Hosted by Sam Collins, Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson, Cross Party Lines unpacks the week in New Zealand politics so you don’t have to. Each episode gives you clear, cross-partisan insight from two political heavyweights who’ve sat inside Cabinet rooms, campaign buses and coalition negotiations.
In Episode 4:
* KiwiSaver, finally taken seriously — National kicks off its 2026 campaign with a plan to lift contributions to 12%. Phil and Chris unpack whether it’s bold enough, what Australia gets right and why tax incentives and loopholes could make or break the scheme for workers and businesses .
* Is Luxon really on the ropes? — Leadership speculation ramps up as polls stumble. Phil and Chris draw on decades of political history to explain when a coup becomes inevitable, when it doesn’t and why changing leaders rarely saves any government.
* Trump’s “peace plan” for Ukraine — Why the proposed deal reads like a Kremlin wish list, what it would mean for Europe and why appeasement never stops aggression. A wide-ranging, fiery discussion that moves from Crimea to Congress to Chatham House.
Plus: lessons from door-knocking, why authenticity beats spin-doctors every time and a few personal stories that only Goff and Finlayson could tell.
Cross Party Lines exists to lift NZ’s political literacy and restore constructive conversation in an age of noise.
New episodes every Tuesday. If you’re enjoying the show, follow and share — it genuinely helps grow the kōrero.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com
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