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Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ben Thomas and Penny Ashton. First up, after Winston Peters' pledge to repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill, are cracks starting to show in the coalition? Political commentator Jacqui Van Der Kaay gives her analysis. Then, the New Zealand Breakers basketball team have been under fire for deciding to not wear a rainbow pride jersey. Was their decision justified?
Winston Peters has detonated the week's political story, promising to repeal the government's new Regulatory Standards Bill. ACT's David Seymour instantly shouted that Winston is eyeing up Labour. Really? We dig through what's real, what's theatre, and what's pure Winston. Spoiler: it's mostly Winston being Winston. Duncan breaks down how this bill really came about, why ACT demanded it, and why National never cared much for it in the first place. We look at what this means heading into the next election cycle, and why coalition partners are already positioning themselves for 2026. Maurice Williamson and Ashley Church join Duncan on the panel, to explain what's actually in the bill, why it has barely any teeth, and why the conspiracy theories swirling around it are miles off. Then we dive into the brutal Ipsos polling, the Greens' mining shocker, the state of the public service, and the crumbling trust in mainstream media. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Labour says the Government shouldn't be celebrating record high prisoner numbers. Earlier this week Prime Minister Christopher Luxon declared it was a good thing the prison population was nearing 11 thousand people. The Government is also celebrating a reduction by 38 thousand in the number of victims of violent crime since it came into power. Labour's Duncan Webb told John MacDonald that while locking people up may provide short term relief, it doesn't last. He says they eventually get out and will cause more harm unless they've been rehabilitated. National's Matt Doocey told MacDonald that he disagrees with Webb framing the situation as locking them up, but not fixing anything. He says you can actually do both, and there is a duty to ensure there are rehabilitation programmes for incarcerated individuals. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The coalition is in the throes of internal warfare - with Winston Peters and David Seymour slinging barbs over the Regulatory Standards Bill. In a stunning about-face today, Mr Peters has pledged to revoke that law - ACT's brainchild - next term - despite voting it through last week. It has prompted an extraordinary rebuke from David Seymour - who says Mr Peters looks like he's gearing up to jump ship to a Labour coalition. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.
Winston Peters says the Coalition is doing just fine after his change of position on ACT's Regulatory Standards Bill. The NZ First Leader says next year he will campaign on getting rid of the legislation, despite supporting it just last week. ACT Leader David Seymour finds that worrying. But Peters told Mike Hosking he rejects any claim the Coalition is crumbling. He says their number one responsibility is providing a stable Government, which it is doing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 21st of November, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith discusses the drop in victims of violent crime and how the campaign against gangs is going one year in. Winston Peters explains his changed stance on the Regulatory Standards Bill and what happens under MMP. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson Wrap the Week, talking Winston and the media. 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.
It's Friday once again which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back with Mike Hosking to Wrap the Week that Was. They discussed the cost of living in the United States, the media, and Winston Peters' latest announcement about the Regulatory Standards Act. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
David Seymour isn't impressed with New Zealand First's promise to campaign on repealing ACT's Regulatory Standards bill. The Bill passed last Thursday - supported by New Zealand First, National and ACT - and became law two days ago. NZ First leader Winston Peters has since called it a 'terrible overreach' and 'not fit for a modern democracy'. Seymour gave his opinion on this move. "People want to play politics - I mean, it's not even an election year yet." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 20 November 2025, Education Minister Erica Stanford talks whether she's going to go further on digital restrictions in our schools. Heather asks Wellington Mayor Andrew Little whether he'll cancel the Golden Mile project altogether - after the council voted to pause the works. Predator Free New Zealand Trust CEO Jessi Morgan celebrates the government's move to add feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 hitlist. David Seymour talks his comments about Winston Peters wanting to repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill. Plus, the Huddle debates whether you can stand at a concert - no matter what sort of ticket you have. 