Ben Thomas
Colmar Brunton poll had a 'clarifying effect' on National MPs - Commentator
Simon Bridges and Todd Muller will face off at midday after Muller made clear he intends to challenge Bridges for the leadership of the National Party.
MPs were called back to Wellington for the vote… Audio
Leadership for National Party - the Bridges and Muller battle
It's D-Day for National but just who's in the firing line won't be clear until this afternoon with both Simon Bridges and Todd Muller both saying they have the numbers to lead the party. Last night's… Audio
Labour surges ahead in new poll
All eyes are on leader of the National Party Simon Bridges after a devastating poll which shows Labour surging ahead.
In a Newshub Reid-Research poll released last night, Labour is on 56.5 percentage… Audio
2020 Budget different to any before
The Budget that Finance Minister, Grant Robertson, will deliver this afternoon will be like none before.
The Budget is largely an economic rescue package called 'Rebuilding Together', yet the… Audio
What are the politics of such a massive decision as this?
Tim Watkin has written a very intesting piece on the Pundit website. Audio
Hospitality industry reaction to alert level announcement
The chief executive of Hospitality New Zealand, Julie White, talks to The Panel about what today's alert level announcement means for them. Audio
Teachers react to alert level announcement
Auckland Secondary School Principals Association president, Richard Dykes, talks to the panel about today's alert level announcement means for schools. Audio
The Panel with Ben Thomas and Laura O'Connell Rapira
Businesses will now be able to get ready to exit from alert level four to alert level three. The Prime Minsiter Jacinda Ardern says business can enter their premises to stock, but people must stay… Audio
I've been thinking for 20 April 2020
Panellists Laura O'Connell Rapira and Ben Thomas share what they've been thinking about while we wait to see when we will be moving out of lockdown level four. Audio
The pressures of waiting to see if we move to level 3
: As we await the announcement from the Government Dr Sarb Johal speaks of the psychological pressure we're under. Audio
Helen Clark - Ghosts of governments past
The sudden reappearance of Helen Clark in the news cycle in the last fortnight has raised some eyebrows and it also raises questions about what the role of former politicians in our public discourse… Audio
The internet is divided over seat reclining onboard flights.
The internet is divided over a video of a man repeatedly punching the back of a woman's reclined seat onboard a plane. She posted the video believing he was in the wrong, but the backlash is that she… Audio
New survey shows Kiwi men are more romantic than Kiwi women
To mark Valentine's Day psychologist Sara Chatwin joins the show to talk about a new survey which shows that New Zealand men are more romantic than New Zealand women. Audio
There are renewed calls for state funding of political parties
Director for Victoria University's Institute for Governance and Policy studies joins the discussion on talk of scrapping political party donations in favour of each party instead being publicly… Audio
Today in music history:what's your favourite love song
Today in music history, it's Valentine's Day - we look at the most romantic song ever written. Audio
How Australia does state funded youth radio
RNZ announced last week Concert FM would move off FM and become fully automated on an AM frequency to make way for a new youth radio station. We speak to Zanda Wilson in Australia about what happens… Audio
The government has given more money tackle homelessness
Community services manager for social services provider Lifewise, Peter Shimwell, joins the discussion on the government's plans to tackle homelessness and stop using motels as emergency housing. Audio
Another political poll shows a close race ahead
The latest political poll puts the National Party neck and neck with the Labour/Green party block. Both are sitting on 46 percent ahead of September's election. Audio
The Panel with Sally Wenley and Ben Thomas (Part 2)
Today in music history, it's Valentine's Day - we look at the most romantic song ever written. Director for Victoria University's Institute for Governance and Policy studies joins the discussion on… Audio
