Podcast appearances and mentions of Phil Goff

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of March, the tourism sector is a major force, with spending and jobs both rising. Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks on meeting Javier Milei in Argentina and his thoughts on the situation in Iran and criticism from Helen Clark and Phil Goff. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk about Kiwis stuck in the Middle East and balancing the books 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.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 February, 2026, we talk to a former CIA officer about the US war in Iran - and how the conflict is growing. The Children's Minister tells us why there'll be another boot camp for young offenders. A new take on cell-phones - we hear from an advocate of putting a phone in every prison cell. And on The Huddle, Phil Goff and Maurice Williamson battle it out over the fighting in the Middle East. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Prime Minister Chris Luxon has copped some backlash over his non-committal response to the crisis in the Middle East. Who's to blame here? How bad does this look in an election year? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we still living in the same country that told America what to do with its nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed ships? Are we still living in the same country that declared itself a nuclear-free zone? Which had Washington throwing its toys and telling us that it wouldn't be sharing intelligence with us if its ships weren't welcome. But that didn't put us off and the no nukes policy has been in place ever since. That was back in 1984. Fast-forward to 2026 and it is a completely different story. Which is why we've got former foreign affairs minister Phil Goff saying today that Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters are scared of US president Donald Trump. He says the Government's response to US and Israel attacking Iran has been “weak and uncertain”. Which it has. Not only that. Phil Goff is also saying today that New Zealand no longer has the courage to speak freely on international matters. He says the Government knows full well that Donald Trump's claim he was just responding to an imminent threat from Iran is nonsense. Fake news. Phil Goff says the Government also knows full well that the attacks on Iran are illegal. But it's too scared to say so because it's worried about what reaction it might get from, as Goff puts it, a president who is “volatile, unpredictable and vindictive”. He's not getting any argument on the volatile and unpredictable bit from former defence minister Wayne Mapp, who says that's exactly why the Government should be careful what it says. Because Trump is contrary and you never know what he's going to do. Wayne Mapp says: “You do something that really upsets President Trump, you're likely to be slapped with a 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent tariff.” And he says the way the Government is handling things protects New Zealand's interests. I disagree. Because, if we want to be an independent, confident country, we have to take a stand on things - just like we did back in the 1980s with the nuclear thing. Christopher Luxon's background as a CEO is his undoing in situations like this. Because chief executives are terrified of chaos. They like to have all their ducks lined-up before they make a decision or before they take a position on something. They are the people who run everything past HR and the legal team because uncertainty is no friend of your chief executive. So, of course, Christopher Luxon is going to say wishy-washy things like New Zealand “acknowledges” the attacks on Iran. Of course, he's going to say it's up to the US and Israel to determine whether the attacks are legal or not, because they're the ones with all the information in front of them. Anyone expecting anything different is dreaming. And, because of that, Phil Goff is right. We are running scared and we have lost the courage to speak freely on international matters. Courage we used to have in spades. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's being accused of playing politics over Iran. Christopher Luxon says the Government will make a decision very shortly on whether to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity. Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge if Luxon wanted to take a stand, he should have done it already, as moving now would look opportunistic. He's questioning why the Government's treating Iran differently than countries like Russia, and thinks we need consistency. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 19 February, 2026, Chris Bishop on the Government's backdown on two million houses for Auckland. A relaxing of rules around serving alcohol at community and sports clubs. Why grocery tourism is becoming a popular pursuit for holidaymakers. And on the Huddle, Phil Goff and David Farrar lament the Government ditching a referendum on a four-year term. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Govt has announced today it is looking for interested parties to build a Liquid Natural Gas Facility to boost NZ's power reserves for dry winters.Tama Potaka sits down with Mihi Forbes on MATA, questioned on whether or not National has been part of fueling racism in NZ by supporting bills such as the Treaty Principles Bill.Phil Goff kicks off this year's Q+A show, with bold commentary on how little NZ is doing to stand up to the Trump regime and instead siding up next to America.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Former foreign minister Phil Goff tells Q+A that he thinks New Zealand has failed to adequately stand up for this country's values in the face of Donald Trump, in particular taking aim at foreign minister Winston Peters, who sacked him as ambassador to the UK. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air. Will economy struggling or surging change the election? With the state of the economic recovery looming as a crucial election issue, Q+A is joined by NZIER's Christina Leung, and Brad Olsen from Infometrics, to discuss whether the economy will recover before November. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air. Adrian Rurawhe: TPM “not the party Tariana Turia started” Departing Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe joins Q+A to reflect on his achievements and regrets in politics, what Labour could have done better in government, and his concerns about the direction of Te Pāti Māori, which he was involved in the initial formation of. He also reflects on his time as Speaker, and the desire he had to always be fair to both government and opposition. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air. How mediation services should be changed Q+A dives into the Members Bill ballot to hear from National MP Carl Bates, who wants to change how mediation services work, and establish a register of mediators the public can access. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Those opposing our FTA with India have got be guilty of economic treason, don't they? We're a small trading nation with lots of food, and world markets who need our red meat and our milk. The closer the country, the better. The higher-value-add, the better. And the sugar on top is tariff-free access, so our competitive advantaged producing the world best dairy and sheep and beef, and Kiwifruit, can all me admired and loved by the word at a reasonable price. When Helen Clark and Phil Goff signed the deal in Beijing back in 2007, two-way trade was $8. It's now $41-billion. It's now our largest trading partner. We are on the cusp of another bonanza just like with a country much bigger and meddle class about the crack on. It's to come the third largest economy in the world. However, some kiwi politicians believe this is somehow a bad thing. That selling our best produces to other countries at cheaper prices, unencumbered another' tax regime, how is that not a good idea? Why because we may have take an 1700 Indians on working visas coming here? So what. They work hard, they hussle. They don't piss around fishing at the beach or sitting on the couch when they should be working. Migrants do the jobs iwi's feel they're too posh to do in society. It's hard work. Honest work. And it needs to be done. Why not let people who want to work, work. And you don't, you don't get anything. Fish till your hearts content. But this country should be filled with ambitious people who want to make the most of it. That's what FTAs do and I can't understand people don't it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is going to sign this free trade deal with India. The massive boost we got and still enjoy from Phil Goff's signing of the China FTA is still very much fresh in mind. Hipkins sounds pretty upbeat about it, with a few questions to be asked, but he says caucus will look at it and make a decision. Of course, it'll need support across the aisle because NZ First isn't keen. The Europeans have just done a massive deal with Delhi overnight. Ursula von der Leyen is in India, getting the red carpet treatment from Modhi. Combined they make up 25% of the world's GDP and the market size? Two billion people. They've been negotiating for years and years, but finally have a deal, in part because of a Trump's tariffs but also because India has managed to secure protections for dairy. They say Delhi "has prudently safeguarded sensitive sectors, including dairy…”. We generally treat trade as a bipartisan issue and there's little reason to think this deal will be any different - barring any major red flags with the details, many of which we the public don't know yet but that the Opposition's being consulted on. But if that checks out, it's probably going to be a rubber stamp. After all, we're like the world's FTA cheerleaders. We basically go round international meetings with a clipboard trying to sign people up. We now have 70% of our global trade covered by FTAs. It's reasonable to only expect that will increase. And perhaps easier once Trump leaves office, too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Donald Trump sparked some outrage following his criticism of allied efforts, including New Zealand, in Afghanistan. Were his comments out of line? New Zealand Rugby has unveiled their updated criteria for a new All Blacks coach - applicants must be from New Zealand and have international head coaching experience? Do we think this is the right move? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 26 January, 2026, we explore how long Mount Maunganui's likely to remain off-limits in the wake of the landslide. Interim New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Lancaster gives us details of the search for the next All Blacks coach. An entrepreneur outlines how he'd give Auckland's CBD a makeover. And on The Huddle, Phil Goff and Trish Sherson have harsh words for Donald Trump's criticism of allied efforts, including New Zealand, in Afghanistan. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back baby, Pat and Chewie are LIVE from 9pm with some updates on 2026, where we are heading, what we are up to and how we are looking to effect a change in 2026.Phil Goff joins us LIVE tonight at 9pm to talk about his comments on the weekend accusation that Foreign Minister Winston Peters failed to stand up for New Zealand soldiers after US President Donald Trump said allied troops "stayed a little back" during the war in Afghanistan. In a sharply worded Facebook post on Saturday, the former high commissioner to the United Kingdom said Peters' silence in response to Trump's remarks was "deafening".A man who was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis has been identified by his family as 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. He has been described as an avid outdoorsman who loved mountain biking and is understood to have joined protests after Renee Good, also 37, was shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in her car earlier this month.We'll take a look at the tragedy at Mt Maunganui, the lives that have been lost, and the messaging from the PM of how important addressing climate change is...while this government hinders as much as possible effective policies to address climate issues.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation

Phil Goff agrees with the Christchurch City Council's response to a Government proposal of capping rates to no more than 2 to 4 percent per year. Goff says the Government is not performing in lowering the cost of living, but a rates cap is not the right answer. The former Mayor of Auckland told John MacDonald the Government sees local councils as an "easy target". Christchurch City Council has responded to the Government's proposal, saying that while they support a prudent approach to managing rates, the cap as currently designed is “unrealistic and unworkable”. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, live from Revelry bar on Ponsonby Road Auckland, the Panel comes to your ear holes for a riveting hour of pub politics and current affairs. Joining Wallace for a look at some of the year's biggest issues is Heather Roy (ex ACT MP), Holly Bennett (former advisor to Minister Paul Goldsmith and founder of kaupapa Maori government relations firm Awhi), Phil Goff (former Auckland mayor) and Simon Wilson (senior writer NZ Herald). In this first hour the Panel discusses the brand-new reform of the Resource Management Act; a look at Auckland and the year out biggest city has endured; what's happened in education and how educators have been hit with a wave of new curriculum and after five years is New Zealand ready to decriminalise drugs?

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Toby Manhire, Andrea Vance and Phil Goff. Tonight, they discuss the fallout from the ICPA investigation into how police handled allegations against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming; the spectre of asset sales; Te Pati Maori's rocky week and is woke back?

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 29th of October 2025, The Government's finally unveiled its new school curriculum for years 1 to 10, Immediate past President of the Auckland Primary Principals Association, Kyle Brewerton shares his thoughts. A new report for the NZ Initiative believes our MMP system needs 50 more MPs, report author and senior fellow at the NZ Initiative, tells Ryan why. Former Labour Party leader Phil Goff shares his thoughts on who leaked the capital gains tax. Plus UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on asylum seekers could be housed in military sites and UK ministers to look at complaints modern cars have headlights which are too bright. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Labour leader says there'll be a sense a relief among many to see a new capital gains tax policy. Labour's announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes. The revenue would go into health, creating a Medicard scheme providing free GP visits. Phil Goff told Ryan Bridge the OECD has been calling out New Zealand for being the only country in the western world not to have the tax. He says Labour's putting it in place for the sake of fairness and making sure investment decisions aren't distorted by being the odd one out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Auckland mayor Phil Goff and Conor English from Government relations firm Silvereye joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! US president Donald Trump recently unveiled a 20-point peace plan for Gaza. Do we think Hamas will agree to this? Could this be a gamechanger - or just another plan that goes nowhere? Should Kāinga Ora have negotiated better to get more for the Dixon Street apartments in Wellington? The CTU is calling for electricity generators to be returned to public ownership ahead of the Government's big energy announcement. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The GDP results are in, and they're worse than predicted. Are we surprised by this development? Does the Reserve Bank need to try harder to fix this? Should Nicola Willis resign? Self-driving Teslas have officially launched in New Zealand. What do we make of this? Should we be worried? Jimmy Kimmel's show has been pulled following some comments he made about Charlie Kirk's assassination. Is this an overreach? Did Kimmel deserve to get sacked? New data reveals one in three young men feel gender equality has gone too far. What makes our young men feel like this? Can something be done about it? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Peeni Henare - Tamaki Makaurau by-election candidate - tackles voter struggles, community heartbreak, and a few laughs about his beloved Warriors. Then, it’s into the political arena with a star-studded panel debating three hot-button issues: the Government’s bold plan to sell citizenships to mega-wealthy foreigners, Auckland’s crumbling economy and homelessness crisis, and the global uproar over Israel’s actions being declared genocide. Powered by Waatea News.

