You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin from News Talks EDB.

You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin from News Talks EDB.

And I'm joined today by a partner at Freeburn and Hair Lawyers, Liam Here. Hi, Liam, good morning, and also director at eight one eight Chris Henry. Good day, Chris, oh, Kyoda, how are you good to have you both with us? Well, of course Liam. At about this time of the year, we start reflecting on the year and how it's been, and of course we think about the best of and I thought we'd start by politician of the Year. The New Zealand Herald's Clear Trevette announced that Simeon Brown was her Politician of the Year and actually I kind of tend to agree with her purely from the amount of work that he's managed to get through, what he's managed to get done.

And I'm joined today by a partner at Freeburn and Hair Lawyers, Liam Here. Hi, Liam, good morning, and also director at eight one eight Chris Henry. Good day, Chris, oh, Kyoda, how are you good to have you both with us? Well, of course Liam. At about this time of the year, we start reflecting on the year and how it's been, and of course we think about the best of and I thought we'd start by politician of the Year. The New Zealand Herald's Clear Trevette announced that Simeon Brown was her Politician of the Year and actually I kind of tend to agree with her purely from the amount of work that he's managed to get through, what he's managed to get done.

Yeah, I agree. What's the caveat that I've known Simeon personally for a long time. He's he's an MP who's he's a young MP and he looks young and he's had a lot of derision at him over the early year parts of his career for every youthful countenance. But in government he's been a complete dynamo and so you know, whether or not you agree with his pro car agenda or not, he's really taken the reins of the transport portfolio local government too. And you know, he's been free of any sort of hinterpersonal scandal. I mean, the fact of the matter is that this is this guy is at the top. He's in the top tier of the government now. He's very much on the enner circle and completely free of personal drama, completely free of factional strife. I think a lot of people who may used to make fun of him or to give him a hard time probably eating their words a bit in twenty twenty four quite possibly.

Yeah, I agree. What's the caveat that I've known Simeon personally for a long time. He's he's an MP who's he's a young MP and he looks young and he's had a lot of derision at him over the early year parts of his career for every youthful countenance. But in government he's been a complete dynamo and so you know, whether or not you agree with his pro car agenda or not, he's really taken the reins of the transport portfolio local government too. And you know, he's been free of any sort of hinterpersonal scandal. I mean, the fact of the matter is that this is this guy is at the top. He's in the top tier of the government now. He's very much on the enner circle and completely free of personal drama, completely free of factional strife. I think a lot of people who may used to make fun of him or to give him a hard time probably eating their words a bit in twenty twenty four quite possibly.

What about you, Chris, have you got a politician of the Year? Yeah?

What about you, Chris, have you got a politician of the Year? Yeah?

I mean I have to say is that as the year comes by, Samian brand Death may seems to be the politicians that has done the most stuff. So full gritted to him for that, But apart from that, I kind of feel like as the back end of the year comes around, politics has really been pushed to the side. For me, I'm into Christmas and I'm into the summer holidays.

I mean I have to say is that as the year comes by, Samian brand Death may seems to be the politicians that has done the most stuff. So full gritted to him for that, But apart from that, I kind of feel like as the back end of the year comes around, politics has really been pushed to the side. For me, I'm into Christmas and I'm into the summer holidays.

Well, do you know what, Chris, I asked that question at the top of the show because I was talking I did a review on the eighteen the eighteen press releases that were just released on Friday afternoon on their own, they came, They came flooding in last week. Chris and I, as someone who is in publicity, I wondered, whether you know what the point is of of of releasing so much at the end of the year when I think a lot of people have already moved on.

Well, do you know what, Chris, I asked that question at the top of the show because I was talking I did a review on the eighteen the eighteen press releases that were just released on Friday afternoon on their own, they came, They came flooding in last week. Chris and I, as someone who is in publicity, I wondered, whether you know what the point is of of of releasing so much at the end of the year when I think a lot of people have already moved on.

Well, perhaps four dsisions are just like us, and they're trying to tie a bow, to use a corporate jargon speak around everything they need for the year to be wrapped up.

Well, perhaps four dsisions are just like us, and they're trying to tie a bow, to use a corporate jargon speak around everything they need for the year to be wrapped up.

Think you right.

Think you right.

I mean, there's no doubt that the news at the moment is this. There is no room for for soft news. So I suppose maybe they can just get it out and all be done.

I mean, there's no doubt that the news at the moment is this. There is no room for for soft news. So I suppose maybe they can just get it out and all be done.

Yeah, it's not. It's not the worst thing in the world. You've got bad things, so now it's always been the case.

Yeah, it's not. It's not the worst thing in the world. You've got bad things, so now it's always been the case.

To be fairly. When I went through the review, there weren't that many innouncements of announcements, and there wasn't a lot of bad news. It was it was all pretty like, okay, no, there's nothing to be worried about. You don't need to release this at five o'clock on a Friday afternoon.

To be fairly. When I went through the review, there weren't that many innouncements of announcements, and there wasn't a lot of bad news. It was it was all pretty like, okay, no, there's nothing to be worried about. You don't need to release this at five o'clock on a Friday afternoon.

One pretty big one in terms of the theory though, right So, I mean, you know that's me suppose it wasn't Friday, But you know it's a it is if they want to take advantage of a time and no one cares that politics now is the perfect time.

One pretty big one in terms of the theory though, right So, I mean, you know that's me suppose it wasn't Friday, But you know it's a it is if they want to take advantage of a time and no one cares that politics now is the perfect time.

Absolutely, But Liam, looking back, it feels like it's been a year of building for all parties. It feels like the you know, National New Zealand First and Act have have all been building on their you know, their promises and their parties. We've seen the Green Party that's had to rebuild a lot this year, to Mighty Party, Uh, to Party Maori have been rebuilding really as a sort of an activist party. That that kind of probably sums up the year for me when I look at politics, well.

Absolutely, But Liam, looking back, it feels like it's been a year of building for all parties. It feels like the you know, National New Zealand First and Act have have all been building on their you know, their promises and their parties. We've seen the Green Party that's had to rebuild a lot this year, to Mighty Party, Uh, to Party Maori have been rebuilding really as a sort of an activist party. That that kind of probably sums up the year for me when I look at politics, well.

I think people are positioning themselves, you know, and that's how our lictoral cycle works. I mean, frankly, you know the same the right kind of guy. I don't think it's been that great of a year in politics. You know, we had we had the stick over the first hundred days. You know, a lot happened. But the fact of the matter is is that the economy is still still weak and it's you know that dragged and dogged the government. The national governments had to contend with New Zealm Ferson actors. They say that they are still very much New Zealm Ferston act clinging onto their separate identity, which may means they're not the most easy coalition partners to deal with all the time, and the multi parties to say it's really researched. The only party that really I think has been sort of treading water is probably Labor and I suppose this year is the years. See just what next year? Sorry is the years? What direction Labor goes in? Yeah?

I think people are positioning themselves, you know, and that's how our lictoral cycle works. I mean, frankly, you know the same the right kind of guy. I don't think it's been that great of a year in politics. You know, we had we had the stick over the first hundred days. You know, a lot happened. But the fact of the matter is is that the economy is still still weak and it's you know that dragged and dogged the government. The national governments had to contend with New Zealm Ferson actors. They say that they are still very much New Zealm Ferston act clinging onto their separate identity, which may means they're not the most easy coalition partners to deal with all the time, and the multi parties to say it's really researched. The only party that really I think has been sort of treading water is probably Labor and I suppose this year is the years. See just what next year? Sorry is the years? What direction Labor goes in? Yeah?

No, very good points, Chris. Police presence at events, But this is a really interesting thing that my local electorate member of Parliament has has noticed and brought up, is that if you're a community constable, you were spending maybe fifty percent of your time attending large events or concerts or sports events and things as opposed to actually kind of being on the ground doing your job. And was sort of saying, look, there's probably we could find a really great solution for this. It's good to have police presence at these events and things. Maybe it could be something that police are paid to do in that over time. Maybe if it's a really large profitable event, there could be a fee pay to the police. If it's a community thing, maybe not so much. I know that this is kind of your field. How what do you think about this?

No, very good points, Chris. Police presence at events, But this is a really interesting thing that my local electorate member of Parliament has has noticed and brought up, is that if you're a community constable, you were spending maybe fifty percent of your time attending large events or concerts or sports events and things as opposed to actually kind of being on the ground doing your job. And was sort of saying, look, there's probably we could find a really great solution for this. It's good to have police presence at these events and things. Maybe it could be something that police are paid to do in that over time. Maybe if it's a really large profitable event, there could be a fee pay to the police. If it's a community thing, maybe not so much. I know that this is kind of your field. How what do you think about this?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Well, absolutely, I mean I know that this has something that's been coming up recently in Australia and it has caused a huge amount of strife for promoters who essentially have been unable to hold events due to the costs that have been attached to them by the minimum amount of police and ambulances and all that sort of services that are required by their law to attend those events. I think that police presence of events is fantastic. I know that a lot of the people that we work worth then and many of these events all have strong relationships with the police and it's very important for them to work together and be part of it. I suppose my big question would be a lot of promoters are putting a serious amount of money into security and making sure that those events are safe. I suppose the conversation needs to be had with the police around just how many need to be there versus that directive coming from the police itself.

Well, absolutely, I mean I know that this has something that's been coming up recently in Australia and it has caused a huge amount of strife for promoters who essentially have been unable to hold events due to the costs that have been attached to them by the minimum amount of police and ambulances and all that sort of services that are required by their law to attend those events. I think that police presence of events is fantastic. I know that a lot of the people that we work worth then and many of these events all have strong relationships with the police and it's very important for them to work together and be part of it. I suppose my big question would be a lot of promoters are putting a serious amount of money into security and making sure that those events are safe. I suppose the conversation needs to be had with the police around just how many need to be there versus that directive coming from the police itself.

Yeah, that makes a bit of sense. What do you think then, is this a pretty simple way to keep cops sort of on the street in their communities where we want.

Yeah, that makes a bit of sense. What do you think then, is this a pretty simple way to keep cops sort of on the street in their communities where we want.

Them to be.

Them to be.

No, I don't think it's anything really that simple about it. I mean, why do we have police there, right because at gatherings there's a possibility of disorder or crime happening, so that therefore it's within the ordinary course of policing right to be where there's an a sort of congregation of people. I remember, you wouldn't remember that the freedom to associate an assemble and a civil right, and you know, people have the right to go and be with other people they want for any purpose. And you know, it's one of the things where the government just has to suck up the cost of that. Sometimes it's part of the cost of that of making sure it's police.

No, I don't think it's anything really that simple about it. I mean, why do we have police there, right because at gatherings there's a possibility of disorder or crime happening, so that therefore it's within the ordinary course of policing right to be where there's an a sort of congregation of people. I remember, you wouldn't remember that the freedom to associate an assemble and a civil right, and you know, people have the right to go and be with other people they want for any purpose. And you know, it's one of the things where the government just has to suck up the cost of that. Sometimes it's part of the cost of that of making sure it's police.

So you don't mind that Coldplay can come play to over one hundred and fifty thousand people probably make a nice little bit of cash for the back pocket and head on out of the country and they haven't, you know, and we've there were quite a lot of police there and they haven't been you know, haven't had to pay for that.

So you don't mind that Coldplay can come play to over one hundred and fifty thousand people probably make a nice little bit of cash for the back pocket and head on out of the country and they haven't, you know, and we've there were quite a lot of police there and they haven't been you know, haven't had to pay for that.

Well, what's the alternative, right that police don't go there.

Well, what's the alternative, right that police don't go there.

And that if you yeah, yeah, no, totally totally, But I think that there is probably there's probably a fine line where there's a very profitable event happening. We're a small amount and it depends, as Chris is, what money is already going into security and what extra they need and yeah, sure we need them there and there's a place there, but you know, even a bit of a token gesture to get to you know, get you get some cops along.

And that if you yeah, yeah, no, totally totally, But I think that there is probably there's probably a fine line where there's a very profitable event happening. We're a small amount and it depends, as Chris is, what money is already going into security and what extra they need and yeah, sure we need them there and there's a place there, but you know, even a bit of a token gesture to get to you know, get you get some cops along.

Yeah, Well, I think if ever relying on the cops to do something, a donation to the cops social club is always something that Lee should go down to. So I think that's something to that.

Yeah, Well, I think if ever relying on the cops to do something, a donation to the cops social club is always something that Lee should go down to. So I think that's something to that.

Perhaps, Chris, how much time do I know you don't take much time off over Christmas because you've got tennis tournaments to be organizing and all sorts of things. But are you impressed that the Prime Minister is only taking ten days off and then getting back into work.

Perhaps, Chris, how much time do I know you don't take much time off over Christmas because you've got tennis tournaments to be organizing and all sorts of things. But are you impressed that the Prime Minister is only taking ten days off and then getting back into work.

Well, I mean I'm a firm believer, outside of obviously my own work, that you should take the time off while the people are off. So I think you should be definitely taking these ten days, possibly even more because we need him to be fitting ready for the year ahead. So I think rest is really important from outside probably not the longest break over the Christmas period, but also there's some great exciting stuff coming up, so I'm very much looking forward to that. I'll take my holiday at the end of January when everyone goes back to work.

Well, I mean I'm a firm believer, outside of obviously my own work, that you should take the time off while the people are off. So I think you should be definitely taking these ten days, possibly even more because we need him to be fitting ready for the year ahead. So I think rest is really important from outside probably not the longest break over the Christmas period, but also there's some great exciting stuff coming up, so I'm very much looking forward to that. I'll take my holiday at the end of January when everyone goes back to work.

That's what That's what I do too. Chris, what about you, leam me. Are you impressed with the Prime Minister's assistance that getting back into things early in the year.

That's what That's what I do too. Chris, what about you, leam me. Are you impressed with the Prime Minister's assistance that getting back into things early in the year.

Well, I can understand it, right, so lawyers, lawyers know that we always traditionally took most of January off and come back after one to the weekend on the sort of roundabout two stiftly is the twentieth often and I always took advantage of that, and I love doing it. I would just make sure like almost a whole month to sort of just actually unwine. But things change when you own the firm. We're two years under our new firm, and all of a sudden, I think, hey, wait a minute, I'm gonna have money coming in and where's it coming from. So I'll be coming back on that. I'll be taking about ten days after coming back. So it's six or seventh of January, and you know, this is like the Prime Minister. I've got lots to do, so you know, it's just it's not going to get done if I'm not doing it. So I think you need to at least take that ten days to decompress. So I think it's an absolute minum and otherwise just go insane.

Well, I can understand it, right, so lawyers, lawyers know that we always traditionally took most of January off and come back after one to the weekend on the sort of roundabout two stiftly is the twentieth often and I always took advantage of that, and I love doing it. I would just make sure like almost a whole month to sort of just actually unwine. But things change when you own the firm. We're two years under our new firm, and all of a sudden, I think, hey, wait a minute, I'm gonna have money coming in and where's it coming from. So I'll be coming back on that. I'll be taking about ten days after coming back. So it's six or seventh of January, and you know, this is like the Prime Minister. I've got lots to do, so you know, it's just it's not going to get done if I'm not doing it. So I think you need to at least take that ten days to decompress. So I think it's an absolute minum and otherwise just go insane.

Well, Liam, thank you so much for your time. Nice to talk to you and Liam here there and Chris Henry on the panel.

Well, Liam, thank you so much for your time. Nice to talk to you and Liam here there and Chris Henry on the panel.

For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen live to news Talks there'd be from nine am Sunday, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio

For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen live to news Talks there'd be from nine am Sunday, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio