November 4, 2025 • 6 mins
The Prime Minister ponders Pike River, Apec and Trump, an economy on the rise, the demise of Te Pāti Māori, next week’s Christchurch Cup and Show week, and who would play him in a movie?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Wednesdays on the Country, the Prime Minister kicks off the show.
It's always a pre record because he's a busy man.
I said to you, Christopher Luxen, let's do this a
quote made famous by your predecessor or one of your predecessors. Jacinda,
who's starring in the Pike River movie. Have you seen
it yet?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I haven't seen the movie. I've heard about about it,
but I haven't seen it. I'll look forward to watching
it at some point.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
I know you're good mate. John Key hasn't seen it,
and I don't think he'll want to see it either,
because the bloke who plays him as a gormless idiot,
and I thought, oh, that's a bit tough on Key.
But then when it comes to the Jacinda role, she's
playing herself with Robin Malcolm and Lucy Lawless, both great
actresses but obviously Green Party activists. It's quite political.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Well I can't even seen that, so I can't really
comment on about it and fairness, but I'll check it out.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Who would you get to play you in a movie?
We're going to get to the serious stuff shortly.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
I reckon, I reckon, Jason Stavim. Actually I think you.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Are you talking useuf up a bit, there, aren't you? Ye?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I reckon, I reckon, I am. But you know what
was that last movie The beehivey? Yeah, the High Safe.
That's sort of what I sort of do at the
Beehive here. So you know, maybe maybe Jason Stath America.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
A tough guy. Were you a tough guy? Or were
you a pussy cat when it came to and I'm
being a bit cheeky here, Prime Minister, please excuse me
at apet everyone. No, No, everyone's always sucking up to Trump.
And that's what it kind of looked like. I mean,
you don't want to upset him in case he slapped
some more tariffs on you. And I'm not blaming you
for that at all, but everyone's bowling and scraping to him.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Oh. I actually found it a really good interaction, Like
I'd had a really good chat with him on the
telephone when he got elected as president, and it was
actually just a personal leader's leader sort of conversations really
that took place when we had our time together. We
knew a lot of people in common from my time
in America, and it was a good chance actually just
(01:50):
to build a relationship to get to know each other
a bit more. And then we went into a dinner
with six other leaders hosted by the Korean president, which
was really good. So and talked a bit more about
issues across the region around the world. So No, I
think it was those meetings are just so important because
it's yes, there's the formal parts of the meetings, but
it's a chance to build a relationship. And in that case,
(02:11):
you know, President Trump had for formal meetings with China
as you saw, and also with Korea in Korea, and
then he made time for us to have a personal
catch up as well, which was really good of him.
So no, look, I mean it's really important. My job
is to get on with all the leaders and to
be able to pick up the phone when we've got
issues or opportunities, you know, as we've done around trade
on EU and cp TPP coming together in the next
(02:33):
three weeks in Melbourne to talk about how they work together.
That's all good stuff. So no, the relationships really matter.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
So Trump seems to like leaders from Australasia. He likes Elbow.
Does logic then follow that we'll get a submarine sub
base here.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
No, No, I mean I think you know we're you know,
the US administration is under no doubt about our view
on tariffs. Equally we're under no doubt about their position
on tariffs. And ye know that's not for chain. We
have the lowest ter affraid of anyone with a surplus. Obviously,
we'll keep looking at whether we're in a surplus or
definite situation going forward. But what I am proud about,
(03:09):
Tamie is our exporters are doing an exceptionally good job
of adjusting to that dynamic in the US. In fact,
our exports are still up. But the point is also
they've they've also been very agile at getting into other
markets as we've created opportunities in the EU and the
GCC and the Indian FTA and all those kind of places.
I mean, trade with India. I think there's up over
(03:29):
fifteen seventeen percent when I last checked, and we haven't
even closed out an FTA yet. So you know, there's
some really good guys are really good at just moving
product into the right places where the best margins are
to get the best returns for their farmers.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Are we finally seeing the economy turn? And I know
that you've been waiting anxiously like a cat on hot coals.
Really for this to happen, because there's been so many
things that have gone against you or are gone against
our economy in the past year or so. But we're
starting to get the right mix in there. With low
our interest rates, good export returns, Unemployment will be higher
(04:05):
again today. I assume we don't know as we record this,
but it looks like it could be peaking.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah. Look, I think unemployment definitely is peaking. It's the
last thing that gets sorted as you clean up a recession.
But look, you got to look at it. There's some
really encouraging things going on. You know, job adds are
up three and a half percent, to think, consents were
up twelve percent over the last quarter. Exports are up
another four percent. You've got people like the ports of
Auckland and Freightway saying they're having really good activity going through.
