Ben Thomas
Napier mayor's salary stopped after stroke
The Napier City Council is stopping the salary of Mayor Bill Dalton, as he recovers from a stroke which he suffered in April. Mr Dalton has been with the Council since 2007, first as a councillor then… Audio
Lower public transport fares
The government is to investigate the possibility of reducing public transport costs for 900,000 Community Service card-holders. Those who would benefit could inlcude low income families, the… Audio
Is the "Well Being" in the 2019 Budget just spin?
Is it just spin or is it a radical new approach to economics? National Party MP Amy Adams says it is nothing new. She says that Bill English's social investment work programme could be seen in the… Audio
The Panel with Jo McCarroll and Ben Thomas (Part 2)
Question of the Day: What object in your house sparks joy? Giving up air travel for the sake of the planet is an idea that seems to be gaining some traction. Air travel accounts for 2 per cent of… Audio
The Panel with Jo McCarroll and Ben Thomas (Part 1)
Is it just spin or is it a radical new approach to economics? National Party MP Amy Adams says it is nothing new. She says that Bill English's social investment work programme could be seen in the… Audio
I've been thinking for 27 May 2019
What the Panelists Jo McCarroll and Ben Thomas have been thinking about. Audio
Story of the Day for 27 May 2019
Today we talk about prequels - they are a rarity in film though they're becoming more popular nowadays. Audio
Michelle Boag, Ben Thomas discuss National leadership
Rumours continue to swirl about a possible challenge to Simon Bridges' leadership by senior MP Judith Collins. The National caucus met yesterday for the first time after a two-week break. Arriving at… Audio
Can we fix the OIA?
Stuff has launched a series looking at shortcomings in the official information act. Our panellists - both of whom have worked as journalists - weigh in with their thoughts and experiences. Audio
Where will we grow our veges?!
Fertile land around our urban centres is being eaten up by housing developments, and the horticultural sector is worried it'll affect a $3.5 billion industry. Horticulture NZ's Michelle Sands joins us… Audio
WCC paying social media "influencer" to reach young people
Wellington's city council is paying a social media influencer, Lucy Revill, to try to reach more under-35s. Is this a sensible use of ratepayer money? Audio
US hit with $2.3m bill for Otto Warmbier care
North Korea has issued the USA a $2.3 million bill for the hospital care of Otto Warmbier, a US citizen who was arrested and jailed in North Korea, before suffering extreme, mysterious brain damage… Audio
Joe Biden throws his hat into the ring
Former vice-president Joe Biden has officially launched a bid for the White House - does he stand a chance against the incumbent? Audio
Time for Anzac Day to evolve?
Should Anzac Day solely concern itself with fallen soldiers, or does it have wider resonance as a reminder of the horrors of war? Alan Jackson of the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust joins the panel to… Audio
The Panel with Ruwani Perera and Ben Thomas (Part 2)
What album did you first hate and ended up loving ? Fertile land around our urban centres is being eaten up by housing developments, and the horticultural sector is worried it'll affect a $3.5 billion… Audio
The Panel with Ruwani Perera and Ben Thomas (Part 1)
Should Anzac Day solely concern itself with fallen soldiers, or does it have wider resonance as a reminder of the horrors of war? Alan Jackson of the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust joins the panel to… Audio
I've been thinking for 23 April 2019
What the Panelists Ben Thomas and Ruwani Perera have been thinking about. Audio
Labour jumps in latest political poll - analysis
Labour has passed National in the first Colmar Brunton political poll of the year. National's leader, Simon Bridges, has dropped again as preferred Prime Minister, while Jacinda Ardern's popularity… Audio