Politics Central

Shane Jones says oil and gas exploration is necessary to deal with energy security issues, as natural gas reserves rapidly decline.

The Government is reversing the oil and gas exploration ban, beyond onshore Taranaki.

It comes after around 20,000 people marched in Central Auckland yesterday, to protest the Fast Track Approvals Bill.

Resources Minister Shane Jones says about 20 percent of all our energy needs are related to gas.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour believes the Government can justify spending more on cancer medication.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has vowed they will deliver on spending $280 million on 13 new drugs - an election campaign promise they weren't able to deliver in the Budget.

She told TVNZ's Q&A that an announcement on the drugs is coming very soon.

But Mr Seymour says they have to figure out how to spend more whil...

There's fears of further polarisation in the US regardless of whether Donald Trump wins the election.

The former President's been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records before the 2016 election.

He also faces further legal battles, including his handling of classified documents and his role in the Capitol Hill riots.

Otago University professor Robert Patman fears violence may be possible.

"Either because Mr T...

This coming Thursday is Budget Day, the day when the Government sets out exactly how much money they have, where they plan to find more, and where they plan to spend it.

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins shares where he would like to see the money spent, and his thoughts on the Pre-Budget announcements.

Later, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the Weekend Collective to discuss how the Budget came to be - and what we can expect.

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins says charter schools are the wrong way to address outlying students.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced 15 new charter schools will be set up in the next four years, and 35 state schools will be converted in the next two.

Hipkins, who shut down charter schools in 2018, says charter schools don't work and have worse outcomes.

"If people are concerned about kids who aren't achieving in...

The Finance Minister has warned the Government won't be spraying money around ahead of the 2024 Budget.

This coming Thursday, Nicola Willis will unveil what services will get a boost in funding, and which will be slimmed down or removed entirely.

Nicola Willis says inflation and interest rates are still running too high - and that impacts the Government books.

"We can't, in this Budget, spray the money gun around - and I don't t...

The Greens have expressed hope for a more sustainable future in their State of the Planet speech, delivered in Central Auckland.

Co-leader Mārama Davidson says she hopes voters understand the Party stands for supporting the wellbeing of the country and the environment.

Davidson says the Greens aim to reach out to people who are feeling 'disempowered' under new legislation.

"To say to the people who have seen the anti-smoking leg...

Some of the biggest names in New Zealand music are teaming up in an attempt to stop new mining plans.

Anti-mining group Ours Not Mines, have launched the Musicians Against Mines campaign to raise funds for their court battle against the OceanaGold mine, set for DOC land near Whangamata.

25 musicians have donated handwritten lyrics and art, which are available for auction on TradeMe.

Co-founder Morgan Donoghue says the potential ...

This week on Politics Central, Mārama Davidson recently delivered her State of the Planet speech about how the Green Party want to challenge the Government to prioritise people and the planet over profit. Plus, Mārama discusses the standards MPs need to follow after the Julie Anne Genter saga.

Later, big names in New Zealand music are supporting a campaign against OceanaGold’s proposed gold and silver mine underneath conservation ...

Ahead of the 2024 Budget, Defence Minister Judith Collins has confirmed the NZDF will receive a $571 million budget increase.

$163 million will boost personnel pay - and the money will also be used to upgrade the military's NH90 helicopter fleet, replace dated military vehicles and improve maritime detection systems.

Former Defence Minister Dr Wayne Mapp says this move was a long time coming.

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Auckland residents say they're feeling blindsided by new 24/7 parking charges.

Cost challenges and better use of road space are some of Auckland Transport's reasons for this change.

Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck believes this is gong to disadvantage Auckland's economy.

She says night time life is a third of the city's spend, so parking needs to be accessible and affordable.

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Big changes are coming for Auckland CBD, as it was announced today residents and visitors will be stung with new 24/7-hour parking charges. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck joined the Weekend Collective to discuss these changes.

Later, former Defence Minister Dr Wayne Mapp explains why the $571 million budget increase for the NZDF is long overdue.

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Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Simeon Brown unveiled their new water plan for the city, which will see an increase of rates by 7.2 percent, rather than the 25.8 percent proposed by Watercare. Simeon Brown joins the Weekend Collective to explain further.

Later, Julie Anne Genter has been accused of 'intimidating' behaviour after a disagreement saw the Green MP leave her seat to confront a Government minister during a transport deba...

The standard of Parliament has been called into question as Green MP Julie Anne Genter undergoes disciplinary action.

Ms Genter confronted Minister Matt Doocey on Wednesday.

She has until midday Monday to make any representations to the Speaker, before he decides if she will be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Former speaker of the house Sir Lockwood Smith says Parliament standards have slipped.

"Members of Parliament are ...

A deal between Auckland Council and the Government has helped Aucklanders avoid the projected 25.8 percent increase in water rates.

Auckland Council will retain local control of water assets, as part of the Local Water Well Done plan.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says councils will have more control over their water assets under their scheme.

Local councils will be asked to put forward their water service delivery plan...

This week on Politics Central, former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises the organisation's decision to make savings at the country's hospitals, saying they are 'extraordinary' and signal poor management.

Later, five academics and public figures were set to debate free speech at Victoria University in Wellington last Monday, but backlash within the university has seen the event postponed. Both Victoria University's S...

Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event.

A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed.

Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' that people are no longer willing to listen and draw their own conclusions.

"That's an issue that I've seen across multiple media - we cr...