Best Matt And Tracey Podcasts (2025)

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Politics Friday with Matt Doocey and Tracey McLellan: High Schools, Te Pati Māori and Natural gas 16:26

Play Pause

12d ago16:26

16:26

John was joined by Matt Doocey and Tracey McLellan this week for Politics Friday. They discussed the situation with Shirley Boys High School, who have spent $800,000 to move their school away from the modern learning model. Is it fair that schools have to foot the bill for this? The decision has been made around punishment for Te Pati Māori, does t…

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John MacDonald: A closer look at our mental health hospitals is overdue 5:50

12h ago5:50

5:50

It was bad enough that a patient at Hillmorton Hospital who had threatened to kill was still allowed to come and go and ended up killing an innocent woman at her Christchurch home. The fact this person had killed someone else previously, before taking the life of Faye Phillips last year, makes the circumstances behind the tragedy worse. On both occ…

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John MacDonald: Police cameras yes - with a couple of provisos 5:26

1d ago5:26

5:26

I’ve surprised myself a little bit with my reaction to the news the police are looking at introducing body cameras. Generally, I’m all for it. But the civil liberties people have raised some very good points about them being misused. One example they’re giving is the potential for the cameras to be combined with facial recognition technology. Which…

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John MacDonald: Australia might have AUKUS-buyer's remorse 4:59

5d ago4:59

4:59

Donald Trump won’t be too happy with Helen Clark right now, because she’s saying she doesn't want New Zealand to be an ally of the United States ever again. I’m with her on that one – while Trump is president, anyway. I’m also with Defence Minister Judith Collins who isn’t saying anything about Trump doing a review of the AUKUS military alliance wi…

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Politics Friday with Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb: NZ's relationship with the US, privacy vs safety, and Tourism NZ's new marketing campaign 19:09

5d ago19:09

19:09

Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb joined John MacDonald in studio for Politics Friday. They discussed Helen Clark’s recent comments around New Zealand’s relationship with the United States – do they agree? On the topic of privacy versus safety, when it comes to mental illness, is keeping people safe a higher priority than keeping someone’s health private…

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John MacDonald: Wool carpet is great - but not everywhere 4:35

6d ago4:35

4:35

I’m all for the push to have wool carpet used in government buildings but I think it’s a mistake putting it in state homes. Kāinga Ora has announced that, from next month, there will be woollen carpets in all new state homes. It’s also going to use wool if the carpet in existing homes needs replacing. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says Kāi…

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John MacDonald: People should have known about mentally-unwell gardener 5:58

7d ago5:58

5:58

I’m not exactly sure where to start with this, because it is just so tragic and there is so much to it. I could start by ripping into the people who run Hillmorton Hospital, in Christchurch, for not doing more to try to prevent one of their patients murdering a woman at her home in Mt Pleasant – because I want to rip into them. I could start with t…

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Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Te Pati Māori, housing intensification, sewage 8:44

7d ago8:44

8:44

Labour's leader says Te Pati Māori should focus on the issues most New Zealanders care about. Parliament last week voted to hand down the harshest suspensions in history to three MPs over a haka performed during the Treaty Principles Bill vote. Labour's Willie Jackson and Adrian Rurawhe argued the punishments were too harsh, but also suggested the …

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FERTILITY FRAUD - My Mum's Fertility Doctor Is My Dad 1:03:11

7d ago1:03:11

1:03:11

Eve Wiley is the product of fertility fraud… When her parents struggled to with infertility, they selected an anonymous sperm donor. However, it would be later revealed that their fertility doctor had been leaving the room, producing his own sperm sample and inseminating into Eve’s mother. Head to drinkag1.com/andyrowe to order now and get yourself…

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John MacDonald: The Govt needs some skin in the solar game 4:47

8d ago4:47

4:47

How would you feel if the Government came out and said solar energy is the future and it was going to throw everything at it? Because that’s something I think it needs to seriously consider doing. For me, there would only be one fly in the ointment – I’ll get to that. But it’s not enough for me to say that the Government shouldn’t be ploughing mone…

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John MacDonald: We need to get real about housing intensification 5:06

8d ago5:06

5:06

“A complete balls up”. How about that for what might be quote of the day? That’s how Christchurch city councillor Andrei Moore is describing the council’s handling of the housing intensification row. It’s a row that has been shut down for good by Housing and Resource Management Minister Chris Bishop, who has rejected Christchurch’s bid to have its …

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John MacDonald: The modern learning environment - pipedream turned nightmare 5:31

12d ago5:31

5:31

Imagine a school having $800,000 in the bank. Imagine all the things a school could buy with that amount of money. This is a state school I’m talking about, not a Flash Harry private school that can put the call-out to the old boys and the old girls when it needs cash to do something. So a state school with $800,000 in the bank, and this state scho…

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John MacDonald: There's nothing special about supermarket specials 5:27

13d ago5:27

5:27

I love this idea the Commerce Commission and the Grocery Commissioner have come up with, of supermarkets giving us everyday low prices instead of the ever-changing, so-called “special prices”. The supermarket specials that really brass me off are the ones where you might see meat in one of the fridges, and they’ll have a sign showing the price per …

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Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on capping rates increases, the potential for passenger rail in Canterbury, selling Lichfield Street car park 10:17

13d ago10:17

10:17

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined John MacDonald this morning for their regular catch up. In the wake of Raf Manji’s comments about capping rate increases, how does the Mayor feel about its achievability? ECAN is making a case for a passenger rail in Canterbury – is it a good move? And is selling off Lichfield Street car park a wise decision? L…

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John MacDonald: Privacy Commissioner says facial recognition's okay, but... 5:56

14d ago5:56

5:56

I am really torn. Because when it comes to facial recognition technology, I’ve always been of the view that if you’re not doing anything wrong, there’s nothing to worry about. But, at the risk of sounding like I’m going a bit “civil liberties” on it, I’m starting to change my tune a bit. Which I’ll admit is a bit weird considering the Privacy Commi…

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Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on signs of recovery in the region, WorkSafe changes 12:38

15d ago12:38

12:38

Leeann Watson, CEO of Business Canterbury, joined John MacDonald to give a quarterly update. Are we seeing signs of recovery in Canterbury? What would a commuter train mean for the city business scene? And will the Government’s new approach to WorkSafe make a difference for local businesses and how they operate? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list…

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John MacDonald: The dangers of tinkering with Health and Safety 5:39

15d ago5:39

5:39

If there’s anyone who shouldn't be told they can wind things back on the health and safety front, it’s a New Zealander. Because generally, we are absolute shockers when it comes to this sort of thing and our health and safety laws are the only thing standing between our “she’ll be right” attitude and misery and tragedy. Especially when you consider…

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Politics Friday: Duncan Webb and Hamish Campbell talk truancy, students, RMA proposals 18:43

19d ago18:43

18:43

Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined by National’s Hamish Campbell and Labour’s Duncan Webb to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week. The Government will soon be issuing fines to parents of repeatedly absent students – will this work? Is it a new idea? Campbell almost manages to explain the RMA changes in one sentence, but w…

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John MacDonald: Finger-wagging won't get more kids going to school 4:57

19d ago4:57

4:57

I can’t find an exact figure but from what I have seen online, I’m pretty confident in saying that there are hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid fines in New Zealand, and that figure is about to rise even further. Because the Government is dreaming if it thinks people fined for not sending their kids to school are going to suddenly start send…

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John MacDonald: All councils should learn from ECAN's open mind on rail 5:32

20d ago5:32

5:32

I hope Environment Canterbury isn’t bothering listening to Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey. He’s not impressed that the regional council is going to spend money doing a business case for a rail passenger service between Rangiora, Christchurch, and Rolleston. Matt Doocey says it’s nothing more than a pie-in-the-sky idea and, given we’re in a cost-of-livi…

