From Kaitaia to Bluff, the one thing all New Zealanders need is a place to call home. But that’s not such a sure bet these days. 

Despite years of acknowledging the housing situation as a crisis, it seems like this country is always in an uphill struggle against under-supply and over-pricing. 
 
Add to this the expensive materials, backlogged supply chains and growing concerns over climate change – and you have a complex issue to which there are no easy answers. 

So what will it take to make sure Aotearoa has enough dry, warm homes for our population? And why have we struggled so much to find a political solution to this issue? 
 
Today, John Tookey, a professor at the AUT school of Future Environments, explains to Damien what New Zealand gets wrong about housing and how we go about fixing that. 

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders have been able to rely on the security of a state pension for decades.

In the 1970s, this scheme kicked in from the age of 60 before steadily rising to 65 in the decades that followed.

But since 2001, the age of eligibility hasn’t moved at all – despite the fact that New Zealanders are living longer and having fewer children.

Is it time to adjust our superannuation age or perhaps change the system to one that takes account of the personal circumstances of the population?   

Today, Sense Partners economist Shamubeel Eaqub walks Damien through the pros and cons of our biggest social welfare scheme.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Healthcare has always been one of the battleground issues in New Zealand politics.

MPs love to sling mud over what the other party has or hasn’t done in terms of building hospitals or paying nurses properly. The current Government has made a big deal out of funding our healthcare further, with $30 billion assigned in last year’s budget. 

But given how much attention is paid to healthcare, why does it always seem to be in crisis? 

Today, BusinessDesk investigations editor Victoria Young joins to discuss their series, and how effective our health spending is.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years a capital gains tax has been a taboo political subject, avoided by politicians afraid to lose votes. 
 
Tax experts have stressed time and again that Aotearoa should follow in the footsteps of the rest of the OECD and introduce this type of tax. 
 
And while former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern refused to pull the trigger despite strong recommendations from the working group her own Government commissioned, there’s speculation that this political hot potato could be reconsidered under Chris Hipkins’ fresh leadership.

So, what has stopped the country from introducing a capital gains tax so far? How much more tax revenue could it deliver? And how likely is it that Aotearoa could introduce a capital gains tax in the future?     

Today, PWC tax partner Geof Nightingale runs Damien through the pros and cons of this always controversial issue.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of co-governance has become a lightning rod over the last 12 months.  
 
New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has acknowledged a backlash against the ideas of co-governance and has even owned up to the Labour Government stuffing up its messaging around the idea.

The widely misunderstood term was given massive prominence when combined with the Three Waters scheme. It galvanised opposition to what could otherwise have been seen as a rather dull but necessary water management plan.

So, what is co-governance, and how did attacking it become such a powerful political weapon?

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has had a chaotic start to his time in office, with the flooding in Auckland adding to the growing list of woes the Government faces. 

However, two polls this week have given a beleaguered Labour Party some good news – with Hipkins and his party narrowly ahead of Christopher Luxon and National.

But with the numbers suggesting Aotearoa is on the verge of a hung Parliament after October’s election, it’s going to be a tight race when voting starts. 

Today, Damien is joined by NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett to discuss the new political landscape taking shape, and what it means for both parties.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The damage inflicted upon Auckland during a week of record-breaking weather is expected to cost over one billion dollars to repair.  

From red stickered houses and damaged infrastructure, it will take a while for the city to recover from this intense storm. 

But as we look toward the recovery, questions are also being asked about what needs to be done to avoid this level of devastation being wrought again. 

Today, Damien is talking to Auckland Central MP Chloë Swarbrick, and Auckland Councillor for the Maungakiekie-Tamaki ward, Josephine Bartley, to discuss what needs to be done differently, and what level of collaboration is needed at a local and central level.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aotearoa’s biggest Pride Festival kicks off today. 

Auckland Pride runs for the next four weeks as a city-wide celebration of the rainbow community. 

This year’s celebrations come amid a mixed outlook for the global queer community, with progressive moves being met with growing backlash and outrage. 

Auckland Pride director Max Tweedie, who is standing down after four years leading the festival, in 2022s last year to discuss a spike in homophobic incidents in New Zealand. 

He joins Damien again today to discuss both the positive celebrations and growing concerns facing the rainbow community here and around the world.  

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson and Paddy Fox
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unprecedented weather event has completely saturated the upper North Island over the last few days. 

Record-breaking amounts of rain have submerged streets and parks, caused landslides and damaged infrastructure, and claimed the lives of at least four people. 

The event has also sparked a backlash from Aucklanders over how Mayor Wayne Brown and public officials handled their communications. 

Damien speaks to NZ Herald science reporter Jamie Morton about the stats behind the storm, and to NZ Herald deputy editor Hamish Fletcher about what the newsroom saw on Friday night. 

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is facing up to the abuse and misogyny faced by politicians.  

In the wake of Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation as Prime Minister in January, many commentators and analysts have pointed to the online abuse she faced during her five and a half years in office.  

Ardern didn’t specifically cite the abuse as a reason for resigning, but data released in the days after her announcement showed up to 93 percent of abuse aimed at politicians was sent in her direction.

So why do female politicians face such vitriol, and can anything be done to ensure women aren’t discouraged from entering into politics?

Today, Massey University, School of Management, senior lecturer Suze Wilson walks us through the darker side of being a female leader in New Zealand.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.