May 14, 2026 • 10 mins
Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Labour's Chris Hipkins recently claimed no-one outside of Newstalk ZB is fussed about the Auckland lockdowns from 2021. Does he have a point? Will we find out come November?
Yesterday, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said he'd always choose social cohesion over businesses bottom lines when it comes to immigration. Labour's Chris Hipkins has raised concerns, especially following some other comments from Winston Peters and Shane Jones. Does he have a point?
How badly did we get ripped off if it’s true we paid $3 million to get Robbie Williams here - especially if Singapore reportedly paid $3 million for six Taylor Swift concerts two years ago?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty, a name
you can trust locally and globally.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Right on the huddle with us this evening, we have
Oscar Kiteley, artist and local government politician, and Tim Wilson,
maximums Chute Hire.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
You two.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Going good, Thank you. Okay, let's start by talking about
Chris Hapkins, because I don't know, I'll tell you what
he got me, the feeling. I mean, I to quote
split ends. I saw a bit of read this about
about forty minutes ago. Tim. Is he right that it
is really only news talk ZB that remains angry about
the COVID lockdowns?
Speaker 4 (00:35):
No, I thought that. I thought that was an I
actually sensed that he was actually a bit nervous about
the interview, just because you know when he wasn't certain
whether the say good morning or good afternoon. So I
think he came into it with a bit of maybe
he was seeing I don't know read as well. Look, yeah,
I think there are there are people who remember what
(00:57):
happened during COVID in lockdown, and I do believe it's significant.
It was particularly significant in twenty twenty three, and I'm
not sure that it was viscerally felt. I'm not sure
those recollections will abate as quickly as he would like.
The other thing is, like, you know, he said in
his speech this morning that you create more social cohesion
(01:18):
by finding common cause. Well, you don't do it by
bagging an organization and saying that no one else is
saying this is an issue that's not really emphasizing common cause.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, what do you think, Oscar? I mean, I don't
want you to be sorry for US, Oscar, but I
I'm sorry for the people who are being gas lighted
into thinking no one else feels like them.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
I think he was just being flippant. I think it
was possibly a fumbled attempt at humor and making a
glib remark. Possibly he thought the reporter was from US
Talk ZB. But they Labor paid for all that the
last election, So whether it will continue to be a
factor at this election, we'll see. I mean, there was
(01:59):
a teen percent swing against labor that was the resentment election,
that last one. So I feel like all the people
that were rightfully annoyed by the open lockdowns had the
essay in that election. I'm not sure it might still
present as an issue this time, right, Well, this is
the question.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Is it eclipsed by what we're dealing with now? Okay,
tam now national's immigration policy. The comments from the Prime
Minister yesterday worry me? What about you?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Look, I haven't actually heard and your editorial was your
editorial was good. I'm not sure I haven't heard anything
actually about the settings. So I've just heard a general
observation about social cohesion. It doesn't It doesn't worry me,
I think as as much perhaps as it's worrying you.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Look what he's saying. So let's just look at the
agecare sector, right, the age care sector?
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Oh yeah, no, I know. The agekare sector is full
of the lovely, lovely people from the Philippines, etc.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
These people from the Philippines will come in and look
after our elderly and bathe them and wipe their bums
and do stuff that no Ki we appears are prepared
to do.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
But what are he's saying if we directed it them,
He's saying, guys, sorry, but if you need more Filipino workers,
and there is a general unhappiness in this country about immigration,
you're just not going to get your people. I'm not
sure that. I don't know what that worries me.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah, I think he's I think it's totally he's reacting
to some bad polls and also he's seeing what New
Zealand first and actors saying about immigrass I. I mean,
I'm an immigrant to this country, so I always look
at this issue through an immigrant leans And the first
election I was in the country for it was an
issue that you know, National back then were in opposition
(03:41):
and they paid Hannah Barbera, you know, thousands of dollars
to make racist cartoons about how violent Islanders are. It's
an issue every single election and I just get so
tired of it. But normally it's crazy opposition parties like
one Nation that brings us up to hear the Prime
Minister seriously engaging as it. And I think I heard
Professor Paul Spooney talk this week that it's not even
(04:03):
in the top ten issues of that are worrying New Zealand,
and I think most Kiwis are happy with them MC great.
