Podcasts about prime minister christopher luxon

The Wellington region's mayors, as well as iwi, church and social support agency leaders, say the government's proposed move-on orders are not welcome in the region. An open letter decrying the introduction of powers to enable police to relocate people from certain areas - under threat of fines or imprisonment - has been sent to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Tonight Murray Edridge, one of the signatories, joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk about it.Labour has reshuffled its caucus with eight months to go until the election. We'll have a look at who is where and the response from the government.Liam Rutherford, teacher and NZEI negotiation team lead, joins us tonight LIVE at 9.30 to talk about the pay rises offered to non-union primary teachers amid stalled negotiations. This comes after nine months of negotiations between the Commission and the primary school teachers' union, NZEI Te Riu Roa. The period, which is still continuing, has been peppered with strikes, rejected pay offers and accusations of bad faith.++++++++++++++++++++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/

Last weekend saw the United States and Israel airstriking Iran, with Iran retaliating with strikes on Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. The New Zealand government put out a press release soon after, condemning Iran for the strikes and for protest crackdown earlier this year.  While the press release and later communications from the government have called for all parties to follow international law, the government has offered little in criticism of the United States and Israel's bombings. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, when asked if the strikes were legal, said it would be up to each country to provide a justification.  This past week also saw a new policy from the government that would look to reclaim ACC payments from those already receiving welfare payments. ACC claimants usually receive funding to support their inability to work, however those on the benefit will already be receiving such funds regardless. While there is cross-party support for a change that would remove this “double dipping”, the policy would also charge back some of those who have already benefited from this loophole.  The move has been criticised by opposition MPs, who say creating debt for already marginalised or vulnerable groups is unfair and morally questionable. For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the New Zealand government's stance on conflict in the Middle East and issues with this new ACC policy change, beginning on the Middle East.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon discusses his latest polling; Winston Peters on the latest developments in the Middle East and their possible implications; International relations expert Robert Patman warns that the rising death toll in the conflict could potentially strengthen the position of Iran's regime; Epidemiologist Michael Baker explains the impacts of New Zealand's ninth wave of COVID-19; Jill Rodgers discusses increased police recruitment efforts in Auckland aimed at boosting frontline staffing.

