Chris Hipkins is hitting out at the Taxpayers' Union as it prepares to launch a campaign against Finance Minister Nicola Willis. 

The lobby group is questioning Willis's track record on the economy. 

Willis has responded, challenging chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate. 

The Labour Leader told John MacDonald the Taxpayers' Union has a view of "entrenched privilege". 

He claims the organisation is funded by a group of rich people who want to keep all of their money. 

Hipkins is also unimpressed by Willis’ decision to agree to the debate, which he says shows deep divisions among the National Party. 

He calls it petty and says Willis should be focused on things like creating jobs. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Chris Hipkins is hitting out at the Taxpayers' Union as it prepares to launch a campaign against Finance Minister Nicola Willis.&nbsp;
The lobby group is questioning Willis's track record on the economy.&nbsp;
Willis has responded, challenging chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate.&nbsp;
The Labour Leader told John MacDonald the Taxpayers' Union has a view of "entrenched privilege".&nbsp;
He claims the organisation is funded by a group of rich people who want to keep all of their money.&nbsp;
Hipkins is also unimpressed by Willis’ decision to agree to the debate, which he says shows deep divisions among the National Party.&nbsp;
He calls it petty and says Willis should be focused on things like creating jobs.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

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Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays. It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking. If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio. With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

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Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the debate between Nicola Willis, Taxpayers' Union, Andrew Coster

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1cc327f5-0e3e-4c6f-8532-b3af00063778/transcript

I had the joy of using State Highway 1, south of Christchurch, over the weekend.

Which is a bit of a goat track. And it’s why there is a bit of excitement about the government announcing that it wants to look into making it a four-lane highway.

At least between Christchurch and Timaru. Which, to many people, is a no-brainer.

This is part of a wider study the government wants done into transport links between the ports at Lyttelton and Timaru.

As well as a better highway, replacing the bridge at Rakaia and the role rail plays in freight movement will also be looked at.

Which is only happening because it’s election year.

So that, when the National, Act and NZ First leaders turn up during the campaign and people start asking them about State Highway 1, they can say they’re doing this study and kick it to touch until the 2029 election.

But a four-lane highway - at least between Christchurch and Ashburton - is something that’s been talked about for years.

Which I’ve always thought is a no-brainer.

But - after driving down south and back up again at the weekend - I’ve been thinking, would it actually be worth it? Is it really a priority? And what other government funding we might miss out on?

Not that we’re like a pig in muck when it comes to road funding.

In the most recent round of government funding for roads, just 6 percent went to the South Island.

Which, as I said at the time, was nothing short of pitiful.

I wasn’t alone. Leeann Watson from Business Canterbury said, considering the South Island’s contribution to the national economy, the amount we get back in road funding is definitely out of whack.

In terms of the government’s upcoming study also including the potential replacement of the bridge at Rakaia, we’ve had construction consultant Mike Blackburn saying that needs to happen. Sooner rather than later.

Mike says it’s urgent because of the number of people moving south, buying houses in places like Ashburton and commuting into Selwyn or even into Christchurch.

And that’s where I’m landing, too.

I reckon we need to face up to the fact that we’re never going to have four lanes on State Highway 1, south of Christchurch. And I think we need to focus our attention on getting something done about the bridges at places like Rakaia.

Not that I no longer think a four-lane highway would be brilliant. And not that I no longer think we’re being ripped off not having one.

But the reality is, it will never happen.

New bridges, though, are a much easier sell when it comes to government funding.

Because if a bridge packs a sad, you’re shot.

Yes, there are always alternative routes. But, especially when it comes to freight movement, the bridges between Christchurch and Timaru are much more of an issue than the two-lane highway.

LISTEN ABOVE

I had the joy of using State Highway 1, south of Christchurch, over the weekend.
Which is a bit of a goat track. And it’s why there is a bit of excitement about the government announcing that it wants to look into making it a four-lane highway.
At least between Christchurch and Timaru. Which, to many people, is a no-brainer.
This is part of a wider study the government wants done into transport links between the ports at Lyttelton and Timaru.
As well as a better highway, replacing the bridge at Rakaia and the role rail plays in freight movement will also be looked at.
Which is only happening because it’s election year.
So that, when the National, Act and NZ First leaders turn up during the campaign and people start asking them about State Highway 1, they can say they’re doing this study and kick it to touch until the 2029 election.
But a four-lane highway - at least between Christchurch and Ashburton - is something that’s been talked about for years.
Which I’ve always thought is a no-brainer.
But - after driving down south and back up again at the weekend - I’ve been thinking, would it actually be worth it? Is it really a priority? And what other government funding we might miss out on?
Not that we’re like a pig in muck when it comes to road funding.
In the most recent round of government funding for roads, just 6 percent went to the South Island.
Which, as I said at the time, was nothing short of pitiful.
I wasn’t alone. Leeann Watson from Business Canterbury said, considering the South Island’s contribution to the national economy, the amount we get back in road funding is definitely out of whack.
In terms of the government’s upcoming study also including the potential replacement of the bridge at Rakaia, we’ve had construction consultant Mike Blackburn saying that needs to happen. Sooner rather than later.
Mike says it’s urgent because of the number of people moving south, buying houses in places like Ashburton and commuting into Selwyn or even into Christchurch.
And that’s where I’m landing, too.
I reckon we need to face up to the fact that we’re never going to have four lanes on State Highway 1, south of Christchurch. And I think we need to focus our attention on getting something done about the bridges at places like Rakaia.
Not that I no longer think a four-lane highway would be brilliant. And not that I no longer think we’re being ripped off not having one.
But the reality is, it will never happen.
New bridges, though, are a much easier sell when it comes to government funding.
Because if a bridge packs a sad, you’re shot.
Yes, there are always alternative routes. But, especially when it comes to freight movement, the bridges between Christchurch and Timaru are much more of an issue than the two-lane highway.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Forget four lanes on SH1, just fix the bridges

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/81cb70c7-168a-42e3-9761-b455000ffe3c/transcript

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is defending One New Zealand Stadium for its lack of facilities for general admission concert goers.

Some of the 12-thousand people with standing tickets at Saturday's 'Once In A Lifetime' show, were surprised to have to use port-a-loos and food trucks outside the roofed venue. 

The permanent facilities were designed for the seated capacity. 

Mayor Phil Mauger told Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings this was always the plan. 

He also said that One New Zealand Stadium may have a smaller set up for the Foo Fighters if sales don't reach a certain threshold. 

"It'll be the cut down version for Foo Fighters if they don't reach a certain number of people." 

They also discussed the consultations taking place for Cathedral Square, and what can be done about accident-prone roads across the city.

LISTEN ABOVE

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is defending One New Zealand Stadium for its lack of facilities for general admission concert goers.
Some of the 12-thousand people with standing tickets at Saturday's 'Once In A Lifetime' show, were surprised to have to use port-a-loos and food trucks outside the roofed venue.&nbsp;
The permanent facilities were designed for the seated capacity.&nbsp;
Mayor Phil Mauger told Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings this was always the plan.&nbsp;
He also said that One New Zealand Stadium may have a smaller set up for the Foo Fighters if sales don't reach a certain threshold.&nbsp;
"It'll be the cut down version for Foo Fighters if they don't reach a certain number of people."&nbsp;
They also discussed the consultations taking place for Cathedral Square, and what can be done about accident-prone roads across the city.
LISTEN ABOVE

Christchrch Mayor Phil Mauger on One New Zealand Stadium Portaloos, council funded cycle classes, and consultations for Cathedral Square

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7fa5b217-053e-439a-933d-b45100235d31/transcript

Sometimes it feels like an easy thing to say that politicians have no idea what really matters to us. What’s important to us - the people who put them in their positions of power.

Today, it may be the easiest it’s ever been to say that sort of thing.

Let’s start with Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Who, I think, said one of the most arrogant things I’ve heard any politician say.

This happened yesterday. When he was talking about pretty much the only policy his party has been able to come up with since it was turfed out of government at the last election.

The future fund. Which would use some of the profits from our state-owned enterprises to invest in new start-up businesses.

Chris Hipkins has been saying that Labour’s not going to be announcing any new election policies until after next week’s budget. Until it has a better handle on the government’s finances before promising things the country can’t afford.

Yesterday, he went next level. This was after he said earlier in the week that he wouldn’t be giving any more detail about Labour’s future fund policy until after the election.

