Podcasts about police minister mark mitchell

There's fresh criticism of Labour's selection process, while the party itself continues to brush off concerns. Police are reviewing whether new Labour candidate Rakesh Naidoo shared any sensitive information with the party while deciding whether to stand. His bid for Parliament was announced on Monday after two months of discussions with Labour, but he only informed his manager last week. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan Richard Chambers is responsible for maintaining neutrality. He says the Police Commissioner should have put a plan in place to manage the perception of neutrality but was never given a chance by Labour. But Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen insists Naidoo followed the correct process. She told du Plessis-Allan it's surprising and unusual for the Commissioner to make public comments before any review's taken place. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commissioner says he should have known months ago that senior officer Rakesh Naidoo had decided to run for Labour, to protect Police impartially. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says Naidoo has been privy to private information. Commissioner Richard Chambers says he only found out on Sunday, while Labour says Naidoo told a supervisor his intentions last Thursday. Chambers told Kerre Woodham there are clear Police guidelines for a reason. He says they've seen each other multiple times in the past two months, and they needed to know a lot earlier so impartially is protected and everyone is kept safe. WATCH ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A youth programme leader is delighted to see the Government prioritise early intervention through sport. Sport and Police Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed an $8 million cash injection for established initiatives supporting troubled young people. Blue Light Ventures Chief Executive Brendon Crompton told Heather du Plessis Allan every dollar put into their programmes returns more than seven to the community and taxpayer. He's thanking the Minister and NZ Sport for recognising that a kid in sport stays out of court. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's hoping a youth programme funding boost will help keep kids on the straight and narrow. It's confirmed an $8 million cash injection to support troubled young people through sport and physical activity. Sports and Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Francesca Rudkin it will reach a wide range of kids, including some already inside youth justice facilities. He says they're using trusted community organisations like Champions Initiative boxing group, Blue Light, and Tauranga-based Live for More. Mitchell says wants to provide more funding down the track. He says it's about providing the best role models, and getting more youth engaged in sport, which can transform lives. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satisfaction the vast majority of the country's Corrections workers are good eggs, despite the arrest of 14 Auckland staff. A dozen have been charged with accepting bribes, while several are also charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug —namely methamphetamine— to prisoners. They worked at the Mt Eden and Auckland South facilities. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge it's a small portion of the 11 thousand workforce, and he's satisfied the recruiting process is up to snuff. He's confident low wages aren't behind the acts, as you can't buy integrity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks ago, 1News aired a story discussing the fact that gang members in New Zealand now outnumber police officers. The story was aired the same day as the government released data showing that the number of victims of violent crime has decreased.  After the releases, Police Minister Mark Mitchell complained on Facebook that on the same day as the government announcement, 1News ran a story seemingly with a contrary argument. Later in the week, 1News aired a new story discussing the decrease in victims of violent crime.  After the first story was aired, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed he had called the journalist to share his thoughts. He then was called by TVNZ's board chair, Andrew Barclay, where he says they discussed a range of matters, including the story. The situation has drawn criticism from some, who say it could indicate biased reporting by 1News. To discuss the situation and the importance of independent journalism to a democracy, News Director Castor spoke to Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies at Auckland University of Technology, Gregory Treadwell.