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John MacDonald: Sometimes a ban isn't the answer 5:07

21d ago5:07

5:07

It would be very easy for me to say that the organisers of those ridiculous Run it Straight combat sport events have blood on their hands after the tragic death of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite. And I would be saying that if Ryan had been involved in an official event. The thing is, he wasn’t. That’s not stopping other people from piling in though…

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James Meager: Minister for the South Island on his portfolio, budget for Canterbury, Hipkins' comments 33:23

21d ago33:23

33:23

James Meager is responding to Chris Hipkins’ comments about the Minister for the South Island role. The Labour Leader called the position a “PR job”, saying there would be no need for Meager’s role if the Government was actually prioritising the South Island. Hipkins says Meager's not doing anything because he has no budget or decision-making abili…

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Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Winston Peters ruling out Labour, KiwiSaver changes, Minister for the South Island 8:22

21d ago8:22

8:22

Labour's yet to rule potential coalition partners in or out. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is refusing to work with Chris Hipkins next election, but has not entirely ruled Labour out. On social media, Peters posted a Government of Labour, the Greens, and Te Pati Māori would be a "circus" and a "radical woke show". Hipkins told John MacDon…

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John MacDonald: Have we lost the retail crime battle? 5:01

22d ago5:01

5:01

“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s the message cops have been given about shoplifting. And the powers-that-be can say as much as they like about their memo to staff about only bothering with shoplifting worth more than $500 not being worded as well as it could have been, but the message is very clear. You steal stuff worth less than $500 and you…

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John MacDonald: The community work sanction is an opportunity 6:10

23d ago6:10

6:10

The Government is describing the 20 hours unpaid community work that people on the Jobseeker benefit will be made to do from today if they don’t follow the rules, as a penalty. And there’ll be no shortage of people cheering on from the sidelines, who will also be seeing it as a penalty. I think it’s great too. But not for the obvious reasons. The O…

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COFFIN CONFESSOR AGAIN 57:29

23d ago57:29

57:29

Bill Edgar, known as the Coffin Confessor, shares his unique experiences of crashing funerals and delivering messages from the deceased. He discusses the evolution of his career, personal reflections on death, and the emotional weight of his role. Bill also touches on his past, including his struggles and confrontations with the church regarding ab…

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Politics Friday with Megan Woods and Matt Doocey: KiwiSaver, means testing, what the budget means for Canterbury 17:52

25d ago17:52

17:52

Today Megan Woods and Matt Doocey joined John MacDonald following the release of the budget. They discussed the key aspects of it including changes to KiwiSaver, will there be an announcement on the retirement as it sound like Matt is hinting towards? Should parents really support 18 and 19 year olds if they aren't working? And what is in the budge…

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John MacDonald: We're not going far enough with superannuation changes 5:15

25d ago5:15

5:15

Quite a well-known chief executive and finance guy told me once that, in business, you should always make use of other people’s money first. Which is exactly what the Government is doing with the KiwiSaver changes announced in yesterday’s budget. It wants more of our money going in from our wages and salaries and less of its money going in through …

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John MacDonald: Do we even need speed limits around the new stadium? 4:34

27d ago4:34

4:34

There’s a danger that when the new stadium opens in Christchurch next year, we'll have no idea exactly what speed we should be going when we drive around the area. At the moment, the council wants it to be 30kph on Madras Street, Tuam Street, Lichfield Street, Duke Street, Hereford Street and St Asaph Street. But now it’s being told by the Governme…

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Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on the speed limit around Te Kaha stadium, after hours care, taking home shopping trolleys 8:05

27d ago8:05

8:05

There's consultation on speed limits around Christchurch's Te Kaha stadium - once again. New Government rules are forcing the City Council to ask for public feedback for a second time. A 30 kilometre-an-hour limit was approved for multiple surrounding streets but can no longer be implemented because of the changes. Mayor Phil Mauger told Canterbury…

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John MacDonald: Unsafe health workers need more than a band-aid 5:03

28d ago5:03

5:03

Let’s call it and say that workers going to and from Christchurch Hospital at night-time deserve better. This is after what’s being described as a “very violent” assault on a staff member heading home after work last weekend. It’s understood the woman had been on a shift at the birthing centre, on Antigua Street. What we know at this point is that …

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John MacDonald: $600M for rail is a good start, but it's just a start 5:11

29d ago5:11

5:11

In an ideal world, I would love us to have more trains. In an ideal world, I think it would be great if all our big cities had rail passenger services. Not just Auckland and Wellington that Transport Minister Chris Bishop was talking about when he announced this morning that there’s $600 million in this week’s Budget going into rail. I won’t go all…

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John MacDonald: Why no more after-hours funding for Christchurch? 5:56

30d ago5:56

5:56

Here’s a story someone told me this morning about what happened within the last six-or-so weeks, when a Christchurch woman took her teenage daughter to the after-hours surgery. I’m telling you this because the Government has announced that there’s going to be increased funding in Thursday’s budget for after-hours medical care. Which is great. I’m n…

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John MacDonald: Gun salutes and c-bombs don't belong in Parliament 6:31

1M ago6:31

6:31

"I've seen some bad times in this house, but this is one of the lowest I've ever seen. When you go to that sort of standard of language, nothing's beneath you after that, is it?" That was Winston Peters yesterday after his coalition colleague, Brooke van Velden, used the c-word in parliament. And I’m with him 100%. He said he was disgusted that the…

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John MacDonald: I support the truckies saying 'us too in the T2' 5:31

1M ago5:31

5:31

“It’s like making a silk purse out of a pig’s ear.” That’s a quote from the boss at Transporting New Zealand, which represents the transport sector, talking about Brougham Street in Christchurch. Because it’s been revealed by NZTA that the $150 million revamp of Brougham Street, one of Christchurch’s busiest streets, will include T2 transit lanes –…

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Mike Blackburn: Construction analyst on the current situation in Canterbury, market update, major work in the region 12:00

1M ago12:00

12:00

Construction is booming in Canterbury – but what is the market doing? Construction Analyst Mike Blackburn joined John MacDonald to delve into the current situation in the region, the areas that are seeing major work, and if they’re seeing an over-supply of multi-unit dwellings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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John MacDonald: What I would do if I was running the new truancy service 5:28

1M ago5:28

5:28

Well done to the Government for making all the right noises about dealing with truancy. It’s going to spend $140 million over the next four years with one aim: getting more kids to turn up at school regularly. It’s looking good. But I’m wanting to see some more creative approaches than what’s been talked about up until now, and I've got some ideas.…

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Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on pay equity, school attendance, FamilyBoost 9:30

1M ago9:30

9:30

The Opposition Leader's welcoming Government investment into school attendance. $140 million from this year's Budget will go towards a new system and better data monitoring. Labour leader Chris Hipkins wanted truancy officers reintroduced two years ago when he was PM. Hipkins told John MacDonald it's clear disbanding the previous truancy service in…

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John MacDonald: I've got a solution for the power bill problem 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

This poll out today saying nearly half of us are more concerned about power prices than we were a year ago, is nonsense. Because I reckon we’re all concerned about it, not just nearly half of us. If you’re not concerned about your power bill, then I’ll have what you’re having thanks. Only 8% of people who took part in this survey by Curia said they…

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John MacDonald: There will always be cars and idiots 5:18

1M ago5:18

5:18

There are two things certain in this world. There will always be cars and there will always be idiots. That’s why this move by the Government to make it easier to seize and destroy cars won’t get rid of the boy racer problem. But it’s better than nothing and good on the Government for doing it. At the moment, the police can only seize or destroy a …

