June 18, 2025 • 9 mins
Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
How do we feel about the Government overruling councils on decisions that negatively impact economic growth, development and employment? Is this necessary?
The Government has confirmed they're going to scrap the census - do we agree with this move?
Are the Crusaders being mean in banning cowbells from the Chiefs-Crusaders Super Rugby final?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
On the Huddle of Us this evening, Mike Monroe and
David Farrer, Hello you.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Too, good evening.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Did you like you?
Speaker 1 (00:06):
I'm very well, Mike. Did you like the sound of
what you just heard from Neil.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Any children? Halfway through it? Well, he's a good mare.
Hold him.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
He does seem like a good guy. He was basically
saying that the process is all done. This is district planning,
is all done by these unelected officials who take years
to do it, a cost millions of dollars, and by
the end of it, you're stuck with a plan no
one particularly likes, can't do anything about it. Too expensive.
So this is why you have to have the likes
of Chris Bishop coming over the top and change things.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Ooh, interesting you interesting you. I feel very heavy handed
what Bishop is actually doing, because this government has gone
on a lot in recent years about localism, about and
you're putting these big decisions back in the hands of
local communities and local councils. And this sends to you
freethe of counter to that.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yep, I would agree with that, although I think in
this case I'm going to cut some slack on that
because I like what he's doing. What do you think,
David Well?
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I think what the mayor says is right. They're lot
and theory decisions to live with local communities, but the
reality is they lie with a few town planning staff
who have great influence, and there's some price to do
in and override what the government's pot up as if
we can make the case that these decisions are really
(01:26):
hinder house prices, economic growth will consult and we'll talk
to council, but we ultimately can override it. And you know,
if people locally don't like it, there's local impasion, might
not re elected, there's party vote to worry about. So
I think it's okay because the reality just is that
(01:48):
the planning restrictions we have in New Zealand that have
been terrible. There's no either word for us. There's a
reason our house price is the biggest rising over the
last fifteen years.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
The wow yep, I think you make a good point
there now, Mike on the census, are you going to
miss it?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Well, yes, I can fondly remember you know the old
days went sent the staff came door to door, and
mind you, that's all well nigh and possible now, So
it's with dangerous dogs roaming our pitchs and apartment.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Blocks or whatever and millions of people.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, but you know, we keep sort of going back
and forth on this. So we tried this of electronic
approach in two thousand and was it eighteen or nineteen anyway,
it was a complete disaster and the boss had to
get sacked though oak Fender recall. Then we went back
to Then we went back to the dear old paper
since in twenty three and here we go changing again.
We just sort of need to sort of work out,
you know, what's the best way forward here the business
(02:44):
it's gone.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
It's gone. You can't go it's gone, right, I mean,
you can uncancel it, but I doubt it very much.
So that's that's what we've decided. Scrap the whole thing good.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yes, yeah, but it sounds it sounds like the Brits
that went down this path and then they changed their
mind and they came back to more judicial approach. So know,
I mean, how hard is it in this day and
age to work out what's going to work best. We've
got this big issues of declining trust in government and
high in the rates. So the sensors are not working
well in the way. So I would have thought that,
you know, smart of minds of mind would have been
(03:14):
applying themselves as us for some time. We need this
data and we need to get a sort of out.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Yeah, David, I mean the thing about it is, I
think the census clearly wasn't working, But nor is really
information sharing between government departments, is it. So we're going
to kind of end up with a bit of a
patchy thing either way.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah. Look, I'm a bit angry over that. The decision
was probably necessary because the official advice was we're paying
more and more money every five years to get less
unless people complete out cost FO one hundred MILLI. But
would we say it should not cost four hundred million
dollars in appolsed? That is a sense The census is
(03:52):
a big pole. There's around forty fifty question, but we
want everyone in the country to take part rather than
a sample. You have to really gootructure privacy around it.
But what we have pulling infrastructure that deals with millions
of people all around the globe, and it really should
(04:13):
not cost four hundred years.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Okay, So the cost is one thing that I was
talking to Laura the German about this today, and she
said she doesn't like and she's smart, David, she is smart,
and she is a normal human being. She gets her vaccinations,
all that stuff listens to the mainstream media. She said
she doesn't want to have to answer the question about
what she gets paid in how big her houses. Doesn't
think the government needs to have that information.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Well, the thing is what they're doing is it's a
bitcunning because they're the name. Well, we actually know what
you earn anyway, because I details us. So we'll just
use that data from IRD two to work it out anyway.
