biggest overhaul of local government since 1989 – just how will this new Galactic Senate setup work, and can it fix the resource management mess? Plus: all the reasons, mostly involving Winston Peters, that it is very clear we're in election season, and a revelatory new interview from Tākuta Ferris on the immolation in Te Pāti Māori. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr *Matthew Hooton* joins host Martyn Bradbury and the panel — *Craig Renney, Shanan Halbert, and Matthew Tukaki* — to tear into National's “killing season,” KiwiSaver changes, and roadside drug testing. Plus: War on News (Winston's Regulatory Standards flip-flop, Shane Jones vs recreational fishers, Casey Costello's tobacco rankings disaster) and a final word on COP30's sell-out and Shane Jones' big-oil love affair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for the country's most explosive 230 minutes of politics. This week Wallace is joined by Andrea Vance, Jonathan Milne and former labour MP Chris Carter. Tonight, the team discuss: is 2026 going to be the year of Winston Peters?; is Luxon going to be rolled?; the plan to remove regional councils and the continuing stoush between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Questions around a coup to roll National leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have been swirling. When a first-term PM is already denying leadership moves, things aren't exactly humming. Duncan gets into what's real, what's noise, and why National insiders are quietly asking when, not if, the pressure really lands. Then, he sits down with Qiulae Wong, the brand-new leader of The Opportunity Party. She's a mum of two, comes from the business world, and freely admits she never set out to be a politician. Now, she's aiming to drag TOP to the 5 per cent threshold with a tax package she calls transformative, including land value tax, a citizens' income, and a pitch to break the political mud-wrestling that's turned voters off both Labour and National. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

day's farmer/politician panel talks about the MP's Rich List, the Luxon leadership spill, and farrowing cratesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing speculation that National is looking to oust Chris Luxon as leader ahead of the election, but Finance Minister Nicola Willis is disputing these rumours. Reports have claimed National is looking to replace Luxon with Chris Bishop, but this is mostly speculation. Nicola Willis says the party has a Prime Minister who's delivering significant reforms - and making good on the promises National campaigned on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon has finally swung for something big, and tonight we get stuck into what his KiwiSaver overhaul really means. After months of beige policy and quiet corridors, the Prime Minister has dropped a long term plan to lift contributions to a combined 12 per cent. It's ambitious, it's overdue, and it's got everyone talking. We break down why Luxon's suddenly found his spine, whether this is smart economics or pure desperation, and what it means for workers, employers, and anyone trying to retire before they're 90. On the panel Ashley Church and Rawdon Christie jump in with insight, history, and a few home truths about where this might land. Plus, Duncan has exclusive details you won't hear anywhere else. A rates cap is coming before Christmas and regional councils look set for the axe. Big moves. Big implications. And very big questions for a government trying to climb back in the fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Either Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is telling porkies, or he's the most out-of-the-loop person in Wellington. His claim that there's “no talk” of rolling Chris Luxon is complete nonsense. There is talk—serious talk. I can tell you for a fact that senior National Party ministers believe Luxon can't continue in the job. MPs are actively discussing whether to pull the pin and replace him. If they do, the most likely successor is Chris Bishop. But—and this is crucial—they haven't decided to do it yet. Why? Because it's risky. Rolling a sitting Prime Minister has only happened once before, with Jim Bolger, and that didn't end well. MPs know that sticking with Luxon might pay off if the economy improves next year. Better economic conditions could lift National's polling and save seats currently at risk. But there's a flip side: if the polls don't recover, Luxon's unpopularity could drag National down further. Like it or not, modern elections are presidential in style—voters focus on who they want as Prime Minister. Jacinda Ardern boosted Labour's vote in 2017. Luxon is part of why National's vote has fallen. Would Chris Bishop do better? Maybe. But it's a guess. He could also do worse. And the instability of rolling a sitting PM could make things even worse for National. So MPs face two high-risk options: stick with an unpopular leader or gamble on an unproven one. It's a call I wouldn't want to make—but they're making it right now. It may never happen, but trust me: the talk is real.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While some true crime podcasts simply deliver the status quo, others carve a new path. Join Status: Untraced's Liam Luxon and Crook County's Kyle Tekiela as they unpack the trailblazing cases they've covered, their personal connection to them, and some of the unforeseen challenges they've overcome. And be sure to stick around to the end for exciting new updates about the future of these groundbreaking shows. Hosted by Tenderfoot TV's Supervising Producer Jon Street. Recorded live at CrimeCon 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Prime Minister has met with the US President, at the APEC summit in South Korea. Political reporter Lillian Hanly reports from Gyeongju.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he wants to anchor New Zealand's security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Political reporter Lillian Hanly reports.