(04:32):
You've got the bank saying there's less loan areas and
they had planned or thought. You know, you've got business
confidence up this week and other eight points. You've got
farmer compass heighsp in twenty sixteen, So there is lots
of you know, as I've said, it's sort of like
you start the recoveries underway, we've suddenly seen it lead
out first through the primary industries, through the rural communities,
it's coming into Auckland and through the urban centers. And
(04:54):
you know as we go forward from here growth gets better.
The question now is let's not just watch growth come back.
It's actually shaped where this country goes from here on
through because we actually have a fantastic future out there
in the big world, and we want to make sure
we realize all that potential.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
So you could have a couple of things working for
you next year come election time, and improving economy, economy
on the way back up. And to Party Mari the
gift that keeps on.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Giving, Well, they're just not serious people to Party Mario,
I mean they are activists. They come to Parliament by performative.
I have not had a single policy exchange with them
on any ideas to advance outcomes from Maori or non Maori.
You know, we have put a bas back to basics
education policy across the country. Now we're getting huge results.
I think you know, Maori kids at or exceeding expectation
(05:38):
new entrants five year olds after twenty weeks in school
because of the way we're teaching everyone the same way
to read with phonics is up. You know, I think
eighteen percent that those needing help is down fifteen percent.
So you never get into a policy conversation with the
party Marie on any of that sort of stuff. But frankly,
it's Hipkins that wants to work with them, not me.
I won't be working with them, and so he's the
(06:00):
one that wants to work in at chaos. And just
imagine Hitkins, you know, I re Debbie Chloe Madama. That's
quite a combination.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Doesn't bear thinking about a cup and show week. Next
week you'll be down there, I think on the Friday.
It's your hometown. Christ Church is a city. It's really
on the up in fact, of any city in this country.
It's doing the best.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
It's doing exceptionally well, exceptionally well, and you know, it's
a fantastic city. Obviously we built you know through the
John Key era within response to the earthquake with fantastic infrastructure.
The new State Institute open early next year. But you
know it's also a great you know, I love that
amp sh I haven't been going as a little five
year old and six year old and it was always
a real highlight of a year. So now it's always
(06:43):
great to get down there and it'll be a fantastic
show as always.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Jason Statham aka Christopher Luxen, I'll see you there next week.
Thanks for your time, have.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
A great week. See
Wednesdays on the Country, the Prime Minister kicks off the show.
It's always a pre record because he's a busy man.
I said to you, Christopher Luxen, let's do this a
quote made famous by your predecessor or one of your predecessors. Jacinda,
who's starring in the Pike River movie. Have you seen
it yet?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I haven't seen the movie. I've heard about about it,
but I haven't seen it. I'll look forward to watching
it at some point.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
I know you're good mate. John Key hasn't seen it,
and I don't think he'll want to see it either,
because the bloke who plays him as a gormless idiot,
and I thought, oh, that's a bit tough on Key.
But then when it comes to the Jacinda role, she's
playing herself with Robin Malcolm and Lucy Lawless, both great
actresses but obviously Green Party activists. It's quite political.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Well I can't even seen that, so I can't really
comment on about it and fairness, but I'll check it out.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Who would you get to play you in a movie?
We're going to get to the serious stuff shortly.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
I reckon, I reckon, Jason Stavim. Actually I think you.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Are you talking useuf up a bit, there, aren't you? Ye?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I reckon, I reckon, I am. But you know what
was that last movie The beehivey? Yeah, the High Safe.
That's sort of what I sort of do at the
Beehive here. So you know, maybe maybe Jason Stath America.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
A tough guy. Were you a tough guy? Or were
you a pussy cat when it came to and I'm
being a bit cheeky here, Prime Minister, please excuse me
at apet everyone. No, No, everyone's always sucking up to Trump.
And that's what it kind of looked like. I mean,
you don't want to upset him in case he slapped
some more tariffs on you. And I'm not blaming you
for that at all, but everyone's bowling and scraping to him.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Oh. I actually found it a really good interaction, Like
I'd had a really good chat with him on the
telephone when he got elected as president, and it was
actually just a personal leader's leader sort of conversations really
that took place when we had our time together. We
knew a lot of people in common from my time
in America, and it was a good chance actually just
(01:50):
to build a relationship to get to know each other
a bit more. And then we went into a dinner
with six other leaders hosted by the Korean president, which
was really good. So and talked a bit more about
issues across the region around the world. So No, I
think it was those meetings are just so important because
it's yes, there's the formal parts of the meetings, but
it's a chance to build a relationship. And in that case,
(02:11):
you know, President Trump had for formal meetings with China
as you saw, and also with Korea in Korea, and
then he made time for us to have a personal
catch up as well, which was really good of him.
