Politics Central

Winston Peters this week maintained his party's done nothing wrong.
The New Zealand First leader has taken to Facebook Live to answer questions about the New Zealand First Foundation.
Donations given to the New Zealand First Foundation are being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office, after the Electoral Commission referred its findings to police.
It was later revealed later that the foundation received tens of thousands of dollars in donations from the horse racing industry.
Peters dismissed the question about him stepping down at deputy prime minister if he's found to have mislead the public and received money he shouldn't have.
He says he did not receive any money nor is he part of the foundation and therefore has nothing to offer the police.
In amongst the rising scandal, a new Colmar Brunton poll suggested that the party has a difficult shot of getting back into Parliament, with NZ First picking up just three per cent. 
Political commentator David Farrar joined the Weekend Collective to discuss what impact the scandal will have on NZ First and coalition partner Labour leading into the election. 
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There are reassurances from the Police Minister's to those concerned about getting caught in gang crossfire.
Investigations are ongoing into a double homicide in Tauranga last week, with two other deaths connected to it.
The latest body found is that of a woman, who was found at a home in the suburb of Brookfield.
A man was also shot dead by police after a pursuit. 
Police say the deaths involve gang members, but aren't the result of gang conflict.
Stuart Nash told the Weekend Collective Police aren't sitting around waiting to solve gang crime.
"It's a matter of going out there and ensuring these gang members obey the law, and when they don't, the Police are there to sort them out." 
He says that one of the issues here is the arrival of deportees from Australia. 
"There is a massive patching going on amongst our local gangs, your Black Power and the Mongrel Mob." 
He believes the Police need more resources, and says that within the next year, there will be legislation passed that will allow them to follow the money from the gangs.
National's Police spokesperson Mark Mitchell says that his party will tighten up the laws if they get into government at this year's election. 
He says that their main anti-gang plan - a taskforce they are calling Strike Force Raptors - is a continuation of anti-gang forces that have already operated. 
"They are effective, but they're small. Once they've executed a few warrants, they are off the streets trying to prepare prosecution files."

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New legislation to regulate vaping will be introduced to Parliament tomorrow in an effort to balance helping smokers quit while not encouraging new users.
The move to regulate the industry has been welcomed but there are fears some rules are too restrictive and could result in "losing people back to cigarettes".
The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Vaping Amendment Bill bans the sale of vaping products to those under the age of 18.
It also prohibits advertising the products, restricts the sale of specific flavours to R18 specialty stores, and introduces a safety system which would allow the Ministry of Health to recall products, suspend them and issue warnings.
Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa said the Bill was the most significant change to New Zealand's smokefree laws since they were introduced 30 years ago.
"I am proud our Government is introducing a Bill that helps New Zealand achieve our Smokefree 2025 goal by giving smokers choices in how they give up, but that it also discourages our kids from taking vaping up if they've never smoked before."
Salesa acknowledged the legislation had taken a while since plans to regulate the vaping industry were first announced in November 2018.
She would not be drawn on whether the delays were political but said it took time to work through the details.
When asked whether the new vaping rules would be in place by the election, Salesa was confident the process would move quickly.
"You can rest assured that I'll be asking for an expedited process," she said.
ACT leader David Seymour is not pleased with the legislation. He said most vaping sales currently come from flavours, so banning them will mean more adults smoke for longer.
"The Government's wasted two years to slap damaging regulations on dairy owners while kids can still buy vape liquid online. It's got to be the worst legislative initiative of any government anywhere." 
Salesa denied that was the case, and said this was just one way for getting more people to give up vaping. 
Asked how the Government would stop people from buying the products online, Salesa said that while people will still be able to buy them online, they will be delivered in R18 courier bags to prevent children from getting their hands on them. 
ASH NZ director Deborah Hart encouraged all political parties to ensure legislation was passed into law by the middle of this year.
"The rapid rise of smoke-free nicotine products, especially vaping, is the most disruptive influence on smoking in decades. These products are challenging the smoked tobacco's stranglehold on the nicotine market", she said.
Hart said the Bill recognised the importance of flavours for those trying to quit by allowing them to be sold in specialty R18 stores, while putting controls in place to discourage teenagers from starting to vape.
Stores would only be approved as a specialist vape retailer if 85 per cent of their sales were vaping products.
This restriction addresses concerns e-liquid flavours could potentially appeal to children.
General retailers like dairies and gas stations would only be allowed to sell three flavours- tobacco, mint and menthol.
Auckland Secondary Schools Principals' Association president Richard Dykes welcomed the ban on advertising and said it was "essential" to protect young people, but he was concerned about the regulation of specialty shops.
"We appreciate there are responsible retailers in New Zealand, however, we also know from young people that they already purchase vaping products illegally from some resellers, or simply acquire them through older friends or family members."
Vaping Trade Association of New Zealand spokesman Jonathan Devery said the industry was relieved to have the legislation announced, which would help legitimise the industry.
On the face of it, he was supportive of limiting the sale of flavours in...

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The National Party claims that the Government will announce this week that they are buying back Ihumātao.
The heritage site was sold to Fletcher Building as a housing development site, but the site has become a tense battleground, with protesters demanding the site be returned to the iwi as it is sacred to them.
The Government asked Fletchers last year to halt plans to begin construction and has sought to find a solution to the problem.
National leader Simon Bridges has now claimed a deal has been sorted – but it will be announced this week while both Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters are out of the country.
Deputy leader Paula Bennett told The Weekend Collective that this is so neither one of them will have to answer questions about the deal.
“It’s not going to reflect well on them. It’s just looking like protesters can do what you do and the Government will end up paying more, I would imagine.”
However, Bennett cannot confirm that there will be public money, but she understands that will be the case.
Bridges says the Crown will buy the land and put it into a trust for heritage purposes.
He says Auckland Council won't be involved.
Last week, Fletchers announced its first-half results for the financial year, and in it criticised the delay.
Newstalk ZB understands a decision over the contested land is close - but not imminent.

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President Donald Trump on Saturday defended the firing of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council.
The President complained about news coverage of the firing in a tweet, saying reporting was done "as though I should think only how wonderful he was. Actually, I don't know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I don't believe!)."
On Friday, Trump fired two key impeachment witnesses, dismissing Vindman, the top Ukraine expert at the council, and US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. An adviser to Trump told CNN the firings of the major impeachment witnesses was meant to send a message that siding against the President will not be tolerated.
Trump on Saturday claimed that Vindman "reported contents of my 'perfect' calls incorrectly," which those close to Vindman have disputed. Vindman reported concerns about Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to other officials with the National Security Council.
The President also attacked Vindman's work performance, claiming he was given a "horrendous" report by his superior that he had problems with judgment and leaking information. Tim Morrison, Vindman's boss at the time and a former top Russia and Europe adviser on the National Security Council, did question Vindman's judgment during congressional testimony in November. He testified he had been warned about Vindman's judgment when he took over the position and claimed Vindman did not keep him in the loop.
Vindman defended himself during his testimony saying he reported his concerns about the July 25 phone call as he was directed to do. Also he brought with him a review from his former boss, then-White House Russia adviser Fiona Hill, who praised his performance, to rebut the issue Morrison raised.
Morrison had testified it was Hill in addition to others who warned him about Vindman's judgment.
When she testified as part of the impeachment inquiry two days after Morrison's testimony, Hill clarified the conversation she had with Morrison about Vindman. Hill said that she was aiming to convey a specific concern about Vindman transitioning to a more political role and not meaning to raise a general concern about his overall judgment.
"I was concerned that if, for example, Colonel Vindman might decide to leave the military, that perhaps he wasn't as well suited for something that would be much more political," Hill testified. "I did not feel that he had the political antenna to deal with something that was straying into domestic politics. Not everyone is suited for that. That does not mean in any way that I was questioning his overall judgment, nor was I questioning in any way his substantive expertise."
Vindman's attorney criticized Saturday's tweets from Trump, saying the comments are "obviously false."
"The President this morning made a series of obviously false statements concerning Lieutenant Colonel Vindman; they conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the President is well aware. While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military," attorney David Pressman said in a statement to CNN.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer weighed in on the President's Saturday tweets about Vindman, posting on Twitter, "Has any 'President' ever been more disrespectful to U.S. service members?"
Vindman, a decorated veteran who was born in Ukraine, was escorted out of the White House by security and told his services were no longer needed, according to Pressman.
Pressman said in a statement that it is clear his client was fired for testifying in the impeachment probe.
"There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why...

