Nine To Noon Politics

Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten talk to Kathryn about the big Covid decisions facing the Government, with Omicron bearing down, and already surfacing in MIQ. Decisions need to be made about booster shots and the border reopening. Also discussing the economy and the National change of leadership taking support off Act.

Stephen, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss the big decisions weighing on Cabinet over the loosening of Covid restrictions, the discontent in the rural sector evident in yesterday's countrywide protests and last night's Newshub-Reid Research Poll with its big rise for Act.

Cabinet meets today to decide whether to move the two regions out of alert level 3, step 1, as retailers plead with the government to ease alert level restrictions in Auckland and Waikato, to allow shops to open, this as two Auckland high schools have Covid scares. Also an assessment of the Government's draft emissions reduction plan, and a critical moment for Greens co-leader and Climate Change Minister, James Shaw attending COP 26 in Glasgow. Stephen Mills is an executive director at Talbot Mills research limited which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is a former political adviser to two Labour governments. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government.

Neale, Liam and Kathryn discuss the Government's gamble on Covid strategy, was it a politics driven decision?. Also the dilemmas over vaccine passports and slowness on supplementary testing. Does this give National room to gain ground?

Stephen, Ben and Kathryn talk about whether the health system is anywhere near prepared to cope with the Delta strain, 18 months since pandemic surfaced here, and the scramble to get more New Zealanders vaccinated and tested. They also discuss Sir Michael Cullen's legacy.

Neale and Ben discuss the government's plan to gradually re-open the borders, the power outages last week the the fall out from that, and what will New Zealand take to the next global climate change meeting in Glasgow? Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Neale and Brigitte join Kathryn to look at the National Party's annual conference at the weekend, with Peter Goodfellow retaining his job as president and the Young Nats turning on the party over its bulk vote against the proposed ban on gay conversion therapy. Where does this leave Judith Collins' desire for unity in the party? An announcement on the 'road map' out of Covid is due this week - how much is riding on this? And is the government backpedaling on the cycling bridge - was it ever a real prospect? Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government.

Brigitte, Shane and Kathryn look at the latest Reid Research poll which has seen a near 10 percentage point drop in support for Labour and the highest-ever rating for ACT. Also, the expectations over pay rounds in the public sector, the continuing mess over MIQ and whether any bold moves will be made in the supermarket sector. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. He is a Director and HR Manager for IT Company Mega.

Kathryn, Stephen and Ben discuss the implications of the suspension of the Trans Tasman travel bubble and how New Zealanders will get home. Also the progression of the Covid vaccine rollout and discontent over the extent that police officers should be armed. Stephen Mills is the executive director of UMR Research , which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is former political adviser to two Labour governments. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

In politics we talk about rising inflation, whether the government's investor rules have had any impact on reining in the housing market and how Judith Collins' first year as National Party leader has gone. Stephen Mills is the executive director of UMR Research , which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is former political adviser to two Labour governments. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Kathryn talks to Neale and Brigitte about the pace of the Covid vaccine rollout and the worsening infection rates in Australia, particularly in New South Wales. What might this mean for the Trans Tasman bubble?

Brigitte Morten and Neale Jones join Kathryn to look at whether the PM has made a misstep over hate speech, is it part of a desire to speed up action on some changes - and what are the risks in that?

The Covid spread in Australia, sees the trans Tasman travel bubble paused and highlights slow vaccination rates here. Also frustration at the rollout of the Government's almost 2-billion dollar programme for mental health services.

Neale, Liam and Kathryn talk about the positve forecasts for the economy, tempered with worker shortages set to bite. Also the latest Covid vaccine rollout and whether the booking system is robust enough. Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is director of Capital Government Relations. Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member

Kathryn, Neale and Brigitte discuss the Government's electric vehicle rebate scheme which will be funded through levies on high emission new cars and imports. Also the Immigration Minister's visa extension for 10.000 foreign workers. Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations. Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government.