Podcast appearances and mentions of Winston Peters

Liz Gunn analyses Winston Peters announcement today where he criticises the manifestly inadequate Covid Inquiry Report and makes alluring promises to the multitudes of dissatisfied Kiwis.Do you think he's sincere or is this just early electioneering?

Australia is weighing up a request from Persian Gulf states to provide military aid. So, how long before that request gets put to the New Zealand government. Foreign Minister Winston Peters spoke to Corin Dann.

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.

The self-titled Prince of the Provinces, the Mighty Matua, opines on the Middle East crisis, the state of the economy, and why Winston Peters is such a great statesman. Plus, his ongoing debate over gold mining in Central Otago, and why he has no background on the end of a handpiece in a shearing shed, despite growing up on a Northland farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it 1-1? The Prime Minister dug himself a hole over Iran. Barbara Edmonds dug herself a hole in the NZ Herald. As far as holes go, I regard the Luxon hole as slightly less problematic, given the war is not in our direct purview and there is nothing we can do about it. But it does display the ongoing issue the Prime Minister appears to have with many New Zealanders: he doesn't look like he is confident and he doesn't tell it like it is. In a world where people who tell it like it is generally succeed, he is still playing 'Mr Nice Guy' and getting trapped by a media pack who love the smell of blood. Edmonds is a real worry. She too, is nice. So nice, she told us quite openly getting a surplus isn't happening anytime soon and she doesn't have a clue how to pay for the most expensive promise they have made – restoring pay equity. You can argue around the dual mandate for the Reserve Bank but that's wonk's territory. Dollars and cents are real and it's our back pocket that is affected. A sad outworking of MMP is we have an increasing number of inexperienced players in the game of running the joint. Luxon knows business, which ties into the economy, which is why things are starting to turn for us. This Government has done a decent job on it. He is an amateur on foreign policy. You only had to listen to Winston Peters yesterday on this show to know that people who have been there, done that, have seen the world change therefore, can explain it. And Winston doesn't take crap from juniors, which is what too much of the Press Gallery is made up of. The nuance and sophistication of reporting is largely gone and replaced by clickbaiters and Luxon, being too nice a guy and too inexperienced in certain areas, walks right into it. Barbara on the other hand is entitled to her views. But this is why Labour won't win the election. She has clearly learned nothing from watching Grant Robertson butcher the place and because that was only three years ago the memories of the voters are still sharp. So in a guns at dawn, Luxon wins because foreign policy jibber-jabber isn't as serious as economic sabotage and incompetence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Winston Peters responds to the latest actions in the Middle East; Weekly Political Panel with Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds; Housing minister, Chris Bishop; A tourism boom in the Mackenzie District; Kiwi comedian scores role as writer on new UK version of Saturday Night Live.

US President Donald Trump has told Iran it's "too late" to talk, as the conflict escalates in the Middle East. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has responded to critics of the Government's position on whether the United States and Israel have acted illegally by attacking Iran, saying the world is facing "new circumstances". He told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning that “serious international legal experts” should decide whether their actions were legal - not people who were “not qualified”, including former PM Helen Clark, who has called New Zealand's response "a disgrace". “The rule of law on the streets of Auckland is the same as the rule of law internationally. To make it stand, somebody has to enforce it,” Peters said. “Some countries are kicking back and saying no, we are dealing with a bunch of religious fanatics and they cannot be trusted.” Peters denied he was backing America whether or not the country's actions were legal. “[Iran] have been financing proxies all around the world, even as far as Australia, in major terrorist activities. They've been doing it for decades. "But all of a sudden now you've got a sort of a concertina of concern where some countries are saying enough, we are going to stop you right here, right now. “And then all of a sudden all those geostrategic experts in history and what have you in foreign affairs are saying, oh, we should have the rule of law,” he said. “Well, my point is you're not looking at the same circumstances now. It's not a matter of backing anybody or opposing anyone. We are facing new circumstances…and we have to look at them with new eyes.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of March, the tourism sector is a major force, with spending and jobs both rising. Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks on meeting Javier Milei in Argentina and his thoughts on the situation in Iran and criticism from Helen Clark and Phil Goff. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk about Kiwis stuck in the Middle East and balancing the books on Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Unrest in the Middle East continues. I watched that stand-up from the Prime Minister and I've got to be honest with you — I walked away feeling uneasy. Not because I expect a New Zealand Prime Minister to be a Middle East historian. We're a small country. Our politics is usually about rates, roads, schools, the price of butter. I get that. But when the world tips into crisis —when the United States and Israel launch strikes on Iran— that's not a domestic moment. That's what I call an international flashpoint. That's oil prices, security alliances, global instability, the rules-based order we rely on as a small trading nation. And I'm sorry, that performance didn't fill me with confidence. On Sunday, Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters said the Government “acknowledged” the US and Israeli action, but wouldn't say whether New Zealand supported it. On Monday morning, pressed to explain what “acknowledge” actually meant, the Prime Minister struggled to articulate it. He repeated that the Iranian regime is “evil” —and many would agree, given its repression at home and behaviour abroad— but that wasn't really the question. The question is: where does New Zealand stand? Under international law, military intervention has a high bar. Pre-emptive self-defence is defined narrowly under the century-old Caroline doctrine – the threat must be “instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means and no moment for deliberation.” Luxon said he hadn't seen intelligence, hadn't asked for any beyond regular briefings, and those matters were “to be determined”. That's the moment I thought: hang on. You don't have to reveal classified material, but you do have to look like you're in command. Former Foreign and Defence Minister Phil Goff spoke to Ryan Bridge this morning, questioning why the Government hadn't already ruled the Iranian Regime a terrorist organization. You do have to project calm authority. You do have to explain the principles guiding the country. Instead, it felt uncomfortable. Out of his depth. Out of his comfort zone. And maybe that's the brutal truth of politics – you don't get to choose when the world tests you. You don't get to say, “this isn't my portfolio". If you're Prime Minister, every crisis is your crisis. So here's the question I want to put to you tonight: Did you feel confident watching Christopher Luxon handle that moment? Did you feel like he was in control? Like he understood the stakes? Like he knew exactly where New Zealand sits in a conflict like this? Or did you, like me, feel it was one of the weakest stand-ups you've seen from a Prime Minister in a long time? Because in times of international tension, tone matters. Clarity matters. Leadership under pressure matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a new issues poll out this morning. It's from IPSOS. 1000 people. Was taken after Waitangi weekend. The numbers are bad for National, because they should be winning on more issues. But Luxon won't hate the numbers because they're going in the right direction of a few key issues. A significant increase on Cost of Living - after a period of trending in the wrong direction. Another 'significant' increase on healthcare/hospitals- closing the gap from 19 to 12 points since October. After being overtaken on the economy, they've come back to draw with the reds. Interestingly, concern from voters about poverty and inequality is trending down - despite the big push in the media last week. The reality is that Labour is still ahead on three of the five issues. But no election is won or lost on a single issue, is it? Although Covid in 2020 and cost of living in 2023 were dominant. What the election will come down to, as I've always said, and everyone already knows, is Winston Peters. He has told me that he will not form a government with Labour if 1. Hipkins is in charge. And 2. it needs propping up by the Greens or TPM. He says they're nuts. So, as long as the polls, stay roughly where they are, the National party strategists will stick largely to the same script and wait for Winston at the alter. Barring, of course, nay campaign snaffus that might get any of the above into trouble and offside with us, the voters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is disagreement between the ACT and NZ First leader over the Government's stake in Air New Zealand. ACT Leader David Seymour proposed selling the Government's stake, which Winston Peters called 'economic lunacy'. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that, 'David Seymour and Winston Peters have never seen eye to eye at all and it's remarkable really that both have been part of the same cabinet for two years.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government wants to see regional routes kept, despite Air New Zealand's poor financial showing. Some regional flights could be axed or scaled back in response to the company's $40million half-year loss. Act leader David Seymour has called for the Government to sell its majority shareholding in the airline, which New Zealand First's Winston Peters calls economic lunacy. Associate Transport Minister James Meager told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Air New Zealand should consider efficiencies.He says there are some commercial decisions they could make, and hopes scrapping regional connectivity is not one of them LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our political correspondent wraps the week as Winston Peters and David Seymour disagree once again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters responds to David Seymour's calls for the government to sell its shares in Air New Zealand. He spoke to Corin Dann.

This morning we took a look at Air New Zealand's multi-million dollar loss, with one analyst telling us the company will be looking at its labour costs; Plus, Winston Peters responded to David Seymour's calls for the government to sell its shares in the airline; We spoke to the Child Poverty Action Group following new figures that show the number of children living in material hardship has reached a ten year high; There's L plates for learner drivers, but one Auckland man has created S plates for senior drivers. We spoke to him to find out why; And, we wrap up our pulse of the economy series by taking a look at the screen industry to see how it's placed in 2026.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Wayne Mapp, Andrea Vance and Grant Duncan. On the block for discussion tonight: the government's move-on policy for rough sleepers; should politicians use X?; the defence minister Judith Collins halts a NZDF bicultural programme, and the government quietly dropped it's quarterly action plans - otherwise known as "dashboard crap" by one Winston Peters.

Marama Davidson says Winston Peters "desperate" and trying to distract from this government making cost of living worse and breaking other promises they made at the last election Donald Trump delivered his SOTU today...we'll be reviewing it and seeing how it impacts the ongoing tensions in the Middle EastStuff investigates rough sleepers on Karangahape Rd where Justin Crosswell says he opposes the Government giving police the power to order people like him away, because there's “nowhere we can go”. ‘I will never leave'' says Justin as he vows to stay in CBD irrespective of any move-on order++++++++++++++++++++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/

We don't hold back in this one. First, we deliver the brutally honest speech Chris Hipkins should have given. No spin. No tidy slogans. Just debt, KiwiBuild, light rail, inflation, energy policy and the reality of trying to do too much and delivering too little . It is satire, but it is grounded in real frustration. Then David Farrar joins us to talk numbers. A genuine dead heat in the polls. Sixty seats to the centre right, sixty to the centre left . We break down what that means, why Labour is playing it cautious, and why Winston Peters is polling higher during a term in government than almost anyone expected. Election year is here. If you want another shot at running the country, words are not enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winston Peters is moving to make English an official language in law, and the reaction from the Greens has been an absolute meltdown. Duncan and the panel dive into why this administrative tweak is being framed as a moral emergency. Plus, we look at the deeply disturbing job market numbers and the latest push for censorship on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Freshwater poll is out, and it is a total shocker for National. With the party sliding to 30 percent, senior figures like Nicola Willis are suddenly facing the axe. Duncan, Rachel Smalley, and Ashley Church dive into whether a leadership change is coming and why Winston Peters is suddenly looking like a potential Prime Minister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bill has been introduced to make English an official language of New Zealand. Despite being the country's most-spoken language, it is not an official language by law. The bill provoked ridicule in Parliament from the opposition, but was staunchly defended by Winston Peters. AUT Associate Professor of Linguistics Sharon Harvey says that language laws exist to protect languages that aren't as widely used, and English doesn't fall in to this category. "If we look at like jurisdictions like Australia, federal level of the US and the UK, those jurisdictions don't have English as an official language and don't see any need to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the second day in a row, Parliament has been consumed by claims of racism - owing to Winston Peters' targetting of a Green MP with Cook Islands heritage. Labour MP Kieran McAnulty was ordered to leave the house after accusing the speaker of double-standards. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has introduced legislation to make English an official language - to ridicule from the opposition, and fierce defence from Winston Peters. Political reporter Giles Dexter reports.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour MP Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington City Council wants local authorities to have more power to curb heritage listings. Do we think this is a good idea? Chris Bishop today confirmed the Government is revising the city's housing capacity number in its new plan and focusing more on building in the city and by transport hubs. Why do we think the Government had to back down? Winston Peters copped some backlash over some comments that Labour and the Greens have dubbed 'racist'. Do we think this backlash is fair? Why do we think the Government hit pause on introducing four-year terms? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has been accused of racism in Parliament by Labour and the Greens following his comments in Parliament yesterday. Peters singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage - and Labour's Willie Jackson was quick to voice his concerns in the House today. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the events. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Wellington, failure at the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has led to millions of liters of wastewater being sent into the Cook Strait.  The incident has shed light on what scientific experts have been saying for years — that water infrastructure in New Zealand is out of date and incapable of handling the growing effect of climate challenges without deeper investment. The Salvation Army released their State of the Nation report which has found an increase in issues across the justice system, child welfare, and poverty contributing to declining social equality in Aotearoa. As well, NZ First leader Winston Peters is campaigning on a referendum on Māori seats in New Zealand. Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, starting with Moa Point. 