He almost sounds like he knows he’s got no show of forming the next government and doesn’t want his people putting too much work into policies and things that won’t go anywhere.

I genuinely think that’s what he and Labour are starting to sound like.

Because, after the election, they won’t be needed.

But that’s not the worst bit.

Yesterday, when he was asked if he thought voters might want to know more about the future fund before the election, he said New Zealanders don’t really care about the detail.

This is in relation to which state owned enterprises would have to contribute some of their profits to the future fund if Labour formed the next government and put this policy in place.

When he was asked about that, Hipkins said New Zealanders don’t really care about those key details.

He said: “I don't think the public really care which companies are going to go in or not. I think the public care about the fact that we’re going to keep state assets and National’s going to sell them.”

The arrogance.

And, at the same time as we’ve got the Labour leader trotting out that nonsense, we’ve got MPs debating a bill that defines the meaning of man and woman.

That one’s courtesy of NZ First, which says it’s fighting “cancerous social engineering” and “woke ideology”.

Do you think, in the grand scheme of things, pointless legislation like that really matters?

And, on top of that, public service minister Paul Goldsmith has told government departments they’ve got until the end of next month to make sure they prioritise the English version of their names over the Te Reo version.

It beggars belief, doesn’t it? The arrogance of telling us to wait until after the election for policy details because, apparently, that’s not important to us.

And the pointlessness of a law defining what a man is and what a woman is; and the pointlessness of government departments having to change their logos because some people can’t handle a bit of Te Reo.

All of the examples I’ve just given tell me that our politicians have absolutely no idea what’s important to us.

LISTEN ABOVE

Sometimes it feels like an easy thing to say that politicians have no idea what really matters to us. What’s important to us - the people who put them in their positions of power.
Today, it may be the easiest it’s ever been to say that sort of thing.
Let’s start with Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Who, I think, said one of the most arrogant things I’ve heard any politician say.
This happened yesterday. When he was talking about pretty much the only policy his party has been able to come up with since it was turfed out of government at the last election.
The future fund. Which would use some of the profits from our state-owned enterprises to invest in new start-up businesses.
Chris Hipkins has been saying that Labour’s not going to be announcing any new election policies until after next week’s budget. Until it has a better handle on the government’s finances before promising things the country can’t afford.
Yesterday, he went next level. This was after he said earlier in the week that he wouldn’t be giving any more detail about Labour’s future fund policy until after the election.
He almost sounds like he knows he’s got no show of forming the next government and doesn’t want his people putting too much work into policies and things that won’t go anywhere.
I genuinely think that’s what he and Labour are starting to sound like.
Because, after the election, they won’t be needed.
But that’s not the worst bit.
Yesterday, when he was asked if he thought voters might want to know more about the future fund before the election, he said New Zealanders don’t really care about the detail.
This is in relation to which state owned enterprises would have to contribute some of their profits to the future fund if Labour formed the next government and put this policy in place.
When he was asked about that, Hipkins said New Zealanders don’t really care about those key details.
He said: “I don't think the public really care which companies are going to go in or not. I think the public care about the fact that we’re going to keep state assets and National’s going to sell them.”
The arrogance.
And, at the same time as we’ve got the Labour leader trotting out that nonsense, we’ve got MPs debating a bill that defines the meaning of man and woman.
That one’s courtesy of NZ First, which says it’s fighting “cancerous social engineering” and “woke ideology”.
Do you think, in the grand scheme of things, pointless legislation like that really matters?
And, on top of that, public service minister Paul Goldsmith has told government departments they’ve got until the end of next month to make sure they prioritise the English version of their names over the Te Reo version.
It beggars belief, doesn’t it? The arrogance of telling us to wait until after the election for policy details because, apparently, that’s not important to us.
And the pointlessness of a law defining what a man is and what a woman is; and the pointlessness of government departments having to change their logos because some people can’t handle a bit of Te Reo.
All of the examples I’ve just given tell me that our politicians have absolutely no idea what’s important to us.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Politicians have no idea what's important to us

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/89218492-1753-4dbd-907a-b45100190315/transcript

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the debate between Nicola Willis, Taxpayers' Union, Andrew Coster

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