The Government's this week announced it will give police the power to issue move-on orders in town centres across the country to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour. It has caused quite a stir. No doubt it was welcome news to many people who live and work in the city centres where this behaviour has become an issue. The new laws give police the power to require a person to leave an area for a specified time - up to 24 hours - and it will be up to the police officer to determine the distance, and whether any support is required for the person being moved-on. In theory - these new powers will make city centres safer and more welcoming, respond to the business community's concern that rough sleepers harm economic activity, and will help connect homeless people to support services. But we all know that the issue of homelessness is complicated and nuanced, and that temporarily removing the problem from sight does nothing to fix the problem. The Police Association said it would be a drain on resources. Retail NZ welcomes new tools for police but doubts their long term usefulness. The Auckland City Mission is looking into how it can become a legal refuge so people in need can still access their facilities. In short, no one seems convinced by this plan. The police do need to have the power to deal with serious cases of disorder, and to prevent harm, but they alone are not responsible for solving this issue. For a start, I doubt they have the time. Then there is the Government's phasing out of police attendance at mental health incidents to reconcile, when we know people experiencing homelessness often face significant mental health challenges. There are other issues that are sign-posted by the name - ‘moving on'. The ‘problem' can come back the next day, or it simply shifts the problem somewhere else. Enforcing move-on orders doesn't create housing or ensure social services support - it will more likely just displace people to parks, suburbs or less visible areas, without addressing the underlying issues. Homeless people often sleep near town centers because that's where food banks, health services, probation services and community support providers are located. Moving them out of these areas could make it harder for outreach workers and social services to find and help them, reducing their access to essential support. And on top of all this, to enforce it all - we're threatening to fine or imprison some of our most vulnerable people. Imprisonment doesn't solve homelessness, and a criminal record can make it even harder for a person to secure work or housing in the future. Police Minister Mark Mitchell acknowledged that every situation will be different, and police had the expertise to assess and determine what support would be required. This is where the police and the New Zealand public may have different ideas as to what to expect from these new powers. Homeless-free central cities across New Zealand? Not likely. The Government's move-on law may provide businesses and the wider public with short-term relief from visible homelessness and anti-social behaviour. But without meaningful investment in housing and support services, it risks criminalising vulnerable people, fracturing service access and merely 'sweeping the problem under the rug'. True solutions require addressing the structural causes of homelessness, building trust with affected communities, and creating inclusive pathways out of homelessness - not just expelling people from sight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand government says it's tough on crime policies are working. The latest survey shows 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year up to October, which is an improvement on the last two years. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Matt & Tyler that the reduce in crime has eased the stress on business owners, who no longer need to worry about as many burglaries and ram raids. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association is questioning whether officers are the right people to help rough sleepers get the social support they need. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Corin Dann.

