Podcast appearances and mentions of Winston Peters

The funding feud between Nicola Willis and Winston Peters is continuing, amid revelations the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will not have to find savings in this year's Budget.

Winston Peters has come out on top in his funding feud with Nicola Willis, successfully saving his Ministry of Foreign Affairs from any cuts in this year's Budget. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to John Campbell.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Phil Goff and Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira. On the slab for discussion today: the government's public service cuts; Winston Peters and the resurrection of the BNZ, the NCEA replacement and the return of grades; regulations minister David Seymour says the country's regulators is a "twisted spaghetti" and is the government walking a tightrope between Crown and Maori relations?

The Finance Minister says she's disappointed by revelations MFAT is exempt from cutting spending this year. It's been confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade won't be given a reduced baseline budget. Most agencies face two percent cuts - but MFAT will be subject to the same five percent reduction for most agencies next year, and the year after. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Rogers, editor of BankingDay.com discusses NZ First's idea to buy back the BNZ from National Australia Bank. He spoke to John Campbell.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis unpacks the public service cuts and we hear from the head of Commonwealth Sport as Auckland hosts the Oceania National Olympic Committees' General Assembly. Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton joins out of Sardinia as the America's Cup officially gets underway. And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss the lack of details in Labour's Future Fund and Winston Peters' idea for BNZ on Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a busy start to the week, and Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen are back with Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest political stories so far on Politics Wednesday. They discussed Labour's Future Fund policy, which is light on the details, Winston Peters' idea to buy back BNZ, and the Government's cuts to and plans for the public service. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast, we look at the government's latest promise to cut down the size of the public service. Duncan breaks down why this feels like a rerun and questions if it highlights a first-time failure. Plus, Education Minister Erica Stanford joins us to discuss her major curriculum reforms and new primary school funding. We also check out your feedback on Winston Peters' big policy bombs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We got the inevitable Grinch headlines from the media yesterday, powered by union panic. The public service knew this was coming. Or should have. Judith Collins, Nicola Willis, and Sir Brian Roche have been talking about this since they all got into office. So it's not shocking. It's also not a done deal, yet. All that's really happened, in the final leg of this Government's current term, is a few letters have been posted to some chief executives. They've been asked to mood-board some cuts to staffing. The savings will be banked, but there's no guarantee any of this will actually happen. Winston Peters was right about that yesterday - that's for the election to decide. Back to the unions and opposition complaints. Two basic questions: If these proposed cuts are so bad, so evil, so destructive, so Armageddon, why was a workforce equivalent to about 1% of the population allowed under Helen Clark? Was she an evil Grinch, too? And how can you say the public will suffer, the sky will fall in, the clouds will gather, when you know not what jobs are actually being cut yet? How are you to know there aren't reasonable back-office savings to be made? We're told the money will instead go towards the frontline in health and education. To be fair, the same argument could be tipped on its head. Without knowing what's being cut, how can the Government claim no services will be impacted? The proof of that pudding will be in the eating, but remember the job of figuring out which jobs to axe, without affecting us, the taxpayers, is in the hands of the very people whose jobs are on the line in the first place. If we are to trust them, as the unions and opposition clearly do, should we not trust they'll know how to be surgical and only trim the fat and not the bone? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is back in the headlines with a couple of massive policy ideas, but we reckon he is only half right. While making KiwiSaver compulsory is a smart move that is long overdue to fix our retirement time bomb, his plan to buy back the BNZ for billions is total nostalgia dressed up as economic policy. Maurice Williamson and Ashley Church join us to break down the madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has unveiled a plan for a new national bank

