25 Aug 2025

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas

From Nine To Noon, 11:05 am on 25 August 2025

Gareth Hughes is the Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa is a former Green MP and is no longer a member of any political party.

Ben Thomas is a former National government press secretary, a columnist and a director of public affairs firm Capital.

A Wellington protester's sign makes reference to Public Service Minister Judith Collins' error when she said that on average a teacher with 10 years' experience was on an annual salary of $140,000. Collins later said she mixed up her messages and had apologised for the error.

The panel discusses the recent teacher strikes.  Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii