The Green's launch a Campaign For Us All, National launch a Parental Leave for some people maybe at the next election, Act launch money for all hunters wanting to shoot wildlife and the Free Speech Union launch free speech for some, but not the people who don't agree with us.

Real, independent political commentary requires a strong community behind it.

First up, make sure you're equipped for the voting booth: visit www.election2026.co.nz for practical tools and resources to help you choose who to vote for.

To stay across all my content—including the award-winning podcast and weekly newsletter—make sure you follow the main hub: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

Want to help drive the conversation? Building these tools and keeping the analysis flowing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you're in a position to support, please consider a paid subscription or buying a coffee to keep this platform sustainable as we push for a change of government in 2026: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone

Your backing means everything. Thank you.

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

With the regulatory period for the election fast approaching, do you think National are toning down the spin and bullshit on social media?  Of course not - why would they!

Looking for clear, independent election insights? 🗳️ Check out www.election2026.co.nz for tools to help you decide your vote.

Catch the award-winning podcast, weekly newsletter, and more here: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

This work is entirely listener-funded. If you want to help keep the lights on and fuel the push for a change of government in 2026, consider joining as a paid supporter here: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone ☕

Massive thank you for all the support!

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

Who would have predicted yet another headline showing the Coalition going out of their way to ignore experts about how we are making climate change worse?

Well anyone who has read the news in the last 3 years probably, or still trying to dry out their carpets from one of the dozen severe weather impacts we’ve had this year.

Real, independent political commentary requires a strong community behind it.

First up, make sure you're equipped for the voting booth: visit www.election2026.co.nz for practical tools and resources to help you choose who to vote for.

To stay across all my content—including the award-winning podcast and weekly newsletter—make sure you follow the main hub: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

Want to help drive the conversation? Building these tools and keeping the analysis flowing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you're in a position to support, please consider a paid subscription or buying a coffee to keep this platform sustainable as we push for a change of government in 2026: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone

Your backing means everything. Thank you.

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

The Coalition claim they don’t but the gee in the gross men who celebrate when they do something that punches down on Maori is enough to show most of us that they really do think no one is seeing how racist they are.

Looking for clear, independent election insights? 🗳️ Check out www.election2026.co.nz for tools to help you decide your vote.

Catch the award-winning podcast, weekly newsletter, and more here: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

This work is entirely listener-funded. If you want to help keep the lights on and fuel the push for a change of government in 2026, consider joining as a paid supporter here: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone ☕

Massive thank you for all the support!

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

Inflation hits 2 year high, Labour vows to reverse laws that could stop half a million kiwis voting, NZ First pee on the floor and tell you to like it, and I catch up with Green Candidate Alma de Anda to learn about the Green's new Kiwipower plan.

Real, independent political commentary requires a strong community behind it.

First up, make sure you're equipped for the voting booth: visit www.election2026.co.nz for practical tools and resources to help you choose who to vote for.

To stay across all my content—including the award-winning podcast and weekly newsletter—make sure you follow the main hub: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

Want to help drive the conversation? Building these tools and keeping the analysis flowing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you're in a position to support, please consider a paid subscription or buying a coffee to keep this platform sustainable as we push for a change of government in 2026: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone

Your backing means everything. Thank you.

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

Being “tough on crime” is a bullshit line conservative politicians like to use because it’s a catchy soundbite that keeps people scared - but the reality is National in particular is lying to you about how tough on crime they actually are in three very distinct ways - misrepresenting data, using their position to steal policies with bipartisan support and pressuring media to make them look good.  And you need to know this so you don’t fall for it.

Looking for clear, independent election insights? 🗳️ Check out www.election2026.co.nz for tools to help you decide your vote.

Catch the award-winning podcast, weekly newsletter, and more here: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

This work is entirely listener-funded. If you want to help keep the lights on and fuel the push for a change of government in 2026, consider joining as a paid supporter here: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone ☕

Massive thank you for all the support!

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

Labour has built a suite of policies around a proposed Medicard that would see free Doctor visits, prescriptions, maternity scans and cervical scans, supported by plans to make it easier for GPs to start their own practice or buy into others and new funding models. In this Policy Audit, I look at the plan, the concerns and the choice this presents voters.

Real, independent political commentary requires a strong community behind it.

First up, make sure you're equipped for the voting booth: visit www.election2026.co.nz for practical tools and resources to help you choose who to vote for.

To stay across all my content—including the award-winning podcast and weekly newsletter—make sure you follow the main hub: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

Want to help drive the conversation? Building these tools and keeping the analysis flowing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you're in a position to support, please consider a paid subscription or buying a coffee to keep this platform sustainable as we push for a change of government in 2026: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone

Your backing means everything. Thank you.

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

In this week’s This Week’s The News, former Act Party President finally admits guilt to past sexual assaults on minors while pleading guilty on a third case before courts that may have happened sooner but Act successfully used name suppression laws to protect themselves from public scrutiny for 2 years. Oh and they had a new candidate announced or something. And some other news that would have been drowned out this week while Act tries to distract you from their connections to a three times convicted admitted sexual predator.

*This content piece was originally released as a video and can still be found in that format on multipl platforms but if you're listening to this as an audio only podcast, be aware the visual gags don't really work.

Real, independent political commentary requires a strong community behind it.

First up, make sure you're equipped for the voting booth: visit www.election2026.co.nz for practical tools and resources to help you choose who to vote for.

To stay across all my content—including the award-winning podcast and weekly newsletter—make sure you follow the main hub: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

Want to help drive the conversation? Building these tools and keeping the analysis flowing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you're in a position to support, please consider a paid subscription or buying a coffee to keep this platform sustainable as we push for a change of government in 2026: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone

Your backing means everything. Thank you.

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

The Human Rights Commission, Amnesty international, the United Nations and the Electoral Commission have all called out the government for making it harder to vote than ever before this year - in changes that breach human rights laws, could stop half a million people voting, and disproportionately impact Maori, Pacifica, low income, transient and older voters.  So here’s the five ways they have done this.

Looking for clear, independent election insights? 🗳️ Check out www.election2026.co.nz for tools to help you decide your vote.

Catch the award-winning podcast, weekly newsletter, and more here: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

This work is entirely listener-funded. If you want to help keep the lights on and fuel the push for a change of government in 2026, consider joining as a paid supporter here: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone ☕

Massive thank you for all the support!

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026

I genuinely believe that more media literacy training in schools would help people see through the obvious tricks politicians employ to manipulate media - like dropping a dead cat on the table during dinner we saw this week from Act… for the umpteenth time.

Real, independent political commentary requires a strong community behind it.

First up, make sure you're equipped for the voting booth: visit www.election2026.co.nz for practical tools and resources to help you choose who to vote for.

To stay across all my content—including the award-winning podcast and weekly newsletter—make sure you follow the main hub: https://linktr.ee/paul_barlownz

Want to help drive the conversation? Building these tools and keeping the analysis flowing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you're in a position to support, please consider a paid subscription or buying a coffee to keep this platform sustainable as we push for a change of government in 2026: https://buymeacoffee.com/paul.theotherone

Your backing means everything. Thank you.

©️ Paul… The Other One, 2026