Stuart Nash turning up at the conference over the weekend - that was quite a coup for New Zealand First. Now, clearly what New Zealand First is trying to do is emulate what Reform - Nigel Farage's party - in the UK is doing. If you've been following what they're up to, they have had a huge number of politicians defect to Reform. And every single time it happens, the news media covers it and it makes Reform look like the party with the momentum. That is what New Zealand First is trying to do. That's why you had both Stuart Nash, formerly of Labour, and Harete Hipango, formerly of National, at the conference over the weekend. Now, despite the circumstances of Stuart leaving Parliament, he's actually a really big defection from Labour because he's a very capable politician. He managed to turn Napier into a red seat in 2014, despite the popularity of the Key Government at the time. He was one of the few ministers in the Ardern administration that voters on the right actually had time for. He is, and I think that's because he's a proper centrist in the Labour Party - not crazy left like a lot of them are, a little bit more to the right - which is why he's probably going to find a better home for himself in New Zealand First than the Labour Party of 2025. Now, I don't know if Labour realizes what they've lost with Stuart Nash leaving. I mean, of course, he's really been out of Labour since the moment Chippy fired him, but I don't think they even realized then what they'd lost because they haven't replaced him. And what I mean by that is they haven't gone looking for another true centrist politician. Back in the day, Labour had heaps of them. They had Phil Goff, David Shearer and just going back through time - Richard Prebble, Roger Douglas, Mike Moore - it wasn't that unusual to have a good little centrist or righty sitting in the Labour Party. Now, name one for me. I mean, you might have once been able to say Chippy, but he's allowed himself to be pulled so far to the left, I'm not sure you could call him a centrist anymore. Now, you cannot, as a Labour Party, win over the centre voter if you do not have politicians that the centre voter likes. And Stuart Nash, I think, was probably the last one of them. I would say: total coup for New Zealand First. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So here's a little bit of happy news for anyone still feeling injustice over the petty way that Trevor Mallard turned the sprinklers on the Parliamentary protesters and made everything worse - he is coming home from his plum job in Ireland as the ambassador. As Winston Peters says, quoting The Seekers - the carnival's over. And it's a good job too, because it was always deeply unfair that Mallard could behave like a child and basically torment fellow Kiwis, and then be rewarded by his mates with a job that was funded by Kiwis. Now Winston's trying to spin this like he's bringing Trevor Mallard home early. He's actually not really at all. Trevor's due home in January. It's understood that he's gonna be back in November. Whoop dee doo- two months early in a three-year term is hardly a punishment or a massive recall, isn't it? I mean, if Winston wanted to bring him home early, he could have brought him home at any point in the last two years that he's been the Foreign Minister. But I will agree with Winston on something here, which is that I think we have got to stop appointing politicians to diplomatic jobs. He says full stop - I say as a reward. I still think that there will be some politicians who are exceptional and who deserve these jobs because they would do an excellent job representing us. And I've always thought it was a pity that Helen Clark never got a posting overseas. But often, they're just lousy at it, aren't they? I mean, Phil Goff stuffed up. He had to come back. Jonathan Hunt embarrassed us by wanting to claim the pension in the UK when he was already on a very good wicket from us. Kevin Rudd - the Australian version of all of this - got sent to Washington by the Aussies and then embarrassed them by posting weird stuff about Trump before Trump became President again, then having to go back through his social medias and delete it all. Being a politician doesn't necessarily make these people good diplomats, and Trevor Mallard is absolutely an example of that. He has never been accused of being diplomatic. In my opinion, the only reason that he ever got this gig in Ireland is because his daughter lives in Ireland, and because he was some sort of an avuncular figure to Grant and Jacinda and Chippy, who were in Government when he was appointed. That is not a good reason to send someone to an Ambassador's job. It's not a good reason to get a job that you and I are paying for. So as Winston says, carnival's over - good thing too. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 12th of August, New Zealand is considering recognising a Palestinian state. Does it matter? Will it change the war? Former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff weighs in. Christchurch has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Super Round – NZR boss Mark Robinson discusses the decision. Country music star Lainey Wilson is on her way to New Zealand for the first time next year, and chatted exclusively with Mike. 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.