My summation of what we have heard so far in the Judge Aitken case. The “Did I yell at and interrupt and disrupt Winston?" case. Aitken was on the stand, so to speak, yesterday, remembering none of this is criminal. In fact, I would describe it as outrageously political. Judge Aitken shouldn't be here. No one should. It's a storm in a judicial teacup. Should she have had a pop at Winston at the Northern Club? Of course not. The incident, much disputed in terms of angst, animosity, and volume, shows the judge in a poor light. It was none of her business and you don't go around running commentary on other people's evenings. Then again you don't go dobbing interlopers in to the Attorney General, which is what has happened, and next thing you know you have a legal circus where a person's career is potentially about to be blown up. Also disturbing for me as the casual observer, is the Chief District Court Judge's role in the apology by Judge Aitken. He involved two media advisors and amended Aitken's wording so it wouldn't offend New Zealand First. At all times the Chief Judge seemed to be obsessed with not offending political parties. His overt weakness worries me, not to mention Judge Aitken's inability to have her voice heard. She's not 13-years-old, she's a judge. My sense of where we are at is we will never get to know the full story because the versions vary. Therefore, the panel doing the deciding won't come to a definitive conclusion, therefore whatever they put before Paul Goldsmith will go nowhere. So maybe what we are seeing currently is the actual punishment. In other words, a judge, her reputation, her drinking habits, her words all being dissected, is the punishment. It is the humiliation. Overall the insight in the legal fraternity, not forgetting the good judge's celebratory doctor partner and the KC on video, does not come off reputationally well. If you wanted to think of them broadly as a bunch of champagne-swilling, self-serving snobs, they haven't done a lot to dissuade us. But then New Zealand First look like a petty, point score-y, loser group of narks, who don't mind wrecking peoples lives. The hearing continues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is back with a familiar policy to abolish the Maori seats. We look at why his timing is shrewd and why it's making Christopher Luxon look so weak. Damien Grant and Jordan Williams join us to debate the future of our democracy. Plus, we dig into the cultural leave story the mainstream media refused to touch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming up on Tagata o te Moana: US travel restrictions front of mind for Tonga's new Prime Minister. Tough road ahead for Marshallese deportees shunned by locals. Winston Peters says he is committed to helping Pacific nationals get easier access to New Zealand. All that and more stories from the week on RNZ Pacific.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Will government get India trade deal in the bag? Trade minister Todd McClay joins Q+A for an in-depth discussion of the free trade agreement with India, as Labour releases a letter outlining their conditions on what might be needed for them to consider voting for it. It comes amid tensions in the government over the deal, with NZ First leader Winston Peters raising concerns about what the deal will mean for migration. LNG or solar? What solves NZ's energy crisis debated Andrew Eagles from the New Zealand Green Building Council joins Q+A with an exclusive new analysis that outlines why his organisation believes the Liquefied Natural Gas import terminal plan is a mistake, and why a different plan for massive uptake of solar and heat pump hot water systems would work better. Insurance retreat: Where's the safest bet for cover? With insurance companies starting to pull out from offering new policies in severely flood or seismic vulnerable areas, which area has the lowest risk? And should the government step in when insurance companies step back? Rent controls, eviction protections: MP wants to change tenant rights Green MP Tamatha Paul explains her Member's Bill, which would impose rent controls, and make it harder to evict tenants. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Jamie Mackay talks to Mark Warren, Mike Casey, Nathan Guy, Chris Hipkins, Winston Peters, and Christopher Luxon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Karen Chhour has confirmed she's asked officials for a formal explanation over cultural leave being offered to Māori public servants. Senior political correspondentBarry Soper joins Heather todiscuss. Plus, it's been revealed Winston Peters did not ask for advice surrounding the new Reserve Bank Governor involving herself in US politics, despite suggesting she ask for advice. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First MP Casey Costello has told a Judicial Conduct Panel that the judge accused of disrupting a political party event must have known she was yelling at the then-Deputy Prime Minister. District Court Judge Ema Aitken is accused of yelling at Winston Peters during an event at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club, calling him a liar describing his comments disgusting. Today, the panel for the first time heard from the judge herself. Finn Blackwell reports.

Winston Peters has revived an old policy, promising to campaign on a referendum on the Maori seats. The opposition is calling it cynical race-baiting. Russell Palmer reports.

Winston Peters won't say if a referendum on abolishing the Māori seats would be a post-election negotiations sticking point. He's announced the NZ First policy today - reigniting its 2017 campaign, which didn't make it into the coalition agreement with Labour that year. Peters says things could be different this election. "No use saying it's the bottom line if they don't give you the tools - how can it be a bottom line? If you walk in here with not enough votes, you're not going to be able to get there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 12 February, 2026, farmers are worried about a water tax - we hear from the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform. Winston Peters explains his push for a referendum on the Māori seats. A survey of children finds their main goal is to be a professional football player - not an All Black. And on the Huddle with Thomas Scrimgeour and Mark Sainsbury we discuss calls for safety regulations on blind cords after a toddler's death. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Thomas Scrimgeour from the Maxim Institute and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's growing calls to regulate blind cords following a toddler's unfortunate death. The Government has ruled out establishing new rules around this - do we agree? Are more safety regulations needed? RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed the Government will not be implementing a 'water tax' following outrage from Federated Farmers. Do we think this is the right move? NZ First's Winston Peters is now campaigning on a referendum on abolishing the Māori seats in Parliament. Do we think this will get votes? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been a lot of noise around a possible Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and India.  The National party is keen to get it approved, but NZ First leader Winston Peters has been very vocal in his opposition to any deal. Many claims have been bandied around by many politicians, but we wanted to know what's the actual agreement likely to look like? RNZ Senior Journalist Gaurav Sharma chats to Jesse.

