Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings John MacDonald was joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins for their regular chat.

He asked his feelings about the ACT party wanting to sanction those who get pregnant while on the benefit, how will that impact families? 

Does he support lifting the ban on genetic engineering? And why is crime still going up under National?

LISTEN ABOVE

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings John MacDonald was joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins for their regular chat. 
He asked his feelings about the ACT party wanting to sanction those who get pregnant while on the benefit, how will that impact families?  
Does he support lifting the ban on genetic engineering? And why is crime still going up under National? 
LISTEN ABOVE

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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. 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.

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader talks the Jobseeker sanctions, genetic engineering, and rising crime rates

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eab9cce7-b6b1-4570-826e-b1cc0011ba0f/transcript

I don’t think there’ll be too many complaints about the report from phase two of the COVID inquiry.

Because, for $14 million, we’ve all got something out of it. That’s $14 million for this phase. Phase one cost us about $17 million.  

If you’re anti-vax or vaccine-weary, you’ve got the bit in the report about officials not telling ministers that 12 to 17-year-olds shouldn't really have been getting two doses of the vaccine. Because of the risk of myocarditis.  

That was an absolute shocker that one.  

If you think Jacinda was a saint and saved us all, you’re probably having a bit of a “told you so” moment.  

Irrespective of how patronising she and her ministers got the longer the pandemic went on, you’ll be having your “told you so” moment because the report says, overall, New Zealand's approach was good.  

If you think the Government got it wrong thinking that the team of five million would stick together no matter what, you’ll be happy with the report too. 

Because it says some of the mandates went on too long, and the Government failed to communicate well enough with us.  

In fact, i can’t think of anyone who won’t feel they’ve got at least something out of it. 

Except NZ First Leader Winston peters, perhaps. 

He says many people think the inquiry has been one-sided and the damage is done. 

The damage he’s talking about there is the damage from the mandates. 

He says: “The employment and wage-scarring impacts of the mandates were significant. The Labour Government made no attempt to monitor these impacts and the devastating results that would come to our country. 

“These mandates and lockdowns cost thousands of jobs and had a devastating effect on our economy and people’s health and livelihoods - all of which were avoidable.”

And I agree with him that not enough thought was given about the long-term consequences of the mandates. Which, at the time, I supported. 

Winston Peters says: “the report brings questions that need to be answered by Hipkins and Verrall and all those other former ministers. They cannot brush this off.”

One of those former ministers, Chris Hipkins, said on Newstalk ZB this morning that he doesn‘t think his involvement in the COVID response and the findings of the inquiry will put people off voting for him.    

And I agree with him. Anyone who holds a grudge now will always hold a grudge. And there’s nothing Chris Hipkins can do to change that.  

LISTEN ABOVE

I don’t think there’ll be too many complaints about the report from phase two of the COVID inquiry.
Because, for $14 million, we’ve all got something out of it. That’s $14 million for this phase. Phase one cost us about $17 million. &nbsp;
If you’re anti-vax or vaccine-weary, you’ve got the bit in the report about officials not telling ministers that 12 to 17-year-olds shouldn't really have been getting two doses of the vaccine. Because of the risk of myocarditis. &nbsp;
That was an absolute shocker that one. &nbsp;
If you think Jacinda was a saint and saved us all, you’re probably having a bit of a “told you so” moment. &nbsp;
Irrespective of how patronising she and her ministers got the longer the pandemic went on, you’ll be having your “told you so” moment because the report says, overall, New Zealand's approach was good. &nbsp;
If you think the Government got it wrong thinking that the team of five million would stick together no matter what, you’ll be happy with the report too.&nbsp;
Because it says some of the mandates went on too long, and the Government failed to communicate well enough with us. &nbsp;
In fact, i can’t think of anyone who won’t feel they’ve got at least something out of it.&nbsp;
Except NZ First Leader Winston peters, perhaps.&nbsp;
He says many people think the inquiry has been one-sided and the damage is done.&nbsp;
The damage he’s talking about there is the damage from the mandates.&nbsp;
He says: “The employment and wage-scarring impacts of the mandates were significant. The Labour Government made no attempt to monitor these impacts and the devastating results that would come to our country.&nbsp;
“These mandates and lockdowns cost thousands of jobs and had a devastating effect on our economy and people’s health and livelihoods - all of which were avoidable.”
And I agree with him that not enough thought was given about the long-term consequences of the mandates. Which, at the time, I supported.&nbsp;
Winston Peters says: “the report brings questions that need to be answered by Hipkins and Verrall and all those other former ministers. They cannot brush this off.”
One of those former ministers, Chris Hipkins, said on Newstalk ZB this morning that he doesn‘t think his involvement in the COVID response and the findings of the inquiry will put people off voting for him. &nbsp; &nbsp;
And I agree with him. Anyone who holds a grudge now will always hold a grudge. And there’s nothing Chris Hipkins can do to change that. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Covid report has something for everyone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e15ad50d-3078-42d4-a739-b4090180ef6a/transcript

The rubber is hitting the road for us here in New Zealand with fuel prices on the up because of the situation in the Middle East. 

The Taxpayers’ Union hasn’t been slow in coming forward, saying the government should be cutting its fuel taxes. Temporarily, anyway. 

It says households shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the full cost of global instability. 

It’s spokesman Jordan Williams is saying that people are already struggling with the cost of living and the government needs to wear some of the burden rather than lumping it all on motorists. 

I get his argument and, more to the point, it’s not just motorists who are impacted. Everyone is impacted because the price of fuel pretty much impacts the price of everything. 

Nevertheless, thank goodness the government hasn’t jumped on the kneejerk reaction bandwagon with this one. With finance minister Nicola Willis saying that won’t be happening. 

Which makes perfect sense. For several reasons. 

The main one being timing. 

We’re only a week or so into this war and who knows what’s going to be happening this time next week or two weeks from now. 

And that’s the job of a government in times like these. Don’t panic and see where things go. 

Especially, when there’s the potential for the G7 countries - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States - to release some of the fuel they keep up their sleeve for times like these. 

They decided overnight that that doesn’t need to happen right now. But they’re due to have another think about later this week. 

The Automobile Association’s principal policy adviser terry Collins has been warning that petrol prices could get close to $4 a litre. 

I think the likelihood of that has diminished and good on the government for holding its nerve. 

Tell that to Labour leader Chris Hipkins, though. 

He says back in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, his government heard about people not being able to afford the petrol they needed to get to work. 

At that point, a litre of petrol cost $3. 

Chris Hipkins says: “Once fuel inflation reached that point where people couldn’t afford to go to work, because they couldn’t afford to fill up the car, we made the decision at that point that the immediate priority was providing support to New Zealand households.” 

And he wants to see the same thing happen again. 

I don’t - and I think the government’s made the right move. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The rubber is hitting the road for us here in New Zealand with fuel prices on the up because of the situation in the Middle East.&nbsp;
The Taxpayers’ Union hasn’t been slow in coming forward, saying the government should be cutting its fuel taxes. Temporarily, anyway.&nbsp;
It says households shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the full cost of global instability.&nbsp;
It’s spokesman Jordan Williams is saying that people are already struggling with the cost of living and the government needs to wear some of the burden rather than lumping it all on motorists.&nbsp;
I get his argument and, more to the point, it’s not just motorists who are impacted. Everyone is impacted because the price of fuel pretty much impacts the price of everything.&nbsp;
Nevertheless, thank goodness the government hasn’t jumped on the kneejerk reaction bandwagon with this one. With finance minister Nicola Willis saying that won’t be happening.&nbsp;
Which makes perfect sense. For several reasons.&nbsp;
The main one being timing.&nbsp;
We’re only a week or so into this war and who knows what’s going to be happening this time next week or two weeks from now.&nbsp;
And that’s the job of a government in times like these. Don’t panic and see where things go.&nbsp;
Especially, when there’s the potential for the G7 countries - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States - to release some of the fuel they keep up their sleeve for times like these.&nbsp;
They decided overnight that that doesn’t need to happen right now. But they’re due to have another think about later this week.&nbsp;
The Automobile Association’s principal policy adviser terry Collins has been warning that petrol prices could get close to $4 a litre.&nbsp;
I think the likelihood of that has diminished and good on the government for holding its nerve.&nbsp;
Tell that to Labour leader Chris Hipkins, though.&nbsp;
He says back in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, his government heard about people not being able to afford the petrol they needed to get to work.&nbsp;
At that point, a litre of petrol cost $3.&nbsp;
Chris Hipkins says: “Once fuel inflation reached that point where people couldn’t afford to go to work, because they couldn’t afford to fill up the car, we made the decision at that point that the immediate priority was providing support to New Zealand households.”&nbsp;
And he wants to see the same thing happen again.&nbsp;
I don’t - and I think the government’s made the right move.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Now is not the time to cut fuel taxes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cc8052f4-2f08-4b28-81ca-b408017fbc06/transcript

Christopher Luxon is at risk of sounding a bit like Joe Biden.

You’ll remember the former US president bungled that election debate with Donald Trump and then people started calling for him to go and he said he wasn’t standing down.

Christopher Luxon sounded a bit like that when he was on Newstalk ZB on Friday afternoon and this morning.

He said he was “absolutely not” considering standing down. That the only thing he was thinking about was the future of our kids and grandkids.

I think he’s absolutely right not to be thinking about standing down. Not that I think his colleagues won’t try to roll him. That could happen. And, when I heard him on Friday, I wondered whether his denial of having any thoughts about standing down was a message for us or a message for his caucus.

I’m in no doubt he was talking to his colleagues. Telling them very publicly that he’s not going anywhere.

He said he has no idea where the talk about him considering his future came from. He also said “hand on heart” he will still be Prime Minister and leader of the National Party when this year’s election comes around.

So not considering his future in the slightest. Nor should he.

While I don’t think he’s anywhere near the best prime minister we’ve ever had nor the best leader National has ever had, he’s not the worst of a pretty average bunch.

Over the weekend, a poll came out saying that 51 percent of people want to see a new leader of the National party. But that same poll showed that the likes of Erica Stanford’s star has faded a bit with voters.

The other thing too with her and other names mentioned, such as Mark Mitchell is that, while they have impressed people with their portfolio work, do you reckon they’d be any good at being across everything?

Could you imagine Mark Mitchell or Erica Stanford talking about inflation with any great authority? Chris Bishop would probably be the most credible on that front.

Another reason why I think Luxon should stay, is that this is his moment to show that he can hold a steady course when things hit the fan. It’s his chance to show that he can keep a team together when things are going a bit pear-shaped.

Reason number three: the last thing this country needs right now is more turbulence. There’s enough going on. Changing prime minister is way different than Labour changing leader back in 2017 when it was in Opposition.

If Chrisopher Luxon is the leader he seems to think he is, then he’ll ignore all that noise. Not for his sake. But for the sake of the country.

LISTEN ABOVE

Christopher Luxon is at risk of sounding a bit like Joe Biden.
You’ll remember the former US president bungled that election debate with Donald Trump and then people started calling for him to go and he said he wasn’t standing down.
Christopher Luxon sounded a bit like that when he was on Newstalk ZB on Friday afternoon and this morning.
He said he was “absolutely not” considering standing down. That the only thing he was thinking about was the future of our kids and grandkids.
I think he’s absolutely right not to be thinking about standing down. Not that I think his colleagues won’t try to roll him. That could happen. And, when I heard him on Friday, I wondered whether his denial of having any thoughts about standing down was a message for us or a message for his caucus.
I’m in no doubt he was talking to his colleagues. Telling them very publicly that he’s not going anywhere.
He said he has no idea where the talk about him considering his future came from. He also said “hand on heart” he will still be Prime Minister and leader of the National Party when this year’s election comes around.
So not considering his future in the slightest. Nor should he.
While I don’t think he’s anywhere near the best prime minister we’ve ever had nor the best leader National has ever had, he’s not the worst of a pretty average bunch.
Over the weekend, a poll came out saying that 51 percent of people want to see a new leader of the National party. But that same poll showed that the likes of Erica Stanford’s star has faded a bit with voters.
The other thing too with her and other names mentioned, such as Mark Mitchell is that, while they have impressed people with their portfolio work, do you reckon they’d be any good at being across everything?
Could you imagine Mark Mitchell or Erica Stanford talking about inflation with any great authority? Chris Bishop would probably be the most credible on that front.
Another reason why I think Luxon should stay, is that this is his moment to show that he can hold a steady course when things hit the fan. It’s his chance to show that he can keep a team together when things are going a bit pear-shaped.
Reason number three: the last thing this country needs right now is more turbulence. There’s enough going on. Changing prime minister is way different than Labour changing leader back in 2017 when it was in Opposition.
If Chrisopher Luxon is the leader he seems to think he is, then he’ll ignore all that noise. Not for his sake. But for the sake of the country.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: The main reason Luxon should stay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/37dfc0d7-6599-46f6-b34e-b4070183710a/transcript

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader talks the Jobseeker sanctions, genetic engineering, and rising crime rates

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