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Luxon's comments about immigration have raised a few eyebrows, especially from Labour's Chris Hipkins. What do we make of this? Winston Peters has expressed interest in buying back BNZ. Do we think this is a good idea? Will this really fix our economic issues? Is National right to scrap 'good character' assessment for sex offenders' sentencing? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a question for you: if you really like Winston Peters' idea of buying back the BNZ - why? What problem do you think will be solved by buying it back? Do you think the banks are ripping you off because they're owned by Australians, and that if only one of them were owned by us again, they wouldn't? Take a look at the home loan rates Kiwibank is offering right now. They're basically the same as - if not higher than -those offered by the Australian-owned banks. Do you think this might improve competition? In that case, how does taking BNZ and Kiwibank and combining them into a single bank - leaving one fewer bank in the market - help competition? Do you think it will stop $1.5 billion in profit heading to Australia, making us richer? Sure, the logic stacks up at first glance. But first, we'd have to borrow huge amounts of money to buy the bank and pay significant interest on that debt. It could take 10 to 20 years before we start seeing those profits flow into New Zealand rather than going toward interest payments. And all of this comes at a time when two credit ratings agencies have warned that we can't keep increasing our debt without risking a downgrade next year - which would make all our borrowing more expensive. That's not even considering the fact that we can't be sure BNZ would generate the same level of profit under Government ownership as it does under private ownership. In fact, I would argue the opposite is more likely. Publicly owned assets often become less efficient - they can grow bloated, unproductive and undisciplined. That might explain why BNZ collapsed back in 1990 when it was publicly owned and hasn't repeated that since returning to private ownership. To me, this policy looks like a classic nostalgia play by Winston Peters - appealing to voters who believe life would be better if we could just go back to 1992. I suspect this will be the first policy dropped in any coalition negotiations. It's likely the first thing Winston Peters will let go of because it's simply too expensive, and he knows it. So don't get too attached to this policy. I just can't see it happening. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 18 May, 2026, former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson on why we can't buy back the BNZ as Winston Peters suggests. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals part of her pre-Budget speech will be on setting a target of reducing the number of public servants to 1% of the workforce. We talk to chief victims adviser Ruth Money about why removing character references for sex offenders' sentencing is a good thing. And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani discuss whether taking "weed" helps you exercise. 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.

When I first heard about Winston Peters' idea to give every newborn baby $1,000 so they can have a KiwiSaver account from birth, I liked the sound of it. Until I did some numbers. Which I'll get to. Announcing the NZ First policy yesterday, he said it would be compulsory for every newborn to be signed-up to KiwiSaver and the state would throw in $1,000 to get things started. He said the policy would ensure every child began their financial life as a KiwiSaver member and would be a nest egg for what he's calling “the KiwiSaver generation”. Which sounded pretty good on first blush. Until I did some numbers. Let's start with what it would cost the government. There were about 58,000 births in New Zealand last year. So, on those numbers, that would put the cost of this policy at around $58 million a year. And what would that $1,000 government contribution, on its own, be worth after 65 years? Assuming 4 percent interest for 65 years, it would come to $12,800. If we assumed 7 percent over 65 years, it would come to about $80,000. And, when I consider those numbers - plus the tens of millions of dollars of government money every year for that kind of return - I think it's a dud of an idea. But Winston does have another KiwiSaver idea that I think is an absolute no brainer. Making it compulsory. Winston and I are not on our own thinking this. Sam Stubbs, who is managing director of the Simplicity KiwiSaver outfit, does too. He says it has to be compulsory because we have to make sure everybody is saving for their retirement while they're working. And the only way to do that is to make it compulsory. Across the Tasman, it's compulsory for employers to contribute but not for workers. Which doesn't sound terribly fair to me. Because why should employers be forced to make contributions if the people who work for them aren't? I remember reading about the number of people who don't have a KiwiSaver account and some work that had been done to work out how much people are missing out on because of that. Collectively, with so many people not even saving the minimum 3 percent of gross salary, the KiwiSaver pot is going to be about $110 billion less than what it should be or could be if we all had an account we were putting money into. And it's not just the people who don't have accounts. About a third of those of us who do have KiwiSaver accounts aren't contributing anything. Which is why it has to be made compulsory. And it's not like people would be out marching in the streets if it was made compulsory. Because a survey a couple of years ago found that 62 percent of us support the idea. I don't know if that level of support may have waned since then because of the cost of living. Nevertheless, making KiwiSaver compulsory for workers is a no-brainer and a way better approach than NZ First's idea of making it compulsory for newborns. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying back the Bank of New Zealand and making KiwiSaver enrolment compulsory at birth are among the commitments New Zealand First is making to voters this election. New Zealand First leader spoke to John Campbell.