We actually have a pretty tough immigration points system compared
to other OECD countries, and I don't think it's an
issue to Kiwi's the way that some parties might be
hoping it will be.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Yep, I guess, but I guess. What I'm hearing though,
is that that it is clearly an issue because we're
and you can say, okay, what's being made an issue
by parties like New Zealand. First I thought it was
a real bell weather that act weighed in because I
would submit that they're typically a pro immigration party. Look,
you can say this is not an issue, this is
(04:40):
not really an issue, but if Kiwis are worried about it,
then that it is.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Yeah, but they are though it's not even in their
top ten list of worries.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yes, you know, I agree with Oscar on this tim
where I think. I think it doesn't appear to be
coming up, and yet all the parties I keep getting
told that it is. It is registering for the party,
So maybe they are seeing something in their internal polls.
We're not seeing well.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
You look at and I ask you described them as
a crazy party. But one nation doing very well. You're
seeing reform doing very well. I will counsel against the
danger of importing narratives from the United States or the
UK about immigration over here because we're in a fundamentally
different problem. But Australia has social cohesion, problems with legal immigration,
(05:23):
so it is certainly something to talk about.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Okay, listen, guyslet's take a break.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Come back shortly the Huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty,
the only truly global brand toutch Back.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Of the Huddle, Oscar Kiteley and Tim Wilson. Now, Oscar,
tell me what you think about three million dollars for
Robbie Williams.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
I would pay them three million to not come. But
that's my taste, and I mean, I guess, I mean,
I'm actually for the fun because we need people to
come here, but also I feel like, why make it
easier for promoters if they're not going to take the
risk for these bands, because there are artists who do
want to come, who do bring themselves. And I just
wonder whether there's slush fund. Sorry, as as Mayor Brown called,
(06:04):
it does open itself up for abuse. But that's the
thing with that though, You're never going to agree on
who's worthy of it. But I would have thought that
maybe someone a bit more contemporary would have been worthy
of three million dollars rather than Robbie Williams.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I mean, I feel like we got ripped off here.
Tim Taty did six concerts in Singapore for three million dollars.
Hello Tim, Tim.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
He must be a Robbie fan. He might be a
Robbie fan.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
He might Yeah, no, no, no, Ants says, I have
to put him on hold, but I don't want to
because I want to see how long it takes before
Tim comes back to us, because we've got him up
and so he must be Oh no, maybe we should
call him ba should we call him back?
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
I wondered, what do you reckon's gone on? You, Oscar.
He's got four kids, so I'm thinking that maybe he's
just forgotten he's on the phone to us.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Well, it is that halllush time of the evening for parents,
so it could well be.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
It could be it could be dinner time. Plus also
we've all had colds go through through the house, and
maybe he's up with screaming toddlers. Who knows. I reckon though,
and I agree with you Oscott on the fact that
he's not particularly contemporary, but on the on, just on
the numbers. If Tita is doing six conson in Singapore
for three mil, then I suspect that we've been ripped off,
(07:16):
haven't we? Three mil for one, I think, and I.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Think we're open to getting ripped off because I think
we almost slavishly go after these as, almost as if
to say, I mean, five million isn't small. I mean
it's the size of Ireland. We still have a market,
you before, They still sell more, still sell more records
here than anywhere else in the world. I sometimes think
we hand it too easy to these promoters who are
(07:40):
quite lazy and do kind of treat us like another
city in Australia.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah too, Right now, Tim, what happened to you?
Speaker 4 (07:46):
I don't know, dropped out? It must be you know what,
There must be some kind of drone over where I
am that.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
You hadn't forgotten that you were on the phone to
news DOGSZB No.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
And of course I hadn't forgotten. But I don't know.
I don't know what. You know what it must be.
