A political commentator is suggesting that we should relax a little about how long it's taking to form a government.

There's been much commentary on the fact it's been 18 days since the release of the official election results, and we still don't have a government.

Former National party staffer and now political commentator Ben Thomas told Kate Hawkesby that this time will be quickly forgotten.

He says in six months time —whether the Government is flourishing or floundering— no one is going to be remember the difference between two weeks and three weeks of negotiations.

LISTEN ABOVE

A political commentator is suggesting that we should relax a little about how long it's taking to form a government. 
There's been much commentary on the fact it's been 18 days since the release of the official election results, and we still don't have a government. 
Former National party staffer and now political commentator Ben Thomas told Kate Hawkesby that this time will be quickly forgotten. 
He says in six months time —whether the Government is flourishing or floundering— no one is going to be remember the difference between two weeks and three weeks of negotiations. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Ben Thomas: Political Commentator on the length of time it's taking to form Government

House prices could be on track for a much faster recovery than ASB expects.

The bank says national prices are still 15 percent below their late-2021 peak - and won't fully recover until 2029.

But real estate agent Rawdon Christie thinks the market's about to pick up.

He told Ryan Bridge the sheer number of people he's talking to points to a strong start to 2027.

Christie says that's because people have accepted the fact we're in a stable market, with not much changing and not wanting to wait.

House prices could be on track for a much faster recovery than ASB expects.
The bank says national prices are still 15 percent below their late-2021 peak - and won't fully recover until 2029.
But real estate agent Rawdon Christie thinks the market's about to pick up.
He told Ryan Bridge the sheer number of people he's talking to points to a strong start to 2027.
Christie says that's because people have accepted the fact we're in a stable market, with not much changing and not wanting to wait.

Rawdon Christie: Real estate agent on house prices could be on track for a faster recovery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/153979ae-4ded-4d6a-aa52-b4c0012c900c/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 10th of September 2026, the Minister for Regulation, David Seymour tells Ryan how big of an impact the Hospitality review will make for the sector and what comes next. 

Real Estate Agent Rawdon Christie shares his thoughts on ASB picking house prices will return to 2021 peaks by late 2029. 

Labour's put out an AI policy and wants data centres to find their own energy supply, Tech New Zealand Chief Executive Graeme Muller shares his thoughts. 

Plus, US Correspondent Nick Harper has the latest on the US/Iran war and oil prices and a preview of Trump's big speech at the Republican Convention.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 10th of September 2026, the Minister for Regulation, David Seymour tells Ryan how big of an impact the Hospitality review will make for the sector and what comes next.&nbsp;
Real Estate Agent Rawdon Christie shares his thoughts on ASB picking house prices will return to 2021 peaks by late 2029.&nbsp;
Labour's put out an AI policy and wants data centres to find their own energy supply, Tech New Zealand Chief Executive Graeme Muller shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, US Correspondent Nick Harper has the latest on the US/Iran war and oil prices and a preview of Trump's big speech at the Republican Convention.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 10 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b4a6cb2e-3b83-4b2a-8b80-b4c0012ab9ea/transcript

Do we really need a Minister of booze? 

Back in the good old days, they were all Ministers of booze. The whole cabinet. Especially Robert Muldoon. 

But the idea that we need a Minister responsible for Alcohol is well-intentioned, like all 80-odd portfolios that reviews and recommendations have created. 

This one is a recommendation from the Hospitality Sector Regulatory Review. 

The review was done by the Ministry for Regulation. 

That was created to cut red tape and make government less complicated. 

It's recommended creating a new agency and a new Ministerial responsibility. 

It was announced by the Minister for Regulation, David Seymour, who's role was also set up to cut red tape. 

Can you see the problem here? 

There are no doubt good reasons to make rules simpler and get rid of regulations. 

But creating a new Minister and ministry who then does a review and recommends creating another agency and another Ministerial job just sounds backwards. 

It's like a bacterial. Bureaucratic bacteria. They multiply and spread everywhere. 

One minute it's a single cell, the next minute it's split into two. Next minute there's four. It goes on and on. 

We need fewer jobs in Wellington, not more. 

Remember, Ireland, Norway, Singapore and Finland who are similar size to us, they all have fewer than 20 Ministerial roles. The UK, Canada, United States and Korea have fewer than 30. 

The saving grace is that no decisions on the review have been made. Why not just cut the red tape and send the pollies for a beer at Bellamys.

Do we really need a Minister of booze?&nbsp;
Back in the good old days, they were all Ministers of booze. The whole cabinet. Especially Robert Muldoon.&nbsp;
But the idea that we need a Minister responsible for Alcohol is well-intentioned, like all 80-odd portfolios that reviews and recommendations have created.&nbsp;
This one is a recommendation from the Hospitality Sector Regulatory Review.&nbsp;
The review was done by the Ministry for Regulation.&nbsp;
That was created to cut red tape and make government less complicated.&nbsp;
It's recommended creating a new agency and a new Ministerial responsibility.&nbsp;
It was announced by the Minister for Regulation, David Seymour, who's role was also set up to cut red tape.&nbsp;
Can you see the problem here?&nbsp;
There are no doubt good reasons to make rules simpler and get rid of regulations.&nbsp;
But creating a new Minister and ministry who then does a review and recommends creating another agency and another Ministerial job just sounds backwards.&nbsp;
It's like a bacterial. Bureaucratic bacteria. They multiply and spread everywhere.&nbsp;
One minute it's a single cell, the next minute it's split into two. Next minute there's four. It goes on and on.&nbsp;
We need fewer jobs in Wellington, not more.&nbsp;
Remember, Ireland, Norway, Singapore and Finland who are similar size to us, they all have fewer than 20 Ministerial roles. The UK, Canada, United States and Korea have fewer than 30.&nbsp;
The saving grace is that no decisions on the review have been made. Why not just cut the red tape and send the pollies for a beer at Bellamys.

Ryan Bridge: Cutting red tape by adding complexity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7dcd6660-15ed-4f51-9c0c-b4c0012b818a/transcript

Ben Thomas: Political Commentator on the length of time it's taking to form Government

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