Podcast appearances and mentions of Paula Bennett

The boss of the government's drug buying agency has resigned and will leave the job at the end of May. Pharmac Chief Executive Sarah Fitt has faced repeated calls for her resignation from both patients and health professionals with accusations that within Pharmac, she presided over a sick, snearing, and callous culture toward patients. Both David Seymour and the board chair Paula Bennett, both refused to express confidence in the departing CEO. Bennett spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sarah Fitt has resigned as the Pharmac chief executive after seven years. Last year a “short and sharp” review was undertaken into Pharmac's internal staff culture and relationships with patient groups, Chair Paula Bennet announced at the time. Fitt recently faced criticism for these issues. Pharmac chair Paula Bennett talks to Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve interviews Stewart Mandel (00:13:10) from The Athletic. Stewart joins us to preview the 2024 College Football season. Stewart explains what teams are in what conferences, how the new playoff is going to work, and other changes new to college football this season. Mandel also talks about that snake Lincoln Riley and tells us if USC will (they should) fire him if they have another bad season. Stewart also tells us who might make the playoffs, gives us his final four, and picks a Heisman winner. Also, Aaron Schatz returns (00:50:27) to chat about the upcoming NFL football season. Schatz has done one million simulations of the NFL season using DVOA and joins us to discuss the results. Why is he high on the Saints? Why is he low on the Giants? Who might be a surprise team? Who is going to be in the Super Bowl? Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the unbelievable amount of injuries the Braves have suffered this year, the start of calcio season in Europe, and the pathetic product that is the NFL pre-season. The book club has a new baseball book about busts. The show ends with one last thing with Paula Bennett about her summer vacation. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Pharmac director Dr Anthony Jordan has announced he's resigning from the board over the Government's Treaty of Waitangi directive.  Associate Health Minister David Seymour told the drug buying agency earlier this week it was inappropriate for them to keep considering the Treaty's place in the health sector.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Jordan was due to end his tenure in December, but board chair Paula Bennett says he will now leave effective immediately.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac's new Chair is acknowledging those at the drug-buying agency have been publicly defensive in recent times.   Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett's chairing the agency as it works to the Associate Health Minister's newly outlined expectations.   Among them is a directive to include patient groups in decision-making processes and enhance public trust.  Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, Bennett said the executive was aligned with her and Seymour's views.  “There are different views and people have been under one letter of expectation and regime from a very different minister, so there is still a lot of discussion to go on.  “They are having to say no more than they can say yes. They do care about New Zealanders and want to deliver more medicines, but they haven't had the budget to do that,” she said.  “As a consequence, there has been a lot of frustration and anger; as a consequence, they have perhaps closed themselves in instead of going more outward.”  Seymour's letter indicated a view Pharmac was struggling to maintain public trust and build positive relationships with stakeholders.  His letter asked Bennett to ensure stakeholders understood “how Pharmac operates, that its legitimacy, credibility and trust is enhanced, and that all feedback and ideas are dealt with respectfully and valued”.  He added Pharmac should report to him regularly about how it was improving organisational culture and stakeholder settlement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 17th of July, how will Pharmac respond to David Seymour's letter of intent? Chairwoman Paula Bennett joined to for a discussion.  Our Olympic team for Paris is officially finalised, and we know all the names of the 195 athletes representing us. Chef de Mission Nigel Avery talks up our prospects.  Mark Mitchell and Duncan Webb cover off Darleen Tana, Shane Jones' oil meeting, and the sop that is the retail crime advisory group on Politics Wednesday.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's the man that stood up to Pharmac and the last government, a man who exposed just how far behind the world we are when it comes to lifesaving drugs. Malcolm Mulholland is a humble, hard working Kiwi hero who has saved and extended lives across the nation.  So, with Paula Bennett being Pharmac's new sheriff in town, how will she go, where are we at, and what needs to happen now?  Plus, what on earth do we do with all this thuggery on our streets at the moment? Ponsonby's LA-style killing has me seriously questioning things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon looks at a new Curia poll revealing who Aucklanders favour as their next mayor. Simon Bridges is out in front, with Paula Bennett and Wayne Brown trailing behind. 

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Victoria University has copped plenty of backlash over their decision to postpone a free speech event after pushback from the students. Should they have left the event alone? Paula Bennett is the latest former National MP to get appointed into a Government role - she's the new chair for Pharmac. Is she the latest case of the Government handing out jobs to mates? Was the opposition just as guilty of this? Today marks the first day of the Government's cell phone ban in schools. It seems to have gone off without a hitch-  what do we think of this? Should we bring back the fees to resit a drivers licence test?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett has been appointed as the new chair of the national drug purchasing entity, Pharmac.  Paula tells Mike Hosking her experience within government, dealing with big change makes her the right person for the job.  She says Pharmac needs major upheaval, with many challenges ahead.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have in the news yet another report into Oranga Tamariki. Yet another damning indictment into an organisation that should never exist. The Chief Ombudsman has called for changes “on a scale rarely required” at Oranga Tamariki. He reviewed about 2000 complaints over four years for his report children in care, complaints to the Ombudsman, 2019 to 2023. He said he could not yet provide reassurance that Oranga Tamariki's practices and processes were consistently operating as they should.   You could have basically taken any report that's been written over the last 20 years, and it doesn't matter whether it's called CYFS or Child youth and Family or Oranga Tamariki, it is the same complaints time and time and time again about an organisation, I repeat, that should not exist.  If parents and caregivers gave their children even the most basic and rudimentary of care, like just didn't kill them, we wouldn't be spending more than a billion dollars a year on a government department that is constantly criticised. And I really feel for the people who work there. You would go in there with the best of intentions, and they would be crushed out of you within months, I'd imagine. CYFS, child youth and family, whatever, are roundly attacked for taking babies off mothers. The next day, they're roundly attacked for NOT taking babies off mothers, for not acting soon enough.   There have been criticisms of this organisation since I can remember. I mean, I'm going back in the far mists of time, but I remember them all. Since 2017, I'm just going back to 2017, and I've been talking about this since the 1990s, but since 2017, 65 New Zealanders 17 or under have been killed/murdered. Some of them youth fighting but since 2017, 65 New Zealanders 17 or under have been killed - 24 of those were aged under 12 months. Those weren't youths fighting in the street. They were the most vulnerable children and homes killed by their carers since 2017.  I am going right back now: Saliel Aplin and Olympia Jetson. They were murdered by their stepfather when they threatened to tell the authorities that he was sexually abusing them. So many adults knew that they were being abused. Teachers knew and warned the authorities. CYFS workers knew, police knew. They'd complained to the police. The police had investigated. They couldn't find any evidence. Their own mother. She was a hapless soul who tried to get away. She was in a terrible, violent, oppressive succession of relationships that resulted in numerous children, and she couldn't keep them safe.    If I say those names and you were around at the time, you'll remember the school photo of those two girls. They were gorgeous, bright, brave intelligent. But they were only 11 and 12, there was only so much they could do. They knew the risks they were taking; they phoned the authorities themselves. They were trying to get help from the adults. Their mother knew. They told friends they would die. They'd been threatened with death by their stepfather if they told. And they told their friends they would die, and they did. He stabbed them. While a whole bunch of adults knew about this abuse. Their mother was very sad and regretful. She said she'd never be in a violent relationship again. She said she would like to see trained social workers employed in primary schools so abuse to children could be detected and dealt with quickly by professionals. She was calling for major changes at CYFS, with whom she remained angry, saying there are a lot of questions to answer over its management of her family's case.   But is it CYFS fault or Child Youth and Family's fault or Oranga Tamariki's fault?  How can a government organisation prevent dysfunctional families from abusing the most vulnerable? Surely you need eyes and ears within those families. Oranga Tamariki has a more than $1 billion budget. Wouldn't that money be better spent on trying something different? Although when you do try something different, then all hell breaks loose.   I remember when women on benefits were offered free long-term contraception by the then National government way back when, must have been about 2012. Paula Bennett was accused of Nazi type policies from an uncaring National government, it was offered. It was free. It was reversible. And then when National says it's going to can free contraception for women, then everybody criticises them again for not understanding women and their needs.   So, if you try something, if you put your head above the parapet, it's very quickly knocked down. This is appalling. It's been appalling. It has stayed appalling. Children keep dying. The ones who survive, God only knows what happens to them when they have their families, because the very children I'm talking about their siblings are now in their 20s, 30s and 40s, having their own families, how the hell do they parent? Not all of them are going to turn out bad at all. Many people can take a dysfunctional childhood and turn it into a very successful adulthood by not repeating the mistakes, by not repeating the abuse that was dished out to them.   But why the hell do we have a government organisation that has been rebranded, renamed, had its chief executives replaced over and over and over again, and all those children want is someone to save them. And you can't do it from a government organisation. Even if you throw a billion dollars at it. Wouldn't that money be better spent perhaps putting welfare workers with every at-risk child? There aren't that many of them. There aren't that many of them that are struggling. And yet they're the biggest, biggest problem.   The deaths of so many New Zealand children, it's just a damning indictment on this country. There's a stain on this beautiful country. Serenity Jay, Hail-Sage McClutchie,  Mikara, Baby Ru, James Whakaruru, Saliel and Olympia, you know, you can see their faces and you know that they're going to have to make room on the wall of shame because more babies are coming after them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wherever you were on holiday —if you were lucky enough to get away— did you see the ‘Staff Wanted' signs in the windows of just about every business, North and South Islands?  A number of business owners I spoke to were having to reduce the days they were open because they simply couldn't provide the service they wanted, because they didn't have the staff.   Yes, they could stay open and run around like blue-arsed flies, but they wanted to give them the service, the experience, that people expect when they're paying a bit extra, and they simply did not have the staff to do that.   And yet we have a huge pool of people who should be able to alleviate at least some of those shortages.   According to a column written by Paula Bennett in the Herald on Sunday, former National minister and colloquially known as Paula Benefit, because she was in charge of benefits and slashed a few, she says there are 34,000 under 25s not in work, not in study, not in training.   They're simply languishing on job seeker benefits.   And I say languishing because if the benefit is all you're getting in the way of income and that is a big if (I well understand that there are other ways to supplement an income that are not entirely lawful, or indeed in any way lawful). But if all you've got is the benefit, it's a pretty miserable, meagre existence.   To be eligible for the job seeker benefit, you have to be looking for work. It can go to someone who has a health condition or a disability that affects their ability to work temporarily, but predominantly it goes to people who are out of work and looking for it.   Damningly, the number of young people (these are under 25s) on benefits has increased nearly 50% in the past five years. What are work and income staff doing? If you have got a young person who's turning up and they have to sign on, and they have to turn up to collect their benefit, what are work and income staff doing?   Do they have the time to drill down into why a young person isn't getting work when they're supposed to be looking for it?  Is it a lack of drivers license? Is it that they don't have the people skills to be able to do an interview? Are they lacking confidence? After the years of isolation, young people in particular aren't great when it comes to meeting people, meeting new people, being able to hold conversations with strangers.   So, what is it that work and income staff are doing to help these young people get into work? What are parents and caregivers doing? Back in the day, the antediluvian times, at 17 or 18 you're expected to make your own way in life. You went out, you trained for a job, you got a job straight out of school. You found a flat and you worked. You were responsible for paying your own bills.   The thought of going to your parents and saying give me some cash, or let me stay at home and not work while I get my confidence up... you just wouldn't do it. It just simply was not done. There was no safe haven at home really unless you were in dire straits. Not simply because you couldn't face getting a job.   So, what are parents and caregivers doing to give young people the confidence to get out there?   What about business owners? Are you willing to give young people a chance? They turn up, they're a bit stuttery, a bit hang dog. The eyes are down, the chins down because they're not expecting to get a job because who would take them anyway?   You know, it's hard. It's hard to put your best foot forward when it's your first time. It's hard to present as confident, and fabulous, and wonderful when your grades haven't been that great. School hasn't been brilliant because it's been shut for two years. You know, you're not sure what you can do.   Are business owners willing to take a punt on young people?   And for young people themselves, don't you want more for yourself? Don't you think you're worth more than the pittance you get from the government? Because you are.   I've heard from a couple of young people who said they can't quite face going into the office because they suffer from anxiety. So they get jobs, they start them, and then all the chat around the water cooler sends them fleeing for the suburbs and home. They just can't quite hack the interpersonal office relationships. I get that. But what about, you know, working from home? It is a thing now. Employers understand and make allowances for young people who want to work at home.   Why have we got 34,000 young people on a job seeker benefit? Life on a benefit is not a life, it's existing. No matter how good BBQ man made that life sound, IYKYK.   What is holding you back from getting a job? Labour removed sanctions, and sanctions sound so old fashioned and like, even the word it sounds like iron manacles around your ankles. Sanctions. They're a blunt tool, but they jolly well seem to work.   When Labour dropped sanctions, the number of beneficiaries, the number of young people drawing a benefit sharply increased. Coincidence? I think not.   So what is it? If you are a young person under 25, if you have one of those young people in your life, if you're a business owner looking for workers, why have we got 34,000 young people wasting their talents and their energy?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Social Development and Employment Minister, Paula Bennett, has made a case for bringing back sanctions for those on the Jobseeker benefit.  There are 34,000 under-25-year-olds on the Jobseeker benefit.  Bennett is calling out the acceptance of this statistic, and questioning how we can rationalise the fact that more than 500 of them have been on welfare for longer than five years.   She told Kerre Woodham that it's all about the direction from the Government.   Bennett said that currently the focus is on what their entitlements are as opposed to how to get them work ready.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The manner of talks to form a government could be a sign for the next term.  National, ACT, and New Zealand First have remained tight-lipped on the policy details as they continue to work towards finalising a governing deal.  Former National Party Deputy Leader Paula Bennett told Mike Hosking that that suggests they're working respectfully together.  She thinks that holds true for what they're going to try to do over the next three years: have the conversations among themselves, and then come out strongly in agreement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's 'Week That Was' panel is straight out of the top drawer. Former deputy PM turned commercial real estate whiz Paula Bennett, and fellow real estate agent and legendary sportscaster Hamish McKay get stuck into: What has happened in politics since the election? Is anybody home? What has happened to rugby since the RWC final? The Ruthless Empire case and the 'right to silence' And what to seek out, and avoid, when bargain shopping See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's First Up pod - our correspondent in New York has been at the trial of Crypto-king Sam Bankman Fried; our minister of fruit and veges reveals a berry good fruit of the week; we cross to France ahead of the All Blacks final pool match against Uruguay; ACT deputy Brooke Van Velden talks to us about her catch up over a cuppa with Paula Bennett and we talk to a Kiwi mayor who's made history - the Far North's Moko Tepania has been named one of the world's top young politicians of 2023. First Up - Voice of the Nathan!

Tonight on The Huddle, Curia pollster David Farrar and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Deputy National leader Nicola Willis has criticised former National minister Paula Bennett for posting a public photo with ACT's Brooke van Velden. Is this an endorsement, or are we overthinking this? Nanaia Mahuta is facing a threat from Maori Party candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke - do you reckon it's possible Mahuta gets kicked out by a 20-year old? Richard Prebble made a case for Jacinda Ardern getting involved in Labour's campaign to give it an extra boost- is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Thursday on Newstalk ZB) Does it Matter Anyway?/No More Tax Talk. I'm Begging You/How Long In Hospital?/Airport Bingo. So Exciting/Tossing the ToasterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Chris Luxon finally confirmed that he's open to collaborating with New Zealand First, if necessary. Recent polls show a three-way coalition between parties will be needed, regardless of who wins the election- meaning National and ACT will need the extra support from Winston Peters. National's former Deputy Leader, Paula Bennett, says it would have looked arrogant to prospective voters if National ruled out NZ First altogether.  "Potentially over 5 percent of the country say they want him, they know that that's the threshold, to then point-blankly rule it out- you'd have to think." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 42nd episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a night off from the wrestling show format to play some crossover grids, make Hulk Hogan top 5 lists, and to go over some big news in the wrestling business. First, Paula Bennett sets the tone for the podcast with an update on the start to her 2nd grade year at school, her dream house show card, and other madness. After the break, Dave checks in and gives us a concert review and a life update before we get rolling on the wrestling. Steve and Dave cover the latest wrestling news and then Dave plays the newest WWE crossover grid. Steve reads the news from June of 1990 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with baseball, award shows and weirdly specific information about New York City. Steve and Dave then each give their own top 5 list. First, Steve gives his top 5 Hulk Hogan television appearances and movies and Dave tells his top 5 stories on how he acquired his LJN collection. The guys also do the original crossover grid featuring Hulk Hogan. Finally on this episode, Steve and Dave go over listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the next episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:03:07 History of: 00:19:22 The News/Matches: 00:53:43 Plugs/Emails: 01:46:42 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: 24InchPodcast@gmail.com Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Michele Tafoya (00:13:05) after spending almost three decades in sports media. Michele is making her debut on the program and explains how the famous, "the band is on the field," game changed her path in life. Michele also talks about how her MBA helped her when she started her sports media career in Minnesota. Michele also talks about her relationship with Al Micheals, working on Sunday Night and Monday Night Football, and being there when Steve Gleason blocked the punt. Michele also explains interviewing Aaron Donald just after he won the Super Bowl and her decision to leave sports media. Also, Stewart Mandel (01:04:46) returns to preview the college football season. Stewart has been coming on the podcast every single year for over a decade to preview the season. Stewart talks about the latest realignment news, the powers of the conference president, and who used the transfer portal to get better since last season. Stewart also talks about the teams he expects to see in the playoff and who he thinks might win the Heisman Trophy this year. Steve starts the show by trading hey nows with the beautiful Paula Bennett. Steve and Paula talk about the start of her cheerleading season and going back to school. First things first covers the Braves, the start of soccer season, and the Azzurri's new coach. The book club has books coming and going. The show ends with one last thing from Steve AND Paula and they talk about the great summer they had and what it means to both of them now that it's ending. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

On the 41st episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands call an audible to honor the late, great Terry Funk. We look back at episode 26 of the show, when we went back to the January 4, 1986 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event. On this night, Hulk Hogan put his title on the line against the legend, Terry Funk. This podcast is a mix of old and new. First some new, Steve and Dave are joined by Paula and the three share memories about the career of Terry Funk. After the break, the guys give a bio of the legend, Terry Funk. Also, Steve and Dave talk about the long history of the USF Sun Dome. Then, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in late December of 1985 into early January of 1986. Steve reads the news from January of 1986 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with gossip, Steve's first Super Bowl, and one of the most infamous and tragic moments of the 1980's. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from SNME including all of the fun antics in-between the matches. The guys break down each match on the card, talk about Jesse Ventura competing inside of the ring, and a historic moment in the career of Bobby Heenan. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Hulk Hogan with the Junk Yard Dog vs. Terry Funk for the WWF Title. Also on this episode, Paula Bennett returns to help us share listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the next episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:01:55 History of: 00:16:54 The News/Matches: 00:38:10 Plugs/Emails: 01:24:22 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: 24InchPodcast@gmail.com Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

This week on the Sunday Panel, commentator and TV producer Irene Gardiner and Ask Me Anything podcast host Paula Bennett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week- Labour has announced an alternative Waitemata Harbour crossing in Auckland. This outline includes two multi-lane road tunnels, and a Light Rail tunnel which will stretch 21 kilometres between Albany and the CBD. This crossing has a $45 billion price tag and will take a decade to complete- is it too ambitious? This week, Alberta cancelled its bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. This comes after Victoria pulled out of hosting 2026 – are the Commonwealth Games done and dusted? Should New Zealand have a crack at hosting? Neil Finn once described New Zealand as 'the worst place in the world'. Has anything changed in the last several decades? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 40th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands with Paula Bennett take a deep dive into 1994's Bash at the Beach. On this epic night, Hulk Hogan faces Ric Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. At the top, Steve and Paula and Dave are all together together again enjoying their summer vacations. Dave has spent most of his time since the last episode at the Jersey Shore and Steve and Paula have been enjoying the summer festival scene in Buffalo. They three also talk about some wrestling they have watched since the last episode. After the break, Steve and Dave get to work on this weeks bios. First, Steve reads the bio of Scary Sherri and Dave adds information and context. Next, they guys look at the history of the Orlando Arena. Last, Dave tells us what led to this epic showdown between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan. Steve reads the news from July of 1994 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from the OJ Simpson trial, the premature end of the baseball season and the premiere of a Best Picture winner. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from the Bash at the Beach 1994. The guys talk about the incredible match between Ricky Steamboat and Steve Austin, a few matches that went too long, and some other familiar names from the WWF. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair. Also on this episode, Steve, Dave and Paula read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the next podcast. Intro w/Paula: 00:01:47 History of: 00:21:13 The News/Matches: 00:43:36 Plugs/Emails: 01:21:10 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: 24InchPodcast@gmail.com Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Tom Sainsbury.  Tom is one of NZ's most popular creative minds. He's starred on TV shows like Wellington Paranormal, Shortland Street, and Educators, written over 50 plays, and is widely loved for his short-form comedy videos, where he satirises Kiwi characters. He's also just dipped his feet in the podcast game – and in March released his true crime mockumentary Smalltown Scandal.  In this episode we chart Tom's rise from ‘Snapchat Guy' to househould name, courting controversy and his relationship with Paula Bennett, the time he entered the race to become Auckland mayor, his weirdest jobs, dream dinner party, approach to monetizing his content and much, much more.  Tom might just be the most loved man in Kiwi comedy – and it's easy to see why. He's gentle, authentic, incredibly observant and hilarious – and his output of creative work will blow you away. You'll love this one.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. A huge thanks to those supporting the show on patreon for the cost of a cup of coffee a month, to get involved head to Between Two Beers.com.                       This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, former Deputy Prime Minister and host of the Ask Me Anything podcast, Paula Bennett and broadcaster Brodie Kane joined in on a discussion about the following topics: This has been a big week for political sideshows- are we sick of the distractions? With all the issues in this country relating to crime and healthcare and infrastructure and roads, is it insulting to see politicians squabbling about outside distractions? Is this all we should expect in the lead-up to the election? Speaking of sideshows- Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has denied forwarding abusive emails to councillors, saying they were sent by staff “in a fit of excitement”. Is this acceptable behaviour from the mayor? Speculation says National Party MP Paula Bennett may be running for Auckland mayor in 2025, whether or not Wayne Brown decides to stand again. What do we think of this? Paula says- never say never. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So another day, another shop closing for good because they're fed up with being robbed. That sees off West Auckland's only Post Shop – seven ram raids and break ins have pushed them over the edge. They've been in business 20 years. Now, they're closing their doors for good. It beggars belief that business owners are getting run out of town by thugs and criminals, but that's where we are now. Remember Michael Hill Jeweller in Auckland's Takapuna shut up shop after several burglaries and ram raids too? Reported retail crime doubled between 2018 and 2022. Auckland Business Chamber's Simon Bridges, when commenting on the violent attack by the ferry terminal in the CBD recently, said it's actually beyond a social issue now; it's an economic one too. People and businesses do not want to be where the criminals are - and at this stage, they're everywhere. Not just our big centres but small town New Zealand too. One woman wrote to me and said Palmerston North is so bad now that she worries about going into the main shops with her kids, and not surprising given the Mob behaviour and gang trouble in that part of the world recently. But according to Police Minister, Ginny Andersen, everything's tickety boo. There's no more crime she says, just more reporting of it. Well if she honestly believes that, then she is literally the only person who does. A fatal mistake governments make is when they deny stuff isn't happening, especially stuff we see before our very eyes on a daily basis. It's like when the PM said there was no looting happening post the cyclone in Hawkes Bay, when very clearly everyone else knew it was going on. You can't gaslight your way out of a problem by telling the people most affected by it, that it's not happening. Paula Bennett wrote at the weekend that, “We are told continuously by Police Minister Ginny Andersen that we feel safer… Retailers definitely don't feel safer and for good reason. Ram raids are up 500 per cent since 2018. Andersen said that ram raids are continuing to trend downwards, ignoring that there were 51 ram raids in March this year, up by 24 per cent on the month before… the number of victimisations for violent crime has jumped 33 per cent since 2017,” so she makes the point, no, we don't feel safer. And she's right, she's feeling the pulse on this more accurately than the Police Minister herself. We probably all know somebody personally now who has been impacted by crime, even if it's our local dairy. And the crime's more brazen these days, that's one thing the Minister does accept. But when five of our police districts now have more gangs than police officers, we know we have a problem. And even when the government reaches its 1800 new cops mark next month, the Police Association says that's still not enough, it doesn't make up for all those who've left - we need double that many more now. You can't argue with facts, and the stats say that ‘between 2017 and 2022, the number of serious assault reports increased by 121%, while reports of acts intended to cause injury went up by almost 30%.” This is not a safe country anymore, and it seems the last person to wake up to this fact sadly, is the Police Minister herself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Friday I wrap the news week with a couple of great New Zealanders. Today I'm joined by former deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and broadcasting legend Mikey Havoc. What a cracking chat it was... And I also announce my hotly-contested 'Wanker of the Week'. Who will it be?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 32nd episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the 1989 Royal Rumble. On this night, Hulk Hogan is by himself taking on 29 of the roughest and toughest wrestlers in the World. At the top, Steve and Dave kick off the third season of the podcast by looking back at a challenging second season and looking forward to a much better third season. After the break, the guys give a brief history of the Royal Rumble. Also, Steve and Dave talk about the long history of the Summit in Houston and explain how it became the Country's biggest church. Then, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in January of 1989. Steve reads the news from January of 1989 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with sports, tragedy, an increase in subway fare, and presidential history. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from the 1989 Royal Rumble including a tag match contested under European rules, the legendary pose down, and a grizzly Women's match. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event, the 1989 Royal Rumble match. Ax and Smash enter first, Hulk dumps Macho, the snake scares the giant, and a legend prevails. Also on this episode, Paula Bennett returns to help us share listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the second episode of season three. Intro: 00:03:24 History of: 00:15:29 The News/Matches: 00:35:55 Plugs/Emails: 01:31:40 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: 24InchPodcast@gmail.com Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

I have come back rested and recharged and really looking forward to the year ahead. Especially given the PM's bombshell announcement last week. Any working parent of a young child would know exactly how Jacinda Ardern felt. This is a huge job, and while other prime ministers have faced challenges, Jacinda Ardern faced more than most. I think to pick herself up, to put herself out there for a year of brutal campaigning, trying to sell unpopular policies, trying to justify Labour's body of work, when really they don't have much in the way of proof to show that their ideologically driven programs have had any sort of success. I mean, perhaps there are rabbits to pull out of the hats this year, we can wait and see if they can offer proof that some of these programs are working, fine - we can judge them then, but to date there's been nothing.  You've got inflation biting. You've got a large group of New Zealander's girding their collective loins waiting for their mortgage payments to roll over and likely double at some point this year. It was always going to be a tough, tough year and a tough election campaign. And if she's had enough of that, who can blame her?   People are making much of the misogyny she endured, and she did. The role of Prime Minister has always polarized New Zealand voters. There are a lightning rod. There have been death threats and vile rumours and vicious comments before Rob Muldoon. David Longley, Ruth Richardson, Helen Clarke, Paula Bennett. They have all faced vile abuse from the ignorant, the ill-informed and the haters. But the abuse heaped upon the soon to be former PM and her family, absolutely ramped up, especially in the aftermath of Covid. Hopefully, the appointment of Chris Hipkins will take some heat out of the political debate.  So Chippy yes, very likeable. Very reasonable. But remember, he's been responsible for portfolios that have failed and are failing. Education fail. He's been spokesman, he's been minister since 2013. Truancy's never been worse. Standards have steadily declined. The Polytech amalgamation looks to be a disaster and it could go on. The Covid response. He presided over a couple of PR disasters with the gangster's moles who actually weren't and the release of personal information around Charlotte. Bellis, the journalist. So you know he looks great, nothing to see here, but in fact his portfolios are hardly blue ribbon portfolios. There's also the fact that he was the only logical choice and what does that say about a caucus that's never had more members?  What does that say about a party that you only have one logical choice? And I did think it was a bit rich when Chris Hipkins said ‘oh yes, we're going to elect a leader… we're not going to see this sort of shenanigans that National went through to find a leader'. Short memory my friend. Remember leading the ‘Anything but Cunliffe campaign, hmm. Remember that? It was only 5 short years ago that you were saved as a party by Jacinda Ardern, and now she's probably saved you again by stepping down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Tom Sainsbury gained national fame five years ago through his daily Snapchat videos. These included parodies of real people such as Simon Bridges, Paula Bennett, Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins, and made-up characters like Skeet the Subantarctic Skua, foul-mouthed cat Gingerbread and audience favourite Fiona the wine critic. He also writes and stars in multiple TV projects, plays, stand-up and featured on TVNZ's Give Us A Clue.  Tom Sainsbury talked about his creative process here today. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bad news keeps coming for Labour.  Monday night's 1 News Kantar public poll puts National and ACT in a position to easily form a government. National's up to 38 percent, Labour's down to 33, ACT is up 2 points to 11 and the Greens unchanged at 9.  Stalking his way back to Parliament bit by bit… Winston Peters and New Zealand First are on 4 percent tantalisingly close to that 5 percent threshold - Te Pati Māori are on 2. On Tuesday morning Tova O'Brien spoke to two former ministers, National's Paula Bennett and Labour's Iain Lees-Galloway to break down the latest poll.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve interviews Greg Wyshynski (00:07:44) from ESPN to talk about the first few months of the NHL season. Greg gives his take on the young Buffalo Sabres, the emerging New Jersey Devils, and that snake Jack Eichel. Greg also talks about the demise of the Boston Bruins (it didn't happen) and the brilliance of their medical team and training staff. Greg also looks ahead to the rest of the season, talks about iPhones, and makes another strong appearance on a podcast he has been appearing on since January of 2011. Also, Christopher Price(00:47:46) joins the show to discuss his new book about the history of the Hartford Whalers. Christopher explains why he wanted to write a book about the Whalers and how the pandemic helped make that happen. Christopher talks about former Whalers players like Andrew Cassels and Adam Burt and explains the rise and fall of the NHL in Connecticut. Christopher explains why he doesn't think the NHL will return to Connecticut, gives his wish for college hockey in the state, and gets into some old school Adams Division discussions with Steve. Steve starts the complaining about the World Cup, the Saints, and the Sabres. So, the show starts basically how it always starts. The book club is winding down for 2022 and looks ahead to 2023. The show ends with not one last thing but an episode of the Daddy/Daughter podcast featuring the beautiful, Paula Bennett. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

It's day two (of three) of the Hawkes Bay A&P Show at the Hastings Showgrounds and the show is back in its entirety for the first time since 2019. Today we find former Deputy PM Paula Bennett there in her capacity as a Bayley's ambassador and we began by asking her if she's enjoying life after politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Mark Kelly, Jane Ferguson, Paula Bennett, Graeme Williams, Jeremy Rookes, Michael Harvey, Chris Russell and Bryce McKenzie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paula Bennett's new podcast with the Herald, which launches today, is called Ask Me Anything, but when Kim Knight sits down with the former politician, she discovers some things are still off-limits - even for a self-confessed oversharer. A few days before nominations for the Auckland mayoralty closed, Paula Bennett had regrets. "I said to my husband - we do not talk about Auckland. You do not get to moan about anything. Because I feel guilty and I know I could do a damn good job and I'm dismayed at the direction I think they're heading." And now, on the day of this interview, the field has narrowed. Leo Molloy has gone and the polls have "undecided" as the frontrunner. Does Bennett wish her name were on the ballot sheet? "From a personal perspective, absolutely not. From a professional perspective, yes." Paula Bennett is launching a new podcast with NZME today. Photo / Dean Purcell. Ask her anything? Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett is a self-confessed oversharer. Photo/Dean Purcell. She could have won, she says. And she would have done a good job. But: "I don't mean to be rude, but the thought of sitting for a day in a council meeting with 19 others who are more interested in their own ideology and getting voted in again, than actually doing what's right, just literally makes me want to poke my own eye out with a toothpick." At Bayleys Real Estate head office, near Auckland's Wynyard Quarter, the women wear black. They file out of a meeting room in black trousers, dresses and jackets; black heeled boots and stilettos - money and power, rendered monochrome. Bennett sails down the stairs in sneakers. She is full noise and full colour. On a scale of one to tomato-red-pants-and-matching-shirt, her confidence is off the charts. Love her, loathe her, but don't ignore this former Deputy Prime Minister. The reinvention of Paula Bennett is a work in progress. She recently said it took her a year to detox from politics, from the "kick in the guts" delivered by a majority of her own caucus, when she and National party leader Simon Bridges were rolled by the short-lived pairing of Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye ahead of the 2020 general election. "Look, people do go from being the deputy leader of the party to, you know, pretty much unranked - but I couldn't see that I would ever become the deputy leader again. Maybe I have contributed to the highest and best that I can? And there was definitely the age factor and definitely the fact that I wanted a professional life after politics." This brings us to a very fancy lounge on the second floor of a national real estate company's headquarters. Bennett's job title is "national director – customer engagement & advisory". What does she actually do here? The chairman of the board has just slipped in to make a coffee. He has some thoughts: "The square root of f*** all!" Bennett hoots. She loves this family-owned company - what she calls the "Kiwiness" of it. She's never sold a house. Her role is to connect things. People, money, policy. "We might look at a big, potential land development. Is there a way government housing can work with a local developer, can work with council to make sure the infrastructure is there? I am the glue that tries to put those pieces together." National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett fronts reporters at a 2019 media conference. Photo/Mark Mitchell Paula Bennett hosts charades game show Give Us a Clue on TVNZ. Photo/Supplied She fronts charity events and has a swag of side hustles - a newspaper column (Herald on Sunday), a television game show (Give Us A Clue), and an upcoming real estate reality show (Rich Listers). Perhaps the biggest surprise about Paula Bennett 2.0, is that she didn't find populist telly sooner. "I'm an oversharer, that's an absolute! I'm a talker. Although one of the things I taught myself is you don't have to fill the silence. I was an automatic 'fill the silence' person. I'm an oversharer, but I've become very good at saying 'no' and not even giving a reason." Her advice for nailing the "no comment"? "The fewer words you use, the less likely they are to pursue it." From today, Bennett adds "podcaster" to her portfolio. She's the host of "Ask Me Anything" a new New Zealand Herald show that "I'm really excited about in the context that, in another life, probably living in another country, I could have been an Oprah . . . that didn't happen for me, so this is a way for me to explore people and conversations that will go from everything from the frivolous to hopefully the very interesting". The former deputy PM had undergone a reinvention. Photo / Dean Purcell. Bennett, 53, says with a "mid-life crisis reinvention under my belt" she wants to share some of the things she's learned and ask others for their advice (first up, broadcaster Kerre Woodham on how to be bold with your opinions). The podcast's premise is simple. Bennett can ask her guests absolutely anything - but they don't have to answer everything. Turn the tables, and it might go something like this: Who was the best Prime Minister? Bennett: "Oh, I'm completely biased in that I had John Key for all of those years. He's who I know the most and worked with, so I'd have to say him." Who should have been Prime Minister? Bennett: "Bill English for longer. He would have just brought a level of humanity and intellect and experience into the role. I think the country would have gained a lot from another three years under him." Has she ever, as once rumoured, worked as a prostitute? "No. Never." (More laughter). How did she tell her parents that she was pregnant, aged 17? "Yeah, I think I'll leave that one." Sometimes in an interview, it's the question you least expect that people are the most reluctant to answer. Once upon a time, Bennett was a teen mum in small town Taupō. She was "that girl". Smart and scandalous. And her parents - a librarian and a shopkeeper - couldn't handle her. "I'm conscious that part of that is their story as well," says Bennett. "And there was so much stigma, and so much going on. We're talking the end of 1986. I went to have a scan and they wouldn't show me the screen because they didn't want me to get emotionally attached. They wouldn't tell me the gender of my baby. So weird, eh? Just very different times." Bennett is Reset magazine's second cover girl. Photo / Dean Purcell. Paula Bennett has said she needed a year to detox from politics. Photo / Dean Purcell Bennett's transformation from solo mother to high-ranking politician with 15 years in Parliament has been much documented (and scrutinised, particularly when access to benefits was tightened under her regime). She leans into the "woman who turned her life around" narrative and the "Westie" persona that's associated with her West Auckland postcode. She says she doesn't want to be interviewed at her "nothing special" home because she'd worry the reporter would leave covered in dog hair. And it suited her when, early in her political career, some people decided she wasn't that bright. (One national magazine, for example, reported officials were simplifying written material because she apparently preferred graphics and pictorial representations - a claim she says was ridiculous). "Big deep breath," says Bennett. "Ignore it and move on . . . Some people close to me would say that I played on it, that I quite liked being underestimated, and I think there is a degree of truth in that . . . in those early years, when they wrote you off as being a bit dumb, you could kind of get on with it." Consider this anecdote from a return trip to her old high school: "One of the teachers said to me, 'you know I almost want to apologise to you - we've got a gifted class now and we would have had you in that.' And I went 'oh, what a load of bulls***!'" But she also acknowledges: "There were definite points where I could use that strength and intelligence for good or evil. They tried to keep channelling it into good. They put me on the local youth council and they would try and give me little leadership roles and then I'd get bored and I'd organise a protest against the school uniform or get the boyfriend to come and pick me up on his motorbike off the school field . . . " Bennett claims she never wanted to lead the National Party and that we should believe her when she says that "because I honestly believe that if I'd really wanted to, I could have". When? Well, she notes with deadpan delivery, in her final years in Parliament, there were "a few changes". Eventually, that change came for her. And it was brutal. "I literally gave it 100 per cent . . . and then you're trying to find your place again in the world and literally every day people want to talk to you about what you've done in the past and it's like 'far out - I'm trying to work my way through this'. Bennett has a new business career. Photo / Dean Purcell "I was used to knowing pretty much everything . . . Parliament is a VERY complicated place. It's policy, government departments, people, everything. And I believe I was very good at it. You only get to a certain age that you're comfortable saying that, by the way. But, actually, I believe I was. So I went from being very good and knowing more than most people, to knowing the least." She suspects she'll never have another job like it - but knows she couldn't have done it forever. "You sleep less, you work longer hours, there is definite tiredness and a risk of burnout. I had moments of knowing that I was at breaking point and, actually, broke a couple of times . . . " Recently, at a Bayleys function, a man came up to her. Did she recognise him? "I'm sorry, I don't . . . ?" He was the doctor who treated her when she was hospitalised in 2011. Asthma attacks, pneumonia, and "I had kept pushing to the point of collapse". She began routinely spending days off by herself, solo decompressing at a family bach, watching the birds and the trees, listening to music. "But that's really hard on your family. They haven't seen you much, you're away more often than you're home …" And, then, suddenly, she was home. All. The. Time. "He was very excited to have me home. I was, um, what was I? I was pleased to be there, but I was still trying to work out what I was going to do and where I was and how this fit. But we just sort of got on with it. Worked out we could live together and we quite liked each other. It could have gone either way." Ten years ago, Bennett married Alan Philps, the former truck driver she first dated when she was a server at a truck stop. Why didn't they stay together back then? "That's one for the podcast," she promises. The pair have just returned from a short holiday in Fiji where she took a walk that turned into a hike that she says she couldn't have completed, pre-gastric bypass surgery and a frequently-headlined 50kg weight loss. Paula Bennett on the campaign trail in 2005, with then National Party leader, Don Brash. Photo/Paul Estcourt Sure, she'll talk about that some more: "You're still the same person, your body's a bit smaller, fashion's more fun. It's easier, right? You're not thinking, oh, is that top the right length to cover that." Equally: "Caroline Marr [owner and creative director of plus-size fashion label The Carpenter's Daughter] once said to me, 'you take up more room, why not dress it up?' I loved that. I used to remember that a lot. Yeah - why not own a room?" What can a reinvented Paula Bennett do with a room? Most recently, she's fundraised $2.2m for the National party. ("It turns out she's very hard to say no to," said one insider). At Bayleys, "I work a lot with private wealth. That's really interesting, and a lot of fun as well. I love them!" Yes, she agrees, "there are wonderful eccentricities" to be found in the upper echelons of societal wealth - but, she adds, you can meet that in the Pūhoi Tavern too. "Go in with no judgment, take people at face value and work with them to the best that you can. I think that gets you through in any walk of life, right?" Paula Bennett for mayor, circa 2025? "We've got a pretty incredible city here in Auckland. And as I said to my husband - it turns out I still give a damn."   Paula Bennett also talked to Francesca Rudkin on the Sunday Session to discuss her new podcast and reinvention.  LISTEN ABOVE   Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett is a New Zealand Herald podcast launching today, with new episodes every Sunday. You can follow the podcast at iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. - Kim Knight, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett is an exciting new podcast from the New Zealand Herald. Listen every Sunday from August 28th! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National has unveiled a new youth unemployment plan that would see under-25s given financial incentives for finding jobs and staying employed, and handed penalties if they don't take part. In 2009, the Government announced spending of $152 million to create work, education and training opportunities for unemployed youth. There were extra training places in the defence forces, money for more students in polytechs, and military-style training programmes. Paula Bennett was the Social Development and Employment Minister at that time and joined Kerre Woodham. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve interviews Sean McDonough (00:10:44) from ESPN. Sean joins us to talk about his first season calling hockey games as the lead PBP voice for ESPN's coverage. Sean talks about getting better as the season progressed, explains the grind of the playoffs, and looks ahead to the second season. Sean also talks about working in press boxes far from the action, his dislike of twitter, and his friendship with Joe Buck. Also, Scott Morrison (00:52:08) the author of a new book about the 1972 Summit Series makes his debut. Scott explains why it was difficult for Canada to put their roster together and explains the politics behind WHA players being left off the team. Scott also talks about the politics of the day and why Canada beating Russia was so important. Scott apologizes for leaving The Tragically Hip out of the book, tells a Gilbert Perrault story for my Dad, and discusses Bobby Clarke's legendary slash that broke the ankle of a Russian player. Steve starts the show thanking everyone for their incredible response to the first show in over 7 months. Steve then talks about Italy missing the World Cup and mostly blames Jorginho. The book club has has books by Football Outsiders and Scott Morrison. The show ends with one last thing about Paula Bennett the best daughter in the world. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Steve interviews Andrew Marchand and John Ourand(00:08:10) from the New York Post and The Sports Business Journal. Andrew and John talk to Steve about the origins of their podcast, explain why Marchand is the heel, and talk about their goals for the future of the pod. Steve also squeezes some sports media news out of them and they talk about the Sunday Ticket package. Also, Aaron Schatz(00:53:07) returns to talk about the 2022 Football Outsiders Football Almanac. Aaron talks about the Buffalo Bills being the pre-season favorite to win the Super Bowl, talks about the Saints salary cap, and explains a new stat that was created to better judge the outcomes of games and how they impact the season. Steve starts the show with the beautiful Paula Bennett for the best Hey Now is show history. The book club is back with the podcast and there are three books to discuss. OLT ends the show with Steve talking about the last seven months of his life and battling another round of Crohn's Disease. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

For those of you who don't live in Auckland, I'll just paint a picture of my weekend so you get the gist.Saturday we go to lunch at a suburban café, sitting outside, minding our own business, eating lunch, and this extremely large woman – I'm telling you about her size because it's significant in terms of what she said. She's extremely large, and she walks slowly and unevenly - seemingly struggling to carry her own weight. And she comes right up to our table, leans in close to us, interrupts and says: “Can you help me?” We are sitting there thinking what are we helping her with? Directions? Is she lost? She says, “I need money… I need money for food, I haven't eaten in a week or two, my family hasn't eaten either, we need money.”So my first thought is that she doesn't look like she hasn't eaten in a week or two, but also, is it one week or two? Like there's a big difference there if you're starving for one week versus two. You'd probably know exactly, so for a couple of reasons her story doesn't add up. I tell her we don't carry cash – which is true, who carries cash these days? She doesn't say ‘no worries' or ‘thanks anyway' - she just huffs and puffs like we've really pissed her off, and she lunges off to the next table. So that's your al fresco lunch.Later I go to the supermarket, I'm coming out with my trolley of groceries, looking for my car keys and a young woman – maybe in her 20's, leans into me from around the corner of the exit as I'm leaving. She's so far into me I apologise, assuming I've blocked her way or something, but she's in my face and doesn't budge. “I need money,” she says. I stop and tell her the truth, which is I don't carry cash. She rolls her eyes and goes to the next person. As I unpack my groceries and return my trolley I observe her hitting up about 15 more people leaving the supermarket asking them for cash.Sunday morning I wake up to read the story of an Aucklander riddled with lead bullets and still traumatised by a gun attack in the CBD which has left him unable to work, his kids too afraid to visit him in Auckland from their home in Christchurch.  Auckland resident Paula Bennett's column is in the paper too, the headline is “I'm scared”. She's scared about the gang gun violence happening. She says loaded guns are putting innocent lives at risk, shooting up our neighbourhoods.There's also the story naming the homicide victim from a fatal violent attack of an innocent 25-year-old in Mount Albert, killed as he walked home from Uni.By Sunday afternoon it's reported another 20 bullets have been fired into a house in South Auckland.My sons wake up from their big night on the town, I ask them how it went – I worry when my kids are in town, I hate them going in there. They tell me town was OK, “only about 3 fights,” that they witnessed.So just the 20 bullet holes, the 3 fights (that we know of), and the suburbs filled with opportunists hitting people up for cash.Welcome to Auckland - what a cool place to live.

Beloved Kiwi comedian Tom Sainsbury is busy as ever. He's about to hit the road with his nationwide Snapchat Dude Live! tour. The 15-stop tour, which kicks off in New Plymouth next Sunday, will see him travelling almost everywhere. 

I'm enjoying the politicians who've stepped away from politics long enough to be able to look back in on it with fresh eyes and with wisdom, and then write about it. Paula Bennett has a column in the Herald on Sunday which is always a good read, Steven Joyce writes for the Herald and his pieces always make sense too. Part of it may be that it reminds me of what it was like when grown-ups were in charge. But Joyce's piece this weekend if you didn't read it, look it up, is good because he talked about the Government not listening to the public, and it struck a nerve because – he's right. Time and time again we have people on this show from various industries and sectors in strife, who're pleading with the Government over something, and time and time again when you ask them what the response has been from government, the answer is invariably – ‘we haven't heard', or ‘they're not listening', or ‘they never got back to us.'Yesterday we had Peter Dunne on the show talking about the latest poll putting the Nats and Act ahead of Labour, and again he said Labour's problem may be - they're just not listening. Steven Joyce points out the gap is getting wider between the planet the Government lives on, and the one we inhabit. He also points out, “The first rule in politics is the public is almost always right. That means the one that has to do the listening is the Government.”But they're not. Why not?Has so much arrogance crept in that they no longer care? Is it because they believe they're right, irrespective of what we think? Is it because they're not focussed on the right things or they're spending too much time on social media and not enough time out in the real world? Is it because they don't have the answers so they'd rather ignore the questions? Or is it just because they don't care?Steven Joyce says, “Ministers are clearly focused on growing the public service, doling out a big climate change slush fund.. implementing co-governance of public assets, and pouring another massive dollop of borrowed cash into the hungry maw that is their giant new health bureaucracy”.While the public he says, “on the other hand, are dealing with a runaway cost of living, shrinking household budgets, rising mortgage rates, diminishing asset values, a surge in aggressive criminal activity, long queues at the local hospital, and a declining education sector..” That's tough to disagree with isn't it?He says with the Government and the public talking past each other, “we are heading towards a messy divorce.”I wonder if that's true.Joyce's point is that they're propped up by their fellow ideologues.. “The anti-car crowd, the co-governance crowd, and the identity politics crowd..” they're all egging them on. So where is this all headed?Divorce come Sept/Oct next year? Or can they close the divide and win us back?At this stage, I'd put my money on a divorce.

Comedian, snapchat satirist, dancing Alien, game show champ and now TV foodie Tom Sainsbury is about to hit the road with with his brand new show SNAPCHAT DUDE LIVE! Famous for taking the Mickey out of politicians like Paula Bennett and Simon Bridges, as well as his parallel life as Gingerbread the cat, Tom will be plumbing the depths of our quirky culture.

Questions over whether the current Police Minister is up to the job.New figures show police response times have risen in almost every part of the country over the past five years and tripled in some regions.Minister Poto Williams responded by saying it's an operational matter and Covid-19 was playing a big part. Former minister National's Paula Bennett told Kate Hawkesby Williams needs to be doing more to address the wait times, increasing gang numbers and violent crime.“There's a whole lot of laws and leadership that she could be showing that we're not seeing. Instead, she hides through her Commissioner from scrutiny and denies that there's even a problem.”LISTEN ABOVE

Today we're joined by two former MPs as we discuss cost of living increases, benefit increases, emergency housing, and more protests at parliament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 26th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the January 4, 1986 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event. On this night, Hulk Hogan put his title on the line against the legend, Terry Funk. At the top, Steve and Dave kick off the second season of the podcast by looking back at a great first season and looking forward to an even better second season. After the break, the guys give a bio of the legend, Terry Funk. Also, Steve and Dave talk about the long history of the USF Sun Dome. Then, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in late December of 1985 into early January of 1986. Steve reads the news from January of 1986 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with gossip, Steve's first Super Bowl, and one of the most infamous and tragic moments of the 1980's. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from SNME including all of the fun antics in-between the matches. The guys break down each match on the card, talk about Jesse Ventura competing inside of the ring, and a historic moment in the career of Bobby Heenan. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Hulk Hogan with the Junk Yard Dog vs. Terry Funk for the WWF Title. Also on this episode, Paula Bennett returns to help us share listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the second episode of season two. Intro: 00:01:58 History of: 00:19:22 The News/Matches: 00:40:40 Plugs/Emails: 01:26:53 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: 24InchPodcast@gmail.com Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

One political player made headlines this week calling in to talk radio posing as someone else - while MP Paula Bennett was handed the mic on a talk radio network for the week.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. This week Colin talks to Karyn Hay about how the media broke the bad news from Auckland - and Paula Bennett's talkback debut and confronting cranky Covid callers. Also - a glut of fresh political podcasts. 

Red flags were raised in the media about meth-testing houses, but it didn't stop the evictions, unnecessary repairs and the growth of an unregulated industry that made millions of dollars. How come?