PODCAST · news
Election 2026: The Podcast
by NZ Herald
Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026.Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026.
Episodes
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Is MMP facing its biggest test yet? Plus the retirement age debate
Could the 2026 election be a make or break moment for MMP? With National and Labour neck and neck and Opportunity potentially holding the balance of power, forming the next government could be anything but straightforward. Katie Bradford is joined by Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett and...
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Could National win the election and lose its biggest names?
Could National return to government and still lose some of its biggest names? Former Labour leader and Auckland mayor Phil Goff joins Katie Bradford and NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor to unpack the campaign’s latest twists—from the risk facing National’s senior list MPs to the...
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Beyond the risks, what opportunities does AI offer? - Future of NZ Debate
One NZ CEO Nick Judd and AUT AI expert Dr Mahsa McCauley discuss some of the upsides of AI. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Can we have a Harvard in the Hutt? Jamie Beaton says yes - Future of NZ Debate
Crimson Education's Jamie Beaton on how we can build world-class universities in NZ. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What's the industry of the future for New Zealand? - Future of NZ Debate
The parties share their plans for where NZ's future jobs will come from. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How rich is too rich? - Future of NZ Debate
Tamatha Paul shared her thoughts on TikTok and explains further during the Future of NZ debate. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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'We don't need to be afraid of it, and it can be helpful, but…' - Future of NZ Debate
Tamatha Paul and Shane Jones share their views on AI See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The real crisis facing New Zealand - Future of NZ Debate
Moko Tepania and Cameron Bagrie on short-term funding and why NZ’s real crisis may be low incomes. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Dry years and fuel storage. What's the plan? - Future of NZ Debate
Parties share their plans for non-rainy days and did someone say Marsden Point? Brought to you by One NZ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Sir John Key on ethical billionaires - Future of NZ Debate
Sir John Key passed his opinion on ethical billionaires during the NZ Herald Future of NZ Debate. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Who owns te reo Māori in the age of AI? - Future of NZ Debate
Oriini Kaipara and Nicole McKee on intellectual property and how far regulation should go. Brought to you by One NZ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The real crisis facing New Zealand - Future of NZ Debate
Moko Tepania and Cameron Bagrie on short-term funding and why NZ’s real crisis may be low incomes. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The workers most at risk from AI - Future of NZ Debate
Julia Pahina and Jamie Beaton on whether education can stop workers being left behind by AI. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The future of energy in NZ - Future of NZ Debate
Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge and Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey discuss the future of energy in NZ. Brought to you by One NZ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Strategic voting and the risk of a hung Parliament - with Sir John Key and James Bews-Hair
“Misguided” is how Sir John Key is describing people calling on National party voters to split their vote, in a new podcast being launched today by the NZ Herald. In the first episode of Election 2026: The Podcast, Key and long-time political strategist James Bews-Hair join Katie Bradford to...
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Introducing Election 2026: The Podcast
Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026. Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026. See...
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Labour's David Parker on the state of foreign affairs
Last week, Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Hon David Parker gave a speech addressing the state of New Zealand's international relations as part of an event for Diplosphere. Thomas chaired a Q&A after the event between Parker and the audience, and On the Tiles presents the full speech…
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Sir Bill English on what's needed to fix the health system
Health care in New Zealand eats up a huge portion of the budget each year, and it's growing - The Government spent 7.3% of GDP on health in the year to June 2024, more than any year outside of Covid. Treasury reckons spending is expected to grow to 10% of GDP by 2061 - so how can we get on top of...
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Orr to Goff, Marmite to reshuffles: The week that was in politics
In the first political panel catchup for the year, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls and NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenee Tibshraeny to discuss a hectic period in local politics - ranging from the resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr, the firing of…
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Local body elections: Who’s running for the mayoralty in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch?
Competition for the top job in our biggest cities is heating up ahead of this year’s local body elections, with some potential candidates already causing a stir. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has confirmed she wants a second term although many people in the capital are wondering why, given her...
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Politics in the Pacific: AUKUS, Cook Islands and tensions with China
This month, the Cook Islands signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, sparking tensions between the islands and New Zealand. It has sparked renewed discussions about China's interest in the Pacific, and how New Zealand should respond, as the Asia-Pacific region remains a hotbed of...
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Craig Renney offers an alternative take on economic growth
The Government has declared 2025 the year of economic growth, with its current action plan for the next quarter honing in on various economic growth plans. Craig Renney, chief economist for the CTU, and former advisor to Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson, joins Thomas this week to discuss...
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Our economic predictions for 2025 - and what it'll mean for the Government
On the Tiles is back for 2025, and to kick off the year, Thomas is joined by NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenee Tibshraeny and Interest.co.nz's economic policy reporter Dan Brunskill to look ahead at the economy this year. They discuss their predictions, house prices, credit ratings, the...
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The year in politics: Highlights, lowlights, and our Politician of the Year
It's been a packed year of politics, with each party facing their own highlights and challenges. For the final On the Tiles of 2024, Thomas is joined by regular panellists Jason Walls and Jenee Tibshraeny for a recap of the events of the year, looking at the high and lowlights from across the...
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The winners and losers of local politics in 2024
For the final Local Edition of 2024, Georgina is joined by Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and former Mayor and Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett to wrap the highs and lows of local politics. They discuss: The issues facing Tory Whanau and Wellington Council How Auckland...
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Boris Johnson talks AUKUS, New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern and his new book
Boris Johnson is one of the most instantly recognisable British politicians of this century. He was involved in politics in some capacity for 22 years as an MP, the Mayor of London, and as Prime Minister for three years from 2019 to 2022. He ultimately quit this role and politics off the back of…
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Who is Wellington’s Crown Observer? Nick Smith on why he recommended Lindsay McKenzie for the job
The Government has appointed a Crown observer at Wellington City Council. The council has been called “a shambles” after it stopped the sale of its stake in the airport and now has to cut community projects to plug the resulting hole in its budget. On this week’s episode, Georgina speaks with...
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Treaty debate heats up after hīkoi - what will happen next?
This week, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls to recap the week in politics, which was dominated by the thousand-strong hīkoi to Parliament over the Treaty Principles Bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Former Labour MP Naisi Chen campaigned in the US for Kamala - why she thinks Trump won
Thomas is back from the US covering the election, which former President Donald Trump won in a landslide over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Also there was former Labour MP Naisi Chen, who was campaigning on the ground for the Democrats side. She joins Thomas to discuss what she saw and...
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Former US Ambassador to NZ Scott Brown weighs in on his country's election
For something a bit different this week, Thomas is joined by Scott Brown, who served as the US Ambassador to New Zealand during Donald Trump's term as President. He discusses his views on what the big issues to voters are, and why he believes Trump will be voted in for another term. See...
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What the latest statements reveal about the Government's finances
After a short hiatus, Thomas is back for a panel with Jason Walls and Jenee Tibshraeny. They discuss what the latest Government financial statements show about the state of ACC and the rest of the Government's books, as well as the improvements in the economy and who can take credit for it, the...
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Tory Whanau on what's next for Wellington after airport sales plan voted down
Wellington City Council has voted to stop the controversial sale of its 34% share in the airport. The move has left a big question mark over the city's councils, with the long term plan now needing a re-think to plug a multi-million dollar hole left by the sale. On this week's episode, Georgina...
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Why the majority of local councils are backing Māori wards
After a change in central government policy, councils have overwhelmingly voted to keep Māori wards, but we'll first have to ask the public what they think via a referendum. There's concern these polls will put more costs on councils that they simply can't afford. This week, Georgina talks to...
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How does the Government plan to tackle infrastructure?
This week has seen the Building Nations conference hosted by Infrastructure NZ take place in Auckland, with Ministers, Mayors and a range of experts speaking about the state of the country's infrastructure. New Zealand is believed to have an infrastructure deficit in the billions, if not…
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Central Government takes aim at council spending at LGNZ conference
Council leaders from around the country have met in a convention centre that the Prime Minister thinks is an example of wasteful spending and is just down the road from a burst water main that has turned a street into a paddling pool. The Local Government New Zealand conference was held in...
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Minister Simeon Brown discusses Government's plans for water and local councils
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has unveiled changes to allow new council-owned water companies to be able to access more cheap borrowing from the Local Government Funding Agency. To discuss what these changes mean, in the wake of years of public debate over the previous Government's…
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The Greens vs Darleen Tana and Act vs Te Pāti Māori - inside Parliament's latest drama
This week Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls to discuss the latest political drama, namely the Greens and their ongoing internal strifes after suspending MP Darleen Tana, and Act and Te Pāti Māori clash over political pins and stickers, and accusations of race-based...
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Chris Hipkins reflects on move into Opposition and what's next for Labour
In this week's episode, Thomas has a long-form chat with Labour leader and former Prime Minister turned Leader of the Opposition, Chris Hipkins, to discuss seven months in the role, Labour's analysis of its failed re-election campaign, what they'll do differently next time, and what needs to…
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Mahé Drysdale discusses his plans for fixing Tauranga
Over the last few weeks, Tauranga residents have been able to vote in their first local election since the city council was replaced with commissioners at the end of 2020. Preliminary results are in, and in a landslide result, former Olympic rower Mahé Drysdale is expected to become the city’s…
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What will happen next in US politics with Todd Muller
It has been a tumultuous week in US politics, with former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump nearly assassinated in a shooting days out from the Republican National Convention. This happened as US President Joe Biden remains defiant over his future, despite growing calls for him to...
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Carmel Sepuloni on what's wrong with the welfare system
Labour's deputy leader, and former deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Development, Carmel Sepuloni joins Thomas this week. She discusses how Labour lost Auckland and their response to crime in the city, before a deep dive on welfare, benefits, and what needs to be done to fix this…
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Act's Mark Cameron speaks about the death of his son
WARNING: This episode discusses mental health, depression and suicide. In May, Brody Cameron, the son of Act MP Mark Cameron, died as the result of a suspected suicide. Mark has not spoken publicly about this tragedy since it happened, but joins Thomas for his first in-depth interview on Brody's...
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What are city deals and how could they transform local governments?
As councils struggle with rising rates, failing infrastructure and blown out budgets, one of the solutions proposed to keep these institutions afloat has been city deals to improve the relationship between central and local government. To explain how these could work and what progress is being…
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What we learned from Parliament's first ever Scrutiny Week
Parliament has spent all week scrutinising the Government Ministers and heads of public agencies in a first-of-its-kind Scrutiny Week. In this special episode of On the Tiles, Thomas gets reactions on what we learned from the proceedings from Claire Trevett, Adam Pearse and Sophie Trigger. See...
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Who are the best performing MPs in Parliament?
It's a little over six months since the 54th New Zealand Parliament was sworn in, and there have been plenty of highs and lows from the different parties. So which MPs across the House have been performing the best? This week, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls to…
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Democracy set for return in Tauranga - can the city avoid the mistakes of the past?
It has been nearly five years since the Tauranga City Council was sacked by the Government and replaced with Commissioners, after infighting and dysfunction between councillors and the Mayor. Now, the council is going to return to "full democracy", and a new Mayor and councillors will vote them…
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Tax cuts, spending and what's next: Breaking down Budget 2024
For a special episode going through Budget 2024, Thomas is joined by NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny and Interest.co.nz's Dan Brunskill to discuss the highlights, lowlights, surprises - or lack thereof - from the Budget, and what it signals about the economy and the years to...
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Julie Anne Genter addresses Parliament outburst and why it won't define her political career
Green MP and MP for Rongotai, Julie Anne Genter, made headlines at the start of May after she crossed the debating chamber and yelled at Minister Matt Doocey during a Parliamentary debate. She is now facing disciplinary action by the Greens and has been referred to the Privileges Committee. Now…
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Budget 2024 preview: Can the Government deliver on its pledges?
We are well and truly in Budget Month - while it's not delivered until May 30th, the Government has started their pre-Budget funding announcements, while Finance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered her first preview speech. This week, Thomas is joined by Herald Wellington business editor Jenee...
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James Shaw talks climate change, rogue MPs and former leaders as he exits politics
After years in Parliament, former Green Party co-leader James Shaw this week exits politics. Shaw's careers has seen many highs - particularly around passing world-leading climate change legislation - as well as coalition struggles and internal party strife, which became an issue once again this...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026.Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026.
HOSTED BY
NZ Herald
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Election 2026: The Podcast have?
Election 2026: The Podcast currently has 184 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Election 2026: The Podcast about?
Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026.Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026.
How often does Election 2026: The Podcast release new episodes?
Election 2026: The Podcast publishes regularly with 184 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Election 2026: The Podcast?
You can listen to Election 2026: The Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Election 2026: The Podcast?
Election 2026: The Podcast is created and hosted by NZ Herald.
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