I am torn on this one because I know somebody needs to do something. That classic old talkback quote, Somebody needs to do something." Well, somebody has. The government is giving police new powers to crack down on beggars, rough sleepers, and basically nasty oiks. Yesterday, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced the new move on orders and details around when they'll be issued and who they will target. Goldsmith said we should not accept our city centres becoming places of intimidation and dysfunction. He said our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance, and inner city businesses are suffering as a result. And he's right. We've had many Auckland central city business people ringing in at their wits' end about what to do with people who've been sleeping and soiling in their shop doorways and who threaten and intimidate their customers. But the police are right, yet again, they're being told to do the dirty work, the mopping up when other agencies fail, just as they had to do when mental health services were failing the mentally ill. President of the Police Association Steve Watt told the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning, it's not the police's job to move on the homeless. It's about getting the right resource to tackle the problem. And I appreciate police are that 24 7 agency that always respond, that get things done. But the reality is, is we can't be the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff every time. What we have to do is look at the problem That's what the police are, Steve. What we have to do is look at the problem and determine what's the best resource to deal with it. And I'd suggest in this case, it's not police. You sound like a social worker. If somebody's lying across the footpath and abusing me because they're high on drugs and they're causing a disturbance to the peace and I can't open my business or I can't go into a shop, that's your job, isn't it? And when you talk about the Summary Offences Act, there's offences in there that we can deal with disorderly behaviour. We can arrest people for disorderly behaviour. We can arrest people for threatening behaviour, offensive behaviour. That's not an issue, and we do that on a daily basis. That's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about move on orders from someone who hasn't committed an offence. And that's the thing, isn't it? That was Steve Watt, and to be fair, there was a fairly negative reaction to his comments. Oh, get tough, get hard." But if you've met one homeless person, you've met one homeless person. They can't all be lumped together as one hopeless, God forsaken bunch. Some of them are gentle, kind, broken souls, and I say that because I've met them and I've talked to them. And I think the police have too. So the police know there's a huge number of reasons as to why people are on the street. So some of them are just broken. They're gentle, they're kind, they're good, they're doing their best in a hopeless situation. Others are crazy, angry, broken souls, like the completely methed out old crone that takes her clothes off, climbs a tree God, the poor tree, you know, nature doesn't judge and that's a beautiful thing, but passers by can and do and shrieks at people from the top of the tree. You know, like, no, not good. Some have been on the street since they were kids because no matter how bad the streets are, it's better than the place they call home. Others are victims of circumstance. Remember the man who rang us? He was living in his car despite being a homeowner and formerly having a six figure salary. The drink had got to him. So in a moment of absolute clarity, he'd put tenants in the house so he didn't lose it and couch surfed till all his friends gave up on him they'd had a gutsful and he was living in his car waiting to get into a treatment centre. And I hope he's there now. I think he should be, shouldn't he, Helen? He said he was I think due to go in. And I hope he's doing well. And I have met some really lovely, lovely humans who happen to be homeless, some by choice, some by circumstance. I've also endured foul mouthed, foul smelling, aggressive humans who I've had to cross the road to get away from. So you can't just lump the homeless into one lot. There's a thousand different reasons why they're there, and the police are quite right. The agencies, the social agencies are the ones who should be trying to help them. Some of them won't be helped. And if, you know, if they're committing crimes, move them on. None of us should have to put up with abuse and intimidation, nor deal with the filth created by other people, no matter how damaged they are. So I'm really torn. You know, as the police say, if we're moving on the rough sleepers, who's responding to your burglary? Well, Steve, actually at the moment nobody is. You know, very few, you don't get an instant police response at the moment anyway, so it's not like you're going to be suddenly dragged away from my burglary to move a rough sleeper on. Something had to be done. I quite agree. You just can't have the kind of fighting, nakedness, foulness anywhere. Nobody should have to put up with that, least of all people who are getting up early and trying to make a living, and the customers who are trying to support them shouldn't have to deal with that sort of nonsense either. But at the same time, we need agencies to help those who want help, who would like to be helped, who would like to live in a home. And if that's the agencies not doing their job, then get onto them rather than leave it to the police to do the mopping up yet again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The crackdown on drug drivers is due to start today. Starting in Wellington first, saliva testing will be used to test the drivers for 4 drugs; cannabis, meth, MDMA and cocaine. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the drug tests being used are new to police, and a trial period is necessary before a national rollout. "We will scale it up, but the police have to make sure. It's a new form of testing, so it's important to trial it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police minister is rejecting claims he knew more about the Jevon McSkimming situation, than he let on. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell's doubling down on his version of the McSkimming saga timeline - calling recent claims "absolute utter nonsense." Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster's come out over the weekend claiming Mitchell - and Chris Hipkins - knew about the McSkimming affair, years earlier than they're letting on. However Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan he was only told on November 6th 2024. He says Coster was told to brief him by the Public Service Commission, and he didn't buy or swallow the narrative that McSkimming was a victim. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The woman at the centre of the Jevon McSkimming scandal has called for an inquiry into Police culture. Commissioner Richard Chambers denied that the Police have culture issues. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that although a lack of values was shown by the previous commissioner, "you also had four very senior police officers that stood up with bravery and stuck to those police values and showed enormous integrity." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says trust needs to be regained after the Independent Police Conduct Authority found there were "significant failings" in the way police responded to complaints about former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. . Q+A asked him why allegations weren't raised in his office earlier and whether there were wider structural issues at play. . Mitchell spoke of a “corrupt Police executive" in the interview, then later walked back on his comments. . He said in a statement: “Regarding my comments on corruption, I acknowledge that the IPCA report did not use the words corrupt or corruption and on reflection I misspoke. Like most New Zealanders, I am personally disgusted by the behaviour highlighted in the IPCA report.” . The IPCA report did find that in handling complaints McSkimming, Police bypassed standard processes. Although they didn't find evidence of collusion, they did find senior officers — including the former Commissioner — attempted to rush investigations to help McSkimming's application for commissioner and failed to recognise the inappropriateness of their actions. . 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.

"Everyone can see now just how bad it was". Those were the words of Police Minister Mark Mitchell who revealed that emails containing allegations about Jevon McSkimming's behaviour were kept from him by former police commissioner Andrew Coster's office. Coster is named in a scathing report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority into former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming. The report found a group of high-ranking police officers failed to properly act on accusations of sexual offending against McSkimming. Kate Green reports.

If you've heard any news at all today, you'll be aware the Independent Police Conduct Authority has released a report into the Police's handling of complaints about former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming McSkimming hit the news earlier this year when he resigned from his post. At the time Police Minister Mark Mitchell said the allegations against him were "of a very serious nature". McSkimming was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to possessing objectionable material on his work laptop. But it turns out there was much more to this story, and the investigation into McSkimming, than that. Here to explain all the ins and outs of this case is RNZ political reporter Giles Dexter.