But I think you do lose a bit of trust
when the government's just saying here is the official dara
(04:58):
based on secret data bases, rather than being able to
say we went down and knocked on every door and
emailed every person.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
And now, David, no, no, that's I think you know
you're overthinking this. I mean, we know the government knows
how much we're getting paid, so that's not a surprise
to us.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Not on the payment stuff, but there is going to
be relying on the administrate of data is not going
to be quite as good. And what's going to be
interesting is the your census data to set the electoral boundaries. Now,
if there's not going to be a census, how are
they no be set? Will just be on whatever the
steps New Zone un says as the population at any
(05:41):
point at the time. So there's going to be some
big ramifications for them.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yep, they make a very good point. Okay, we'll take
a break with you guys. Come back shortly. You're back
with Mike Monroe and David Farrer. Mike, see that decision
that David Seymore has taken today to basically make melatonin
available over the counter. What do you make of that?
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Well, as somebody who's suffers from burd of and somnia,
all power to us, am I say, Now, Look, I
think it's a good idea. I mean, I mean jet
bag and in somnia are very irritating conditions. This one's
clearly been to have pulled over by the experts. It's
just not David Seymour coming up with a bright idea
in the middle of the night. Is that there's been
(06:19):
a lot of discussion about this for some time, and
you know, given the numbers of people who who require
these sorts of medications just to get through their daily lives. Look,
I'm quite comfortable with it. Yeah, it's you know, it's
been it's been in the making for a while, and
I think it's about time that it arrived.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
David. I tell you what surprises me about this is
how long we put up with this kind of nonsense.
The US you can buy it over the counter. Australia
you can buy it over the counter. We fly there,
we buy it over the counter there, and then we
come home and we just think it's fine. Can't do
it in New Zealand. Isn't that remarkable?
Speaker 3 (06:55):
It reminds me of the nineteen seventies when you had
to get a prescription to get margarine. But it was okay,
but but you had to prove you had the need
for margarine to get look malotone, so many parents have
they've got kids who might be ADHD on the spectrum,
don't settle as a lifesaver. Well, I seen ya, savor anyway,
(07:18):
and you might know about about not having sleep with
young ones. And I am amazed that it has been
so difficult that you've had to go through the prescription
route for it rather than you know what they've gotten
in the US.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
So yes, well over, And also is there something and
what is up with us, David, that we always that
we do this kind of stuff that we make you
get a prescription for margarine that we make you you
have to jump through hoops from melatonin. We are we
just know people.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
We're polite, waitin people, you will be of The key
reculture is that we took just the process you go through,
et ceter And it takes a few individuals who makes
something and a cause to change that.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I think we love a rule, mic, I think we
like to complain about it, But we love a rule,
don't we.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, we do in banning cow bells at rugby stadiums.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
And now how do you feel about it?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Well, I think it's I think it's petty. Actually, look,
I haven't been too games in Hamilton that I watch
games on the television and I get irritated by the
cow bells too. But hey, look it's all about you
know that particular support, dased you gene up their team
and showing they're there and making a bit of noise
and as long as it goes on forever. They do
(08:34):
it at the start of the game, they do it
when their team's on the attack or maybe win. A
trial is called and I think that, you know, we
just need to have a bit of atmosphere at these
stadiums because we do have a very button down approach
in New Zealm and we've span a lot of things
at stadiums. It gets a bit defecation, Like you know,
the Chiefs. The Chiefs are the guests down there on
Saturday night and it doesn't make them feel very welcome.
It's not putting this band in place if we get here.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Not a lot of monarchy. Tongue is a David.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
It is mestic what they have done trying to justify, Oh,
this stadium is a bet of a small crown. Has
he ever actually been Like, let's ask acc how many
people have reported injuries due to someone waving a cowbirl
at a rugby game. It's obviously done just because they
(09:20):
don't want the other team to get this a moral
boost from it. You know, I remember go old days
when you know the Crusaders actually had the horses charging
around the field and well horse might have jumped over
a So let's bend that too. You know, trust people,
you know, if you bring a cowbell, don't boonk us
(09:41):
into your neighbor. Otherwise, go for it.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Yeah, love a rule. We love a rule, guys. Thank
you so much, Mike Monroe, Davi Ferra, awhard of this Evening.
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
On the Huddle of Us this evening, Mike Monroe and
David Farrer, Hello you.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Too, good evening.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
Did you like you?
Speaker 1 (00:06):
I'm very well, Mike. Did you like the sound of
what you just heard from Neil.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Any children? Halfway through it? Well, he's a good mare.
Hold him.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
He does seem like a good guy. He was basically
saying that the process is all done. This is district planning,
is all done by these unelected officials who take years
to do it, a cost millions of dollars, and by
the end of it, you're stuck with a plan no
one particularly likes, can't do anything about it. Too expensive.
So this is why you have to have the likes
of Chris Bishop coming over the top and change things.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Ooh, interesting you interesting you. I feel very heavy handed
what Bishop is actually doing, because this government has gone
on a lot in recent years about localism, about and
you're putting these big decisions back in the hands of
local communities and local councils. And this sends to you
freethe of counter to that.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yep, I would agree with that, although I think in
this case I'm going to cut some slack on that
because I like what he's doing. What do you think,
David Well?
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I think what the mayor says is right. They're lot
and theory decisions to live with local communities, but the
reality is they lie with a few town planning staff
who have great influence, and there's some price to do
in and override what the government's pot up as if
we can make the case that these decisions are really
(01:26):
hinder house prices, economic growth will consult and we'll talk
to council, but we ultimately can override it. And you know,
if people locally don't like it, there's local impasion, might
not re elected, there's party vote to worry about. So
I think it's okay because the reality just is that
(01:48):
the planning restrictions we have in New Zealand that have
been terrible. There's no either word for us. There's a
reason our house price is the biggest rising over the
last fifteen years.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
The wow yep, I think you make a good point
there now, Mike on the census, are you going to
miss it?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Well, yes, I can fondly remember you know the old
days went sent the staff came door to door, and
mind you, that's all well nigh and possible now, So
it's with dangerous dogs roaming our pitchs and apartment.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Blocks or whatever and millions of people.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, but you know, we keep sort of going back
and forth on this. So we tried this of electronic
approach in two thousand and was it eighteen or nineteen anyway,
it was a complete disaster and the boss had to
get sacked though oak Fender recall. Then we went back
to Then we went back to the dear old paper
since in twenty three and here we go changing again.
We just sort of need to sort of work out,
you know, what's the best way forward here the business
(02:44):
it's gone.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
It's gone. You can't go it's gone, right, I mean,
you can uncancel it, but I doubt it very much.
So that's that's what we've decided. Scrap the whole thing good.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yes, yeah, but it sounds it sounds like the Brits
that went down this path and then they changed their
mind and they came back to more judicial approach. So know,
I mean, how hard is it in this day and
age to work out what's going to work best. We've
got this big issues of declining trust in government and
high in the rates. So the sensors are not working
well in the way. So I would have thought that,
you know, smart of minds of mind would have been
(03:14):
applying themselves as us for some time. We need this
data and we need to get a sort of out.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Yeah, David, I mean the thing about it is, I
think the census clearly wasn't working, But nor is really
information sharing between government departments, is it. So we're going
to kind of end up with a bit of a
patchy thing either way.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah. Look, I'm a bit angry over that. The decision
was probably necessary because the official advice was we're paying
more and more money every five years to get less
unless people complete out cost FO one hundred MILLI. But
would we say it should not cost four hundred million
dollars in appolsed? That is a sense The census is
(03:52):
a big pole. There's around forty fifty question, but we
want everyone in the country to take part rather than
a sample. You have to really gootructure privacy around it.
But what we have pulling infrastructure that deals with millions
of people all around the globe, and it really should
(04:13):
not cost four hundred years.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Okay, So the cost is one thing that I was
talking to Laura the German about this today, and she
said she doesn't like and she's smart, David, she is smart,
and she is a normal human being. She gets her vaccinations,
all that stuff listens to the mainstream media. She said
she doesn't want to have to answer the question about
what she gets paid in how big her houses. Doesn't
think the government needs to have that information.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Well, the thing is what they're doing is it's a
bitcunning because they're the name. Well, we actually know what
you earn anyway, because I details us. So we'll just
use that data from IRD two to work it out anyway.
But I think you do lose a bit of trust
when the government's just saying here is the official dara
(04:58):
based on secret data bases, rather than being able to
say we went down and knocked on every door and
emailed every person.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
And now, David, no, no, that's I think you know
you're overthinking this. I mean, we know the government knows
how much we're getting paid, so that's not a surprise
to us.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Not on the payment stuff, but there is going to
be relying on the administrate of data is not going
to be quite as good. And what's going to be
interesting is the your census data to set the electoral boundaries. Now,
if there's not going to be a census, how are
they no be set? Will just be on whatever the
steps New Zone un says as the population at any
(05:41):
point at the time. So there's going to be some
big ramifications for them.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yep, they make a very good point. Okay, we'll take
a break with you guys. Come back shortly. You're back
with Mike Monroe and David Farrer. Mike, see that decision
that David Seymore has taken today to basically make melatonin
available over the counter. What do you make of that?
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Well, as somebody who's suffers from burd of and somnia,
all power to us, am I say, Now, Look, I
think it's a good idea. I mean, I mean jet
bag and in somnia are very irritating conditions. This one's
clearly been to have pulled over by the experts. It's
just not David Seymour coming up with a bright idea
in the middle of the night. Is that there's been
(06:19):
a lot of discussion about this for some time, and
you know, given the numbers of people who who require
these sorts of medications just to get through their daily lives. Look,
I'm quite comfortable with it. Yeah, it's you know, it's
been it's been in the making for a while, and
I think it's about time that it arrived.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
David. I tell you what surprises me about this is
how long we put up with this kind of nonsense.
The US you can buy it over the counter. Australia
you can buy it over the counter. We fly there,
we buy it over the counter there, and then we
come home and we just think it's fine. Can't do
it in New Zealand. Isn't that remarkable?
Speaker 3 (06:55):
It reminds me of the nineteen seventies when you had
to get a prescription to get margarine. But it was okay,
but but you had to prove you had the need
for margarine to get look malotone, so many parents have
they've got kids who might be ADHD on the spectrum,
don't settle as a lifesaver. Well, I seen ya, savor anyway,
(07:18):
and you might know about about not having sleep with
young ones. And I am amazed that it has been
so difficult that you've had to go through the prescription
route for it rather than you know what they've gotten
in the US.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
So yes, well over, And also is there something and
what is up with us, David, that we always that
we do this kind of stuff that we make you
get a prescription for margarine that we make you you
have to jump through hoops from melatonin. We are we
just know people.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
We're polite, waitin people, you will be of The key
reculture is that we took just the process you go through,
et ceter And it takes a few individuals who makes
something and a cause to change that.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I think we love a rule, mic, I think we
like to complain about it, But we love a rule,
don't we.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, we do in banning cow bells at rugby stadiums.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
And now how do you feel about it?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Well, I think it's I think it's petty. Actually, look,
I haven't been too games in Hamilton that I watch
games on the television and I get irritated by the
cow bells too. But hey, look it's all about you
know that particular support, dased you gene up their team
and showing they're there and making a bit of noise
and as long as it goes on forever. They do
(08:34):
it at the start of the game, they do it
when their team's on the attack or maybe win. A
trial is called and I think that, you know, we
just need to have a bit of atmosphere at these
stadiums because we do have a very button down approach
in New Zealm and we've span a lot of things
at stadiums. It gets a bit defecation, Like you know,
the Chiefs. The Chiefs are the guests down there on
Saturday night and it doesn't make them feel very welcome.
It's not putting this band in place if we get here.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Not a lot of monarchy. Tongue is a David.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
It is mestic what they have done trying to justify, Oh,
this stadium is a bet of a small crown. Has
he ever actually been Like, let's ask acc how many
people have reported injuries due to someone waving a cowbirl
at a rugby game. It's obviously done just because they
(09:20):
don't want the other team to get this a moral
boost from it. You know, I remember go old days
when you know the Crusaders actually had the horses charging
around the field and well horse might have jumped over
a So let's bend that too. You know, trust people,
you know, if you bring a cowbell, don't boonk us
(09:41):
into your neighbor. Otherwise, go for it.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Yeah, love a rule. We love a rule, guys. Thank
you so much, Mike Monroe, Davi Ferra, awhard of this Evening.
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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