Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator unpacks the first leaders debate between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins

A political commentator believes a lot of weight still sits with the undecided voter.  Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins went head-to-head in the first main leaders debate last night.  The TVNZ clash saw the pair tussle over tax, education, health, the cost of living, and crime in front of a st…

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on business confidence rising to 40% in the September quarter

Pressure's on the next government to keep the momentum going on business confidence.  The NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows 40% of firms expect the economy to improve in the coming months.  That's up from just 14% last quarter.  Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann …

Full Show Podcast: 07 October 2026

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, political commentator Brigitte Morten tells Andrew who won the TVNZ leaders debate.  Business confidence is rebounding as we head towards the election, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson explains why.  National’s promising to cut…

Graeme Jarvis: Medicines NZ CEO on National pledging to boost medicine funding

There's potential for a positive ripple effect as National pledges to boost medicine funding.  The party's announced it'll cut 10% of the foreign aid budget, using the savings to increase Pharmac's budget by $604 million.   It would also introduce new cancer cell therapy and lower the bowel scree…

Andrew Dickens: National’s proposed foreign aid cut shows how far we've fallen

National’s trade-off between foreign aid and Pharmac is a sign of just how far we’ve fallen.  Firstly, our spend on medicines through Pharmac has always been woefully low. It pales beside Australia’s investment and that’s never made sense to me.   Medicines funded by Pharmac save money within the…

Dom Kalasih: Transporting New Zealand CEO on National's pledge to construct the Belfast-to-Pegasus Motorway

There are concerns National's $800 million promise for a major Canterbury road will be able to deliver enough bang for its buck.  National is promising to start construction on the Belfast-to-Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass if re-elected, with the money allocated in Budget 2027.  Transporting…

Arena Williams: Labour's Consumer Affairs Spokesperson on their pledge to introduce a right of repair law for car maintenance

Labour's vowing to make life easier for mechanics so more time can be spent training the next generation.   If elected, the party would force car makers to share information, tools and manuals, with local mechanics so they can do a job.  It would introduce a right of repair law —like Australia— a…

Full Show Podcast: 06 October 2026

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 6th of October 2026, National is pledging $800 million to fully fund the 11-kilometre Belfast to Pegasus motorway in Christchurch, Transporting NZ Chief Executive Officer Dom Kalasih tells Andrew why infrastructure comes at such a c…

Glenn Dobson: Drug Detection Agency CEO on an increasing number of Kiwis are using Cocaine

Cocaine seems to be appealing to New Zealanders right across the spectrum.  The Drug Trends Survey shows respondents reporting cocaine use increased from 11% in 2018 to 31% this month.  The frequency of use is also increasing, with most people who reported using it in the past six months using it…

Andrew Dickens: Why don't National and ACT face the same pressures as Labour?

Labour finally released their fiscal plan over the weekend   It was much anticipated. In fact, commentator after commentator for weeks now have been demanding it   Now it’s being dissected, and mostly by the current coalition parties.   But here’s the thing: where’s National’s? And why don't the…