• Treaty debate heats up after hīkoi - what will happen next?
    Nov 22 2024

    This week, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls to recap the week in politics, which was dominated by the thousand-strong hīkoi to Parliament over the Treaty Principles Bill.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Former Labour MP Naisi Chen campaigned in the US for Kamala - why she thinks Trump won
    Nov 15 2024

    Thomas is back from the US covering the election, which former President Donald Trump won in a landslide over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

    Also there was former Labour MP Naisi Chen, who was campaigning on the ground for the Democrats side. She joins Thomas to discuss what she saw and heard from voters, the factors that led to Trump winning, and what New Zealand politicians can learn.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Former US Ambassador to NZ Scott Brown weighs in on his country's election
    Oct 24 2024

    For something a bit different this week, Thomas is joined by Scott Brown, who served as the US Ambassador to New Zealand during Donald Trump's term as President. He discusses his views on what the big issues to voters are, and why he believes Trump will be voted in for another term.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • What the latest statements reveal about the Government's finances
    Oct 18 2024

    After a short hiatus, Thomas is back for a panel with Jason Walls and Jenee Tibshraeny. They discuss what the latest Government financial statements show about the state of ACC and the rest of the Government's books, as well as the improvements in the economy and who can take credit for it, the property market and the push to build more homes, and the renewed debate about Capital Gains Tax.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Tory Whanau on what's next for Wellington after airport sales plan voted down
    Oct 11 2024

    Wellington City Council has voted to stop the controversial sale of its 34% share in the airport. The move has left a big question mark over the city's councils, with the long term plan now needing a re-think to plug a multi-million dollar hole left by the sale.

    On this week's episode, Georgina speaks with Mayor Tory Whanau, who supported the sale, about the move and what's next, and she addresses her plans to run for re-election.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Why the majority of local councils are backing Māori wards
    Sep 12 2024

    After a change in central government policy, councils have overwhelmingly voted to keep Māori wards, but we'll first have to ask the public what they think via a referendum.

    There's concern these polls will put more costs on councils that they simply can't afford.

    This week, Georgina talks to Newstalk ZB Wellington reporter Azaria Howell to discuss the political background to this law change and exactly how much these referendums are going to cost, and later talks with Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania about why his community supports having a Māori ward.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • How does the Government plan to tackle infrastructure?
    Aug 30 2024

    This week has seen the Building Nations conference hosted by Infrastructure NZ take place in Auckland, with Ministers, Mayors and a range of experts speaking about the state of the country's infrastructure.

    New Zealand is believed to have an infrastructure deficit in the billions, if not trillions - so how can we go about fixing it?

    BusinessDesk Infrastructure Editor Oliver Lewis joins Thomas this week to dig into the issue.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Central Government takes aim at council spending at LGNZ conference
    Aug 22 2024

    Council leaders from around the country have met in a convention centre that the Prime Minister thinks is an example of wasteful spending and is just down the road from a burst water main that has turned a street into a paddling pool.

    The Local Government New Zealand conference was held in Wellington this week at the city’s new $180 million convention centre Takina, and Georgina this week takes us through the highlights - most notably, Christopher Luxon's sharply worded speech about council spending.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    12 mins