A critical decision lies before New Zealand on whether to recognise Palestinian statehood. Australia's pledged to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, following suit with countries like France, Canada, and the UK. Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed we will reach a formal decision next month. Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff told Mike Hosking the move would send a message to Israel its action is unacceptable, and would affirm the Palestinian people's rights to a homeland. He says it supports a two state solution, which New Zealand backs and which Israel itself agreed to more than 30 years ago. Goff says it's a measure we should take, but it won't resolve the appalling things happening to the Palestinian people. He says New Zealand should be doing more to back up its words with action, as we tend to talk-the-talk without having the guts to do anything about it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington Council has voted down a proposal to build a fence around its waterfront. Do we think this was the right move? High gas prices are set to bring down another company - this time it's fertiliser manufacturer Ballance. How many more of these incidents can our economy take? What can we do to stop this? It's been revealed the Government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new reports. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wallace Chapman and the Politics Panel discuss and analyse the main political stories of the day. He is joined this week by RNZ's Corin Dann, the NZ Herald's Fran O'Sullivan and former government minister Phil Goff. On the slate today: Nicola Willis says Kiwis are not getting a raw deal from high butter prices (after meeting the CEO of Fonterra); Defence Minister Judith Collins told a crowd of graduating Army recruits last week that they should prepare for "combat"; just 38 percent of respondents to a Talbot Mills poll say the government deserved a second term; is the government using locla councils as a whipping boy and National seems to have found a bright spot in one area of it's party policy: Education.

Tonight on The Huddle, former High Commissioner to the UK and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff and Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Sky TV has bought Three for $1. What do we make of the deal? What does this mean for the future of the industry? New Zealand has joined the international calls for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza - but do we need to let actions follow words? A new Talbot Mills poll reveals the majority of the nation thinks the country is on the wrong track, and half of NZ First's voters think National doesn't deserve to be re-elected. Do you think we're looking at a one-term Government? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Modern parents are sceptical of sleepovers as awareness of sexual harm rises. How do we square this circle? There is now a push for Auckland Council to ban private choppers in residential areas altogether following the ongoing Mowbray saga. Are people being too harsh about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Former Foreign Minister Phil Goff has laid out his views on the war in Gaza, in an opinion piece for Stuff. In it he's accused Israel of committing war crimes. He wants to see New Zealand separate itself from American foreign policy and is calling on the Government to impose immediate sanctions against Israel. Phil Goff talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the article and what he wants to see change. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three prizes for three good calls this week by the Government. 1) Financial literacy coming to a school near you in 2027, and not a day too soon. In many respects it's the more valuable end of the education spectrum. It's education you can actually use. 2) Nicola Willis and her cutting of the operating allowance from $2.4b to $1.3b. The $2.4b number already had headlines for being skinny, or unrealistic. $1.3b is rabbit out of a hat material. I assume she is telling the truth when she says she has found billions in savings, because you can't run a country on thin air. 3) David Seymour, with more reality check reminders that we have too much Government. In his speech he alerted us to just how much - 82 portfolios, 41 departments and 28 ministers. If ever you wanted an example of bloat, there it is. The portfolio joke is about appeasing people. There isn't an issue or pressure group you can't appease by inventing a label. The real issue is ministers. The good news currently, as Audrey Young in the Herald pointed out this week in her famous marking of ministers annual outing, is most of them are getting good scores and most of them are decent operators. But it is not always the case and too often, with the last Government being your classic example, portfolios are used and/or invented to reward loyalty and/or give people pay rises. Whether you can do the job is secondary. Good governments are run by a handful of talent. In David Lange's day it was the Prime Minister, Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble and David Caygill. With Helen Clark it was the Prime Minister, Michael Cullen, Phil Goff and Annette King. With John Key it was Key, Bill English and Steven Joyce. This time its Christopher Luxon, Chris Bishop, Nicola Willis and Simeon Brown - multiple portfolios at the heavyweight end of the index. Unlike the real world, you will note Cabinet and Government never downsize. The public service can be downsized, but the Government never is. Sadly for Seymour, unlike the other two ideas this week, his isn't real. Financial literacy will materially improve our kids' future. Willis and her austerity will materially improve our economy. If Seymour somehow trims a single minister or ministry, it won't be an idea - it will be a miracle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is defending his absence from Parliament yesterday as the Treaty Settlement Bill was voted down. He said he doesn't regret not being there as he was preoccupied with trade issues. Senior Political Editor Barry Soper talks to Ryan Bridge about the Luxon's absence, Phil Goff's unfiltered comments on Trump, and Winston Peters 80th birthday. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sacked diplomat Phil Goff is revelling in his freedom to denounce the US President telling an Auckland University audience Donald Trump is an abusive bully and that New Zealand is behaving like an enabler. Felix Walton was there.

