Home Podcasts The Trans Tasman Pol Pod
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod

tony2g 63 Episodes Oct 22, 2026

This podcast looks at New Zealand’s political week, and talks with key figures about the events of the day. Packed with analysis, it gives you some insights into politics today.

Episodes

The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 30
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 30 Oct 22, 2026 1197 The lifeless election campaign drags on, with neither main party able to land a killer blow and no major scandal erupting to destroy the hopes of one of the other. The Herald's Mood of the Boardroom survey is out – the corner office set doesn't rate Luxon at all, and is strongly in favour of Willis as finance minister despite her borrow and hope policies. The country's top CEOs don't like Hipkins
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 29
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 29 Oct 16, 2026 1057 We're halfway through what is a very flat election campaign so far with the country set to vote on November the 7th for either a Government which hasn't done much to justify re-election or an opposition which is still dealing with the hangover from its last time in office. The two major party leaders are doing their best to be small targets and their policy offerings reflect this, with no real vot
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 28
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 28 Oct 8, 2026 1002 With the election just under 4 weeks away, the leaders of the main parties took centre stage this week for the first televised leader's debate – as usual there was nothing to really take away – Chris Hipkins was declared the winner, but neither leader landed a telling blow. Labour released its long awaited fiscal plan - basically National lite, with 2026 Budget numbers locked in. A series of new p
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 27
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 27 Sep 24, 2026 1217 Supermarkets are becoming a major campaign issue as the parties get into the business of attempting to be elected in November. After years of campaigning against National and its rich landlord mates, Labour now has the same mates, after Chris Hipkins announced it would be keeping the tax break for landlords it has so roundly lambasted the Government for delivering. Despite all the talk from econom
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 26
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 26 Sep 17, 2026 1222 It’s clear voters don’t believe either Labour or National can provide the solutions the country needs, and their support for them is ebbing away. For a second poll in a row they’re both under 30%. Immigration policy is becoming a key issue for November as New Zealand First continues to push its nationalist agenda, and Labour tries not to be outdone by the parties of the right on an issue which in
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod episode 25
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod episode 25 Sep 4, 2026 1041 Tax is shaping as the big issue for the election, with National and Labour both on the attack over their various policies, and allegations of lying being thrown about. The Pacific Islands Forum has been beset by its usual controversies, with some leaders not appearing, China cast in the role of bogeyman once again, Taiwan in the mix and New Zealand throwing money at a new port at a former military
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 24
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 24 Aug 27, 2026 1149 The latest poll out, RNZ’s Reid Research sample, shows National’s leadership coup attempt has not been as damaging to the party as might have been expected. In fact, National’s core support has remained solid. Chris Hipkins has finally delivered some more Labour economic policy, promising the party’s fiscal strategy will grow the economy, get the books back into surplus and make sure hard-working
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 23
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 23 Aug 14, 2026 728 It's been an extraordinary week in politics, with Chris Luxon once again having to face down his detractors in caucus, and once again winning a confidence vote. Amazingly, in a week in which his MPs tried to depose him as leader, Luxon is ahead of Labour leader Chris Hipkins as preferred Prime Minister in the most recent polls, and the National Party is holding its own. The big mover this week is
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 22
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 22 Aug 7, 2026 1118 Christopher Luxon has had a bad week. First there was the kerfuffle over his comments to a group of business people in Rotorua, where he insulted one of his party's key voting blocks by telling them effectively to grow up and just deal with tough economic times. He then threw his MPs and advisors into a spin by basically making policy on the fly, saying he'd call a referendum on MMP if re-elected.
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod episode 21
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod episode 21 Jul 31, 2026 991 The latest Talbot Mills poll which saw National climb out of the 20s will be good news for the party, but Chris Luxon's decision to rule out Opportunity after the election may come back to bite him. Winston Peters invoked a political storm this week with his attack in Parliament on Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan telling him to "go back to your own country" during a debate. Some called it a sackable offe
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 20
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 20 Jul 23, 2026 1067 ACT and NZ First are rapidly becoming bolt holes for failed politicians from other parties where they are retreaded and given high list positions to try to kick start their former mediocre careers. But the resignation of Stuart Nash as a NZ First candidate after a sexism scandal shows the danger of recruiting these failed politicians. Winston Peters  has firmly positioned NZ First as the party of
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 19
The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 19 Jul 16, 2026 886 Narendra Modi's visit went off without a hitch and he and Prime Minister Luxon appear to be the best of friends. They want to take the relationship to the next level, which includes a focus on maritime security which could put us offside with China. Another decision which could put us in China's bad book is potentially joining the new Ocean of Peace Alliance between Australia and Fiji. It is clear

Recommended