Full Show: 9 August 2026

Simeon Brown: Energy prices, hospital pressures, and National's polling With power prices in the spotlight, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has become one of the key figures in Christopher Luxon's cabinet. He joins Jack Tame to explain why the Government isn't moving to break up the gentailers, the cost of maintaining frontline health services, and whether National's caucus backs Christopher Luxon. The last hold-outs against housing development With just one new housing development, the town of Prebbleton, on the outskirts of Christchurch, could increase its total number of households by over 25 percent. Birchs Village would bring 530 new houses to Prebbleton. After facing difficulties getting resource consent, the development has been listed with the Government's fast-track legislation. Q+A reporter Whena Owen meets the development's would-be neighbours, who are fearful of what their future in the town holds if it goes ahead. New laws: Will voters be turned away? In late 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith celebrated the passing of a new law which he said would speed up the voting count after a general election: unlike previous elections, in 2026, no one will be allowed to enroll once early voting starts, 13 days before election day, November 7. It's driving Electoral Commission Chief Executive Karl Le Quesne to make sure as many New Zealanders as possible are aware of the changes and enrolled before they miss out. But even with no disruption to people's ability to vote, Le Quesne says this change won't deliver the efficiency savings the Government advertised. He joins Jack Tame to share the Commission's election plan, including changes to the way EasyVote cards will be sent. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.