Trump's tariff backdown proves that Nicola was right and Barbara was wrong. Willis took the cool, calm, collected approach. Take advice, watch closely, don't react with haste, don't spook the horses even more. Trump's already doing that. Barbara Edmonds and Labour were hitting the panic alarm - firing off a press release yesterday saying that this is a crisis and that we need to up spending. Borrow more. Bigger Government will save the day. Which is nuts. Premature and nuts. Barbara came on this show last night and said Willis was sitting on her hands while the world crumbled around her. Earlier in the week, Hipkins said we needed to stand up to Trump a bit more - how's that working out for China? The last thing we need is self-serving politicians, or former politicians in the form of Phil Goff, grandstanding for their bash-the-bully-moment on television. This is the time for quiet diplomacy. It's time for your Winstons' and Rosemary Banks types - she's our Ambassador to Washington - get them out there. The bigger problem for Labour and the way they've reacted so far is that it reminds us why we didn't like them in the first place. When Covid hit they doled out the cash. They couldn't give it away fast enough. Grant spent from the country's purse like a housewife on holiday. And Barb - she wants her time with the Visa. Right when our Government debt is about to hit 46 percent of GDP - remember, it was 20 percent pre-Labour - and right when we're getting closer to at least balancing the Government books. This is a timely reminder from Labour that their fundamentals haven't changed. When a crisis comes, when storm clouds gather, their go-to plan is to make it rain cash. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Phil Goff was sacked from his job as a diplomat for publicly questioning Donald's Trump understanding of history. The Foreign Minister Winston Peters wasted no time sacking him saying he wasn't paid to "free think." Goff is doubling down on his criticism, likening President Trump to a school yard bully nobody challenges and accusing of him of lying about Russia's war on Ukraine. Phil Goff spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, the former Labour Party leader Phil Goff, has doubled down on comments that led to his sacking last month. Goff spoke to Corin Dann.

Phil Goff is standing by his comments about US President Donald Trump as he arrives back in New Zealand. The former High Commissioner to the UK was sacked from his role after questioning whether Trump understood history. Goff says Trump's treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prompted the question. He told Mike Hosking the comments weren't made flippantly. Goff says he thought about them seriously and wanted to know why the Trump administration was appeasing Russia. He also acknowledges his comments were risky, but didn't expect to be fired for them. Goff says he thought the comments were close to the line, without crossing it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv New Zealand fires UK envoy Phil Goff over Trump comments Sheer panic as child killed by car on Kendal sports pitch Glastonbury 2025 Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX and The 1975 to headline Stamp duty What is it, how much is it and how is it changing Assisted dying debate The UKs real problem with palliative care Scientists discover new part of the immune system US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza hostages Worst train companies to be named and shamed European leaders gather for special defence council in Brussels Home buyers race to beat stamp duty rise

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Home buyers race to beat stamp duty rise Glastonbury 2025 Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX and The 1975 to headline US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza hostages Stamp duty What is it, how much is it and how is it changing Worst train companies to be named and shamed Sheer panic as child killed by car on Kendal sports pitch Assisted dying debate The UKs real problem with palliative care Scientists discover new part of the immune system New Zealand fires UK envoy Phil Goff over Trump comments European leaders gather for special defence council in Brussels

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza hostages European leaders gather for special defence council in Brussels Home buyers race to beat stamp duty rise Assisted dying debate The UKs real problem with palliative care Worst train companies to be named and shamed Glastonbury 2025 Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX and The 1975 to headline New Zealand fires UK envoy Phil Goff over Trump comments Stamp duty What is it, how much is it and how is it changing Sheer panic as child killed by car on Kendal sports pitch Scientists discover new part of the immune system

