Labour's David Parker on the state of foreign affairs

Last week, Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Hon David Parker gave a speech addressing the state of New Zealand's international relations as part of an event for Diplosphere.  Thomas chaired a Q&A after the event between Parker and the audience, and On the Tiles presents the full speech …

Sir Bill English on what's needed to fix the health system

Health care in New Zealand eats up a huge portion of the budget each year, and it's growing - The Government spent 7.3% of GDP on health in the year to June 2024, more than any year outside of Covid.  Treasury reckons spending is expected to grow to 10% of GDP by 2061 - so how can we get on top of…

Orr to Goff, Marmite to reshuffles: The week that was in politics

In the first political panel catchup for the year, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls and NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenee Tibshraeny to discuss a hectic period in local politics - ranging from the resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr, the firing of UK…

Local body elections: Who’s running for the mayoralty in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch?

Competition for the top job in our biggest cities is heating up ahead of this year’s local body elections, with some potential candidates already causing a stir. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has confirmed she wants a second term although many people in the capital are wondering why, given her tumu…

Politics in the Pacific: AUKUS, Cook Islands and tensions with China

This month, the Cook Islands signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, sparking tensions between the islands and New Zealand.  It has sparked renewed discussions about China's interest in the Pacific, and how New Zealand should respond, as the Asia-Pacific region remains a hotbed of…

Craig Renney offers an alternative take on economic growth

The Government has declared 2025 the year of economic growth, with its current action plan for the next quarter honing in on various economic growth plans. Craig Renney, chief economist for the CTU, and former advisor to Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson, joins Thomas this week to discuss ec…

Our economic predictions for 2025 - and what it'll mean for the Government

On the Tiles is back for 2025, and to kick off the year, Thomas is joined by NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenee Tibshraeny and Interest.co.nz's economic policy reporter Dan Brunskill to look ahead at the economy this year. They discuss their predictions, house prices, credit ratings, the HY…

The year in politics: Highlights, lowlights, and our Politician of the Year

It's been a packed year of politics, with each party facing their own highlights and challenges. For the final On the Tiles of 2024, Thomas is joined by regular panellists Jason Walls and Jenee Tibshraeny for a recap of the events of the year, looking at the high and lowlights from across the Poli…

The winners and losers of local politics in 2024

For the final Local Edition of 2024, Georgina is joined by  Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and former Mayor and Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett to wrap the highs and lows of local politics. They discuss: The issues facing Tory Whanau and Wellington Council How Auckland Ma…

Boris Johnson talks AUKUS, New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern and his new book

Boris Johnson is one of the most instantly recognisable British politicians of this century. He was involved in politics in some capacity for 22 years as an MP, the Mayor of London, and as Prime Minister for three years from 2019 to 2022. He ultimately quit this role and politics off the back of a …