I went out in search of some democracy yesterday, trying to early vote. I looked up on the Vote NZ website where in my area had early voting places open and what time. I headed out on a walk confident I’d found the place but as I rocked up there, the lights were out; the first bad sign. Then I saw an actual sign on the ground, blown over in the wind, it said ‘no early voting here until October 9th’. So back to the website I went, determined to find a place. Turns out it couldn’t have been easier...
Oct 02, 2023•3 min
Last week's Mood of the Boardroom survey ranked National's Chris Luxon over his Labour counterpart. The survey compiled responses from more than 100 chief executives and leaders- with Luxon scoring 3.24 out of 5 compared to Hipkins' 2.95. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says voters are still sceptical of National's tax package, with experts criticising the party's priorities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 02, 2023•5 min
Labour may need to change gear for the next week of election campaigning. Party leader and incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid and will isolate for five days, or until he tests negative. Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson says these circumstances aren't ideal, but Labour has a big team of candidates and volunteers raising support on the campaign trail. "There's not a lot we can do about it now, it is what it is. Chris is going to be doing some virtual campaigning, some phone calli...
Oct 02, 2023•8 min
National has disclosed allegations of violence and intimidation threatening to disrupt their election campaign. Allegations claim a gang threat has forced a candidate to move house, a volunteer's faced death threats, and another's been the victim of a dog attack. Labour's Angela Roberts has reported being slapped at a debate, and Te Pati Maori's Hana Maipi-Clarke says she's had a politically-motivated home invasion. National Campaign Chair Chris Bishop says the gangs are campaigning for a third ...
Oct 02, 2023•3 min
Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. This week, the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper. Our expert panel discusses the call that this election campaign is being marred by violence and attacks acro...
Oct 02, 2023•32 min
In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger gives us the implications of Chris Hipkins’ Covid diagnosis. And she talks us through Labour’s latest attack line against National. Newstalk ZB’s Political Editor Jason Walls tells us all about the classic campaign set piece, the politician voting. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including the Greens going hard to win more electorates and Chris Luxon getting frustrated over questions about his faith. Election Fix is yo...
Oct 02, 2023•7 min
I want to start the show with tributes to 3 people. The first is Brooke Graham. My neighbour and friend from the Coromandel who died recently at the age of just 42 from brain cancer. A fast death inside 9 weeks but slow enough for her to make plans for her 10 year old daughter and her husband. Hers was a death of great grace and I am immensely sad. So to Carrick and MacKenzie, here's to your amazing wife and mother. Then there's Simon Barnett and his support of his wife, Jodi over the past 6 yea...
Oct 02, 2023•6 min
One of the country's most famous electorate seats is up for grabs this election. For 15 years, Grant Robertson has held Wellington Central, but he's heading to Labour's list. In his place is current list MP Ibrahim Omer. The Greens are putting up city councillor Tamatha Paul, while National has lawyer Scott Sheeran. Newstalk ZB reporter Nick James asked Wellington Central voters about the big issues this election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 02, 2023•4 min
Who has the ability and the answers to take New Zealand forward? Christopher Luxon joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking for an extensive look into the policies and plans behind the National Party leader. Two hours of the toughest questions, covering the topics New Zealanders really care about. The economy, their tax plan, education, healthcare, what do they actually plan to do? Crime is rising and people are feeling increasingly unsafe. National has plans to correct it, but will it work? And the ki...
Oct 01, 2023•54 min
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I’m so over this election. Please let it be over already. Now that Winston’s crept back into the fray, we've got the old gameplaying of not just the politicians - but the voters now too who seem to believe they can rig MMP in their favour. They want to design their own bespoke government. After all these years, we still don’t seem to get it. Essentially NZ voters are their own worst enemies. Nearly two thirds of New Zealand voters think the coun...