Winston Peters live after unveiling election promises; Erica Stanford live on post-NCEA education reforms; Weekly interview with Prime Minister; What Trump's China talks could mean for New Zealand; Auckland FC CEO live ahead of historic final

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 18th of May, Winston Peters tries to speak his bank buying idea into being. The Prime Minister responds to Winston Peters wanting to buy BNZ. Jason Pine and Andrew Saville cover Auckland FC, the Warriors win (and also loss) and the surfing in Raglan. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon is firing back at Winston Peters over his latest comments about immigration. The New Zealand First Leader has been accusing his Coalition partners National and Act of being too slow on immigration. The Prime Minister and National Leader says he feels like there's a bit of anti-immigration cos-playing going on, whereby some politicians pretend to be Donald Trump, Nigel Farage or Marine Le Pen. He told Mike Hosking that the remarks by Peters are an example of that. Luxon says New Zealand doesn't have uncontrolled immigration, while the US has 13 to 14 million illegal immigrants. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand First leader says they'll be telling the National Australia Bank we want our bank back - as he lays out plans for the Government to buy BNZ. The party will campaign on the purchase - after its sale in 1992 - and merging it with Kiwibank to create a National Bank of New Zealand. Winston Peters told Mike Hosking that the bank may not be for sale, but they'll make sure it is. He says he doubts the National Australia Bank would turn them down - so Kiwis won't be ripped off for much longer if NZ First gets back in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have learned a lot about kids and university, having had two attend and graduate and one still immersed in the experience. Here are the takeouts. Generally, you go for a reason. You have an idea of what you want to achieve and those who don't, flounder quickly. I have many examples of kids who enrolled because "that is what you do". Schools too often give university as a default. It has a snobbery about it as if successful people only go on to tertiary learning. It seems the wider lesson we have all learned is Jacinda Ardern's "next year is on me" was fatally flawed because funding the first year was literally a waste of money and even when it got put to the back end of study, it would seem the world hasn't been changed. So they are scrapping it. The reality is people on a path will incur debt in the belief that whatever it is they are studying will serve them well, provide challenge and enjoyment, and hopefully pay a wage that allows them to pay back the loan and get on with their lives. University has always been heavily subsidised anyway on the idea that we all benefit. But to suggest you study for anyone other than your own personal satisfaction and enhancement is farcical. So no more first year/last year artificiality. The money will be put elsewhere, perhaps into the more practical side of the workforce. Personally, I wouldn't mind it being saved. It's not like we actually have the money in the first place anyway. But the Winston Peters argument appears to be the trades, which makes it yet another of those debates that is constantly tinkered with and never really resolved. Is paying an employer to train a person any more or less wasteful, or artificial, than paying a university to train a doctor? We need doctors as much if not more than we need plumbers. Both are valuable, both are in short supply. The Peters argument will of course be driven by the immigration aspect of it all. If we don't train who we need, we bring them in and before you know it you have a "butter chicken tsunami". It's of course a government again picking winners and I would have thought we had already learned that lesson. Peters' other idea, if you remember back, was bonding students to regions, or indeed immigrants to regions. That didn't work either. The trick here is not to repeat past mistakes. And yet the budget is destined to include at least one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Scott and Stacey Mackereth, Emma Higgins, Dr John Roche, Winston Peters, and Jane Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour's Chris Hipkins recently claimed no-one outside of Newstalk ZB is fussed about the Auckland lockdowns from 2021. Does he have a point? Will we find out come November? Yesterday, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said he'd always choose social cohesion over businesses bottom lines when it comes to immigration. Labour's Chris Hipkins has raised concerns, especially following some other comments from Winston Peters and Shane Jones. Does he have a point? How badly did we get ripped off if it's true we paid $3 million to get Robbie Williams here - especially if Singapore reportedly paid $3 million for six Taylor Swift concerts two years ago? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Wayne Langford, Jane Smith, Callum McDonald, and Chris Russell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NZ First leader and former Deputy PM is his normal combative self when it comes to NZF propaganda, TPM, and the age of eligibility for National Super. However, he has praise for Judith Collins and a convenient memory lapse when it comes to 2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are on a collision course with a massive 30 billion dollar problem. Duncan and economist Ed McKnight look at the uncomfortable truth about our retirement age and why it might have to hit 72 just to keep the lights on. They also discuss why no real change can happen while Winston Peters is in the room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coalition government is promising to "repurpose" the millions of tax payer dollars being spent on the fees-free policy for tertiary students. Winston Peters' confirmed the scheme, which has been through a few versions, will be scrapped. It was introduced in 2018, under Jacinda Ardern's government. Back then, students were eligible for their first year of study free and $194 million was paid in fees. Grant Robertson, was Labour's finance Minister when the fees-free policy was brought in and is now Vice Chancellor at the University of Otago. Grant Robertson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has backed the decision to scrap the fees-free scheme for good. Last week, Winston Peters revealed to Newstalk ZB on Friday the Government's doing away with the free final year of tertiary education. Nicola Willis says it's important for the Government to invest in things that Kiwis really need and want - not a failed policy that didn't achieve any of the goals it aimed to accomplish. "New Zealand has been in deficit since 2019, we're carrying a heck of a lot of debt, we've got some real priorities for our budget in terms of the health system, the education we want to give our young kids, the defence system we want to build up, the infrastructure we want to build - all of those things have a better call on money." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're never going to know for sure what tipped the Government into finally cutting the fees-free policy but I would like to take some credit for this show's part in it. We have harped on about the need to get rid of that policy for so long that it actually started to get boring, even for me. But as with everything: persevere and you will succeed. And finally, the policy is gone. We had it confirmed by Winston Peters on Friday. Now, I've already had emails from people who are upset about this. I've heard students complaining and I've heard some parents complaining as well. And I understand - it is never fun to have free Government money taken away from you. It is because of this kind of angst that free Government money is so rarely clawed back once it's started being handed out. But this policy was a dog from the start. It cost perhaps $350 million a year - and $350 million a year is a lot of money. For that money, it didn't do what it was supposed to do, which was to lift enrolments among poorer kids. If it didn't achieve that - if those kids were going to uni anyway and are still going - then all we were doing was wasting $350 million. And to those worrying about students living in poverty or being unable to afford study, please remember: we taxpayers already subsidise about 70 percent of what it costs Kiwi kids to go to university. We already provide interest-free student loans. It is already relatively cheap, by global standards, to go to university here. You could argue that our system is already so generous that even making it more generous didn't lift enrolments. It's already generous enough. Now, I am going to withhold judgment on Nicola and Winston and what the plan is from here because this Government does tend to save money only to spend it again. They're going to take some of that money and spend it on trades training. That might be a good idea - but then again, it might just be the same kind of slop as fees-free, only in a more worthy place. We'll see. But as for the cutting of Jacinda's wasteful and pointless free year of study - RIP. And may we'll be more careful with our spending in the future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns about what the Government's latest pre-Budget announcement means for students. Winston Peters told Newstalk ZB on Friday that they'd get rid of the final free year of tertiary education, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed it. She says they will have more to say on it in due course. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says it's likely the Government isn't thrilled with Peters leaking these details - and it wasn't pre-authorised by Willis or anyone else. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon plans to start lifting the pension age if National get back into government after the coming election. Bipartisan support will most likely be needed to make this happen as parties, like NZ First, are staunchly against the reform. "Please do not attack grandmother and grandmother's savings to try and disguise for a brief time your economic incompetence," Winston Peters said to Heather du Plessis-Allan LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 May, 2026, Winston Peters insists he won't support efforts by the National Party to raise the retirement age. We talk to one of the women who's accused Sir Rod Drury of inappropriate conduct about him handing back his New Zealander of the Year award. The New Zealand Herald's media insider Shayne Currie on who should succeed Maiki Sherman as TVNZ's political editor. And on the Sports Huddle, Adam Cooper and Paul Allison discuss Luke Metcalf's future with the Warriors. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I do worry about Paul Goldsmith's ability to make a decision. The BSA and its abolition is a “done by morning tea, let's move onto the important stuff” sort of thing. And yet he seems to have been waxing and waning and pontificating for the past two years of Government. At last, he has got there. The Broadcasting Standards Authority is over and thank the good Lord for that. It was from another time: pre-streaming, pre-international, no borders broadcasting. It caught the few originals left in a weird, old net that made no sense. And that's on top of the fact they had next to no complaints given no one can be bothered and most of the industry is professionally run anyway. The NZ Media Council will apparently take over duties, which I'm sort of torn over. I think we need someone who corrects mistakes. A decision this week over a story on the Interislander found the numbers used in the story on costings was wrong. Winston Peters complained, he was right, they needed to correct the record. The point in that example is he went to the company who published and they rejected his argument. You would like to think they were better than that, hence the need for the council. But those sorts of examples aside, what these quasi-courts end up doing is adjudicating on nuance and argument based on the moaning of some bored loser in suburbia, who would probably be better off watching less TV or reading less news and writing fewer letters. I do worry about the council. The current lot appear all lawyers and consultants, with not a single proper broadcaster. They do, they tell me, have some industry people who offer advice. But let me tell you this; unless you have driven a three-hour live radio programme or a live TV show with its varying unpredictables, you have no idea of the pressure that unfolds literally instantly, therefore the potential for verbal carnage. And yet that's the sort of thing they pass judgement on. Anyway, the BSA – been there, done that. It made no difference. It was an idea past its time. And it will not be missed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Rawhiti-Connell and Mike Yardley. First up, so-called coalition cracks are back in focus after Winston Peters' office released internal emails in an OIA where Prime Minister Christopher Luxon suggested showing "explicit public support" for US strikes on Iran. Political analyst Grant Duncan unpacks the latest. Then, Northland locals are decrying a proposed $4.50 toll for the new expressway. Business group board member Julian Smith explains.

Former United Future leader Peter Dunne spent more than three decades as an MP, he was also a Minister. He supported a Labour coalition Government, New Zealand First was part of that arrangement and was also part of National led coalitions. Peter Dunne spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has put his hand up, admitting he made a mistake by not consulting the Prime Minister's office before releasing a bombshell email chain about the government's stance on the Iran war. But he's not apologising for making them public saying there's no reason they shouldn't be out in the open. The Prime Minister isn't happy, his office said he expects more of the man who's spent four decades in public office. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

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. Christchurch: 9/10 The stadium, the opening, the spend, the party, and the vibe. That is what all of New Zealand should be. The Washington Hilton: 1/10 Between yet more violence and yet more conspiracy from all sides, too much of America is irreparably sick. King Charles: 8/10 By any standards or count, a tour de force. Solid, statesman-like, witty, clever and brilliantly executed. It is soft power, awesome diplomacy, brilliant engagement, all wrapped up in a flash royal bow. Winston vs the National Party: 4/10 I get it's election year. I get National are bleeding support to NZ First. But if they're not careful someone is going to say one thing or do one thing a bit edgier than they might have been expected, and it will all hit the fan. The diesel deal: 8/10 Another reminder that when Peters isn't stirring, the Coalition has actually handled the real issues pretty damn well. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 30 April, 2026, we talk to former Prime Minister Helen Clark about the spat between Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. We hear from activist Samuel Leason after Israeli forces intercept a flotilla on its way to Gaza. A therapist tells us if using AI for advice on relationships is a good thing. And on The Huddle, we ask Tim Wilson and Oscar Kightley if the coalition government is in crisis. 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.

