Podcast appearances and mentions of matthew hooton

There's bad news, really, and it's been coming and I think I've had my head in the sand for some time. I've been wanting things to get better quickly. I've wanted things to move out from grindy-ness, and a lack of fun, and excess, and nonsense. It's just been for four years of long, slow grind, it seems. Well, Matthew Hooton's opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald has laid it out starkly, unequivocally, in no uncertain terms. The grindy times are here for a long time, as he says. Brooke van Velden's constitutionally dubious and deeply unpopular legislation to amend the Equal Pay Act and more bold moves like it, are now unavoidable, whether they take the form of massive spending cuts, much higher taxes, or most likely, he says both. And the reason? Successive governments have been on a massive jolly, and now we, and successive generations have to pay for it. As Hooton reminds us, Treasury began formerly warning in 2006, about the looming fiscal challenges after 2030. It expected future governments would follow the responsible fiscal management of the Bolger, Shipley, and Clark governments, that they would maintain surpluses, pay back debt, put aside cash for a rainy day. Had we heeded the advice and followed the blueprint, we would be 15% of GDP in the black this year. Instead, the Key-English and Ardern-Hipkins Governments went on a 15-year spending spree, putting us 23% of GDP in the red, despite the Super Fund's returns on investments exceeding expectations. You can say what about the Canterbury quake, the GFC, and Covid? You can say all of that. But he's quite right. Successive governments have had to recover from crises, but they've also used that time to have a spend up, to push through expensive legislation and policies, of their choosing, of their ideology, while at the same time having to fork out billions in damage recovery. So, the four years of grindy times are going to be nothing in comparison to what we are going to see. There's more with this came from. Thanks to the Key-English and Ardern-Hipkins legacy, we're nearly 40% of GDP, or more than $170 billion, behind where Helen Clark, Winston Peters, and Sir Michael Cullen planned back in 2006, just as baby boomers retire and health costs start to explode. He says and argues without radical policy change, there is no plausible scenario that doesn't lead to eventual financial and social collapse. I urge you to read it and have a look and see what you think. That is why Labour's well-intentioned and accurately costed ill thought-out legislation is being scrapped. That is why superannuation and healthcare costs will be put under the microscope as costs balloon. And that is why I would argue, National and Labour need to work together to get us out of this mess. Treasury warned of the fiscal challenges in 2006. They warned of them again in a 2012 post-election briefing to John Key, the papers stressed again as baby boomers move into retirement, New Zealand's 65 and over population is projected to grow nearly four times more quickly than the total population, and consequently there'll be a rapid rise in health, aged care, and New Zealand super costs. Treasury said the fiscal challenge is considerable. There is no way to avoid making trade-offs. Given the potential economic and social instability that could result from any uncertainty about these trade-offs, we think it's crucial that effort be made to build broad public consensus on the way forward. And that's where we are today. The trade-offs are starting but there's no consensus, because it's just been sprung on us. Well, it hasn't been sprung on us. Treasury have been warning of this for some time, and we have ignored it as voters and the parties have ignored it. Both National and Labour are at fault, but we voters are to blame as well. We can't just stand there saying, “oh, we're victims we didn't know”. Would we have elected any party to government that laid out the grim prognosis for New Zealand Inc. and spelled out the tough measures we would need to take to recover? If Christopher Luxon had stood there in 2023 and said, we're in a real mess and it goes way beyond Hipkins and Robertson, Ardern and Robertson. It goes back a lot further than that and we are going to have to cut the equal pay amendment legislation, we're going to have to raise the age of superannuation, as every other western country we measure ourselves against has done, we're going to have to look long and hard at healthcare, we're have to look long and hard at welfare payments, and we're probably going to have to scrap some of them because we're in a deep, deep fiscal hole. Would we have said thank you so much for spelling it out. We're going to vote National back in to do these austere and tough measures that we need to recover so that we've got a country for our grandchildren. I doubt it. We are just as much to blame. The party is well and truly over, and it has been for some time. We've just borrowed to keep it going and buried our heads in the sand, turned up the music so we don't hear the creaking and the groaning of the economy as it struggles to keep the party going. It's time we all grew up. And it's time both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition worked together to try and keep the country together while we work our way out of this mess. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I saw a brilliant cartoon the other day which had America's founding fathers sitting around a table writing up the country's constitution - and they had agreed that the US wouldn't have a king, but they were thinking about having a drama queen instead. And after what we saw overnight, I think it would be pretty hard to argue that the current US president is anything but a drama queen. He's also an economic vandal. Donald Trump has announced that he's pausing his global trade tariffs for 90 days for most countries, but upping the ante with China. Increasing the tariff on Chinese goods going into the United States to 125%. And as Chinese political scientist Shi Yihong is saying today, this is going to mean that trade between China and the US will be “mostly destroyed”. American economist Arthur Kroeber agrees, saying that what's happening right now shows that Trump is committed to ending US trade with China. Which equates in my mind to one thing: economic vandalism. And if you want proof, consider what America's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is saying. He says this flip-flop was Trump's plan all along He says: “This was his strategy all along, and that you might even say that he goaded China into a bad position and they responded. They have shown themselves to the world to be the bad actors, and we are willing to cooperate with our allies and with our trading partners who did not retaliate. It wasn't a hard message: don't retaliate, things will turn out well.” How chilling is that? If Trump planned this all along, it shows how comfortable he is causing economic chaos around the world. Maybe that shouldn't surprise me. Which is why I mentioned that cartoon earlier. All this tariff stuff has been the work of a drama queen, but I reckon that this development overnight takes things next level. When we've got the head of the Treasury in the States saying that this was Trump's plan all along —to slap countries with tariffs, see which ones retaliate, and then give the countries which don't retaliate some sort of 90-day “get out of jail card”— it's economic vandalism. It's clear now too that Donald Trump wants the world to cower in fear of him. And it's working. Not that I expect or want our government to go ape at him and his administration, because I don't think that would achieve anything, but the careful language we're hearing from the likes of Nicola Willis shows that even our government is walking on eggshells. Back in November, when Trump won the presidential election, political commentator Matthew Hooton said the US was entering “its most dangerous period since 1861, the start of the civil war” and that the world was entering its most dangerous phase since World War II. He said back in November: “The world enters its most dangerous period since World War II, with Trump threatening to launch a global trade war and collapse the World Trade Organisation.” Matthew Hooton said that during his last term, Trump had at least some people in his circle who could be relied on to keep his most extreme tendencies in check. He said: “There are no such people around him this time. Nor is he constrained by the need to worry about re-election.” Hence, his conclusion that we were entering very dangerous times. And I think maybe he's turned out be right. And I'm starting to think that maybe I was wrong. Because when I read his article in the NZ Herald I said that, on the basis of the world not falling apart last time he was president, I wasn't going to buy into the hysteria. I did say I could be proven wrong. And going by the way the world looks today, I may have just been proven wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show... I’ve been in the Oval Office - I know how it works. What Trump and JD Vance did to Zelensky wasn’t diplomacy - it was a public ambush. It’s changed how the world sees America, and how we should too. And I sit down with Matthew Hooton and Ashley Church to tackle Christopher Luxon's leadership struggles, Trump’s global shake-up, and what it all means for New Zealand. Big calls - could Luxon be gone by Christmas? Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief.html Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast

Slam Dunc from S4 Episode 2: A Panel Episode: Shane Te Pou, Matthew Hooton and Jordan Williams. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Z_Mulj34n8Y PLUS… New episodes 7pm weekdays! Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief.html Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast

Today on the show... Today I have gathered a panel of experts to discuss all things politics for 2025. I'm joined by: Former Labour Party activist, Shane Te Pou NZ Herald Columnist, Matthew Hooton And Executive Director of the Tax Payers Union, Jordan Williams Also, an email from a listener brings up three interesting points for my 3 Questions And finally a Slam Dunc on the potential of a new waterfront stadium in Auckland. Is it a good option? Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief.html Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast

Gravity Credit Management proudly sponsors the Working Group. For more information on Gravity click the link. Kia Ora Aotearoa! Welcome to The Working Group, New Zealand's top political podcast not funded by NZ on Air. I'm your host, Martyn Bradbury, editor of The Daily Blog. Joining me tonight: Damien Grant - libertarian liquidator and Cthulhu of Capitalism Matthew Hooton - NZ Herald Columnist And all of our SPECIAL GUESTS: David Seymour Willie Jackson Gerry Brownlee John Tamihere Moana Maniapoto Brad Olsen Chris Hipkins Tonight each of our guests will be asked: What was your political highlight of 2024? What was your political lowlight of 2024? What is your final word for 2024? What is your prediction for 2025? Welcome to The Working Group, jump on in. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TEXT: Working to 3598 Check out the Social Media - https://bento.me/theworkinggroup

I think I'm going to trust my gut instinct more often. Because yesterday, I didn't like the idea of it, but my gut was telling me that Donald Trump was going to win the presidential election. And because I'm going to listen to my gut instinct more often, today I'm going to tell you that —even if we don't like it— we need to calm the farm a bit with all the hyperbole being thrown around. Because even though things are a little bit different this time around, did the world fall apart last time Trump was president? It didn't. He's another one of those people who you know is just making stuff up —and you know they're a nasty piece of work— but somehow people fall for them. And enough people have fallen for Donald Trump. Again. But even though I felt he was going to take it out, I was still blown away with how the numbers looked from the start. Because you know what it's like with elections and how the early stages of counting can skew things quite a bit – which is what I was thinking when I kept refreshing the screen on the phone following the results yesterday afternoon. But those Electoral College numbers just kept piling up for Trump. But, unlike last time he won, I wasn't in the least bit surprised. There are some aspects that did surprise me. Example: the move in support from black voters —especially African American men— from Democrat to Republican. But even then, that shouldn't really be a surprise when you consider how Trump campaigned. Where he just kept asking voters the rhetorical question: are you better off now than you were four years ago? And that's a question that's relevant to anyone from any cultural background. And it seems, for enough of them, the answer to that question was “no”. No, we're not better off. And that, it seems, is what it came down to for the Americans who not only voted Trump back in as president but who also put the Republicans in charge of the Senate. Which is bringing some dire warnings today. Which I think would be very easy for me —or for anyone— to jump on board with. Because I think for a lot of people their default position is anti-Trump. Even though I think he's a horrible person, I'm not going to switch to default. When I watched him making his big victory speech, I did wonder how many of his cronies who were on that stage with him will still be with him in four years time. There will be some casualties, we know that. And he made it very clear that America is going to be his first priority. In fact, he said that. But, on the basis that the world didn't fall to bits last time he was president, I'm not buying into the hysteria. I could be proven wrong, but that's my gut instinct. Unlike political commentator Matthew Hooton who is putting a very dire warning in the NZ Herald today, under the headline: “America entering most dangerous period since 1861”. He's saying today: “The world enters its most dangerous period since World War II, with Trump threatening to abandon Ukraine, withdraw the US's security in Europe which will encourage Russia's Vladimir Putin to expand his ambitions westward, launch a global trade war and collapse the World Trade Organisation.” Matthew Hooton goes on to say: “Trump has also promised to jail his political opponents. He made similar threats in 2016 that he did not act upon, but back then his circle included at least some people who could be relied upon to keep his most extreme tendencies in check. “There are no such people around him this time. Nor is he constrained by the need to worry about re-election. “Barred from standing for re-election in 2028, the danger is he will seek to hold on to power by other means.” And Matthew Hooton concludes by saying: “The US enters its most dangerous period since 1861, the start of the Civil War.” I'm not buying into that. What about you? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show... Looking tonight at the the state of the economy with a man who spent 20 years in the Beehive working for National Governments. He says we are heading for an Argentina style meltdown. Andrew Barnes the man behind the four day working week joins me to chat about the government ordering everyone back to the office - Barnes is baffled. She came from the slums in Philippines married off at 16 to a man who forced her to clean hotel rooms for the next 27 years and she also had 3 kids. Nilda Brown is the current Mrs. NZ and she now runs the contest. her story is nothing short of a miracle!   Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief.html Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok:  @DuncanGarnerPodcast 

In this week's episode of Raw Politics, we discuss the response of our political leaders to the demands of the week-long tangihanga for Kiingi Tuheitia.Newsroom political editor Laura Walters, senior political reporter Marc Daalder and co-editor Tim Murphy discuss how coalition leaders faced the Kiingitanga movement and wider Māoridom at a time of acute political sensitivities.Then, the panel pulls a handbrake turn on Transport Minister Simeon Brown's spin about raising road speeds, cutting out speed bumps and funding future roading promises.  Can the economy really be saved by drivers speeding up around town and on the highways?Our reader question asks if the Wellington Hospital proposal to cut out free toast and Milo for mothers who have just given birth was a serious plan or if it was bureaucrats employing the famous "Washington Monument" tactic to shame politicians.Finally, the panelists recommend something to read, listen to or watch on the weekend ahead.--------------------This week's recommendations:Laura: the deleted Working Group podcast episode, in which Matthew Hooton unleashes on Don Brash and Hobson's PledgeTim: RNZ digital journalist Russell Palmer's story revealing that the Govt's formal communications with Korea before cancelling the Cook Strait ferries deal amounted to two late text messagesMarc: Newsroom political journalist Fox Meyer's scoop on the origins within NZ First of the fast-track legislation--------------------Raw Politics will be available every Friday, and you can watch it on YouTube too.Read more on newsroom.co.nz

Health New Zealand is asking for voluntary redundancies from admin and advisory staff ahead of yet more looming job cuts at the cash-strapped agency. Matthew Hooton unleashed on Damian Grant on The Working Group Podcast making it clear that Hobson's Pledge is racist and why it is. Grant thinks that Hooton doesn't agree with Brash so calls him racist, missing the point that Brash is racist which is why he doesn't agree with him. Christopher Hipkins was on Breakfast this morning challenging the Government narrative that National would mean more police officers on the beat when in fact today there are fewer than there were under Labour. ================================== 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

