Both Sides Now

We’ve talked tax with Brad Olsen. Now we’re hearing it from a different angle. This time on Both Sides Now, we’re joined by Simplicity economist Shamubeel Eaqub to ask some pretty basic questions that somehow get very complicated very quickly. Is our tax system actually fair? Are we taxing the right things? Should we be taxing wealth differently? And is government debt really the ticking time bomb we’re often told it is? Shamubeel has a different way of looking at the problem — and he’s not afraid to challenge some of the assumptions that sit underneath the political debate. Because when politicians talk about tax, there’s usually a lot they don’t tell you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tax is everywhere in this election — but how much are politicians actually telling us? This week on Both Sides Now, we sit down with economist Brad Olsen to spill The Tax Tea and get into the stuff that tends to get left out of the campaign slogans. Is our tax system actually fair? What taxes should we have — and what shouldn’t we be taxing? Is debt really the big problem politicians make it out to be? And what does a good tax system actually look like? No “tax cuts good, tax hikes bad” soundbites here — just an adult conversation about where the money comes from, where it goes, and what voters should actually be thinking about when politicians start talking tax. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick things off with the Hager book — the latest political bombshell making waves in Wellington. We get into what’s in it, the reaction it’s sparked, and what it all means with the election just around the corner. To give the book some context Eve shares her experience of working at the Taxpayers Union. Then it’s another big week of policy drops, starting with Supermarkets 3.0 — Labour's plan to shake up the grocery duopoly, including new independent wholesalers, a crackdown on unfair contracts and junk fees, and more options for smaller supermarkets. The Greens want a fairer deal for small businesses, Labour has a tax cut for landlords — was this the right decision in a cost of living crisis? Plus screen-free early childhood education and limits on screens in primary schools, TPM’s proposed $200m independent LGBTQ+ commission, and the Greens’ latest push on lobbying. Then it’s the last week of Parliament: goodbye RMA, hello Planning Act and Natural Environment Act; the BSA is scrapped; council…

This week on Both Sides Now, we’re joined by Freshwater Strategy's Dr Mike Turner, International pollster and political researcher, for a chat about pretty much everything you could want to know about politics and campaigning. We start with where the NZ election is at, what the latest polls are telling us and, perhaps more importantly, what they aren’t telling us. Mike takes us through how polling actually works, why polls can get it wrong and how much we should read into those numbers that dominate the headlines. We also go well beyond the election — talking about AI and what it could mean for the future of work, whether Gen Z and Gen Alpha are engaging with politics differently, and what younger voters might mean for the future of political engagement. Basically, if you’ve ever looked at a poll and wondered “how do they actually know this?” — we’ve got you covered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Both Sides Now, we kick things off with Ed Sheeran vs Macklemore, has Ed made the right call? Then we get into the big policy stories of the week: National entering the supermarket chat. Labour taking aim at supermarket price gouging, the Greens putting $200m behind Te Reo Māori, and Te Pāti Māori’s plans for New Zealand’s energy system. And we get into ACT’s small business policy, including a proposed freeze on the minimum wage and a new youth training wage for under-20s, set at 60% of the minimum wage for up to a year. ACT says the policy is about making it easier for businesses to take on and train young people — but what does it mean for young workers? We also look at National’s plan to put more police on public transport — will it actually make people feel safer, and what would it look like in practice? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Both Sides Now, we’re doing a political whistlestop tour because all the parties decided to do a policy dump this week. We start with the Green's KiwiMart. We then run through Labour and ACT's climate change and policies. TPM and ACT’s plans for the Waitangi Tribunal, what do these policies surpassingly have in common? We then go into Labour's AI policy, National’s first-home buyer announcement, and NZ First’s push around superannuation for citizens — plus the latest twist on immigration. We finish with Opportunity’s IERF policy. It’s a lot, but we’re breaking down what’s actually being proposed, why the parties are pushing it, and what it could mean if they ever make it into government. Another week, another nine things to have an opinion about. Welcome to election year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Both Sides Now we kick things off with National’s student loan policy. What is National actually proposing, who stands to benefit, and does it meaningfully change the picture for young New Zealanders trying to get ahead? Then we turn to health, with a particular focus on women’s health and the latest announcements in this space. We look at what the parties are promising and why young people should care about the health system. And finally, we get into climate change. We unpack ACT’s proposed scrapping of the Climate Change Commission, what that could mean for the way New Zealand approaches emissions and climate policy, and National’s position on the Paris Agreement. We also have some tax chats coming up! As mentioned on the show, if you have anything you want the experts to answer please email us at bothsidesnownz@gmail.com (no question is a silly question!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down with Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Casey for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the biggest costs facing New Zealanders: energy. We get into power and petrol, and ask what can politicians actually do to make your power bill and petrol bill cheaper? We talk about the practical policy changes that could make a difference, what’s getting in the way, and whether politicians are making energy more complicated than it needs to be. Mike isn’t a politician, and that’s part of what makes his perspective so refreshing. He has a genuine focus on policies that actually work for New Zealanders — and he’s not afraid to give credit where it’s due or call out bad ideas, regardless of which side of the political spectrum they come from. In a political world that can sometimes feel very tribal, it’s refreshing to hear someone who can see both the good and the bad in parties across the political spectrum. A practical conversation about energy, politics and, ultimately, how we can make some of the biggest household…

