Campaign Confidential

Sam and Naisi tackle the issue dominating every doorstep conversation—cost of living—but dig into what politicians usually avoid: who's actually controlling your grocery bill. After Sam's first climate debate on the North Shore, they explore how climate action is a cost-of-living issue most voters don't realise. Then they pull apart New Zealand's supermarket duopoly: how vertical integration works, why Aldi won't enter the market, what the Commerce Commission should be doing, and how small business owners in Auckland Central are being squeezed into irrelevance by monopoly power. Plus, Sam's "Jam for Sam" fundraiser, climate-focused meet-the-candidates events, and why young voters matter more than ever. A conversation about power—who holds it, who abuses it, and what needs to change.

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In this episode, Sam and Naisi dig into the conversations that matter but rarely make it into the political mainstream. From Naici's farewell to departing MP Greg O'Connor (and his famous parliamentary dog, Herbie) to the reality of campaign fundraising through cultural engagement. They ask the big questions: Why isn't AI regulation being debated seriously in Aotearoa? Why do cost-of-living concerns drown out climate change? And what happens when grassroots energy doesn't translate into political power? Plus, what drinking culture really looks like on the campaign trail—and why both candidates have gone sober to stay sharp. A raw episode about the gap between what politicians say publicly and what moves people to actually get involved.

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A candid, long-form conversation between two Labour candidates running in Auckland's 2026 election. Sam Collins (North Shore) and Naisi Chen (Auckland Central) sit down with campaign manager Josh Kirwan to discuss the realities of campaigning - from time pressures and community engagement to local infrastructure priorities like the second harbour crossing and the new City Centre train stations. The episode blends policy discussion with behind-the-scenes campaign insights, offering listeners an unfiltered look at what drives grassroots politics in New Zealand.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.