Kia Ora Aotearoa! Welcome to The Working Group, New Zealand's top political podcast not funded by NZ on Air. I'm your host, Martyn Bradbury, editor of The Daily Blog. Joining me tonight: Damien Grant - libertarian liquidator and Cthulhu of Capitalism. Brad Olsen - Infometrics - Principal Economist Matthew Hooton - NZ Herald Columnist Tonight's issues: Has OCR cut saved or betrayed the NZ Economy? Luxon yelling at Councils - justified or audacity too far? Electricity market meltdown + Fast Track powers (minus the fast or the track) - is this Government's infrastructure process a joke? The New Foreshore and Seabed confiscation makes Helen Clark look reasonable!? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEXT: Working to 3598 Check out the Social Media - https://bento.me/theworkinggroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds joins us LIVE to chat over the government's much hyped tax cut day. What does it mean for the economy? What does it mean for individuals? Who are the winners and who are the losers? Matthew Hooton spent a good deal of time on The Working Group last night focused on how Christopher Luxon's words cannot be taken any more seriously than a parrot asking for a cracker. Chats also occurred around Maori wards tax cuts for big tobacco. Dennis Prager may not be well known to NZers but he is a high profile, conservative Christian, in the States who has run his own University and been a broadcaster for decades. We'll show you tonight, sing some of his interactions on David Pakman's show, what it looks like to be brainwashed ==================================== 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

Kia Ora Aotearoa! Welcome to The Working Group, New Zealand's top political podcast not funded by NZ on Air. I'm your host, Martyn Bradbury, editor of The Daily Blog. Joining me tonight: Damien Grant - libertarian liquidator and Cthulhu of Capitalism. Matthew Hooton - New Zealand Herald Columnist  Maria Slade - Journalist, editor and commentator Tonight's issues: The Manufactured Crisis in Health was funded by borrowed tax cuts – can National get away with it? The Government's war on Māori continues, when is too much redneck policy too much?  Is the Economy in worse condition than the market currently recognizes? Issue 4: Latest Tana drama inside the Greens – ‘who will rid me of this turbulent electric bike Priest'? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEXT: Working to 3598  Watch on YouTube Watch on X Watch on Instagram Check out the Social MediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kia Ora Aotearoa! Welcome to The Working Group, New Zealand's top political podcast not funded by NZ on Air. I'm your host, Martyn Bradbury, editor of The Daily Blog. Joining me tonight: David Parker and Matthew Hooton, alongside Host Martin (Bomber) Bradbury and panelist Damien Grant. TEXT: Working to 3598 Check out the Social Media - https://bento.me/theworkinggroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kia Ora Aotearoa! Welcome to The Working Group, New Zealand's top political podcast not funded by NZ on Air. I'm your host, Martyn Bradbury, editor of The Daily Blog. Joining me tonight: Damien Grant, libertarian liquidator and Cthulhu of Capitalism. Matthew Hooton, NZ Herald columnist. Brad Olsen, New Zealand economics commentator. Issues: Nicola Willis - Can she borrow for tax cuts and get away with it? Underfunding public services - What are the consequences? The budget - What are our predictions? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEXT: Working to 3598  Watch on YouTube Watch on X Watch on Instagram Check out the Social MediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as we unpack the implications of the AUKUS alliance and discuss the economic challenges of rising unemployment and falling house values. Plus, hear the panel's take on National's plans for a mega prison amidst cries for social investment. Get the inside scoop on Kiwi politics - listen now! Watch on YouTube Watch on X Watch on Instagram Check out the Social MediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duncan Garner, Matthew Hooton and Chewie are all in agreement on something Free Speech advocates don't seem to want to protect the speech of a poet who also happens to be a brown woman Luxon learn te reo for free then pulls up another ladder

Matthew Hooton on Luxon's leadership and coalition expectations versus reality NZ Herald's David Fisher wrote a piece on Chantelle Baker about her "alternative realities" and we chatted with him about it. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/chantelle-baker-profile-the-conspiracy-influencer-and-the-growth-of-an-alternate-reality-media/TLWHK766AZBTRK4T6KBQNJQ4C4/ We had a chat about how some perceive us as "far left" when we actually are not...not that we care about being placed there, but if you want to criticise us for something, at least be real about who we are, where we sit and what we do.

Christopher Luxon has been placing his negotiation skills along with his merger and acquisitions experience as a way to put together a coalition quickly and to get on with the business of government Matthew Hooton inspects Luxons business experience and comments on how that is working for him in political negotiations. Finally, we must never forget to hold the next government accountable to the standards they set for the previous one. They called out Labour for spending and not tightening their belts and now they are spending unnecessarily on hotels for coalition talks. ================================================ Help us by nominating #BHN for the people's choice award at https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/nominate. As part of the nomination you need to share a link to the podcast. Please use this one https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/bhn-big-hairy-news/id1629215711 Help us beat out the MSM podcast with huge budgets behind them. Thanks team ================================================

I have never negotiated a merger. And I have never negotiated an acquisition.   But I still think I could teach our incoming Prime Minister a thing or two.  Because here we are into another week of coalition talks between National, ACT and NZ First and, after all the to-ing and fro-ing from the Cordis Hotel in Auckland, we still don't have a new Government.  But the bit about it all that seems so obvious to me - but not to the great negotiator, it seems - is why didn't he sort out this sticky stuff right at the start instead of leaving it until now?  The sticky stuff or the sticky things I'm referring to are NZ First's opposition to National's plan to tax rich foreigners buying houses here to help pay for its tax plan. And National's weariness of ACT's plan for a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi principles.  As you probably know, ACT and NZ First have found some common ground on the Treaty referendum idea, which is obviously proving to be a bit of a fly-in-the-ointment for National.  So why on earth didn't National sort this out right at the start? Then Luxon would have known whether there was a realistic chance of forming this strong stable Government we keep hearing about.  Of course it was easy for Luxon to stride past the cameras in the early stages and bang on about making great progress. Of course he could say that when his plan was to leave the tricky stuff to the end.   They probably were making great progress if they were doing all the easy stuff first. Not so great now, though. By the end-of-the-day yesterday, he wasn't talking about progress. He was talking about the meeting with Winston Peters being “helpful”.  You‘ll have your own interpretation of what that means. My interpretation, is that Luxon was saying the meeting was “helpful” because he got a better understanding of why Winston was digging his heels in.   That's pure speculation on my part.   But even I - who isn't the great negotiator and who doesn't claim to be the great negotiator -  can see a mile away that this is turning into a cock-up. If it isn't already.  What was Luxon's plan, do you think? To get Winston Peters and David Seymour so far down the track with all the simple stuff that they'd cave-in on the tricky stuff, because he thought they'd already be seeing themselves in Government?  You know what it's like. You apply for a job. You get an interview. Then maybe a second interview. And this is over a few weeks. And, by then, you're drafting your resignation letter in your head, practising your farewell speech, working out the best route to take to get to the new job in the mornings, and then they offer you the job but the pay is less than you wanted. But you're so invested in the new job that you just say yes.   Is that how Christopher Luxon saw it all playing out, do you think?  Either way, his minimal political experience versus David Seymour and Winston Peters' political experience is proving to be his achilles heel.  Remember all the big talk on election night? “I'm going to use the next three weeks until the special votes are fully counted to actually progress the relationships and the arrangements with each individual party.”  That's now starting to look like a lot of hot air, doesn't it? And if hot air - at best, political naivety.  I was reading Matthew Hooton's column in the NZ Herald at the weekend and he was saying that Luxon is a talker, not a listener. And he reckons there's growing frustration with with his “I-know-best” approach.  Which makes these talks look more like a hostile takeover than a merger.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Working Group hosted Matthew Hooton and NBR Senior Journalist Maria Slade and talked about Christopher Luxon constantly citing his business credentials as a skill set to make him a good Prime Minister. We've disagreed with that for a long time, the conversation on TWG wasn't complimentary for Mr Luxon either. ================================================ Help us by nominating #BHN for the people's choice award at https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/nominate. As part of the nomination, you need to share a link to the podcast. Please use this one https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/bhn-big-hairy-news/id1629215711 Help us beat out the MSM podcast with huge budgets behind them. Thanks team ================================================ 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

TONIGHT: Legal representative of Slytherin House and Union Delegate for the Sith Matthew Hooton, NBR Senior Journalist Maria Slade and Libertarian Voldemort, Damien Grant. Issue 1: Latest negotiations to form Government becomes the dance of the 7 veiled threats Issue 2: Pacific Island Forum and our future with China Issue 3: 300 000 in housing and power poverty plus 600 000 needing food banks monthly plus 55% of kiwis struggling financially – what does the new Government do? and Issue 4: Global temperatures are almost 6 sigma above normal – when should climate change panic set in? It's Politics done unlike anywhere else. The podcast broadcasts from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on YouTube &  The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Hooton joins the chorus of voices to explain why, thanks to ACT and NZ First, that National's tax cuts are dead in the watet ================================================ Help us by nominating #BHN for the people's choice award at https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/nominate. As part of the nomination you need to share a link to the podcast. Please use this one https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/bhn-big-hairy-news/id1629215711 Help us beat out the MSM podcast with huge budgets behind them. Thanks team ================================================ 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

Does Act still have as it's bottom line a referendum on the treaty? Or have they softened somewhat? Willie Jackson says if the treaty referendum goes ahead it'll be the '81 Springboks x10' Matthew Hooton says that National's tax policy is dead in the water thanks to ACT and NZ First Winston Peters trolls the media...again. MSM look pathetic ================================================ Help us by nominating #BHN for the people's choice award at https://www.nzpodcastawards.com/nominate. As part of the nomination you need to share a link to the podcast. Please use this one https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/bhn-big-hairy-news/id1629215711 Help us beat out the MSM podcast with huge budgets behind them. Thanks team ================================================ 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

Is Winston Peters senile or cynical? Political commentator Matthew Hooton explains why Peters is unfit to be in government. Plus, Dr Paul G. Buchanan joins us to give his insight on Israel-Hamas war and why there might be no end in sight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To say that Winston Peters is the Donald Trump of New Zealand politics would probably be going too far. But after his nonsense on the X social media platform about Dame Jacinda Ardern and the Christchurch mosque attacks, you've got to say he's got a touch of the old Donald about him. And it's being suggested today that, after all his nonsense this week, he has shown once-and-for-all that he's not fit to be in government again. Political commentator Matthew Hooton is saying this in the NZ Herald and he reckons the NZ First caucus should read the tea leaves and ditch Peters as leader. And, if that doesn't happen, Christopher Luxon should just pull the plug on any idea of going into coalition with NZ First. Now the first option is never going to happen, is it? There will never, ever be any sort of coup within New Zealand First. Because they know the only reason they're MPs in the first place is because of Winston Peters. So they're never going to bite the hand that feeds them and get rid of him. So that leaves Christopher Luxon who, according to one headline I've seen, was having dinner at Winston's house on Wednesday night when he was busy talking nonsense on social media. Maybe when Winston kept getting up-and-down from the table, Luxon thought he was just ducking-off to the kitchen to stir the sauce. But he'll know now, won't he, that Winston was actually stirring the pot on social media. So what he did, was go online and say that it was outrageous that it wasn't until the start of the coroner's inquiry into the March 15 mosque attacks this week that we found out that the Prime Minister's office had been alerted of the attacks just before they happened. This was the email the terrorist sent to the PM's office and others, including media. Here's what Winston Peters said in his tweet: “We waited until today to find out, for the first time, that the Prime Minister's Office received information about the March 15 terrorist attack before the massacre took place. “Jacinda Ardern should be called to the hearing and asked to explain this appalling lack of transparency to the New Zealand public - let alone to the Deputy Prime Minister and government coalition partner. “This was a crisis event. To keep this basic information hidden is not only unacceptable it is now clearly indicative of how that office worked. The next question is, who else inside Cabinet knew and said nothing?" Which is just balmy. Because Jacinda Ardern revealed the day after the attack that her office had received the email from the terrorist. But it's not just balmy, it's sinister - because it implies some sort of government cover-up, doesn't it? Then later on Wednesday night, he went online again and acknowledged the email had been discussed at a media conference the day after the attacks. But he doubled down on his criticism of Jacinda Ardern saying, that when he had a phone conversation with her immediately after the attacks, she didn't tell him about the email. What's more, he still hasn't deleted the original nonsense he posted about “shock, horror, this is the first time we've heard about this. This is a government cover-up. Blah, blah, blah.” Just absolute nonsense. And I agree with Matthew Hooton. Winston Peters has well-and-truly shown that he is past his use-by date and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the Cabinet table. As he says in the Herald today, NZ First's Shane Jones, Jenny Marcroft and the rest of them now need to decide if they want to be able to look themselves in the mirror. Or whether they're going to turn a blind eye to their leader trying to score political points out of the mosque tragedies. Which, in my mind, is unforgiveable. Matthew Hooton is also saying today that Christopher Luxon and National now have some soul-searching to do, as well. He says if Winston Peters' online activities on Wednesday night aren't enough for him to be persona non-grata for National, then what would be? And I agree. In my mind, Winston Peters has blown it. And National should get real, show some fortitude, and stand up and say it wants nothing more to do with Winston Peters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TONIGHT: We wrap the Election Campaign and make Election night predictions with Māori Party President John Tamihere, Right wing Svengali Matthew Hooton and Libertarian Darth Vader, Damien Grant Issue 1 – Election Campaign 2023 – highs and lows Issue 2 – Finance Debate between Grant and Nicola  Issue 3 – National refused to rule Winston out, then ruled him in and are now begging voters not to vote for him? and Issue 4 – Election night predictions   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TONIGHT: NZ Herald Columnist Simon Wilson, NZ Herald Columnist Matthew Hooton  and notorious Libertarian and Stuff Columnist, Damien Grant PLUS A MAJOR ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT Issue 1 – Roy Morgan Poll predicts a shattered MMP spectrum Election – what happens now? Issue 2 – National loves roads uber alles – how can this uncosted garbage possibly pass muster? Issue 3 – Māori Party Tax Policy is Kiwi Socialism – when life gives you lemons, find some rich prick to steal gin from and Issue 4 – Poor rich people are sad sad and are escaping Soviet Aotearoa – who gives a fuck?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nothing much changed in a 1News Verian poll released on Monday. Some commentators treated the boring results as a blank canvas on which to express their creativity.

TONIGHT: Matthew Hooton, Brooke van Velden, Maria Slade and hosted tonight by Damien Grant!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ's best weekly political podcast (that is not funded by NZ on Air) presents a political review of the week unlike any other in NZ broadcasting. This week Broadcaster Duncan Garner, Herald Columnist Matthew Hooton and Stuff Columnist Damien Grant. TONIGHT: Issue 1 – The New Horizon Poll – will National's $5 mad prescription fee help? Issue 2 – Budget 2023 and its ramifications for OCR Issue 3 – NZ Steel – corporate welfare for the climate? and Issue 4 – Chippy in Papua New Guinea – when's the conflict with China? The podcast broadcasts live 7.30pm Tuesdays from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & JuiceTV.live, The Daily Blog and replayed on Channel 200 Freeview and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We couldn't do the show last night because the streets were too flooded to get to the studio, so we are doing it live tonight with the new polls out today! NZ's best weekly political podcast (that is not funded by NZ on Air) presents a political review of the week unlike any other in NZ broadcasting. TONIGHT: Issue 1 – New Polls! Issue 2 – Chris Luxon goes full Don Brash  Issue 3 – ACTs draconian Industrial Prison Complex nightmare and Issue 4 – Meka vs Kerekere – which resignation is most politically damaging?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number 1 weekly political podcast NOT FUNDED by NZ on Air. This week the last socialist standing Shane te Pou, Darth Vader's hairdresser Matthew Hooton and the last Stuff columnist anyone reads, Damien Grant, to debate the following: Issue 1 – Latest Poll Issue 2 – Green on Green Friendly Fire – Can Dr Elizabeth's new woke 5th column Emerald Stormtroopers seize power? Issue 3 – Chippy admits Nanaia was left to sell 3 waters – what now? Issue 4 – The Ministry of Truth Disinformation Project sees Transphobic Nazis and the drop in trust for NZ journalism The podcast broadcasts live 7.30pm Tuesdays from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number 1 weekly political podcast NOT FUNDED by NZ on Air. This week NZ Herald columnist Simon Wilson, Right wing Svengali Matthew Hooton and the 666th most important columnist at Stuff Damien Grant, to debate the following: Issue 1 – Latest IPCC warning of the end of civilisation and the Green Party State of the Planet – did the state or planet notice? Issue 2 – The Nashy's macho macho man routine on ZB Issue 3 – Posie Parker vs Free speech and Issue 4 – The tragedy of Moana and Oranga TamarikiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number 1 weekly political podcast THAT IS STILL NOT FUNDED BY NZ ON AIR This week ACT Deputy Leader Brooke Van Veldon, Right wing Svengali Matthew Hooton and  and the 15th most important columnist at Stuff Damien Grant, debate the following: 1 – Is National's 3 Waters a blocked gutter? 2 – Maureen Pugh vs Stuart Nash vs Rob Campbell – how useless is fucking useless? 3 – Climate Change Mitigation vs Adaptation 4 – Orr vs Interest rates The podcast broadcasts live 7.30pm Tuesdays from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brothers and sisters, comrades and free radical thinkers WE ARE BACK! As you are all aware by now, The Working Group is New Zealand's bestest and greatestest Weekly Political Podcast THAT IS NOT FUNDED by NZ on Air. Despite getting NO MONEY from NZ on Air, our little weekly political podcast keeps hitting number 1!   This week Matt McCarten, Matthew Hooton and Libertarian Damien Grant to debate the Labour Leadership Special!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you are all aware by now, The Working Group is New Zealand's bestest and greatestest Weekly Political Podcast THAT IS NOT FUNDED by NZ on Air. Despite getting NO MONEY from NZ on Air, our little weekly political podcast keeps hitting number 1! This week Right Wing Svengali Matthew Hooton, NZ Initiative Pope Oliver Hartwichand Stuff Columnist Damien Grant to debate the big political issues of the week. Issue 1 – A manufactured recessionIssue 2 – Tough on crime rhetoricIssue 3 – 3 Waters entrenchmentIssue 4 – National to leave top tax rate The podcast broadcasts live 7pm Tuesdays from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week The Leader of ACT, David Seymour joins the Svengali of the Right, Matthew Hooton with the libertarian liquidator, Damien Grant to debate the big political issues of the week. Issue 1 – 7.2% inflation WHERE ARE YOUR FREE MARKET GODS NOW? Issue 2 – Sharma Drama by-election Nirvana Issue 3 – What happens if Winston crosses the 5% threshold? and Issue 4 – Xi goes old school mafia on Hu Join us at 8.30pm from our ridiculously huge new bunker podcast studio as we fearlessly debate politics in a way NZ on Air, the BSA and the ASA will never tolerate! The podcast broadcasts 8.30pm Tuesdays from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTube   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week in studio right wing Svengali Matthew Hooton and Union hard man Matt McCarten. Damien Grant will also be present Issue 1: Latest Curia Poll/UMR Poll - is TOP the new Kingmaker? Issue 2: NZ avoids recession - no problems with the economy then? Issue 3: Who is going to win the Auckland and Wellington Mayoralty? Issue 4: Corgi welfare updates and Patrick Gower hugging Samantha Hayes - are we over the coverage of the royal funeral yet? Unique political commentary unlike any other The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 We ask our political correspondent if the current government is the worst ever (as claimed by Matthew Hooton).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week in studio with the Architect of the Death Star Matthew Hooton, the last socialist standing Shane Te Pou and the 37th most important columnist at Stuff, Damien Grant. Unique political commentary unlike any other The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week the Green Party Coup Meltdown special with Right wing Svengali Matthew Hooton, Taxpayer's Union Pope Jordan Williams and fair minded Green Party commentator Damien Grant Unique political commentary unlike any other The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week with ACT Party Leader David Seymour, NZ Institute Svengali Dr Oliver Hartwich and the 32nd most important columnist at Stuff, Damien Grant. Issue 1: War, Famine, Plague – will the next 6 months be worse economically for NZ? Issue 2: Latest gang war tensions – when does crime become a political problem for the Prime Minister? Issue 3: Can Minister Nanaia juggle 3 Waters & Foreign Affairs Challenges? and Issue 4: Is the New Academic research unit for Extremism weaponised wokeness? Unique political commentary unlike any other The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30 pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOW THE NUMBER 1 MOST POPULAR POLITICAL PODCAST IN NZ!!! New Zealand’s greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! To debate the political week we have Columnist Chris Trotter, political commentator Matthew Hooton and Stuff columnist Damien Grant. TONIGHT: Issue 1 – Is Ram raiding youth offending a symptom of a deeper malaise? 4 old men pass judgement Issue 2 – David Parker’s caucasity and the future of co-governance Issue 3 – Why we need new taxes to rebuild NZ for the People Issue 4 – Russia + China = Inflation Tsunami – Is it time for Muldoon‘s Think Big? The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! THIS WEEK: Luxon on Co-Governance – how confused can National get? More 501s coming – is Poto Williams the answer? Will benefit increases be enough to save Labour? Paula Bennet raises $1.8m while Louisa Wall quits – a tale of two pities To debate this we have Moral Shepard of the right, Matthew Hooton and Union Boss Matt McCarten. You won’t hear politics like this anywhere else! The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! THIS WEEK: –Ukrainian Invasion: Putin vs West -Dumb Lives Matter Parliament Protest -Omicron vs Economy vs Public Health -Children’s Commissioner vs Oranga Tamariki To debate this we have Former Labour Party Chief of Staff Matt McCarten & Herald columnist & Architect of the Death Star, Matthew Hooton You won’t hear politics like this anywhere else! The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Protest: 3/10 "It didn't work, it wasn't Groundswell, it wasn't well organised, it had mixed messages, too many nutters, and too many angry people. Protests make a point and sway a debate, this one just pissed everyone off."  Rapid Antigen Tests: 1/10 "We had the revelations around acquisition or stealing, the Sir Ian Taylor falling out, and the stories of threats and stand-over tactics. This is a shabby, low rent, and nasty business by a government that looks increasingly mafiaesque."  Labour: 2/10 "Yet again we face a crisis at the workplace and in the fields. Grapes, kiwifruit, house building, teachers, pick a job and we are short. Look to the border it is closed, this is no recipe for success."  Job Ads: 7/10 "Record jobs ads, which once seemed a good thing, but not if they're not getting filled. It's like saying your unemployment is 3.2 percent and yet you have 90,000 more people on a benefit, it doesn't make any sense."  Steven Joyce and Matthew Hooton: 7/10 "Look up their pieces on the state of this country. Hooton on division and Joyce on MIQ and who we are. It's high-quality reading and a big wakeup call if you value the future of this country."  The CCCFA: 2/10 Proof this week from the banks, ASB and ANZ that money isn't being lent to people who would have qualified previously. How do you buy a house when you can't get money and the bank would give you the money, if it wasn't for David Clark?"  Explore Auckland Vouchers: 3/10 "Remember the Government's vouchers in Auckland to go visit stuff? 10 percent of the population applied and only 58 percent have actually been used, who would have thought?"  Zoi Sadowski-Synnott: 10/10 "Hero of the week and a reminder the young lead the way for us all. It's uplifting to watch winners." LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! NOW THE 14TH MOST POPULAR POLITICAL PODCAST IN NZ!!! THIS WEEK: -Omicron ready or not? -Brian Tamaki – Messiah or just a very naughty boy? -Inflation out on 27th TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com -Can a weak Biden stop Putin in the Ukraine? To debate this we have moral shepherd of the right Matthew Hooton and mainstream media bovver boy, Thomas Coughlan You won’t hear politics like this anywhere else! The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm Mondays from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Working Group – hosted by beloved left wing broadcaster Comrade ‘Bomber’ Bradbury with the best political panel in New Zealand media! This week libertarian liquidator and Ctullah of capitalism, Damien Grant, Moral Shepard of the Right, Matthew Hooton and Former Labour Chief of Staff & left wing Obi Won Kenobi, Matt McCarten. Providing insight and oversight to the 3 big issues of the political week. The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm Mondays on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Against a backdrop of news reports about shortages and anger over delayed Covid-19 vaccinations, a Herald opinion piece this week claimed our supply would run dry within days. But swift fact-checking elsewhere established it was based on the wrong numbers.