This week on the podcast, we get stuck into Te Pāti Māori’s decision to campaign for the candidate vote only and what it means for MMP, the Māori electorates and the wider election campaign. Then we attempt something that seems increasingly difficult in politics: having an adult conversation about tax. What should we actually be taxing, why do we tax it, and what does a fair tax system look like? We look at how the major parties are communicating their tax messages, what is getting lost in the political spin, and whether voters are being given enough detail to properly judge the choices on offer. And with the leaders’ debates being announced, we discuss what we actually want to see debated and, more importantly, what matters to young people. Are the issues that affect younger generations getting enough attention, and what questions should the party leaders be forced to answer before we head to the polls? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast: leadership coup round two. And somehow, it was even more of a mess. If you are feeling overwhelmed by it all, don't worry, so are we! We unpack what actually happened inside National, why Chris Penk decided to make a move, who knew what and when, and what the whole saga says about Christopher Luxon’s leadership heading into the election. Luxon survived his second leadership challenge of the year, but the drama has certainly raised questions about the stability of the Government. Then, Opportunity is at 8%. Yes, you read that right. The latest 1News Verian poll has Opportunity clearing the 5% threshold and sitting level with NZ First. So what does that mean for the election, who is voting for them, and could they end up holding the balance of power? And finally… where are the left in all of this? Labour who? With Opportunity gaining ground and the political landscape getting increasingly unpredictable, we take a look at what is happening on the left and whether Labour is doing enough…

This week on Both Sides Now we sit down with ACT MP Laura McClure for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey into politics and some of the issues she’s been pushing since entering Parliament. We chat about her bill tackling AI-generated deepfakes, why she thinks the law needs to catch up with rapidly developing technology, and what should happen when AI is used to create misleading or harmful content. Laura also opens up about her own political journey — including why she has previously voted for different political parties, what eventually led her to ACT, and what it was like making the jump into Parliament. We also get into the manosphere and the growing influence of online communities on young people, as well as some of the challenges politicians face when trying to have conversations about gender, social media and the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a slightly longer episode this week, but there was no shortage of topics to cover. We start by briefly discuss Winston Peters' latest remarks before turning to one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand: youth unemployment. We discuss why more young people are struggling to find work, whether our education system is preparing people for the jobs of the future, and how AI is already changing the workforce. From university degrees to apprenticeships, we ask what skills will actually matter in the years ahead. We then shift to looking at the Prime Minister's decision to rule out working with Opportunity after the next election. What does that mean for Opportunity's chances, could it influence voters, and how might it shape the coalition options available under MMP? To wrap up, we discuss AI data centres and whether New Zealand should be going ahead with the one in Southland. We weigh up the economic opportunities, the energy demands, and whether the benefits outweigh the costs as countries around the…

Another busy week in politics, and we're unpacking the stories behind the headlines. We start with the fallout from Stuart Nash's comments suggesting women who take time off to have children are "lazy". Were his comments taken out of context, or do they reflect a wider attitude towards unpaid care and parenting? We discuss why the comments have generated such a strong reaction and what they tell us about the political conversation around work and family. We also break down the Government's proposed changes to consent laws. What exactly is changing, why is it being reviewed, and could these reforms have been made now? Finally, we dive into this week's inflation figures. Annual inflation has jumped to 4.1%, up from 3.1% last quarter, with prices rising 1.5% over the June quarter—driven largely by higher fuel costs. What does that mean for interest rates, mortgages, and the cost of living? We unpack the numbers, why they matter, and whether this is likely to be a temporary spike or the start of a broader…

This week we're talking celebrity politicians after Paul Henry announced he's standing for ACT. Is this the start of a trend, or just another reminder that politics and entertainment are becoming harder to tell apart? We also look at the UK's Count Binface, who might be a joke candidate on paper but ends up making some surprisingly sharp points. With the regulated period just around the corner, we check back in on the election predictions we made earlier this year to see how they're tracking. With the political landscape shifting, it's a good time to see what's changed and whether we're sticking by our original calls. And of course, we wrap up with our social media moment of the week, featuring Tamatha Paul and the Warriors jersey. An awesome example of how sport has a unique ability to bring us together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Both Sides Now, we unpack two similar approaches to making solar power more accessible by National and Labour. Despite being from opposite sides of the spectrum we discuss the importance of seeing the two main political parties largely in alignment on New Zealand's energy future. We also discuss the government's proposed social media ban for young people and the role of VPNs. We share our experiences growing up with social media and what we think a ban will, or will not achieve. We then take a look at NZ First's proposed citizens' vote policy, is this the direction we want to see New Zealand heading in? Finally, with Matariki marking the Māori New Year, we reflect on the importance of the holiday, how it has been embraced across New Zealand, and what it represents as a time to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future. To wrap up, our social media moment of the week from MP Greg Flemming illustrates the spirit of Matariki beautifully:…

This week on the podcast we're unpacking the Conservation Amendment Bill and separating the facts from the politics. There's been plenty of debate about what the Bill actually does, so we take a look at what's changing, why it's causing such a stir, and whether the concerns being raised stack up. We also dive into the Government's KPIs for emergency housing. What are they trying to achieve, are these the right measures to be using, and will they actually make a difference? Plus, Opportunity is back in the headlines. We look at their latest polling, whether they're making any real progress, and what it all means with the next election on the horizon. And for Social Media Moment of the Week, we're talking about National's AI-generated video. Is it a clever way to connect with voters, or does it miss the mark? We're not entirely convinced... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered how New Zealand's voting system actually works? In this episode, we're joined by our old university lecturer, Professor Andrew Geddis, for a deep dive into MMP – the system that shapes every election and every government. We unpack how MMP works, why New Zealand adopted it, what your party vote and electorate vote actually do, and clear up some of the biggest misconceptions about our electoral system. Whether you're voting for the first time, need a refresher before the election this year, or have always wondered why coalition governments are the norm, this episode is for you. This is an accessible, practical guide to understanding the system that decides who governs New Zealand. If you've ever found MMP confusing, this is the episode you've been waiting for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast, we begin by discussing our episode with Q Opportunity Party leader. We then unpacked the government's proposed Definition of a Woman Bill and looked at the legal, political, and social debates surrounding it. We discussed what the bill would actually do, why it has generated so much attention, and whether it has any realistic chance of becoming law. We also took a look at Scrutiny Week in Parliament — one of the few times MPs get the opportunity to put ministers under sustained questioning about their performance, spending decisions, and policy outcomes. We discussed some of the standout moments and what they tell us about the government's priorities. On the opposition benches, Labour has been rolling out some new policy ideas. While the party is clearly beginning to position itself for the next election, not everyone on the podcast was convinced. Eve gave her verdict on the latest announcements and explained why she thinks some of Labour's proposals miss the mark. And of course, we…

She's the woman hoping to pull off one of the biggest upsets in New Zealand's MMP history. Qiulae Wong — known as 'Q' — is the new leader of the Opportunity Party, and she joins us on Both Sides Now to talk about what needs to change in NZ politics, why the left-right divide is holding the country back, and her mission to get Opportunity into Parliament for the very first time. We talk about her career in sustainable business — from working with global brands overseas to consulting at KPMG — and how that shaped her political vision. She opens up about how becoming a mum inspired her to step into politics, what it's like running as a two-tick candidate in Mt Albert, and why she believes New Zealand is finally ready for something different. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode we examine the Government's new stalking legislation, which will create a standalone stalking offence for the first time in New Zealand. We discuss why existing laws have often failed to adequately capture patterns of obsessive and threatening behaviour, what conduct the new offence will cover, and whether the proposed penalties and protections strike the right balance. We then turn to the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Smith v Fonterra. We break down what the Court actually decided, why the case is being viewed as a significant development in climate change litigation, and the implications of allowing novel climate-related claims to proceed through the courts. We also discuss the Government's response, including its decision to introduce legislation aimed at limiting or overturning the effect of the ruling, and the political debate that has followed. Alongside this, we unpack the lobbying controversy that has emerged around the proposed law change and what it reveals about the…

It's Budget week, which means we've dedicated this episode to breaking down the Government's biggest announcement of the year. We talk through what the Budget actually is, why politicians and the media obsess over it every May, and what this year's decisions tell us about the Government's priorities. We look at the key spending announcements, where the money is going, and who stands to benefit. Of course, every Budget creates winners and losers, so we discuss who came out ahead, who missed out, and some of the criticisms already being levelled at the Government's choices. We also look beyond the Government benches and discuss how other parties might respond. What policies could Labour, the Greens, ACT and New Zealand First put forward as alternatives? And what does this Budget tell us about the political debates we'll be having over the next year? If you've seen the headlines but want to understand what it all actually means, this episode is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

This week on the podcast, politics delivered another packed agenda and we covered it all — from our interview with Nicole McKee and what she had to say about ACT’s priorities in Government, through to the latest debates dominating Wellington. We unpacked the Government’s proposed changes to the family carers legislation and the difficult balancing act between recognising carers, managing costs, and ensuring support systems are sustainable. We also discussed the latest wave of public sector cuts, what they mean in practice, and whether the Government's made the right call. We also took a closer look at the ongoing debate around Treaty clauses in legislation, including the decision to remove or narrow references across a range of laws and why this issue continues to generate such strong political and public reaction. Plus, we chat about Christopher Luxon’s speech to BusinessNZ and what it shows about his approach to the rest of the year. A big week, plenty of debate, and lots to unpack. Hosted on Acast. See…

In this episode, we sit down with Hon Nicole McKee to discuss the issues that have defined both her political career and her personal journey. From firearm reform and the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks, to the realities of being a Māori woman in politics, Nicole shares candid insights into some of New Zealand’s most debated topics. We talk about why firearms matter to many New Zealanders, what the public often misunderstands about gun ownership, and whether the country’s firearm reforms have achieved what they set out to do. Nicole also reflects on her path from the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners to Parliament, and the challenges that came with stepping into the political spotlight. Beyond policy, this conversation explores identity, resilience, and family. Nicole shares how raising four children has shaped her approach to leadership and public service. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast, we covered a LOT — from the government’s surprise Fees Free announcement hot off the press, a breakdown of our episode with Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and what the UK local council elections might signal globally as Reform makes major gains. We unpacked the new Helen Clark Foundation social cohesion report, including the striking finding that 28% of people feel alienated from society, and explored the growing divide between the “connected”, the “ambivalent”, and the “alienated”. We also looked across the Tasman at the rise of One Nation in Australia and the broader trend of grievance-driven politics and polarisation. We also touched on the scrapping of the Broadcasting Standards Authority and the resignation of Maiki Sherman. And finally, we had an honest discussion about why so many young women are hesitant about having children. Policies like paid parental leave and subsidised childcare matter, but they only scratch the surface. The mental load, career impacts, financial…

In this episode, we sit down with Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson to unpack the realities of local government, leadership during crisis, and why local politics deserves far more attention especially from young people. A key theme throughout the conversation is the disconnect between people and local government. While councils shape everyday life from transport to infrastructure many voters remain disengaged. Simpson shares her thoughts on why voter turnout in local body elections is so low, and what needs to change to make people genuinely care about participating. We also dive into leadership under pressure. Auckland has faced multiple crises in recent years, and Desley reflects on what it takes to step up and lead in these situations. Throughout the episode, she shares how the role has reshaped her own perspectives, offering insights into the realities of governance that many people don’t see. We also look a what motivated her to step into local government and explore the political philosophy that…

Big episode this week. We unpack the Wayne Eagleson interview and what it reveals behind the scenes, then dive into the leadership confidence vote and what it signals for the party moving forward. We also break down Christopher Luxon’s call to pull out of his scheduled interviews with Tova O'Brien and what that says about his media strategy. On the policy front, we get into the India FTA — what’s actually on the table and why it matters — before wrapping with Shane Jones making headlines (again) for two comments that have people talking for all the wrong reasons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Wayne Eagleson, for a behind-the-scenes look at how government really works. We get into his career at the centre of power, what separates good PMs from great ones, and the real role political staffers play (beyond the headlines). Wayne shares how decisions get made under pressure, what loyalty and judgment look like in practice, and why the “machinery of government” is more complex — and more human — than most people think. If you’re interested in politics, leadership, or how influence actually works behind closed doors, this one’s worth your time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We unpack our takeaways from Barbara Edmonds’ latest interview, dive into the growing fuel crisis, and talk about the tough reality facing grads with fewer public sector roles available. Plus, Eve shares her thoughts after watching Prime Minister, and we break down the recent cabinet reshuffle — were the right calls made? Tune in for sharp insights and real talk on the issues shaping Aotearoa right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are so excited for you to hear this one, we chat with Barb for a refreshingly honest conversation about life inside and outside Parliament. She opens up about raising a big family, her time working for National, and why community has always been at the centre of everything she does. She shares why she's not making big promises about “fixing the economy” this election, what she thinks voters actually want to hear, and the kind of Finance Minister she hopes to be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We begin by reviewing our interview with Nicola Willis. We unpack the growing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, and how it’s starting to ripple into everyday life here — particularly through oil prices, petrol costs, and the wider cost of living in Aotearoa. On the domestic front, we go through the newly released Royal Commission COVID-19 Lessons Learned Phase 2 report. We also touch on the latest developments surrounding Chris Hipkins and of course give a super rugby update. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins the podcast for a candid conversation about the pressures and priorities of political leadership. From the debate around pay equity to the reality of mum guilt while holding one of the country’s most demanding jobs, Nicola shares how she navigates family, finance, and public scrutiny. She also reveals the policy she believes every politician should be talking about this year and reflects on how her leadership style compares with Jacinda Ardern’s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are back and Eve is joined by a new co-host, Alex Martin. In this first episode, we share our predictions for the political year ahead and talk through stories and issues we think will shape the months to come. We also outline what we’re planning for the podcast this season and the kinds of conversations we want to have along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This was an epic chat with the kiwi who spent 4 years having daily meetings with the most powerful man in the world. He chats about his time in the White House, politics in the United States and how he's helping to shape the future of New Zealand. Chris has done very little media in New Zealand so don't miss the chance to hear directly from someone who was once the most influential kiwi in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This was an epic chat with new MP James Meager where we chatted about everything from climate change, to the treaty, to what his proudest achievements are outside of politics and the impact his new career will have on his personal life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Eve and Finn sharing how they think the campaign has gone and what we can expect in the coming weeks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Eve and Finn would both agree that theres many things in TOP they would both vote for. This was a great chat where we explored more about who TOP are, what they would bring to Parliament and why voting for them isn't a wasted vote. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We had an epic conversation with Paddy Gower, we covered everything from his career in the media, to how he prepares for the leaders debates, to many stories from throughout his career in the media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This week we changed things up and caught up with New Zealand journalist and TV presenter Jack Tame to discuss the state of the media in New Zealand and globally, their role in polarisation and elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to hear Chris's thoughts on police carrying hand guns, who he would give a knighthood too, Te Reo in schools and more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We caught up with National Party Leader Christopher Luxon for the first episode of season 2. We covered just about every topic in this interview from polarisation, to climate change, to what Christopher does for fun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the final episode we sat down and discussed some of the highlights of the first season of the podcast and what we have learnt from travelling around NZ and meeting all the politicians that we spoke too. We discuss things such as our favourite episode, where we think NZ should sit on the political spectrum and what surprised us most about each other! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to hear the Hon Nikki Kaye's speed round(ish) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hon Nikki Kaye was education minister under the John Key lead National Government and won the traditionally left seat of Auckland Central for the National Party for the first time. Throughout Nikki's time in the National Party she was known for being one of the most liberal MPs in the caucus. She talks about what it was like disagreeing with her own caucus. This is also a great yarn for anyone who is keen to go into politics as Nikki offers up some advice on going into politics, especially for young people Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in to hear Metiria's speed round! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being a former co leader of the Green Party Eve found this interview one of the more challenging as Metiria sits on the complete opposite side of the political spectrum. However, Metiria’s openness to discussion and debate allowed both of us to learn a lot from the discussion. What was most apparent from her interview was her unrelenting drive to want to improve life for those who are struggling or disadvantaged in society. While she is lecturing law at Otago University now, it is obvious this drive has not gone away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.