
On the Tiles
Each Friday, NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan covers off the biggest political news in New Zealand, going behind the headlines and giving the inside perspective direct from the Beehive, featuring interviews with politicians, press gallery reporters and economic and political experts.
And join us every month for a Local Edition episode with Georgina Campbell, looking at the biggest concerns from a local government level. You can find more politics news at nzherald.co.nz/politics/
Latest episodes

Dec 8, 2023 • 34min
How has the relationship between media and politicians changed?
This week, Thomas is joined by former RNZ political editor Jane Patterson as she leaves the Press Gallery. They discuss high and lowlights from her two decades spent at the heart of politics, and discuss how the relationship between media and politicians has changed over that time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 24, 2023 • 13min
National-Act-NZ First reach a deal: Inside the new Cabinet and policy priorities
After 40 days, New Zealand has a new government. National, Act and NZ First have signed their agreements to form the country's first-ever three-party coalition government. So who's deputy Prime Minister, who are the new Ministers, and what are the policy priorities? And NZ Herald politics editor Claire Trevett joins for her analysis on how this will all work. Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 2023 • 34min
The multitude of economic issues Minister of Finance Nicola Willis faces
Thomas Coughlan talks to NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor, Jenée Tibshraeny, and former economics editor Brian Fallow about the challenges Minister of Finance Nicola Willis will have to deal with now she has her hands on the government's books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 2023 • 21min
Government-in-waiting: Act, National & NZ First's three-way coalition meetings
NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan and Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls are back to discuss the seemingly never-ending wait for a government to be formed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 8, 2023 • 25min
Tricky times: Will Wellington sell its airport shares to keep the city afloat?
Wellington has been home to plenty of drama recently, and Wellington City councillors are about to vote on whether to consult with the public on selling its 34% share in the airport. NZME's Wellington Head of News, Katrina Bennett, and Newstalk ZB Wellington Breakfast Newsreader and News Director, Max Toll talk to Georgina Campbell about Code of Conduct complaints, claims of a financial crisis, big cuts being proposed, and a left-leaning Mayor who now has to work with a National-led government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 3, 2023 • 12min
The final votes are in - what do they mean for the new government?
After three weeks, the final vote count is in, and while some parties have lost seats, others are enjoying their largest caucuses ever. So who's on top and who's having to swallow their campaigning words? NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett joins to give us the latest. Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2023 • 20min
Campaign highlights, Cabinet speculation and texts from Winston
On the Tiles and Thomas are back for the first episode post-election campaign. Joined by Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls, this episode we look at the high and lowlights of the campaign, speculate about the possible Cabinet make-up, and try to decrypt vague messages from NZ First leader Winston Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 18, 2023 • 8min
How important are the special votes?
October 18th: In this final episode for now of On the Campaign, we hear from NZ Herald head of data Chris Knox about why the special votes are so important in determining the shape and makeup of the next government. Host: Hamish FletcherProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2023 • 14min
The campaign is over - but when will the new government be sworn in?
October 16th: The campaign is over and the coalition negotiations have begun. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joins to discuss what should happen over the next three weeks as National and the new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon prepare to take charge, and work out who they need to work with. Host: Georgina CampbellProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 14, 2023 • 20min
Election 2023 results: Inside National's blue wave and Labour's wipeout
In a special crossover episode, the hosts of On the Campaign and The Front Page discuss the results of Election 2023. As the polls predicted poll night was a bloodbath for Labour. Their caucus has nearly halved, several key MPs are out and while Chris Hipkins has not resigned yet, it seems like the inevitable outcome. But for National and Act, it was a case of celebrations. Christopher Luxon is set to be our next Prime Minister, National swung a number of seats their way, and so did Act. With the two parties holding 61 seats at this stage (with a 62nd likely after the Port Waikato byelection) it does raise the prospect of NZ First being needed, but it doesn't change the fact that Aotearoa is getting a change in government. Follow The Front Page and On The Campaign on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Hosts: Damien Venuto, Georgina Campbell and Hamish FletcherProducers: Shaun D Wilson and Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.