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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.
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A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail. His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report. This case has raised questioins around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system. He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has welcomed provisional Term 4 attendance data, which shows attendance rates were higher than any Term 4 since 2022. Data shows that in Term 4 of 2025, 57.3% of students attended school regularly, which is an increase from 56.4% in Term 4 of 2024. He told Tim Beveridge that although the numbers are promising, there is still more work to be done. He said that it's not just about getting students back to the school gates, but also reintegrating them into the education system so students don't feel behind on their education. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The victims of an unprovoked attack on an Auckland train line late last year are speaking out, describing injuries and a lingering fear of using public transport. It’s yet another reminder of the safety concerns many New Zealanders have at the back of their minds the next time they step onto a bus or train. Auckland Transport data shows hundreds of violent incidents across public transport services in the two years to November 2025 - and based on headlines, there’s little sign that trend is easing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to give his State of the Nation Address tomorrow and being an election year, it'll be an important one. The National Party will be trying to recover from their recent polling, while kiwis will be looking for some desperately needed economic recovery. Health may also be one to keep an ear out for, after Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she'll be looking to shake up funding in the next budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This year's international politics have been unstable to say the least.Trump's Tariffs, Gaza, Ukraine and the Epstein Files have been gifts that keep giving...or not. But closer to home we've managed to dodge declarations of war. However, there's still lots to reflect on and discuss. Former Speaker of the House Sir Lockwood Smith and Auckland Councilman Richard Hills join Tim Beveridge to wrap the year's politics, and give an insight into what to expect next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nato chief Mark Rutte warns Western allies to prepare for war with Russia. He said that within the next five years, Nato countries will need to be prepared for a scale of war that hasn't been seen since our grandparents or great-grandparents. Donald Trump is due to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly regarding a peace deal. And the U.S. is keeping very busy as they've also seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela this week. The tanker went off course two days after its departure, listed to head for a Cuban port but rather off-loading part of its load to another ship before heading toward Asia. It was seized shortly after this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's been a week of back and forth for the Taxpayers' Union and the Finance Minister. Nicola Willis has challenged Union chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate, which was met with a sweet treat sent to Nicola and media. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a tough few months for Te Pati Maori, its AGM is taking place today. Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the country is "facing the most destructive government in our history," and the party is set on "making this a one term government." Meanwhile, 3 of 4 of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's requests in her ongoing legal proceedings were declined by the judge - but her request to remain a party member was accepted until February 2026. Party President John Tamihere remains in office as the AGM goes forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former police commissioner Andrew Coster claims he had briefed Chris Hipkins on Jevon McSkimming's alleged misconduct in 2022, and briefed Mark Mitchell in 2024. Coster stepped down as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency this week, after an IPCA report showed failures in how the police dealt with allegations against McSkimming. Both Hipkins and Mitchell have denied Andrew Coster's claims, and both have released statements saying they would have taken action had they known. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled the party's first policy for next year's election - low-interest loans to support doctor-owned clinics. The scheme will offer up to 50 ten year long loans a year for doctors or nurse practitioners to open or buy into local clinics, interest free for the first two years. After announcing their policy of three free GP appointments a year, questions were raised around how our already overwhelmed health system could manage more appointments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A deal was reached at COP30 this weekend, boosting finance for poor nations coping with global warming - but there was no mention of fossil fuels. 83 countries signed a roadmap that would push for the end of fossil fuels, but New Zealand was one of the only countries not to sign. The opposition has spoken out, saying the move has made us look foolish on the world stage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The National Party have announced their first election promise - a lift to default KiwiSaver contribution rates. The changes would mean that by the end of the implementation, savers would be able to contribute 12% to KiwiSaver, putting us on a level matching Australia's superannuation. Some experts say it'll lead to countless people opting out of KiwiSaver, with other investment methods providing more incentives. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The IPCA released a scathing review laying out out a chain of senior-level failures around the McSkimming scandal. The question now is whether the public can have any confidence in the police in general and in its leadership. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this year, the United States imposed a 15% tariff on a range of New Zealand exports, most notably beef. It was a huge blow, as beef is a major export for New Zealand - especially to the States. The tariffs have cost the country over $300 million since they were introduced in April. This weekend, President Donald Trump signed an executive order removing that extra 15% on beef, coffee, and tropical fruits, among others. The move brings us back down to a tariff of less than 1%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government has confirmed they're considering action to move rough sleepers out of Auckland's city centre. Mayor Wayne Brown has given his go ahead, but the opposition as well as housing advocates have said a policy like this would just move the problem elsewhere and end up creating more harm. No details have been released yet, ministers say they are still working through the issues and how to deal with them, but that hasn't stopped the controversy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government has released an action plan to deal with the growing issue of methamphetamine use in New Zealand. They're investing $30 million over four years into the hardest hit communities, increasing maritime operations to stop it before it gets into the country, and we'll soon see a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness - among other policies. The amount of meth seized both in the country and offshore has increased 266% over the past five years, and the estimated social harm from meth use was $1.5 billion last year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government has announced 140 new hospital beds across the country to ease pressure on emergency departments. These beds will be part of new wards in Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington, and Nelson hospitals, alongside the new Hawke's Bay ward announced earlier in the year. Health Minister Simeon Brown says operational funding for the 350 extra staff that will be needed, has already been approved. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christopher Luxon is wrapping up his trip to APEC and ASEAN today. The Prime Minister met with a range of world leaders, even having his hair complimented by Donald Trump, and having dinner with the Canadian and Australian Prime Ministers and the South Korean president. APEC and ASEAN represent about 60 to 70% of the world's economy, so even casual meeting would have been significant for Luxon and New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last Thursday was the largest protest New Zealand has had for decades, a combined strike across multiple public sector groups including PSA members and PPTA members. It certainly sent a message, but that message depends on who you ask. While many sympathise with the issues the public sector is facing, many have also dubbed it 'the start of a five day weekend' for teachers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Prime Minister is off to the East Asia Summit in Malaysia today, before he heads to South Korea to attend the APEC summit. Xi Jinping will be in attendence, and he's due to meet with President Donald Trump on the 30th of October. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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