Maybe it's the seventy million dollar fund has got no
I can see what.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
You're doing right now. You're trying, you're scratching around in
your dad brain to come up with a lame joke.
But it's going to be lame.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
All right. Well, you know what, since we're doing a
mutual rints competition. You don't compare six Tatas in Singapore
with two Robbies in New Zealand because they're fundamentally different operations.
Singapore has got six million people, it's on the way
to other places, has got a lovely airport with Cheney.
New Zealand's not on the hasa anywhere, and you've got
Auckland and christ Church. Not a fair fight.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
But we're right next to Australia. I mean maybe something
they could do with money, yeah, but yeah, so maybe
something else they could do rather than a seventy million
dollars slash fabers make it easier for Australia. Also, toy here.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
If the going rate for Robbie is three mil, it'll
be thirty mil for Tato.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Well no, it's not thirty mil for Tato though, is it.
It's five hundred thousand per Tato concert in Singapore. In Singapore, yes,
you're forgetting him that. When you come to New Zealand,
you don't like you've got to do Like those guys,
the Counting Crows, they came here for like two weeks.
You come here for a show and then your holiday
you go to Hawks Bay, have some wine, go to Queenstown,
(09:10):
do a bit of a skiff, then you pop off
to Fiji for a little bit. Like we are a
destination where you can also end your tour and have
a bit of a relaxation. There's benefits to being here.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Look, that's right, there's an end of world tour destination.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Oh my gosh, maybe we should we should take over
this funt Listen. I've got a really quick I've got
quick question for each of you. Okay, Tim, So we
had some parents busted in way Katta rugby game for
punching thirteen year olds and putting one in a headlock.
Why are parents behaving like this?
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Yeah? I don't know the answer for that to that,
but it's completely unacceptable.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Why do you think they're doing it?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Because they're way too emotionally involved in their kids rugby game?
What do you think, Oscar?
Speaker 3 (09:53):
I think it's insane. It's it's a real indictment on
our society at the moment. If things are like like
that are happening normally, it's horrible.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, I think so too, all right.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Too many too many computers of appearance. They should just
get their dad brain out and not be able to
come up with lines to respond to.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Stop stop it, You're trying again. You're trying again, guys,
I appreciate it. Tim Wilson, Oscar Kiteley a heard of
this evening.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to
news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
The huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty, a name
you can trust locally and globally.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Right on the huddle with us this evening, we have
Oscar Kiteley, artist and local government politician, and Tim Wilson,
maximums Chute Hire.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
You two.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Going good, Thank you. Okay, let's start by talking about
Chris Hapkins, because I don't know, I'll tell you what
he got me, the feeling. I mean, I to quote
split ends. I saw a bit of read this about
about forty minutes ago. Tim. Is he right that it
is really only news talk ZB that remains angry about
the COVID lockdowns?
Speaker 4 (00:35):
No, I thought that. I thought that was an I
actually sensed that he was actually a bit nervous about
the interview, just because you know when he wasn't certain
whether the say good morning or good afternoon. So I
think he came into it with a bit of maybe
he was seeing I don't know read as well. Look, yeah,
I think there are there are people who remember what
(00:57):
happened during COVID in lockdown, and I do believe it's significant.
It was particularly significant in twenty twenty three, and I'm
not sure that it was viscerally felt. I'm not sure
those recollections will abate as quickly as he would like.
The other thing is, like, you know, he said in
his speech this morning that you create more social cohesion
(01:18):
by finding common cause. Well, you don't do it by
bagging an organization and saying that no one else is
saying this is an issue that's not really emphasizing common cause.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, what do you think, Oscar? I mean, I don't
want you to be sorry for US, Oscar, but I
I'm sorry for the people who are being gas lighted
into thinking no one else feels like them.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
I think he was just being flippant. I think it
was possibly a fumbled attempt at humor and making a
glib remark. Possibly he thought the reporter was from US
Talk ZB. But they Labor paid for all that the
last election, So whether it will continue to be a
factor at this election, we'll see. I mean, there was
(01:59):
a teen percent swing against labor that was the resentment election,
that last one. So I feel like all the people
that were rightfully annoyed by the open lockdowns had the
essay in that election. I'm not sure it might still
present as an issue this time, right, Well, this is
the question.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Is it eclipsed by what we're dealing with now? Okay,
tam now national's immigration policy. The comments from the Prime
Minister yesterday worry me? What about you?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Look, I haven't actually heard and your editorial was your
editorial was good. I'm not sure I haven't heard anything
actually about the settings. So I've just heard a general
observation about social cohesion. It doesn't It doesn't worry me,
I think as as much perhaps as it's worrying you.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Look what he's saying. So let's just look at the
agecare sector, right, the age care sector?
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Oh yeah, no, I know. The agekare sector is full
of the lovely, lovely people from the Philippines, etc.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
These people from the Philippines will come in and look
after our elderly and bathe them and wipe their bums
and do stuff that no Ki we appears are prepared
to do.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
But what are he's saying if we directed it them,
He's saying, guys, sorry, but if you need more Filipino workers,
and there is a general unhappiness in this country about immigration,
you're just not going to get your people. I'm not
sure that. I don't know what that worries me.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah, I think he's I think it's totally he's reacting
to some bad polls and also he's seeing what New
Zealand first and actors saying about immigrass I. I mean,
I'm an immigrant to this country, so I always look
at this issue through an immigrant leans And the first
election I was in the country for it was an
issue that you know, National back then were in opposition
(03:41):
and they paid Hannah Barbera, you know, thousands of dollars
to make racist cartoons about how violent Islanders are. It's
an issue every single election and I just get so
tired of it. But normally it's crazy opposition parties like
one Nation that brings us up to hear the Prime
Minister seriously engaging as it. And I think I heard
Professor Paul Spooney talk this week that it's not even
(04:03):
in the top ten issues of that are worrying New Zealand,
and I think most Kiwis are happy with them MC great.
We actually have a pretty tough immigration points system compared
to other OECD countries, and I don't think it's an
issue to Kiwi's the way that some parties might be
hoping it will be.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Yep, I guess, but I guess. What I'm hearing though,
is that that it is clearly an issue because we're
and you can say, okay, what's being made an issue
by parties like New Zealand. First I thought it was
a real bell weather that act weighed in because I
would submit that they're typically a pro immigration party. Look,
you can say this is not an issue, this is
(04:40):
not really an issue, but if Kiwis are worried about it,
then that it is.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Yeah, but they are though it's not even in their
top ten list of worries.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yes, you know, I agree with Oscar on this tim
where I think. I think it doesn't appear to be
coming up, and yet all the parties I keep getting
told that it is. It is registering for the party,
So maybe they are seeing something in their internal polls.
We're not seeing well.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
You look at and I ask you described them as
a crazy party. But one nation doing very well. You're
seeing reform doing very well. I will counsel against the
danger of importing narratives from the United States or the
UK about immigration over here because we're in a fundamentally
different problem. But Australia has social cohesion, problems with legal immigration,
(05:23):
so it is certainly something to talk about.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Okay, listen, guyslet's take a break.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Come back shortly the Huddle with New Zealand Southeby's International Realty,
the only truly global brand toutch Back.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Of the Huddle, Oscar Kiteley and Tim Wilson. Now, Oscar,
tell me what you think about three million dollars for
Robbie Williams.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
I would pay them three million to not come. But
that's my taste, and I mean, I guess, I mean,
I'm actually for the fun because we need people to
come here, but also I feel like, why make it
easier for promoters if they're not going to take the
risk for these bands, because there are artists who do
want to come, who do bring themselves. And I just
wonder whether there's slush fund. Sorry, as as Mayor Brown called,
(06:04):
it does open itself up for abuse. But that's the
thing with that though, You're never going to agree on
who's worthy of it. But I would have thought that
maybe someone a bit more contemporary would have been worthy
of three million dollars rather than Robbie Williams.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I mean, I feel like we got ripped off here.
Tim Taty did six concerts in Singapore for three million dollars.
Hello Tim, Tim.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
He must be a Robbie fan. He might be a
Robbie fan.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
He might Yeah, no, no, no, Ants says, I have
to put him on hold, but I don't want to
because I want to see how long it takes before
Tim comes back to us, because we've got him up
and so he must be Oh no, maybe we should
call him ba should we call him back?
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
I wondered, what do you reckon's gone on? You, Oscar.
He's got four kids, so I'm thinking that maybe he's
just forgotten he's on the phone to us.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Well, it is that halllush time of the evening for parents,
so it could well be.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
It could be it could be dinner time. Plus also
we've all had colds go through through the house, and
maybe he's up with screaming toddlers. Who knows. I reckon though,
and I agree with you Oscott on the fact that
he's not particularly contemporary, but on the on, just on
the numbers. If Tita is doing six conson in Singapore
for three mil, then I suspect that we've been ripped off,
(07:16):
haven't we? Three mil for one, I think, and I.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Think we're open to getting ripped off because I think
we almost slavishly go after these as, almost as if
to say, I mean, five million isn't small. I mean
it's the size of Ireland. We still have a market,
you before, They still sell more, still sell more records
here than anywhere else in the world. I sometimes think
we hand it too easy to these promoters who are
(07:40):
quite lazy and do kind of treat us like another
city in Australia.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah too, Right now, Tim, what happened to you?
Speaker 4 (07:46):
I don't know, dropped out? It must be you know what,
There must be some kind of drone over where I
am that.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
You hadn't forgotten that you were on the phone to
news DOGSZB No.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
And of course I hadn't forgotten. But I don't know.
I don't know what. You know what it must be.
Maybe it's the seventy million dollar fund has got no
I can see what.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
You're doing right now. You're trying, you're scratching around in
your dad brain to come up with a lame joke.
But it's going to be lame.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
All right. Well, you know what, since we're doing a
mutual rints competition. You don't compare six Tatas in Singapore
with two Robbies in New Zealand because they're fundamentally different operations.
Singapore has got six million people, it's on the way
to other places, has got a lovely airport with Cheney.
New Zealand's not on the hasa anywhere, and you've got
Auckland and christ Church. Not a fair fight.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
But we're right next to Australia. I mean maybe something
they could do with money, yeah, but yeah, so maybe
something else they could do rather than a seventy million
dollars slash fabers make it easier for Australia. Also, toy here.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
If the going rate for Robbie is three mil, it'll
be thirty mil for Tato.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Well no, it's not thirty mil for Tato though, is it.
It's five hundred thousand per Tato concert in Singapore. In Singapore, yes,
you're forgetting him that. When you come to New Zealand,
you don't like you've got to do Like those guys,
the Counting Crows, they came here for like two weeks.
You come here for a show and then your holiday
you go to Hawks Bay, have some wine, go to Queenstown,
(09:10):
do a bit of a skiff, then you pop off
to Fiji for a little bit. Like we are a
destination where you can also end your tour and have
a bit of a relaxation. There's benefits to being here.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Look, that's right, there's an end of world tour destination.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Oh my gosh, maybe we should we should take over
this funt Listen. I've got a really quick I've got
quick question for each of you. Okay, Tim, So we
had some parents busted in way Katta rugby game for
punching thirteen year olds and putting one in a headlock.
Why are parents behaving like this?
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Yeah? I don't know the answer for that to that,
but it's completely unacceptable.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
Why do you think they're doing it?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Because they're way too emotionally involved in their kids rugby game?
What do you think, Oscar?
Speaker 3 (09:53):
I think it's insane. It's it's a real indictment on
our society at the moment. If things are like like
that are happening normally, it's horrible.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, I think so too, all right.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Too many too many computers of appearance. They should just
get their dad brain out and not be able to
come up with lines to respond to.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Stop stop it, You're trying again. You're trying again, guys,
I appreciate it. Tim Wilson, Oscar Kiteley a heard of
this evening.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to
news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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