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Will Northland prove the crucial seat in this year's election?
NZ First MP Shane Jones has all but confirmed that he will be run in the North Island electorate, the seat that was briefly held by party leader Winston Peters. 
It would put him up against National's Matt King, who won the seat in 2017. 
NZ First's future is in doubt, with some polls putting the party below the five per cent threshold - but winning a seat would send Peters, Jones and co back to Parliament, and would likely deny National the chance to form a government. 
Is the Opposition worried? Campaign manager and deputy leader Paula Bennett joined The Weekend Collective to discuss the Northland conundrum.
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National may have closed the door on New Zealand First, but is leaving it ajar for the Maori Party.
National MP Mark Mitchell earlier this week said that the Act Party is a strong partner to National.
He's also predicting a resurgence in the Maori Party and says National could team up with them again.
What does the future hold for the two minor parties? And will New Zealand First need to change its tactic to maintain its presence?
Political commentator Matthew Hooton has predicted that Labour already has the election in the bag - it is simply a matter of whether it will be a coalition with the Greens or with NZ First as well.
He joined The Weekend Collective to discuss where the parties differ, how the gun buyback could change things, and why this election could be disastrous for National. 
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Former New Zealand prime minister Mike Moore passed away early this morning aged 71.
Moore was at his home in Auckland when he died, his wife Yvonne said.
Moore, who was the country's 34th prime minister, suffered a stroke in 2015 when he was New Zealand's ambassador in Washington DC and had been in declining health in recent years.
He became the prime minister for 59 days before the October 1990 general election.
Following Labour's defeat in that election, Moore served as Leader of the Opposition until the 1993 election, after which Helen Clark successfully challenged him for the Labour Party leadership.
Mike Moore was a member of the "fish and chip brigade" made famous in a photograph by Herald photographer Geoff Dale of Labour plotters Roger Douglas, Mike Moore, Michael Bassett and David Lange, who brought down leader Bill Rowling in 1983.
Bassett joined The Weekend Collective to reflect on their time working together as MPs and Ministers, and what Moore's legacy will be.

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Mike Moore's being praised for the work he did getting New Zealand internationally recognised.
The long-time politician, and the country's 34th Prime Minister, died early this morning at his Auckland home, following years of ill health.
Finance Minister and Grant Robertson told the Weekend Collective Moore always looked outwards and upwards.
"To see the way that he so completely understood the importance of a fair trading system for a country like New Zealand. A small country, we need the rules in place."
As Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Moore oversaw China's entry into the rules-based trading system.
While serving as the New Zealand Ambassador to the United States in 2010 -- he played a significant role in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Robertson says that he got out there on the world stage on New Zealand's behalf, and that he was "immensely proud" to be representing New Zealand. 

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New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters says he is unfazed that National has ruled his party out of any post-election governing deals and has a warning for the party's leader, Simon Bridges.
"If Mr Bridges doesn't pick up the phone, someone else within his caucus will do it for him," Peters, also the Deputy Prime Minister, said in a statement.
"He's [Bridges] got a lot to learn about politics. Narrowing your options can be the worst strategic move you will ever make."
Earlier this afternoon, Bridges ruled out working with New Zealand First after the election.
"I don't believe we can work with NZ First and have a constructive, trusting relationship," he told reporters in Hawke's Bay.
He said he could not trust NZ First and would rather be in opposition for another three years than form a government with the party.
New Zealanders, he said, were sick of the "charade" with NZ First and wanted to give Kiwis a clear choice before the election.
Peters said that he had been in politics a long time and has been a member of both NZ First and National.
"The one thing New Zealand First is confident about is that if voters deliver that possibility [of forming a Government], and if Mr Bridges doesn't pick up the phone, someone else within his caucus will do it for him.
Peters said Bridges had also demonstrated he has no insight into what a unified caucus looks like.
"As Douglas McArthur said; 'there'll come a time soon when he'll when want to see me much more than I want to see him.'"
Bridges' move echoes former PM John Key's move in 2008 and 2011 to rule out NZ First - and in 2008 it was one of the factors that got NZ First booted out of Parliament.
If NZ First does not get above 5 per cent, and fails to win an electorate seat, the party will not get back into Parliament.
Bridges would not be drawn as to whether this was part of his thinking.
He did say National was open to working with the Act Party – an indication that the Epsom electorate deal would be back on.
Act Leader David Seymour welcomed Bridges' move this afternoon, and said while he appreciated National's encouragement, he had always believed Epsom belongs to the voters.
"Act and National worked together constructively in the last government and can do so again."

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