Pātai with the Pollies

Come kōrero with Barbara Edmonds - Future Finance Minister of Aotearoa. Would you like to know what the alternative to having Nicola Willis as the Minister of Finance is? ​Join us for a compelling new episode of Pātai with the Pollies as we sit down with Labour MP Barbara Edmonds. Known for her sharp economic mind and deep community roots, Barbara dives into the pressing issues facing New Zealanders today.​We will explore her journey through the halls of Parliament, her perspectives on fiscal responsibility, and her advocacy for Pacific communities. This episode offers an unfiltered look at the person behind the policy, blending serious political discourse with personal insights. Whether you’re a policy nerd or a curious voter, tune in for a nuanced discussion on leadership, motherhood, and the future of our motu.

On the next episode of Pātai with the Pollies, we sit down with one of the most enduring and passionate voices in New Zealand politics: Green Party Co-leader Marama DavidsonFrom her roots in grassroots Māori activism to her groundbreaking tenure as the country’s first Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Marama has never shied away from the "hard" conversations. In this episode, she reflects on her recent return to the front lines of Parliament, her vision for a Te Tiriti-centred Aotearoa, and the Greens’ bold new National Electrification Plan recently unveiled in the 2026 State of the Planet address. We dive deep into how personal resilience fuels political fire and what it truly means to lead with heart in an era of global crisis.

In this episode, we are joined by a powerful voice for Te Tai Tokerau and a tireless advocate for social justice, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.​From navigating the halls of Parliament to her deep-rooted commitment to iwi health and wellbeing, Mariameno brings a unique perspective on what it truly means to lead with mana.Kapa-Kingi discusses the issues that matter most to our communities. From the frontlines of Te Tai Tokerau to the debating chamber in Wellington, Mariameno has never been one to shy away from the tough conversations.

Episode 1 of Pātai with the Pollies hosted by Tania Waikato sees Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick in the house to talk about the fuel crisis, why are we all working so hard but getting nowhere, and building a better Aotearoa for all. Pātai with the Pollies is a brand new podcast hosted by lawyer and political commentator Tania Waikato that features different politicians each fortnight. Tania will spend the first half hour of each show chatting with her guest about political issues of the day, and then the second half hour is dedicated to answering live questions from the public you tube audience - so if you ever wanted to ask a politician a question, now is your chance!