Simon Bridges
Three Strikes Repeal
Covid-19 may dominate the news but Parliament does also have other things on its agenda. Quite a few things including a repeal of Three Strikes sentencing law. Audio
Māori Affairs Committee marks its 150th anniversary
The Māori Affairs Select Committee is 150 years old. The media always love profile pieces on ancient folk having a birthday, so here is one on a particularly elderly committee. Audio
Conversion practices & debate therapy
We look at the first outing of the conversion therapy ban bill, and whether MPs could need therapy for first reading confusion. Audio
Four fall down, three stand up
This week Parliament banished four member’s bills to dusty oblivion, but like a game of whack-a-mole three more popped up to replace them. Audio
Minority groups want Minister to speak up on hate speech proposals
Muslim, Jewish and disabled communities say government silence on hate speech laws is allowing misinformation to flourish.
The Justice Minister Kris Faafoi has gone to ground since announcing his… Audio
Law school dean Ursula Cheer on proposed hate speech law
The Government is under pressure to explain exactly what the proposed new hate laws would mean for criminal offending.
A new, clearer offence in the Crimes Act may be created with penalties that… Audio
‘Dead leader walking’ a familiar line from media
Last weekend political pundits and presenters reckoned the leader of the opposition was ripe for rolling and her days in the job were numbered. But - as in the past - it was all based on rumours… Audio
Same-sex adoption, religious freedoms, and child-abuse petitions before Parliament
Calls to force witnesses to child abuse to speak, reforming adoption law for same-sex couples, and better protections for religious freedoms have been made at Parliament Audio
Government defends law for returning terror suspects
The government's defending the law governing returning terror suspects as tough enough, even though it gives law enforcement no power to detain someone at the border.
The likely arrival of 25-year… Audio
Simon Bridges wants law change for returning terror suspects
The National Party's calling for a law change so New Zealanders are better protected from terror suspects returning from overseas.
The likely arrival of 25-year Suhayra Aden - who is currently in… Audio
Simon Bridges, Police Commissioner face off over gangs
The so-called "wokester" Police Commissioner has gone head to head with National MP Simon Bridges.
The pair clashed in several heated exchanges in a select committee today, over the police's approach… Video, Audio
Bid to change Māori wards bill name to 'screw the scrum' fails
Suggestions to rename a bill on Māori wards to include the words ‘ignore the public vote’, ‘screw the scrum’ and ‘under-arm delivery’ have been ruled out of order at Parliament. Audio
Speaker spat: Goldsmith, Bridges storm out of chamber
The National Party has again butted heads with Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard - with expletives flying across the debating chamber.
The shenanigans reflect the rocky relationship between them.
… Video, Audio
Labour move to protect Māori wards 'insulting' - Bridges
The National MP Simon Bridges has railed against the Government's move to protect Māori wards, saying it's insulting to him as a Māori man.
Labour has begun rushing through legislation under urgency… Audio
The Weekend Panel with Chris Wikaira and Ella Henry
On the Sunday Panel this morning we're joined by Dr Ella Henry, the Director of Maori Advancement at the Auckland University of Technology's Business School, and Chris Wikaira, a director of the… Audio
Work to stem Māori prison numbers has lost momentum - advocates
Justice advocates fear changes to help reduce Māori incarceration rates have lost momentum.
Currently Māori make up more than half of the prison population - and nearly half of those released from… Audio
National to get tough on gangs but Strike Force Raptor name gone
National is promising to get tough on gangs and youth offenders, as it hit the campaign trail in earnest today.
Leader Judith Collins announced their law and order policy in Taupō today.
She has… Audio
Simon Bridges on Kiwis stuck overseas as visas expire
National Party foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Bridges says the Foreign Minister Winston Peters needs to talk directly to the UK government to ask for extensions for New Zealanders whose visas are… Audio
Collins suggests National could run candidates in Māori seats
National's new leader Judith Collins isn't ruling out the possibility of running National candidates in Māori seats, something previous National leaders including Todd Muller and Simon Bridges have… Audio
Collins facing uphill battle selling 'strong team' brand
Judith Collins has a tough job ahead selling the party's 'strong team' brand to voters.
Putting two former National leaders in her top line-up is a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but it could also be… Audio