Public Interest

It’s been two months since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran, triggering an Iranian retaliation which has resulted in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil prices through the roof. Here in New Zealand, fuel prices are smashing records amid an already brutal cost of living crisis. But this crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. How did we get here? Who’s to blame? And what do we do to make sure we never end up here again?

Never before in New Zealand history has there been a one-term National government. But this year might be different. If the opinion polls are to be believed, the National-Act-NZ First coalition government led by Christopher Luxon could be headed toward what would be a historic loss at the general election in November.So, what’s really going on here? Why is the government so unpopular? And what does the left need to do to seize the moment?We unpack these questions and more in our first episode of Undercurrents, where you'll hear from Kassie Hartendorp, Jack McDonald and Justine Sachs – in conversation with Ollie Neas.