Charlotte Cook leaning on a bench and smiling. Beside her is a stack of cookbooks and a bowl of tomatoes.

White text reads, "Grilled, with Charlotte Cook".

12m

The leaders of ACT, the Greens, Labour, and National face Midday Report’s Charlotte Cook, who grills them over policies, technique in the kitchen, and how they got into politics.

Produced by RNZ

4 episodes

Chris Hipkins

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins discusses yoga, the impact of all the sausage rolls, and cost of living while boldly managing to bake a lasagne in 75 minutes.
Episode 1
12m

Marama Davidson & James Shaw

Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw produce a pasta and salad combo. They boast about the benefits of Green policy and food while revealing what really annoys them about each other and the way they were drawn to politics.
Episode 2
11m

David Seymour

ACT leader David Seymour offers up his recipe for Aotearoa with a simple three-step chicken dish – but it might take a little longer to cook up than first thought.
Episode 3
12m

Christopher Luxon

To make an omelette, Christopher Luxon, the National Party leader, has to crack a few eggs. He reveals a small talent for rhythm, the secret to removing the squeezed middle, and salvages what could have been a more scrambled variety of breakfast.
Episode 4
13m

Trailers & bonus video

Trailer

The leaders of ACT, the Greens, Labour, and National face Midday Report’s Charlotte Cook, who grills them over policies, technique in the kitchen, and how they got into politics.
1m

More like this

  • Geoffrey Palmer

    Guyon Espiner talks to five former NZ Prime Ministers, starting with reforming lawmaker Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who became our 33rd PM in 1989.
    The 9th Floor/Episode 1
    60m
  • The Great NZ Sell-Off

    From Telecom to Air New Zealand, the BNZ to our power companies why did governments sell our state assets, and what did we get in return? Now the Government is eyeing a sale of its Chorus debt. Join Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann as they look back at four decades of selling the family silver.
    Context/Season 1/Episode 10
    42m
  • Melissa Chan-Green | Til Death

    Content warning: discusses death and loss, and sexual assault. After his bride’s death just hours after their wedding, a devastated groom struggles to process his grief. Five years later, he turns to Melissa Chan-Green to tell his heart-wrenching story for the first time.
    re_covering/Season 5/Episode 8
    57m
  • Metiria Turei

    Did Metiria Turei mean to turn the 2017 election on its head? Earlier that year, the former Green Party co-leader made an admission that would upend their entire campaign.
    Matangireia/Season 1/Episode 1
    45m
  • Tākuta Ferris levels new allegations against Te Pāti Māori executive

    New
    Ousted Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris speaks candidly to Mihingarangi Forbes about the mounting internal tensions within Te Pāti Māori that led to the current fall out. John Tamihere was approached to respond to the allegations made in this episode. He declined to comment on what he described as "any matters based on hearsay, innuendo, accusation, or insinuation."
    MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes/Season 3/Episode 22
    48m
  • Chelsea Winstanley: Overcoming trauma and coming out on top

    Oscar-nominated film producer Chelsea Winstanley talks to Anika about overcoming trauma, taking risks, and coming out on top.
    It's Personal with Anika Moa/Season 1/Episode 1
    47m
  • Sir Bill English

    New
    Sir Bill English weighs in on Chris Luxon’s performance and whether National should consider a new leader before the election. He also reflects on his years working with Te Pāti Māori, and why he barely recognises the party today.
    30 with Guyon Espiner/Season 4/Episode 4
    32m
  • Not Her Destiny: Former church member asks, "Did I not deserve to be protected?"

    For years, Destiny Church shaped every part of Lynia Morseu-Tol's life: her faith, her family, and her identity. As a takatāpui wahine Māori, its teachings left her feeling ashamed, conflicted, and alone—all while she endured years of abuse at home. 16 years after leaving the church, Lynia speaks out about its leaders, whom she believes failed to protect her, and condemns Ngāti Uenuku - Rainbow Community. This is Lynia's story of reckoning with faith, identity, and whānau.
    MATA Reports/Season 2/Episode 2
    28m
  • Mamas Return to Play

    Juggling new motherhood in often-isolated countries and continuing a sports career can have big pressures on Pasifika women.
    9m