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 BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Just the Usual Bullshit/Can't Wear Tinfoil Hats Down a Mine/Chambers Feels the Heat/Mark the Week/Talking TurkeySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the announcement of the new ferries yesterday seemingly having a...shall we say...holes in it financially, we're getting Labour's Spokesperson for Transport on LIVE at 9pm to talk fact versus fiction when it comes to this dealIn what looks like a completely cowardly move Winston Peters, who had the power to cancel the RSB, now says he will repeal the RSB if re-elected. David Seymour says Winston Peters siding with Labour and accuses Peters of "getting ready to go" with Labour after the election next yearThe Big Hairy Network has had a very successful day at the NZ Podcast Awards and we've invited all the guests to come and join us tonight around 9.30 to have a chat, and a wee celebration with you guys=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of #BHN www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social
Can you trust Winston Peters not go with Labour next year? No you can't. He hasn't ruled it out. Despite National scoring a higher party vote in 2017, he went with Jacinda. Labour has not ruled Winston out. Winston has not ruled Labour out. Winston has ruled out Chippy, so a leadership swap in the last seven weeks of the campaign, or even during negotiations, is possible. Hipkins is a party man, and if the choice was opposition for his caucus or the Treasury benches, he'd fall on his sword. So it's a live scenario. If Labour and NZ First get enough to form a coalition together, wouldn't he prefer that to another threesome on the right? He hates Chippy because of Covid and his ‘what is a woman' malfunction in that press conference, but the party's been working hard to shake the overly wokey/dopey vibes since then. Also, he hates Seymour. And if there was a chance for him to extract big spending policies, some regional fund, manufacturing energy deals, and more gold card benefits, I reckon he'd go for it. The scenario becomes much less likely if the Greens and whatever might be left of TPM need to prop them up. He hates them much more than Seymour, and would look stupid going into government with a Green handshake and a hongi. The rule with Winston is pretty simple: all options are on the table and this time next year, as summer approaches and the weather warms, we will be doing stake outs at his beach house and his crowbar villa in Central Auckland. Waiting outside, microphones ready, guessing who the patron saint of Kiwi politics will anoint to lead the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick Mills wraps the week withpolitical commentator and academic Dr Bryce Edwards and lawyer and political commentator Brigitte Morton. They get into the hot topics of the week starting with NZ police culture, the commissioner and the email's sent to the electorate office. Morton and Dr Edwards also discussed the rise in prisoner numbers and the building of new prisons, the new ferry announcement, the Golden Mile, the new state highway improvement plans, the uber court case and give their hots and nots for the week. Plus, Winston Peters and the regulatory standards bill. Could Winston Petersjoina coalition with Labour again? Morton and Dr Edwards give their thoughts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Teachers believe students are less distracted in class, according to a report released today into the phone ban in schools; 'Heidi' records consultations and automatically creates draft clinical notes, referral letters, and follow-up summaries for doctors to review and approve; AI chip-maker Nvidia is due to report its earnings today - with investors bracing for a $300 billion swing in market value; Winston Peters has announced he's secured a fixed price deal for two new ferries, which will come into service in 2029; The government says the Great Rides are giving regional tourism a huge boost, with those biking the trails spending $1.28 billion on accommodation, food and hospitality.
The Rail Minister has lifted the lid on how the government plans to save cash on the new Cook Strait ferries. Nick James reports.
Winston Peters has announced he's secured a fixed price deal for two new ferries, which will come into service in 2029.
Minister for Rail Winston Peters believes the binned iRex ferry plan would have meant major infrastructure issues that are no longer a worry. He's announced the two new Interislander ferries are expected to come in on time and under budget, for less than $2 billion. Peters told Mike Hosking Tasmania is struggling with two new ferries and no infrastructure and he doesn't want to see the same problems here. He said he got a really hard-nosed, tough, experienced team to sort out the ferry plan, and they've done a marvellous job. “In less than 11 months they have put together a solution at all ends.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 20th of November, Minister for Rail Winston Peters discusses the new ferry deal and whether the timeline will be stuck to. The phone ban in schools is working, according to a new ERO report, but we need teachers to be enforcing it more. Kiwi singer Paige has gone from strength to strength since she last joined the show in 2021, so she came back on for a song and a chat with the release of her new EP. 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.
Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has moved to pause prescription on puberty blockers - what do we make of this? Winston Peters is celebrating how much money he's saving the country with our new Cook Strait ferries. Do we see the costs blowing out on this one? The Breakers are being criticised for deciding not to wear a rainbow flag on their jersey for the NBL's Pride Round. What do we make of the backlash? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Winston Peters says logic has prevailed, as he confirms our new Cook Strait ferries are coming in under $2 billion dollars. The new Interislander vessels are expected to arrive in 2029 under budget. The Rail Minister claims it's saved the taxpayer more than $2 billion on the canned mega-ferries project. Peters says he's confident the Government's done the right thing. "This is common sense we're applying here, there are contingencies in our plan as well. And to cover off any concerns you've got...we've got together a hard-nosed team." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ferry Holdings Ltd Chairperson Chris Mackenzie joined Nick Mills to discuss the new ferry designs and cost, revealed yesterday by Winston Peters. They talked about the changes, the process to get to this decision and the future of the Cook Strait ferries and wharf. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A little bit husky, a little bit hoarse, not as bad as Heather, but a little bit husky from belting out the classics at Eden Park last night with Metallica. Oh my god. Oh my god. What a show. What an event for the city. If you were there, you know, and you'll still be buzzing, and you will still think that is one of the best concerts you've ever been to. I used to quite like Metallica. I mean, you can't grow up in the 80s and not know who they are and not appreciate them as a consummate as consummate performance, but I wasn't a die-hard fan. I went down after work yesterday to get some merch because I was taking my eight-year-old grandson to the show last night because he loves them. I thought I like them, I'll go, I'll get him a T-shirt. A three-hour queue to get the merch! And the town was heaving with people in Metallica T-shirts, and I thought, wow who on earth would queue for three hours? Who would travel from the far ends of the country and from across the Tasman to go to Metallica? After that show last night, I'll tell you who will be queuing for three hours, me, I will be. I've gone from they're good to oh my god. And I've got all of these years of music to catch up on. How fabulous. And just for the vibrancy it brought to the city. And I have to say Eden Park, and a number of us at ZB were invited along by Eden Park, so bear that in mind when I say what I say, but Eden Park is a fantastic venue. Everybody it seemed had great seats. The show itself, the stage was amazing. There were no problems for us getting out. We walked for 15 minutes, got picked up by his dad and out we went. The crowd was lovely. Honestly, I could rave all morning, but I'm not going to. I shan't. It was amazing and perhaps we can compare notes a little later. We do have news to talk about. And finally, finally, finally after years of wrangling, and after years of cost blowouts, and after years of political infighting, ladies and gentlemen, we have two new ferries. Well, not exactly – we have a contract for two new ferries. And yes, wait, yes, we did have a contract for two new ferries with the South Korean shipyard. That contract got torn up. Now we have a new contract for two new ferries with a Chinese shipbuilder. Port infrastructure will have to be rebuilt to accommodate the larger ferries while much of the Wellington side infrastructure can be rebuilt and upgraded. Picton they'll need new stuff, Wellington they can make do. And that's where the real savings are to be had for the taxpayer. The new ferries will be hybrids, able to switch between using diesel and electric power, and will have more capacity for trucks and rail wagons that exist at present. Winston Peters, who's been all over this from day one, said the new no-nonsense infrastructure programme was helping save the taxpayer money when the two ships enter service in 2029. The iRex project, that was the one ditched by the Coalition Government when it came to office, which included substantial costs for landside infrastructure, had ballooned to approximately $3 billion at the time of its cancellation. In 2023, Treasury officials said, yes, we know it looks like $3 billion, we think it could be more like $4 billion when we look at the cost overruns, when we benchmark it against average cost overruns and other similar projects. When even Grant Robertson, the former Finance Minister, says, oh no, we're spending way too much money, this is very concerning. When he says that, you know that it's getting out of control. There was no guarantee it was going to be around $4 billion. And the problem seems to have been, rather than delivering the much oft-quoted phrase of Nicola Willis', a Toyota Corolla, under the spell of the former government, there were consultants and officials going, oh my god, we can build a state-of-the-art shipping infrastructure within New Zealand, and it's going to have all the bells and whistles and the very latest technology, and yes, we do have to build completely new infrastructure to service it, but my god, can we look what we can do. And they were given full rein to go off and design something and create something really beautiful that just kept getting more and more expensive. The new ferries are expected to replace the current fleet by the end of 2029, and possibly there will be cost overruns, and possibly it won't be 2029. I spoke to the chair of Ferry Holdings, Chris Mackenzie before we came on air, wait till you hear the attitude he takes, the pragmatic, no-nonsense, no-frills, let's just get the job done approach. That's what was needed and that's what we've got. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ferry Holdings' Chairman says he's more confident in the new Cook Strait ferry plans than the ditched iRex project. The Government's officially signed a fixed-price contract with a Chinese shipbuilder for two new rail-enabled ferries. It's now securing teams to build the required infrastructure at Picton and Wellington ports. Winston Peters claims the total cost will come in under two billion dollars and will be delivered on time in 2029. Ferry Holdings Chair Chris Mackenzie told Ryan Bridge the iRex project would have required a lot more work to be done on the ports. He says the new plans don't need much to be moved as it's re-using as much as possible from existing infrastructure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
These polls that keep showing Labour ahead of National are a sign of how crap the economy is. Up until a few weeks ago, I was ignoring polls because Labour didn't have any policy. Labour was ahead, but it didn't have any policy. I thought, well this is a protest vote. They're pissed at National for not fixing the mess Labour left behind. But the voters are not stupid. And they're voting for the no-policy party as a protest, not because they'd actually vote for them. But now, Labour has some policies - albeit three. Including the contentious capital gains tax. And they will love how this has played for them so far, because it hasn't actually been a terrible mess. So now that Labour has more policies, confirming they are indeed the party of more tax and more spend, the numbers should be turning, but they're not. The latest IPSOS poll shows voters trust Labour more on the economy, the cost of living - and basically everything but foreign affairs and law and order. And foreign affairs is Winston Peters! The economy should turn around - green shoots next year, etc, etc. But people aren't feeling that yet. So National's strategy of wait and hope till November next year is looking riskier by the day. As for the leadership question - well, Jacinda didn't teach us much about that. But what we did learn from her is that you can switch leaders really close to an election day and not crash your vote. In fact, you can actually increase it. So an 11th hour switch to Stanford or Bish or whoever will remain a live option right up till D-day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. NZ Inc: 7/10 A pretty good week. This Wednesday Auckland hotels will be at 100% and yesterday the visitor arrivals showed yet another upward movement. Slowly but surely, there is more and more that is positive to embrace. Winston: 6/10 "We" and asset sales. You see how he operates one year out? The stirring has begun. The politics of firearms: 4/10 What you thought was coming and what actually arrived had a price and Nicole McKee had to swallow at least a small-ish rat. Kim: 7/10 As in Kardashian and SKIMS. One of the biggest capital raises for apparel this year and a market cap now of $5 billion. Laugh all you want at that family, but it's an industry. The BBC: 1/10 Game, set and match on the argument over balance and impartiality. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A shocking report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority has revealed a litany of serious failings in the handling of complaints relating to the disgraced former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Not only were the complaints from a former lover diverted from the appropriate channels by senior leaders including former police boss Andrew Coster, the woman involved was arrested and prosecuted for harmful digital communications. The new commissioner and the police minister insist that it is a failure of a small group of senior leaders – “bad apples”, as Mark Mitchell put it – rather than something systemic or cultural. But, ask Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire, almost 20 years after the damning Margaret Bazley report that followed the Louise Nicholas case, is that explanation good enough? Plus: Parliament has two newly independent MPs, following the Te Pāti Māori National Council expelling Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Takuta Ferris “for breaches of Kawa (the Party's constitution)”. As the implosion in the party deepens, a number of questions remain unanswered. Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters are exchanging blows over asset sales – is this a fracture in the coalition, an exercise in nostalgia, or two bald men (apologies Mr Peters, this is very much a metaphor) fighting over a comb? And changes to the Zero Carbon Act were announced with zero fanfare – what does it mean for New Zealand climate action and Paris commitments? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Coalition differences were aired at volume today - with Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters at loggerheads over the prospect of asset sales. The Prime Minister says it's a conversation worth having. The New Zealand First leader says it's a failed economic strategy. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.
The Prime Minister has responded to Winston Peters' fears over potential asset sales. Chris Luxon has ruled them out this term, but is again suggesting it needs discussion. Meanwhile, the NZ First leader has told RNZ it's a silly argument - and claimed the party will stop the country's assets from being sold. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the discussions further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As one coalition partner speaks against asset sales, another is keen to welcome them with open arms. The Prime Minister reiterates he's ruled them out this term, but is keen to reconsider them in future, saying legitimate conversations should be held. New Zealand First's Winston Peters says he's going to stop the country's assets from being sold. "The reality is, the name of this game is getting an asset and extracting the maximum amount of value out of it for your your workforce, for your wealth, for your economy. Other countries do that, why don't we?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and CTU economist Craig Renney joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government says it is taking significant steps to improve police oversight after a damning IPCA report on the handling of complaints against former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Can Andrew Coster come back from this? The Government is set to roll out roadside drug tests from December. What do we make of this? Is this the right move? Prime Minister Chris Luxon and NZ First leader Winston Peters are clashing over the idea of asset sales ahead of next year's election? What do we think will come from this? US President Donald Trump is threatening to sue the BBC for over $1 billion over their misleading edit of his speech that appeared to encourage the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021. How much trouble is the BBC in? What does this mean for our trust in media? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 11 November 2025, a new bombshell IPCA report has revealed serious misconduct by senior police leadership in the Jevon McSkimming saga. Herald investigative journalist Jarod Savage speaks to Heather with the latest. Drivers will soon be tested for drugs as well as alcohol in roadside tests - Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains who will be pinged. NZ First leader Winston Peters is firmly rejecting the idea of asset sales in a public clash with Prime Minister Chris Luxon. Former White House Chief Information Officer Theresa Payton tells Heather what scares her about AI and how we need to do to be able to trust it. Plus, the Huddle reacts to the damning IPCA report and when is Craig Renney going to announce he's running for Labour? 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.
Handbags at 30 paces in the coalition today when Winston Peters said of asset sales were a “tawdry silly argument” and that the government has not fixed the economy. PM Luxon responded calling out Peters' age saying ‘he's been here 50 years for goodness sake'Chris Hipkins spoke to the NZ Herald this morning talking CGT, asset sales and what the relationship is like between TPM and LabourTe Ururoa Flavell spoke out this morning on the TPM expulsion of MPs with a perspective that comes straight from someone, who was the leader of TPM The Democrats fold to Trump and the GOP today to reopen government. Many, including some on the right, are acknowledging that this is a big loss to the Democrats.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of #BHN www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social
Christopher Luxon isn't ruling out sales of government assets - an issue one of his coalition partners is vehemently against. Winston Peters spoke to Corin Dann
A mood of protest sweeps New Zealand in 1991, sometimes spilling over into violence, as the reform machine powers on. Benefits are slashed, the Employment Contracts Act fundamentally reshapes the labour market, the health system is restructured, and Jim Bolger U-turns on a “no ifs, no buts, no maybes” promise around superannuation. Here Ruth Richardson tells the story of the Mother of All Budgets – what she was hoping to achieve, and how it got that indelible name. In a whirlwind first year of government, Richardson takes some drastic steps. And National's challenges come not just from outside, but from within – Muldoon continues to lurk the halls, and there's a charismatic, increasingly popular young MP making trouble, too: Winston Peters. Includes new and exclusive interviews with Jim Bolger, Ruth Richardson, Jenny Shipley, Susan St John, Helen Clark, Bill Birch, Rob Eaddy, Michael Laws and more. Click here for full details of archive material used in this series Juggernaut 2 was made with the support of NZ On Air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Cook Islands politician says public pressure is mounting for its Government to mend its rift with New Zealand. The Foreign Minister has paused almost $30 million dollars in funding. Winston Peters says Prime Minister Mark Brown didn't properly consult New Zealand before signing a strategic deal with China in February. Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne says she can't understand why Brown isn't listening. "We've got an interim Foreign Affairs Secretary, and it sounds like, supposedly, negotiations that were supposed to be happening with New Zealand may not have happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In light of Guy Fawkes Day last week, the NZ First Party has launched a member's bill that aims to ban the public sale and use of fireworks in the country. Party Leader, Winston Peters, in announcing the member's bill, says the reason for this proposed move stems from its possibility to cause fires, and its harm to pets. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland, about the member's bill, and the impact fireworks season has on animals, both companion and non-companion. They also touched on why we have seen so many member's bills come from the party, in light of an opinion piece by Spinoff journalist Joel MacManus.
Our political correspondent discusses Te Pāti Māori and Winston Peters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jamie talks to Nicola Willis, Emlyn Francis, Jane Smith, Stefan Vogel, and Winston Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Slightly ironic, don't you think, that on the day people up and down the country are turning up at work and school wearing their gumboots for Gumboot Friday, we've got Lifeline saying it can't keep running on the smell of an oily rag and has to cut back on services. Which means no one answering the phone or replying to text messages between midnight and 7am. Call them then and you'll get a message saying you've reached them out of hours and to call back later. Which is not how Lifeline has done things for the past 60-odd years. It's become known, hasn't it, as a 24/7 option for people needing help on the mental health front night and day. And you've got to say that if a service has lasted more than 60 years and gets the number of calls for help that it gets and genuinely helps the number of people that it helps, then they know what they're doing and what they're doing is valuable and needed. Needed not just 17 hours a day, but needed 24 hours a day. And the numbers show it. In the year to June, Lifeline responded to more than 40,000 calls, 182,000 text messages, and created 4736 safety plans for people in need. Break that down and that's about 110 phone calls every day, 365 days a year. About 500 text messages every day, 365 days a year. And, on average, that's 12 safety plans written for people every day of the year. It's the 12 safety plans every day that shows why Lifeline is such gold. Because, when someone is at the point of needing a safety plan, they are really desperate aren't they? Shaun Greaves is chief executive of Presbyterian Support Northern, which runs Lifeline. He's saying today: “Lifeline saves lives every week and remains a critical frontline service New Zealand's suicide prevention network. “Without immediate government support, Lifeline's ability to deliver the critical service New Zealand desperately needs is a serious concern.” So, let's say the Government did come to Lifeline's rescue – how much would the taxpayer be up for? Two million dollars a year. That's the funding gap that is forcing Lifeline to cut back on services and ditch its overnight operation. This is at the same time as the Government, through Tourism NZ, is spending $6 million getting the Michelin Star people to come over here to eat at our fancy restaurants and see if they're worthy of being ranked up there with the best restaurants in the world. The Government spending $6 million on restaurant reviewers and not spending $2 million on Lifeline is nothing short of moral bankruptcy. Part of the problem is NZ First and its non-negotiables, because it said before the last election that it would fund Mike King's Gumboot Friday. That's why Winston Peters was crowing after last year's Budget when Gumboot Friday was given $24 million in funding. Which really must stick in Lifeline's craw when you consider the difference $2 million would make to its service, let alone the difference it would make to the people who need Lifeline. Especially the people who need it between midnight and 7am, but whose calls and messages won't be responded to. “You've reached us out of hours” is the last thing Lifeline wants to be saying to people. And it's the last thing desperate people need to hear. But, unless the Government does something, that's what's going to happen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The NZ First leader is at his combative and argumentative best when it comes to the Alliance and Fonterra farmer votes. We also debate unemployment rates, Te Pāti Māori, an FTA with India, the Pike River movie, and whether he was interviewed for Jacinda’s unauthorised biography.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Professor Keith Woodford, Harry Gaddum, and Chris Russell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In his first face-to-face encounter with Donald Trump, Christopher Luxon has exchanged hair jokes and golf banter. Does that confirm that back on track level has been achieved? Toby Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas deliver their verdicts on the latest from the PM, Winston Peters getting angsty about pronouns and Labour solving the challenges of how to define the capital gains tax it will take to the next election by defining it as: three free GP visits for all. Plus: is Te Pāti Māori on the brink of a schism as a vote is taken to suspend Mariameno Kapa-Kingi? And Vale Jim Bolger, who has died at the age of 90. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More than 88 percent of Fonterra's famer shareholders today voted to sell Mainland, Kapiti and Anchor to French dairy giant Lactalis for $4.2 billion. Winston Peters' has labelled the decision utter madness, economic self-sabotage and an outrageous short-sighted sugar hit. It's estimated farmer shareholder will get an average tax free payout of about $392,000. Chair of Fonterra's coperative council and farmer, John Stevenson spoke to Lisa Owen.
