National's Vanessa Weenink and Labour's Reuben Davidson joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week.

They covered some of the week's biggest issues, including New Zealand First's immigration policy, Labour's AI proposals, and whether Parliament relies too heavily on urgency, following a rushed law change that affected MSD payments for thousands of people.

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<p style="border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / .5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(33, 33, 33); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">They covered some of the week's biggest issues, including New Zealand First's immigration policy, Labour's AI proposals, and whether Parliament relies too heavily on urgency, following a rushed law change that affected MSD payments for thousands of people.
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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.

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Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

Politics Friday: Reuben Davidson and Vanessa Weenink on Labour's AI plan, NZ First's immigration policy, urgency bill mishaps

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0145da8a-cfaf-4f08-8bc4-b4c10178711a/transcript

I think Orana Park has had its day.

And, if our local councils are going to pour any more money into it, it should be money to help wind it down and find new homes for the animals. And then that’s it.

That’s the only involvement I think is warranted.

But a decision is going to have to be made soon. Because, as the park has announced, it’s on track to run out of cash by the end of March and needs to find $4.1 million by then to keep paying the bills.

Orana Park says it will try to raise some of the money itself. But it’s going to be asking our local councils for help.

And, already, city councillor Aaron Keown is saying that he thinks Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri should just front up with the whole $4.1 million.

He says the money could come from ratepayers paying a targeted rate, similar to what we already pay to support Canterbury Museum.

He says: "There's so many places councils could save money and then put it into breeding programmes so we don't have to put down those animals and close up the park because that's your alternative to not funding it properly."

The animal welfare people, though, feel differently about it. They’re saying today that zoos are no longer affordable and we should get rid of them.

They say places like Orana Park are outdated and not good for the animals.

I’m somewhere in the middle between the animal welfare crew and Aaron Keown.

Which is why I’d be very happy for our local councils giving Orana Park the money needed to re-home the animals elsewhere.

Which could be Auckland Zoo, for example. But, in a country the size of New Zealand, I think one national zoo is all we need.

Of course, there will be no shortage of people who will feel all nostalgic about Orana Park and will think it should be saved at all cost.

I never went there during the years when you could drive your car through the lion enclosure. That seemed pretty weird to me.

That all started in 1976 and finished in 1995 and I reckon most of the people who will want to save Orana Park will be looking at it all nostalgically.

Because, the times I’ve been there, the lions and the giraffes have been impressive. But I think the world has moved on.

If there is a need of any sort, it would be the animal breeding work that gets done. The way Aaron Keown puts it, you’d think Orana Park is the only breeding programme in the world.

But it’s not. Which is why I think that, if ratepayers are going to put more money into Orana Park, it should just be to tide it over until all the animals have got new homes to go to.

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I think Orana Park has had its day.
And, if our local councils are going to pour any more money into it, it should be money to help wind it down and find new homes for the animals. And then that’s it.
That’s the only involvement I think is warranted.
But a decision is going to have to be made soon. Because, as the park has announced, it’s on track to run out of cash by the end of March and needs to find $4.1 million by then to keep paying the bills.
Orana Park says it will try to raise some of the money itself. But it’s going to be asking our local councils for help.
And, already, city councillor Aaron Keown is saying that he thinks Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri should just front up with the whole $4.1 million.
He says the money could come from ratepayers paying a targeted rate, similar to what we already pay to support Canterbury Museum.
He says: "There's so many places councils could save money and then put it into breeding programmes so we don't have to put down those animals and close up the park because that's your alternative to not funding it properly."
The animal welfare people, though, feel differently about it. They’re saying today that zoos are no longer affordable and we should get rid of them.
They say places like Orana Park are outdated and not good for the animals.
I’m somewhere in the middle between the animal welfare crew and Aaron Keown.
Which is why I’d be very happy for our local councils giving Orana Park the money needed to re-home the animals elsewhere.
Which could be Auckland Zoo, for example. But, in a country the size of New Zealand, I think one national zoo is all we need.
Of course, there will be no shortage of people who will feel all nostalgic about Orana Park and will think it should be saved at all cost.
I never went there during the years when you could drive your car through the lion enclosure. That seemed pretty weird to me.
That all started in 1976 and finished in 1995 and I reckon most of the people who will want to save Orana Park will be looking at it all nostalgically.
Because, the times I’ve been there, the lions and the giraffes have been impressive. But I think the world has moved on.
If there is a need of any sort, it would be the animal breeding work that gets done. The way Aaron Keown puts it, you’d think Orana Park is the only breeding programme in the world.
But it’s not. Which is why I think that, if ratepayers are going to put more money into Orana Park, it should just be to tide it over until all the animals have got new homes to go to.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Orana Park - another zoo unable to pay its way

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9893f5f7-4922-4234-93ad-b4c5000a394a/transcript

I don’t know about Winston Peters’ chances of deporting all non-citizens found guilty of violence and sex crimes. But I do like what he’s pushing for.

He also wants to kick out non-citizens involved in criminal groups and money laundering.

There’s one thing I’m grappling with, though. Which I’ll get to.

Kicking out crims is just one part of NZ First’s immigration policy for this year’s election.

As Winston Peters himself says, it’s about treating immigration is a privilege, not a right.

To some, his idea of deporting non-citizen criminals could sound a bit hypocritical. When you consider how much Winston Peters has had to say about Australia’s 501 deportees.

Which brings me to the bit I’m grappling with.

Even though I hate the problems Australia’s 501 scheme has created for us in New Zealand, I like this idea from NZ First.

The other thing that makes me wonder why I like it so much, is that the number of non-citizens behaving badly seems to be relatively low.

According to the World Prison Brief - which is a global database giving free access to information about prison systems throughout the world - just 3 percent of the people in New Zealand prisons at the moment are non-citizens.

It’s most recent numbers - from the end of June this year - say that there are 11,256 people in prison here in New Zealand. That includes people waiting to go on trial and remand prisoners. And just 3 percent of them aren’t New Zealand citizens. Which is about 330 people.

So, if we use those numbers, you could say that 97 percent of the serious crimes in New Zealand are being committed by New Zealand citizens. Which tells me that foreigners aren’t running rampage committing all sorts of crimes.

So the number of people Winston Peters would end up deporting would be very small.

But, despite all that, I like what he wants to do. I might be a hypocrite, given I’m anti the 501 scheme. But I like it.

LISTEN ABOVE

I don’t know about Winston Peters’ chances of deporting all non-citizens found guilty of violence and sex crimes. But I do like what he’s pushing for.
He also wants to kick out non-citizens involved in criminal groups and money laundering.
There’s one thing I’m grappling with, though. Which I’ll get to.
Kicking out crims is just one part of NZ First’s immigration policy for this year’s election.
As Winston Peters himself says, it’s about treating immigration is a privilege, not a right.
To some, his idea of deporting non-citizen criminals could sound a bit hypocritical. When you consider how much Winston Peters has had to say about Australia’s 501 deportees.
Which brings me to the bit I’m grappling with.
Even though I hate the problems Australia’s 501 scheme has created for us in New Zealand, I like this idea from NZ First.
The other thing that makes me wonder why I like it so much, is that the number of non-citizens behaving badly seems to be relatively low.
According to the World Prison Brief - which is a global database giving free access to information about prison systems throughout the world - just 3 percent of the people in New Zealand prisons at the moment are non-citizens.
It’s most recent numbers - from the end of June this year - say that there are 11,256 people in prison here in New Zealand. That includes people waiting to go on trial and remand prisoners. And just 3 percent of them aren’t New Zealand citizens. Which is about 330 people.
So, if we use those numbers, you could say that 97 percent of the serious crimes in New Zealand are being committed by New Zealand citizens. Which tells me that foreigners aren’t running rampage committing all sorts of crimes.
So the number of people Winston Peters would end up deporting would be very small.
But, despite all that, I like what he wants to do. I might be a hypocrite, given I’m anti the 501 scheme. But I like it.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: I like the cut of NZ First's 501s

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/76797232-f70f-420b-82c0-b4c200063a1c/transcript

What a load of nonsense from the Government about New Zealand not joining our international partners in trade bans over what Britain is describing as the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

It’s saying that it won’t be joining the UK, France and Canada in banning goods from illegal Israeli settlements because New Zealand doesn’t mix trade and politics.

Or, more specifically, New Zealand doesn’t use trade bans to make political points.

I’m not the only person thinking that’s a load of nonsense, either.

International law expert Al Gillespie is saying today that New Zealand should be joining the trade sanctions. Because, despite what the Government says, we have actually done it before.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, New Zealand slapped a 35 percent tariff on all imports from Russia; we banned the import of oil, gas, coal and gold from Russia; and we banned exports to Russia and Belarus.

But I suppose you’ve got to hand it to the Government for being consistent.

Last year, it resisted recognising Palestine as a state.