Winston Peters has just pulled a classic Winston move. By leaking sensitive emails and blindsiding Christopher Luxon, it looks like he's trying to get himself kicked out of the coalition to play the martyr. We dive into why Luxon didn't pull the trigger and what this means for the government's stability. We break down the coalition cracks and the $180 million gold mine standoff, and Maurice shares his frustration at seeing elected councillors outvoted by board members who don't have to face the ballot box. It is a deep dive into the accountability crisis currently hitting New Zealand's local and national politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helen Clark reckons political polling's behind disagreements in the coalition. Winston Peters' office released emails showing Prime Minister Chris Luxon was advised against supporting the US and Israel's strikes on Iran. National's Nicola Willis believes Peters is playing politics - and should have informed them before releasing the emails. Willis separately accused NZ First of race-baiting in their opposition to the India free trade deal. Clark says Willis is not holding back. "New Zealand First is eating fairly deeply into National's support, and that is starting, I think, to become somewhat more corrosive in the coalition." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says he called Winston Peters to his Beehive office last night, over the release of emails regarding the US-Israel war in Iran.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Holly Bennett, and Tracey Martin. First, they unpack a frosty few days between Government Ministers and TVNZ, as allegations of the conduct of Political Editor Maiki Sherman capture attention. Then, they look at the Labour Party's policy plan, or lack thereof, in the countdown to the election, and Winston Peters' defence of rail in the face of fuel-saving measures for heavy vehicles. Finally, should the Mayor get the best office at council headquarters? Wellington City Council executives think not, dishing themselves out the ocean views.

Nicola Willis has taken aim at Shane Jones' 'butter chicken tsunami' comments today, following the Government signing the NZ-India trade deal. NZ First has criticised the free trade agreement, with Winston Peters claiming both National and Labour have signed the country's future away. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the gloves were off in Parliament today, as we get closer to the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been a lot of talk about the free trade agreement between New Zealand and India this week. Winston Peters says it's an "utter unmitigated disaster of an agreement for New Zealand's future." However yesterday Chris Hipkins confirmed Labour will support deal but did express concern about the investment target that's been set - 33 billion dollars. The deal is set to be formally signed on April 27th in New Delhi, and the full text is expected to be made public the following day. We want to find out more about it, so BusinessDesk senior correspondent Dileepa Fonseka chats to Jesse.

Christopher Luxon's handling of disunity within his own party's ranks has begun exposing rifts in the coalition. Now he and deputy Nicola Willis have both publicly retaliated against coalition partner Winston Peters, saying he's scaremongering, anti-immigrant and making mischief. Mr Peters' complaint: no heads up from the PM about a potential leadership spill he initiated on himself. Political reporter Russell Palmer has the story.

A war of words has broken out between coalition partners National and New Zealand First. Phil Goff, who was in government with Winston Peters, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The government decides to take action on a flawed NDIS. Plus, maverick New Zealand politician Winston Peters joins the program to discuss the mess happening in parliament across the ditch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has described Christopher Luxon's leadership vote "a very bad move," and that "there will be consequences for that." To explain what he meant, Mr Peters spoke to John Campbell.

Winston Peters on the consequences of Luxon's confidence vote; Weekly Political Panel: Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere; Business confidence takes a dive; Why the latest severe weather caught many off guard; What to put in a library for survivors of an apocalypse?

Neale, Tim and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including Winston Peters' recent meeting with Marco Rubio.