The fastest and best half hour of politics analysis is here and ready to go. Joining Wallace tonight is Guyon Espiner, Marian Hobbs and David Farrar. Up for discussion tonight is: Labour's Capital Gains Tax, they finally did it. Or did they? Is it really a tax and will the voters slurp up what they are offering? The New Zealand Initiative is suggesting that any serious government reform should include provisions for MORE MPs, not less. Christopher Luxon is at ASEAN, is there room for him in the Trump show? and Winston Peters claps back to a Luxon tweet: trouble in paradise?
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appeared to correct the Prime Minister for taking credit on a trade deal. Chris Luxon has confirmed New Zealand is one of a handful of nations that now has a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN - and posted that he made a deal with Southeast Asian nations. In a since-deleted tweet, Peters corrected Luxon with one word - 'we'. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speculated on why Peters deleted the comment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First, a quick question on the Oxford Union. We thought it was a thing when David Lange turned up all those years ago, but since then Willie Jackson, David Seymour and now Winston Peters have appeared. So does that diminish its exclusiveness? Anyway here's what Winston Peters argued - that courts here undermine democracy. God bless that man and may he spread that message far and wide. Just last week's Marine and Coastal Amendment Bill is your latest and classic example. We had a law that came in in 2011. Some people didn't like it, and you're allowed to not like laws. But hijacking democracy by trying your luck in interventionist courts is not helpful to a country looking for a bit of peace and harmony. Courts are good for a bunch of stuff; deciding either by judge or jury whether Mr Pollock was in the library with the candlestick i.e crime. They're good for deciding whether another judge erred in an initial finding i.e appeals. They're good for deciding whether there is a gap in law and, if there is, how that gap could be filled i.e the Supreme Court. What they're not good at, although I'm sure given their operations of late they would argue otherwise, is taking an already established law and upending it because they believe they are superior to the ultimate court, which of course is the Parliament. And the Parliament is the ultimate court because the group of lawmakers are put there by us, the voter. Peters, a lawyer himself of course, is doing a great service on our behalf because too many people, including people in the Parliament, are afraid to calls things out when they need calling out. They were afraid to call out the Reserve Bank when it butchered the economy, afraid to call out the Speaker when he failed to properly deal with the clowns in the house and afraid to call out judges at places like the Waitangi Tribunal when they very clearly overstep their mandate and look increasingly like little more than troublemakers. Winston Peters - a good foreign minister and good at telling it like it is. Buy the man a beer. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Prime Minister ponders the Alliance and Fonterra farmer votes. And why does Winston Peters have such a bee in his bonnet? Meanwhile, Chris Bishop is building new roads of national significance - great, but annual inflation at 3% - not so good. How will that affect future OCR drops? Plus, the mega-strikes and the weather are due to hit tomorrow, and Luxon farewells the last of the great farmer politicians.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Deputy Prime Minister, and Act Party leader, comments on the quarterly CPI Inflation Index - 3% up from 2.7% - with the leading contributors being local council rates and energy costs. Plus, with two big farmer votes coming up, why is Winston Peters meddling with his nationalistic views? We also look at politically motivated mega-strikes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Political parties are trading barbs over who's responsible for the vandalising of Winston Peter's house which saw his front window smashed. Winston Peters is calling out the activist and actor Acacia O'Connor for disclosing the street address during a livestreamed protest outside his house last week. The actor has now been dropped from an advertising campaign. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.
One New Zealand has effectively sacked an actor used in its TV ads after she revealed Winston Peters' home address in a live stream last week and encouraged pro-Palestinian activists to join protests outside the Auckland property. On Monday night, a window was smashed at the house and a 29 year old has since been arrested and charged with burglary. Winston Peters is calling out the activist and actor, Acacia O'Connor for disclosing the street address. O'Connor spoke to Lisa Owen.