PODCAST · news
Politics Central
by Newstalk ZB
Newstalk ZB serves up what you need to know, on all things politics at home, and abroad. The show reviews, previews, analyses and challenges the biggest political issues of the week, with all the big players.
Episodes
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Mark Mitchell: Police Minister on National promising to launch a new Auckland Transport police team
National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team to compliment the newly opened City Rail Link, if re-elected. It's pledging an additional $7 million per year through Budget 2027, to recruit 50 sworn officers for this role. Police Minister Mark Mitchell joined the Weekend…
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Chris Bishop: Housing Minister on National promising to expand access to first home loan scheme
National is promising to expand access to the 5 percent first home loan scheme. If elected it says it will increase the income cap for eligibility so more people can access the scheme. Singles and group buyers would be able to get it if they make $300,000 a year or less. National Party Housing...
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Cameron Luxton: ACT conservation spokesperson on the party's proposed changes for fisheries
ACT wants harsher penalties for anyone flouting fisheries rules to protect our ocean resources. The party's promising a suite of changes if re-elected to Government. These includes stricter shellfish catch limits, setting up a district management area for the Hauraki Gulf and permanently ending...
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Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National's new plan for student loan payments
Consequences for New Zealanders overseas who default on their student loans are being proposed under National's new policy. If elected, local graduates would keep more of their pay each fortnight, while overseas borrowers could face an extra one percent interest on their loans. Finance…
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David Seymour: ACT Party leader on the party's plan to refocus the constitution around Parliamentary sovereignty
ACT wants to refocus our constitution around Parliamentary sovereignty if re-elected to Government. The Party says its new 'equal rights for all' policy will rein in what it's calling 'activist judges' and prevent vague Treaty of Waitangi clauses. It will clarify Parliament has final say - and…
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Barbara Edmonds: Labour finance spokesperson on the party outlining their new fiscal plan
Labour's staying tight-lipped on whether it would make more cuts to the public service if elected, but assures it's focused on protecting it. The party's latest election promise sets out to achieve surplus by 2030, and reduce net debt to 20 percent of GDP over time. It will aim to keep Government...
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Qiulae Wong: Opportunity leader on the party's plan to regulate political donations
The Opportunity Party's launched a policy to regulate lobbying and cap political donations. The party, which is not in Parliament, is campaigning on imposing a $30,000 per donor per party - for each electoral cycle and having only registered voters allowed to donate. Opportunity leader Qiulae…
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David Seymour: ACT Party leader on the party's plan to 'good employer' requirements from public service legislation
The ACT Party's promising a reset in government agencies, ending what it call 'race-based hiring' if re-elected. It includes removing 'good employer' requirements from public service legislation, while also prohibiting agencies from resourcing any cultural or spiritual practices in the workplace....
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Barbara Edmonds: Labour's finance spokesperson responds to National's budget responsibility rules
Labour says there's nothing new in National's budget responsibility rules. National's Nicola Willis unveiled the details today - promising a surplus by 2028/29 and reducing Government spending to 30 percent of GDP. Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds says this is part of their current...
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Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National's new plan to get things back to surplus
National's promising to stick to three spending guardrails if it returns to Government, and is calling on other parties to follow suit. The party's promising a return to surplus in 2028/29 - and bending debt below 40 percent of GDP. It's also promising to reduce the size of Government, bringing...
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Ron Mark: former Defence Minister on his return to NZ First
Former Defence Minister Ron Mark is returning to New Zealand First as a candidate this election, standing for the party in the Wairarapa electorate, it's been confirmed. The former MP was the Minister of Defence, in the first Ardern-Labour Government, and was the Mayor of Carterton between 2010…
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Paul Henry: ACT Party candidate on the party's crackdown on bad behaviour in schools
The ACT Party's campaigning on a classroom disruption crackdown. If elected it says it will back teachers who reasonably remove disruptive students from the classroom, and force parents to take accountability. That could include fines if parents refuse to meet with schools about their child's...
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Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National's new paid parental leave policy
National says its paid parental leave policy was already in the works, despite recent comments from Stuart Nash accusing one of its MPs of being lazy. Nash resigned from NZ First after it was revealed he called Napier MP Katie Nimon the “laziest MP” for taking time off to have a baby. National…
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Chlöe Swarbrick: Greens co-leader on the party's planned one-year moratorium on AI data centres
The Green Party today announced they want a one-year moratorium on new artificial intelligence data centres being consented to give regulation time to catch up. The aim to create legislation to protect resources and communities during the pause. The Party also released their 43-page manifesto…
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Peter Dunne: Former United Future Leader reacts to NZ First Campaign Launch
It's all go at NZ First, after the party wrapped up it's annual convention with a string of policy announcements. Party Leader Winston Peters said he's focused on making sure New Zealand gets the most out of it's natural resources, likening NZ to Norway. And Former All Black Taine Randell is the...
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Paul Goldsmith: National aims to reduce sexual offending with new consent definition
National have announced a post-election policy looking at consent laws. It aims to better define consent as the presence of a 'yes', rather than the lack of a 'no'. Labour responded accusing National of walking away from a bipartisan agreement to use this as a campaign piece. Justice Minister…
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Wayne Brown: City-to-city relationships are the future of trade
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited Auckland to meet with Prime Minister Chris Luxon yesterday. The two exchanged warm words, attended a business conference together, and agreed to elevate the countries' relationship to that of a strategic partnership. With Auckland being the…
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Anne-Marie Brady: Geopolitical Commentator on the fish hooks of partnering with larger countries
Yesterday's Strategic Partnership with India means we've elevated our relationship to more than just a bilateral affair. We've set out a goal to double two-way trade by 2030, expressed interest in other sectors like tourism, farming, and sport, and agreed to increase our maritime cooperation with...
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Todd McClay: Trade Minister on National's new trade-focused election policy
The National Party has just announced it's trade policy, should the party be re-elected in November. They've said that the aim is to secure markets with seven new economies across Europe, Africa and South America, with more to be chased further down the line. Trade Minister Todd McClay told Tim...
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Edwin Paul: Chair of India New Zealand Business Council on India FTA, Modi's visit and Winston Peter's comments
It's been a busy week between New Zealand and India. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to make his first official visit to New Zealand as the FTA gets over the line, however Winston Peters has raised concerns around Indian immigrants receiving unfair scrutiny at the border. The Chair...
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Nicole McKee: New ACT Deputy Leader explains party's goals ahead for elections
Nicole McKee will be the new ACT Party Deputy Leader, replacing Brooke Van Velden who's leaving politics this year. Nicole only stood for Parliament six years ago, coming with a background as a small-business owner, volunteer and firearms advocate. But she's risen through the ranks, becoming a...
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David Seymour: ACT Party Leader on aiming to downsize Government
ACT has announced its plans to radically downsize Government departments, and bring fairness back into our benefit-system. Firstly: They're making medical certification for health-related benefits mandatory, and only issued by MSD-approved doctors with objective criteria rather than a leaving it…
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Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the Government's changes to the Medicines Act
GP fees could be frozen for 12 months from July under a proposed Health NZ shake-up of the funding system. Under the proposals, around 60 percent of practices would receive increased funding through capitation re-weighting and annual funding increased. Overall funding for GPs would reportedly...
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Adam Pearse: NZ Herald deputy political editor on Chris Luxon's visit to Australia
Christopher Luxon has returned from Queensland, after meeting with Anthony Albanese with a group of New Zealand businesses. No announcements have been unveiled, but the leaders discussed defence options and Luxon has been eying opportunities to get involved in the 2032 Olympics. NZ Herald deputy...
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Simon Watts: Auckland Minister says Budget 2026 delivers for Auckland, despite Mayor's pessimism
The Government says this year's budget especially strengthens Auckland's role as New Zealand's economic engine room. They point out that they're investing in health, including funding to purchase land for a future South Auckland Hospital, and a share of the Government's $5.5-billion health…
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Chris Penk: Defence Minister on increasing military spend to align with partners
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is "freeloading" from the American military because of our low military spend. The remarks were made at an Asia-Pacific security conference in Singapore, attended by Defence Minister Chris Penk. The New Zealand Government has already announced…
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Cameron Bagrie: Economist says NZ Super reform is crucial but unpopular ahead of budget
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will be presenting the 2026 budget on this coming Thursday. A number of pre-budget announcements have already been made including money directed to maths and literary in schools and maritime security, while social housing and the public sector have faced budget…
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Andrew Hoggard: Biosecurity Minister announces $79 million to axe wilding pines
Today Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, announced a $79 million boost over three years for tourism and farming by stopping the spread of wilding pines. The work will be concentrated around Queenstown, the...
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Al Gillespie: Vladimir Putin suggests the war is coming to an end
Russian president Vladimir Putin says the war in Ukraine is coming to an end. The conflict has been ongoing since Russia's initial invasion in 2022, and Putin had been speaking in the Kremlin following a very scaled-back Victory Day parade. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
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David Seymour: Fees-free doesn't result in more education
Winston Peters has leaked, and the Government has confirmed, that this will be the final year of fees-free support for tertiary students. The support was first introduced as a first year free incentive to help get more young people into further education, and was changed to be final year free…
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Dr Geoffrey Miller: "New Zealand could be quite useful" for Iran-U.S. relationship
New Zealand has received a preliminary proposal from the United States requesting help in opening the Strait of Hormuz - possibly as part of a coalition that would restore access to the strait. So yes we're apparently just one of a number of countries that received a proposal. Foreign Affairs...
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Nick Hill: Govt should support SailGP in City of Sails
SailGP won't be going ahead in the city of sails next year as the Government has pulled funding. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston wrote in a letter to mayor Wayne Brown that the event did not meet funding criteria, which requires a specific net economic benefit. It's been met with...
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Maurice Williamson: Some parties are too far gone for a coalition
After much deliberation, the Labour Party has announced they'll back the India free trade agreement. We do see cross party agreements, but just how important will bipartisanship be for this year's election? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chloe Swarbrick: Funding solar panels through rates
The Green Party have just had their annual State of the Planet Address, and this year they're calling for a National Electrification Plan. They say it's in response to the current fossil fuels crisis, and would add to their previous calls for free public transport and solutions to ease the cost…
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Ernie Newman: Duopoly to blame for increase in food costs
New Zealand First has announced they will be campaigning on a new policy to end the supermarket duopoly. The policy would give the Commerce Commission powers to enforce increased penalties for breaches and reform the role of the Groceries Commissioner, which the party says is currently toothless....
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Peter Dunne: National Party calls in former broadcaster for comms help
The National Party have called in former broadcaster Rachel Smalley to help Auckland based MPs, including the prime minister, with their communications and media work ahead of the election this year. It's come after the public have started to notice Luxon becoming less confident and stumbling…
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Mark Mitchell: Emergency Management Minister on Cyclone Vaianu
Cyclone Vaianu has hit our shores and some regions are being hit particularly hard. The East Coast has seen gusts of up to 130 kilometres an hour, thousands of homes in Northland and the Bay of Plenty are without power, and weather watches and warnings remain in place for the whole North Island…
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Helen Clark and Maurice Williamson: What can we expect from the build-up to the election?
It's election year again in New Zealand, and it's a process that we're all familiar with. But few are more familiar than Former PM Helen Clark and Former National MP Maurice Williamson, who joined Tim Beverige to look at what we can expect from election year. LISTEN ABOVE See...
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Josh Ellison: Fuel crisis good news for renewable energy sector
The latest numbers, as at one week ago, there were 24 days of petrol and 18 days of diesel in the country. Things are looking to worsen for the foreseeable future, although an uptick in public transport use and EV purchases point to people taking things into their own hands. LISTEN ABOVE See...
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Winston Peters: More mining royalties back into the regions
New Zealand First will be campaigning on a policy that would see half of all mining royalties go to the region from which it came, rather than Wellington. The party says it would build up wealth and infrastructure in the regions, allowing for future development rather than having the money spent...
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Liam Hehir: NZ First in solid position ahead of election
Winston Peters has delivered NZ First's State of the Nation address - the final one ahead of the looming election. Peters also announced a National Energy Strategy that would break up power companies, no longer allowing them to control both power and the price. LISTEN ABOVE See...
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Kelly Eckhold: We have to look at the fuel situation "day by day"
New Zealand has just over 50 days worth of petrol, and a week less of diesel, while the war in Iran wages on. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact the global oil supply, and the countries we generally import oil from are considering closing up shop on exports to ensure their…
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Shane Jones: ComCom "need to get to the bottom" of Gull fuel shortage
Prices are up at the pump, auto shops are selling out of jerry cans, and we've seen the reports of thousand litre IBC tanks being filled up at BP. It's raised the question around whether the closure of Marsden Point has been more harmful to New Zealand's fuel security that we had initially...
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Clint Smith: Polls aren't as important as you'd think (1)
The Prime Minister's leadership within his own party is being questioned after he didn't fare well in a Taxpayers' Union poll this week. It has National down 2.9 points to 28.4% - but most notably, it suggests that the centre-left bloc could form a government in November. It'll be very tight...
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"Who is leading this invasion?": Former PM Helen Clark on Iran
One week on, the war in Iran is progressing by the day. In the latest, the United States are gearing up to potentially send ground troops into Iran, Australia is considering whether they should send in troops, and New Zealand supports the US but won't involve itself any further. LISTEN ABOVE See...
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Nicola Willis: KiwiSaver changes to loosen restrictions on rural investors
The Government has highlighted issues within the KiwiSaver Act that have prevented a number of Kiwis from using their accounts to buy a home. Many workers in rural areas, like farm workers, rural police and teachers, are often required to live in housing provided by their employer - which stops...
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Dr Geoffrey Miller: "Great unknown" after Iran Supreme Leader confirmed dead
A joint US–Israeli strike on Iran overnight has triggered retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes - a claim Iran denied until half an hour ago, with officials saying he was “safe...
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Cameron Bagrie: Economist on new Trump tariffs' impact for kiwis
On Saturday Donald Trump announced a 10% levy on all goods coming into the US in response to the Supreme Court ruling his other tariffs unconstitutional. The new global tariffs were updated to 15% on Sunday. Economist Cameron Bagrie joined Tim Beveridge to talk about the implications for kiwi...
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Paul Goldsmith: Justice Minister chats the reality of 'move-on' announcement
On Sunday the Government announced a plan to grant police the power to issue move-on orders to help deal with disorderly and dangerous behaviour in public places. The move-on orders apply to anyone displaying disorderly or intimidating behaviour, impeding someone entering a business, breaching…
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Feroz Ali: National did a great job with India FTA
Labour is hesitant to put their support behind an India FTA without the government meeting certain conditions. It says free trade is a net positive, but agreements shouldn't cause harm to New Zealand - which is what we risk with this FTA. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Newstalk ZB serves up what you need to know, on all things politics at home, and abroad. The show reviews, previews, analyses and challenges the biggest political issues of the week, with all the big players.
HOSTED BY
Newstalk ZB
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Politics Central have?
Politics Central currently has 848 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Politics Central about?
Newstalk ZB serves up what you need to know, on all things politics at home, and abroad. The show reviews, previews, analyses and challenges the biggest political issues of the week, with all the big players.
How often does Politics Central release new episodes?
Politics Central releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 848 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
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Politics Central is created and hosted by Newstalk ZB.
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