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.

Nicola Willis had an interesting road to Parliament - after spending over a decade as a staffer to different members of the National Party, she very nearly got into Parliament in 2017 before the final results saw her just miss out. Coming in a few months later off the back of several resignations, Willis has skyrocketed to the top, becoming Deputy Leader at the end of 2021 - and now holding the prime finance portfolio her once boss Bill English used to hold. So is she gearing up to potentially be the country's next Finance Minister? This week, Thomas talks to Willis about her time as staffer, her interest in social investment, housing and finance, her liberal views versus the rest of the National Party, and the departing advice Simon Bridges gave her.  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.

In a first for On the Tiles, this week we're hosting a debate focused around New Zealand's response to the Ukraine crisis. Thomas moderates a discussion between National and Green's foreign affairs spokespeople, Gerry Brownlee and Golriz Ghahraman. They discuss what both their parties want to see from the Government in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and debate the sanctions that could be imposed, if the focus should be on refugees, and if the United Nations is fit for purpose.  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.

In this week's episode, Thomas welcomes back regular panellists AAP New Zealand correspondent Ben McKay and Newsroom political editor Jo Moir. It's been a packed year for politics already, but this week saw a year's worth of developments: the three discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the protests outside Parliament, National's Chris Luxon and his speech on New Zealand being divided, poll reversals for Labour, the Government's response to Omicron, and Ben discusses the latest developments in Australia politics ahead of their election.  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.