Duncan Garner - Editor In Chief

New Zealand retail is under serious pressure, and in this episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief, Duncan speaks with Carolyn Young from Retail NZ about what’s really happening on the ground.Carolyn explains why the last few years have felt like a three year recession for retailers, with rising costs, higher rents, increased insurance, and falling consumer spending. Even when shops look busy, customers are buying cheaper items and fewer products, a trend known as the lipstick effect.They discuss why CBDs in Auckland and Wellington are struggling, how working from home has drained foot traffic, and why cruise ships and office workers matter more than people realise. Carolyn also breaks down why buying offshore hurts the local economy, and why shopping in New Zealand stores keeps jobs and protections in place.The episode covers interest rates, job security fears, changing shopping habits, and what needs to happen for confidence to return.Join this channel to get access to perks:

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Duncan sits down with Education Minister Erica Stanford for a straight-up conversation about what’s gone wrong in our schools and what’s finally being done to fix it.

From the state of maths and literacy to why thousands of kids are leaving school without qualifications, Erica lays out the reforms already underway. New curricula, textbooks back in classrooms, an hour of maths a day, and tens of thousands of teachers retrained to teach the basics properly.

They also dig into the phone ban, student behaviour, truancy, and the next big move on social media and under-16s. It’s a blunt, sometimes uncomfortable discussion about failure, responsibility, and why getting kids learning properly early actually changes everything.

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A former high-ranking police officer avoids jail after being caught with thousands of horrific images on his work computer. Duncan asks how a four and a half year sentence turns into a nine month holiday at home. Plus, the team wraps the year by digging into a "rogue" election poll and the confusing money trail surrounding Willie Jackson.

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The alleged misappropriation of taxpayer money by the Māori Trust under the leadership of John Tamihere. He questions the lack of oversight and transparency after Tamihere receives a $385,000 loan for a political campaign, then later receives the same amount as a bonus to pay it back.

The episode calls on government departments, regulators, and the media to step up and restore public trust. Garner also reflects on the overwhelming positive response to his recent interview with Shubz, highlighting the growing appetite for fresh voices that are willing to call out injustice, challenge the status quo, and push for unity.

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In this episode of the Duncan Garner Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Duncan Garner discusses David Seymour's plan to reignite the treaty principles debate in the 2026 election year, arguing it's a strategic move to address public unease over race relations in New Zealand. Garner is joined by former Finance Minister and Prime Minister Bill English to discuss the current political and economic climate, including the challenges of managing the national budget, the housing market, and public spending. Bill English offers insights into the evolving political landscape and the importance of effective governance amid growing financial constraints. The episode also highlights the role of media, both state-funded and independent, in shaping public opinion and political discourse.

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The media landscape has changed forever, and trust has gone with it.

On the podcast, Duncan sits down with Shubz, a digital creator who’s built a following by calling out corruption, hypocrisy, and misuse of power, regardless of who’s involved.

Shubz talks openly about his upbringing, identity, and why he refuses to stay silent when taxpayer money is misused or when truth gets buried under ideology. From calling out Māori organisations and political figures to pushing back on lazy accusations of racism, this is a conversation about accountability and courage.

The discussion also looks ahead to Shubz’s upcoming hikoi, focused on unity, healing, and community rather than anger or division.

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Willie Jackson, the Manukau Urban Māori Authority, and 19 personal grievance cases now before the Employment Relations Authority. This episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief breaks down a fast-moving and explosive political story.

Duncan is joined by veteran trade unionist Matt McCarten, who is representing workers alleging bullying and unsafe workplace behaviour at MUMA. 19 workers have taken the extraordinary step of filing grievances at the same time, after months of failed attempts to resolve the issues internally.

The conversation examines the role of MUMA CEO Tania Rangiheuea, and the involvement of her husband, Labour list MP Willie Jackson. Why was a union representative trespassed? Why were workers afraid to put their names to documents? And why, after warnings, did the matter escalate to court?

With millions of dollars of public funding involved and senior political figures drawn into the dispute, Duncan argues the real damage may lie not just in the allegations, but in how they have been handled.

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Tonight on the podcast...

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Westpac has stunned everyone. The Reserve Bank cuts the OCR, the government does a victory lap promising relief is finally coming, and then Westpac sprints out of the blocks with a mortgage rate hike.

Kiwis are on their knees, desperate for a break, and the bank that holds the government contract is the first to crank rates up. You honestly couldn’t make this stuff up.

This episode, we call it exactly as we see it, then bring in economist Ed McKnight to explain what’s really going on. Ed breaks down why wholesale funding costs have jumped, why Westpac moved before anyone else, and whether the other banks are about to follow.

He also maps out where rates might head next and how long the brief low-rate window really lasted.

Plus, we dig into spending trends, business confidence, and why sentiment is shifting even before mortgage rates fall for everyone. It’s a big chat, and it’s one you shouldn’t miss.

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Nicola Willis has walked straight into a political trap, and tonight we get into why it matters.

The finance minister didn’t just respond to a provocation from the Taxpayers’ Union and Ruth Richardson, she elevated them, turning a sideshow into a headline feud. We break down why that was a rookie mistake, and what she should have done instead.

Then Chris Bishop joins us to unpack the biggest RMA shake-up in 30 years. He explains how the new system could cut consent times, strip out pointless red tape and finally make it faster and cheaper to build in New Zealand. Bishop talks land costs, simplified zones, digital planning, fast-track projects and the potential for real economic growth if we get this right.

Plus we read your messages on government waste, council rates, and the frustration many feel about firearms rules. It’s a lively one.

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