Now it’s saying it won’t be following the lead of the UK, France and Canada. Which have announced a ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. And a ban on companies providing finance, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising services for the settlements. Because of what it explicitly says is the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The New Zealand Government isn’t budging. Because it’s scared of Israel and the United States.

Back in March, former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said New Zealand no longer had the courage to speak freely on international matters.

That was in relation to the Government’s wishy-washy response to Israel and the United States attacking Iran. I bet he’d say the exact same thing today.

And he’d be right. Because, if we want to be an independent, confident country, we have to take a stand on things. Even if it means brassing-off the superpowers.

Just like we did back in the 1980s with the United States and their nuclear ships.

But we have lost the courage to speak freely. Courage we used to have in spades.

Even when we see allies like Britain talking about ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the Israeli settlements. Settlements which, by the way, are illegal under international law.

Where the number of settlers has risen in the past 30-odd years from 270,000 to about 770,000 today.

Even when we hear Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband say things like: “The British Government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists.”

The New Zealand of today hears those things, but isn’t moved. The strongest thing the Government can say is that it’s "concerned" about settlements that breach international law.

The opposition parties say we’re a global embarrassment not getting involved. 

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says, if he was in charge, we would be joining-in with the sanctions. Saying: “These are our friends who are now saying that what Israel is doing is wrong, and they should be sanctioned for it. New Zealand should be joining them and sending a very similar strong message.”

I’m as realistic as the next person and I know that sanctions have their limitations in terms of influencing change. 

And yes, I’m easy-oasey about recognising Palestine as a state. Because that doesn’t change its status. It’s only the United Nations that can do that.

But allegations of ethnic cleansing is a different story. And when you have the likes of Britain, France and Canada saying enough is enough, New Zealand can’t ignore it.

LISTEN ABOVE

What a load of nonsense from the Government about New Zealand not joining our international partners in trade bans over what Britain is describing as the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
It’s saying that it won’t be joining the UK, France and Canada in banning goods from illegal Israeli settlements because New Zealand doesn’t mix trade and politics.
Or, more specifically, New Zealand doesn’t use trade bans to make political points.
I’m not the only person thinking that’s a load of nonsense, either.
International law expert Al Gillespie is saying today that New Zealand should be joining the trade sanctions. Because, despite what the Government says, we have actually done it before.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, New Zealand slapped a 35 percent tariff on all imports from Russia; we banned the import of oil, gas, coal and gold from Russia; and we banned exports to Russia and Belarus.
But I suppose you’ve got to hand it to the Government for being consistent.
Last year, it resisted recognising Palestine as a state.
Now it’s saying it won’t be following the lead of the UK, France and Canada. Which have announced a ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. And a ban on companies providing finance, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising services for the settlements. Because of what it explicitly says is the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
The New Zealand Government isn’t budging. Because it’s scared of Israel and the United States.
Back in March, former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said New Zealand no longer had the courage to speak freely on international matters.
That was in relation to the Government’s wishy-washy response to Israel and the United States attacking Iran. I bet he’d say the exact same thing today.
And he’d be right. Because, if we want to be an independent, confident country, we have to take a stand on things. Even if it means brassing-off the superpowers.
Just like we did back in the 1980s with the United States and their nuclear ships.
But we have lost the courage to speak freely. Courage we used to have in spades.
Even when we see allies like Britain talking about ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the Israeli settlements. Settlements which, by the way, are illegal under international law.
Where the number of settlers has risen in the past 30-odd years from 270,000 to about 770,000 today.
Even when we hear Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband say things like: “The British Government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists.”
The New Zealand of today hears those things, but isn’t moved. The strongest thing the Government can say is that it’s "concerned" about settlements that breach international law.
The opposition parties say we’re a global embarrassment not getting involved.&nbsp;
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says, if he was in charge, we would be joining-in with the sanctions. Saying: “These are our friends who are now saying that what Israel is doing is wrong, and they should be sanctioned for it. New Zealand should be joining them and sending a very similar strong message.”
I’m as realistic as the next person and I know that sanctions have their limitations in terms of influencing change.&nbsp;
And yes, I’m easy-oasey about recognising Palestine as a state. Because that doesn’t change its status. It’s only the United Nations that can do that.
But allegations of ethnic cleansing is a different story. And when you have the likes of Britain, France and Canada saying enough is enough, New Zealand can’t ignore it.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Weren't we the little country that roared?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b2dad323-aec9-4203-8eae-b4c1000a16e2/transcript

Politics Friday: Reuben Davidson and Vanessa Weenink on Labour's AI plan, NZ First's immigration policy, urgency bill mishaps

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