On the Tiles

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.

Now that politicians have been able to leave the country to grow diplomatic connections for quite a while, what have they been doing? In recent times Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been on trips to Singapore, Japan, the US, Spain, Belgium, the UK, Fiji, and twice to Australia. International jet setting still has its issues, with many of the travelling press gallery catching Covid-19 while covering the Pacific Islands Forum Questions were posed over what would happen if China invaded Taiwan, and the new Australian government is undergoing a reset over climate change. New Zealand Herald Senior Political Reporter Thomas Couglan spoke to his former boss, Newsroom's National Affairs Editor Sam Sachdeva See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Government announced a Cabinet reshuffle, set off by the retirements of Kris Faafoi and Trevor Mallard, and changing the Police Minister portfolio away from Poto Williams. Putting quibbles over the "minor" reshuffle, as it was flagged, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that a bigger reshuffle is set to come next year to gear up for the election. Today, Thomas is joined by Hayden Munro, former Labour staffer and 2020 campaign manager, to discuss the reshuffle, the MPs on the rise, which MPs may be calling it quits, and also how Labour is fared to take on National next year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final results in the Australian federal election have been tallied, given Anthony Albanese and his Labor Party a majority government. But what are the priorities for the new Australian government, what lessons can the ousted Coalition learn, and what does the seismic shift in Aussie politics mean for New Zealand? Australian Associated Press New Zealand correspondent Ben McKay joins Thomas to discuss the big takeaways from the election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of the $6 billion, 2170 + page Budget revealed on Thursday, this week Thomas is joined by Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny and Newstalk ZB chief political report Jason Walls to dissect the finer details announced by Finance Minister Grant Robertson.  What policy did Treasury recommend against? What will this mean for house prices and inflation? What policy are the key shareholders not in support of? And is this really like a Harry Potter reading party? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's just under a week to go until Finance Minister Grant Robertson unveils his fifth Budget. To discuss what they hope to see next week, and what they hope doesn't get included, Thomas chats with economists Craig Renney and Eric Cramption. Follow On the Tiles on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are out on Fridays. You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics. You can follow Thomas Coughlan on Twitter @coughlthomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour MP Rachel Brooking has the unusual distinction of having reviewed the RMA and its replacement twice in the space of two years.She was appointed to the Government's review of the RMA in Labour's first term. She later became a candidate and an MP for Labour. She's now on the Environment Committee, where she's involved in scrutinising the new RMA legislation.This week, she speaks to Thomas Coughlan on On The Tiles about being a first-term MP, and the difficult choices the Government faces as it reforms resource management in New Zealand. Follow On the Tiles on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are out on Fridays.You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics. You can follow Thomas Coughlan on Twitter @coughlthomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Easter celebrates the resurrection - and a politician who has been resurrected more times than most is former National leader Judith Collins. In an almost biblical career, she's been demoted, re-promoted, and eventually elevated to the party leadership - a job she described as "hell" and lost in a brutal no-confidence vote. In an exclusive, long-form interview with Thomas Coughlan, Collins elaborates on why she never wanted to be leader, how she ended up replacing Todd Muller, her relationship with Simon Bridges, and why, after all that, she's still committed to her role as MP. Follow On the Tiles on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes out on Fridays.  You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politicsYou can follow Thomas Coughlan on Twitter @coughlthomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.