You're listening to the Canterbury Mornings podcast with John McDonald from News Talk ZB.

You're listening to the Canterbury Mornings podcast with John McDonald from News Talk ZB.

Right now that's time for a regular catch up with Opposition and Labor leader Chris Hapkins. You know Chris good a John? How are you well? So you here had your conference in christ Church on Saturday night. Where'd you go for on the weekend? Where'd you go for dinner on Saturday night? Oh?

Right now that's time for a regular catch up with Opposition and Labor leader Chris Hapkins. You know Chris good a John? How are you well? So you here had your conference in christ Church on Saturday night. Where'd you go for on the weekend? Where'd you go for dinner on Saturday night? Oh?

We asal had a dinner function at the library and another amazing building down there in christ Church. I have to say that Isaac Theater where we hosted the conference, itselves absolutely beautiful and amazing building put an effect to Christian So yeah, thanks to all the people for christ Church. We had a very warm welcome and other than on Saturday, the weather was a bit chilly, but otherwise we had an exceptional weather as well.

We asal had a dinner function at the library and another amazing building down there in christ Church. I have to say that Isaac Theater where we hosted the conference, itselves absolutely beautiful and amazing building put an effect to Christian So yeah, thanks to all the people for christ Church. We had a very warm welcome and other than on Saturday, the weather was a bit chilly, but otherwise we had an exceptional weather as well.

Twenty eight. You should have stuck around twenty eight today as you might have heard right lest the speaking of the conference. In your speech you talked about our internal polling. Our internal polling says I'm more popular than Christopher Luxon and our internal polling says we're more popular than National than lumber Holds. Some external polling comes out pretty much the next day is saying the same thing. So what does your internal polling say about how far ahead you are of Christopher Luxen?

Twenty eight. You should have stuck around twenty eight today as you might have heard right lest the speaking of the conference. In your speech you talked about our internal polling. Our internal polling says I'm more popular than Christopher Luxon and our internal polling says we're more popular than National than lumber Holds. Some external polling comes out pretty much the next day is saying the same thing. So what does your internal polling say about how far ahead you are of Christopher Luxen?

Well, I know I didn't say that. I mean, the information made its way into the media, but it wasn't it wasn't through me or the question the questions.

Well, I know I didn't say that. I mean, the information made its way into the media, but it wasn't it wasn't through me or the question the questions.

The questions the same, though.

The questions the same, though.

The questions the same. You're fair enough. I mean, look, it's sort of our polling would be actually quite in line with what the stuff polling is or the post or whatever it is, whichever, which is whatever you want to call it these days. But our polling is broadly in line with what they were releasing publicly, which is what.

The questions the same. You're fair enough. I mean, look, it's sort of our polling would be actually quite in line with what the stuff polling is or the post or whatever it is, whichever, which is whatever you want to call it these days. But our polling is broadly in line with what they were releasing publicly, which is what.

So someone if someone hasn't read that, if someone hasn't read the numbers, just tell me what they are.

So someone if someone hasn't read that, if someone hasn't read the numbers, just tell me what they are.

All right. So I'm, you know, about one person one one percent ahead of Christopher lux And I think in the preferred p mistakes and Labor is polling around in the early Labor and national both polling in the early thirties. Now Nastille slips down quite a bit, We've come up a bit. So yeah, we're we're sort of we're we're sort of jockeying around about the same space at the moment, right, Is that more.

All right. So I'm, you know, about one person one one percent ahead of Christopher lux And I think in the preferred p mistakes and Labor is polling around in the early Labor and national both polling in the early thirties. Now Nastille slips down quite a bit, We've come up a bit. So yeah, we're we're sort of we're we're sort of jockeying around about the same space at the moment, right, Is that more.

A case of them cocking things up or are you doing an absolutely brilliant job.

A case of them cocking things up or are you doing an absolutely brilliant job.

No, I mean we've picked out So we were polling in the late twenties last year when by at election we got just under twenty seven percent of the vote. We've picked up. Now we're consistently over thirty percent. And that's not just in our polling, that's in public polls as well well. National who polled towards the high thirties and the election campaign are now slipping down into the early thirties.

No, I mean we've picked out So we were polling in the late twenties last year when by at election we got just under twenty seven percent of the vote. We've picked up. Now we're consistently over thirty percent. And that's not just in our polling, that's in public polls as well well. National who polled towards the high thirties and the election campaign are now slipping down into the early thirties.

All right, Okay, Now, I'll tell you what I'll be up front. I don't know how to tell you this that I'm going to tell you. My view was, I don't think you personally can win the next election.

All right, Okay, Now, I'll tell you what I'll be up front. I don't know how to tell you this that I'm going to tell you. My view was, I don't think you personally can win the next election.

I thought that, John, You've already written that. You've already written that in the column. It's not exactly a great secret you've told the country already. But I don't agree with you, John. I think you know we're getting we're going a very good reception out there.

I thought that, John, You've already written that. You've already written that in the column. It's not exactly a great secret you've told the country already. But I don't agree with you, John. I think you know we're getting we're going a very good reception out there.

He said, But you told me the exact same thing before the election. When you're out adding sausage roll starting day, you're saying you're going to getting a great reception. But he still didn't win.

He said, But you told me the exact same thing before the election. When you're out adding sausage roll starting day, you're saying you're going to getting a great reception. But he still didn't win.

Well of course, but you know we're getting an even better reception now.

Well of course, but you know we're getting an even better reception now.

John, What about Karen macinaughty. Has he been given the campaign manager's job just to put him in his place?

John, What about Karen macinaughty. Has he been given the campaign manager's job just to put him in his place?

Not at all, Karen, look at I mean Kieren himself said we're not. When we ann ounsaid on the weekend, he says, look, I've been telling you guys all year that I don't want to be the leader. Now hopefully you'll believe me. He actually wants to be the campaign manager. That was something that he came to me and put his hand up for it. I think he'll be really really good at it. And you know, he's one hundred percent by me, and I'm one hundred percent behind that. I think we're a good team.

Not at all, Karen, look at I mean Kieren himself said we're not. When we ann ounsaid on the weekend, he says, look, I've been telling you guys all year that I don't want to be the leader. Now hopefully you'll believe me. He actually wants to be the campaign manager. That was something that he came to me and put his hand up for it. I think he'll be really really good at it. And you know, he's one hundred percent by me, and I'm one hundred percent behind that. I think we're a good team.

But when it comes to politicians, though, it's a bit different. It's all very well, you know, you wanting to be this and Karen mcinoughty not wanting to be this. But when it comes to parties, it's what the voters want, isn't it Not what you want.

But when it comes to politicians, though, it's a bit different. It's all very well, you know, you wanting to be this and Karen mcinoughty not wanting to be this. But when it comes to parties, it's what the voters want, isn't it Not what you want.

Totally. But actually, if you look at the New Zealand's recent history is very, very Seldom would you find the leader of the opposition outpholding the Prime minister just one year after the election, particularly when that prime minister has just changed. So I think you know that shows that you know we're right in this and it's going to be a very competitive two years as we head towards the next election.

Totally. But actually, if you look at the New Zealand's recent history is very, very Seldom would you find the leader of the opposition outpholding the Prime minister just one year after the election, particularly when that prime minister has just changed. So I think you know that shows that you know we're right in this and it's going to be a very competitive two years as we head towards the next election.

Right, So you're saying that you wanting to be a leader of the Labor Party at the next election aligns with voters wanting you to be the leader of the Labor Party at the next election.

Right, So you're saying that you wanting to be a leader of the Labor Party at the next election aligns with voters wanting you to be the leader of the Labor Party at the next election.

I've got very very strong support from the public and from the party, and if I didn't, I wouldn't still be here.

I've got very very strong support from the public and from the party, and if I didn't, I wouldn't still be here.

There are tens of thousands of nurses and midwives on strike yesterday. I see that they were in christ Church. They went just talking about pay, but they were talking about also free car parking, which is an issue particular to christ Church. There were strikes during your term and government. Why is this so different?

There are tens of thousands of nurses and midwives on strike yesterday. I see that they were in christ Church. They went just talking about pay, but they were talking about also free car parking, which is an issue particular to christ Church. There were strikes during your term and government. Why is this so different?

I mean, look, my answer to that and opposition actually isn't that different to the answer that I would give in government, which is we have as politicians, we're going to be careful in involving ourselves in bargaining. So I'm not going to make a judgment on how much nurses should be paid or whether their claims are reasonable or not, just as I wouldn't when we're in government either, so I'll be consistent with that. But overall, I think the health system is under an awful lot of pressure. And you know, when we came into government back in twenty seventeen, the previous national government had signed up to something called the Safe Staffing Model CCDM. I can't actually remember what the acronym stands for, but it was a safe staffing model. But they didn't have enough nurses in order to be able to fill the commitments under that, so we went about training as many more as we could. We're now starting to see that, you know that it takes three or four nurses three or four years to train nurses, and we're now starting to see that coming out the other end and the.

I mean, look, my answer to that and opposition actually isn't that different to the answer that I would give in government, which is we have as politicians, we're going to be careful in involving ourselves in bargaining. So I'm not going to make a judgment on how much nurses should be paid or whether their claims are reasonable or not, just as I wouldn't when we're in government either, so I'll be consistent with that. But overall, I think the health system is under an awful lot of pressure. And you know, when we came into government back in twenty seventeen, the previous national government had signed up to something called the Safe Staffing Model CCDM. I can't actually remember what the acronym stands for, but it was a safe staffing model. But they didn't have enough nurses in order to be able to fill the commitments under that, so we went about training as many more as we could. We're now starting to see that, you know that it takes three or four nurses three or four years to train nurses, and we're now starting to see that coming out the other end and the.

Jobs the cart get jobs, yeah.

Jobs the cart get jobs, yeah.

Exactly, and they're coming out the other end and not able to find work. But there's still a shortage of nursing. So I think Health New Zealand really needs to get its act together. They've got this hiring freeze in place, which means that you know, brand new graduate nurses can't get work, well, they'll go overseas and that would just be a tragedy for New Zealand.

