The Backroom of Politics

Today in the Backroom of Politics, I talk to Zespri Chairperson Bruce Cameron, and Head of Global Affairs Michael Fox, both at Fieldays in Hamilton, about Zespri's huge contribution to New Zealand export receipts.

Today in the Back Room of Politics I talk with Madeline Newman Executive Director of AI Forum NZ, and Hon Judith Collins, National Party MP and spearhead of a Parliamentary bipartisan Caucus on AI, where we discuss what exactly is artificial intelligence (AI), what are its implications, and where is it heading?

Today in the "Back Room of Politics" I talk to a great kiwi Tenby Powell Fformer army officer, business man, local government politician who has decided to do something practical to help people in the Ukraine through a special purpose NGO called Kiwi K.A.R.E (Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation).

Today in “The Backroom of Politics” Gerry Brownlee National Party MP talks about the interesting subject of political lobbying with three prominent Government public relations specialists, Mark Unsworth - Saunders Unsworth, Georgina Stylianou – BRG, and Spiro Anastasiou - Senate SHJ

Today in the Back Room of Politics, I talk with Dr Chris Wilson Senior Lecturer, Politics and International Relations Programme Director, Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies, at the University of Auckland about the Government’s planned hate speech legislation. What is hate speech? Do we want it or need this legislation? And what are its implications?

Today in the Back Room of Politics, I talk with Samira Taghavi, Barrister and Mahsa Marks, Consultant both Iranian born women now living in New Zealand, about the human rights violations in Iran, their own experiences growing up in Iran, and their current views on what is happening.

Co-Governance it’s a hot button issue and today I’m sitting down with Hon Willie Jackson, a strong proponent, and Hon Shane Jones who is not so enthusiastic, whatever way you look at it co-governance will be an issue in 2023.

Today we're discussing the Central Plains Water Scheme - A very large irrigation system, which is an important part of NZ Infrastructure that is making a difference.  Barbara Kuriger and Nicola Grigg joins Gerry to discuss with a number of guests.

I sit down with Josie Pagani, political commentator and former director of the Council for International Development, and Mike Yardley, broadcaster and columnist, to discuss China's proposed multilateral agreements in the Pacific, New Zealand's response, and how we can better engage with the region. 

In the first episode of the 2022 season, I sit down with some of our most popular returning guests, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman and fellow podcaster Martyn "Bomber" Bradbury, to discuss emissions reduction, polls and tax cuts, all in the context of "leftie optimism" and "right-wing fatalism". 

This week I sit down with Laurie Patterson, co-founder of the Groundswell movement, to discuss what's driving the movement, and what change our farming communities want to see in their relationship with the Government.  

In this episode I sit down with entrepreneur and publican Leo Molloy to discuss the effects of repeated Auckland lockdowns on the city's hospitality sector, his vision for Auckland and mayoral candidacy, and our shared West Coast and Irish heritages. 

In this episode, I sit down with Mayor of Westland Bruce Smith, and Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald, to discuss the Three Waters Reform: the issue the reforms are trying to address, why they're so controversial, and how they will affect local communities.  

In this episode, I sit down the Simon Bridges, National Party Spokesperson for Justice, on the Government's proposed legislative changes to certain "hate speech" provisions. We discuss the ambiguity around defining hate speech and the implications of these changes. 

In this episode, I'm joined by molecular biologist Dr Hamish Campbell, to talk all things vaccination- how vaccines work, why you should get vaccinated, and what high vaccination rates mean for our communities. 

I sit down with Gary Moore, former Labour mayor of Christchurch, for a robust discussion on the Government's proposed Three Waters Reforms, which would see the management of drinking, storm and waste water removed from local authorities and handed to four new regional entities. 

I sit down with National's Housing Spokesperson, Nicola Willis, to discuss what's driving New Zealand's housing crisis, how it's impacting those trying to get into the market, and the possible solutions.