One week on, the war in Iran is progressing by the day. In the latest, the United States are gearing up to potentially send ground troops into Iran, Australia is considering whether they should send in troops, and New Zealand supports the US but won't involve itself any further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is at risk of sounding a bit like Joe Biden. You'll remember the former US president bungled that election debate with Donald Trump and then people started calling for him to go and he said he wasn't standing down. Christopher Luxon sounded a bit like that when he was on Newstalk ZB on Friday afternoon and this morning. He said he was “absolutely not” considering standing down. That the only thing he was thinking about was the future of our kids and grandkids. I think he's absolutely right not to be thinking about standing down. Not that I think his colleagues won't try to roll him. That could happen. And, when I heard him on Friday, I wondered whether his denial of having any thoughts about standing down was a message for us or a message for his caucus. I'm in no doubt he was talking to his colleagues. Telling them very publicly that he's not going anywhere. He said he has no idea where the talk about him considering his future came from. He also said “hand on heart” he will still be Prime Minister and leader of the National Party when this year's election comes around. So not considering his future in the slightest. Nor should he. While I don't think he's anywhere near the best prime minister we've ever had nor the best leader National has ever had, he's not the worst of a pretty average bunch. Over the weekend, a poll came out saying that 51 percent of people want to see a new leader of the National party. But that same poll showed that the likes of Erica Stanford's star has faded a bit with voters. The other thing too with her and other names mentioned, such as Mark Mitchell is that, while they have impressed people with their portfolio work, do you reckon they'd be any good at being across everything? Could you imagine Mark Mitchell or Erica Stanford talking about inflation with any great authority? Chris Bishop would probably be the most credible on that front. Another reason why I think Luxon should stay, is that this is his moment to show that he can hold a steady course when things hit the fan. It's his chance to show that he can keep a team together when things are going a bit pear-shaped. Reason number three: the last thing this country needs right now is more turbulence. There's enough going on. Changing prime minister is way different than Labour changing leader back in 2017 when it was in Opposition. If Chrisopher Luxon is the leader he seems to think he is, then he'll ignore all that noise. Not for his sake. But for the sake of the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OPINION: Luxon should not bow down to negative polls. What a weekend it's been for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. And strangely enough, the whole situation really kicked off right here on this show on Friday morning with a little chat with Nicola Willis. The results of the poll were out, people were talking about miserable they were, the Nicola Willis interview kicked it off. It started the conversation again — a question about pressure and about how bad a poll has to be before a change in leadership is talked about — and then suddenly it grew legs. By the afternoon it was on national television, it was on Heather du Plessis-Allan's show, and the Prime Minister himself was fronting it. And he said it clearly - he is absolutely not stepping down. Now I've got to tell you something honestly — all Friday afternoon I kept thinking to myself, good. I hope he doesn't quit. Because look around the world right now. Everywhere you go, people are unhappy with the leader they've got. Why? Governments are being hammered by economic pressure, global instability, wars, the aftershocks of the pandemic, and recession. It's not exactly an easy time to be in charge of a country. The latest polling hasn't been kind to Luxon. A Freshwater Strategy poll reported by The Post shows 51% of voters say he should be replaced as National Party leader, while only 36% believe he should stay. Now, another survey from Curia Market Research put the New Zealand National Party at 28.4% support, its lowest level under Luxon. So yes, there's pressure. But here's the thing that really struck me over the weekend — most of that push for change isn't coming from National voters. The polling shows 67% of National supporters still back Luxon, and 60% of ACT voters support him too. The loudest calls for him to go are coming from Labour, Green, and Te Pāti Māori supporters. Which raises a pretty obvious question. Why on earth would a governing party sack its leader because the opposition wants them gone? Of course they want them gone, they'' want anyone gone. And then we get into the horse-race stuff. If Luxon were pushed out, the poll says Chris Bishop would be the most preferred replacement on 18%, followed by Nicola Willis on 11%, Erica Stanford on 10%, and Mark Mitchell on 9%. But here's my view. Changing Prime Minister in the middle of a tough economic recovery is exactly the kind of instability New Zealand does not need right now. We've come through COVID. We've been through inflation. We've had interest rates crushing households. We've had a recession. We've had tariffs. Globally we're watching wars in the Middle East and instability all over the world. This is not the moment for political musical chairs. So, my message to Christopher Luxon is pretty simple this morning. Don't quit. Don't wobble. Don't let the noise get to you. I want you to - front up. Stand up. Be stronger. New Zealand doesn't need another leadership drama right now. What it needs is steady leadership — even if it's not perfect — while the country gets itself back on track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Taxpayers'-Union Curia poll revealed this morning that Christopher Luxon's National Party has sunk to its lowest result in the poll since 2021. National is sitting on 28.4%, down 2.9 points from February's poll. The result sparked conversation around whether Luxon should step down. Luxon joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to defend his position and says he is 'absolutely not' stepping down. LISTEN ABOVE OR WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pressure is well and truly on for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. We break down a brutal new poll that shows National's support tanking to just 28 percent. Duncan explains why senior figures are telling Luxon to head home and consider his future over the weekend. Is this the beginning of the end for his leadership? We look at the potential contenders waiting in the wings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 57 part 2, we continue out chat with The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Following on from last week, we get deeper into his past two years as Prime Minister, the recent India Free Trade Agreement, and whether he would work another term alongside coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour. There is no escaping Christopher Luxon’s aspiration for New Zealand nor his passion for the role that he now occupies. He’s driven by outcomes rather than slogans and that reflects in his attitude about the election campaign ahead. And if he could flick a switch, what’s the one thing he would like to change?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Israel launched strikes at Iran over the weekend, prompting concern and outrage from experts. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have criticised Iran's counter attacks, prompting Helen Clark to call the Government's response 'one-sided'. Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie has said this attack was illegal by the standards of international law. "There's nothing in the UN charter that says you can bomb someone who won't negotiate...the exemption to that was if this was a pre-emptive attack and it was an overwhelming necessity, and that cannot be seen in this instance." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have issued a joint statement on the escalating tension in the Middle East. The US and Israel launched a massive assault on Iran overnight with reports of more than 500 targets hit. It's reported more than 200 people have been killed in the strikes across Iran and there's also claims the country's Supreme Leader is now dead. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says this is a rapidly changing situation, and it's important for this to be handled carefully. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

The Government will today reveal its back down on controversial Auckland housing intensification plans amid fierce public criticism. New planning rules would currently allow another 2 million homes in Auckland. But last month the Government announced it'll water down the rules with an announcement expected this afternoon. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Kerre Woodham a balance needs to be struck. He says Auckland has to grow with affordable housing, but quite rightly some Aucklanders have said they don't want big buildings next to their homes. He's also allaying concerns about a proposal for a $9 toll on Auckland's Harbour Bridge. The Infrastructure Commission recommended tolling the existing bridge, and second new crossing, to reduce construction costs on the Crown. But Luxon told Woodham it's only an idea. He says the Government hasn't decided whether it'll be a new bridge or a tunnel yet, and decisions on how to fund it will come later. He says tolls are the only way to pull forward the development of new roads, faster. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