Oct 01, 2023•3 min
Labour's new education policy is being described as a Band-Aid for a deeper problem. The party is promising two million hours of free literacy and maths tutoring for intermediate and high school students and a training fund to help teachers. Education Hub founder Dr Nina Hood told Mike Hosking one-on-one or small group tutoring is one of the most effective interventions. But she says unless the underlying issues of why so many young people aren't achieving literacy and maths are addressed, there...
Oct 01, 2023•3 min
The property market is experiencing some pre-Election jitters. It seems Kiwis are holding off on making big decisions until after D-Day - with the national average asking price staying flat the whole of September - this is according to realestate.co.nz's last report before the Election. Vanessa Taylor, head of sales at realestate.co.nz, joined Kate Hawkesby on Early Edition to discuss the report's findings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 01, 2023•4 min
National's Deputy leader says its economic plan is solid despite widespread doubts. The party released its fiscal plan on Friday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson describing it was being built on sand. A recent Newshub Reid Research poll found 53 percent of respondents don't think National can pay for its tax cuts. The tax plan was also criticised by economists from across the political spectrum. Despite the doubters Nicola Willis told Kate Hawkesby the plan has been carefully put together. She ...
Oct 01, 2023•5 min
A change of date could be on the cards for Chris Hipkins' next head-to-head with National's Chris Luxon. The pair were due to take part in a leaders' debate hosted by The Press on Tuesday, but Hipkins has Covid and is isolating. The paper's owner, Stuff, is now working through contingency plans, including alternative dates for the face-off. Labour's Grant Robertson says if someone was needed to step into the breach, they would, but there are conversations being had about deferring it. "For the s...
Oct 01, 2023•11 min
Winston Peters has a fiery interview with Jack Tame, National announces their 100-day plan, the Green Party are convinced their wealth tax will work and Chris Hipkins gets Covid days before the election- Peter Dunne joins the Weekend Collective to give his take on the week in politics. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 01, 2023•12 min
Winston Peters has a fiery interview with Jack Tame, National announces their 100 day plan, and The Green Party are convinced their wealth tax will work- Peter Dunne joins the Weekend Collective to recap this weekend in politics. Later, Grant Robertson provides an update into Chris Hipkins' health, and what that means for upcoming debates. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 01, 2023•41 min
This week on the Sunday Panel, BusinessDesk Investments editor and host of Cooking the Books Frances Cook and Victoria University senior lecturer Morgan Godfrey joined in on a discussion about the following- No matter which side of the aisle wins, it's very likely that both major parties will need to form three-way coalitions. Is this good or bad news for voters? What do we think of Winston Peters joining up with National and ACT? Have we decided who we're voting for- or are we waiting it out? D...
Sep 30, 2023•11 min
Labour's Chris Hipkins brought some unexpected political fire into Wednesday's second leaders' debate, to the surprise of experts and viewers. Hipkins seemed confident in his performance on the night, giving himself a rating of nine, while Luxon rated himself a seven. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Hipkins' debate performance was surprising, following a 'lackluster' and 'lifeless' start to Labour's campaign. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 30, 2023•4 min
National's Chris Luxon finally confirmed that he's open to collaborating with New Zealand First, if necessary. Recent polls show a three-way coalition between parties will be needed, regardless of who wins the election- meaning National and ACT will need the extra support from Winston Peters. National's former Deputy Leader, Paula Bennett, says it would have looked arrogant to prospective voters if National ruled out NZ First altogether. "Potentially over 5 percent of the country say they want h...
Sep 30, 2023•13 min
Driving around the country this week – mainly Auckland to the Central Plateau and back, you’d be forgiven for thinking there’s only one main political party in New Zealand and a couple of minor parties. Once I left the heavily placarded suburbs of Auckland, there was a smattering of Greens, Act and Te Pati Maori signs on the side of the road, but very few for Labour. This may be down to budget - Labour has only declared donations of $1.1 million. Even the Greens have managed $1.4 million. No one...
Sep 30, 2023•2 min
No surprise at all, this year's Mood of the Boardroom survey has shown that businesses are extremely disappointed in the Labour government. But it also shows nervousness over whether National will be decisive enough to turn the economy. In the CEO’s ranking, Christopher Luxon beat Chris Hipkins, but with an average of 3.5 points out of 5, Luxon looks far from a candidate that has the business team excited. Dentons chair Hayden Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...
Sep 29, 2023•6 min
Nicola Willis says saving taxpayers' money isn't her party's primary motivation for a plan to index benefits to inflation. She recommitted to the pledge in National's fiscal policy today, which promises less Government spending and less debt. Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan the benefit moves are a point of principal for National. “That what we owe all New Zealanders is a social safety net – that’s what benefits are there for.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...
Sep 29, 2023•5 min
National has released its fiscal plan ahead of the election. But the operating allowance is the biggest difference between it and Labour’s – with Labour having $3.5 billion to National’s $3.2 billion. National has also allowed a $9.9 billion buffer for anything extraordinary like a natural disaster. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has also said they will do a mini-budget ahead of Christmas if elected. But National’s potential coalition partner NZ First could throw a potential spanner in the works...
Sep 29, 2023•5 min
In today’s Election Fix, Political Editor Jason Walls gives us his verdict on National’s fiscal plan and whether it adds up. And he asks why Christopher Luxon chose Auckland’s St Heliers for his latest walkabout. Newstalk ZB’s Political Reporter Sophie Trigger paints the picture of Chris Hipkins’ walkabout in Lower Hutt. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including the reaction to the NZ Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom and Act’s response to accusations of race-baiting. Election Fi...
Sep 29, 2023•8 min
National outplays Labour according to this year's rankings from business leaders. More than 100 CEOs and business leaders have ranked MPs in the Herald's Mood of the Boardroom survey. Luxon comes out on top with 3.24 out of five, compared to Chris Hipkins' 2.95. Jarden Managing Director and Co-Head of Investment Banking, Silvan Scheone, told Kerre Woodham that businesses are very concerned with the future, because they will really need to plan for it. She said that people would make totally diff...
Sep 29, 2023•7 min
Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald was joined by Duncan Webb and Gerry Brownlee in studio for Politics Friday. They discussed the need for a police chopper in Christchurch after word was released that National may seek to bring one to the city. National's fiscal plan is out later today, will it hold all the information voters need? And which coalition will truly be the most chaotic, if any at all? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 28, 2023•23 min
Based on the premise that you learn from your mistakes and the general idea that you want to improve, the conclusion I have reached this week as another seven days in the campaign ends is we need to have a good long think about the debates. I am not alone. Several pieces I have now read say essentially the same thing. Debate one was widely panned as being boring, unproductive, and certainly lacking any illumination. Debate two was criticised for being a yell fest, where one candidate was determi...
Sep 28, 2023•2 min
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. Infrastructure: 3/10 From the sink holes in Auckland to the bugs and illness in Queenstown, how third world does this country seem right now? Auckland Airport: 3/10 Not only are the punters over it but the airlines have joined the queue as well. How much bad press does it take before someone there actually pulls finger? The second Leader's debate: 6/10 Because it was a world aw...
Sep 28, 2023•2 min
National and the Greens will release their fiscal plans today, following the release of Labour's fiscal plan on Wednesday. National Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis said their plan will show how National plans to fund its election commitments, including lowering taxes and debt. She told Mike Hosking that she's confident National can pay for what it's promising on the campaign trail. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 28, 2023•5 min
Polls are great. I love ‘em and I love the occasional surprise we get from them. They're really useful in providing those snapshots of public opinion at any given moment. And you'll be aware the political parties use them extensively, not just to see how they're tracking but for all sorts of nefarious stuff like testing out our reactions to policy ideas. On top of that there's also a lot of research into the way leading figures are perceived, all part of the process of moulding and shaping them ...
Sep 28, 2023•2 min