In Pacific Waves today: Petition for Pacific visitors presented to Winston Peters; Solomons PM says no foreign influence behind reshuffle; Havili to play 50th cap for Moana Pasifika. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

NZ First’s leader reckons there’s still a dairy deal for New Zealand in the Indian FTA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Morris Williamson, Auckland councillor and former National Party minister, and Jack Tame, host of Saturday mornings and Q&A, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Nicola Willis announced a surprise inquiry into the Reserve Bank's actions during Covid with questions arising over the timing. And, Winston Peters visits Saudi Arabia and sits ringside at Joseph Parker's fight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Chris Hipkins, Winston Peters, Christopher Luxon, Kate Acland, Todd McClay, David Seymour, Jono Pemberton, Steve Abel, and Todd Charteris.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is imposing a levy to help pay for an import liquefied natural gas facility, which it says will save households $50 a year on power bills. Do we think the 'extra tax' accusations are fair? What will Labour do with this? Trade Minister Todd McClay confirmed Winston Peters was right about the India FTA not letting us specifically cap Indian student visas. How concerning is this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look, I hate to say it, but it's starting to sound like Winston Peters was right about that India Free Trade Agreement, and that the Government is not being straight up with us about what's in the document. It appears the agreement does stop us from being able to cap the number of Indian students who come here. Now, that's not the end of the world, given there actually isn't a cap on them at the moment - or, frankly, on students of any nationality. The Government also always retains the ability to cap all students by tweaking visa settings. What this trade agreement prevents them from doing, by the looks of things, is specifically targeting Indian students and putting a cap on them alone. But the issue is that Indian students have historically been a particularly tricky area, given previous problems with dodgy schemes sending students here without the required level of funds - or with other issues - and they end up becoming our problem to deal with. Depending on where you sit on this, that might really upset you. You might hate that. Or you might simply see it as the give‑and‑take of free‑trade negotiations - a price we pay to gain access to the huge Indian market we now have. The trouble is, instead of having that debate, we're now on track to have a debate about whether the Government is hiding things from voters. It's becoming increasingly clear that they are withholding something, judging by the way the Trade Minister ducks and dives when asked about this. And I don't know about you, but in an age of online conspiracy theories, declining trust in politicians, and shrinking confidence in institutions, I'm not sure this is a smart strategy for the Government - especially in an election year. Sure, either way, the Government was going to face a gnarly debate. But surely it's better to debate whether we should trade uncapped student access for access to the Indian market, rather than debate the Government's integrity itself. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A District Court Judge has faced a Judicial Conduct Panel for the first time today, after being accused of disrupting a New Zealand First function at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club. Judge Ema Aitken is before a panel in Auckland, over claims she called party leader Winston Peters a liar, during an event in 2024. Special Counsel today presented the allegations to a panel made up of a former Governor-General, a retired Court of Appeal Judge, and a sitting Court of Appeal Judge. Finn Blackwell was there.

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

As Christopher Luxon announced an election date of November 7, a strip of the North Island was under siege from another bout of brutal weather. As the clean-up and recovery continues, and families and communities grieve the loss of nine lives, questions swirl around the response. In the first Gone By Lunchtime for 2026, Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire assess that response, and ask whether the bigger picture around climate adaptation and mitigation will filter through the forthcoming campaign. The year begins, meanwhile, with incessant geopolitical disorder emanating from the White House. As Mark Carney sets out his stall in compelling fashion at Davos, what does the Canadian prime minister's "new world order" approach have in common with Christopher Luxon's, where do they differ, and is New Zealand's prime minister on an election-year collision course with a foreign minister set upon below-parapet foreign relations and flirting with the thought of quitting the World Health Organisation? Speaking of Winston Peters, his New Zealand First Party has enjoyed a bump in recent polling. Could they emulate the populist-nationalist trends in Australia and the UK and climb even further? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices