Politics Central
Newstalk ZB serves up what you need to know, on all things politics at home, and abroad. The show reviews, previews, analyses and challenges the biggest political issues of the week, with all the big players.
Episodes
The IPCA released a scathing review laying out out a chain of senior-level failures around the McSkimming scandal.
The question now is whether the public can have any confidence in the police in general and in its leadership.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this year, the United States imposed a 15% tariff on a range of New Zealand exports, most notably beef.
It was a huge blow, as beef is a major export for New Zealand - especially to the States. The tariffs have cost the country over $300 million since they were introduced in April.
This weekend, President Donald Trump signed an executive order removing that extra 15% on beef, coffee, and tropical fruits, among o...
The Government has confirmed they're considering action to move rough sleepers out of Auckland's city centre.
Mayor Wayne Brown has given his go ahead, but the opposition as well as housing advocates have said a policy like this would just move the problem elsewhere and end up creating more harm.
No details have been released yet, ministers say they are still working through the issues and how to deal with them, but tha...
The Government has released an action plan to deal with the growing issue of methamphetamine use in New Zealand.
They're investing $30 million over four years into the hardest hit communities, increasing maritime operations to stop it before it gets into the country, and we'll soon see a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness - among other policies.
The amount of meth seized both in the country and offshore has in...
The Government has announced 140 new hospital beds across the country to ease pressure on emergency departments.
These beds will be part of new wards in Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington, and Nelson hospitals, alongside the new Hawke's Bay ward announced earlier in the year.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says operational funding for the 350 extra staff that will be needed, has already been approved.
LISTEN ABOVE
See o...
Christopher Luxon is wrapping up his trip to APEC and ASEAN today.
The Prime Minister met with a range of world leaders, even having his hair complimented by Donald Trump, and having dinner with the Canadian and Australian Prime Ministers and the South Korean president.
APEC and ASEAN represent about 60 to 70% of the world's economy, so even casual meeting would have been significant for Luxon and New Zealand.
LIS...
Last Thursday was the largest protest New Zealand has had for decades, a combined strike across multiple public sector groups including PSA members and PPTA members.
It certainly sent a message, but that message depends on who you ask. While many sympathise with the issues the public sector is facing, many have also dubbed it 'the start of a five day weekend' for teachers.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...
The Prime Minister is off to the East Asia Summit in Malaysia today, before he heads to South Korea to attend the APEC summit.
Xi Jinping will be in attendence, and he's due to meet with President Donald Trump on the 30th of October.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More strike action from teachers this week, with a full national strike planned for Thursday.
Minister for Public Service Judith Collins says that the number one item on the agenda for the PPTA at a recent meeting with the Government was Palestine, not pay or education.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From tomorrow, beneficiaries will need to comply with two more obligations to continue receiving welfare.
They will need to provide evidence of at least three job searches a week for four weeks, and attend employment-related training courses for at least five hours a week for four weeks.
The sanctions are aimed at increasing employability, but critics think it's punishing beneficiaries for being out of work.
LISTE...
42 councils have held referendums on Māori wards - 17 areas have voted to keep them, while 25 have voted to remove.
The wards have been a flashpoint for debate - there were protesters in Kaipara last year when council voted to remove it.
Te Pāti Māori has described the decision to remove the wards as “racist, targeted attack on Māori, for being Māori” and that it's "an assault on Te Tiriti"
Last year, David Seymour said he'd vote a...
Thousands of teenagers could have their Jobseeker benefit cut next year, as the Government restricts payments.
Eighteen and 19-year-olds without children must pass a Parental Assistance Test to qualify from November 2026.
The threshold will be set at just over $65,000.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Tim Beveridge it's the same as the Supported Living Payment, and similar to the Student Allowance test.
She says those...
Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer.
Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria.
From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island.
The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026.
Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
The Government has decided against recognising a Palestinian state at this stage.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the announcement in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, grouping New Zealand with a small handful of countries who have also decided not to make the move.
He said as long as Hamas is the Gaza Strip's de facto government, there is no legitimate State of Palestine for New Zealand to recog...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is off to New York today to attend the United Nations 80th anniversary meeting.
He says it's a great opportunity to gather information from a broad range of New Zealand's partners on how they view and manage the major conflicts happening around the world.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New Zealand's hospital facilities are about to get a $100 million investment boost.
The programme will expand and modernise clinical spaces, and strengthen existing infrastructure to avoid the disruption of clinical services.
The funding boost will provide small-scale upgrades nationwide, as well as building on more major projects like those in Nelson and Wellington.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...
The Government has just announced a new $70 million tourism package they expect will supercharge the tourism and events sectors.
The funding includes $40 million to secure large-scale international events from next year, and a regional tourism boost campaign.
The boost in funding will help New Zealand complete with Australia for major events.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Labour's education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime has met with education minister Erica Stanford to discuss the Government's plan to scrap NCEA.
It comes after the spokesperson refused to meet with the minister while the reform was in its planning stages.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New Zealand First's annual conference has just drawn to a close, and leader Winston Peters made a speech to his audience of near 1000.
He announced New Zealand First will campaign on making KiwiSaver compulsory, and introduced 10% contributions, which would be compensated by tax cuts.
All this on top of a potentila new candidate for next year's election - Stuart Nash.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...
Former Labour minister Stuart Nash has put his hat in the ring to be a candidate to become a New Zealand First MP at the party's AGM this weekend.
Nash was sacked from Cabinet in 2023 after disclosing confidentiall information from a Cabinet meeting to two businessmen.
Now, Winston Peters says he would be a 'seamless' addition.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.