Politics Central: Budget cuts in healthcare and the free speech debate

This week on Politics Central, former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises the organisation's decision to make savings at the country's hospitals, saying they are 'extraordinary' and signal poor management. Later, five academics and public figures were set to debate free speech at Vict…

Nic Smith: Victoria University Vice-Chancellor addresses postponed free speech event

Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event. A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed. Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' th…

Marcail Parkinson: Victoria University Students' Association president addresses postponed free speech event

There's debate over Victoria University's decision to call off a discussion on free speech. It comes after outrage within the university, with claims the panellists didn't represent a balance of views. 600 people had registered to attend before the university's Vice-Chancellor postponed the event…

Rob Campbell: former Te Whatu Ora chair on the organisation warning hospitals need to make financial cuts

Te Whatu Ora has been criticised for telling public hospitals to bring the organisation back to budget, they need to make target savings of $105 million by July. It said several districts have gone over budget in the past three months. However, health unions have warned the constraints will impac…

Politics Central: Don Brash and Shane Jones

Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr joined Helen Clark at Parliament this week, to warn New Zealand against joining Pillar 2 of the AUKUS defence pact, saying it is "fragrant, methane-wrapped bullsh*t," and funnily enough former opposition leader Don Brash tends to agree.  Later, Shane Jon…

Politics Central: Iran-Israel conflict escalates

Today, Israel launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel, in an attack that may trigger a major escalation between the regional archenemies. The United States has since pledged to back Israel. Waikato University's International Law professor Alexander Gillespie analyses the escalating situat…

Al Gillespie: Waikato University Law Professor on Iran launching dozens of aerial drones and missiles at Israel

In a widely anticipated move, Iran has launched an aerial attack into Israel. The Israel Defence Force estimates Iran launched over 200 different kinds of drones, including killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Waikato University Law Professor Al Gillespie says this attack was to…

Politics Central: New changes coming for the Accredited Employer Work Visa

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford makes immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, by introducing a minimum skills and work experience threshold, as well as introducing an English language requirement for migrants. Later, marketing professor Bodo Lang talks about about the triggerin…

Bodo Lang: Massey University marketing professor on the relationship between political parties and social media advertising

There's growing concerns from experts about the impact social media has on the political landscape. It's been revealed that social media giant Meta has limited the reach of political content on its platforms- inspiring increased worry about censorship. Massey University marketing professor Bodo L…

Erica Stanford: Immigration Minister confident Accredited Employer Worker Visa changes will address migration concerns

The Immigration Minister is confident changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa will get the balance of skill right. Changes include an English language requirement for some roles, and a minimum skills threshold. Erica Stanford says they're focused on attracting and retaining high-skilled mi…