The Year in Politics with Lockwood Smith and Helen Clark

2024 marks this coalition Government's first year in power, and will be one to remember.  They got straight to work repealing and introducing legislation, some being so controversial they triggered unprecedented responses in the way of protests.  Gang patches were banned, the first youth offender…

Politics Central: Unpacking the Government's action plan for hydrogen energy

This week on Politics Central, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts opens up about the Government's new action plan set to increase the use of hydrogen energy  Later, Fleur Fitzsimmons from the PSA addresses the backlash towards the Government's new working-from-home policies. LISTEN ABOVE

Steve Abel: Greens claim they can reduce emission five-fold

The Greens have today unveiled their new Emissions Reduction Plan, and taking a hit at the current Government's plan while they're at it.  They claim their plan would reduce carbon emissions more than five times the Government's draft Emissions Reduction plan by 2030.  Some of the proposed polici…

Ginny Andersen: Youth offender bootcamps not worth the taxpayers' money

Two participants of the youth offender bootcamp were missing after attending a tangi.  Police were responding to a carjacking in Hamilton when they found the two teens, who now look to be in some legal trouble.  The first youth to go missing was on bail following a court hearing, and was to be ac…

Chris Hipkins: "In it to win it" for 2026

The Labour Party have just wrapped up their AGM in Christchurch, where they had some big decisions to make.  The party has been in conversation about whether a capital gains tax would be on the cards for the next election, and what that may look like.  Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins with more.…

Sir Ashley Bloomfield: Reflecting on the Covid-19 response

The Government has released Phase One of the Covid inquiry - all 700 pages of it. Here are some key points:  There was an issue with focusing on people's health rather than all aspects of their lives.  Vaccine requirements were too broad and were in place for too long.  Ardern's "single source of …

Mahe Drysdale: LGFA increases borrowing capacity for select councils

The Local Government Funding Authority has allowed "high-growth" councils to borrow more.  The move is in hopes that councils will be able to deliver projects more efficiently. Auckland, Tauranga, and Hamilton are just a few of the councils thought to be eligible for the increase.  LISTEN ABOVE

Mark Mitchell: Bootcamp offender arrested, gang patch ban

The ban on gang patches came into force at midnight on Thursday, with the first arrest only three minutes later.  Police report there were 12 gang insignia-related arrests within the first 24 hours. Richard Chamber is announced as the new Police Commissioner, after serving as an officer since 199…

David Seymour: Parliament haka internationally embarrassing

Those participating in the Treaty Principles Bill hikoi have reached Palmerston North today, just days away from Parliament.  On Thursday, Te Pati Maori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke ripped a copy of the legislation in hald at the Bill's first reading and launched into a haka, soon joined by more M…

Duncan Webb: Justice spokesperson on Treaty Principles Bill hikoi

The hikoi against the Treaty Principles Bill has reached Palmerston North today, putting pressure on the Government to throw out the Bill.  Despite this, the Bill passed its first reading on Thursday which was followed by a dramatic haka by some Maori Party MPs in protest.  Labour Party's Justice…