National's Matt Doocey and Labour's Megan Woods joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week.

They covered some of the biggest topics from the week from the Infrastructure Commissions report, NZ First pushing for English to become an official language, and they reflect on the February 2011 earthquake sixteen years on.

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National's Matt Doocey and Labour's Megan Woods joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week.
They covered some of the biggest topics from the week from the Infrastructure Commissions report, NZ First pushing for English to become an official language, and they reflect on the February 2011 earthquake sixteen years on.
LISTEN ABOVE

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. 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

Politics Friday with Matt Doocey and Megan Woods: Infrastructure, The English language, and Earthquake reflections

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d1100b68-48a5-4866-be66-b3f601833b0b/transcript

Isn’t it amazing that, after all the time spent wringing our hands over the price of electricity, we still haven’t bitten the bullet and gone full boar with solar energy?

You might have heard Chris Hipkins hinting yesterday that, if Labour forms the next government, solar will be on the agenda.

He isn’t giving too much away but says, yes, ramping up the use of solar power will be one of Labour’s election policies.

There’ll be no details, though, until after the Budget in May. That’s because he wants to get a better idea of how much money he’s got to play with.

But, if last election is anything to go by, it looks like Labour might be resurrecting the policy it had back then of providing $4,000 grants to help people install solar panels.

In my mind, it is ridiculous that we don’t require new houses to be fitted out with solar panels. It would add to the cost of the build but, long-term, I think it would be a game changer.
  
I’m not the only one who thinks this. Sir Ian Taylor is saying today that electrification is the future and solar is how we get there.

Solar on homes. Solar on farms. Solar on commercial buildings. And I couldn’t agree more.

He says the cheapest electricity is the electricity you don’t have to move.

So his version of full-boar solar includes storage capacity - not just solar panels - at our houses, on our farms and on our commercial buildings.

He says: “Every kilowatt generated where it is used is one that does not need to be transmitted across the country. that reduces losses. it reduces strain on the grid. and it reduces the need for expensive new transmission infrastructure that ultimately pushes power prices higher.”

No argument from me.

LISTEN ABOVE

Isn’t it amazing that, after all the time spent wringing our hands over the price of electricity, we still haven’t bitten the bullet and gone full boar with solar energy?
You might have heard Chris Hipkins hinting yesterday that, if Labour forms the next government, solar will be on the agenda.
He isn’t giving too much away but says, yes, ramping up the use of solar power will be one of Labour’s election policies.
There’ll be no details, though, until after the Budget in May. That’s because he wants to get a better idea of how much money he’s got to play with.
But, if last election is anything to go by, it looks like Labour might be resurrecting the policy it had back then of providing $4,000 grants to help people install solar panels.
In my mind, it is ridiculous that we don’t require new houses to be fitted out with solar panels. It would add to the cost of the build but, long-term, I think it would be a game changer. &nbsp;&nbsp; I’m not the only one who thinks this. Sir Ian Taylor is saying today that electrification is the future and solar is how we get there.
Solar on homes. Solar on farms. Solar on commercial buildings. And I couldn’t agree more.
He says the cheapest electricity is the electricity you don’t have to move.
So his version of full-boar solar includes storage capacity - not just solar panels - at our houses, on our farms and on our commercial buildings.
He says: “Every kilowatt generated where it is used is one that does not need to be transmitted across the country. that reduces losses. it reduces strain on the grid. and it reduces the need for expensive new transmission infrastructure that ultimately pushes power prices higher.”
No argument from me.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: We should be shouting from the rooftops about solar

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ec21090a-fcb4-4ec1-9b84-b3fb0019de80/transcript

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor tells me several things, one of which is how much the late Queen really dropped the ball on this one. And that’s putting it politely.

She was the one who protected him when all the stories started to emerge. She was the one who, apparently, helped him out with some of the hush money paid out to one of his accusers.

Which only fueled the impression - rightly or wrongly - that the Royal Family thought it was above everything and everyone else.

Which is why I think this development is a brilliant opportunity for the monarchy.

Because this takes the monarchy down a peg or two, which can only be a good thing in the public’s eyes.

King Charles obviously sees an opportunity. He hasn’t been slow in coming forward, saying “the law must take its course”.

We’ve also got the likes of Major General Alastair Bruce, who is a historian and a royal watcher for Sky News, saying that this is “the most shocking day for the British Crown, to have a former prince of the blood arrested”.

Other commentators are describing the arrest as “extraordinary”, “unprecedented”, “spectacular” and a “body blow”.

Whether it is a body blow remains to be seen. Because these developments overnight show that the monarchy is just as answerable as the rest of us. Which is no bad thing, is it?

LISTEN ABOVE

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor tells me several things, one of which is how much the late Queen really dropped the ball on this one. And that’s putting it politely.
She was the one who protected him when all the stories started to emerge. She was the one who, apparently, helped him out with some of the hush money paid out to one of his accusers.
Which only fueled the impression - rightly or wrongly - that the Royal Family thought it was above everything and everyone else.
Which is why I think this development is a brilliant opportunity for the monarchy.
Because this takes the monarchy down a peg or two, which can only be a good thing in the public’s eyes.
King Charles obviously sees an opportunity. He hasn’t been slow in coming forward, saying “the law must take its course”.
We’ve also got the likes of Major General Alastair Bruce, who is a historian and a royal watcher for Sky News, saying that this is “the most shocking day for the British Crown, to have a former prince of the blood arrested”.
Other commentators are describing the arrest as “extraordinary”, “unprecedented”, “spectacular” and a “body blow”.
Whether it is a body blow remains to be seen. Because these developments overnight show that the monarchy is just as answerable as the rest of us. Which is no bad thing, is it?
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: This could be exactly what the monarchy needs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3c5e9573-67c9-4037-b065-b3f601858514/transcript

How do you feel about being told you need to spend more money?

That’s what the Reserve Bank’s chief economist wants you to do.

As expected, the bank’s governor announced yesterday that there would be no change in the official cash rate because the bank doesn’t want to do anything that could put the brakes on the economic recovery.

Which some people are feeling the benefits of, while others aren’t. Which the Reserve Bank describes as an uneven recovery. Meaning we’re still in for a bit of a haul before we all feel some sort of benefit.

Tell that, though, to the bank’s chief economist Paul Conway who is giving us all a bit of a hurry along, saying people need to stop being so cautious with their money and get out and spend  more.

How realistic is that, do you think?

If you’re not having a “tell him he’s dreaming moment”, then you must be one of the people who are already feeling the benefit of an economic recovery.

But, generally, what planet is Paul Conway on, telling us to spend more?

Because we’re doing that already. Not out of choice. Not because we’re feeling particularly flush. But we’re spending more just to get by.

Two days ago, new numbers came out showing that grocery prices are still going up.

White bread prices up 57.9 percent in the past year.

Chocolate up 20 percent.

Not to mention mince. That’s pink gold these days. 

Which is why I think this statement by the Reserve Bank’s chief economist that we need to stop being so tight and start spending more is just ridiculous.

LISTEN ABOVE

How do you feel about being told you need to spend more money?
That’s what the Reserve Bank’s chief economist wants you to do.
As expected, the bank’s governor announced yesterday that there would be no change in the official cash rate because the bank doesn’t want to do anything that could put the brakes on the economic recovery.
Which some people are feeling the benefits of, while others aren’t. Which the Reserve Bank describes as an uneven recovery. Meaning we’re still in for a bit of a haul before we all feel some sort of benefit.
Tell that, though, to the bank’s chief economist Paul Conway who is giving us all a bit of a hurry along, saying people need to stop being so cautious with their money and get out and spend &nbsp;more.
How realistic is that, do you think?
If you’re not having a “tell him he’s dreaming moment”, then you must be one of the people who are already feeling the benefit of an economic recovery.
But, generally, what planet is Paul Conway on, telling us to spend more?
Because we’re doing that already. Not out of choice. Not because we’re feeling particularly flush. But we’re spending more just to get by.
Two days ago, new numbers came out showing that grocery prices are still going up.
White bread prices up 57.9 percent in the past year.
Chocolate up 20 percent.
Not to mention mince. That’s pink gold these days.&nbsp;
Which is why I think this statement by the Reserve Bank’s chief economist that we need to stop being so tight and start spending more is just ridiculous.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: Spend more money? Tell him he's dreaming

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/de453e51-f72c-4e48-999c-b3f600049ab2/transcript

Politics Friday with Matt Doocey and Megan Woods: Infrastructure, The English language, and Earthquake reflections

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

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