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Ep #155 - Bryony Tucker & Abi Cooper - How batyr meaningfully include lived experience in everything they do 36:14

1M ago36:14

36:14

In this episode, Tracey Newman and Dan Bentley speak with Bryony Tucker, the COO and Abi Cooer, the Youth Advocacy Lead at Batyr. This discussion explores how their organisation meaningfully incorporates young people's lived experiences into every aspect of their mental health work, from organisational decision-making to program design. They share …

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BLACK HAWK DOWN 51:35

1M ago51:35

51:35

In this gripping conversation, Jeff Struecker, a former US Army Ranger, recounts his harrowing experiences during the Battle of Mogadishu, a mission that would later inspire the film 'Black Hawk Down.' He shares the weight of decision-making in combat, the chaos of navigating a war-torn city, and the profound sense of duty that drove him and his me…

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John MacDonald: The Pope won't change the world, but needs to be part of it 5:30

1M ago5:30

5:30

I don’t often quote Albert Einstein, but I’m going to today. “Those who believe that politics and religion do not mix, understand neither.” And if the new pope didn’t understand that before today, he will now. Because Cardinal Robert Prevost —who will be known as Leo XIV— has only just been elected and already he’s being lobbied by politicians arou…

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Politics Friday with Megan Woods and Vanessa Weenink: Pay equity, MMP, State of Emergency in Banks Peninsula 18:48

1M ago18:48

18:48

John MacDonald was joined this morning by Megan Woods and Vanessa Weenink, to delve into some of the biggest issues of the week. It’s been a big week for Weenink, who holds the electorate seat for Banks Peninsula – she gave an update on the State of Emergency in the area, and her thoughts on the response. Pay equity was the big topic of the week – …

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John MacDonald: The one problem I have with MMP 5:29

1M ago5:29

5:29

I’ve always been a fan of MMP. And I still am, but there’s one thing about it that I do struggle with – the list MPs. I know it took some of us a while to totally understand why we have list MPs. I understand – but I don’t necessarily like it. Which is why I thought retiring Labour MP David Parker raised some good points about MMP in his valedictor…

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Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on the State of Emergency in Banks Peninsula, water quality 8:20

1M ago8:20

8:20

Banks Peninsula's State of Emergency remains in effect, with warning of more severe weather on its way for much of the country. The emergency was declared a week ago during record rain and flooding. Orange warnings have now been issued for more heavy rain for several parts of both islands, heading from south to north over the next two days. Christc…

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John MacDonald: Don't crow about giving women the vote and then do this 5:38

1M ago5:38

5:38

Next time I hear one of our government politicians banging on about New Zealand being the first country in the world to give women the vote, it will sound very hollow. Because while that might be something to crow about, what the Government’s doing in relation to equal pay for women, isn’t. You’ve got to, at the very least, give Brooke van Velden c…

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John MacDonald: Do we all really need the pension at 65? 5:44

1M ago5:44

5:44

It was very clever of the Government announcing that it was going to pump $12 billion into defence before saying anything about where the money’s coming from. A lot of us got all excited about the defence money because, even if you’re a pacifist, you would have to agree that our defence force has been running on the smell of an oily rag for a very …

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John MacDonald: What to do about the illegal tobacco trade 5:44

1M ago5:44

5:44

Here’s a stat for you: 25 percent of cigarettes sold in New Zealand are from the black market. They’re being smuggled into the country and criminals are making millions selling them on Facebook Marketplace and construction sites. All over the place. And you probably don’t have to go far to find a dairy selling them, either. That figure has been put…

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John MacDonald: Less ministers and govt. departments? Yes please! 4:49

2M ago4:49

4:49

I love the way David Seymour is describing the size of cabinet and the number of government departments. He says the whole lot are "a big, complicated bureaucratic beast". And he is spot on. Here are the numbers that say it all: we have 82 portfolios, 28 ministers, and 41 separate government departments and agencies. If that doesn’t sound like a co…