So no, look, I mean it's really important. My job
is to get on with all the leaders and to
be able to pick up the phone when we've got
issues or opportunities, you know, as we've done around trade
on EU and cp TPP coming together in the next
(02:33):
three weeks in Melbourne to talk about how they work together.
That's all good stuff. So no, the relationships really matter.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
So Trump seems to like leaders from Australasia. He likes Elbow.
Does logic then follow that we'll get a submarine sub
base here.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
No, No, I mean I think you know we're you know,
the US administration is under no doubt about our view
on tariffs. Equally we're under no doubt about their position
on tariffs. And ye know that's not for chain. We
have the lowest ter affraid of anyone with a surplus. Obviously,
we'll keep looking at whether we're in a surplus or
definite situation going forward. But what I am proud about,
(03:09):
Tamie is our exporters are doing an exceptionally good job
of adjusting to that dynamic in the US. In fact,
our exports are still up. But the point is also
they've they've also been very agile at getting into other
markets as we've created opportunities in the EU and the
GCC and the Indian FTA and all those kind of places.
I mean, trade with India. I think there's up over
(03:29):
fifteen seventeen percent when I last checked, and we haven't
even closed out an FTA yet. So you know, there's
some really good guys are really good at just moving
product into the right places where the best margins are
to get the best returns for their farmers.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Are we finally seeing the economy turn? And I know
that you've been waiting anxiously like a cat on hot coals.
Really for this to happen, because there's been so many
things that have gone against you or are gone against
our economy in the past year or so. But we're
starting to get the right mix in there. With low
our interest rates, good export returns, Unemployment will be higher
(04:05):
again today. I assume we don't know as we record this,
but it looks like it could be peaking.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah. Look, I think unemployment definitely is peaking. It's the
last thing that gets sorted as you clean up a recession.
But look, you got to look at it. There's some
really encouraging things going on. You know, job adds are
up three and a half percent, to think, consents were
up twelve percent over the last quarter. Exports are up
another four percent. You've got people like the ports of
Auckland and Freightway saying they're having really good activity going through.
(04:32):
You've got the bank saying there's less loan areas and
they had planned or thought. You know, you've got business
confidence up this week and other eight points. You've got
farmer compass heighsp in twenty sixteen, So there is lots
of you know, as I've said, it's sort of like
you start the recoveries underway, we've suddenly seen it lead
out first through the primary industries, through the rural communities,
it's coming into Auckland and through the urban centers. And
(04:54):
you know as we go forward from here growth gets better.
The question now is let's not just watch growth come back.
It's actually shaped where this country goes from here on
through because we actually have a fantastic future out there
in the big world, and we want to make sure
we realize all that potential.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
So you could have a couple of things working for
you next year come election time, and improving economy, economy
on the way back up. And to Party Mari the
gift that keeps on.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Giving, Well, they're just not serious people to Party Mario,
I mean they are activists. They come to Parliament by performative.
I have not had a single policy exchange with them
on any ideas to advance outcomes from Maori or non Maori.
You know, we have put a bas back to basics
education policy across the country. Now we're getting huge results.
I think you know, Maori kids at or exceeding expectation
(05:38):
new entrants five year olds after twenty weeks in school
because of the way we're teaching everyone the same way
to read with phonics is up. You know, I think
eighteen percent that those needing help is down fifteen percent.
So you never get into a policy conversation with the
party Marie on any of that sort of stuff. But frankly,
it's Hipkins that wants to work with them, not me.
I won't be working with them, and so he's the
(06:00):
one that wants to work in at chaos. And just
imagine Hitkins, you know, I re Debbie Chloe Madama. That's
quite a combination.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Doesn't bear thinking about a cup and show week. Next
week you'll be down there, I think on the Friday.
It's your hometown. Christ Church is a city. It's really
on the up in fact, of any city in this country.
It's doing the best.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
It's doing exceptionally well, exceptionally well, and you know, it's
a fantastic city. Obviously we built you know through the
John Key era within response to the earthquake with fantastic infrastructure.
The new State Institute open early next year. But you
know it's also a great you know, I love that
amp sh I haven't been going as a little five
year old and six year old and it was always
a real highlight of a year. So now it's always
(06:43):
great to get down there and it'll be a fantastic
show as always.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Jason Statham aka Christopher Luxen, I'll see you there next week.
Thanks for your time, have.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
A great week. See
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