Podcasts about National Party

The fiscal debate is back on the campaign trail, as the National Party reboots its claims of a hidden bill in Labour's manifesto. But Labour has fired back, saying there is no bill and National should stop spreading lies. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Well, the Chlöe-for-Finance-Minister debate has gone up a level. She has been asked what her qualifications are. David Seymour is making fun of the idea, I think for good reason. And Chlöe herself has hit back, specifically at Nicola Willis, because there was a poll that showed a touch more people actually trust Chlöe on the economy than Nicola. Touché from Chlöe. But I'm of the view that Chlöe is actually overplaying her hand here. No disrespect to her because I personally like her a lot and I really rate her as a political campaigner. But she's 32 years old and she has no business background other than a few of those fun projects you run when you're 20 and then shut down again. I mean, literally, what are her qualifications for this job? The reason the Nats and ACT keep going on about this, now for the third day, is because they know, like I know, that this is bad for the centre-left and the prospects of a centre-left Government. There is polling data from Curia that I've seen a couple of times and it shows that National Party voters actually have a net positive opinion of the leaders of their coalition partners on the right, David and Winston. National Party voters do not really stress out at all about the prospect of giving jobs to Winston, giving jobs to David, and so on. But Labour Party voters are not the same. They do not feel the same way about their left-wing coalition partners. Their opinion of the leaders on the left is negative across the board. It is unsettling for Labour voters to think of the Greens having that much influence. Now, I can see what Chlöe is doing here. She's trying to gee up her base with the idea that if they get enough votes, they may gain some real power around the Cabinet table. She's also obviously starting the negotiations with Chippy from a very high position, so that whatever the consolation prize turns out to be, it's also significant and not just some Green-aligned portfolio like DoC. But she might well be doing both the Green Party and the broader left some damage here. They may not make it into Government if this is the kind of thing that people freak out about. She knows she's not going to get this portfolio, right? She hasn't got any leverage. Back when Winston got Treasurer, and really the only time Finance has gone to a coalition partner, he was negotiating with both sides. He was talking to both Helen Clark and Jim Bolger, so he could play them off against each other. Chlöe doesn't have that ability. She is bound to Labour. She is not going to get Finance. So I can see what she's doing and it's not all bad for the Greens. But it could be bad for the chances of the left because the thought of Chlöe as Finance Minister might just drive away some of those swing voters that Labour desperately needs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The centre-right bloc is at odds over voting strategies. Christopher Luxon and former leader John Key implored voters at National's campaign launch to simply party vote National and ignore any call for strategic voting. The strategy is aimed at creating an overhang and maximising the number of aligned MPs in Parliament. Key told Kerre Woodham for the Coalition, it would result in a lot more ACT and NZ First ministers, trading talented National ministers like Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop, or Paul Goldsmith for people voters have potentially never heard of and don't want. He says if you broadly want a National Government, then vote for what you want instead of potentially ending up with buyer's remorse. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says people will be encouraged, by what comes out of tomorrow afternoon's 's Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury. It will outline the medium-term fiscal outlook. It will also give the general public, and non-government parties like Labour, an idea of the state of the Government's books heading into the election. Chris Luxon told Mike Hosking things are in a good place. He says it shouldn't be a surprise to people that the economy has been growing since May, despite the global fuel crisis. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gals talk to National Party leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about MMP and managing a three-way coalition, media gaffes, his love of music and how he's not a politician.    We ask about education, climate change, women voters and his early morning rituals.    The Three Gals' Leaders Series is proudly sponsored by Duncan Cotterill. 

Labour's Chris Hipkins has taken aim at the National Party, by pointing out that it can't spend as much on advertising as they can. Hipkins claimed the Labour doesn't have as much money as National does, which he claimed is fuelled by 'millionaires wanting to further their own interests'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dig into feedback from an Otago Med School grad who claims entry standards for Māori and Pacific students are far lower than the public knows. Plus, long-time National supporters feel gaslit by the party's recent supermarket policies, while David Seymour faces backlash over a proposed minimum wage freeze. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For all the opprobrium heaped on the National Party for their supermarket call, the old National was out yesterday finalising the India free trade deal. Of all the things this Government has done in its first term, the FTA with India may well be the most important. It will last forever, it will grow, and it will become an increasingly important part of our economic story. It's been made more important because for years it couldn't be done, apparently. It got knocked back so often that Governments kind of gave up. It became a bit too hard. Maybe they got stuck on dairy. But when you're stuck the trick is to look around the issues, not get bogged down by them. The downside of course is some couldn't see the upside because of the racism i.e. they didn't vote for it. But plenty did, which means New Zealand broadly is still middle of the road and interested in tapping into those markets globally that show the most promise. India represents the latest example of what this country does: we make stuff, and sell it to the world, and we are not quantity, we are quality. The growing middle class is all about quality. It's why our wine sales are still growing and Australia's aren't. But for those who think India is a mistake, who is it you would rather trade with? China is contentious, but we've got past that for over two decades and it's done nothing but provide work and income for so many of us. We don't, and won't, get a deal with the Americans. They're not free traders. So population wise, who's left? Russia? They don't have an economy. Yes, there's the EU. But it's a half billion person collective with all the baggage that goes with it. We have a deal, but I bet you anything you want, our EU deal won't grow like the India deal will. India is the standout growth story for the next decade and beyond. For us not to be part of that would have been a crime. To sign what we have is a down payment on a better future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh the irony. In the same week we got all that hot air about supermarkets and co-operative bust-ups, we got the food price index out of the stats department. And as much as you may like to deny it, argue about it, or ignore it, these are statistics. They are not reckons, or supermarket isle chatter, or lazy street-side vox pops for the TV. Food went up 1.9% annually, which if you remember the previous annualised number being 1.9%, means it's flat. Month on month it's flat and annually it's up 1.9%. In other words it's not an issue and certainly not the issue the complainers and activists and politicians make it out to be. There is a very clear differentiation between what we would like to pay, or what we perceive to be acceptable, and what is really going on. Fruit and vegetables went down. They went backwards, as in they are cheaper. The biggest increase which added to the overall figure was restaurant and takeaway meals, an easily avoided cost if cost is your main food gripe. At the pricey end was meat, poultry and fish, which went up a bit over 3%. By the way rent, as in houses, was flat for the year. In other words there's no cost of living issue there. Yes it's a separate category, but nevertheless it's another reminder that not everything is up and up a lot and therefore worth getting angsty about. If you really want to get wound up, guess what power prices did? They went down. The point of all this is reality is not always what you think it is, or would like it to be. The food story has become a soap opera and that's why we got the nonsense from the politicians last week, captured by the consultants who poll people and say thing like "do you think food is too expensive?". Of course the answer is yes. "Are you paying too much?" Answer - yes. The next step is meeting over the campaign. Then the next step is we're breaking up supermarkets and we're banning price gouging, even though it's not real and most likely won't happen. More importantly it won't actually solve anything because the facts show there was nothing to solve. What drove it was mood, driven by perception, and you can rarely fix perception. Especially if you don't want it fixed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An expert believes National's proposed pre-school check carries merit and is definitely worth exploring. The party says its early childhood policy will set clearer expectations for what children are checked on before school. If re-elected, National wants to end screen and device use in ECE and introduce a School Start Check before children transition to primary school. Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it's good to see if children can manage basic things like getting dressed and going to the bathroom. She says the checks may help show if additional teaching strategies are required. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Morrinsville grocer is disheartened by National's plan to split up Foodstuffs. The party's campaigning on splitting Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square in a bid to increase competition. It would give the Commerce Commission six months after the election to make the final decision. New World Morrinsville Owner-operator Kym Samuels told Kerre Woodham this is heartbreaking, especially coming from National, who is a party that's meant to stand up for business. She says if the Government actually wants to bring down prices, they should look at reducing or removing GST on products like meat and seasonal produce that are impacted by inflation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, I don't know. I've listened to all the commentary; I've listened to Nicola Willis. I'm absolutely perplexed. Stumped. I thought after all this time and having taken a lifelong interest in politics that I understood a wee bit about it. Turns out I know absolutely nothing, because if I was a National Party advisor, and let's face it, a lot of you think I am, but if I was a National Party advisor, I would not be saying to National, "look, you're languishing in the polls. You might have done some good work, you're not selling it well. We need a little something, something, something, something. I know! Let's take a big pet project of the last Labour Government and interfere with private property and manipulate the market and sell off supermarkets. And let's not sell off all supermarkets, not the Australian ones. Let's take the supermarkets owned by New Zealanders, good hard working young couples who go and live in small communities that Woolworths won't touch, and make them less profitable and make them charge less for the goods that they sell. How about that?" I am stumped that they thought this was a good idea and then even more stumped that whoever came up with the idea managed to sell it to the rest of them. Because I assume it's not a brain fart of Nicola Willis'. She's been on one ever since she came into government. She's been on the backs of the supermarkets. But for the love of all that's holy, this is an idea that goes against National's entire DNA. They're having the biggest identity crisis since Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner. It's an absolute head scratcher. However, Nicola Willis is adamant. This is what she told Mike Hosking this morning: "We believe in competitive enterprise and what the study after study has said about our supermarket sector is that it is a complete outlier internationally and that it is so consolidated it isn't operating like a normally competitive market. I want competitive, strong businesses innovating, offering variety, competing on price and the evidence I have received says that's not going to happen for so long as you have an effective duopoly. So this is not a normal market, there is evidence of market failure. Yes, this is an unusual step, but man oh man, we've got a problem here." Really? You know, it's a mixed up, jumbled up, shook up world in which we live. There are few things upon which you can rely. One of them is that National is the party of small government, minimal interference, a champion of small business owners. Now they're not. And the thing is it might all be for naught. They might be confusing and infuriating what voter base they have left for nothing. Dependent on the Commerce Commission, dependent on coalition partners, might be a Trojan horse. Okay, we'll leave the supermarkets, but we'll raise the age of Super to 68 – I don't know. As I say, I'm absolutely perplexed. We might be a percentage point higher in terms of grocery prices than other countries —to be fair, we have been a lot higher in recent times— but ask anyone in London or Sydney or Stockholm if they're paying too much for their groceries and they'll say, by crikey, yes we are. And although Australia and Canada and the UK among other countries have looked long and hard at their supermarket chains, none of them has taken the highly unusual step of breaking up privately owned supermarkets. It used to be that if you wanted the government to step in and try and fix things to make things a bit fairer, to protect and insulate you from the cruel vagaries of day to day life, you'd vote Labour or the Greens, you had a choice. If you wanted supermarkets broken up to create an artificial competition in the marketplace, you'd vote Labour or the Greens. And now look, you lucky, lucky things. What a choice. Labour, Greens or National. Who'd have thought. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What on earth has happened to National being the party for business? The party that encourages people to take risks, start businesses, work hard and enjoy the rewards? I never would have imagined National, of all parties, coming up with this idea of forcing Foodstuffs to split its supermarket operations. Business NZ feels the same. Saying today that it's just like Labour banning oil and gas exploration. It says the National Party's plan to use legislation to separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square is alarming and sends a chilling signal. And I couldn't agree more. Because, unlike the oil and gas ban, which makes it very clear to oil and gas exploration companies that they're not welcome here, National's supermarket idea tells the world that they can still come here, but the rules might change once they set up shop. Which is why Catherine Beard from Business NZ says it's not just the local supermarket operators who are going to be worried. She says all businesses, here in New Zealand and elsewhere, will be too. National's finance spokesperson Nicola Willis, though, isn't having a bar of that. She says no current supermarket owners would be forced to sell. They'd just be part of the Pak'nSave chain, or they'd be part of the New World/Four Square chain. She says we're being ripped off by the supermarkets and something has to change. But using legislation to fundamentally change the structure of a business, that is not a centre-right policy. It's an anti-business policy. Another weird part of this is that National wants to force change on Foodstuffs, which is a New Zealand outfit. But isn't touching Woolworths, which is an Australian outfit. Nicola Willis told Newstalk ZB this morning that that's got nothing to do with Woolworths being publicly listed on the stock exchange over in Australia. But she did say that Woolworths shouldn't be complacent and will be expected to offer lower prices as well. But I'm with Business NZ. This is an anti-business policy from the dark ages. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. Former South African police sergeant Nick Howarth reveals the violence, trauma and political warfare he witnessed as a teenage officer in his book, War in Peace: The Truth About the South African Police's East Rand Riot Unit, 1986–1994. The Podcast is available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartradio and most major podcast platforms. #LawEnforcementTalk #Free #Podcast #Radio Nick Howarth was not merely an observer during one of the most turbulent periods in South Africa's history. He was on the ground, wearing the uniform and confronting violence that would leave permanent scars on his life. Supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin. Howarth joined the South African Police Force in 1986. He was only 17 years old, fresh out of high school, when he entered a world of burning barricades, political unrest, tribal warfare and mass casualties. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. He eventually served as a section commander in the Internal Stability Division, a specialized anti-terrorist and riot-control unit. During nine years of police service, Howarth witnessed scenes of violence and suffering that most people could scarcely imagine. His experiences are detailed in his gritty firsthand memoir, War in Peace. “It is the story of a man, a uniform, a fractured nation, and the impossible task of keeping the peace when peace had already broken down.” A Teenage Police Officer Thrust Into Warfare At an age when many teenagers are still deciding what they want to do with their lives, Howarth was beginning a dangerous career as a police officer in South Africa. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. The former athlete joined the police believing he was entering a profession devoted to maintaining law and order. Instead, he was quickly thrust into a conflict that often resembled urban warfare. Howarth and the other officers in his unit patrolled townships in armored Casspir vehicles. They responded to burning barricades, bombings, massacres, shootings and widespread political violence. The officers frequently found themselves caught between heavily armed groups while attempting to protect residents, recover victims and prevent further bloodshed. “Bombs, massacres, the murdering of women and children, courage, cowardice, heartache, defeat and victory became part of Howarth's life.” The constant violence eventually took an enormous psychological toll. After nine years in the specialized unit, Howarth left police work because of the accumulated stress and trauma. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other major podcast platforms. The interview is also featured across Facebook and Instagram. The uniform was gone, but the memories remained. The Hidden War During Apartheid in South Africa During the final years of apartheid, a brutal conflict was raging inside many of South Africa's townships. The violence was driven in part by a struggle for political influence between supporters of the African National Congress, led by Nelson Mandela, and the Inkatha Freedom Party, led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The conflict unfolded as the National Party government gradually relinquished power and South Africa moved toward democratic rule. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. More than 20,000 people reportedly died during approximately four years of extreme political and tribal violence. Yet much of the bloodshed remained hidden from South Africa's population and the international community. Strict restrictions on journalists and news organizations limited what the local and foreign media could report. According to Howarth's account, people outside the townships had little understanding of the daily brutality taking place there. It was “a brutal African war” that remained largely outside the view of much of the world. Police During Apartheid in South Africa Discussions about police during apartheid in South Africa are inseparable from the oppressive system they served and the documented abuses committed under that system. Howarth's book does not erase that history. Instead, it presents one officer's firsthand account of working inside a specialized unit during the country's violent transition. The episode is available across major platforms including their website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, with highlights shared across their Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles. War in Peace: The Truth About the East Rand Riot Unit focuses on ordinary law enforcement officers caught in the middle of political upheaval, community unrest and open warfare. Howarth describes officers confronting attacks from armed self-defense units, responding to scenes of mass violence and attempting to protect civilians in an environment where the source of the next attack was often impossible to predict. The book offers a perspective that Howarth believes has been overlooked in sanitized historical accounts and traditional news coverage. His story raises difficult questions: What was the job really like for the police officers sent into those townships? How did repeated exposure to mutilations, murders and mass casualties affect them? And what happens when a teenage recruit is expected to function like a soldier in a conflict with no clearly defined battlefield? Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. Violence That Left Permanent Scars Howarth describes a world in which women, children and elderly residents were not spared. Race, religion, language, age and gender offered no guaranteed protection from the violence. He witnessed sacrificial mutilations, symbolic killings and tremendous suffering among township residents. He also saw courage and compassion emerge under the most horrific circumstances. The violence became so common that it threatened to destroy the humanity of everyone exposed to it. Howarth watched himself drift into what he described as “the dark depths of hell” while trying not to show fear or emotional weakness. The Podcast is available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartradio and most major podcast platforms. He spent nine years working in that environment. They were “nine years that changed his life forever and left scars that not even time can heal.” The emotional consequences did not disappear when his shifts ended. Eventually, the stress and violence convinced him that he could no longer continue as a police officer. Why Nick Howarth Wrote War in Peace: The Truth About the East Rand Riot Unit . For decades, Howarth carried these experiences privately. He said that writing War in Peace: The Truth About the East Rand Riot Squad gave him an opportunity to document what he saw and explain how the conflict affected the officers and civilians trapped inside it. The memoir is graphic because the reality was graphic. Howarth does not attempt to soften the violence or present a comfortable version of events. The book explores bloodshed, political manipulation, endurance and the psychological cost of repeatedly confronting death. It is also the autobiography of a young man forced to grow up inside an environment defined by fear, hatred and uncertainty. “This is a story that has never been told before and is so incredible that it is hard to believe it actually happened.” The first paperback edition became a bestseller, leading to the release of an e-book edition. However, readers should understand that the subject matter is disturbing. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast continues bringing listeners real conversations from the front lines of crime, policing, trauma, survival, and healing. As its description warns, “This book and his story are not for the fainthearted.” The Truth About Their Job The truth about their job, according to Howarth's account, was that these officers were expected to operate as policemen, soldiers, rescuers and witnesses to history, all at the same time. They were policing communities overwhelmed by political instability and armed conflict. Their decisions were often made in seconds, under attack and surrounded by civilians. Howarth's story does not offer simple answers or attempt to settle the larger historical debate surrounding apartheid. Instead, it provides one man's personal testimony about what he witnessed, what he was ordered to do and what nine years of relentless violence did to him. His experiences demonstrate that surviving physical danger does not mean escaping unharmed. Some wounds remain invisible, emerging through stress, traumatic memories and the struggle to rebuild a life after leaving law enforcement. Nick Howarth Shares His Story Today, Nick Howarth lives in South Africa. He joins the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast to discuss his police career, his specialized unit and the experiences that inspired War in Peace: The Truth About the East Rand Riot Unit. Supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium, Blogspot and Linkedin. During the interview, Howarth talks about becoming a police officer at 17, spending nine years in an anti-terrorist and riot unit, confronting warfare in the townships and ultimately leaving law enforcement because of the violence and stress. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. His account offers listeners a rare glimpse into police work during apartheid in South Africa and the hidden conflict that accompanied the nation's transition to democracy. The interview also examines the personal consequences of serving in a violent environment and why Howarth felt compelled to finally put his memories into a book. Listen to the free podcast interview with Nick Howarth on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. It is available through the website and on major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Follow and share the episode on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms to help bring attention to this extraordinary story of police work, political warfare, trauma and survival. His website is townshiptales.com This episode of the show is brought to you in part by Mars Men. You hit your 30s and 40s, and things start to feel different. Now that I'm in my 60s, I've really noticed the change. My energy drops faster. Recovery takes longer. Workouts don't have the same impact they once did. Most importantly, what worked for me in my 20s simply doesn't work anymore. So, I started looking for answers. Honestly, the testosterone-support space can be confusing, and much of it sounded sketchy. I don't want to become a professional bodybuilder. I just want to look and feel more like the old me. Thankfully, I found Mars Men, and I couldn't be more grateful. Mars Men is made in the USA, third-party tested, and formulated to support healthy testosterone levels, energy and stamina. It's now available at GNC stores nationwide. For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off for life plus Free Shipping AND 3 Free Gifts at Men Go To Mars dot com. That's MenGoToMars.com for 50% Off AND 3 Free Gifts when you checkout. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you. Please listen, follow and share this remarkable story. Listeners can find the show across Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other podcast and social media platforms. Learn and get access to money saving tips and how to increase your net worth at www.LetSavings.com For a community of like minded individuals from all over the planet that want to improve their lives, relationships and business. Learn what they need, and develop the life that they've always wanted. We host weekly rooms on the Clubhouse Drop In Social Audio App. The App and Your Confident Life rooms are free of charge. You can get more information about Clubhouse and Your Confident Life for free here. Download the Free Ebook about ways and tips to improve your  health. You can get the ebook for free at www.LetHealthy.com Listen to the  Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on their website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Apple  Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and most major podcast platforms. Get the Free Clubhouse App, it is Drop In Social Audio. Think of it as your own talk radio show on your phone, and best of all it is free. Be sure to look for me and follow me, that's John J Wiley or @letradioshow you can do all that here. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Listen to the free Podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website and through major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen to the Show, share the episode, and follow the latest Radio, Podcast, and News content from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other Social Media platforms for more real stories about trauma, survival and transformation. Police During Apartheid in South Africa: The Truth About Their Job and the Hidden War. Attributions Township Tales Amazom Facebook Facebook Group Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The National Party has vowed to break-up supermarket giant Foodstuffs if it's re-elected. It would mean separating New World and Four Square into one nationwide chain and Pak'nSave into another. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

National's proposed supermarket shake-up has blown open a fresh fight at Parliament, with its coalition partners pulling in opposite directions. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A warning from Foodstuffs that splitting it in two could increase prices. If re-elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, National would separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to drive competition. The party says independent analysis shows prices could fall 3.5% a year after restructuring and 5% after six years. But Foodstuffs North Island Chair Dean Waddell told Mike Hosking the supermarket industry is already one of the most regulated. He says this policy would make business less efficient, with higher prices potentially passed onto consumers. Waddell says they plan to fight the policy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's finance spokesperson is holding firm that breaking up Foodstuffs is the best solution. If approved by the Commerce Commission, the party would carve off Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to compete with each other and Woolworths. Foodstuffs is promising to fight the plan, saying it could increase food prices by making business less efficient. But Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking it's been a lengthy, analytical process. She says there's no doubt this restructure would benefit the Kiwi shopper given how unusual our grocery sector is. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founder of the People's National Party, Janet Nabla, says democracy has never helped Ghana's development. Her comments come as the world marks the International Day of Democracy, with political parties reflecting on how Ghana's 24 uninterrupted years of democratic governance have served the country

If my reaction to the National Party's supermarket policy was an emoji, it would be the one with the brains blowing out the top of its head. It would be WTF. It would be: Was the Greens' policy not nutty enough for you? Did you have to find something even more cooked and release it? Because that's what's just happened. The National Party has announced, completely unexpectedly, with nobody getting a heads-up that this was coming, that it wants to break up Foodstuffs into two separately owned businesses. One would be Pak'n'Save and the other would combine New World and Four Square. It won't be forcing any owners to sell their businesses because, by the way, these businesses are owned by Kiwi owner-operators. They're not going to be forced to sell. But they are going to be forced to move with their chosen brand. Now, if what the National Party wanted was a water-cooler announcement, you know, the kind that gets so much attention everybody ends up talking about it at the water cooler, then they got it. And for all the wrong reasons. Because this is completely bonkers. Especially because it comes from a party that should know better: the National Party. Now, I'm not defending supermarket prices here. I'm not saying it's okay that you're paying $300 to $400 a week just to feed your family. But what I am saying is that the Nats pushing the red button and going nuclear here may actually be worse. Think about what this is going to do to confidence in investing in this country. Who is going to put serious money into business in New Zealand if this is the kind of country that just goes around splitting up corporates? And it's not theoretical to say this is going to have a chilling effect. We know it will. We're still trying to convince oil and gas companies to bring their money back into this country and back into the gas sector after Jacinda Ardern announced the oil and gas exploration ban. That was eight years ago and there is still no sign that confidence is returning. It takes decades to undo this kind of damage. Even having the so-called business-friendly party in New Zealand discussing a policy like this is damaging our international reputation right now. And is it worth it? Is it worth it? Have a guess how much money this is going to save you each week when it's finally baked in at the end of the process. Maybe $3.80. $3.80 a week. For all of this. Is it worth it? No. Of course it's not. This is an incredibly damaging idea for apparently very little gain. As you can imagine, I've had countless texts and conversations about this since it was announced. And the one that sums it up best is this: "New Zealand is not a serious country anymore." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blowback from a business advocate on National's plan to break up Foodstuffs. If elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, the party would separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to create more competition. But Foodstuffs warns there'd be significant implications and would affect more than 500 locally owned and operated stores. Business NZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge threatening to split up private property is hugely alarming. She says it sends a terrible signal to overseas investors – that the government could essentially take away business. Beard also says there's a lack of evidence to suggest our food is more expensive than other countries. She told Bridge that while food prices have gone up, they're no higher than Australia and the UK. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday's policy announcement from the National Party has sparked outrage from business leaders and supermarket owners. Marc Brokenshire is the Owner/Operator of New World Ilam. He joined John MacDonald to share his perspective as a supermarket owner, and an employer of over 165 staff in his community. He said the uncertainty has already led him to delay significant investments, including a backup generator capable of powering the entire supermarket during a power outage. "'I'm not ordering that new generator. Those investment decisions just go on hold, and I hope we don't need that service." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT's Leader is furious at the idea of breaking-up Foodstuffs. If re-elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, National would separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to compete with each other and Woolworths. David Seymour told Kerre Woodham it'll make the problem worse, but his party is standing alone. He says just because the focus group polling says people are upset, doesn't mean you do something simple and wrong. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blowback from a business advocate on National's plan to break up Foodstuffs. If elected, and if the Commerce Commission agrees, the party would separate Pak'nSave from New World and Four Square to create more competition. But Foodstuffs warns there'd be significant implications and would affect more than 500 locally owned and operated stores. Business NZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge threatening to split up private property is hugely alarming. She says it sends a terrible signal to overseas investors – that the government could essentially take away business. Beard also says there's a lack of evidence to suggest our food is more expensive than other countries. She told Bridge that while food prices have gone up, they're no higher than Australia and the UK. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathryn, Neale and Liam discuss recent events in politics including whether Labour has left its run too late. Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital. Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

For Dear Science this week, we chat with our experts, Professor Sebastian Leuzinger and Dr Syrie Hermans,, about plants and their senses. For our Weekly Catchup with the National Party, Host Alex speaks with MP Ryan Hamilton about the CRL, Auckland Council's troubles with Fast-Tracked developments, and NZ's condemnation of Illegal Israeli Settlements Producer Thomas chats to Public Service Association National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons about an internal review into Ministry of Social Development errors, and how they may have been caused by cuts to the workforce. Thomas also talks to University of Auckland Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris, about New Zealand's flu vaccination rates being critically low. And this week we have a City Rail Link special. News director Castor and Producer Liam caught the very first train on the opening day and interviewed members of the public. Liam also interviewed Viv Beck from Heart of the City and Bevan Assink from KiwiRail about how significant this moment is for Auckland.

As an extension to the 5% first home buyer deposit policy the National Party has released and the Labour Party is backing, can we possibly learn from its practicality and apply it to areas that are increasingly fraught? I cite fast-track. Fast-rack is an excellent idea. It gets things done better than what we had previously. Just ask the Tauranga Port; they spent seven years going nowhere under old rules while under fast-track it took five months to be sorted. But on housing we have trouble. I've raised this with the Prime Minister, but he doesn't get it or want to get it. The key to successful election campaigns is offering simple, practical solutions to what voters perceive as problems. It's called retail politics. A 5% deposit for a young person is material and it's practical. Fast-track housing developments have turned into exactly what I said they would – trouble. Angsty, edgy, piss-people-off trouble. The Auckland Council is now considering refusing services to new developments. This is just the start. Any number of fury-filled meetings have been held, from Central Otago to Northland, to Auckland and to Christchurch over large-scale, 1000+ housing developments that are using fast-track to get the tick of approval. This will cost the Government votes. All the esoteric nonsense like bank buybacks and AI centre funding and breaking up supermarkets is beltway wonkery. Getting your backyard upended is real. They have to get large scale housing out of fast-track. Luxon argues every time I raise it that it's not just about housing, and he's correct. But that doesn't address the elephant, and if he doesn't address it, the voter will. The practicality and success of a 5% deposit for a house is directly connected to fast-track. Think about it – for average voters it's about their life. Can they afford a home and is their home their castle? Is their neighbourhood theirs? While 5% solves one, fast-track housing risks another. Ask yourself this question: are we in desperate need of tens of thousands of new houses, in a stagnant market and falling prices? It staggers me they can't see this. Politically, they need to join the dots, and fast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party has fallen foul of advertising standards with a flyer that makes a false claim about a Labour tax policy. The brochure that was mailed directly to some voters stated Labour's Capital gains policy would hit the the family bach, rentals, small businesses and Kiwisaver. The Advertising Standards Authority found National's claim about Kiwisaver being subject to CGT under Labour was likely to mislead and confuse people. Professor of Marketing at the University of Canterbury, Ekant Veer spoke to Lisa Owen.

The National Party is trying to patch things up with councils after dumping plans for a bed tax. Its alternative would give towns and cities a bigger cut of the money already collected from international tourists. But will it be enough to heal the rift? Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

The operator of a large hotel chain in New Zealand says diverting a portion of International Visitor Levy funds to councils is a good first step. If re-elected, the National Party is pledging to allocate $385 million over four years to councils, the portion each council gets will depend on the number of international visitors they host. Councils would have to use the money for things like events, tourism promotion, and visitor infrastructure. The announcement was made at Auckland's Sudima Hotel yesterday, after criticism from mayors over National's u-turn on investigating an accommodation levy in 2027. The hotel's New Zealand operating officer Les Morgan was at that announcement, and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There's a view National's alternative to a bed tax would remove some pressure on smaller councils. The party's pledging to re-set the International Visitor Levy, putting aside $100 million a year for conservation and $50 million for tourism. The rest would go to councils, divvied up based on how many international visitor nights they host. Local Government New Zealand President Rehette Stoltz —who's the mayor of Gisborne— told Mike Hosking this allocates it fairly across the country. She says $600,000 or $700,000 represents a 1% rate rise for some smaller councils. There are some councils who are unhappy with the proposal, with both the Mayors of Auckland and Queenstown saying they would be better off under a bed tax. But Stoltz says there's a chance future discussions could fix where the policy falls short. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here is a stereotype we have to break, especially given the solution is now available. There was a young woman in her 20s, in the beauty industry, training as a nurse and will go into the private sector. She has a plan and good on her. As part of this particular conversation though, she says she can never see herself owning a house. Of our five kids, one or possibly two, I suspect they feel the same, and yet the National Party's 5% deposit announcement made over the weekend changes all of that. Of all the policy released so far from any party, this is by far the most consequential. There is no Government-owned supermarket, they won't be breaking up gentailers, or buying BNZ back. This campaign has been full of fanciful nonsense. But the 5% is not only real, it's doable. It's so doable it looks likely the Labour Party will copy it and, above all else, it's the most important thing a policy can be – practical. 5% of a $700,000 house is $35,000. For most young people they can see that. 20% of that house is $140,000. That's not real. At last, the biggest issue around housing is solved. It used to be solved, and we used to do this routinely, until we ballsed it up in yet another example of taking a problem that never existed and messing it about. 20% was never needed. The only thing preventing 5% deposits was Adrian Orr and the Reserve Bank and an unhealthy fear of carnage. Even if you end up for a period in a flat market, as we have now with negative equity, it will pass. It always does. Even if housing in New Zealand never grows at 10% a year ever again, it will grow. And what I know, as sure as night follows day, is we love houses. We dream of owning our own place. That is the constant in this whole mad debate that too many people have made too complicated. Banks should never have been dictated to by the central bank because retail banks know what they're doing. Between a government-insured scheme and KiwiSaver and retail banks, there should never have been a hurdle as large as it was. There should never have been a generation for whom owning a piece of their country was seemingly beyond them. The 5% policy sorts it. The trick now is to get that message out to people like the trainee nurse, who still don't know how close they might be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brigitte Morten is the Managing Director of public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the Hutt South MP, Chris Bishop. Phil Goff is a former Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. He was mayor of Auckland from 2016-2022 and New Zealand's High Commissioner to the UK from 2023-2025. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

So on Saturday morning, driving around Auckland, the sledgehammers were all go pounding election billboards into the ground. As once neat and tidy patches of grass were being transformed into a visual assault of names and faces just waiting to be vandalized by some smartarse, I thought to myself, only 9 more weeks to go. I love elections, I love a contest of ideas, I love watching my son be politically engaged and eager to cast a vote for the first time on November 7th. But I'm also getting concerned that this contest of ideas is going to be frightfully dull, and short on ideas. Are we going to learn anything from a televised debate if a leader is constantly telling us what dreadful things their opponents will do if they get the chance, rather than selling us their own bold vision for this country? It's politics by warning label. The campaign so far feels defensive, reactive and relentlessly focused on the other side. Rather than asking voters to imagine a better New Zealand, the parties seem more interested in persuading us to be frightened of the alternative. Fear is a reliable political motivator. I know - it's a strategy and a tactic which is as old as marketing. Stick to the core message you want in people's minds, and they will ultimately believe it. The National Party has decided that the only thing they want you to take away from any interview over the last week, and from TikTok, is that Labour is going to lump you with taxes if they come to power. It's already a tedious tactic as proven by National's campaign Chair Simeon Brown on Friday afternoon talking to Heather du Plessis-Allan. So, when does staying on message start to make you look silly? I would say on Friday afternoon, at about 7 past 5. For those of us who would like more than a soundbite this election, it's going to be a long 9 weeks. But you have to hand it to National, they are controlling the conversation, and have put Labour on the backfoot as they have constantly had to defend their tax policy and account for their spending. The problem with sticking to the message, and telling us what other parties are planning to stick us with post-election, is that two can play that game. Labour has been pacing itself when it comes to getting into election mode, and they had a bit of a messy week, but as soon as they get a little momentum and decide on the messages they want to repeat, constantly, there is nothing stopping them doing the same. And with all the yapping back and forth, we're the ones missing out on valuable conversations. There is something deeply unsatisfying about this election campaign so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National is being accused of making false claims about Labour's planned taxes. In a number of social media ads, National MPs say Labour is planning to introduce nine taxes. However that figure also includes a number of tax policies from other parties, including Opportunity's 1.75% Land Value Tax or the Green Party's 33% capital acquisition tax. National Party campaign chief Simeon Brown is on the defence - and says there's an issue of credibility impacting Chris Hipkins and Labour. "They've done it before, they've got a track record of saying one thing and then bringing in more taxes - and that was at a time when they won the election with a Labour-majority Government." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party says it will reduce the compulsory student-loan repayment rate if re-elected, while cracking down on overseas-based borrowers. Nimish Milan Singh, president of the Auckland University Students' Association, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about the policy.

Now listen, if you're one of the people celebrating Chris Hipkins for promising to cancel fuel tax rises if he wins the election, can I just warn you about the implications of him doing that? And to be fair, it's not just him, okay? I suspect very strongly, because they've hinted as much, that the National Party and the coalition government will announce exactly the same thing on Monday. After all, raising fuel taxes by 12 cents a litre in January, at a time when petrol prices are already elevated because of the war involving Iran, is, as Chris Bishop once put it, a political death wish. But you can't have everything, okay? You're going to have to give something up. Maybe it's the maintenance on your local road that those taxes help pay for. Maybe it's the new road you were hoping for. In my case, it's the upgrade to Mill Road, which was promised to us by Grant Robertson, then cancelled, then re-promised by Chris Bishop, and now appears to have been cancelled again. That's because letters have gone out to property owners informing them that the deal is off. NZTA is passing this off as a delay of maybe a couple of years. BS. This is not a small delay. Remember, they started buying properties for a second Mt Victoria Tunnel in the 1960s. It is now 60 years later and we still don't have that tunnel. So if they're cancelling these property purchases, it's because the upgrade has effectively been shelved for the foreseeable future. Now, I'm gutted about that because I've lived south of Auckland in Pukekohe and I know how difficult it is to get up the Southern Motorway during rush hour. I also know how important Mill Road is as an alternative route for those vehicles. But it has been cancelled because there simply isn't enough money. We haven't increased fuel taxes for nearly seven years now. So sure, politically it's a smart move for these political parties not to increase the fuel tax, but there will be consequences. And Mill Road is one of them. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Children: What update can she provide on Oranga Tamariki's performance against her ministerial priorities? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Auckland: Does he agree with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, "I can point to very recent examples showing that the National Party, as part of the Government, is failing to deliver for Auckland"; if not, why not? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her answers to oral question No. 1 yesterday? LAN PHAM to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: Does he stand by his statement, "Of course, our standards of living, and the living standards of our children and their children, depend on a healthy environment"? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Housing: Will the Government introduce a stamp duty? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Is it correct that Health New Zealand's projected deficit for the 2026/27 financial year has deteriorated to $475 million, and what proportion, if any, of that deficit will be closed through cuts to front-line services? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister of Revenue: Is the Government considering increasing the corporate tax rate? ORIINI KAIPARA to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What impact, if any, will the Government's use of AI to make benefit decisions have on whanau access to income support, and unemployment? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Housing: How many of the social houses funded in the 2024 and 2025 Budgets have been delivered? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his reported statement that it doesn't sit comfortably with him that there is no guarantee of shelter for people on any given night; if not, why not? CUSHLA TANGAERE-MANUEL to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement that "in terms of unemployment, Maori are disproportionately affected"; if so, why? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?

The National Party this week ruled out a bed tax, despite the city deal with Auckland committing to exploring one in 2027. It comes as the government announces a rates cap from 2029. Mayor Wayne Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about what the changes could mean for Auckland.

Regional Tourism NZ say they have been blindsided over an apparent political flip flop on a bed levy. The National Party has now ruled out any kind of accommodation levy for visitors. That is despite Christopher Luxon speaking about the possibility of one just a fortnight ago. Any levy was intended to help fund infrastructure in the face of growing tourist numbers. General manager of Destination Marlborough and Trustee of Regional Tourism NZ, Tracey Green spoke to Lisa Owen.

The National Party has confirmed it's not going to introduce any new taxes if elected for a second term. Earlier this month, it indicated it was looking at new bank tax settings and progressing a bed tax, but they've ruled those out. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the party was very clear two weeks ago - and they've clarified these new taxes have been ruled out. "The three parties of the coalition - National, New Zealand Fist and ACT - agreed to explore it, only explore it...and we've come to our campaign position, which is that we will not do it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No regrets from National's Leader, as he backs down on new taxes this election. It's a sudden switch up from recent weeks with the National party discussing both a bed tax and bank tax as potential prospects. Christopher Luxon says the party's unable to deliver either without creating cost for New Zealanders. He told Mike Hosking that he stands by that decision, saying 'no new taxes, no new levies, that's our position going in to the election'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simeon Brown has written a letter. It's this sort of thing, I think, that frustrates a lot of potential and actual National Party voters. There is an argument to be made, and power prices is one of them, where you can say that National talked a big game, but I don't see any real results. The letter is to the Electricity Authority (EA). They oversee the power market and whether everyone is playing by the rules. Simeon wants them to check on the forward pricing for power, which is down, and why it is we aren't seeing our prices tumble. We have already covered this so Simeon is a bit slow out of the box. Renewables are in play, it's rained a lot so there's plenty of resource and the cost of making power is going down. Large commercial users are already seeing prices drop. In our houses though? Not so much. As always there are a myriad of excuses, some of which will be legit and some of which will be polished up for PR spin. But we're at the stage of electricity reform where our patience for the so-called "dividends of the renewable age" are not really appearing as were promised. Obviously, Simeon wants an answer because he also wants your vote. But ask yourself – why does he need to write to the EA? If their job is to oversee this stuff either there is nothing to see, and therefore they are doing their job, or they are useless and need sacking. My guess is their rules of engagement mean the system is actually working, so the rules of engagement are the problem, and/or the gentailer problem, which has been jawboned to death, is really an issue holding back better competition hence lower prices. Either way writing a letter is not delivering and this is from a party that has jawboned supermarkets, petrol stations, electricity companies and banks. And for what real, in-my-back-pocket result? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lara catches up with Rosetta and Milly to chat about what happened with the National Party last week, how TOP is doing in the polls, and Te Pāti Māori's new strategy. Whakarongo mai nei!

What a whirlwind week it's been for the National Party .. and it's only Thursday! Yesterday Christopher Luxon survived his second confidence vote in four months, then sacked Chris Penk for launching the challenge. Today the party says it's united .. but how can National make sure the public believes them? Charlotte Shipman is a former NewsHub journalist and now a senior partner at communications company AM and Co. She chats to Perlina.

Liam Hehir is a National Party member and commentator and Janet Wilson was formerly the Chief Press Secretary to Todd Muller and Judith Collins. They joined Ingrid Hipkiss to discuss the fallout from Wednesday's emergency caucus meeting, including Chris Penk's announcement that he won't seek re-election.

Taking stock of Wednesday's National Party leadership challenge; Electricity Authority on falling wholesale power prices; Security Service says security challenges have intensified; Wellsford GP on Auckland ambulance patients sent to Whangarei; First Table CEO on health of New Zealand's hospitality sector

Palmerston North-based lawyer, a National Party member and a former activist Liam Hehir joins Jesse to discuss the fallout from today's National caucus meeting.

The National Party caucus is currently meeting following renewed speculation over Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's leadership.

Former National Minister Wayne Mapp and former National Party chief press secretary Janet Wilson joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.