1 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: Kyoda. I'm Chelsea Daniels and this is the Front Page, 2 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:16,799 Speaker 1: a daily podcast presented by the New Zealand Herald. The 3 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: political year is ready to kick off. While Prime Minister 4 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,319 Speaker 1: Christopher Luxon may have got an early start with his 5 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: cabinet reshuffle. Over the next coming days, we'll see a 6 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: flurry of party caucus retreats, State of the Nation's speeches, 7 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:34,519 Speaker 1: and the annual visit to Ratna as politicians return from 8 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: their summer holidays. And while central government has plenty to 9 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 1: tend to this year, local politicians are preparing for the 10 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,840 Speaker 1: country to return to the polls in October to vote 11 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: for our councils and mayor's we'll discuss that later with 12 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: Newstalk zb News director Michael Sergel, but first on the 13 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: Front Page, we're joined by news Talk ZEDB political editor 14 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: Jason Walls for a preview of the year. Head in politics. Jason, 15 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: what are some of the key political events and bills 16 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: that are on your calendar this year? 17 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,639 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean the first one. I mean, you can't 18 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 2: really talk about twenty twenty five without talking about the 19 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 2: Treaty Principal's Bill. So we're going to have about six 20 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: months of Treaty Principles, Bill submissions before the Select Committee. 21 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 2: So every single week we're going to be hearing from 22 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 2: new people, new positions on a bill. And if you 23 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,959 Speaker 2: think this is finished just because it is being finished 24 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 2: in the House, it's finished its first reading, you're solely mistaken. 25 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 2: This is going to be one of the stories of 26 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: the year, and then it is going to be voted 27 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 2: down in the second reading. So ultimately this will all 28 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: come to nought. But it's going to be a fascinating 29 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 2: look inside New Zealand politics and race relations in this country, 30 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 2: So that would be one that I'd definitely be looking 31 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 2: out for. Another one this year, Probably the headline event 32 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 2: will be the transition of power from Winston Peters to 33 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 2: David Seymour when it comes to the Deputy prime ministership. 34 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 2: It's going to be fascinating exercise because we've never seen 35 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 2: anything like this before. We don't know whether we go 36 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 2: back to Government House and watch them take a new 37 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: oath or if it just happens at the stroke of midnight. 38 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 2: We don't really know that. It's going to be an 39 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 2: interesting one to watch. The budget every year is one 40 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 2: to watch. This is probably going to be the most 41 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 2: boring budget we've had in a significant amount of time, 42 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:23,080 Speaker 2: because Nicola Willis has suggested, well not suggested, she's outright 43 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:25,239 Speaker 2: said that there is just no money in the kitty 44 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 2: for any new initiatives. They've got a waifer thin operating allowance, 45 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 2: which is essentially the amount of new money that they 46 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 2: chuck on every budget, so don't expect anything too exciting. 47 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,520 Speaker 2: Then we've also got to the return of Madame and Davidson, 48 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 2: who has been away on sickly from Parliament after her 49 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 2: cancer diagnosis and then she's been away for treatment, and 50 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 2: how that impacts the Green Party and the fundament mental 51 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 2: strategy that they have in the House and outside. And 52 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 2: then of course the Prime Minister's Asia pivot. He's going 53 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 2: to go to China this year, he's indicated as well 54 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 2: as India. So quite a lot on the political agenda. 55 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 2: But the best thing about Paul politics is that we 56 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 2: probably will mention these things only in passing at the 57 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 2: end of the year, because there'll be other things that 58 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:07,639 Speaker 2: come up that we have no idea what they are 59 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:10,399 Speaker 2: or what they'll entail. That's the beauty of politics. 60 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 1: Prime Minister Chrisph Laxen faced criticism from all sides near 61 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: the end of last year about his leadership and his 62 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 1: approach with the media. I believe, Jason, you actually said 63 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 1: that we saw an absolute abject disaster in his media performances. 64 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 1: Do you think he's been dwelling on that over the summer? 65 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 2: Yes, I think. I say I used that phrase in 66 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: reference to his interview with Jack Tame, rather than every 67 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: single one of his media performances, and I think that 68 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 2: one was an abject disaster just because he was unable 69 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 2: to articulate his government's vision and position on a number 70 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 2: of things and reverted back to talking points. I think 71 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 2: he said the phrase what I'll say to you is 72 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 2: twenty six times in one interview, so I think over 73 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 2: the summer he will be reflecting on that. He might 74 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 2: have even done some media training over the summer break 75 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 2: if he was smart. I think that's exactly what he 76 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 2: needs to do. He needs to refocus and get off 77 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,119 Speaker 2: his talking point page and start talking like a real 78 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 2: human being. And I think if he starts to do that, 79 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 2: he'll start to bring the public along a lot better. 80 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: On the leadership front. I think he's been doing fine 81 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 2: so far. I mean, he's had to manage a coalition 82 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: as well, a coalition of three parties. That's never been 83 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 2: done in New Zealand politics. It's just the media side 84 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 2: of things. And if he nails that, if it even 85 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 2: improves a little bit, I think it would be a 86 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 2: good year for Christopher Luxon. 87 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 3: I what I say to you, Jay, You're saying a 88 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 3: lot of things to me, but you're surely we actually 89 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 3: answered to be honest, and this is actually kind of 90 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 3: important to actually if you want to have a conversation 91 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:36,159 Speaker 3: about economics and the plan and what we're trying to do. 92 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: Do you think we'll see some changes in the coalition's 93 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: dynamics after May thirty first, when David Seymour of course 94 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 1: takes over as Deputy per I think. 95 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,159 Speaker 2: There will be some cosmetic changes in terms of the 96 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,479 Speaker 2: way that things are going forward. For example, David Seymour 97 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 2: will take over from the Prime Minister in the House 98 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 2: when the Prime Minister is away, so that's pretty much 99 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 2: every Thursday. But that will be one of the main 100 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 2: things because again going back to the Prime Minister's leadership, 101 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 2: one of the things that he did well is he 102 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 2: did a rock solid and air tight coalition agreement, which 103 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 2: means that even if there is a change, which we're 104 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 2: going to see that has been very well telegraphed from 105 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 2: the beginning, and all of the policies, all of the 106 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:16,359 Speaker 2: commitments remain the same, So cosmetic changes maybe. David Seymour 107 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 2: and Winston Peters are both very outspoken, and I don't 108 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 2: think that's going to change on either side when they 109 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 2: essentially change roles here. But I wouldn't envisage it being 110 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 2: too different than it has been the past year and 111 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:26,359 Speaker 2: a half. 112 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: Treasury opened up the country's books right before Christmas and 113 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: it was a bit more Stephen King than Mills and Boone. Hey, 114 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: with the economic outlook looking so grim, how do you 115 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: think that will shape the government's priorities? Oh? 116 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 2: Excellent metaphor. By the way, there was a fantastical worded question. 117 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 2: I love that one. 118 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 1: You could have laughed after I said, listen. 119 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 2: I'm here to talk politics, not laugh at your jokes. 120 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 2: I think it makes me less professional if I laugh 121 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: at a question. But in seriousness, I think that it's 122 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 2: there's a lot that they probably want to do that 123 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 2: they won't be able to do now. The problem is that, 124 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 2: as I alluded to before, they've got this waf of 125 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 2: thin operating allowance, which means that any new initiatives they 126 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 2: simply won't be able to do with new money because 127 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 2: there's just nothing there to add insult to injury. The 128 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 2: government's tax revenue has taken a massive hit because of 129 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 2: the economic situation that we're in, so they are in 130 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 2: between a rock and a hard place economically, which means 131 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 2: that Nicola Willis has got the hardest job in politics. 132 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 2: I mean, forget the opposition being the hardest job in politics, 133 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 2: try being a finance minister off the back of a recession. 134 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 2: She does have the fact that interest rates are coming 135 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 2: down will be a bit of a boon for her, 136 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 2: but at the end of the day, that's the Reserve 137 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 2: Bank and she can't have her cake and eat it too. 138 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,919 Speaker 2: She can't consistently blame the Reserve Bank when she was 139 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 2: in opposition for keeping interest rates high. But as soon 140 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 2: as they start coming down, start talking about how that's 141 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 2: a win for the government, people will start to see 142 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,919 Speaker 2: through that. What Nicola Willis has to do now is 143 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 2: make some very tough decisions when it comes to cutting 144 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,599 Speaker 2: spending within the public service. And I think that you know, frankly, 145 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:53,280 Speaker 2: public spending got out of control the last couple of 146 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 2: years of the Labor government, and it needs to be 147 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 2: rained in. But it's not an easy task to do, 148 00:06:58,160 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 2: and she's going to have to cut deep in some 149 00:06:59,839 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 2: areas to actually be able to just keep the government running. 150 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,479 Speaker 1: You've already touched on the Treaty Principal's Bill, which of 151 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 1: course will be a headline this year, but it's dead 152 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: in the water. So the government do you see it 153 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: actually even trying to reset Crown multi relations at this 154 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 1: point or is that ship sailed well? 155 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 2: I mean, the government will say that it is about 156 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 2: outcomes for Marty rather than something like a policy like this. 157 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 2: They will say that what we're doing for Marty is 158 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 2: we're helping Marty get into housing, We're helping reduce the 159 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 2: Marti unemployment rate, we're helping with some of the appalling 160 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 2: stats that we have around healthcare for Marty. And that's 161 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 2: their focus. The Treaty Principle's Bill. It's ultimately meaningless because 162 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 2: the Government will not be vote well, the National Party 163 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 2: and New Zealand First will not be voting for it 164 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 2: in the second reading and you know they haven't. Well, 165 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 2: no other party apart from the Act Party will as 166 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: far as we know at this stage, so in so 167 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 2: far as the fact that you know that is what 168 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 2: the government is planning to do. They are very outcome orientated, 169 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 2: and I think that's commendable for them to have those 170 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 2: outcomes or those goals, but the outcomes need to match 171 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 2: the rhetoric. And if they can match the outcomes to 172 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 2: the rhetoric, I think that we're probably in a good place. 173 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 2: But if they are not, and some of these key 174 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 2: statistics for MARTI continue to go backwards or even stagnate, 175 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 2: then they're going to have a problem because they've lost 176 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 2: the pr war and they're going to be losing the 177 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 2: policy war as well. 178 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 4: I do spend a lot of time reflecting on the 179 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 4: accidents that I take and whether I'm the best person 180 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 4: to be doing this job and you know, how I'm 181 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 4: navigating it. And I don't just do that alone with 182 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 4: these thoughts kind of knocking around my head in the 183 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 4: deed of night, but also talk to a lot of 184 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 4: people who I admire own trusts, which includes people who've 185 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 4: been in this institution in the past and those who 186 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 4: are so far removed from it that I think they 187 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 4: have a very valuable perspective. I can tell you that 188 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 4: I feel confident that we've done the best that we 189 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 4: possibly could with those circumstances, with our values as are guiding. 190 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: Starts and Labor's gearing up to start getting their policies 191 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:58,839 Speaker 1: out there, and the Greens can't possibly have a worse 192 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 1: year than last year. I suppose what are your predictions 193 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 1: for the opposition parties? 194 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 2: Well, my prediction is never count out the Greens when 195 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 2: it comes to having a worse year than they've had before. 196 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:10,319 Speaker 2: They could come out and do something way worse. Could 197 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 2: they could blow us all away with another year of incompetence. 198 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 2: But you would have to be pretty bad to have 199 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: a worse year than they had last year, So the 200 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 2: bar is extremely low. I would say the bar is 201 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:21,839 Speaker 2: pretty much on the floor. So all the Greens need 202 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 2: to do is come out with some even some really 203 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 2: just quintessential Green policy to shift the narrative a little bit. 204 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 2: And I think that they'll be in a position to 205 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 2: do that when Manama is back to take a little 206 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,080 Speaker 2: bit of stress off Chloe Swarbrick, who I think, even 207 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: though the Greens had a really really chaotically bad year, 208 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,599 Speaker 2: Chloe Swarbrick actually nailed her colors to the mass in 209 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 2: terms of her leadership, and I think for in a 210 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 2: lot of places she handled it quite well. She's talked 211 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:47,079 Speaker 2: very openly about diversifying the Greens base. When I spoke 212 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 2: to her before the end of last year, she was 213 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 2: talking about going to see West Coast minors to try 214 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 2: and bring them into the Green Party fold, which is ambitious. 215 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:56,960 Speaker 2: But this is the woman who started her tenure as 216 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: co leader by saying she wants to overtake the Labor 217 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 2: Party as the main opposition party in New Zealand, which 218 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 2: is incredibly ambitious. But you've got to be ambitious in opposition. 219 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 2: That's all you have is hope and ambition and maybe 220 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 2: sprinkle a couple of policies on there as well. 221 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: Isn't that a bit James Shaw esque? It is? 222 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 2: I mean, she's taken James Shaw's vision and ran to 223 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 2: a place where I don't think that he ever thought 224 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 2: he would go. I mean, James Shaw, at the heart 225 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 2: of it, was a pragmatic man and he would have 226 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 2: never said anything like we're going to overtake the Labor 227 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 2: Party because he knows, frankly, it's just not going to happen. 228 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 2: Bar something chaotic in the Labor Party. And if that happens, 229 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 2: it's bad news for the Greens anyway, because they need 230 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,319 Speaker 2: the Labor Party to form a coalition to get into government. 231 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 2: So the Greens have got a bit of soul searching 232 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 2: to do this year. But as I say, bars on 233 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 2: the ground for them in terms of the Labor Party. 234 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 2: I mean, you can't talk about the Labour Party without 235 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 2: talking about tax. That is going to be a big 236 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 2: focus for them this year. If it's going to beat 237 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 2: the capital gains horse, are they going to flog that 238 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: horse again, or if they're going to saddle up more 239 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 2: to the Greens and talk about a wealth tax. That's 240 00:10:57,880 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 2: all questions that they have. But you don't want to 241 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 2: pick early. You can talk about policy, but you should 242 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 2: probably wait till an election year to start unveiling some 243 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 2: otherwise it becomes quite stale. 244 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: And what are your boldest political predictions across the board 245 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: this year. 246 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: I don't know if it's bold, but I am predicting 247 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,680 Speaker 2: a clean transition of power between David Seymour and Winston. 248 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 2: I think the thing that Winston does well as he 249 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 2: sticks to an agreement. He is the king of a coalition. 250 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 2: He knows if it's written down in the agreement, they're 251 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 2: going to stick to it, and he knows that if 252 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 2: any party falter from that, they'll be given hell by 253 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 2: the man himself. So I think it's going to be 254 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,199 Speaker 2: a clean transition of power there. As a journalist, I'm 255 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 2: hoping for a little bit of Argibarji, but that's just 256 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,319 Speaker 2: because I like something fun to write about. I actually 257 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 2: think it probably is good for the country that we 258 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,959 Speaker 2: would have a good, clean transition of power. I think 259 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,679 Speaker 2: the government will be forced to do something quite radical 260 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 2: with its finances. I think the boring budget is going 261 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 2: to be a little bit more exciting, not because they're 262 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 2: going to throw a whole bunch of lollies around, but 263 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 2: they're going to have to announce some deep systemic cuts 264 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 2: into some areas because you just can't continue to be 265 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 2: he sent to write government reading the way that this 266 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 2: government is in terms of the finances. There needs to 267 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 2: be some tough decisions made and they need to be 268 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 2: quite bold in the way that they cut things or 269 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 2: else that future generations of New Zealanders are going to 270 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 2: be feeling the effects for long to come. So I'm 271 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 2: expecting something bold at some point don't know what it is, 272 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 2: but we might see it in the budget. I think 273 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 2: now it's just about capitalizing on some of the wins 274 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 2: and making sure the rubber hits the road from early on. 275 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: Thanks for joining us, Jason, No problem at all. For 276 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,679 Speaker 1: the majority of the country aside from Todonger, local council 277 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: elections will be running across September and October. To discuss 278 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,959 Speaker 1: what to expect, we're joined now by Newstalk ZB News 279 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:55,319 Speaker 1: director and local government reporter Michael Sergel. Michael, I can 280 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 1: just predict now what the local elections will be about, 281 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 1: and that's rates, right. 282 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 5: Oh, absolutely, yeah. Every local council in the country has 283 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,439 Speaker 5: been hiking rates higher than inflation, some raising them by 284 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 5: like five or six times more than inflation. We've had Gore, Central, Hawks, Baying, Napier, 285 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 5: Upper hut Widoer, Wellington, Westland, Central Otago, Puddydoer and Dnedin 286 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 5: all hiking local rates by between seventeen point five and 287 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 5: twenty one point four percent. These are really high rates 288 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 5: rises by anyone's books. A lot of factors to consider here, 289 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 5: the cost of government reforms, changing government policies, particularly around 290 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 5: freshwater and three waters. Also licensing fees not increasing, and 291 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 5: also lots and lots of increases that councils just can't avoid. 292 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:35,680 Speaker 5: I've had a look at some of these reports, and 293 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 5: I mean the cost of bridges going up thirty eight 294 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 5: percent in three years, sewage systems going up thirty percent 295 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 5: in three years, roads thirty percent in three years, water 296 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 5: supplies thirty percent in three years, are pool chemicals twenty 297 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 5: five percent in two years, food for dogs at the 298 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 5: local pound twenty percent to two years, quarrying ten point 299 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 5: seven percent in just one year, concrete twelve point five 300 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:57,680 Speaker 5: percent in a year, sand for pavements fifteen percent in 301 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 5: a year, funger side up thirty one percent in just 302 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:03,439 Speaker 5: one year, fertilizes up fifty seven percent in a year, 303 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 5: insurance premiums up about a third, and interest rates also 304 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 5: increasing lately as well. 305 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: So they really don't have any other option other than 306 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: rates rises, Right, will they be though? The death knell 307 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 1: for mayors? Do you think? 308 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 5: Yeah? I mean it's a difficult one. I mean, I 309 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 5: mean there's no getting around the fact that the councils 310 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 5: will have to be charging more and actually doing less. 311 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 5: And I think that the big question will be, you 312 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 5: know what they cut and what they don't cut. I mean, 313 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 5: we've had lots of debates recently, this huge debate in 314 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 5: Auckland and Order to do about whether or not to 315 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 5: move from weekly to fortnightly rubbish collections. That's something that 316 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 5: many other cities are already doing. Also the debates about 317 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 5: rubbish bins, removing the local rubbish bins from the parks, 318 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 5: letting the grass grow longer, and if you've been to 319 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 5: a local park lately but the grass is pretty well, 320 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 5: haven't the grass is pretty long. I mean they're talking 321 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 5: about inches longer than they used to be. The boom 322 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 5: debate and live in lots of councils no longer mow 323 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 5: the burns. Also the ongoing debate about cycleway speed bumps, 324 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 5: pedestrian crossings that really get people going. And I suppose 325 00:14:58,960 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 5: what do you cut and what don't? 326 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 1: Forty three councils will be having referendums on keeping Muorti wards, 327 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: which will be voted on at the elections. Do you 328 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: think that will color how the local elections go? 329 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think definitely. I mean, obviously we had these 330 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:16,520 Speaker 5: forty five councils establishing or moving to establish mighty wards 331 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 5: after that twenty twenty one law change. Then we had 332 00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 5: the new government come in and say, you know, we 333 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 5: have to hold a public referendum in twenty twenty five 334 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 5: to keep them. So forty three of the forty five 335 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 5: councils voting to keep them, and we had the two 336 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 5: councils that decided not to keep them, a Kipita District 337 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 5: Council and Upper Hut and we had quite angry debates there. 338 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 5: But these votes are going to cost councils millions of 339 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 5: dollars and those that support Mighty Wards, so that's a 340 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 5: waste of money because most of the councils sort of 341 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 5: overwhelmingly support the Mighty Wards. And then on the other side, 342 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 5: we've got people saying that's a waste of money because 343 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 5: the councils should have just accepted that and maybe voted 344 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 5: not to have a public vote and voted to scrap them. So, 345 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 5: you know, definitely a lot of frustration from I suppose 346 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 5: both sides of the debate here about the fact that 347 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 5: there are there is even you know this many councils 348 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 5: deciding to have referendum on this issue. 349 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 1: Now we can't get into all sixty seven city and 350 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:05,240 Speaker 1: district councils and their individual issues. I wish we could 351 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 1: mike when I know that you'd love to. But are 352 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: there any other major concerns across the board that affect 353 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: a few of them? 354 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, I think definitely it comes down to 355 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 5: rates primarily, and the question of what we cut and 356 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 5: what we don't. I mean, rates are going to go up, 357 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 5: They're probably going to keep going up higher than inflation, 358 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 5: just because the costs that councils are facing keeps increasing. 359 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 5: But the question is what do they cut and what 360 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 5: don't they cut? And I think there's no getting around 361 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 5: the fact that we're going to end up having councils 362 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 5: doing less and charging us more. You guys have given 363 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 5: me a lot of feedback. 364 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 6: Some of it's quite supportive, some of it's quite negative. 365 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 5: There's some of the shows that some of you people 366 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 5: are nuts. 367 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 6: Here we go, you arefinably disappointing. It's just for me, Well, 368 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 6: you're a bit of a dick, mate, Alex Ratzor says, 369 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 6: my rates ball keeps going up. Side was my desire 370 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 6: to leave Aucklane, New Zealand too well, Goodbye Top Bounder, 371 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 6: Wellington and gone. 372 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 5: Up twenty five percent, Darth vaded. 373 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 6: I used to dislike you, but now I think I 374 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 6: like you. Mayor Brown well got on your dar's vaded. 375 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: Looking at candidates, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has bounced back 376 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: over the last year after his i'm going to say, 377 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: disastrous handling of the Auckland floods. Are there any candidates 378 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: coming for his job or is he pretty safe at 379 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: the moment. 380 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 5: It's a really interesting race. I mean polling from about 381 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:32,879 Speaker 5: eight months ago showing some bridges is about the probably 382 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 5: the most popular potential candidate. We're still not sure if 383 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,359 Speaker 5: he would stand. Wayne Brown in second place, he formerly 384 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:41,160 Speaker 5: hasn't decided whether or not he will run for me. Obviously, 385 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 5: his popularity has sort of recovered a bit after taking 386 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 5: that major hit now almost two years ago with his 387 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:50,160 Speaker 5: handling of the floods. And then Paula Bennett also very popular. 388 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 5: She's confirmed she's she's thinking about it's also telling us 389 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 5: she's very seriously considering it, deepening. Mere Desley Simpson also 390 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 5: very popular, sort of across the political spectrum, but all 391 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 5: in cations are she won't stand. And they're also seeing 392 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:04,880 Speaker 5: a number of the regular candidates starting to put their 393 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 5: name forward. Again, the conservative Ted Johnson confirming in recent 394 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 5: days that he will definitely be running as well. 395 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 1: And Wellington Mayor Tory Farno probably the most at risk, 396 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: isn't she. 397 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 5: Oh, definitely yes, and I mean you only have to 398 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:18,399 Speaker 5: listen to some of her recent interviews to see the 399 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:21,440 Speaker 5: situation she's in. We've got a number of candidates putting 400 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 5: their name forward. Ray Hung has told us he's definitely standing, 401 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:26,400 Speaker 5: quite an outspoken critic of the mayor, got an ice 402 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 5: cream shop owner Carl Typhon Bucker and an entrepreneur Luke Pearson. 403 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 5: I've got a number of councilors considering running as well. 404 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 5: A number of left wing figures have confirmed they're definitely 405 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 5: not running. And Mark Sainsbury, who many people will know 406 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,199 Speaker 5: from TV and radio, he's been quashing rumors that he 407 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 5: might stand. Definitely. It's going to come down to probably 408 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 5: two main key issues, the Wellington Airports hearsl and the 409 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 5: Golden Mile talking point as well, and also those ongoing 410 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 5: race rises the city has been facing. 411 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,760 Speaker 1: What are some other councils you'll be keeping an eye on. 412 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: I'm thinking Ben Bell down and Gore or not b 413 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: Clark and. 414 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 5: In Bicago, Yeah, definitely, I mean gor Mia. Ben the 415 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 5: country's youngest mayor, has really faced a really tough time 416 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,159 Speaker 5: in the last three years and often fraught relationship with 417 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 5: both counselors and the council staff. Obviously that particularly that 418 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 5: issue with the CEO in vicargo with Nobby Clark. He's 419 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:16,720 Speaker 5: faced a lot of controversy for using the N word 420 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,880 Speaker 5: at a public event, using racist and homophobic slurs during 421 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 5: a TV interview with a comedy show, and then over 422 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:25,920 Speaker 5: his conduct at a public event fulling heart surgery as well. 423 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 5: The other interesting one christ Church, christ Church mayor film 424 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 5: major facing a challenge from Sarah Templeton. He's promised to 425 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:34,639 Speaker 5: keep his rates rises under four percent. At the last election, 426 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 5: Ben delivered rates rises of six point four and nine 427 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 5: point nine. I don't know how good at maths you are, 428 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 5: but both of those numbers are over four So so 429 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 5: facing that challenge obviously things a bit more complex than 430 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 5: perhaps he imagined they were heading to the last election. 431 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 5: Also important to note Todonga won't be having any election 432 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 5: this year. Marhi Dreysdale will remain mayor until twenty twenty eight, 433 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:00,680 Speaker 5: just to let that new council sort of bed After 434 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 5: the commissioners were replaced with the council. 435 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 1: And finally, Michael, we love a prediction here on the 436 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: Front Page. What's your big prediction for how these elections 437 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:10,800 Speaker 1: might go. 438 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 5: Yeah, well, we already saw a big swing to the 439 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,200 Speaker 5: right at the last election three years ago, something we've 440 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 5: been seeing in local and central government elections right around 441 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 5: the world over the last three years in the sort 442 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:23,200 Speaker 5: of pandemic post pandemic era. Since then, we've had some 443 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 5: real cost of living pressures with high inflation driven by 444 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 5: the non tradable inflation like rates. So the things that 445 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 5: people can't avoid not paying, and rates are a big 446 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 5: one of those. And so we're probably going to see 447 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 5: more support for candidates who promise to contain rates increases, 448 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:43,679 Speaker 5: even if that means further spending cutbacks. Expect rates increases 449 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,440 Speaker 5: to be a really big issue at this year's election. 450 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: Thanks for joining us, Michael. 451 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 5: Thank you. 452 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,679 Speaker 1: That's it for this episode of the Front Page. You 453 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 1: can read more about today's stories and extensive news coverage 454 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: at Ensad Herald dot MZ. The Front Page is produced 455 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: by Ethan Sills and Richard Martin, who is also a 456 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: sound engineer. I'm Chelsea Daniels. 457 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 3: Subscribe to the. 458 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,360 Speaker 1: Front page on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts, 459 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 1: and tune in tomorrow for another look behind the headlines.