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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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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 ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 own security. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 realised. New Zealand would still be reliant on imports to meet fuel needs, but having the ability to import crude oil rather than just refined oil would likely lift the pressure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 though, with 61 seats for the left and 59 for the right. Luxon sits at 21% for preferred prime minister, while Hipkins is at 22.7%. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 them from being able to withdraw their KiwiSaver for a first home as they're unable to live in it. These issues have also stopped farmers from being able to purchase their own farm as it's not covered by current legislation. Changes announced this morning would remove those barriers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 and sound” and “actively commanding the field”. International reaction has been mixed, with some governments condemning the strikes, others urging restraint, and many calling for urgent diplomatic talks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 businesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 the peace, begging, rough sleeping, and behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith joined Tim Beveridge to chat about what this announcement means in reality. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ACT Party leader David Seymour delivered his State of the Nation address this morning. He says this government is on track to produce positive change, but it's not happening as quickly as it could be. ACT says there are three ways to break our country's slump: equal rights, positive thinking, and a smaller government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Moa Point has been testing as non-compliant for all but two months of the last two years. The signs were there, but no one seemed to raise concern before the wastewater plant started pumping raw sewage into the south coast of Wellington. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From today, New Zealanders will be able to get prescriptions that won't need to be renewed through their GPs for a whole year. The change will impact those with long-term conditions like asthma and epilepsy. GPs will decide on a case by case basis whether it's safe to prescribe a medication for the full 12 months, and patients will no longer have to see their GP every 3 months for a new script. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's Waitangi Day this Friday and after opting to spend the day at a marae in Akaroa last year, this year Christopher Luxon will be in town to meet with iwi. A recent RNZ-Reid poll found 62% of kiwis think it's important for the prime minister to be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day, but previous PMs have all had different approaches. Ngapuhi chairperson Mane Tahere joins to preview the week ahead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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