The Trans Tasman Pol Pod

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod episode 27

The Government is copping some flak overs its decision to stop same day enrolment for voters, and its petty decision to change the cover of the New Zealand passport so the English words are placed above the Te Reo. The Reserve Bank warns global turmoil could affect the economy, with weaker demand for exports and increased uncertainty.  Farmers are more confident, but why wouldn't they be, with a Government which appears to be at the beck and call. And the education system is set for more tinkering - to discuss this, we're joined by Education expert, Professor Gavin Brown from Auckland University.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 26

This time, inflation is on the rise again, with the prospect of stagflation looming, and the Government looks set to take the blame. The Government is continuing its attack on local democracy, with David Seymour bemoaning increases in rates. The argument over the voting age has brewed up again with the UK allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote. Labour's jobs strategy is under fire and its latest infrastructure announcement has been panned as simply the re-announcement of the same old work. This time we're joined by political columnist and analyst Janet Wilson to look at dynamics within the coalition and other issues.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 25

NZ First has surged in the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia Poll, becoming the third highest ranked party for the first time - it begs the question - will Winston Peters use his improved electoral position to force David Seymour into collapsing the coalition by calling for amendments to the Regulatory Standards Bill? A plan has been put forward to replace income tax with private savings, effectively privatising the welfare system, and the Government plan to attract more international students hasn't exactly found favour with ACT. The reserve Bank has put the OCR on hold - we talk about this and other economic issues with ASB Chief economist Nick Tuffley.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 24

This time, opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill is reaching a crescendo, but the backroom deals have been done and the Bill will pass, despite its undemocratic nature. Chris Luxon releases another set of KPIs for the coalition, none of them particularly challenging. The FamilyBoost programme has received a boost, but opposition parties are dismissing it as too little too late. Businesses are getting stronger powers to trespass people, but as with the shoplifting fines, enforcement will be crucial, and while the Government says it is focussing on the cost of living, nothing it is planning is likely to give any relief soon. Our guest this week is Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey, who talks about this Government's rather troubling view of democratic process.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod episode 23

This time, some of the Government's law and order policies have come into effect, with tougher sentencing...There was shock at Parliament with the passing of Takutai Tarsh Kemp, but another MP also departed the House, with NZ First's Tanya Unkovich quitting. When the Government talks about fairer policies, it usually means someone's hard earned rights are set to disappear, especially when Brooke van Velden is involved, and we talk with Labour's local Government spokesman Tangi Utikere as the Government continues its apparent war on local councils.
 

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 22

This time foreign policy has been the big issue in the past week, with Winston Peters and Chris Luxon at times seeming to be pursuing different agendas.  The GDP print surprised just about everyone, but forecasters are saying the next quarter's numbers won't be nearly so uplifting. The Government has been touting the success of its investment summit and the "golden visa" as it pushes its growth agenda, and David Seymour's Ministry for Regulation has a new target - the costs of winding up a deceased person's estate. And as foreign policy is such a major issue at the moment, we have Professor of International Relations at Otago University Robert Patman join us to mull over the implications of latest events.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 21

The parties of the coalition still garner the most support in latest polls, but there are some worrying signs for the Government. KiwiBank has lowered its growth forecasts as the Government's "laser focus" om growth appears not to be having the desired short to medium term effect. The Health Minister is tinkering with the system again, this time enshrining in legislation the importance of patients - as if the health service does not realise this. Primary produce exports are booming, but large chunks of farmland are still being turned into carbon sinks, mostly overseas owned. Our guest for this edition is Labour's Finance spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds:

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod, Episode 20

This week a bit of a rural focus as farmers head to Fieldays - The Government has been accused of being too timid in its response to the Trump Tariffs and threats to the global trade system, and there are big changes on the way to hunting and fishing regulations, with farmers set to benefit. Our guest, Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford, talks about developments in the agricultural sector. Also this week some key economic indicators are looking up, and there's a new visa on offer, which will supposedly help boost productivity.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 19

The Budget wasn't quite as damaging to the coalition Government as it might have been, and a new TVNZ poll is showing the pay equity changes didn't hurt too much either - but the standout party in the coalition is NZ First. There's concern over what will happen with David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister - time will tell whether holding more responsibility will tone down his rhetoric. The Government has opened consultation on a new raft of regulatory changes to do with the environment, and it's making changes to the way Worksafe operates, including launching another tip line - this time for "over compliance" in temporary traffic management. The Government has been in power 18 months now, and for a look at how it has performed, we're joined by right wing commentator, David Farrar.

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 18

The no BS Budget is being called BS by some sectors as support for the Government's financial blueprint divides along ideological lines...The Government has rushed a new Finance Amendment Bill into Parliament, doing away with Wellbeing Budgets and "enhancing the transparency and accountability of the public finance system."  KiwiBank is pressing the RBNZ to make faster cuts to the OCR and as people struggle with the cost of food, farmers are coining it on international markets - but they're still getting more Government support with a new 2 million dollar fund to support the Wellbeing of rural communities. Our guest this week is BusinessDesk founding editor Pattrick Smellie, who talks about the no BS Budget.