John MacDonald: Ending violence - a challenge for all of us

If you think the violence action plan announced by the Government yesterday has no relevance to your life - think again.   It’s one of many plans that are part of this overall 25-year strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. The big strategy was launched in 2021, which means it’s…

John MacDonald: Motorcyclist ACC levies a human rights issue? Really?

Even as a scooter rider, I think these motorcyclists who are kicking up a fuss about their ACC levies going through the roof don’t have a leg to stand on.  It’s quite possible too that the motorbike guys will think that someone who rides a 2-stroke Vespa isn’t even a real motorcyclist.   And they…

Gerry Brownlee: Speaker of the House reflects on his first year in the role

A regular weekly contributor to the show up until last year, Gerry Brownlee is finishing his first full year as Speaker of the House.  Brownlee joined John MacDonald to reflect on his year amid the continuing drama in Parliament.   He says has been a very democratic year in the chamber.   When e…

John MacDonald: Hey Winston! More fairy dust, less bull dust please

When Finance Minister Nicola Willis said “I have delivered” yesterday —after announcing the Government’s so-called plan for the Cook Strait ferries— what she really meant was: “I’ve had a gutsful of this lot fighting over it and I’m out.”   She was throwing her arms in the air because she’s had en…

Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on the rates increase, ferry delay, bus fare increase

A firm answer from Christchurch's mayor on whether the Cathedral restoration levy should go into reducing a rates increase.  Households have paid $6.52 each year since 2018.  Halswell councillor Andrei Moore wants it used to help a reduce a 8.4% rates increase, while the rebuild is indefinitely p…

John MacDonald: I'm scratching my head over the greyhounds being scratched

I have never had a problem with greyhound racing so you’re not going to hear me singing the Government’s praises for banning the sport.   But I am scratching my head. Because there are so many things about this move by the coalition that just don’t make sense to me.   On one hand, the Government …

John MacDonald: Our handling of Gloriavale is a national shame

Surely this is the final straw for Gloriavale. Or, more to the point, surely it’s the final straw for the Government.   Because it is absolutely shameful that it still exists.   This final straw, by the way, is the Court of Appeal ruling announced yesterday that the BNZ has every right to close t…

John MacDonald: On why the government should be hitting the brakes on controversial bootcamps

The minute the defence force said it didn’t want a bar of the new youth boot camps, the Government should have put the brakes on then and there. It didn’t, though, because it had talked a tough game before the election and like hell it was going to back away from that promise now. But it should h…

John MacDonald: Here's one solution to the power price problem

I’ve been reading a report the OECD released this morning, and it’s occurred to me that, if we want our businesses to survive, there is a very simple thing we could or should be doing to help.   When I say we, I’m meaning the government upfront. But, for this to happen, I think we’d all pretty muc…

Politics Friday with Megan Woods and Matt Doocey: Electricity, police targets, Ayesha Verrall's comment

Today on Politics Friday, National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Megan Woods joined John MacDonald to dig into this week’s political news.   Electricity prices are still rising – would ensuring businesses get a lower rate keep them from going out of business?  Will National actually miss their polic…