Duncan Garner - Editor In Chief

What happens when the right to protest depends on who you are, not the rules? This episode dives headfirst into the decision to block Brian Tamaki from marching across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and why Duncan believes authorities have walked straight into a hypocrisy trap. You don’t have to like Tamaki, agree with him, or support his views. That’s not the point. The issue is consistency, fairness, and whether New Zealand still operates as a rules-based democracy. Duncan lays out decades of examples where protests, marathons, bikes, convoys, and marches were allowed across the same bridge, then asks why this one was suddenly “too dangerous”. Ashley Church and Rod and Christie join the panel to unpack the political fallout, media silence, and what this sets up for the future of protest in New Zealand. From infrastructure failure to free speech, this conversation goes well beyond one man and one bridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Broadcasting Standards Authority is facing a terminal decline and they've come up with a desperate plan to stay relevant. They want the government to rewrite the law so they can police the internet and control what we say on podcasts and live streams. We talk to Ashley Church and Maurice Williamson about why this mission creep is a massive overreach for a 35-year-old regulator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duncan Garner digs into the collapse of the government’s retail crime advisory committee, a group set up to respond to ram raids and rising violence, but now facing resignations, lavish spending claims, and serious questions about accountability. With three of five members gone, six-figure invoices, and silence from the responsible minister, it looks less like crime fighting and more like a gravy train. Then we turn to immigration, the India free trade deal, and explosive whistleblower claims from inside a major pizza delivery franchise. Allegations of migrant workers paying tens of thousands of dollars for jobs, visa pathways being sold, and Kiwis locked out of work raise uncomfortable questions about enforcement, fairness, and who the system is really working for. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour joins us to answer what the government is doing about both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This investigation just took a sharp turn. What started as concerns about the India free trade deal has now landed right in the heart of New Zealand workplaces. We share detailed allegations from a franchise owner at a pizza chain, claiming migrant workers are paying tens of thousands of dollars for jobs delivering pizzas, while Kiwis remain out of work. The claims include fee payments of up to $30,000, alleged breaches of immigration rules, and systems that appear designed to favour overseas labour over locals. Duncan also reads messages from insiders across multiple industries, raising wider concerns about wages, standards, and trust. This episode goes beyond economics and straight into what this deal could mean socially and politically, with voters already forming opinions ahead of the next election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six people are dead, and the questions won’t go away. On this episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief, we dig into what’s being called an avoidable tragedy and why so many warnings appear to have gone unanswered. We look at the role of the council, the one-one-one system, and the decisions made years earlier that may have destabilised the land. Were people too slow to act, too afraid to make a call, or trapped in a system drowning in process and paperwork? We’re joined by Christine Rankin and Ashley Church for a frank discussion about responsibility, bureaucracy, political leadership, and whether New Zealand has lost the ability to make common-sense decisions when it matters most. We also break down the latest political poll and what it says about Labour, National, and the rise of Winston Peters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one lit a fire. We dig deeper into the India free trade deal and the uncapped student numbers that have sparked huge backlash. An immigration insider speaks out about fraud, weak controls, and the real pressures being felt on housing, jobs, and schools. It’s raw, detailed, and confronting. We also break down the first major poll of the year, and it’s a warning sign National voters should not ignore. Labour leads, New Zealand First is surging, and the government is bleeding support in places it cannot afford to lose. The panel unpacks why expectations haven’t been met and why that disappointment matters. Plus, Ashley Church and Maurice Williamson join Duncan to talk leadership, broken promises, co-governance frustration, housing policy, and why Winston Peters is finding his moment again. A big, wide-ranging conversation about politics, trust, and what voters are really saying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duncan Garner goes straight at a deal most people weren’t watching. Just before Christmas, New Zealand quietly agreed to a free trade deal with India. On paper it’s being sold as a win. In reality, there’s a clause that changes everything. For the first time, New Zealand has agreed to uncapped numbers of Indian students. No ceiling. No off switch. Full work rights during and after study. We dig into why Winston Peters is openly opposing the deal, why he’s calling it reckless, and why this could become a major election-year fight. We look at what this means for young Kiwis already struggling to find work, pressure on housing and infrastructure, and whether New Zealand has signed away control of its own immigration settings. This isn’t about race. It’s about public policy, sovereignty, and decisions made behind closed doors that could shape the country for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The election date is locked in and the gun has officially been fired. November 7 is now circled, but as we head into campaign mode, the biggest issue facing New Zealand is still being quietly ignored. Chris Hipkins delivers a State of the Nation with no new policy and plenty of familiar lines. Duncan argues the real problem isn’t revenue, tax or spending. It’s courage. National superannuation is now swallowing nearly 18 percent of government spending, yet no major party is willing to confront what comes next. We also check in with Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford to see how rural New Zealand is really tracking. For the first time in a long while, farmers are doing well. Commodity prices are strong, debt is coming down and confidence is returning. So how would a change of government affect them, and does it even matter when most of their product is sold offshore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Luxon had the stage, the timing, and the attention. Election year. State of the Nation. A chance to set the agenda. And yet, nothing new landed. We unpack why the Prime Minister’s speech felt safe, steady, and completely underwhelming. From cost of living pressures and power prices to debt, borrowing, and that familiar “green shoots” language, Duncan asks the question many households are already asking around the kitchen table. Are we actually better off? Joining the discussion are Ashley Church and Ani O’Brien, who bring sharply different perspectives on strategy, substance, and whether this was deliberate discipline or a missed opportunity. There’s debate around fiscal discipline, KiwiSaver changes, housing, local government, and the political risks of playing it too safe when voters are still hurting. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After two years of talk, the granny flat breakthrough is finally here. You can now build a 70 square metre flat in your backyard without resource consent or a building consent. It’s a big shift, and one that could unlock thousands of homes across the country. On this episode, Duncan breaks down why this reform matters, how it cuts straight through council red tape, and why it could be one of the most practical housing changes in years. This podcast was the first to reveal the policy back in 2024, and now it’s officially in play. Duncan is joined by Shane Jones, who explains how the change came together, why trusting licensed builders is key, and what it means for families, Māori landowners, and regional New Zealand. There’s also a wider conversation about housing supply, infrastructure, mining, fishing, and the cultural shift needed to get this country building again. Jones also talks about his desire to strike a mining deal with US President Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does the cost of living still feel out of control for so many Kiwis? And why is National struggling to convince voters they understand the pressure at the kitchen table? In this episode, Duncan Garner digs into why the government’s cost of living response has failed to land, despite repeated promises. From power prices and rates to food bills and fixed incomes, Duncan argues the real economy isn’t measured in GDP figures, but in whether households can actually pay their bills. At the centre of the episode is an email from Tony, a 77-year-old from Dunedin, whose story captures what many older New Zealanders are facing. Rising rates, soaring power bills, shrinking savings, and no meaningful relief in sight. It’s a warning for Christopher Luxon, and for Labour too. Ignore the home economy at your peril. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Hipkins, Labour, and the 2026 election take centre stage as Duncan Garner lays out why this is the year hiding is no longer an option. Labour’s polling has remained strong, with Chris Hipkins consistently rating well personally. But Duncan argues that goodwill doesn’t equal trust, and trust won’t come without hard answers. Who would sit around the Cabinet table under a Hipkins government? What role would the Greens play? How would Labour pay for its promises? And how does any of it help struggling Kiwis right now? The episode also features Shubz Live, who joins Duncan to talk about his Iwi Whakamā healing journey from Wellington to Kaitaia. Shubz addresses criticism from Māori leaders, explains why he believes media coverage has been unfair, and responds directly to allegations about his personal life. He speaks candidly about accountability, mistakes, and why he says calling out abuse of power matters more than popularity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good polling doesn’t let you off the hook. It puts you right on it. In this Slam Dunc, Duncan turns his attention to Chris Hipkins and asks the questions he believes aren’t being asked loudly enough. Hipkins is polling well, personally popular, and sitting comfortably while the Government absorbs most of the heat. But Duncan argues that’s exactly why the scrutiny now needs to ramp up. This is an election year, and keeping your head down won’t cut it forever. What does a Hipkins-led Cabinet actually look like? How much influence would the Greens have? What’s Labour’s real economic plan, and how does it help people now, not five years down the track? From capital gains tax confusion to cost of living credibility, Duncan says it’s time for clarity, not vibes. Because likeability doesn’t win elections. Trust does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want progress or paralysis? This week, Duncan lays out what he sees as the starkest political divide in years, and why the Government’s fast track legislation sums it up better than anything else. We dig into how endless consultation and red tape stalled housing, infrastructure and regional development for years, and why the new approach is being sold as a course correction rather than a shortcut. From mining and regional jobs to environmental scrutiny and investor confidence, Duncan argues the old system simply wasn’t working. Joining the conversation are Ashley Church and Janet Wilson, with sharp predictions for the year ahead. Coalition tensions, leadership pressure, the economy, house prices, Māori politics and what really matters heading into the 2026 election. We also look offshore, including Donald Trump, global power plays and why the year ahead could be anything but boring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to 2026, and we’re back... even if Parliament and the school system aren’t. This is the first Editor in Chief of an election year, and Duncan isn’t easing into it quietly. We dig into the long summer shutdown for politicians and teachers and ask whether it’s completely out of step with how the rest of New Zealand lives and works. While families, businesses and tradies are already back at it, those at the top continue to lecture the country about productivity, sacrifice and working harder. Duncan calls out what he sees as hypocrisy, double standards and leadership that clocks off when the country can’t afford it. We also read a powerful letter from a newly elected local councillor warning about iwi influence at council level and what she believes is happening quietly behind closed doors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a brutal stretch for job seekers, are we finally seeing signs of life in the employment market?Tom O’Neill from cv.co.nz joins Duncan Garner to break down what he’s seeing on the ground. Job ads are lifting, employers are starting to move again, and there’s cautious optimism that 2026 could be a turning point. We talk about why hiring is one of the clearest signals of economic confidence, how interest rates and consumer mood are changing behaviour, and where the green shoots are actually appearing.There’s also practical advice for anyone looking for work. When to apply, why summer might be one of the best times to job hunt, how the hidden job market really works, and why LinkedIn matters more than ever. A realistic, useful conversation for anyone wondering whether the worst might finally be behind us. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dangers of electric scooters for children and teenagers that nobody seems to be talking about. From real-life injuries to reckless riding, Duncan highlights the urgent need for schools and councils to act now before more lives are put at risk. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alright folks, here’s the deal. I’ve been reporting on New Zealand politics for 30 years, and let me tell you—nothing bloody changes. Every year it’s the same chop-and-change nonsense, short-term thinking rules, and our leaders keep kicking the can down the road.We need leadership. We need courage. We need politicians to stop playing games and actually get in the same room and sort this stuff out—for the sake of our kids and grandkids.This isn’t theory. This isn’t some future threat. It’s here, it’s real, and it’s biting us right now.Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Rankin joins Duncan Garner for an in-depth discussion on New Zealand politics, local government, leadership and the state of the country heading into the new year.The conversation covers joint management agreements with iwi, the importance of public consultation, and the pressure local councils are under to deal with complex race and governance issues. Christine explains why transparency matters and how decisions made in the shadows risk deepening division.Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Zealand politics in 2024 was messy, intense, and sometimes downright ridiculous. In this episode of Duncan Garner: Editor-in-Chief, Duncan reviews the political year, highlighting the winners, losers, and everything in between.He names Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon as the political MVPs, applauds Winston Peters’ masterclass in chaos, and examines the missteps of Te Pāti Māori and John Tamihere. Ministers are also assessed, with Erica Stanford emerging as a standout for her leadership in education, while Matt Ducey struggles to manage the mental health portfolio.Duncan also discusses the economic backdrop, cost-of-living pressures, and what voters are likely to demand in 2025. Expect sharp observations, clear analysis, and the kind of no-nonsense commentary that makes this show essential listening.Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With an election year looming, Duncan is joined by Ani and Damian for a wide-ranging, no-nonsense look at the political year that’s been and the one ahead. They dig into why the economy still feels flat despite falling interest rates, what rising insolvencies really signal, and why cost of living continues to dominate everything else. The conversation turns to whether the government has squandered time, failed to control the narrative, or simply blinked when tougher decisions were needed. There’s also a sharp assessment of where the government has delivered, particularly on crime and education, with Erica Stanford’s performance standing out in an otherwise difficult term. From leadership rumours and polling woes to whether voters actually feel better off, this is a blunt take on a year that’s tested politicians and the public alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Child poverty in New Zealand is the focus of this episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief as Duncan speaks with Susan Glasgow from Variety, the children’s charity supporting kids living in hardship across the country.Variety’s sponsorship programme helps children aged 5 to 18 with the basics many families struggle to afford. That includes school uniforms, stationery, clothing, and essential items that help kids feel included and supported at school and in their communities.As Christmas approaches, the pressure on families intensifies. Many caregivers are already stretched and facing impossible choices between food, bills, and presents. Duncan and his guest talk frankly about the growing need during this time of year and how Variety’s Christmas appeal aims to ease some of that burden.The conversation also highlights the commitment of sponsors, the resilience of the children, and the real-world impact that consistent support can make. It’s a grounded, practical discussion about how communities can step up and help. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Zealand retail is under serious pressure, and in this episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief, Duncan speaks with Carolyn Young from Retail NZ about what’s really happening on the ground.Carolyn explains why the last few years have felt like a three year recession for retailers, with rising costs, higher rents, increased insurance, and falling consumer spending. Even when shops look busy, customers are buying cheaper items and fewer products, a trend known as the lipstick effect.They discuss why CBDs in Auckland and Wellington are struggling, how working from home has drained foot traffic, and why cruise ships and office workers matter more than people realise. Carolyn also breaks down why buying offshore hurts the local economy, and why shopping in New Zealand stores keeps jobs and protections in place.The episode covers interest rates, job security fears, changing shopping habits, and what needs to happen for confidence to return.Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duncan sits down with Education Minister Erica Stanford for a straight-up conversation about what’s gone wrong in our schools and what’s finally being done to fix it. From the state of maths and literacy to why thousands of kids are leaving school without qualifications, Erica lays out the reforms already underway. New curricula, textbooks back in classrooms, an hour of maths a day, and tens of thousands of teachers retrained to teach the basics properly. They also dig into the phone ban, student behaviour, truancy, and the next big move on social media and under-16s. It’s a blunt, sometimes uncomfortable discussion about failure, responsibility, and why getting kids learning properly early actually changes everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former high-ranking police officer avoids jail after being caught with thousands of horrific images on his work computer. Duncan asks how a four and a half year sentence turns into a nine month holiday at home. Plus, the team wraps the year by digging into a "rogue" election poll and the confusing money trail surrounding Willie Jackson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The alleged misappropriation of taxpayer money by the Māori Trust under the leadership of John Tamihere. He questions the lack of oversight and transparency after Tamihere receives a $385,000 loan for a political campaign, then later receives the same amount as a bonus to pay it back. The episode calls on government departments, regulators, and the media to step up and restore public trust. Garner also reflects on the overwhelming positive response to his recent interview with Shubz, highlighting the growing appetite for fresh voices that are willing to call out injustice, challenge the status quo, and push for unity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Duncan Garner Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Duncan Garner discusses David Seymour's plan to reignite the treaty principles debate in the 2026 election year, arguing it's a strategic move to address public unease over race relations in New Zealand. Garner is joined by former Finance Minister and Prime Minister Bill English to discuss the current political and economic climate, including the challenges of managing the national budget, the housing market, and public spending. Bill English offers insights into the evolving political landscape and the importance of effective governance amid growing financial constraints. The episode also highlights the role of media, both state-funded and independent, in shaping public opinion and political discourse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The media landscape has changed forever, and trust has gone with it. On the podcast, Duncan sits down with Shubz, a digital creator who’s built a following by calling out corruption, hypocrisy, and misuse of power, regardless of who’s involved. Shubz talks openly about his upbringing, identity, and why he refuses to stay silent when taxpayer money is misused or when truth gets buried under ideology. From calling out Māori organisations and political figures to pushing back on lazy accusations of racism, this is a conversation about accountability and courage. The discussion also looks ahead to Shubz’s upcoming hikoi, focused on unity, healing, and community rather than anger or division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willie Jackson, the Manukau Urban Māori Authority, and 19 personal grievance cases now before the Employment Relations Authority. This episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief breaks down a fast-moving and explosive political story. Duncan is joined by veteran trade unionist Matt McCarten, who is representing workers alleging bullying and unsafe workplace behaviour at MUMA. 19 workers have taken the extraordinary step of filing grievances at the same time, after months of failed attempts to resolve the issues internally. The conversation examines the role of MUMA CEO Tania Rangiheuea, and the involvement of her husband, Labour list MP Willie Jackson. Why was a union representative trespassed? Why were workers afraid to put their names to documents? And why, after warnings, did the matter escalate to court? With millions of dollars of public funding involved and senior political figures drawn into the dispute, Duncan argues the real damage may lie not just in the allegations, but in how they have been handled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight on the podcast... KING Homeboy give a little https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/king-home-boy-whip-round Stuff article from dec5: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360910267/hip-hop-champ-hits-mute-beatboxing-after-brain-surgery Shubz on Willie Jackson and John Tamihere, Nicola Willis vs Ruth Richardson, and Chris Bishop’s RMA reforms — a massive week in New Zealand politics and media, and Duncan’s got the whole thing laid out. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [email protected] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Westpac has stunned everyone. The Reserve Bank cuts the OCR, the government does a victory lap promising relief is finally coming, and then Westpac sprints out of the blocks with a mortgage rate hike. Kiwis are on their knees, desperate for a break, and the bank that holds the government contract is the first to crank rates up. You honestly couldn’t make this stuff up. This episode, we call it exactly as we see it, then bring in economist Ed McKnight to explain what’s really going on. Ed breaks down why wholesale funding costs have jumped, why Westpac moved before anyone else, and whether the other banks are about to follow. He also maps out where rates might head next and how long the brief low-rate window really lasted. Plus, we dig into spending trends, business confidence, and why sentiment is shifting even before mortgage rates fall for everyone. It’s a big chat, and it’s one you shouldn’t miss. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicola Willis has walked straight into a political trap, and tonight we get into why it matters. The finance minister didn’t just respond to a provocation from the Taxpayers’ Union and Ruth Richardson, she elevated them, turning a sideshow into a headline feud. We break down why that was a rookie mistake, and what she should have done instead. Then Chris Bishop joins us to unpack the biggest RMA shake-up in 30 years. He explains how the new system could cut consent times, strip out pointless red tape and finally make it faster and cheaper to build in New Zealand. Bishop talks land costs, simplified zones, digital planning, fast-track projects and the potential for real economic growth if we get this right. Plus we read your messages on government waste, council rates, and the frustration many feel about firearms rules. It’s a lively one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one might just be the poll that flips the script. National’s finally seeing results after a long, flat year, Labour’s had a bump too, and the left… well, that’s another story altogether. The Greens face-plant, Te Pāti Māori collapses to 1 per cent, and voters look like they’ve simply walked away. We dig into why this shift matters, how economic optimism is creeping back in, and why Christopher Luxon suddenly has a bit more spring in his step. Duncan’s blunt about the mess inside Te Pāti Māori, and pollster David Farrar joins us to make sense of the numbers, the mood, and what this might mean heading into next year. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve seen some wild housing stories over the years, but this one takes the cake. In today’s episode, we break down the quiet Kāinga Ora deal that handed almost 20 state houses to Tainui for $10 million… and then locked every non-iwi Kiwi out of buying them. No tender. No open market. No chance for anyone else. Duncan unpacks why this long-standing treaty clause is suddenly being used at scale, why it’s stirring real anger, and what it means for home ownership, fairness, and the idea of one New Zealand. Then our panel - Ashley Church and Rawdon Christie - jump in to debate whether this is racial division or simply a treaty promise being honoured. We also get into Andrew Coster’s fight for credibility, the year’s political winners and losers, and the moments that truly shaped 2024. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we actually getting the truth about the state of New Zealand’s finances? Today we dig into what the government says it’s cutting, what it’s really spending, and why the numbers simply don’t stack up. Net debt is rising, weekly borrowing continues, and the tough calls we were promised still haven’t shown up. Ashley and Maurice jump in with their usual firepower, breaking down everything from the cost blowouts to the Treasury warnings keeping people awake at night. We also look at next week’s massive RMA reforms, which could genuinely shift the dial for housing if the government gets them right. But who wins, who loses, and why is farming carved out for now? Plus, Maurice unleashes on rates caps, traffic management madness and the staggering cost of bureaucracy that punishes ratepayers. It’s a session full of straight talk, sharp numbers and zero spin. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Coster’s exit should’ve been simple. Instead, we’ve ended up paying for a slow, messy departure that highlights everything broken about accountability inside the public service. Today we break down what really happened behind the scenes, how Coster fought to stay on full pay, and why his golden handshake feels like an insult to taxpayers and to the woman failed by police leadership. We dig into the IPCA findings, the culture that protected senior officers, and the decision to keep paying Coster even after the writing was on the wall. And the big question that should have everyone rattled: why has the door been left open for him to return? Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one has everything. Politics, pressure, and a school lunch saga that went seriously sideways. Today we unpack the spectacular backfire that’s dominated the headlines, after principal Peggy Burrows tried to pin spoiled lunches on David Seymour’s free school meals programme… except the facts didn’t land where she hoped. We run through what actually happened, why the provider’s records tell a totally different story, and how a stack of week-old meals left sitting at the school turned into a national spectacle. Then, David jumps in from the back of a car heading through the Waterview Tunnel to explain the investigation, the delivery logs, and why millions of lunches have gone out without issue. Another big day on Editor in Chief. Let’s get into it. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We knew the rates cap was coming, but no one expected the government to drag it out this long. On today’s episode, we dive into the plan to finally rein in council rate hikes… in 2029. That’s six years after National took office. People need relief right now, not in the next political lifetime. Duncan reckons it’s a great policy torpedoed by hopeless timing, and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers’ Union joins us to break down why councils are already licking their chops. With spending up, payrolls swelling, and some councils proposing record increases, the delay effectively gives them three years to pump rates even higher. We also get into the government’s wider economic credibility, the slow-walked reforms, Nicola Willis’ spending story, and whether this National-led government is sleepwalking toward becoming a one-term wonder. Find out why Duncan says this delay is nothing short of a masterclass in political uselessness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got a Code Blue on our hands. Today we dive into the explosive claims from a senior health leader who says our hospitals are so stretched they’d be treated like a patient in full emergency mode. We talk about why Kiwi-trained nurses are being left on the bench while overseas staff walk straight into jobs, and why the system feels like it’s working against its own people. Chris Luxon also gives the green light to move-on orders for Auckland’s homeless, and the team unpacks whether the plan is workable or just wishful thinking. Then we check in on Labour’s conference, their “ready to govern” pitch, and the policies that look good on paper but come without the numbers to back them. Plus, Duncan shares a private nursing job opportunity for anyone keen to put their skills to use. Big stories, big opinions, and plenty to chew on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It makes no sense at all. We are crying out for nurses yet freezing out the ones we just trained. Duncan asks why we are pushing young talent to Australia when our hospitals are desperate. Plus the media ignores a massive win in maths because it doesn't fit the negative vibe. And is the PM actually in trouble? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one kicked off with a simple question: if Christopher Luxon really was facing a leadership challenge, who would you want running the National Party? So we put it to our YouTube audience, and nearly a thousand of you delivered a fascinating result. Chris Bishop edged out Erica Stanford by just a single point, with Luxon miles back and Nicola Willis taking a real hammering. Duncan digs into why Bishop and Stanford are resonating right now, what each brings to the table, and why Luxon’s position suddenly looks a whole lot more fragile than the Beehive might like to admit. We talk momentum, credibility, and the difference between being a fixer and being a leader who can move the country. There’s also your feedback on New Zealand’s strange lack of mandatory third-party insurance, plus a few thoughts on why consequences on our roads feel far too soft. Another sharp, punchy episode of Editor in Chief. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one’s a powder keg. Duncan takes aim at the government’s overhaul of the Hauraki Gulf, where so-called high protection areas somehow still allow commercial operators and Māori customary fishers in… while shutting out everyday recreational fishers. It’s a setup that feels unequal, looks unequal, and is being sold as “protection” even though the sea only gets half of it. And heading into summer, Duncan reckons the backlash is going to be massive. Then, we shift gears into another slow-burning problem - illicit tobacco. Duncan talks with illicit tobacco expert Rohan Pike, who warns that New Zealand is heading down the same path as Australia, with organised crime flooding the market, excise revenue disappearing, and violence likely to follow if nothing changes. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Questions around a coup to roll National leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have been swirling. When a first-term PM is already denying leadership moves, things aren’t exactly humming. Duncan gets into what’s real, what’s noise, and why National insiders are quietly asking when, not if, the pressure really lands. Then, he sits down with Qiulae Wong, the brand-new leader of The Opportunity Party. She’s a mum of two, comes from the business world, and freely admits she never set out to be a politician. Now, she’s aiming to drag TOP to the 5 per cent threshold with a tax package she calls transformative, including land value tax, a citizens’ income, and a pitch to break the political mud-wrestling that’s turned voters off both Labour and National. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Zealand’s plasma supply is under pressure, with demand for lifesaving plasma-based treatments rising sharply. Duncan Garner speaks with NZ Blood’s Scott Sinclair about the growing reliance on imported American plasma, and the risk that poses if overseas supply tightens. A new plasma-focused centre on Constellation Drive aims to boost donations, but New Zealand still needs thousands more regular donors to reach self-sufficiency. The message is clear: donate now, because the life you save could be someone you love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Luxon has finally swung for something big, and tonight we get stuck into what his KiwiSaver overhaul really means. After months of beige policy and quiet corridors, the Prime Minister has dropped a long term plan to lift contributions to a combined 12 per cent. It’s ambitious, it’s overdue, and it’s got everyone talking. We break down why Luxon’s suddenly found his spine, whether this is smart economics or pure desperation, and what it means for workers, employers, and anyone trying to retire before they’re 90. On the panel Ashley Church and Rawdon Christie jump in with insight, history, and a few home truths about where this might land. Plus, Duncan has exclusive details you won’t hear anywhere else. A rates cap is coming before Christmas and regional councils look set for the axe. Big moves. Big implications. And very big questions for a government trying to climb back in the fight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winston Peters has detonated the week’s political story, promising to repeal the government’s new Regulatory Standards Bill. ACT’s David Seymour instantly shouted that Winston is eyeing up Labour. Really? We dig through what’s real, what’s theatre, and what’s pure Winston. Spoiler: it’s mostly Winston being Winston. Duncan breaks down how this bill really came about, why ACT demanded it, and why National never cared much for it in the first place. We look at what this means heading into the next election cycle, and why coalition partners are already positioning themselves for 2026. Maurice Williamson and Ashley Church join Duncan on the panel, to explain what’s actually in the bill, why it has barely any teeth, and why the conspiracy theories swirling around it are miles off. Then we dive into the brutal Ipsos polling, the Greens' mining shocker, the state of the public service, and the crumbling trust in mainstream media. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the podcast, we get stuck into the big question everyone’s asking - how long can this government keep blaming the last one? David Seymour joins us to talk through the state of the economy, why the recovery feels so slow, and why voters seem to have run out of patience. We dig into whether Labour really left the cupboard bare, or whether National and Co. raised expectations too high and too fast. David fronts up on spending, confidence, and the very real pressure small businesses are still under. He also lays out why he thinks proposals from the Greens could spook investment and slow things down even further. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Greens’ new mining policy isn’t just bold. Duncan calls it what it is - reckless economic sabotage. In today’s episode, he breaks down exactly what it would mean if a future government tore up mining permits that companies had already spent years and millions securing. Investor confidence falls through the floor, regions lose jobs, and Kiwi workers head to Australia because the opportunities here get pulled out from under them. New Zealand First's Shane Jones joins the show to unpack the scale of the damage, from constitutional overreach to the reality of what foreign investors are saying behind closed doors. If the Greens want to scare off capital before projects even start, Duncan argues, this is exactly how to do it. We also hear from a government worker offering rare insight into real public sector cuts, despite claims to the contrary. It’s all part of a bigger question - how do we build anything in this country, when every long-term project becomes a political football? Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor has smacked National clean in the face, and Duncan is fired up. This isn’t just a bad poll. It’s voters across the country saying they’re worse off, still struggling with the basics, and not buying what National’s selling. A 3.9 out of 10 performance score is more than rough. It’s a warning shot. Ani O’Brien joins Duncan to unpack why cost of living sits at the top of the pile, why National’s messaging has never landed, and how Labour is somehow looking more trustworthy on the economy despite the mess it left behind. We get into leadership questions, the lack of tough decisions, the frustration of half measures, and whether Chris Luxon’s team is actually hearing what people are saying. There’s also a look at crime, policing, the Greens’ latest missteps, and the brutal political reality heading into 2026. If National doesn’t get moving fast, voters won’t wait around. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Te Pāti Māori is in free fall. That is the only honest way to describe what has happened inside the party this week. The sackings of two MPs look unconstitutional, the process looks stitched up, and dozens of people who should have voted never even had the chance. Members have contacted us directly and their message is clear: the party has been swallowed by one man’s network. Today Duncan breaks down the tangled web around John Tamihere, the family links, the work connections, and the extraordinary level of influence running through almost every layer of the party. When the president’s relatives, employees and loyalists sit across key seats and national council positions, how democratic is the process really? We look at why this matters, why the expulsions may not stand up to scrutiny, and why some inside the movement are now calling for JT to step aside before the whole project collapses. Plus, we hear from listeners frustrated by the state of frontline services, from hospitals to basic safety. This is a moment of reckoning for Te Pāti Māori. The question now is whether the party survives the storm. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices