Politics Central

This week Cabinet discussed the draft for the Treaty Principles Bill, introduced by the ACT Party. 

The three principles that were agreed upon included the Government power to govern and Parliament's power to create laws, the Crown's recognition of hapu and iwi rights, and the right to equality. 

ACT Party Leader David Seymour joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss. 

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A recent law change saw councils given the choice to either hold a binding poll or disestablish their Maori wards. 

Central Hawkes Bay Mayor Alex Walker told Tim Beveridge that publicising the issue removes the power from local governments.

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The Labour Party has started a discussion around a potential capital gains tax.

Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins had campaigned against the tax in the 2023 election, but has since changed his mind. 

Hipkins told Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective that there are several ways of implementing a capital gains tax, including potentially taxing increased value on a home without it being sold. 

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is about to jet off with a senior business delegation to Malaysia followed by South Korea. 

Retired Professor of International Relations Stephen Hoadley joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the importance and what we can expect. 

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The Government has proposed several changes to speed limits countrywide.

This week, proposing to change State Highway 1/76 in Christchurch and State Highway 1 north of Auckland from 100km/h to 110km/h.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss. 

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The Local Government New Zealand conference wrapped up this week, with local government minister Simeon Brown hinting at more streams of funding for councils. 

But some councillors are unhappy with recent comments from the Prime Minister. 

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the feeling among councils after the conference. 

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The Government announced this afternoon that Cabinet has agreed to recommend a suite of changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill. 

These changes would require applications to be sent to a panel of experts to streamline approval.

Minister for Infrastructure, Chris Bishop, joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the new recommendations. 

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The Helen Clark Foundation is calling for tougher rules against corruption after a report outlined the levels of transparency in the Government. 

The report's author, Philippa Yasbek, says Kiwis should be reassessing the level of threat corruption has in New Zealand to avoid the need for a "too little, too late" reaction. 

Political commentator Dr Bryce Edwards joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the report. 

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The Government has announced $1.3 billion of funding for a new Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP) to improve road safety over the next three years. 

The funding will be targeted at drunk and drugged drivers, increasing roadside testing and focusing on high-risk times and locations. 

Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the new funding. 

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The number of households living in emergency housing has dropped by a third from December 2023 to June 2024. 

Auckland saw the biggest drop, from 624 households to 354 households. 

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss what caused the drop and where to go from here. 

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