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Home buyers race to beat stamp duty rise Scientists discover new part of the immune system Worst train companies to be named and shamed New Zealand fires UK envoy Phil Goff over Trump comments Stamp duty What is it, how much is it and how is it changing European leaders gather for special defence council in Brussels Glastonbury 2025 Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX and The 1975 to headline Sheer panic as child killed by car on Kendal sports pitch Assisted dying debate The UKs real problem with palliative care US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza hostages

The man at the centre of the economy for eight years has resigned, leaving without notice or explanation. Adrian Orr stepped down from his role as Reserve Bank governor on Wednesday. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper says it would be beneficial to hear from Orr. "He's either accepting absolute defeat in what he set out to do, or he's saying ... 'I've done the job, now I'm out of here.' LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Goff remaining as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has been labelled "untenable" by the Foreign Minister, after comments criticising Donald Trump. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Lisa Owen about the resignations of Reserve Bank head Adrian Orr and Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran, as well as the sacking of UK High Commissioner Phil Goff.

Winston Peters has sacked Phil Goff from his post as High Commissioner to the UK, after comments he made about US President Donald Trump at a Chatham House event in London. University of Waikato Professor of Law Al Gillespie spoke to Corin Dann.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has accused the Government of being "super-sensitive to the Trump administration", following Phil Goff's sacking. RNZ political editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A former High Commissioner to the UK says while they feel bad for Phil Goff, Winston Peters was right to sack him. The Foreign Minister stepped in to fire Goff over comments made questioning Donald Trump's understanding of history at a public event. Sir Lockwood Smith was in the role from 2013 to 2017 and told Mike Hosking those kinds of comments aren't acceptable. He says the High Commissioner acts as the voice of the New Zealand Government and so needs to be very careful. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 7th of March, Phil Goff has lost his job as the High Commissioner to the UK – was it warranted? The Black Caps are preparing to clash against India for the Champions Trophy final and Tom Latham joined to break down the campaign to date. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discussed the ventures of nepo babies and the raft of resignations and job losses as they Wrap the Week. 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.

Am I joining too many dots? I wonder aloud whether the Government and the Prime Minister, having had by any measure a very good week, has at last got the message that some action, as opposed to yak, might be what the punter wants a bit more of? There's been several solid health changes; more doctors already here to be parked at GP's, more nurses and scripts via tech when we want them. I mean, the idea that getting a script on the net at an hour that suits you really shouldn't be a thing, but it does show you how backward we have become. They are all practical, sensible, and politically beneficial. The exam concerns from principals that wanted less hard work and more free credits? That was dismissed as the minister hammers home the concept of hard work and not giving up. The big one was Adrian Orr gone. It was a sacking without a sacking and a result the Government wanted and needed. Then there was Phil Goff gone. Was it thinly veiled? Maybe. It was a stupid comment, if you didn't catch up on it, and a Commissioner's job is to represent the Government, and never more so than when you are dealing with a new, unpredictable America and walking a tight rope in the Pacific between China and the US. A couple of other minor ones - the Prime Minister's marmite sandwich line on this show. It was a nod to middle New Zealand who are fed up with elite moaners and elite media and their pile on over an issue that, in a convulsing world, is really embarrassing now. Secondly, and more importantly, health again with bowel cancer. The screening age has been has been dropped from 60-years-old to 58-years old. The money comes from the segregated Māori bowel screening programme. The message is this is one country, with one rule for everyone. Bowel cancer is not a race issue, it's a health issue. So by the time you put all that together on a Friday morning you have collected up a fairly substantial seven days, and the vast majority of it is positive, on the right side of the voter and gives the very clear indication that a week's worth of actual “doing” is vastly more appealing and productive than a week worth of announcing, or defending, or scrapping, or time wasting. Keep it up and the polls will show it's what the majority of people actually voted for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists with Scott Campbell + Sarah Perriam-Lampp. They discuss Phil Goff's sacking and potential tariffs on New Zealand agricultural exports to the US. Plus they debate whether New Zealand should host the next America's Cup.