Both Sides Now

It's a slightly longer episode this week, but there was no shortage of topics to cover. We start by briefly discuss Winston Peters' latest remarks before turning to one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand: youth unemployment. We discuss why more young people are struggling to find work, whether our education system is preparing people for the jobs of the future, and how AI is already changing the workforce. From university degrees to apprenticeships, we ask what skills will actually matter in the years ahead.We then shift to looking at the Prime Minister's decision to rule out working with Opportunity after the next election. What does that mean for Opportunity's chances, could it influence voters, and how might it shape the coalition options available under MMP?To wrap up, we discuss AI data centres and whether New Zealand should be going ahead with the one in Southland. We weigh up the economic opportunities, the energy demands, and whether the benefits outweigh the costs as countries around the world race to build the infrastructure that will power the next generation of AI.

Another busy week in politics, and we're unpacking the stories behind the headlines.We start with the fallout from Stuart Nash's comments suggesting women who take time off to have children are "lazy". Were his comments taken out of context, or do they reflect a wider attitude towards unpaid care and parenting? We discuss why the comments have generated such a strong reaction and what they tell us about the political conversation around work and family.We also break down the Government's proposed changes to consent laws. What exactly is changing, why is it being reviewed, and could these reforms have been made now?Finally, we dive into this week's inflation figures. Annual inflation has jumped to 4.1%, up from 3.1% last quarter, with prices rising 1.5% over the June quarter—driven largely by higher fuel costs. What does that mean for interest rates, mortgages, and the cost of living? We unpack the numbers, why they matter, and whether this is likely to be a temporary spike or the start of a broader inflation problem.We of course have social media moment of the week to wrap up the episode.

This week we're talking celebrity politicians after Paul Henry announced he's standing for ACT. Is this the start of a trend, or just another reminder that politics and entertainment are becoming harder to tell apart? We also look at the UK's Count Binface, who might be a joke candidate on paper but ends up making some surprisingly sharp points.With the regulated period just around the corner, we check back in on the election predictions we made earlier this year to see how they're tracking. With the political landscape shifting, it's a good time to see what's changed and whether we're sticking by our original calls.And of course, we wrap up with our social media moment of the week, featuring Tamatha Paul and the Warriors jersey. An awesome example of how sport has a unique ability to bring us together.

This week on Both Sides Now, we unpack two similar approaches to making solar power more accessible by National and Labour. Despite being from opposite sides of the spectrum we discuss the importance of seeing the two main political parties largely in alignment on New Zealand's energy future. We also discuss the government's proposed social media ban for young people and the role of VPNs. We share our experiences growing up with social media and what we think a ban will, or will not achieve. We then take a look at NZ First's proposed citizens' vote policy, is this the direction we want to see New Zealand heading in?Finally, with Matariki marking the Māori New Year, we reflect on the importance of the holiday, how it has been embraced across New Zealand, and what it represents as a time to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future. To wrap up, our social media moment of the week from MP Greg Flemming illustrates the spirit of Matariki beautifully: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EyZnikjbh/

This week on the podcast we're unpacking the Conservation Amendment Bill and separating the facts from the politics. There's been plenty of debate about what the Bill actually does, so we take a look at what's changing, why it's causing such a stir, and whether the concerns being raised stack up.We also dive into the Government's KPIs for emergency housing. What are they trying to achieve, are these the right measures to be using, and will they actually make a difference?Plus, Opportunity is back in the headlines. We look at their latest polling, whether they're making any real progress, and what it all means with the next election on the horizon.And for Social Media Moment of the Week, we're talking about National's AI-generated video. Is it a clever way to connect with voters, or does it miss the mark? We're not entirely convinced...

Ever wondered how New Zealand's voting system actually works? In this episode, we're joined by our old university lecturer, Professor Andrew Geddis, for a deep dive into MMP – the system that shapes every election and every government.We unpack how MMP works, why New Zealand adopted it, what your party vote and electorate vote actually do, and clear up some of the biggest misconceptions about our electoral system. Whether you're voting for the first time, need a refresher before the election this year, or have always wondered why coalition governments are the norm, this episode is for you.This is an accessible, practical guide to understanding the system that decides who governs New Zealand. If you've ever found MMP confusing, this is the episode you've been waiting for.

This week on the podcast, we begin by discussing our episode with Q Opportunity Party leader. We then unpacked the government's proposed Definition of a Woman Bill and looked at the legal, political, and social debates surrounding it. We discussed what the bill would actually do, why it has generated so much attention, and whether it has any realistic chance of becoming law.We also took a look at Scrutiny Week in Parliament — one of the few times MPs get the opportunity to put ministers under sustained questioning about their performance, spending decisions, and policy outcomes. We discussed some of the standout moments and what they tell us about the government's priorities.On the opposition benches, Labour has been rolling out some new policy ideas. While the party is clearly beginning to position itself for the next election, not everyone on the podcast was convinced. Eve gave her verdict on the latest announcements and explained why she thinks some of Labour's proposals miss the mark.And of course, we wrapped up with our Social Media Moment of the Week, highlighting the post, clip, or political online drama that had everyone talking. See it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DmJXMCBQb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

She's the woman hoping to pull off one of the biggest upsets in New Zealand's MMP history. Qiulae Wong — known as 'Q' — is the new leader of the Opportunity Party, and she joins us on Both Sides Now to talk about what needs to change in NZ politics, why the left-right divide is holding the country back, and her mission to get Opportunity into Parliament for the very first time.We talk about her career in sustainable business — from working with global brands overseas to consulting at KPMG — and how that shaped her political vision. She opens up about how becoming a mum inspired her to step into politics, what it's like running as a two-tick candidate in Mt Albert, and why she believes New Zealand is finally ready for something different.

In this weeks episode we examine the Government's new stalking legislation, which will create a standalone stalking offence for the first time in New Zealand. We discuss why existing laws have often failed to adequately capture patterns of obsessive and threatening behaviour, what conduct the new offence will cover, and whether the proposed penalties and protections strike the right balance.We then turn to the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Smith v Fonterra. We break down what the Court actually decided, why the case is being viewed as a significant development in climate change litigation, and the implications of allowing novel climate-related claims to proceed through the courts. We also discuss the Government's response, including its decision to introduce legislation aimed at limiting or overturning the effect of the ruling, and the political debate that has followed. Alongside this, we unpack the lobbying controversy that has emerged around the proposed law change and what it reveals about the influence of interest groups on the policymaking process.Finally, we dive into the world of political polling. Polls can dominate headlines and shape political narratives, but what do they really tell us? We explore how polls are conducted, why different polls can produce different results, and whether polls merely reflect public opinion or actively influence voter behaviour.