This week on Politics Central, former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises the organisation's decision to make savings at the country's hospitals, saying they are 'extraordinary' and signal poor management. Later, five academics and public figures were set to debate free speech at Victoria University in Wellington last Monday, but backlash within the university has seen the event postponed. Both Victoria University's Students' Association president and the university's...

Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event. A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed. Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' that people are no longer willing to listen and draw their own conclusions. "That's an issue that I've seen across multiple media - we create bubbles where everyone wants to agree with each other and...

There's debate over Victoria University's decision to call off a discussion on free speech. It comes after outrage within the university, with claims the panellists didn't represent a balance of views. 600 people had registered to attend before the university's Vice-Chancellor postponed the event, saying they were going back to the drawing board. Students' Association president Marcail Parkinson says some speakers would've made students uncomfortable, and have a history of hate...

Te Whatu Ora has been criticised for telling public hospitals to bring the organisation back to budget, they need to make target savings of $105 million by July. It said several districts have gone over budget in the past three months. However, health unions have warned the constraints will impact medical care. Former Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell says we should be trying to improve our health system - not just saving costs. "Once you get the emphasis on just saving costs, you end up...

Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr joined Helen Clark at Parliament this week, to warn New Zealand against joining Pillar 2 of the AUKUS defence pact, saying it is "fragrant, methane-wrapped bullsh*t," and funnily enough former opposition leader Don Brash tends to agree.  Later, Shane Jones who has recently ben speaking about mining and fishing, this week let go with a broadside against the Waitangi Tribunal, saying they have "no business running it's operations as some sort of star...

Today, Israel launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel, in an attack that may trigger a major escalation between the regional archenemies. The United States has since pledged to back Israel. Waikato University's International Law professor Alexander Gillespie analyses the escalating situation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a widely anticipated move, Iran has launched an aerial attack into Israel. The Israel Defence Force estimates Iran launched over 200 different kinds of drones, including killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Waikato University Law Professor Al Gillespie says this attack was to be expected, as both sides had been 'goading' each other for the past few months. "I think the final provocation was the attack on the consulate, it was the bit that tipped them over the edge. And...

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford makes immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, by introducing a minimum skills and work experience threshold, as well as introducing an English language requirement for migrants. Later, marketing professor Bodo Lang talks about about the triggering effects social media has on politics and democracy in this country, and how much political parties are spending on social media advertising. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

There's growing concerns from experts about the impact social media has on the political landscape. It's been revealed that social media giant Meta has limited the reach of political content on its platforms- inspiring increased worry about censorship. Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang says platforms like Instagram and Facebook specialise in short-form content - and he believes those outlets aren't suited for political content. "We want people to think about these things- and...

The Immigration Minister is confident changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa will get the balance of skill right. Changes include an English language requirement for some roles, and a minimum skills threshold. Erica Stanford says they're focused on attracting and retaining high-skilled migrants where there are shortages, and prioritising New Zealanders in jobs where there aren't shortages. She says in 2017, about half of migrants were high-skilled, but now that's switched. "We...

The University of Auckland is under fire after a picture of a designated study space for Māori and Pasifika students surfaced online. The University has since claimed they're obligated to respond to the needs of their diverse student population with facilities, spaces and support. ACT's Parmjeet Parmar has expressed concern over race becoming a big agenda item for more organizations.  "The discussion is really important in my view. Because we don't want to go backwards, we all have fought...

Labour leader & now leader of the opposition Chris Hipkins gave his State of the Nation speech in South Auckland today, he joined the Weekend Collective to discuss. SailGP Lyttelton kicked off in Lyttelton yesterday but was abandoned after a dolphin was sighted on the course. Today, SailGP CEO Russell Coutts delivered an emotional response- Otago University professor Liz Slooten joined the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A zoologist says Sir Russell Coutts has a simple view of dolphins and boats. Yesterday's SailGP racing was called off after a Hector's dolphin was spotted on the course. Sir Russell then said the event is handcuffed by unprecedented layers of bureaucracy and red tape. He also claimed that dolphins are extremely intelligent and inherently aware of boats around them. Otago University's professor Liz Slooten says dolphins love to bowride alongside boats, but not at the speed of SailGP...

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has called for a better way to balance our tax system. Delivering his State of the Nation speech earlier today, Mr Hipkins says now is the time to have the tax debate, despite Labour ruling out both a wealth tax and a capital gains tax last year. He pledged to spend the next two years releasing discussion documents, to get them best prepared for the next election. Mr Hipkins says it's something that needs to be taken more seriously, especially when the IMF...

He mentioned 'bulldust' academia, promised to rid the public service of 'co-governance', and accused the previous Government of holding 'contempt for democracy'. Today, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters gave his state of the Nation Speech, and he joined  the Weekend Collective for an in-depth interview to unpack it all. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters today outlined his plans to turn New Zealand around following his address in Palmerston North. In his State of the Nation speech this afternoon, the NZ First leader was back in familiar territory, after spending the majority of the first 100-days in Government in ministerial mode. Peters says he wants Kiwis to understand that the new Government is focused on getting the country lined up properly. "It'll take some time, but we can turn our present slide, so to speak, in...

Winston Peters took a short break from being Deputy Prime Minister this afternoon, donning his New Zealand First leader hat instead. And no one was safe from his scorn, during his State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North this afternoon. ZB political editor Jason Walls broke down Peters' 'combative' speech. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Politics Central, newly appointed Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick opened up about her new role and the kind of leadership style she aims to bring to the Party. Later, former Prime Minister Helen Clark talked about the ongoing restructuring of media in New Zealand and how this will affect democracy.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One former Prime Minister has expressed her outrage at TVNZ's proposed structural changes and job cuts. The broadcaster has put a number of shows on the chopping block, with Midday, Tonight, Fair Go and Sunday to be scrapped. Helen Clark has labelled the proposed cancellations of these current affairs programs 'disgraceful'. "So why these? And it does lead one to wonder- are they putting up the Washington monument in the hope there'll be a rescue?" LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Chlöe Swarbrick believes her leadership style will compliment that of co-leader Marama Davidson. The Auckland Central MP won every single vote from party members to take over from James Shaw, after he resigned earlier this year. Her only competitor for the role was Dunedin-based activist Alex Foulkes, who is not in Parliament. Ms Swarbrick says one key difference between them is Ms Davidson's ability to connect with communities on an emphatic level. "Whereas, I think one of my strengths...

The Finance Minister says the Government is "on track with getting New Zealand on track" as it nears the end of its hundred day plan. Nicola Willis says there are still about half a dozen decisions to make, and a few pieces of legislation that will be introduced before Friday. The Government is in the crux of decision making around its next budget, that Ms Willis says will address the cost of living pressures and over-spending. She says she's working on the budget with other ministers...

The Government's 100-day outline is coming to an end this coming Friday- but have they achieved everything they wanted? Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins to discuss. Plus, Luxon was lambasted for using his $52,000 accommodation allowance on his own apartment, but NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett reveals Premier House needs repairs.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report investigating the state of Premier House does not state the residence is uninhabitable, but it has raised questions about its suitability as a home for the Prime Minister. The report catalogues a list of problems, from 30 year old fittings and furnishings, to a lack of insulation and draughty, leaky windows. NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett says other former Prime Ministers have claimed Premier House is 'substandard'. "The trouble with Premier House is the political...

This week on Politics Central, University of Otago politics expert Robert Patman reflects on the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war and weighs in on what more can be done. Later, Police Minister Mark Mitchell makes a case for the Government's proposed legislation targeting gang patches.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.