Tova

Who needs the oh-so-quiet leaders of the political parties vying to form a government? After some intense negotiations (completed in a day or two - just saying), we’ve summoned our very own official unofficial alternative coalition of National, ACT and NZ First former leadership to give you the inside running, the scoop, the tea - or at least the most informed outsider takes we could find - on the coalition talks. Powerhouse political panellists Simon Bridges, Heather Roy and Ron Mark join Tova to talk parliamentary relationships, egos, the baubles of office and whether National's tax plans can survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week's pod focused on the situation in Israel and Palestine. We spoke to former CNN correspondent Arwa Damon and historian and former Israeli ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren. This is a bonus, previously unreleased excerpt from our interview with Michael - a kind of potted history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, or what he called “about 3000 years in a nutshell”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're turning our focus to the war in Israel and Gaza. Tova is joined by former CNN senior international correspondent Arwa Damon who urges all of us (especially the media) not to oversimplify what is an extraordinarily complicated story. Tova also speaks with Michael Oren, a renowned historian who is also a former Israeli Ambassador to the United States. He joins us from Tel Aviv, where he is living out of a bomb shelter. A warning - this episode contains discussion about war, war crimes and other content that may disturb. Please take care while listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At last, the moment some of you may have been waiting for, Aotearoa’s most potentially prestigious political ceremony: The first of at least one Poli Awards. Or, as they’re affectionately known in Poliwood, The Polis. Join host Tova O'Brien and a cast of national treasures, including Sir John Key, Helen Clark, Paddy Gower and Tom Sainsbury, for a glittering extravaganza honouring those who made a lasting impact on 2023's battle of the ballot box. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the dust settling on election night, National and ACT are still weighing up whether they need Winston Peters and New Zealand First to confirm an durable coalition. Tova talks to big hitters from the six key parties and hears fears over civil unrest amid the celebrations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still weighing up where to stick your ticks? Allow Tova's resident audio wizard Connor Scott to assist. He's compiled some highlights - and quite possibly lowlights - from the campaign trail. Happy voting! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Winston Peters timing his race down the home straight like a political thoroughbred, all bets appear off for those hoping for a decisive election result on the night. Labour campaign chair Megan Woods and her National counterpart Chris Bishop discuss their parties' efforts on the trail, and how Peters was able to get back in the saddle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tova talks to National Party candidate Greg Fleming about JH Aotearoa, the Christian camp/adventure experience he founded, and the views of its original founding organisation JH Ranch California. The US organisation's statement of faith now says homosexuality is a “sinful perversion”, listed alongside sex with animals or a relative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Race-based allegations, more candidate Twitter woes and a "bonkers" coup conspiracy theory rebutted. After talking to National's possible coalition partners last week, it's the turn of the Greens and Te Pāti Māori. Respective co-leaders James Shaw and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer also explain why they're confident of getting a wealth tax past Chris Hipkins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comments by New Zealand First candidate Rob Ballantyne were described as racist by both Chrises in the Newshub leaders' debate. In his only interview since, Ballantyne told Tova the comments were taken out of context. Here's the full interview, and the speech they were from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With polls predicting that Winston Peters will - once again - hold the whip hand after election day, ACT leader David Seymour and NZ First's Shane Jones are pushed on how the parties could possibly work together in government - given they can’t stand each other - and what they're doing about conspiratorial candidates. Warning: A short section discusses mental health and suicide. For free help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Hall died in March this year after more than 100 visits to hospitals and A&Es. Her death is a suspected suicide. Her parents Gareth and Leanne share Maddie's story in the hope of changes to our broken mental health system. Warning: Discusses mental health and suicide. For free help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are two serious contenders vying to be the next finance minister. Would they land you with a meat tax, a sugar tax, a capital gains tax, a tax-free income threshold? We hit Labour’s Grant Robertson and National’s Nicola Willis with a quick and dirty round of tax attack quickfire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the cost of living election, so who do you trust to make things better? Tova interviews the two candidates for the job, asking Grant Robertson to defend his legacy and Nicola Willis to explain her promises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime Minister/Labour leader Chris Hipkins is in the studio for an extended interview on key election issues, broken promises and a revelation about his party's internal polling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Stuff's whip-smart political podcast, hosted by Tova O'Brien and featuring Luke Malpass and Andrea Vance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices