Politics Central

NZ First's Winston Peters has outlined several pitches to prospective voters- and issued a warning in his State of the Nation address.

Winston Peters proposed more funding for frontline agencies, mandatory prison sentences for people who assault first responders and promised to strip Te Reo names from Government departments.

Peters also warned his audience that a “conniving, cultural cabal” aimed to use Māori to “further their own agenda”.

Winston Peters says a critical part of communication is understanding, and his proposal to strip Te Reo titles from Government departments is not an attack on the Māori language.

"When even hospital names have been changed so that the people who are sick who need to know where they're going right here, right now don't understand, then you're really doing something which is counterproductive with no value."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A positive reaction to National's new education's proposal.

Chris Luxon says parents and some teachers are excited by the party's plan to teach at least an hour a day of learning in reading, writing and maths.

The plan also includes standardised tests, twice a year, from years three to eight.

Luxon says the new plan will be clearer about what to teach, and when and where.

He says they want the teachers to be more confident in how to teach the basics.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Defence Minister has had to defend the country's purchase of US nuclear-powered submarines.

Richard Marles told the ABC once their flag's flying on the three subs in the early 2030s, they'll be under complete control of the Australian government.

Australia will also be working with the US and UK to develop more submarines in future.

The announcement's sparked an angry reaction from China, which is accusing Australia of going down a "path of error and danger".

International relations expert, Professor Robert Patman says there are people here who are concerned New Zealand may be shut out of our region's defence discussions.

"New Zealand as a member of the Five Eyes, has very good bilateral relations with the US and Australia. It's also a partner of NATO, so I'm not sure that's the case."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greens are reminding us climate action needs to go alongside social justice action.

The Green Party has today put out a stark warning to other parties to not show up to the negotiation table without strong climate policies.

Co-leader Marama Davidson says people who are struggling the most will be impacted the most by extreme weather.

She says, for example, preparation messages for the Auckland floods told people what to have on hand, but there are a lot of people who can't dream of thinking about extra costs.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Politics Central, Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson weighed in on Chris Hipkins reprioritizing more climate-focused polices this week, and discussed today's State of the Planet address. 

Professor of International Studies Robert Patman also joined the show to talk about Australia's purchase of three nuclear-powered submarines and whether this is a sign of the militarization of the pacific.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 50,000 teachers and principals are planning to strike Thursday, March 16th.

An estimated 811,000 school-aged children will be affected by these strikes, as kindergarten, primary, and high school teachers plan to march for better wages and working conditions.

New Zealand Educational Institute President Mark Potter says there's a long list of needs educators want met, and teachers have been dissatisfied with their working conditions for years, if not decades. 

Mark Potter explained that it's not in their industry's nature to strike, but teachers don't have an option at this stage.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Petousis-Harris joined the show to chat about the current measles vaccination figures.

The current rate is worse than it was in 2019 at the time of the last major outbreak, which hospitalized 700 people and likely spread to Samoa, killing over 83 people.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're joined by Helen Petoussis-Harris talking about our current vaccination rates, and then Mark Potter, President of New Zealand Educational Institute ahead of the Teacher's Strike on Thursday. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Chris Luxon announced a new Family Boost policy set to rebate 25 percent of childcare costs for those earning less than $180,000.

Deputy leader Nicola Willis explained the positive flow-on effects of this policy here today.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party says its childcare policy will make life easier for struggling families.

National's Family Boost policy would rebate 25 percent of childcare costs for those earning $180,000 and less.

National will pay for that by cutting money spent on consultants.

Deputy leader Nicola Willis says the policy will have positive flow on effects too.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.