Election 2026: The Front Bench

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast.
National leader Judith Collins has gone to great lengths to make sure people understand she is a woman of faith. Things ramped up yesterday when Collins went to vote at a church, and was filmed and photographed kneeling down. Do you buy it? Has she made a conscious effort to advertise her Christianity, and if so why?
Did Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern politicise the Covid-19 announcement? All eyes were on the infamous 1pm press briefing again today, to see whether or not Auckland would join the rest of the country at alert level 1. Ardern is copping criticism for using the opportunity to criticise other party's border policies, as well as National's housing plan.
Let's take a break from our election here and jump across to America. President Donald Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis has completely thrown the US election up in the air. It is unclear how bad his health is right now, but he earlier described the journey as 'interesting'. How will this impact the election? And does it make him look even more careless than initially thought?

And early voting has started, and it is popular already. In the first two days of voting, 165,000 votes were cast, and early voting is expected to make up as much as 60% of the final vote. Why do you think it has become so popular?
 
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Join Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast.
This week, the panel discusses the polls and what they mean for Judith Collins and National, Winston Peter's Orewa speech, and Labour's pledge to keep Tiwai Smelter open - with a catch!

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National's momentum has slowed after its $4 billion blunder.
The Party's promise to claw back $19.1 billion by ending Super Fund contributions was wrong - because Treasury's Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update only showed $15 billion.National Finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith called it an "irritating mistake".
Bu NewstalkZB Political Editor Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's more than that.
"They model themselves as the party that can handle the economy and make big economic decisions and make them stick.
"What did they do with this one? They botched it." 
Soper joined du Plessis-Allan, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter on The Front Bench, Newstalk ZB's weekly show thrasing out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast.
This week, the panel is discussing National's admission of a $4 billion hole in their financial plans, the Prime Minister ignoring social distancing while taking selfies on the campaign trail, and what the latest poll in Auckland Central means for the Greens.

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Catch live action of the second instalment of The Front Bench. Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign.
Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper, PR whizz and former Act Party press secretary Trish Sherson and former Labour Party minister Chris Carter have the insight word and analysis.  There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast.
Listen live from 4pm as they discuss the major topics, such as the Government's decision to remain at the current alert levels of 2.5 in Auckland and 2 across the rest of New Zealand. How does this decision reinforce Ardern's conservatism? Does it help Labour by making her look careful?
Political campaigns have begun ahead of next month's General Election - who is winning the race so far? How does National come back? Is Labour on track to govern alone? And do voters want to minimise the size of the Labour win?
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie lashed out at New Zealand quarantine measures, which played a significant role in the Rugby Championship hosting rights going the way of our trans-Tasman rivals. Rennie says they may not make it over - how damaging could this be for Labour? Why didn't they drop everything to make sure New Zealand were the hosts?
And Labour is introducing a new threshold of 39 per cent on income over $180,000 - do you believe Grant when he says they will not be implementing any other taxes? Even if they're in coalition with the Greens?

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Labour is backing calls to make Matariki a public holiday.
It would work out a winter date starting in 2022, to celebrate our national identity, cultures and traditions - and boost tourism and hospitality.
Waitangi Day was the last public holiday introduced - nearly 50 years ago.
Matariki - which heralds the start of the Maori New Year - would take the number of public holidays in New Zealand to 12 - counting regional anniversaries as one.
Speaking on Newstalk ZB's The Front Bench, former ACT press secretary Trish Sherson's not a fan.
"This election, and totally the wrong time, the big promise is another public holiday. I think it's tone deaf."
But former Labour minister Chris Carter disagreed.
"The Government is looking for ways in which, not only can we celebrate that Maori heritage, but also stimulate business."
Meanwhile, Winston Peters is making headlines again. The New Zealand First leader butted heads live on air with TVNZ's Jack Tame yesterday - after being asked about leaking and fraud investigations.
Peters accused the broadcaster of ambushing him on topics he hadn't prepared for.
Speaking on Newstalk ZB's The Front Bench, political editor Barry Soper says it's classic Peters.
"For Winston, this is theatre. He thinks by attacking the messenger, as he always does with the media - the public applaud him."
Listen above to The Front Bench - Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast.
Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and subscribe to the podcast on iHeartRadio.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.