On the podcast, Duncan Garner blasts New Zealand Police leadership after the IPCA's explosive report into deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming's behaviour and the subsequent high-level cover-up. Garner calls it “corruption at the very top”, demanding prosecutions and cultural reform. Police Minister Mark Mitchell weighs in, admitting the executive's conduct was “atrocious”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The government is set to appoint an Inspector General of Police - after a damning report into the force's handling of the Jevon McSkimming case. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A damning report into the handling of complaints against Jevon McSkimming reveals interference and cover-ups during the "Commissioner-appointment" process. The former Deputy Police Commissioner is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to having child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his work devices. A watchdog report finds some of the nation's highest ranking officers ignored a young woman's anonymous complaints against McSkimming and prosecuted her for harassment. Gagging orders were put in place to ostensibly protect the reputation of McSkimming - who was a top candidate to replace outgoing Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. It has been revealed that emails regarding the subject were also sent to the office of Police Minister Mark Mitchell, but he was blocked from seeing them. “They put a protocol in place whereby I was not to have visibility on it, or any of my political staff, and they were going to be handled by PNHQ,” he told Mike Hosking. “So I had no visibility on any emails that I received, you know, that came through my office.” When asked who is the bigger criminal in this case, McSkimming for his behaviour or Costa for covering it up, Mitchell told Hosking they're as bad as each other. "It's atrocious behaviour,” he said. “They have put the rest of our outstanding police officers in an awful position – who turn up every day and quite simply do outstanding work.” The concern for Labour's Ginny Andersen is the impact this situation will have on public trust and confidence in the Police. “New Zealanders should have every confidence that if they take a complaint to the Police, that it is investigated fully,” she told Hosking. “It does erode public trust and confidence that taking a complaint forward will be taken seriously and investigated.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says he's pleased former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming's pleaded guilty to having child exploitation and bestiality images on work devices. He admitted to three representative charges in Wellington District Court this afternoon. Court documents reveal the 52-year-old made thousands of Google searches, many seeking AI-generated or cartoon images. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says this result shows no-one's above the law - but this behaviour reflects poorly on the police. "For every one officer - and it's a big organisation, so you're always going to have some people that don't uphold the standards. But most of our police officers do, they're out there every day, they're doing tens of thousands of positive acts." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 6th November - Auckland Central MP and Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick tells Heather why she thinks there's "hysteria" around the rough sleeper issue. Police Minister Mark Mitchell reacts to Jevon McSkimming pleading guilty to possessing objectionable material. Famed New Zealand chef Ben Bayly celebrates the Michelin Guide coming to our shores. And the Huddle debates whether taxpayer money should be going to bring Michelin to New Zealand. 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.

There could be more cases of judges handing back seized gang patches to gang members convicted of wearing them in public. Law professor Al Gillespie says the law allows discretion for judge, and they'll use it. This week, a judge ordered police give back a patch seized from a Lower Hutt gang member. Police Minister Mark Mitchell calls the decision disappointing and confirmed police are appealing. But Gillespie says the judge was within his rights to make the decision. "We could see more, I think that's quite possible. And if you do disagree with it, that's fine - but change the law." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministers from both sides of the divide are praising the Police for their handling of the Tom Phillips situation. The four-year manhunt for Phillips ended early on Monday, when he was shot and killed by Police after he shot at an officer in rural Waikato. The children were safely recovered and are in the care of Oranga Tamariki. Former Police Minister Ginny Andersen says authorities have been doing their best, during the four-year search for Phillips. She told Mike Hosking the area is very remote and a difficult part of the country to navigate, so she thinks the police did everything they could. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Hosking the police have been outstanding, and the huge relief is having the children in a safe situation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell will visit the officer critically injured in the Waikato shootout with Tom Phillips. Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 9th of September, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell discuss the successful operation to find Tom Phillips' kids and the police officer who was shot in the process. Sir Brian Roche details his disappointment in the unions for rejecting yet another pay offer, and what they say is the issue. High performance coach James Laughlin is in for a motivational word. 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.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says officers faced a difficult and complex situation bringing an end to Tom Phillips's time on the run. He was shot dead by Police in the early hours of yesterday on a rural Waikato road following a burglary. An injured officer, who was shot multiple times, remains in Waikato Hospital and is facing a number of surgeries. One of his three children was with Phillips, the remaining two were found yesterday afternoon at a campsite around two kilometres from where Phillips died. Mitchell told Mike Hosking it's almost the worst-case scenario for Police. He says that although it was an absolute tragedy, safely recovering the three children is a good thing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The children of fugitive Tom Phillips are still missing. The Marokopa father was shot dead by police in the early hours of this morning, following a burglary in Waikato's Piopio. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says he's confident the police will find and recover the children. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 8 September 2025, the tragic story of the missing Tom Phillips and his kids has come to a close today. The kids are with authorities, Tom Phillips is dead and a police officer critically injured. Police Minister Mark Mitchell and former police negotiator Lance Burdett speak with Heather as the situation unfolded. It was a terrible weekend for Labour, with an embarrassing overwhelming by-election loss and the defection of former Labour MP Stuart Nash to New Zealand First. The Ministry of Education has doubled its pay offer to secondary school teachers, but they won't have a bar of it. Plus, the Huddle reflects on the sad end to the Tom Phillips story and whether getting Stuart Nash on board is a coup for New Zealand First. 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.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 22 August 2025, Fonterra's agreed to one of the biggest ever deals in NZ business history. Chief Executive Miles Hurrell tells Heather why he's selling Anchor, Mainland and co for almost $4 billion. Police Minister Mark Mitchell explains how a big tech upgrade will allow first responders to find your location if they have concerns for your NZ Rugby chair David Kirk explains where you'll be able to watch the rugby next year after signing a new five year deal. Plus, the Sports Huddle debates whether the player exodus from the ANZ Championship will hurt NZ's netball futures. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says he'd never second-guess an officer's actions during a police incident. Multiple investigations are taking place after an officer shot two people after a domestic dispute. An officer shot a man carrying a hunting knife, with fears he'd seriously injure a woman. The officer then shot the woman dead, when she threatened officers. Mark Mitchell says he feels for the officer. "My thoughts go out to those police officers and their families, they have my full support. It is a police officer's worst nightmare to be placed into a situation like that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 14 August 2025, should the Royal Commission into Covid reconsider summonsing ex-Ministers Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins and co? Constitutional lawyer Graeme Edgeler reveals what he thinks could happen next. Israel's deputy foreign Minister Sharren Haskel speaks to Heather about Chris Luxon's call that Netanyahu has 'lost the plot'. Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Heather speak about the future of armed police officers after police shot two people overnight, one of them died. The overseas-born Kiwi dad on the bureaucratic nightmare getting his kids citizenship - and why he thinks those with Maori ancestry should be fast-tracked. Plus, the Huddle reacts to the Israeli foreign Minister - and are teachers losing the room with their strike next week? 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.

Earlier this week the government announced they'd be replacing the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) with a new set of national secondary school qualifications. Minister of Education Erica Stanford says the current NCEA system was failing to help students develop critical thinking skills and was difficult for parents to navigate as well. In that same week, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the FBI would be opening a dedicated law enforcement attaché office in Wellington. Defence Minister Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell said that the new office would strengthen our ties with the five eyes alliance, with Patel additionally saying the move would counter Chinese influence in the region. And the Green party recently launched a petition calling on the government to reverse policies of theirs related to emergency housing access that the Greens say have led to an increase in homelessness across the country. For our weekly catchup with the Green party, Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March to get the party's take on all of these issues.

Details have emerged about the career-ending night former Minister Kiri Allan was arrested in Wellington for drink driving. Allan resigned immediately after crashing into a parked car and testing over the legal limit in mid-2023. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Heather du Plessis-Allan her behaviour was unacceptable, but he believes in redemption and everyone makes mistakes. Labour's Ginny Andersen says there is public interest in knowing what happened, but it must be difficult for Allan to have everything playing out again. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday, Destiny Church held a protest in the Auckland CBD under the slogan “no immigration without assimilation”, denouncing non-Christian religions and other groups in Aotearoa. The demonstration, which Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki described as a “lawful, peaceful protest”, involved the destruction and burning of flags including the Palestinian flag and the Rainbow Pride flag. Leaders from a collection of ethnic community groups have called for the toughening of hate speech laws in response to the intolerance displayed at this protest action, which political figures like Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and Police Minister Mark Mitchell condemned as “unkiwi”, and “vile rhetoric and behaviour”. Seeking to dive deeper into the issue of extremism and hostility towards diverse cultures in New Zealand, I spoke with far right and alt-right extremism expert Byron Clark about the protest and the existence of these groups in Aotearoa. Producer Sara began the interview by asking Clark to explain the kind of ideologies that were on display at the protest.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says told Mike Hosking that police bodycams would help clear up misconceptions in the field. He says he was talking to a young constable who was coward punched and a body camera would've made for compelling evidence. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers wants the cameras to be implemented after a decision was put off last year. Police are still looking into ways to deal with transparency issues laid bare when new tasers for frontline officers didn't include a camera. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The select committee process has proven useful in substantially strengthening anti-stalking laws. Originally proposals on making it an offence had a maximum penalty of five years in prison, capturing three specified acts within one-year. But it'll now be triggered after two acts within two years. Labour's Police spokesperson Ginny Anderson told Mike Hosking it's an example of why the process is an important part of our democracy. She says it's been great to work collaboratively, to listen to submissions, to understand what Police can do and to make the changes to strengthen the law. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Hosking that police take these things extremely seriously, and they now have the tools to be able to give a meaningful response. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 June 2025, Police Minister Mark Mitchell responds to a new report warning corrupt police, customs and immigration officers are on the increase. Bloodbath! Auckland home owners are coming to grips with their very disappointing property valuations - and real estate agent Rawdon Christie says it's already having an impact on the housing market. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith explains his big change to the Government's anti-stalking law. Plus, the Huddle debates why we online shop but then abandon the trolley. 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.

The Prime Minister, Police Commissioner and Police Minister have all been forced to hose down concerns over an internal police memo directing officers not to investigate crimes under a certain value. The nationwide internal directive, made public by RNZ, set the cut off for petrol drive off at $150, $500 for shoplifting and $1000 for fraud, including online scams. The instruction was to file those cases regardless of lines of inquiry or solvability. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Police Minister is attempting to clarify the meaning of a memo to staff on lower-value retail crime cases. The nation-wide directive told staff not to investigate shoplifting worth less than $500 dollars - and less significant petrol, online and retail theft. Mark Mitchell says that's not explicitly what the memo intended. He's promised police will respond to crime, and says the directive should have been worded better. "And it could have been much clearer in the way it was written - it did create some confusion, I totally understand and get that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 May 2025, Police Minister Mark Mitchell fronts up on the show to calm some nerves. Retailers are worried about a police memo that indicated police won't investigate shoplifting below a certain value. Tragedy in Palmerston North where a teenager has died after a run it straight type event. But is a ban the answer to preventing more harm? Labour leader Chris Hipkins responds to Winston Peters ruling out any NZ First-Labour coalition as long as Hipkins is the leader. Does that mean his days as party leader are numbered? Plus, the Huddle debates *that* shove from the French president's wife that was caught on camera. 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.

The Government's conceded it'll likely miss its November target for 500 new police. Under the National-NZ First coalition agreement, it aimed to reach the recruitment target within its first two years in office. Police bosses say they've been facing challenges, with more trainees failing training and more people leaving the force. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking they're not going to get hung up on the target. He says they're going to deliver the 500, but standards matter, and they won't compromise. Labour's Ginny Andersen told Mike Hosking that the closer they can get to what they promised the better, but they're currently only sitting at 17 extra officers from when they started. She says getting to 500 by November is virtually impossible. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has resigned. Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced on Monday Mr McSkimming had quit before he could be dismissed. National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers are not talking about the two investigations into police deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

The Prime Minister won't comment on the resignation of New Zealand's second most powerful cop, Jevon McSkimming. The Deputy Police Commissioner had been on suspension since December - but Police Minister Mark Mitchell has now confirmed he's resigned with immediate effect after new serious allegations. Mitchell says the Prime Minister had already been considering recommending the Governor General immediately remove McSkimming from office. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACT party has invoked its "agree to disagree" clause in relation to National's recent review of the firearms registry. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Hawkes Bay has seen three shootings in 48 hours as gang conflicts heat up. A gang conflict warrant has been invoked 26 times since Thursday, leading to eight arrests. Police Minister Mark Mitchell talks to Mike Hosking about the conflict. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the journalist who was accidentally added to a group-chat discussing US plans to bomb Yemen has released a series of unredacted text messages, the Parole Board has ordered the immediate release of hunger striker Dean Wickliffe from prison, Green MP Tamatha Paul has come under fire over comments she made about an increase in police patrols, we hear from Paul as well as the Police Minister Mark Mitchell, and a public radio time capsule has been unearthed by Parliament's security services.

Green MP Tamatha Paul said she has had complaints about police beat patrols, and that a visible police presence makes people feel more on edge. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

More than 76 gang patches and more than 315 other insignia items have been seized by police since the government's new gang laws came into force in November. They've laid more than 3000 charges against gang members, including for drugs, firearms and serious violence. But police have not yet issued any disperal notices, prohibition orders or laid any non-consorting charges. Police Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Lisa Owen.