Politics Central

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 boats.

"It's kind of like saying children are inherently aware of cars and trucks, therefore there is never going to be a situation where a child's going to be hit by a truck, the child would just naturally get out of the way."

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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 speaks out.

"The reality is, salary and wage earners are shouldering a disproportionate share of the tax take, and we should be making sure that it's more evenly balanced."

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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.

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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 economic and social performance around- and get back to doing what we used to do."

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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.

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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. 

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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?"

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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 is being willing, ready and able to rattle off a number of statistics and citations to bring that evidence base to the policies that we're advocating and championing and fighting for."

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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 every day to figure out priorities moving forward.

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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. 

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