Politics Central

Nato chief Mark Rutte warns Western allies to prepare for war with Russia. He said that within the next five years, Nato countries will need to be prepared for a scale of war that hasn't been seen since our grandparents or great-grandparents. Donald Trump is due to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly regarding a peace deal. And the U.S. is keeping very busy as they've also seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela this week. The tanker went off course two days after its departure, listed to head for a Cuban port but rather off-loading part of its load to another ship before heading toward Asia. It was seized shortly after this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a week of back and forth for the Taxpayers' Union and the Finance Minister. Nicola Willis has challenged Union chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate, which was met with a sweet treat sent to Nicola and media. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a tough few months for Te Pati Maori, its AGM is taking place today. Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the country is "facing the most destructive government in our history," and the party is set on "making this a one term government." Meanwhile, 3 of 4 of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's requests in her ongoing legal proceedings were declined by the judge - but her request to remain a party member was accepted until February 2026. Party President John Tamihere remains in office as the AGM goes forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former police commissioner Andrew Coster claims he had briefed Chris Hipkins on Jevon McSkimming's alleged misconduct in 2022, and briefed Mark Mitchell in 2024. Coster stepped down as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency this week, after an IPCA report showed failures in how the police dealt with allegations against McSkimming. Both Hipkins and Mitchell have denied Andrew Coster's claims, and both have released statements saying they would have taken action had they known. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled the party's first policy for next year's election - low-interest loans to support doctor-owned clinics. The scheme will offer up to 50 ten year long loans a year for doctors or nurse practitioners to open or buy into local clinics, interest free for the first two years. After announcing their policy of three free GP appointments a year, questions were raised around how our already overwhelmed health system could manage more appointments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.