Labour has accused National of misleading voters with their proposed tax plan. An analysis from Council of Trade Unions (CTU) shows just 3000 households would receive the $250 per fortnight relief National promised. National's Nicola Willis defended these figures saying the claim came with the 'up to' caveat- but admitted the 3000 figure was correct. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says prospective voters have a responsibility to check what they can get- but National only advertised their most f...
Oct 05, 2023•6 min
In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger breaks down the latest stoush between Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis over National’s tax plan. Newstalk ZB’s Political Editor Jason Walls tells us Christopher Luxon’s big plans for the aerospace industry. He also looks ahead to tonight’s Minor Leaders Debate on TVNZ. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including National bringing in the big guns to drive votes and the latest from Chris Hipkins in isolation. Election Fix...
Oct 05, 2023•7 min
I reckon the National Party is feeling more than a little bit nervous. In fact, I think it’s starting to look desperate. Almost as desperate as Labour is looking. Because, if I go on what people left, right and centre are telling me, Labour is toast and we’re going to see a change in government. And, as far as I’m concerned, Labour deserves everything coming at it because of the way it has started promising us things that it could so easily have done any time over the past six years. But it’s on...
Oct 04, 2023•5 min
Not even Covid can keep Chris Hipkins down. He joined Kerre Woodham over Zoom to take calls and answer questions. WATCH ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 04, 2023•34 min
The Green Party's James Shaw joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on the Minor Leaders Breakfast for an intense thirty-minute interview, to see if they have what it takes to make a difference in New Zealand. Their party may be minor, but their policies aren’t. Mike Hosking asked the questions New Zealander’s need answered to see if the policies and the politicians can hold up under pressure. Will the minor parties be able to make a difference when it comes to crime, education, the economy, or the c...
Oct 04, 2023•13 min
ACT’s David Seymour joined Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on the Minor Leaders Breakfast for an intense thirty-minute interview, to see if they have what it takes to make a difference in New Zealand. Their party may be minor, but their policies aren’t. Mike Hosking asked the questions New Zealander’s need answered to see if the policies and the politicians can hold up under pressure. Will the minor parties be able to make a difference when it comes to crime, education, the economy, or the climate? D...
Oct 04, 2023•13 min
The Electoral Commission is being defended this morning. About 1.4 million voters haven't received their EasyVote packs three days into the 13-day voting period. Electoral law expert Graeme Edgeler says the thing that delays them is that the cards have party lists and the names of local candidates. He told Mike Hosking that this delay is the norm, and it would be almost impossible to get them out on time. Edgeler says it's difficult for them because that information was only available mid-last m...
Oct 04, 2023•4 min
I’m rallying the troops at the moment to early vote. By troops I mean family members, but also anyone who’ll listen. So far I think just my husband, my sister and I have early voted. Others are waiting til the last minute. I’m not sure what might happen last minute that could change your mind, short of a scandal of some kind I guess. But you either like the direction the country is going and want to keep it this way, or you don’t. At the heart of it we’re essentially voting for change or more of...
Oct 04, 2023•3 min
Tonight on The Huddle, Curia pollster David Farrar and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Deputy National leader Nicola Willis has criticised former National minister Paula Bennett for posting a public photo with ACT's Brooke van Velden. Is this an endorsement, or are we overthinking this? Nanaia Mahuta is facing a threat from Maori Party candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke - do you reckon it's possible Mah...
Oct 04, 2023•6 min
Little surprise the Official Cash Rate remains unchanged- for the time being. The Reserve Bank has today held the OCR at 5.5 percent, claiming interest rates are constraining economic activity as required. Milford Asset Management's Katlyn Parker says there's a lot of uncertainty around this point in the election campaign, and the RBNZ will be waiting for a change. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 04, 2023•3 min
Goldman Sachs analysts have warned National's proposed tax cuts could risk worsening existing economic pressures. Andrew Boak and William Nixon believe National's plan could exacerbate inflation, and therefore cause interest rates to remain higher for longer. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny agrees, claiming National's proposed foreign buyers tax and increased immigration fees won't offset the stimulatory impact of the cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...
Oct 04, 2023•4 min
Grant Robertson's reflected on his Government's record on student poverty, after a confrontation at a Wellington university today. After Robertson cast his vote at Victoria University, a student initiated a testy exchange, asking about Labour's rejection of a universal student allowance. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Grant Robertson's defence was fair, as Labour removed first-year fees during their term. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 04, 2023•5 min
The latest One News/ Verian poll shows NZ First still holds the balance of power. Labour is stagnant at 26 percent, National's leading with 36 percent- but ACT has dropped two points to 10 percent, meaning they'll need NZ First to reach the threshold. National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis isn't confident Winston Peters will stand by a possible National/ACT coalition. "It's been 27 years since he's gone with us, so we've said- look, that's a last resort phone call we're prepared to make, bu...
Oct 04, 2023•9 min
In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger paints the picture of Christopher Luxon’s visit to the West Coast. Political Editor Jason Walls discusses what happened to Grant Robertson at Victoria University – and tells us what’s got Chris Hipkins riled up from isolation. And Newstalk ZB’s Joey Dwyer talks us through candidate debates in Epsom and Tamaki. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including Labour MPs still supporting a wealth tax and calls rural support is ...
Oct 04, 2023•9 min
We thought we'd have a look at the different health policies from the various parties and get your thoughts on what would benefit you, your community, those you love the most. National announced yesterday that after birth hospital stays for mothers would be extended to three days, an extra 24 hours. That children and young people under 18 with type one diabetes would be provided free continuous glucose monitors, and that they would increase the number of training places for psychologists and psy...
Oct 03, 2023•5 min
Everybody Eats Restaurant Manager Jack Rainey and Lowe & Co Managing Director Craig Lowe join Nick Mills on the Business Panel. Together they discuss the Wellington Town Hall's skyrocketing restoration costs, the upcoming election, crime in the CBD, housing supply in the capital, and plans to remove cars from the Golden Mile. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 03, 2023•34 min
Should I have been surprised? The debate around the Press debate has entered day two. If it carries on today that’s day three and that's two days too many. Sure, it's news that a Prime Minister gets ill and can't attend a pre-arranged event. But that’s about it. There is a certain irony that, having spent the past week deciding broadly that debates are a bit of a waste of time, certain players should be wasting energy and going out of their way to scrap over yet another one. In a sad kind of way...
Oct 03, 2023•2 min
National and Labour are continuing to argue over who's going to rely on who to form a government after next week's election. National's Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking that Labour will need to make concessions to form a government with the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori. But Labour's Megan Woods says that National and Act will have to submit to the wishes of Winston Peters and New Zealand First. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 03, 2023•12 min
Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Chris Luxon says he'll be active in Christchurch next Tuesday, but there's no room in his itinerary for a rescheduled Press debate. The event due to happen tonight was called off after Chris Hipkins got Covid. Is this cowardice on Luxon's part- or a clever strategy from National? Sanitarium says it will reinstate supplies of Weet-Bix to...
Oct 03, 2023•8 min
Until Monday, no-one knew the name of the reclusive Pennsylvanian millionaire regularly visiting Hawke's Bay. Sean Colgan found himself in the spotlight after it was revealed he'd been lending his private plane to ACT's David Seymour. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie's been digging into his background- and earlier investments during the Covid-19 pandemic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 03, 2023•5 min
Chris Luxon says he'll be in Christchurch next Tuesday - but still has no time for the Press debate. Hipkins is unable to make the Press leaders debate, which was due to be held tonight, as he's tested positive for Covid-19. Luxon has been accused of chickening out of the debate by Labour. ZB political editor Jason Walls accuses Labour of being 'churlish', allowing Luxon to take the high road. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 03, 2023•5 min
A political commentator says he doubts an incorrect email sent by the Council of Trade Unions was a genuine mistake. The CTU's email sent on Sunday night incorrectly claimed National would remove policies like 10 days sick leave and the Winter Energy Payment. It has now clarified it meant to say they are things National has opposed in the past. Commentator Peter Dunne says the CTU economist previously gave advice to Grant Robertson. He says they'd know what was supported by whom. "And I think th...
Oct 03, 2023•2 min
Is Chris Luxon chickening out of the press debate tonight? Of course he is chickening out. Sure, his campaign diary will be full and it’ll be a pain in the butt to rearrange things to fit in an afternoon and evening in Christchurch, because it is a several hours long operation to get ready for a debate and then do the debate. But if he really wanted to do it, he would. He just doesn’t. Fair enough- he's leading in the polls, and there’s no reason to do that debate because Luxon's not great in lo...
Oct 03, 2023•2 min
In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger discusses the National Party’s latest health pledges – and how they’ll sit with voter. She also paints the picture of Christopher Luxon’s visit to a retirement home and his walkabout at Riccarton Mall. Plus, she gives us the latest on Chris Hipkins’ health. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including Rawiri Waititi’s comments about democracy and doubts whether tonight’s cancelled debate is a major loss for voters. Electi...
Oct 03, 2023•7 min
I think it's a little bit rich when you've got Chris Hipkins cancelling a debate because of Covid and people send him "best wishes" and "get well soon"s, instead of accepting the good wishes graciously and using the time to recover at home, out go attack ads saying Chris Luxon is a chicken for refusing to reschedule the debate. They offered to put up Kelvin Davis against Christopher Luxon, but that's hardly like for like is it? National said no, if it's going to be a battle of the deputies, sure...
Oct 03, 2023•8 min
The feathers are flying with Labour accusing Christopher Luxon of being too chicken to front up to a leaders debate here in Christchurch. And I mean, literally, too chicken. Because it’s going nuts on social media saying Luxon’s running scared with a photo of him in a chicken suit. And I reckon National will be quietly loving it. Because how desperate does Labour look? How desperate? Very desperate. So a bit of background. Chris Hipkins has got COVID, he’s isolating in a hotel and so can’t make ...
Oct 02, 2023•5 min
Chris Luxon told Canterbury Mornings the photoshopped pictures of him wearing a chicken suit circulating social media, after pulling out of The Press Leader's debate, was "a load of rubbish". "Let's be clear, [Chris Hipkins] is isolating in his hotel with Covid, we're ten days from an election and we have a debate next week anyway with TVNZ," the National leader said. "We have a busy schedule... you know what the last ten days of an election campaigning are like." Although he's across the countr...
Oct 02, 2023•18 min
The most shameful promise this election came from Labour, who promised in 2017 to increase the breast screening age, and then for six years didn’t do anything. And now they are promising it again, as though you are supposed to believe them and things will be different. The most ridiculous promise came yesterday, suggesting Labour are now wanting to run a Four Square. It would be a Government-run supermarket, or at least they want to help you get into one. They want to be an investor in the super...
Oct 02, 2023•1 min
Labour's committing to further shake-ups within the supermarket sector in a bid to break up the grocery duopoly. While details are in the early stages, help with finances, gaining land space, and making regulator changes are on the cards. Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, told Mike Hosking a new competitor won't enter the market without Government support. He doesn't believe it would be in the form of a grant, but rather a loan or financing for establishment. Hipkins says all options are on the tabl...
Oct 02, 2023•11 min
Political candidates are facing increased violence. National says a volunteer's faced death threats, another was attacked by a dog, and one candidate has moved house after threats from a gang. In the past week, Labour's Angela Roberts says she was slapped at a debate, and Te Pati Maori's Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke says her home was invaded. Parliamentary Service Chief Executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero told Mike Hosking that they've seen a rise in attacks and intimidation this election campaign. H...
Oct 02, 2023•2 min
