On the Tiles

On the fifth episode of On the Tiles - Local Edition, Georgina Campbell has updates on the race in Auckland, Christchurch mayoral candidates are being reminded of the requirements of the job, and pushback from candidates on Three Waters. Newstalk ZB's Georgia O'Connor-Harding also pops on the pod to discuss one of the hottest contests happening: Invercargill. Georgia also speaks to Dr Mona Krewel, the director of Victoria University of Wellington's Internet, Social Media, and Politics Research Lab to talk about candidates with links to a high-profile disinformation group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing has been a hot topic in New Zealand for years, but things have heated up in recent weeks as house prices have dropped, highlighting just how high prices have gone, and making many wonder how low they could go. The uncertainty around the local housing market has been such a hot topic, the new Housing Technical Working Group made up of members from the Reserve Bank, Treasury and Ministry for Housing and Urban Development has looked into this issue.   In this week's episode, Thomas is joined by NZ Herald Wellington Business editor Jenee Tibshraeny to interview Dominick Stephens, Deputy Secretary and Chief Economic Advisor at the Treasury and chair of the group, about what the findings of their report were. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the fourth episode of On the Tiles - Local Edition, Georgina Campbell updates on some major polls concerning the races in Wellington and Christchurch, while Auckland sees a big change in its race. She then speaks with NZ Herald political reporter Michael Neilson about the Māori wards that have been introduced this year, and NZME Taupō editor Daniel Hutchinson to discuss the race that's seen Mayor and Deputy Mayor go head to head.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the third episode of On the Tiles - Local Edition, Georgina Campbell updates on what's happened on the campaign trail this week, and points out a common problem with mayoral promises before elections. She then speaks with NZ Herald's Simon Wilson to explain what rates are and why promises to cut them are damaging for councils, and talks to Otago Daily Times Queenstown Burea Chief Tracey Roxburgh about the race for Queenstown's mayoralty, and how the candidates plan to bounce back post-Covid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode, Thomas is joined by former NZ political reporter Henry Cooke to discuss the new UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, after her appointment to the role earlier this week. They discuss the long leadership challenge leading here, the challenges facing Truss, and Cooke shares his experiences with the cost of living crisis hitting the UK. The episode was recorded prior to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and Thomas offers some quick thoughts on what her death means for New Zealand politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the second episode of On the Tiles - Local Edition, Georgina Campbell gives highlights on how some of the major mayoral campaigns are going, before talking to National's housing spokesman Chris Bishop to discuss the housing crisis. It's a contentious topic that could influence many voters, including in Rotorua and its newly dubbed 'MSD Mile' - but Local Democracy Reporter Felix Desmarais explains why mayoral promises may be hollow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a new month and a new season, and many politicians will be hoping to shake off the drama that dominated August. On this week's episode, Thomas is joined by Newstalk ZB deputy political editor Jason Walls to discuss the biggest stories to hit politics in the last month, from the Sam Uffindell scandal that kickstarted things, to the KiwiSaver GST changes that sparked 24 hours of chaos for Labour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the first episode of On the Tiles - Local Edition, Georgina Campbell runs through the biggest stories in local elections over the last week, before taking a deep dive with Thomas Coughlan on Three Waters and if council candidates can stop or change things, and chats to Local Democracy Reporter Susan Botting about the race in Whangarei and why Northland is due for some big changes post the election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local elections are getting underway soon, and the New Zealand Herald are to help you make informed choices. For the next six weeks, join NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell as she takes you through the biggest races and issues happening in local elections this year. First episode out August 30th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Shaw is best known to many as the Climate Change Minister and the co-leader of the Green Party - but he can't use that title at the moment, after a vote from Green Party delegates saw the position opened up. While Shaw is the only candidate going for the position, it has surprised many outside of the Greens. In his first long-form interview about the challenge, James Shaw joins Thomas to discuss what happened and how he felt about it, what he's taken away from the vote, the tricky balance the Greens face being part of Government, and shares his thoughts on the circumstances that saw his former co-leader Metiria Turei leave politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.