Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Christopher Luxon is running away from scrutiny after he cancelled his regular weekly interview on TVNZ's Breakfast programme.

"The reality is that's part of the job. You're going to be subjected to scrutiny, you're going to be asked tough questions."

Speaking on Canterbury Mornings, Hipkins was asked by John MacDonald whether he held the same view when former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her weekly interviews with Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking in 2021.

"I thought she should have continued to do it, but ultimately that was her choice. I made a different choice, and that was to keep doing those interviews."

When Hipkins became Prime Minister in 2023, he reinstated the weekly prime ministerial interview on the Mike Hosking Breakfast.

They also discussed Labour’s support for the India free trade agreement, his views on drinking culture in parliament, and his reaction to a parent being taken to court by the government over their child’s chronic absence from school.

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Christopher Luxon is running away from scrutiny after he cancelled his regular weekly interview on TVNZ's Breakfast programme.
"The reality is that's part of the job. You're going to be subjected to scrutiny, you're going to be asked tough questions."
Speaking on Canterbury Mornings, Hipkins was asked by John MacDonald whether he held the same view when former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her weekly interviews with Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking in 2021.
"I thought she should have continued to do it, but ultimately that was her choice. I made a different choice, and that was to keep doing those interviews."
When Hipkins became Prime Minister in 2023, he reinstated the weekly prime ministerial interview on the Mike Hosking Breakfast.
They also discussed Labour’s support for the India free trade agreement, his views on drinking culture in parliament, and his reaction to a parent being taken to court by the government over their child’s chronic absence from school.
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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.

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

Chris Hipkins on Parliaments drinking culture, Labour supporting the India FTA, and the PM cancelling regular media appearances

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ceea6048-0d5a-4b6d-a768-b43a0187535f/transcript

There’s that saying that you should never waste a good crisis. 

And, according to Winston Peters, the trucking companies are taking that advice and using the current fuel crisis as an opportunity to get what they’ve always wanted. 

Which is a rule change to let them carry more weight on their trucks. 

The Government’s looking at allowing that as part of its response to the fuel situation, saying it would mean the truckies using less diesel. 

But Winston Peters say he’s not on board with that, and we should be making greater use of rail. And I agree with him. 

In fact, I've long held the view that it’s crazy the number of trucks we have on our roads and that we should be transporting more stuff on trains. 

It’s crazy we have so many trucks because our roads, generally, are pretty tinpot, aren’t they?  

Tinpot roads are not designed to cope with those heavy trucks. Let alone heavier trucks if these changes go through. 

Which is exactly the point the NZ First leader is making today about increasing the weight limits for trucks so they can carry more on each trip. 

Winston Peters says: “these weight limits are put there for good reasons, because of potholes and bridge strength and what have you."  

And what makes this even crazier, when you think about it, is the government is also talking about pressing pause on fuel tax increases next year. 

So, on one hand, it wants to let trucks carry more weight - which would undoubtedly mean more damage to the roads - and it wants to stop the fuel tax increase which would mean less money to fix the roads. 

How does that stack up? Answer: It doesn’t.    

What’s more, Winston Peters is accusing the freight industry of using the fuel crisis to get what it wants. 

He’s saying today: "this isn't the first time the trucking industry's tried this on." 

I can’t verify this for sure, but I'll take Winston on his word when he says that trains are two-and-a-half times more fuel efficient than trucks. 

He’s also saying today, as the Minister for rail, that there are thousands of wagons available. 

So is he on to something? I think he is. And I think we need to see rail as a solution not just to any fuel shortage we might have to deal with in the short term - but long-term, as well. 

On an ongoing permanent basis, less trucks and more trains. 

LISTEN ABOVE

There’s that saying that you should never waste a good crisis.&nbsp;
And, according to Winston Peters, the trucking companies are taking that advice and using the current fuel crisis as an opportunity to get what they’ve always wanted.&nbsp;
Which is a rule change to let them carry more weight on their trucks.&nbsp;
The Government’s looking at allowing that as part of its response to the fuel situation, saying it would mean the truckies using less diesel.&nbsp;
But Winston Peters say he’s not on board with that, and we should be making greater use of rail. And I agree with him.&nbsp;
In fact, I've long held the view that it’s crazy the number of trucks we have on our roads and that we should be transporting more stuff on trains.&nbsp;
It’s crazy we have so many trucks because our roads, generally, are pretty tinpot, aren’t they? &nbsp;
Tinpot roads are not designed to cope with those heavy trucks. Let alone heavier trucks if these changes go through.&nbsp;
Which is exactly the point the NZ First leader is making today about increasing the weight limits for trucks so they can carry more on each trip.&nbsp;
Winston Peters says: “these weight limits are put there for good reasons, because of potholes and bridge strength and what have you." &nbsp;
And what makes this even crazier, when you think about it, is the government is also talking about pressing pause on fuel tax increases next year.&nbsp;
So, on one hand, it wants to let trucks carry more weight - which would undoubtedly mean more damage to the roads - and it wants to stop the fuel tax increase which would mean less money to fix the roads.&nbsp;
How does that stack up? Answer: It doesn’t. &nbsp; &nbsp;
What’s more, Winston Peters is accusing the freight industry of using the fuel crisis to get what it wants.&nbsp;
He’s saying today: "this isn't the first time the trucking industry's tried this on."&nbsp;
I can’t verify this for sure, but I'll take Winston on his word when he says that trains are two-and-a-half times more fuel efficient than trucks.&nbsp;
He’s also saying today, as the Minister for rail, that there are thousands of wagons available.&nbsp;
So is he on to something? I think he is. And I think we need to see rail as a solution not just to any fuel shortage we might have to deal with in the short term - but long-term, as well.&nbsp;
On an ongoing permanent basis, less trucks and more trains.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: I'm with Winston on the trains

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d91b15e8-5eb8-4e43-bb1e-b43b00059fbd/transcript

Anyone who didn’t feel excited for and proud of Christchurch over the long weekend might need to check if they’ve still got a pulse. 

Because what a ripper.  

And anyone who thinks our brand new One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha isn’t going to be Christchurch's greatest asset then, maybe, they were at home all weekend and didn’t see what was going on.  

Thousands of visitors in town for the Super Rugby Super Round. Numbers thrown around say 14,000 people visited - 4,000 of them from Australia. 

ChristchurchNZ had estimated it would pump $6 million into the economy. But it’s now saying that it will probably be more than that. 

I’m in no doubt about that. I see the church pub alone sold 50 kegs of beer on Friday night. We did some numbers over dinner last night and worked out that that would have been at least $50,000 in beer sales. 

At one pub. On one night. That doesn’t count the beer sold on Saturday and sunday. 

Naturally, Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge is pushing for Christchurch to host the Super Round again. I think he’s got a multi-year deal in his sights. 

And, crucially, Super Rugby Chief Executive Jack Mesley isn’t ruling it out. 

Although, he’s hardly going to poo-poo it when he’s here and everyone’s on a high because of how well it went. 

But he did say before jumping on the plane back to Sydney that Christchurch definitely has a head start over other New Zealand cities. 

Which we do. Tell that to the Mayor of Dunedin, though, who is saying this morning that they’re going to be looking into the viability of hosting the Super Round in Dunners.   

One ting that occurred to me at the weekend, was who needs Russell Coutts and Sail GP now we’ve got this brilliant stadium facility? 

Which is why I think it is going to be Christchurch's single greatest asset. If it isn’t already. 

I know that Friday night, especially, was a milestone. It was the end of a very long wait. It was another one of those symbolic and emotional moments when we realise just how far we have come as a city.  

And I know not every Crusaders game at One New Zealand Stadium is necessarily going to attract 25,000 people. 

And I know that not everyone is a rugby fan. 

But you can’t deny the good the Super Round did for our city over the weekend, and the good the stadium is going to continue doing. 

Just imagine what it’s going to be like next month when Six60 headlines the first big concert at the stadium. Which is sold out. 

You imagine what it’s going to be like when the Warriors play here in June. Again, another sell-out. 

And imagine what it’s going to be like in July when the All Blacks play France under the roof. That match is well on its way to being sold out too. 

So the weekend was just the start. And what a brilliant start it was too. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Anyone who didn’t feel excited for and proud of Christchurch over the long weekend might need to check if they’ve still got a pulse.&nbsp;
Because what a ripper. &nbsp;
And anyone who thinks our brand new One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha isn’t going to be Christchurch's greatest asset then, maybe, they were at home all weekend and didn’t see what was going on. &nbsp;
Thousands of visitors in town for the Super Rugby Super Round. Numbers thrown around say 14,000 people visited - 4,000 of them from Australia.&nbsp;
ChristchurchNZ had estimated it would pump $6 million into the economy. But it’s now saying that it will probably be more than that.&nbsp;
I’m in no doubt about that. I see the church pub alone sold 50 kegs of beer on Friday night. We did some numbers over dinner last night and worked out that that would have been at least $50,000 in beer sales.&nbsp;
At one pub. On one night. That doesn’t count the beer sold on Saturday and sunday.&nbsp;
Naturally, Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge is pushing for Christchurch to host the Super Round again. I think he’s got a multi-year deal in his sights.&nbsp;
And, crucially, Super Rugby Chief Executive Jack Mesley isn’t ruling it out.&nbsp;
Although, he’s hardly going to poo-poo it when he’s here and everyone’s on a high because of how well it went.&nbsp;
But he did say before jumping on the plane back to Sydney that Christchurch definitely has a head start over other New Zealand cities.&nbsp;
Which we do. Tell that to the Mayor of Dunedin, though, who is saying this morning that they’re going to be looking into the viability of hosting the Super Round in Dunners. &nbsp;&nbsp;
One ting that occurred to me at the weekend, was who needs Russell Coutts and Sail GP now we’ve got this brilliant stadium facility?&nbsp;
Which is why I think it is going to be Christchurch's single greatest asset. If it isn’t already.&nbsp;
I know that Friday night, especially, was a milestone. It was the end of a very long wait. It was another one of those symbolic and emotional moments when we realise just how far we have come as a city. &nbsp;
And I know not every Crusaders game at One New Zealand Stadium is necessarily going to attract 25,000 people.&nbsp;
And I know that not everyone is a rugby fan.&nbsp;
But you can’t deny the good the Super Round did for our city over the weekend, and the good the stadium is going to continue doing.&nbsp;
Just imagine what it’s going to be like next month when Six60 headlines the first big concert at the stadium. Which is sold out.&nbsp;
You imagine what it’s going to be like when the Warriors play here in June. Again, another sell-out.&nbsp;
And imagine what it’s going to be like in July when the All Blacks play France under the roof. That match is well on its way to being sold out too.&nbsp;
So the weekend was just the start. And what a brilliant start it was too.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: A super start for our super stadium

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/664c9814-105b-4304-9c61-b43a00071131/transcript

Ahead of the first fully ticketed event at One New Zealand Stadium, John MacDonald caught up with Greg May, owner of central city bar, Smash Palace.

LISTENABOVE

Ahead of the first fully ticketed event at One New Zealand Stadium, John MacDonald caught up with Greg May, owner of central city bar, Smash Palace.
LISTEN ABOVE

Smash Palace Bar owner Greg May on the new stadium

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/860e61e6-1bf0-48f2-8ae2-b436004f15e6/transcript

Chris Hipkins on Parliaments drinking culture, Labour supporting the India FTA, and the PM cancelling regular media appearances

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