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.

The idea of Act returning to having a double-digit caucus in Parliament seemed unlikely only a few years ago - but current polling is showing that not only will it likely repeat next year, but that Act will be in a position to form a coalition with National. So why is the party doing so well, particularly when minor parties have struggled in recent decades? And what would Act want should National need them to govern? Act leader David Seymour joins Thomas to discuss the historical context behind Act's rise, the importance of policy in a coalition deal, the key areas Act will be campaigning on, and shares his thoughts on the recent scandals that have hit Labour and National. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party is heading to Christchurch this weekend for the party's annual conference, which will by the first for leader Christopher Luxon after replacing Judith Collins last year. The conference will be a major one for National after several years of tension and changing leaders, with a new party president also due to be elected. Will this conference be a quiet show of solidarity, or will it be remembered for all the wrong reasons? National Party member and PR consultant Liam Hehir joins Thomas this week to discuss why he wants it to be a boring conference, how Luxon is faring as a leader, and why Act continues to loom over National's future.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is rarely out of the headlines, but the spotlight on the country's central bank has burned brighter than normal during the Covid-19 pandemic. A report out this week has criticised the bank's monetary policy, particularly the money printing, during the pandemic. It has led to National joining calls for an independent review into the review. This week, Thomas is joined by NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenée Tibshraeny to discuss the politics of the criticism, if this is more about Grant Robertson than Adrian Orr, and discuss the role the Reserve Bank plays in keeping the country running. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.