We thought we'd start with Eden Park given that the number of concerts allowed annually at the Auckland stadium will almost triple. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, and Nick Sautner, CEO of Eden Park, among others, confirmed the details of a State of Origin fixture at a press conference at Eden Park this morning, along with the news that Eden Park will host up to 12 large concerts, 20 medium sized concerts per year on any day without having to go through the hoops of resource consent. At the moment, they can host 12 concerts and they can't be from more than six different artists or acts. So Ed Sheeran does two nights or the Hot Wheels does two days, but it can only be six artists or acts. Nighttime sport will also be allowed on any day including Sundays as long as the games finish by 10 30 And the first State of Origin match outside Australia in 40 years. That must have taken some negotiating. It is a lot and it's very exciting for Auckland and indeed for New Zealand. It's expected the State of O will attract more than 10,000 international visitors from Australia and when they come, they spend. The changes to Eden Park's rules and settings follow an investigation into whether the current rules for the park as set down under the Auckland Unitary Plan are limiting economic growth. And Chris Bishop said the investigation had found that, well, yes indeed, the rules are overly restrictive, out of step with modern stadium use, and are directly constraining economic activity. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner says Eden Park has shown it's more than capable of hosting big events and he's pleased the government's giving them the opportunity to make the most of the stadium. This weekend we've got the Edinburgh Tattoo. The Premier of Queensland came out yesterday and said $39 million of economic benefit. Jehovah's Witness delivered 3.5 million visitors to Auckland and New Zealand. So we are a strategic asset for New Zealand and a community asset for Auckland. I do want to acknowledge the community. We have over 97% support. This has been about engaging with the community, transparency, and also careful event management. Yes, so you can understand why he's excited. You can understand why a lot of promoters, festival goers, sports fans are excited. But I do feel for the residents who bought their homes in the area knowing what the rules were at the time they bought the houses. Now they have seen the rules change. But so many people around the country have seen their neighbourhoods change around them. They are not isolated in this. People who bought a home with a lovely house next door, one careful set of neighbours, all of a sudden it's a great big housing development and where there was one house there are now 12 That is a big change for a neighbourhood. Nothing stays the same. It makes absolutely no sense to have a stadium that is only used a few times a year. And I'd go further and say it's immoral to have that amount of land, prime land in the inner city, being underutilised. If you are not going to use it as a stadium, then have the trust give it over to the government and build a Kāinga Ora housing development, put more people into homes in a prime position next to work, near play. You can't have a stadium sitting there doing nothing. That makes no sense at all. And if you've got a motivated trust and a motivated CEO that wants to do as much as they possibly can, and they have contorted themselves trying to come up with different ways to make use of the stadium. Art in the Park, beautiful event, not a traditional use for a sports stadium, but a successful one. There are so many ways to use the stadium. I accept that there will be much more disruption for those who have bought there, and for those who bought when the rules were what they were, I can understand why you'd be a bit grumpy. Nick says 97% of the community's on board, which is a pretty good stat if that is so. You can't hold back that kind of economic growth, that kind of success, that kind of feel good atmosphere because 3% of the neighbourhood's grumpy and doesn't want to share. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. If your neighbourhood has changed and the rules have changed around you, can you understand the concerns that a few of the residents might have? For those who live in and around the area, is it going to be a win for you if you're a business? If you're a resident, can you put up with it for the sake of the wider good? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year at Big Gay Out, politicians will be permitted to speak again at the mainstage, despite not being allowed last year. Politicians and their parties have had a complicated history at the event, most recently with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon leaving after being harassed by protestors at the event in 2024.  Big Gay Out has also been the site of other significant political action, including the Green Party's 2021 petition to ban conversion therapy.  To discuss the decision and the importance of linking queer events with politics, News Director Castor spoke to Communications and Advocacy manager at the Burnett Foundation, Kirk Serpes. Big Gay Out is on this Sunday 15th February at Coyle Park. 

Parliament's wading into debate whether a levy the Government announced yesterday is indeed a levy, or in fact a tax. The so-called 'levy on electricity' will fund building an LNG import terminal. Labour was quick to label this a 'gas tax', but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Energy Minister Simon Watts maintained this project would bring down people's power bills. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's discussions in Parliament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

A number of politicians, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, were heckled during Waitangi speeches with conflicts surrounding treaty principles interpretations remaining the primary contention point. Although, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says that, despite the evident tension, progress is being made. "We attended the National Iwi Chairs from a couple of days ago on Wednesday, and there's a real constructive and positive vibe, and appetite to do things together," he told Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum has unanimously backed a High Court challenge from Hauraki iwi Ngāti Manuhiri against the Governments Marine and Coastal Area Act passed last year. The Act makes it harder for Māori groups to win customary title; a move the government says restores the legislation to its "original intent". The forum is meeting at Waitangi this week and will tomorrow meet with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Māori News journalist Pokere Paewai spoke to Lisa Owen from Waitangi.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

For review:1. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 30 rejected the Kremlin's proposal for holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow but signaled readiness for a meeting in a more appropriate format.2. It was Vladimir Zelensky who insisted on a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, not the other way around, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov recalled at a news briefing, commenting on statements from Kiev about its desire to host a Russia-Ukraine summit.3. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, President Trump said he asked Russian President Putin not to fire on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, “and the various towns for a week and he agreed to do that.”4. Satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year by Israel and the United States that may be a sign of Tehran trying to obscure efforts to salvage any materials remaining there.5. US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed he has had dialogue with Iran, as The New York Times reported he was considering potential raids by American troops on facilities within the Islamic Republic.6. US President Donald Trump said Friday he had given Iran a deadline to make a deal, as Washington moved significant military assets to the Middle East ahead of a potential strike on the Islamic Republic.7. New Zealand has decided against accepting US President Donald Trump's invitation to join his Board of Peace, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.8. The US State Department has approved more than $6.5 billion in potential military sales to Israel in three separate contracts, the Pentagon says.The US State Department approved a potential sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.98 billion, and another sale of AH-64E Apache Helicopters for $3.8 billion, the Pentagon says in separate statements.A third military contract was also awarded for $740 million to provide Namer armored personnel carrier power packs & integrated logistics support.9. The Syrian government and Kurdish forces declared a ceasefire deal on Friday that sets out a phased integration of Kurdish fighters into the state, averting a potentially bloody battle and drawing US praise for a “historic milestone.”10. Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace's Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system. The 19 billion Norwegian kroner (around $2 billion) deal includes 16 launch systems and an unspecified “larger number of missiles” across three range variants, including the 500-kilometer (310-mile) range. 11. The Senate passed the $838.7 billion fiscal 2026 defense spending bill today, after Democrats and the White House reached a deal to largely avert a government shutdown.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by Penny Ashton and Patrick Phelps. First up, with the recent fatal weather dis related disasters in the North island we have to ask: does our emergency planning match the frequency and extremity of events? The Panel talks to Richard Adams, the founder and director of Taskforce Kiwi, an organisation that offers completely voluntary support in emergencies. Then, the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has declined Donald Trump's offer for New Zealand to join the Board for Peace. The Panel mulls over the pros and cons of the decision - should we have taken the seat at the table?

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers Union 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! Judith Collins today confirmed she was retiring from politics - will we miss her? Will New Zealand politics be different without Ju-Co around? Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has sunk to his lowest popularity in the past year, with a leaked poll showing more voters disapprove of him than approve. What can the Government do differently here? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, following weather warnings and torrential rain, slips across the Coromandel and  Bay of Plenty wreaked havoc, cutting off communities, damaging houses, and worst of all, taking lives. At the base of Mauoa, Mount Maunganui, a slip hit a council-owned campsite, claiming six lives and now eyes are turning towards how a tragedy like this could be prevented in future. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was among the world leaders offered membership on Trump's post conflict government body, the board of peace. The board has received scathing criticism for including people under investigation for war crimes and failing to have a representative voice for the Palestinian people. Luxon has, in turn, received criticism for not ruling out the invitation. Finally, the New Zealand Defence Force has begun to incorporate uncrewed vehicles and drones as it moves into a new era of increased defence spending For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wire host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about Luxons refusal to rule out joining Trump's board of peace, and the New Zealand Defence Forces incorporation of drones but began with asking him about the fatal slip in Tauranga,  

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.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

NZ First leader Winston Peters is questioning whether New Zealand should continue to fund the World Health Organisation; Travel agents are worried British-New Zealand dual nationals may get turned away at the airport or UK border when new passport rules come into force; Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; Rescue crews have halted recovery efforts at the Mount Maunganui landslide overnight after workers spotted potential instability in the slip; Economists say it might be time to recalibrate our expectations for inflation and interest rates following higher-than-expected inflation figures on Friday.

We've got some Christmas messages from the political leaders at Parliament to bring you throughout the programme. First up we have the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and Labour leader, Chris Hipkins.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; It's the network that first gave us internet on our cellphones, but over the weekend providers began the slow process of turning it off; The Motor Trade Association says the Government has got it wrong with proposed changes to the Warrant of Fitness system, and is urging motorists to have their say. Police will begin testing drivers for illegal drugs in the Wellington District today.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; The police minister is rejecting claims he knew more about the Jevon McSkimming situation, than he let on; Netflix seems poised to acquire Warner Brothers and all its assets in a deal worth almost $144 billion; The All Whites are set to face Belgium, Egypt and Iran during the group stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 5th of December, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike to wrap the year before he takes off on holiday. They also exchanged gifts, and both of them were hugely impressed with each other's loot. And for the final time of the year, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrapped the Week, talking about the gift exchange and Mike's reaction. 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.

‘Tis the season for the annual swapping of gifts between the Prime Minister and broadcaster Mike Hosking. For Prime Minister Christopher Luxon the festive season has begun with meal tray tables bearing the longtime broadcaster's face, after the pair exchanged gifts in a Christmas tradition that dates back several years. As for Hosking, he'll leave the Newstalk ZB studio today with a bespoke calendar with a range of dates highlighted, from sports events to Parliament's Question Time and random world elections. “I get a lot of unsolicited advice when I'm in Parliament during question time. So, I've marked out in green all the times that you can give me that unsolicited advice,” Luxon said. “And then the other two big interests in your life are obviously F1 and the Warriors games, so they're all mapped out there on the planner. And then sometimes you love to give a bit of esoteric advice to the listeners around sort of the Cameroonian election that might be taking place. So, down this side, I've just given you a list of random world elections.” Luxon also gave the broadcaster two wine glass rubber lanyards, briefly alarming Hosking as he unwrapped his gift, which was “only for you and [wife] Kate”, Luxon said. “Oh my Lord, what is it?” Hosking replied before the Prime Minister revealed the lanyards were bought at Ikea after the Swedish giant opened its first New Zealand store in Auckland yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking after the pair exchanged Christmas gifts on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning. Photo / Cameron Pitney “I was the first person in the country to make a physical purchase in the store at Ikea. And I bought Mike ... wine glass lanyard[s], because as he ponders his estate ... him and Kate go wandering around and they often have a glass of wine in hand. “As you've got older, I don't want you to trip and fall, because that'd be a real problem.” You can listen here to the exchange. The tray tables were inspired by a comment Luxon made this year about him and wife Amanda eating dinner on their laps while watching Netflix. “Stop eating dinner on your knee, it's not healthy”, Hosking scolded the Prime Minister. “All I ask of you when you're sitting with that on your lap looking at me … is not to spill your food.” The Prime Minister described the trays as having “lovely wood surrounds” and the image of Hosking as being “very wistful”. “It's ponderous and thoughtful,” Hosking said. “The question I'm asking you with my eyes is, ‘Do you really think you'll win the election next year?'” The Government has been struggling in the polls as economic challenges continue, with Luxon himself the subject of ongoing speculation that his leadership may face a challenge from within his own party. But the Prime Minister's response was to the point. “Oh hell yeah, don't you worry about that.” ‘The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview' Last year, after Luxon's first full year in the top job, Hosking gave the Prime Minister a gift he described as “one of one” and a “prototype”. It was a book titled “The Complete Guide to Surviving a Mike Hosking Interview”, which Luxon described as “genius”. Luxon gave Hosking a Christmas card with a family photo on it and some “furikake seasoning,” a Japanese seasoning typically made with toasted sesame seeds and nori. “People like me, who are men of the people, just use salt, I mean, I come from a very humble background,” Luxon said. “This is what really posh people do.” “Absolutely love it,” Hosking said in response to the gift. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast with host Mike Hosking in October. Photo / Mike Hosking Luxon also gave Hosking a “special energy Voost” that was described as “posh Berrocca”. Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also exchanged gifts with Hosking during her time leading the country. This included in 2018 a framed photo given to Hosking of the pair riding Lime scooters together and, in exchange, a T-shirt with a picture of Hosking holding a vacuum cleaner. Broadcaster Mike Hosking proudly wearing his Christmas gift from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - a T-shirt immortalising a verbal stoush between the pair. Photo / Supplied The following year Ardern – who in 2021 would cancel her regular weekly interview on the Mike Hosking Breakfast – gave the broadcaster a T-shirt showing the pair mid-verbal stoush and with the slogan “I heart Tuesdays”. “This could go wrong,” Hosking then said as he prepared to give Ardern her gift, a miniature “one-off Mike Hosking vacuum cleaner”. “And I don't want you to think it's a sexist gift either because … no one loves to vacuum more than me.” Broadcaster Mike Hosking gifts Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern a miniature vacuum cleaner in their annual gift exchange in 2019. In 2020, Ardern pranked Hosking by gifting him a Labour billboard featuring the ZB host alongside the Prime Minister herself, a present she said Hosking will grow to love as the years roll on. “Do you want me on board? Have you seen my magnetism as a vote-getter?” Hosking joked. Ardern then unwrapped two presents from Hosking, one for daughter Neve and one for herself. Hosking gave Neve a Mickey Mouse soft toy with Neve's name engraved before pranking Ardern back with his own gift to her, a series of face masks with his face printed on the front. “When I first opened it, I briefly worried it was a g-string,” Ardern said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Expelled MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was heard by Justice Radich in the Wellington High Court in regard to her interim injunction against Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attended the IKEA opening in Auckland today. And, head of the Justice Ministry, Andrew Kibblewhite, defended Sunny Kaushal's work as chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for victims of retail crime, including more than $227K in pay and a $3200 morning tea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; Doctors will be able to apply for loans of up to half a million dollars to buy into or start a practice under a proposed policy from Labour; From today, a group of patients with breast and lung cancer will be the first to be able to receive taxpayer-funded medicine in private clinics; Plans to reopen the abandoned Waiwera Hot Springs in North Auckland will move ahead today - with the team behind the revival lodging resource consents; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

The days of regional councils could soon be over. It's understood the Government will announce a proposal for a local government shake-up later this afternoon. It comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hinted on Sunday that a major reform is coming. Earlier this year, regional development minister and New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones told a forum there was "less and less of a justifiable purpose" for keeping regional government once the RMA reforms went through. Which got us thinking about regional councils and their purpose... To help explain that and what today's announcement could be, political reporter Russell Palmer joins me.

National is proposing to raise Kiwisaver contributions to a combined 12% by 2032 - bringing it in line with Australia; Newly re-elected Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says his second term will be focused on boosting the region's economic growth, making the CBD more inviting, and securing a city deal; Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Lara phones in for a chat with Rosetta and Milly about Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's comments that rising prison populations are a "good thing". Whakarongo mai nei!

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; The number of Chinese tourists travelling to New Zealand has remained well below pre-Covid levels, despite a strong recovery from countries like Australia and the United States; Ousted Te Pati Maori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has called a hui for this weekend, where she wants an explanation from the party's executive about her expulsion; Police are still searching for the body of a child who died alongside two other children and an adult in a house fire just south of Sanson.

During an interview with the ‘Morning Report', Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that orders for the homeless in Auckland's CBD to move on were “definitely a consideration”. He later stated, that “Aucklanders don't feel safe going into the central city”, and both Central government and Auckland Council are considering how they can move homeless people out of the CBD ahead of summer.  This follows previous reports that the Government was considering a rough sleeping ban for central Auckland. This news comes as Stats NZ released their annual unemployment figures this week. The results show that national unemployment has risen to a nine-year high at 5.3%, with the New Zealand youth taking most of the damage. For our weekly catchup with The Green Party, Wednesday Wire Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March, to discuss the new unemployment figures released last week. They also spoke about the Government's new action plan to combat methamphetamine use. But first, they discussed what The Green Party thought about the Government's plan to decrease homelessness in the Auckland CBD

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report; The government has extended its pause on funding to the Cook Islands - bringing the total to $30 million over two years; The government has released a new multi-ministry action plan to fight what it describes as the scourge of methamphetamine; Among those attending COP30 is a group of rangatahi Maori known as Te Kahu Pokere, the first iwi-mandated Maori youth delegation to ever attend the global conference; Hybrid work policies are in the spotlight at the moment, with ACC being taken to the Employment Relations Authority over a recent change to its work from home policy.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.

Measles cases continue to climb as health authorities work to stamp out the outbreak of the higly-contagious virus. In response Te Whatu Ora has launched a measles immunisation week this week, to try to curb the spread. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Corin Dann.