Political commentators Shane Te Pou and Ben Thomas look at the decision to extend the fuel excise cuts and public transport subsidies through to the end of January ahead of key inflation data out today, whether the government's stuck between a rock and a hard place with its Covid settings and how both big party leaders have achieved from their recent overseas sojourns. Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. He is a Director and HR Manager for IT Company Mega. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Political commentators Shane Te Pou and Ben Thomas look at the decision to extend the fuel excise cuts and public transport subsidies through to the end of January ahead of key inflation data out today, whether the government's stuck between a rock and a hard place with its Covid settings and how both big party leaders have achieved from their recent overseas sojourns.

Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. He is a Director and HR Manager for IT Company Mega.

Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details