Exactly, and they're coming out the other end and not able to find work. But there's still a shortage of nursing. So I think Health New Zealand really needs to get its act together. They've got this hiring freeze in place, which means that you know, brand new graduate nurses can't get work, well, they'll go overseas and that would just be a tragedy for New Zealand.

But riches, an't it you saying Health New Zealand needs to get its act together, when you were the person that made it, You invented it, you put it together, you created it.

But riches, an't it you saying Health New Zealand needs to get its act together, when you were the person that made it, You invented it, you put it together, you created it.

Yeah, but the current government came in put a hiring freeze in place. So you know, the reason that they're not recruiting nurses isn't because of the previous governments, because of the current government telling them they can't employ any more people.

Yeah, but the current government came in put a hiring freeze in place. So you know, the reason that they're not recruiting nurses isn't because of the previous governments, because of the current government telling them they can't employ any more people.

So Health New Zealand would have been brilliant if it had been left to its own devices.

So Health New Zealand would have been brilliant if it had been left to its own devices.

No, it was not going to be left to its own devices. I mean, when you do a big project like that, it needs to be actively managed and the current government are certainly not actively managing it.

No, it was not going to be left to its own devices. I mean, when you do a big project like that, it needs to be actively managed and the current government are certainly not actively managing it.

Okay, another government agency just to wind it up caying or order. You might have heard a state house provider, of course, has decided not to use wool carpet in its properties because it's thirty four percent cheaper to used nylon. What's your well, what's your position on that.

Okay, another government agency just to wind it up caying or order. You might have heard a state house provider, of course, has decided not to use wool carpet in its properties because it's thirty four percent cheaper to used nylon. What's your well, what's your position on that.

I think they've got to look at what's going to provide the best overall value to New Zealand. So it's not just about what's the cheapest product. They've always got to look about, well, what's going to last longer? So wool carpets, you know, are they going to Would a will carpet last longer than a niline carpet? I mean my experiences, will carpets last longer than nylon carpets. But then they need to calculate all of those things and not just go for the cheapest price. I think, you know, part of our problem is a country when we talk about our infrastructure generally and housing, is you know, state houses are part of our kind of infrastructure investment. Is it too often we've gone for what's cheap rather than what's actually going to get us the best value for money. Sometimes you're actually better to spend a bit more money and get something that's going to last longer and actually provide a better outcome.

I think they've got to look at what's going to provide the best overall value to New Zealand. So it's not just about what's the cheapest product. They've always got to look about, well, what's going to last longer? So wool carpets, you know, are they going to Would a will carpet last longer than a niline carpet? I mean my experiences, will carpets last longer than nylon carpets. But then they need to calculate all of those things and not just go for the cheapest price. I think, you know, part of our problem is a country when we talk about our infrastructure generally and housing, is you know, state houses are part of our kind of infrastructure investment. Is it too often we've gone for what's cheap rather than what's actually going to get us the best value for money. Sometimes you're actually better to spend a bit more money and get something that's going to last longer and actually provide a better outcome.

So would you do you think that there is a responsibility for government agencies to support local industries e g.

So would you do you think that there is a responsibility for government agencies to support local industries e g.

Well, I think they should. I think they should have bought local industries. And the way you do that is by making sure that you're not just going for the cheapest option. You're going for the option that gives you the best overall outcome for the country as a whole.

Well, I think they should. I think they should have bought local industries. And the way you do that is by making sure that you're not just going for the cheapest option. You're going for the option that gives you the best overall outcome for the country as a whole.

So would you put more carpet all over the four walls and ceilings of the Dunedin Hospital?

So would you put more carpet all over the four walls and ceilings of the Dunedin Hospital?

Well, I mean, I think, well, you generally don't put carpet in hospitals. There's not as hygienic as the final.

Well, I mean, I think, well, you generally don't put carpet in hospitals. There's not as hygienic as the final.

Actually nylon would in a hospital setting. Nylon would be better. Wouldn't it easier to clean?

Actually nylon would in a hospital setting. Nylon would be better. Wouldn't it easier to clean?

Well, I don't know. I'd leave that up to the designers and so on to come up with that stuff, but I do think. I mean, the broader question is should we support should we be aiming to support Kiwi businesses through government procurement, And the answer to that is unequivocally yes, we should be looking to support Kiwi businesses as much as we can with government spending money.

Well, I don't know. I'd leave that up to the designers and so on to come up with that stuff, but I do think. I mean, the broader question is should we support should we be aiming to support Kiwi businesses through government procurement, And the answer to that is unequivocally yes, we should be looking to support Kiwi businesses as much as we can with government spending money.

Brilliant. Thank you, have a good day.

Brilliant. Thank you, have a good day.

Let us go talk to you John.

Let us go talk to you John.

Likewise, thank you.

Likewise, thank you.

For more from Canterbory Mornings with John McDonald. Listen live to news talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

For more from Canterbory Mornings with John McDonald. Listen live to news talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.