Podcast appearances and mentions of nicole mckee

Marilyn Garson from Alternative Jewish Voices, joins us to talk a myriad of things including lawyer Paul Fishers rant over the weekend, Juliet Moses' response to us yesterday and the apparent kidnapping of Oscar winner Hamdan Ballal from an ambulance by the IDF todayPrime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke on TVNZ's Breakfast where he affirmed John Campbell that the Government would hit their target of 500 new police officers by the end of this year and that firearm lobbyist and nominal Minister, Nicole McKee, was the right person to put in charge of new legislation to keep illegal guns out of the gangs' hands...what he wouldn't confirm was that NZ would never go back to the gun laws that enabled our worst massacre. It's Donald Trump's stupidest week (and that's saying something) with him denying he signed the order to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador even though his Press Secretary celebrated him doing it and we find out today that several of his cabinet are talking about secret war information on WhatsApp where someone also invited a journalist who watched it then reported on it.=================================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 Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

⁠⁠JOIN THE STAG ROAR COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hugh DM | Digital Consultant | Public SpokespersonSpokesperson for COLFO representing 240k licensed firearm owners. Avid photographer, hunter, and consultant.The Arms Act 1983 is Being Rewritten.Prepare to Make Your Submission.The consultation process for firearms law reform is now open. This is a critical opportunity for recreational hunters and shooters to voice their concerns and influence government decisions. Nicole McKee, Associate Justice Minister, has long engaged with our community, and her efforts have led to this important moment.​COLFO and our lawyers have assembled a consultation guide to help you make a submission. Click the link and have your say today.​We have one chance to get this right and secure the future of shooting sports in New Zealand. We must unite and ensure we get it right.https://www.colfo.org/https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/Come check us out at⁠⁠⁠⁠Ashburton Eyecare⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ryanoconnornz/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stagryan/  Twitter https://twitter.com/stagryan  Tik Tok @ryanstagoconnor  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WaiKeto/  Blog https://stagryan.com/  Website: https://www.stagroar.co.nz/

The Honorable Nicole McKee, member of New Zealand's Parliament and cabinet member for NZ's Prime Minister, and heads firearm policy in that role as the Associate Minister of Justice - and even though she was raised as a non-hunter has become a passionate gun owner herself and even supporter of SCI New Zealand. Robbie & the Minister sit down and talk about her views on firearms, the controversy around them in New Zealand, including the history of things in New Zealand, and the importance of the topic to sportsmen and women even halfway around the world! Get to know the guest: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/nicole-mckee https://www.act.org.nz/nicole-mckeehttps  www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_cUOhtdmns  Do you have questions we can answer? Send it via DM on IG or through email at info@bloodorigins.com Support our Conservation Club Members! Global Hunters Coalition: https://globalhunterscoalition.org/  International Order of T. Roosevelt: https://t-roosevelt.org/  Rivers & Glen Trading Co.: https://www.riversandglen.com/  See more from Blood Origins: https://bit.ly/BloodOrigins_Subscribe Music: Migration by Ian Post (Winter Solstice), licensed through artlist.io This podcast is brought to you by Bushnell, who believes in providing the highest quality, most reliable & affordable outdoor products on the market. Your performance is their passion. https://www.bushnell.com  This podcast is also brought to you by Silencer Central, who believes in making buying a silencer simple and they handle the paperwork for you. Shop the largest silencer dealer in the world. Get started today! https://www.silencercentral.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National will put more children into poverty with their benefit sanctions Why did Nicole McKee want her comments on the gun registry stricken from the public record? And why don't the leaders of this coalition government care she tried to do it? Damien Grant is okay with not voting in an electorate he is not a part of, but not on a roll he is not a part of Pat Newman pulls no punches when he describes how this government is messing with the education system ================================= 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 Follow us on Bluesky Pat @patbrittenden.bsky.social Chewie @chewienz.bsky.social Emily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.social Magenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

The Government has been accused of 'jumping the gun' and changing the Three Strikes bill before receiving advice from the select committee. The qualifying threshold for a first strike will be lowered from 24 months imprisonment to 12 months in order to catch out more offenders. Labour has claimed this is the 'latest instance' of the Government making amendments to controversial legislation, pointing out changes to the gang patch ban and fast-track consenting bills. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says they've listened to people claim the regime needed to be tougher - and taken that feedback into account. "What we're predicting now over a 10-year period is consequence and accountability for those serious, violent offenders." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms) Nicole McKee is not a liar and is doing a good job as minister. “She still holds the position that high-capacity magazines need restrictions on them,” Luxon told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast. “The Arms Act is 40 years old, so it does need some reviewing," he said. “It's entirely appropriate we revisit the Arms Act and make sure it's fit for purpose. On Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello, Luxon said “she is really fixated on lowering smoking rates”. Pressed on whether he believed giving tax cuts to tobacco companies was a smart move, Luxon said Costello was trying to find alternatives for people to use in an effort to quit smoking. Luxon said, “Nicole McKee is very focused on gun safety and Casey Costello is very focused on reducing smoking rates”. He said they were being targeted by Opposition criticism. “They are good ministers who are focused on what I've asked them to do,” he said. On Dunedin Hospital, Luxon dodged repeated questions about where he got the $3 billion construction estimate from. “We're not making it up,” he said. Luxon said a replacement of HMNZS Manawanui would depend on funding priorities. “Now, with an unanticipated loss, we'll have to consider that.” Speaking on the healthcare budget, Luxon said Health NZ commissioner Dr Lester Levy had been “sorting it out”. Luxon said any flood-risk-home buyouts was a responsibility for landowners, councils and central government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bomber joins us tonight to preview the big debate on The Working Group tomorrow night Christopher Luxon was in Dunedin today to talk about the flood recovery and the Hospital and again didn't get pushed by the media over his claims and slid in an out without a mark on him. We aim to change that tonight We are sure right wing media in the US, after speaking out against Taylor Swift when she messaged her fans endorsing Kamala Harris telling them to register to vote, will be consistent and hold Elon Musk to the same standard when he said the number one thing people can do while at MAGA rally was to register to vote Jack Tame and the Q&A team spent time fact checking Nicole McKee after documents released to the TVNZ show raised questions about some of her answers given in the live interview a few weeks back ================================== 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

There's support from across the political aisle over a Police crackdown on the Comancheros gang.  Nearly every member of the gang is facing criminal charges, showing the scale of operation to take out the Comancheros.  Speaking to Mike Hosking, Police Minister Mark Mitchell is applauding Police efforts, and says it's outstanding Policing.  Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen says they're also pleased to see the violence targeted.  She says it's great to see the gang's misery peddle shut down by the force.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 18th of September, the police have dealt a huge, potentially fatal, blow to the Comancheros gang.  Our kids aren't anywhere near as resilient as they used to be. So how do we fix it?  Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen join for Politics Wednesday and discuss whether Nicole McKee is a thorn in the side for the Government.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week, ACT leader David Seymour announced that the basic outline of the treaty principles bill, which would be introduced to parliament in November later this year, would include acknowledgements saying that iwi and hapū had specific rights to their lands.  This comes after more than 400 Christian leaders in Aotearoa signed a joint letter condemning the bill and asking MPs to strike it down, as well as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon making an official statement saying that he wouldn't support the bill beyond its first reading. For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the recent changes to the treaty principles bill and whether or not it guaranteed protections for Iwi and Māori. We also talked about government cutting pay parity agreements for relief teachers at Early Childhood Education Centres, as well as Concerns over Nicole McKee's efforts to reform gun laws

This week on the Wednesday Wire... For our weekly catchup, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to The Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March about recent changes to the treaty principles bill to include acknowledgements to Iwi and Hapu, government pay parity cuts for relief ECE teachers and concerns over Nicole McKee's gun law reforms. For our bi-weekly segment Get Action! Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to ActionStation's Kareana Kee, about their petition calling for TVNZ to review their coverage of Israel's war on Gaza. Producer Sasha spoke to spokesperson from Student Justice for Palestine Pōneke, Frank Mackenzie, about the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation divesting in Israeli bonds. and Oto spoke to Associate Professor in Commercial Law at the University of Auckland, Gehan Gunasekara, to discuss the implications of the IRD sharing taxpayer data with social media firms.

This week on the Wednesday Wire... For our weekly catchup, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to The Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March about recent changes to the treaty principles bill to include acknowledgements to Iwi and Hapu, government pay parity cuts for relief ECE teachers and concerns over Nicole McKee's gun law reforms. For our bi-weekly segment Get Action! Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to ActionStation's Kareana Kee, about their petition calling for TVNZ to review their coverage of Israel's war on Gaza. Producer Sasha spoke to spokesperson from Student Justice for Palestine Pōneke, Frank Mackenzie, about the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation divesting in Israeli bonds. and Oto spoke to Associate Professor in Commercial Law at the University of Auckland, Gehan Gunasekara, to discuss the implications of the IRD sharing taxpayer data with social media firms.

So the latest twist in the Treaty Principles debate is that the churches have come out against it. More than 400 church leaders are urging MPs to vote against David Seymour's bill. It's the latest chapter in a debate that has been described as 'divisive'. If you don't think it's been divisive you weren't listening to Māori at the King's funeral. They're not hearing the One People argument, because they don't believe the bill promotes that. In fact, they believe the opposite. They believe the Treaty is how we achieve One People Together in agreement. Personally, I don't care. I don't care if you support Māori and I don't care if you support Mr Seymour. The fact of the matter is this is a virtue-signalling sideshow and it is divisive. Just like vaccinations and mandates and the Middle East. The Treaty Principles Bill is divisive. And the reason why it's a virtue-signalling sideshow is because both National and New Zealand First have already said it won't get past the first reading. So it's a dead policy walking. Why not kill it now and stop wasting our time, money and emotion? Or the other parties could change their minds and help their coalition partner. But then you'll be branded as flippy-floppy. Either way, I can't see how this helps National. You have a divided angry nation at each other's throat or you look weak. Who's in charge of this coalition? And speaking of which: Former gun lobbyist Nicole McKee has used her power as a Government minister to reduce regulation for gun clubs - without any public consultation. It's not a major thing, but it is an abandonment of the true democratic process. Perhaps National needs a reminder that when the legislation was first introduced after the mosque atrocity that every single member of National voted for it. So were you wrong then or are you wrong now? Both these stories feel like the tail wagging the dog and makes National look weak. And I don't like that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Q&A Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it's time for New Zealand to have an "honest" conversation about the levels of taxation and Government debt needed to afford the things we want as a country. Former gun lobbyist Nicole McKee has used her power as a Government minister to reduce regulation for gun clubs — without any public consultation. Documents obtained by 1News show officials raised the alarm about a change to the Arms Regulations in May, saying they were being processed under a "short time frame". The average New Zealand household could save nearly $1500 a year by installing rooftop solar and batteries, and switching out gas and fuel for electric appliances and cars, according to a high-powered report by Renewable energy advocate Saul Griffith that finds New Zealand overall can save $95 billion by 2040 if it electrifies its economy and moves away from fossil fuels. Piers Morgan again invites on the wrong person who smashes apart the Pro-Trump framing that Morgan set up with all his guests. Tim Miller from the Bulwark podcast explained to Morgan why his previous guest, Trump sycophant Corey Lewandowski, was wrong and challenged Piers about having no pushback to Lewandowski but this is not new for Morgan.==================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

To add to the contention surrounding David Seymour's revitalisation of charter schools, new documents have revealed that the bill may go against international labour obligations and fair trade agreements.  A select committee report revealed a late addition to the charter schools bill, blocking staff at the schools from joining Multi-Employer Collective Agreements, which enable employees to be tied to unions.  This sparked controversy, with opposition MPs concerned about the omission of this information from the select committee and the public.  For their weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party's Simon Court about why staff should be prohibited from these collectives, and why the information was withheld from the public.  She also asked him about new concerns surrounding Nicole McKee and firearms reform, in which McKee used her power as a Government minister to reduce regulation for gun clubs — without any public consultation. And finally they talked about the ACT party's views on 43 out of 45 councils voting to hold a referendum on their Maori wards, rather than disestablishing them. 

Hey team, #BHN whanau meeting tonight about the next stage in #BHN which has become more eident since the week off. If you want to know first then be there at 9pm as we'll start the show with a catch up. A gun lobbyist in Government is now in charge of gun reform, Jack Tame talked to Nicole McKee on her ties to the industry and desire to remove the Police Association from the conversation Simeon Brown joined Jack Tame and talked rooftop solar, Council "nice to haves" and why National allows Councils to be independent right up and until they do something National disagrees with then the central government mandates come into play. ==================================== 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

With Nicole McKee, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo and Phillipa Yasbek.

Anna Craig is from a small Wairarapa hapū who have recently purchased back some of their ancestorial land and are now running a PledgeMe to help with placing buildings on that land. Anna joins us to talk about where they are at. See the full story on The Hui here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw_ZIFB75qo Associate Minister of Justice, Nicole McKee, hasn't consulted the Police Association as part of her reform of the Firearms Registry. Documents also show McKee suggested removing police advice that she should consult with more non-gun owners. Don Brash joined Matthew Tukaki on Waatea to talk about the Hobson's pledge advertorial the NZ Herald carried last week. The disability sector is being hit with cuts and disabled NZer and their advocates are worried about what this will mean for the recipients of funding and services ==================================== 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

Associate Justice Minister Nicole Mckee accused union boss Chris Cahill of throwing his toys out of the cot because he didn't get his own way. It comes after Cahill wrote an open letter raising concerns of alleged bias and calling for the Police Minister to take over responsiblity for the review because the police association has not been included in the latest round of consultation, Minister Nicole McKee speaks to Lisa Owen.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Police Association won't be left out of consultation on the firearms registry. Association President Chris Cahill has penned an open letter asking for Nicole McKee's role in reviewing the law to be stripped and given to the Police Minister. McKee says the association wasn't asked for early consultation but police were - she says they will get their chance down the track. She says the claims that she was head of the firearms lobby in 2017 are off base. "I've always been quite open and friendly towards them - but when somebody wants to make personal attacks against a person... I just think that's unnecessary."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government recently announced increases to visa application fees across several groups, in some cases more than doubling the cost to applicants. These changes are due to increase revenue for Immigration NZ, and are said to make the organisation 100% self-sufficient.  On the 12th of August, the New Zealand Police Association released an open letter to the government calling out their exclusion from discussions around firearms legislation reform. The letter spoke to the necessity of existing legislation, and criticised the involvement of former and present gun lobbyists in the process, including the minister in charge Nicole McKee. According to the ACT party website, McKee was formerly the spokesperson for The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners, a gun lobbyist group.  In our weekly catchup with the National Party's Katie Nimon, Wire host Castor asked about the changes to visa application fees and the involvement of police and gun lobbyists in firearms legislation reform. 

The New Zealand Police Association yesterday released an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon discussing firearms legislation reform. In the letter, the association called out the government for their exclusion from the policy making process, as the Police Association has been a key group calling for the introduction and continuation of a firearms registry. The Police Association also called into question the involvement of gun lobby groups in discussions of reform, particularly the history of Associate Minister and minister in charge of the reforms, Nicole McKee. Before becoming an MP, McKee had been the spokesperson for the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners, a gun lobby group. This has led some to call into question her impartiality and ability to assess evidence regarding firearms legislation reform.  Wire host Castor spoke to President of the New Zealand Police Association, Chris Cahill, about the letter, the firearms registry, and involvement of gun lobbyists in firearms legislation decision making. 

For their weekly catchup, Wire Host and News and Editorial Director, Joel, speaks to the ACT Party's Simon Court, about calls from the New Zealand police association for ACT MP, Nicole McKee, to step down from her responsibilities in the firearms reform. Also for our week catchup, they speak to Te Pāti Māori's Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, around local council's voting on the future of Māori wards in their constituencies, the Ngāpuhi hīkoi over the government's plans to reverse section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, and Te Pāti Māori's calls to boycott the newspaper, The Herald. They spoke to Professor at the University of Auckland Faculty of Law, Claire Charters, around the controversial decision to include an advertisement by right-wing lobby group, Hobson's Pledge, in The Herald. The also spoke to Professional Teaching Fellow in Social Sciences at the University of Auckland, Chris McMillan, about whether the Olympics, as well as team New Zealand, are doing enough to lower their carbon footprint. Finally, they spoke to youth worker and co-founder of Kick Back, Aaron Hendry, about the Ministry of Social Development changing their eligability for Emergency Housing, and what this means for vulnerable youth.

We thought we'd start this morning looking at the Justice Select Committee's review of the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill. Exciting stuff, it's all in the way you say it!  This is something that is part of a suite of reforms that the government is bringing in to help crack down on gangs. It's the job of the Justice Select Committee, which is made-up of all parties, to take into account the views of citizens who make submissions to consider them, to consider the legislation, to make sure it's good legislation that it's intended to do what it says it's going to do, that there are no unintended consequences as a result of the legislation. And as you can imagine, there's a bit of toing and froing on it.   But it made me think too about one of the great mysteries and conundrums in my life, and that is why police and licensed firearms users in this country aren't besties, because you're both on the same side. You're law abiding, guarantee the vast majority of both groups enjoy the outdoors. Many police would enjoy going hunting. You're not into thugs and bullies and law breakers, that's not what you're about. You're on the side of the angels, you know how to handle a weapon, unlike most other groups in the country. You enjoy the outdoors, you understand the need for firearms where other groups might not, and yet so many times when the issue of how best to manage the firearms inventory in this country and how to manage access to firearms comes up, police and firearms users end up metaphorically yelling at each other across a divide while the bad guys continue the drive by shootings. In a way, it's a colossal diversion for the unlawful, who just sit back, grab the popcorn, watch the licensed firearms users in the different lobby groups and the police yell at each other. And then once they scoff down the popcorn, a little light drive by shooting before a drive through at Macca's and home, and that's a good day done if you're a gangster. And none of the words, and none of the legislation, and none of the argy bargy and the lobbying has affected them one little bit.   So we've got the firearms prohibition orders legislation Amendment Bill being discussed and the Justice Select Committee has recommended softening it, restricting what can be the subject of a warrantless search. They used as an example if somebody who owned a hotel and was under a firearms prohibitions order, you couldn't search all the rooms in the hotel. They'd have to be due reason to search the rooms, you couldn't just have a blanket policy of searching every single room in the hotel.   The bill is part of the Government's crackdown on gangs, the FPO's are meant to place restrictions on high-risk individuals by reducing the likelihood of them accessing firearms. Now, I have a problem with the basic premise of that. If introducing a piece of legislation did indeed reduce the likelihood of a gangster getting a gun, go for it. But given what we know about how gangsters access their firearms, given what we know about the illegal importation and trade of all sorts of firearms that come into this country down through the South Pacific, you can get anything you like – birds, guns, drugs, probably ancient relics, you name it, it can be smuggled into the country and there's just no way of keeping tabs on it. So sure, bring in your arms prohibition order. I see you your firearms prohibition order and raise you six containers coming in from South America or China.    FPO's are already possible under legislation that was introduced from the previous government. And they thought, oh, voters are quite serious about this law and order thing, aren't they? Best we do something about it. Now 30 FPO's had been issued in the first 15 months of the law taking effect, eight of which were to gang members. The government's new bill would give police new warrantless search powers and pivot FPO's more towards gang members and their associates. They'd also be applicable to a much wider range of people, up to 3 1/2 times as many under the current law, because lower-level offences would be included. But the Justice Select Committee wants to see some of those provisions scaled back, fearing it will give the police too many powers. Nicole McKee, who's the Associate Justice Minister, says she understands the concerns of the committee but ultimately the government wants guns out of the hands of those who are doing the most harm.  “Some of the things that they have talked about is they're looking at who's captured by firearms prohibition orders. They want to decrease the number of eligible offenses, and they've got some concerns around the warrantless searches. And I take on board what they say. Some of it I agree with, some of it I don't, but at the end of the day, we need to stop the drive by shootings of innocent families that are being held to ransom by gangs and their illegal use of these weapons.”  And again, this is my sticking point. If legislation could do that, fill your boots, draft as many laws as you like. But until you can stop basically importation at will of anything anybody in the criminal underworld wants, it's utterly, utterly pointless. I mean, sure, give them the powers of search so they can have a look, that's great. But a Firearms Prohibition Order won't be worth the paper it's printed on. I suppose it sets up a process so that if you've got a Firearms Prohibitions Order against you, it means that the police can then trigger the search, but it's not going to stop you having a firearm.  Does anybody seriously think it's going to stop the shootings that are taking place? And you've now got innocent collateral who are being used in the drive by shootings, the parents of gangsters, the siblings of gangsters, the children of gangsters, they're all getting caught up in it as well.   So sure, bring in your firearms prohibition order, will that keep guns out of the hands of gangsters? Absolutely not. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is backing its gang crackdown. The proposed Firearm Prohibition Order laws would ban people from holding a firearms licence, over lower-level offences - and allow warrantless police searches of suspects. The Justice Select Committee is asking the Government to scale back the plan, citing concerns it gives police too much power. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is firm, but says she's taking suggestions on board. "At the end of the day, we need to stop the drive-by shootings of innocent families that are being held to ransom by gangs - and their illegal use of weapons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Associate Justice Minister is urging the public to submit on proposed three-strike laws. A Bill to reinstate the sentencing is being introduced to Parliament today, but it won't include sentences under two years. Minister Nicole McKee says it is fit for purpose. "I think that we need to go harsh and hard on our criminals, especially those serious violent ones - but I also think that we need to have some sort of out for the lower-level offending." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By Gareth VaughanHow seriously is the public sector taking the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing?This question comes up in a new episode of interest.co.nz's Of Interest podcast, featuring barrister and solicitor Fiona Hall and anti-money laundering auditor and consultant Martin Dilly.In a recent article the two raised concerns about impending job cuts to the team at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) tasked with supervising compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act). Dilly says the DIA proposal to cut 40% of AML/CFT staff "gives us concern that that's going to affect their ability to enforce and supervise this act." There's concern whether the next evaluation of New Zealand by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body that sets international standards and is considered the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, will show NZ technically compliant with FATF's recommendations, and whether we're effective in supervising the reporting entities who must comply with the law."I have heard some reporting entities clapping their hands with joy if they're supervised by the DIA, but it's not the good reporting entities. And I like to think that most businesses are good businesses that want to comply with the law. And the risk you have is, yes, sure, if there are far fewer DIA investigators, you're less likely to get a knock on your door. But the problem is, if you do get a knock on your door, you now might be being investigated by someone who really doesn't have a good handle on the legislation, let alone a good understanding of your business. And you are going to be in a much worse position," Hall says.Dilly made an Official Information Act (OIA) request to DIA in an attempt to get more information, which he says "shows a pattern of under resourcing of the AML team within the DIA." "They were essentially budgeted to have 55 staff members. That's what they had determined was necessary...The information provided shows at no point did they ever hit 55 staff. They've been consistently below that. In 2022, they only had 37 staff instead of 55... So the question becomes, why is that?""One of the other questions I specifically asked was, has any of the budget been reallocated from the AML team to other areas of the Department of Internal Affairs? And we get some government speak here. So one of the things they talk about is they don't talk about reallocation. They use the terminology 'a permanent reprioritisation of constant underspend.' And my question is, well, what does constant underspend mean? Why would you be underspending your budget in an area where you are tasked with implementing AML and educating and supervising these new entities [lawyers, accountants and real estate agents]?" Dilly asks.Other issues Hall and Dilly cite include different agendas and lack of consistency to AML/CFT Act supervision between the DIA, and NZ's two other AML/CFT Act supervisors, the Reserve Bank and Financial Markets Authority.The two are hopeful that Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee's proclamation that reforming the AML/CFT Act is "one of my priorities this parliamentary term," could lead to improvement. They would both like to see a shift to a single standalone supervisor."I think the results from the [DIA] OIA show that if it's within other ministries that you cannot trust them to not reallocate budget, whatever language they want to put on that. The other point I would really like to see is a move back to a more risk based approach. The act itself is risk based, which essentially means that we accept that people have limited resources and you are supposed to direct those resources towards the areas of highest risk in your business," says Dilly.Hall would like to see better supervision of the supervisors.The two also have many tales of frustration and contradiction. Hall gives the example of a client that collects school donations, arranges school lunches, the uniform shop, and sells tickets to school shows, and has been deemed high risk of money laundering."I sat with the Minister and said, 'look, how does buying two pairs of grey shorts from a school uniform shop ever get anywhere near, I mean, this is where I'm going to launder my money?' It is ridiculous."On the flip side she points out the likes of Ticketmaster, selling tickets to shows, aren't considered reporting entities None of those are considered reporting entities, and neither are travel agents who have trust accounts and manage funds."So we have this real disconnect, in my view, even about who is and isn't a reporting entity," Hall says.Meanwhile in the real estate sector, they have to do customer due diligence."Their customer is the vendor, it's not the buyer, which I always find so interesting because that's where the money is. And often a property's been bought years and years before, and suddenly, you know, the vendor's been asked to prove how they purchased this and how they funded it, and there is resistance."There are also personal anecdotes. Dilly says the bank he has been a customer of for more than 40 years asked him about an account he has had for 25 years."They have full visibility of every one of my financial transactions. And I was interrogated as to what my plans were for that account. And my thinking was why? Why would you rely on anything I tell you when you've got 25 years of data on my behaviour? If I was an actual money launderer, why would I give you a straight story?"And here's Hall; "I was at the supermarket checkout and I'd been having a particularly trying day for poor entities [clients] that I didn't think should be captured [by the AML/CFT Act] at all. And I was standing in line and I looked up and I was behind a whole lot of gang members...They were buying lots of meat, lots of alcohol, and out came the wads of cash. And I thought, 'my poor clients who are spending all their money trying to comply, and really there's the money that we probably are looking for right in front of me."Much more is discussed in the podcast including why the public should care about the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing and the impact of it, the purpose of it, concerns NZ could end up on a grey list, concerns over whether the Police Financial Intelligence Unit is reactive and doesn't have the capacity to deal with all the suspicious activity reports they receive, quick wins with asset seizure where there's a lower threshold from a legal perspective, and more.*You can find all episodes of the Of Interest podcast here.

The government will change the Arms Act by 2026 - as part of its planned firearms reforms.  Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said New Zealand's gun laws had been in place for over four decades.  McKee told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We want to remove NZ Police from the administration, regulation and policymaking of firearms.”  She said this will allow Police to focus on enforcement - and get the gangs away from guns.  LISTEN ABOVE.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I presume the lead story in the Herald on Sunday was welcomed by police and those behind our stronger gun laws.   An Auckland pensioner and his daughter have been caught for legally buying 13 guns for the Comancheros motorcycle gang.   It's the latest of dozens of discoveries by police of licensed gun owners buying for gangs who cannot legally purchase guns.   It was validation of good old-fashioned police work. Over the past 4 years the police have analysed more than 350,000 sales records looking for suspicious patterns of spending.    They then correlate the purchases with the records of gun owners, and they discover the gang's straw buyers.   But to me, it also validates the strengthening of the laws back in 2019 after the Christchurch mosque massacre.   That saw the banning of military-style semi-automatics, stricter rules on the “fit and proper” test to hold a license, the establishment of a gun registry, and a set of rules designed to ensure gun clubs and ranges are safe places.   At the time, gun owners made out that the laws criminalised legal gun owners which was a massive over-exaggeration.  It criminalised a type of gun only. A type of gun that non MSSA owners find intimidating and unnecessary. A gun that turns any idiot into a killing machine as long as they can handle the recoil.   And the new rules also told the citizens of New Zealand that ownership of a gun is not a right but a privilege that must be earned.     But they also say that once it's earnt there's no problem at all as long as it's not a military-style automatic.   And slowly it's beginning to make sense to even the law's hardest detractors.   Act campaigned on a full repeal of the legislation and the minister in charge is Act's Nicole Mckee   She is also the former spokesperson for the council of licensed firearms owners.   She was also interviewed in the paper yesterday where she said gun owners hoping for a rollback will be disappointed.   Act campaigned on greater access to MSSAs and scrapping the gun registry, but these didn't make it into coalition agreements.   Instead, the National-Act agreement committed to repealing the regulations around gun clubs and shooting ranges - which Mckee has now backed off from doing completely - a review of the registry and a rewrite of the arms act.   But, at the moment, the laws are being seen to work.  And here's the rub.  If you support getting tough on crime then you must also support getting tough on gun ownership.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you smiling walking into your corporate job every day, even though deep down you could break down at any moment? It's not healthy, but it feels necessary. In this episode, Adele and Nicole McKee walk you through the idea of high functioning anxiety and how it affects you on a day to day basis, especially when you're just "faking it til you make it"! Nicole's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.mentalhealth.mentor/ Nicole's Website: www.thementalhealthmentor.com Download Adele's Journey Journal here : https://adelejohnstoncoaching.com/my-journey-journal/ Enquire about 121 coaching here : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw6vrmKPE7A1eYDKQJiR9No7ZDdpfq-grBdKYjZSR-vl0Qag/viewform   For extra support: Support@adelejohnstoncoaching.com ____________ From your host : Adele Johnston I'm Adele Johnston, a certified nutritionist and positive psychology coach, passionate about helping women improve their menopause health and reclaim who you are without menopause taking over. This is a time in your life where you get to feel vibrant, sexy and reclaim you again! I'm proud to work with women like you and have created a very successful proven Reclaiming You 3 STEP PROCESS to help you take back control of your body during your menopause. For more details : https://adelejohnstoncoaching.com/ To get Adele's FREE 3-step Menopause Weight Loss Guide: https://adelejohnstoncoaching.com/menopause-weight-loss-guide/

An Associate Justice Minister says gun owners need to be proactive when seeking help for mental health. Firearm owners say they aren't reaching out when struggling for fear their firearms could be taken away by police. Nicole McKee — herself a former head of the country's Council of Licensed Firearms Owners — told Mike Hosking gun owners shouldn't be holding back from getting treatment. “If they're not feeling that they're mentally up to it, then they should offload their firearms to a friend or family member and absolutely go seek some help.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister-in-charge of bringing back Three Strikes Laws is hitting back at claims will worsen inequality in the justice system. The Government is preparing legislation to bring back mandated prison sentences for violent and sexual criminals for their third offence. Labour ended the law in 2022 and says it will result in unfairly long sentence, while the Greens say it will disproportionately impact Maori. But Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee told Heather du Plessis-Allan this is about incarcerating the most serious, violent offenders. She says she doesn't care what their ethnicity is - if they do the crime - they need to be locked up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is giving the police more powers to take gangs guns off gangs. Firearm protection orders already allow the courts to stop the high risk offenders from being around guns at all. But now that's going to be extended to any member or associate of a gang with a significant conviction. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that they're "enabling New Zealand police to be able to search any person with a firearms prohibition order at any time at any place."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dream run for Act is over. For a party that has been as clean as a whistle in terms of candidates, it all came unstuck yesterday. This past term saw an increase in numbers and as history shows, in parties like New Zealand First, the United Party, and to some degree the Greens, when you expand you run the risk of having a talent pool issue. The star of that show is New Zealand first and the arrival of the Tight Five - Tau Henare, Tuku Morgan and all that particular cluster that eventually imploded. It is a salutary lesson in expanding too fast, or not being prepared for an electoral result that is better than you anticipated. This past term Act has seen the rise of people like Brooke van Velden, who stands, according to polling, a very real chance of a boil over against National in the Tamaki seat. Nicole McKee has been a rising star. You need to be a bit of a parliamentary wonk and follow matters closely, but Chris Bailey, Simon Court and Karen Chhour have also performed well, just not with as high of a profile. So far so good - until yesterday when the nutters got flushed. One has gone a while back and sang some weird songs about Jacinda so let's discount him. One quit because of past social media commentary around vaccines and Nazi camps and one asked a bunch of dumb questions around vaccines and drowning that he now says was a mistake. Here is the mistake - not doing the due diligence on fruit loops. For New Zealand First, the Kirsten Murfitt candidate from the Bay of Plenty, to a degree, is grist to the mill. She's representative of a party and a bloke so desperate for power he will hang out with anyone for a vote. But, they are fringe. It's sad but it's the sort of thing I am not surprised at, given the past three or four years of Covid and our response. Act though, are mainstream. Act have been the rockstar party of the past term. David Seymour's unrelenting prosecution of his particular political ideology is admired, even by people who would never vote for him. He has rightly earned real credibility and the polls have shown it. No party has been more consistent in their polling and no party has grown their vote as well as Act. There is a reason for that - it isn't because they have the crazies for candidates. Labour is spending a lot of time and energy now looking for dirt, because they don't have a record to stand on. What Rawiri Waititi did in the house is unforgivable. But this is where this campaign, tragically, is going. The trick is to stay clean, be beyond reproach and be above the fray. You don't do that by selecting candidates who will haunt you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers SHANAN HALBERT to the Associate Minister of Education (Maori Education): What recent changes has the Government made for Maori tertiary institutions? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she agree with the recent Working for Families review that it presents "the best opportunity in the coming years to achieve substantial reductions in measured child poverty and to make significant 'headway' towards achieving the ten-year targets"? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions related to Government tax and spending decisions? INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement, "My focus is a justice system where victims feel safe, heard, and empowered"? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: Does he agree with the former Minister of Transport Hon Phil Twyford's statement that New Zealand has "over-invested in roads"; if not, why not? DAN ROSEWARNE to the Minister of Defence: What recent announcements has he made about strengthening New Zealand's defence? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, "It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer"; if so, why? Dr EMILY HENDERSON to the Minister of Police: What progress has been made on delivering the firearms registry? CHRIS PENK to the Minister for Cyclone Recovery: Does he stand by all of his actions in relation to the Government's response to Cyclone Gabrielle? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all of her Government's actions and policies? Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he support the principles contained within the preamble of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993; if so, does he believe Maori should have control over Maori land?

Questions to Ministers INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? GLEN BENNETT to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What action is the Government taking to decarbonise New Zealand's energy sector? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with tax advice provided to him by the Treasury that "fiscal drag has had the greatest impact on average full time wage earners. However, it is increasingly impacting lower income individuals over time", and will the Government adjust tax thresholds to address this? NICOLE MCKEE to the Minister of Justice: What was the total cost of cultural reports funded by the Ministry of Justice in October 2017, and what was the total cost of cultural reports funded by the Ministry of Justice in May 2023? DAN ROSEWARNE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What recent announcement has she made about New Zealand's ongoing response to Russia's assault on Ukraine? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement, "Dental care is something that can be put off due to affordability difficulties, especially for low-income households. We know that issues with dental health have a negative impact on people's general health, financial health, ability to work, and quality of life"; if so, does she have confidence people unable to afford dental care can access dental grants? VANUSHI WALTERS to the Minister of Police: What recent progress have Police made on tackling organised crime? DR SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: How many times has her office requested officials delay the release of information, as she described in the correction to her response to oral question No. 8 last Wednesday, and when did she first receive any communication suggesting the answers she gave to question No. 8 were not accurate? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? RACHEL BOYACK to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What recent announcement has she made regarding a new food industry for New Zealand? HON PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Is she confident the Government has the correct priorities in justice?

Questions to Ministers: DR EMILY HENDERSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent reports has she seen on the effects of changes to the welfare system since 2017? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Minister of Corrections: What actions, if any, is he taking in response to a recent report from the independent Office of the Inspectorate which found that 29 percent of all prisoners experienced solitary confinement over a 12-month period, seriously impacting on the wellbeing of people in prison and their families? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? DR ANAE NERU LEAVASA to the Minister of Health: What recent announcement has the Government made about increasing the number of first-year medical school places? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: What was the change in GDP per capita in each of the past two quarters, and does he agree that, by that measure, the New Zealand economy is going backwards? HON PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Forestry: What recent forestry announcement has the Government made regarding the New Zealand emissions trading scheme? DR SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: How much weighting will be given to the ethnicity component of the equity adjuster for surgical wait-lists, and what other parts of the health system, if any, has she looked at applying the adjuster to? NICOLE MCKEE to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement that "It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer with a Government on track to deliver 1,800 extra police"; if so, why, when gangs have recruited close to twice as many members in the nearly six years it took to recruit those extra police? CAMILLA BELICH to the Associate Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent announcement has she made about more financial support for parents? HON PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcement has he made on market studies? HON MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Minister of Finance: Is he concerned at the findings in the Productivity Commission's A fair chance for all report that approximately 1 in 5 New Zealanders experience persistent disadvantage; if so, will he commit to making the changes needed to end persistent disadvantage in New Zealand?

ACT has slammed the Government's gun laws, labelling them as a "major let down." Newstalk ZB can reveal only two Firearms Prohibition Orders have been issued since they were introduced last November. The FPOs were billed as a way to target violent criminals, banning those with a history of offending from being anywhere near a gun. Act Firearms Reforms Spokesperson Nicole McKee told Mike Hosking every firearms law passed by Labour has been "knee jerk." She says there needs to be a more practical approach that works alongside the firearms community. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers Hon Dr DAVID CLARK to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement that she is taking a "victim-centric" approach to justice, and is this victim-centric approach compatible with the Government's justice policies? GLEN BENNETT to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What is the Government doing to improve the energy efficiency of New Zealand homes? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? SORAYA PEKE-MASON to the Associate Minister of Housing (Maori Housing): What progress has the Government made towards delivery of housing for Maori? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions on tax? IBRAHIM OMER to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: How does the early entry into force of the free-trade agreement between New Zealand and the United Kingdom build on the enduring relationship between the UK and New Zealand? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Education: Why didn't she at the earliest possible opportunity correct her answer on 22 February where she stated, "I can categorically tell that member that the Ministry of Education is responsible for the data. I have no say over that", given she stated yesterday that "my staff verbally informed me after question time on 22 February that members of my staff had been in correspondence with the Ministry of Education regarding the timing of term 3 attendance data release", and why did her staff ask the Ministry to release the attendance data after her attendance announcement? VANUSHI WALTERS to the Minister of Police: What progress has been made on ensuring Police constabulary staff is more representative of New Zealand's population? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister of Education: Does she consider the Government has done enough to address the concerns of teachers striking today? MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: Does he stand by all of the Government's statements and actions on New Zealand's broadcasting and media sector? MARK CAMERON to the Minister for the Environment: How many farms utilised intensive winter grazing practices in 2022 on land with a slope of over 10 degrees, and what percentage of those farms, if any, are currently compliant with intensive winter grazing regulations?

Questions to Ministers INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Acting Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Acting Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's policies and statements? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that "There will need to be adjustments to tax income thresholds", and will he prioritise those adjustments as part of the Government's 2023 Budget? Dr LIZ CRAIG to the Minister for Children: What recent progress has he seen from the Enabling Communities work in Oranga Tamariki? CHRIS BISHOP to the Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness): How much of the $75 million she announced in Budget 2022 for delivering the Government's vision of an Aotearoa where homelessness is prevented, wherever possible, has been spent to date, if any, and what are the metrics, if any, for how each of the initiatives funded through the investment will be measured? TERISA NGOBI to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about investments in passenger rail? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: Why was only $3.73 million of the $22 million approved funding for round 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Fund spent in 2022, and when the Ministry of Justice's website states "Round 6 closed on 14 February 2022. The round is currently paused", does this accurately reflect the status of the fund? PAUL EAGLE to the Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health): What recent announcement has he made on health equity? VANUSHI WALTERS to the Minister of Police: What recent announcements has the Government made about supporting the victims of retail crime? ANDREW BAYLY to the Minister of Revenue: Does he stand by his statement that arguments against using unrealised gains for calculating effective tax rates are "bankrupt and rubbish", and will he rule out introducing legislation for a capital gains tax this year?

Questions to Ministers NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement on Radio New Zealand last month that "we're not going to let low and middle income people particularly suffer at the hands of the high inflation we're seeing"; if so, is he delivering on that commitment? ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reports has she seen on the update of hardship grants for dental assistance? CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister of Housing: What advice has she sought, if any, on the impact of rising interest rates on housing costs? ANGELA ROBERTS to the Minister of Health: What improvements have been made in Taranaki for patients requiring renal services? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: Is the emergency department qualifying attendance data published by Health New Zealand this week different from the corrected ED data that she advised the House on 14 March 2023 was the correct data; if so, what are the differences? NAISI CHEN to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: What announcements has he made regarding funding for world-class public media? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has she seen on the composition of the Police workforce across New Zealand? SIMON WATTS to the Minister of Local Government: What has been the total departmental expenditure to date on Three Waters, and is he confident it has represented good value for money? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: Is she concerned that increasing fees for a new firearms licence from $126.50 to $625.60, as proposed in the Arms Regulations: Review of Fees discussion document, will deter potential applicants and encourage the illegal use of firearms, and is she also concerned that increasing the firearms dealers licence fee from $204 to $2,710 annually will impact upon the safe use of firearms within the community? DAN ROSEWARNE to the Minister for Veterans: What recognition and support is the Government giving to veterans as we look towards ANZAC Day? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister of Defence: Does he stand by his statement that joining AUKUS "could not compromise our legal obligations and our moral commitment to nuclear-free"; if so, does he think that AUKUS is a threat to a nuclear-free and independent Pacific?

Police are proposing licensed firearms owners pay the costs for their attendance at a burglary. This proposal was included as part of the Arms Regulation: Review of Fees 2022, which was released in December and closes for consultation on 16 February. ACT's Firearms Reforms spokesperson, Nicole McKee says this will price people out of legal firearms ownership. "This actually goes against what's in the Arms Act, which is effectively saying that people should not have to pay to be a victim of a criminal. Section 80 really sets it out, where they say that police are not to charge for calls relating to potential offending." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? Hon EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister of Conservation: What, if any, options for protecting public conservation land from mining is she considering? HELEN WHITE to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: Does she agree with reports that the managing director of Cultural Reports NZ said that "even if a report costs up to $6,000, if it leads to a lengthy prison sentence term being reduced by say, a year, the fiscal benefits alone are huge"; if so, is prioritising fiscal benefits over victims consistent with a "victim-centric approach"? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What actions is the Government taking to make fuel markets more resilient, sustainable, and competitive? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement about the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund that "The Fund is not there to be used for any old project in the never-never. It is to provide support and stimulus to recover and rebuild from COVID-19"; if so, does he support the draw-down and redirection of $72.3 million to help cover unfunded Department of Internal Affairs three waters work? TERISA NGOBI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What updates has she seen on the take-up of the Training Incentive Allowance? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcement has the Government made about the bus driver workforce? Dr JAMES McDOWALL to the Minister of Police: How many, if any, businesses in Hamilton have had assessments completed under the Retail Crime Prevention Programme, and of those, how many have had installations of protective equipment completed, if any? MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: Does he stand by all the Government's views and actions regarding Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media? WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Associate Minister of Local Government: What recent announcement has the Government made on rural water supplies?

Questions to Ministers CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Minister of Conservation: Does she consider 18 percent marine protection areas is adequate for the Hauraki Gulf; if not, will she work with iwi and hapu to increase protection to 30 percent as called for by Forest & Bird? ANGIE WARREN-CLARK to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What announcements has she made about the social sector in New Zealand? NICOLA WILLIS to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What decisions, if any, has she made from her review of New Zealand's position on deep-sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Conservation: Why has the Department of Conservation reportedly given full support to Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatua's plan to remove 48 DOC huts from Te Urewera, and what date, if any, has she been given for their replacement? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement in relation to the way the justice system operated during a recent rape case, "The last thing that we would like to see, that anybody in government or any New Zealander, would be that a victim is put off from coming forward to share their story and have somebody take accountability where they cause sexual violence and harms to victims"; if so, what changes, if any, is she considering to how the justice system operates? WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Associate Minister of Housing (Maori Housing): What has the Government done to improve housing outcomes for Maori? ERICA STANFORD to the Associate Minister of Education (School Operations): What is an example of a question in the 2022 NCEA Numeracy and Literacy pilot that she believes was not culturally "appropriate", as she has claimed, and does she believe students should only be asked questions about things they have personally experienced? MARJA LUBECK to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What steps is the Government taking to improve wages and conditions for Kiwi workers? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: What is the total amount of subsidies the Government has paid out to Tesla owners through the clean car discount scheme, and how many Teslas have been purchased through the scheme? Dr EMILY HENDERSON to the Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment: How is the Government delivering on its commitment to strengthen social cohesion? MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: Does he stand by all of his actions and views regarding the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill?

GLEN BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? ANNA LORCK to the Minister of Housing: What actions has the Government taken to address the shortage of housing in Hastings? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: When was inflation last in the Reserve Bank's 1-3 percent target range, and when does he expect inflation to return to below 3 percent? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does she have confidence in all her Ministers? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister of Conservation: How has Jobs for Nature supported employment opportunities and conservation efforts across the country? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: How much in financial reparations is currently outstanding to victims of crime, and what is the lowest amount being paid by instalment to a victim? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: What concerns does he have in Middlemore Hospital's ability to provide health care, following the recent independent report which found the hospital's emergency department was "unsafe, dysfunctional and overcrowded", and reports that senior doctors have requested that the Royal Australasian College of Physicians consider revoking Middlemore Hospital's General Medicine training accreditation? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister for Maori Development: How has the Government supported Maori into employment and training? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Minister of Justice: Does she have confidence in the Government's approach to regulating the use and supply of all drugs, including alcohol? RACHEL BOYACK to the Minister for Emergency Management: What recent reports has he received on the preparedness of New Zealanders for an emergency? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: How much money has been paid out from the Retail Crime Prevention Programme to date, and how many businesses have had protective equipment installed since the fund was established in May this year?

New Zealand's greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week in the 2023 Election special from Wellington with ACT Party MP Nicole McKee and TOP Leader Raf Manji Damien Grant will also be present. Unique political commentary unlike any otherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do Nicole McKee, Joseph Mooney, Teanau Tuiono and Sarah Pallett have in common? They're first term MPs who have shared their experiences with us.

The waiting list to renew a firearms license is getting substantially long.  Long enough to the point where thousands of gun owners have been waiting six months for a renewal. Hundreds more gun owners have been waiting at least a year.   ACT's Nicole McKee is here with us to explain why these limitations have become impractical for gun owners, as travelling to find a new person to hand your guns off to isn't an effective solution. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? HELEN WHITE to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? JAN LOGIE to the Minister of Housing: Is she satisfied with the Government's progress on accessible public housing? JAMIE STRANGE to the Minister for Building and Construction: What progress is being made to reduce critical shortages in the supply of plasterboard? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ANZ that "high inflation is likely to remain with us for some time yet"; if so, does he still stand by his May statement that "the short term challenge of inflation is significant"? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Minister of Finance: Why did the Crown provide an indemnity to the Reserve Bank against losses from the Large-Scale Asset Purchase programme, and what is the Crown's maximum liability that it could be forced to pay the bank as a result of the programme? MARJA LUBECK to the Minister of Immigration: What recent reports has he seen about critical workforce support for Kiwi businesses? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: How many people, if any, waited longer than four months to see a specialist, and how many, if any, waited longer than four months for surgery, in the 12 months to June 30 this year? Dr EMILY HENDERSON to the Minister of Justice: What legislation is the Government progressing to reduce delays in the Family Court? PENNY SIMMONDS to the Minister of Education: Does he stand by his statement regarding the Te Pukenga forecast deficit of $110 million, "I've also been clear the projected deficit was too high and that more work needed to be done there"; if so, what work has been done to reduce the deficit? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: Is he satisfied with the Police's firearms administration ability, given there were over 3,000 licensed firearms owners waiting at least four months for their license renewals in June 2022, and does he believe that licensed firearms owners should be satisfied with these wait times too? TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister for Emergency Management: How is NEMA helping to build a safe and resilient New Zealand which is ready to respond to emergencies?

Questions to Ministers NICOLA WILLIS to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by the Prime Minister's statement that "We need to be aspirational, and have a plan, but we also need to be disciplined and prioritise", and is he satisfied that the Government is delivering good outcomes for taxpayer money? INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister for the Public Service: Does he stand by the statements of Acting Public Service Minister Hon Grant Robertson that "I'm confident that the public service is delivering to New Zealanders" and "We'll always make sure that what we spend is careful"? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister for Children: How is the Government continuing to transform Oranga Tamariki? SIMON COURT to the Minister of Transport: How many people drive through the Mt Victoria tunnel per day, and how many does he project will walk and cycle through if the Government bans cars from the tunnel, as he announced this morning? ANGIE WARREN-CLARK to the Minister of Conservation: How has Jobs for Nature supported the restoration of Rotorua lakes? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement, "The emissions reduction plan is Government policy and something that we give great priority to. We will be considering that as we consider the best options to take mass rapid transit in Wellington forward"? TODD MULLER to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Why did she accept the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Statement of Performance Expectations for 2022/23, in which the FENZ board indicated budgeted revenue of $661 million? JAMIE STRANGE to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has he made on tourism infrastructure supporting Matariki? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement that she will bring a "victim-centric" approach to her job; if so, will she commit to introducing tougher penalties for offenders who repeatedly victimise New Zealanders? CHRIS PENK to the Minister of Justice: Does she have confidence victims of crime are receiving adequate support with timely access to justice; if not, why not? GREG O'CONNOR to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about the future of mass rapid transit in Wellington?

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? HELEN WHITE to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: What advice, if any, has he received about how much more interest each year someone with a $700,000 mortgage would be required to pay on a renewed mortgage today compared to the start of last year, and what impact does he expect rising interest rates will have on the cost of living? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by her statement that she will bring "a very victim-centric" approach to her new job; if so, will she commit to advocating for an increase in the funding available for victims in the next Budget to support her approach? Dr TRACEY McLELLAN to the Minister of Tourism: What response has he seen from the tourism industry following the announcement to remove pre-departure testing? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his statement, "we do acknowledge that, particularly when it comes to gangs, there is escalating tension there"; if so, when did the Government first recognise that gang tensions were escalating? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health): How is the Government supporting Maori primary and community care providers to lift their capability, capacity, and service sustainability? ANDREW BAYLY to the Minister for Building and Construction: When was the Government first made aware of the nationwide Gib shortage, and when does she expect to implement any recommendations made by yesterday's reported "high level taskforce"? JAMIE STRANGE to the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications: What recent announcements has he made about improving connectivity in rural New Zealand? CHRIS BAILLIE to the Minister of Police: What did he mean when he said yesterday, "I think the work she was doing around culture change in the police was very important and I hope that we'll be able to continue that", and does he believe that the current culture of police is completely focused on catching criminals? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement that "Investment in green transport options is a triple win for climate action - it reduces traffic congestion, promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and clears up the air around us"; if so, how does that factor into his consideration of the options for mass rapid transit in Wellington? CAMILLA BELICH to the Associate Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What announcement has the Government made about supporting new parents?

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Is she satisfied with advice received in 2021 from ministry officials which recommended against supporting a global moratorium on all deep sea mining; if so, why? IBRAHIM OMER to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to the Royal Commission's Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques: What progress has been made in implementing Recommendation 14 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Prime Minister's assessment about the Budget 2023 operating allowance that "in terms of increasing costs that are likely to be seen by some of our agencies and departments, we're looking at somewhere in the range of $3.5 billion that will be required to continue to operate as we stand"; if so, does $2.5 billion remain in the Budget 2023 operating allowance following the pre-commitments made in this year's Budget? LEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE to the Minister of Forestry: What support is the Government providing through Budget 2022 to help develop the forestry and wood processing sector? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: What is the current national nursing shortage for each of the four main nursing groups as described in written parliamentary question 11238, and which hospital facilities, if any, are currently impacted by nursing shortages? SARAH PALLETT to the Minister for Women: What advice has she received on the positive impacts that Budget 2022 will have for New Zealand women? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by his statement that "There's some evidence that when people come from offshore and get into nursing roles, that they might leave a bit sooner - if they get residence"; if so, does he also stand by his answer related to who gave him this evidence that "we spoke to the likes of the Aged Care Association and other home-based care stakeholders … we also kept in close contact with the Ministry of Health"? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister of Conservation: What support will Budget 2022 provide to help protect nature and tackle biodiversity loss? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: When did she first learn about the theft of licensed firearms owners' details from a disused Auckland City police station, and what explanation have Police given her, if any? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, "There is no doubt that our communities are feeling some incredible distress with the recent activities"; if so, does she believe gang tensions have increased under her watch?

A claim the Government is insincere in its approach to reining in gangs.Jacinda Ardern says she wants to introduce new laws to target them, that are more than token moves. She also says she wants to hit gang members' assets.Act Party Justice spokesperson Nicole McKee told Heather du Plessis-Allan the Government is playing politics."Three weeks ago Labour voted down my Bill which would have allowed Police that new threshold to freeze and seize assets upon finding an illegally held firearm in possession of a gang member."LISTEN ABOVE 

Questions to Ministers CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Does she have confidence in the current approach taken to enforcing the Healthy Homes Standards? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Housing: How is the Government supporting more people into their first homes through Budget 2022? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with Treasury that "inflation is being driven by strong domestic demand"; if so, does he believe his plans to spend an additional $38 billion over the next four years is adding upward or downward pressure on inflation? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Health: How is Budget 2022 helping to secure the future of New Zealanders' health? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, "I reject the premise that gang tensions have increased under this Government's watch", and how does she reconcile that with the twelve gang-related shootings last week? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: Does she agree with the Prime Minister, who told Stephen Colbert, "We had a buy-back scheme. People had legitimately and legally gone out and purchased these weapons, and we changed the laws. So, in fairness, we said that we will buy them back, and then we will destroy them. And so that is what we did"? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister of Tourism: How is the Government supporting the tourism industry to innovate and recover? Hon GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does she have a plan for ongoing engagement with Pacific countries currently considering the China-Pacific Island Countries Common Development Vision; if so, when will we learn about it? JAMIE STRANGE to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcements has he made regarding competition in the retail grocery sector?

ACT's justice spokesperson Nicole McKee joins the Weekend Collective to discuss what needs to be done as we record the 12th gang shooting in Auckland just this week. LISTEN ABOVE. 

Tova spoke to pro-gun advocate turned ACT MP, Nicole McKee, who says the reforms have not worked and were never going to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister for the Environment: What changes has the Government made to urban planning rules in Rotorua? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner's statement that "Conditions are ripe for a wage price spiral", and is he confident that in 2022 New Zealanders' wage growth, as measured by the labour cost index, will exceed inflation, as measured by the CPI? GREG O'CONNOR to the Minister of Police: What reports has she seen regarding efforts by Police to disrupt organised crime? JAN LOGIE to the Minister of Health: Does he believe the DHBs' approach to the current negotiation with allied, scientific, and technical health workers will improve job satisfaction and retention among the 70-plus groups represented in that negotiation? JO LUXTON to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has the Government recently made about supporting the tourism sector? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: How many of the 300,000 at-risk young people have been vaccinated in the measles catch-up campaign announced in July 2020, and what other non-COVID vaccination efforts are there, if any, to protect New Zealanders this winter? NAISI CHEN to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: What recent announcements has the Government made about strengthening public media? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his statements and actions on immigration? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for Maori Development: What reports has he seen on cadetships? MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: How much has he been advised the merger of TVNZ and Radio New Zealand will cost, and how much ongoing taxpayer funding, if any, will the new public media entity he is creating receive? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by all her statements and policies regarding firearms? RACHEL BOYACK to the Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness): What recent report has she seen on the progress of the Homelessness Action Plan?

The Free Speech Union's Jonathan Ayling sat down with National Party Justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith, ACT part Justice spokesperson Nicole McKee, and Labour MP and Chair of the Justice Committee Ginny Anderson to discuss the now passed Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill. While Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi has given assurances the new law won't impinge on religious freedoms and free speech rights, many in the Free Speech camp remain unconvinced. So, what does the law, as passed actually say? And should Free Speech advocates - as the Minister suggests - breathe easy? For anyone wanting to get informed on the details of the controversial Bill, this episode is a must-listen. Get informed and enjoy! www.fsu/join  Support the show (https://www.freespeechcoalition.nz/donate)

Jason is joined by Nicole McKee who gets transparent with her life regarding loss and finding love.

Questions to Ministers 1. BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Minister of Housing: What actions, if any, will she take in response to revelations that an upcoming political candidate was used in a Kainga Ora promotion, and does she believe the culture of Kainga Ora is upholding what is expected of the Public Service? 2. Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? 3. ANDREW BAYLY to the Minister of Finance: Is he satisfied with the level of openness and transparency around the Government's spending? 4. SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent progress has been made on New Zealand's COVID-19 vaccine programme across the regions? 5. CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister of Health: What is the average length of time between someone testing positive for COVID-19 and public health staff getting in contact with them regarding isolation arrangements, and is he satisfied with the management of the home self-isolation system? 6. GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister responsible for the GCSB: What recent announcements have been made in the GCSB portfolio? 7. JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Is she confident the Government is adequately supporting whanau in hardship through COVID-19? 8. GREG O'CONNOR to the Minister of Transport: What recent progress has been made to improve transport in the regions? 9. NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Housing: How did she make it clear to Kainga Ora that she is "not comfortable with them using political candidates" in their advertising, and what actions have been taken by Kainga Ora to address her concerns? 10. NAISI CHEN to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent progress has been made towards regulating merchant service fees? 11. HARETE HIPANGO to the Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health): Will the Ministry of Health release Maori health data in the manner requested by the Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency, and how much have Government departments spent to date on legal costs in relation to this issue? 12. NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Justice: How many prior convictions on average does a third-strike offender have?

Labour have repealed the controversial Three Strikes Law.  It directed judges to give a third time serious offender the maximum sentence.  Justice Minister Kris Faafoi says it's ineffectual and it interferes with judges.  18 people have been sentenced to a Third Strike in the 11 years it's been law.  It was the ACT party who championed it, so ACT's justice spokesperson Nicole McKee joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to give her party's reaction. LISTEN ABOVE 

I am so excited to introduce some of my best friends to you! We got into what it's like being a Christian at high school, what we would change about previous relationships and more! Here are the girls socials if you want to check in on them :) Sam's Insta @samanthaeitutisNicole's Insta @ndmckee13Rebeccas Insta @rebecca.kooserrMacy's Insta- @macy.dowellPodcast Insta- @LifeAgainst.TheGrainpodDon't forget to give us a rate and review after listening, it will really help me out! ~MIntro/Outro MusicGualala valley by Scandinavianz https://soundcloud.com/scandinavianzCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/al-gualalaMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/kyKtf9yF8aQNEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MacyLATG)

It was revealed during today's Justice Select Committee that fishing and whitebaiting isn't allowed at level 4 except for Māori who according to the Police Minister Poto Williams have customary rights.  But ACT's justice spokesperson Nicole McKee doesn't think that's fair, saying “they're not the only ones that have customary requirements to be able to go out and gather food.” She also said the Police Minister wasn't able to define what customary even meant when asked. Something she considered pretty “slack.” But that wasn't the only area where Williams failed to impress. McKee also expressed her disgust with the Police Minister for not advocating for police to be vaccinated, despite them having to touch and arrest people, and some having even been spat on. “She's not doing her job” McKee said. LISTEN ABOVE 

With the trans-tasman bubble popped for at least 2 months, Professor Des Gorman on whether it should reopen anytime soon. Then Australian Correspondent Emma Cropper crosses live from the thick of the surging outbreak in Sydney to bring us the latest. Gangs, guns and cops: With National calling for her resignation, embattled Police Minister Poto Williams joins us live in the studio. Then on the Pitch: ACT Justice spokesperson Nicole Mckee gets five minutes to argue why she'd make a better Minister than Kris Faafoi. Which MP hails from the Republic of Whangamōmona and loves tax? We peek inside the life of Labour's Deborah Russell as she shares her Backstory. And who's up, who's down and spending large - Digital Editor Finn Hogan gives us his social media power rankings. To dissect the news of the week on our panel: Dr Lara Greaves from Auckland University Politics, political commentator and lawyer Brigitte Morten and Dominion Post Editor Anna Fifield. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pollsters say it's unprecedented.Act leader David Seymour is doing better in the latest Preferred Prime Minister rankings than the leader of our second biggest party. But I'm not surprised at all, because I think David Seymour is one of the best politicians in Parliament.Let me qualify that. I'm not saying necessarily I agree with him on stuff. It has nothing to do with ideology or policy positions or anything like that. I just think in terms of actual politicking... he's a canny and cunning operator who is milking every inch of advantage out of a unique political moment. For starters, Seymour knows how to pick his fights. Gun restrictions? Bam. He was on it in a moment. Hate speech laws? Same thing. Regardless of your personal position, the End of Life Choice referendum will be chalked up as a significant political victory for many years to come. David Seymour attracted people from right across the political spectrum to the cause. In this term, it was his probing in the house that opened up the He Puapua Pandora's box. Again, I'm not saying I agree or don't agree with Seymour's positions. By he plays a strong political game. He knows how to get in the news. He's not afraid to make a dick of himself in order to get a bit of publicity, and he's able to laugh off a bungled cha-cha in one breath, and earnestly argue about a terminally ill person's right to choose their own death, in the next.From a media perspective, ACT is incredibly proactive. In May, they published an alternative budget when National didn't. We're about to go into the parliamentary recess... ACT will have policy announcements every week that the house doesn't sit, knowing there might be a little bit more space in the political news columns than there would be when the house is sitting. Will Labour, National, and the Greens do the same? I dunno. Again this is nothing to do with policy, but ACT's press releases are often really funny. They're objectively much more entertaining than anyone else's. They send them out really quickly, and it's clear the releases haven't been watered down through a committee of media advisors. Seymour is good at speaking in soundbites, or what we in broadcast media call ‘grabs'. Does that mean the party gets more publicity than it might otherwise? I can't speak for all media, but maybe.I also think it's interesting how closely David Seymour has managed his new MPs. Apart from him, Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden and maybe Nicole McKee... can you name any of ACT's ten MPs?Exactly. There are plenty of pundits who would have thought a couple of those new MPs would have put their foot in it and messed up somehow, by now. But National's the party of scandal, right now. For the time being, ACT's MPs have their heads down and their leader does pretty much everything outward facing. That's smart.Will it last? Nothing does forever. At some point National will get itself together, and we shouldn't get too excited about a preferred Prime Minister poll more than two years from an election. But for now, David Seymour and his colleagues are doing everything an effective opposition should. Outwardly at least, they're a cohesive unit. Their criticisms of the government are many and varied. Their policy positions are relatively coherent.I think it's extremely unlikely David Seymour will ever be Prime Minister.. but right now, his party is the strongest it's ever been.

CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Are there effective rules in place to ensure people who rent can find an affordable home; if not, what advice has the Government requested on potential new rules to ensure affordable rents? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does the Government intend to implement all of its policies? Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon JUDITH COLLINS to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent announcements has the Government made on commencing quarantine-free travel to and from New Zealand? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions related to the proposed Māori Health Authority? TERISA NGOBI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What announcements has she made about supporting beneficiaries and superannuitants during the winter months? Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE to the Minister of Transport: Does the Government remain committed to all of the projects that comprise the transport portion of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme announced in January 2020; if not, why not? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, “Gang numbers and gang crime will only reduce when police and communities work together to disrupt gang operations and to disrupt their flow of recruits … I welcome the support of all members of this House on this”? PAUL EAGLE to the Minister for Māori Development: What recent reports has he seen on the state of the Māori economy? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Police: What are the measures of success, if any, for Operation Tauwhiro, and is she confident Operation Tauwhiro has been successful in reducing gang violence? ANGELA ROBERTS to the Associate Minister of Education: What recent announcements has the Government made on expanding the in-school mental health and wellbeing programme?

Louis sits down with new Act MP Nicole McKee for a ranging discussion from her passion for firearms and hunting, to dealing with the public spotlight, and the spirit of the new ACT party.Support the show (http://www.taxpayers.org.nz/donate)

Dr JAMES McDOWALL to the Minister of Tourism: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he seen of how the economy is performing a year on from the decision to move to alert level 4? Dr SHANE RETI to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Housing: What reaction has she seen to the new supply side measures announced as part of the Government's housing package on Tuesday? CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Is he satisfied with the management of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, and will the Government set an official target of how many New Zealanders should get the COVID-19 vaccine? Dr TRACEY McLELLAN to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: How have New Zealand's COVID-19 health protection measures improved over the past year? Hon DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by his comment in regards to horticulture worker shortages, “The Minister of Immigration has indicated … that at this stage there is no capacity to bring in any more RSE workers”; if so, has he asked Cabinet colleagues what progress has been made on the Pacific COVID-safe travel zone? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What is her response to the findings of MSD's Experiences of Money Management in the Youth Service report that payments are often inadequate, and that compulsory money management may lead to further debt, stigma, and hinders our young people? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Revenue: What reports has he seen about the proposed change to interest tax deductibility for existing residential rental properties? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Housing: Can she confirm that neither the final design nor the criteria for the Housing Acceleration Fund have been decided on by Cabinet, and by what date will that scheme result in a single new house being built? INGRID LEARY to the Minister of Immigration: What recent reports has he seen on the additional 2,000 Recognised Seasonal Employer workers brought in under a class border exception to support the horticulture and wine industries? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: What actions, if any, have been taken to speed up the process for the approximately 10,000 people caught in a firearm licence application backlog?

The ACT party believes stripping violent gang members of their gun licences could reduce shootings.Gang clashes have flared up in Auckland and Christchurch, while a Police pursuit in Manawatu on Monday night ended in officers dodging bullets.Act's law reform spokesperson Nicole McKee told Tim Dower they have concerns that innocent families will be caught up in the next gang shooting.She says hardened Australian deportees, known as 501s, have ramped up thuggish behaviour among gangs."The tensions that are occurring between the gangs means it's a matter of time before the community are targetted as well. And we will get innocent people, including the front-line police who are trying to protect us, in the firing line."She says hardened gang members don't care if they use legal or illegal guns.But McKee says the freezing and taking of gang assets by targeting gun licence breaches, could work."So what we to be able to do is encourage them to not want to have a firearm in the first place."What matters to the gangs is their bling and their money."LISTEN ABOVE

Firearms specialist Nicole McKee has become an Act Party candidate and secured No 3 spot in the party list announced today by leader David Seymour.The party has a new deputy leader, Brooke Van Velden, who replaces Beth Houlbrooke, and will take the No 2 spot behind Seymour.McKee is a first-time candidate.Van Velden stood for Act in Auckland Central last election.Act's No 3 list candidate Nicole KcKee. Photo / SuppliedOn current polling, Seymour would be joined to two or three more Act MPs.Van Velden has been a parliamentary adviser to Seymour and helped to organise to the passage of the End of Life Choice Act, which will put to voters as a referendum at the September 19 election.Seymour said Brooke van Velden was qualified in international trade.Her private sector experience as a corporate affairs consultant and political experience at Parliament had given her a deep understanding of the economy and the effect big government policies and rushed laws have on businesses and individuals.Van Velden said she switched from being a Green Party voter to an Act supporter while studying economics and international trade at Auckland University."The ability for free markets to lift countries from hardship was a revelation for me."Nicole McKee was a small business owner having delivered firearms safety education in rural and isolated communities for New Zealand Police.She had a background in law, firearms component imports, was the coordinator of the nation's volunteer firearms safety instructors for the Mountain Safety Council as well as being the spokesperson for the Council of Licenced Firearms Owners and its Fair and Reasonable Campaign.McKee said she would be campaigning to raise Act's Party vote in Rongotai."I do not believe that emotive and rushed legislation that adversely affects those it is intended to support is viable."Our laws should be rooted in policies that recognise our democratic rights to think, to speak and to behave in a legal and unobstructed way."Chris Baillie, a secondary teacher and former police officer, is at No 4. He also owns a bar in Nelson employing 30 people.Simon Court, an engineer, is ranked at No 5 and will stand in Te Atatu. He said his youngest son has Down Syndrome and he intended to take a disability perspective to Parliament.Act president Tim Jago said the calibre and experience of candidates would impress people from every persuasion."We have candidates from all walks of life - people who have built their homes, families and businesses and who want to protect and enhance our free society. Our candidates will bring a strong dose of common sense to Parliament," he said.Among the candidates were End of Life Choice advocates, a former police officer, two teachers, two lawyers, three farmers, four engineers, eleven business owners, and 13 licensed firearms owners.Act's new deputy leader Brooke van Velden. Photo / SuppliedThe full list, of which only 20 are ranked:1 - David Seymour2 - Brooke Van Velden3 - Nicole McKee4 - Chris Baillie5 - Simon Court6 - James McDowall7 - Karen Chhour8 - Mark Cameron9 - Stephen Berry10 - Toni Severin11 - Damien Smith12 - Miles McConway13 - Beth Houlbrooke14 - Carmel Claridge15 - Bruce Carley16 - Cameron Luxton17 - Grae O'Sullivan18 - Myah Deedman19 - David Seymour20 - David KingRichard EvansRobert AndrewsStu ArmstrongSean BeamishShawn BlanchfieldKartini ClarkeJan DaffernJames DaviesTommy FergussonSean FitzpatrickDavid FoxDavid FreemanPaul GilbertPaul GraceWayne GrattanRoger GreensladeAbby JohnsonChris JohnstonJudith KendallPete KirkwoodNiko KloetenTim KronfeldMike McCormickBrent MilesMichael NeesDavid OlsenGrae O'SullivanAndy ParkinsMatthew PercivalJack PhillipsCallum Steele-MacintoshBasil WalkerBlake WebbRoger WeldonBruce WhiteheadNeil WilsonAda Xiao 

Nicole McKee, secretary for the Council of Licenced Firearms Owners, joins the Weekend Collective to discuss the gun buyback scheme. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE   

Nicole McKee, secretary for the Council of Licenced Firearms Owners, joins the Weekend Collective to discuss the gun buyback scheme. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE   

This week we talk to the newly Self-Employed (Firearms Safety Specialists NZ Ltd) Nicole McKee about her new venture and thoughts on law reform in New Zealand. Tune in to find out about The Council of Licenced Firearms Owners, and what they are doing to help fire arms owners in New Zealand. Stephen also gets a word in!   http://www.colfo.org.nz/

EP 37 - Last for 2014 an  Interview Nicole McKee the Programme Manager – Firearms & Hunter Safety from the Mountain Safety Council.   We talk about how to stay safe over the festive season and look back on 2014.   Have a great Christmas and a safe New Year from the Hunting Show ! The Firearms Safety Code: 1. Treat every firearm as loaded Check every firearm yourself. Pass or accept only an open or unloaded firearm.          2. Always point firearms in a safe direction Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction. 3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire Load the magazine only when you reach your shooting area. Load the chamber only when ready to shoot. Completely unload before leaving the shooting area. 4. Identify your target beyond all doubt Movement, colour, sound and shape can all deceive you. Assume colour, shape, sound, and shape to be human until proven otherwise. 5. Check your firing zone THINK:  What may happen if you miss your target?  What might you hit between you and the target or beyond? Do not fire when you know others are in your firing zone. 6. Store firearms and ammunition safely When not in use, lock away the bolt, firearm and ammunition separately. Never leave firearms in a vehicle that is unattended. 7. Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms Good judgement is the key to safe use of firearms.  http://www.mountainsafety.org.nz

EP5- The Hunting Show, Interview with Nicole McKee from  the Mountain Safety Council about their Firearms & Hunter Safety programme , we talk about hunter safety and some personal experiences from both Stephen and Nicole.  Take care if you out hunting and remember to identify your target beyond all doubt!!   http://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/hunts/ http://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/