John MacDonald: This guy should never drive again - but he's going to

We can safely say that someone who rides their motorbike at 110 kph in a 50 kph area is a threat.  We can also safely say that someone who  rides their motorbike at 110 kph in a 50 kph area and runs a red light is a danger. We can also safely say that someone who  rides their motorbike at 110 kph…

John MacDonald: Import gas or cross our fingers and hope?

Not as straightforward as it sounds.  That’s pretty much the message coming through loud and clear in this new report which says importing liquified natural gas to make up for our dwindling local supplies is do-able. But.   You’ll remember how, last year, when we had factories closing and people …

John MacDonald: Do we have a moral obligation to help flooded homeowners?

Do you think the Government and councils would be “morally bankrupt” if they stopped paying people out when their properties are so flood-damaged that they can’t live there anymore?   And would you feel the same about people living in areas at risk of flooding being forced to pay more for flood sc…

John MacDonald: Boris Johnson fronted-up to a Covid inquiry - Chris Hipkins should too

Labour leader and former Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins thinks phase two of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response is a platform for conspiracy theorists, and he is non-committal about turning-up to give evidence.   The most committed I’ve heard him so far is saying that he’s …

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the Covid-19 Inquiry, FamilyBoost, crime

Chris Hipkins is doubling down on saying the Covid Response Inquiry's terms seems to provide a platform for conspiracy views.  The Labour leader also said the second phase —that began this week— excludes looking at any decisions made when NZ First was in Government.  Hipkins told John MacDonald o…

John MacDonald: Why do families earning $200K-plus need govt. support?

Isn’t it funny how the Government likes to talk about government support needing to be based on need, but seems to forget about all that when it comes to those nice middle-class people.   Of which I am one. I’m not claiming to be nice, but I am what you would call middle-class.   Which makes me f…

John MacDonald: Detaining young shoplifters is a dangerous idea

The Government wants to free-up the laws relating to citizens' arrests. But should this include letting retail staff detain children and young people caught shoplifting?   The Chief Children’s Commissioner, Dr Claire Achmad, is saying today that it shouldn’t. And I agree with her. But not for the …

John MacDonald: The hardline stance on student loans is backfiring

I didn’t do any study after I left school —no university, no polytech— so I’ve never had a student loan. I know about debt though, thanks to the mortgage.   And I reckon it would be very easy for me, as someone who has never had to pay off a student loan but who knows what it’s like to have the re…

Politics Friday with Vanessa Weenink and Reuben Davidson: Student loan repayments, Uber taxes, ACC

Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by National’s Vanessa Weenink and Labour’s Reuben Davidson to break down the biggest issues of the week.  They discussed student loan repayments – is there something that can be done to bring overseas loan holders back to New Zealand?  Global co…

John MacDonald: Snake oil political promises have just been given a life line

When there’s an election campaign happening, how much do you care about the cost of the policies the political parties are pushing?   Or, more to the point, how willing are you to trust the politicians when they say they've done the numbers, and they all stack up?   My willingness to trust them i…