The Bradbury Group

This week on The Bradbury Group, Martyn Bradbury is joined by Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins for an in-depth discussion on the biggest political stories shaping New Zealand.

*1-on-1 in 10 – Chris Hipkins*
Following China's missile test in the Pacific, Chris Hipkins discusses the growing geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, New Zealand's independent foreign policy, NZ First's proposed changes affecting permanent residents, ACT's expansion of private security powers, and asks why Bishop Brian Tamaki has not been arrested.

*Extra 1-on-1 in 10 – Mike Smith*
Environmental activist Mike Smith joins Martyn to discuss allegations the Government has withheld advice relating to major polluters, his latest High Court legal action, and what the return of El Niño could mean for New Zealand ahead of the election.

*Political Panel:*
• Matthew Hooton – Editor of The Post
• John Tamihere – Māori Party President
• Matthew Tukaki – Broadcaster and commentator

**Tonight's Political Agenda**

Issue One
China testing a missile in the Pacific versus Donald Trump — what is the true cost of an independent New Zealand foreign policy?

Issue Two
The political consequences of the rise of NZ First and TOP.

Issue Three
ASB economists predict green shoots of economic recovery. Is the optimism justified?

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The Greens are being hammered by the Right as "envy politics" for their tax plan — but is that fair? And is our Parliament actually functioning as a democracy should? Martyn Bradbury goes deep with two very different guests, then turns the panel loose on a week in NZ politics that's been anything but quiet.

🎙️ 1-on-1 in 10 with Green Party co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick
The Right calls it envy. Chlöe Swarbrick calls it a solution. Tonight, Martyn sits down with the Green Party co-Leader to unpack their tax plan, the real cost of inaction on climate change and inequality, and what AI means for New Zealand's economic future. Is this the most credible alternative economic vision on offer — or is it political dreaming?

🎙️ Extra 1-on-1 in 10 with Speaker of the House, Gerry Brownlee
Speaker Gerry Brownlee joins Martyn to talk about the health of democracy inside Parliament — scrutiny week, its future, and his decision to reach out to Verity Johnson. What does it mean when the Speaker himself is making moves to reconnect with a public that has largely tuned out? And is Parliament actually holding power to account?

🔥 Political Panel Discussion
Martyn is joined by three of the sharpest political minds in the country:
⚡ Matthew Hooton — Editor of The Post
⚡ Simon Wilson — Listener Columnist
⚡ John Tamihere — Māori Party President

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New Zealand's social fabric is fraying — and tonight, Martyn Bradbury holds power to account.

🎙️ *1-on-1 in 10 with Police Minister Mark Mitchell*
A $1.3 billion Police budget. Organised crime flooding our communities with methamphetamine. And a social carnage that shows no sign of slowing. Martyn Bradbury asks Police Minister Mark Mitchell the question New Zealanders are demanding answers to: has the Government actually got on top of the meth crisis — or are they just spending big and delivering nothing?

🎙️ *Extra 1-on-1 in 10 with Te Pāti Māori co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer*
New Zealand's prison population is set to explode — and the trigger isn't violent crime. It's shoplifting law changes that are funnelling petty offenders directly into an already broken corrections system. Te Pāti Māori co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer joins Martyn to ask the hard question: how is jailing shoplifters any different to arresting the homeless? Is this counterproductive social policy dressed up as law and order?

🔥 *Political Panel Discussion*
⚡ Matthew Hooton – Editor of The Post
⚡ Arena Williams – MP for Manurewa
⚡ Simon Wilson – Listener Columnist

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Martyn Bradbury takes on the budget betrayal, 33,000 homeless children, record company liquidations and the global rise of the far right — with two of the Left's sharpest minds and a heavyweight political panel.

🎙️ *1-on-1 in 10 with Qiulae Wong — Leader of TOP (The Opportunities Party)*
After scoring 6% in the latest Roy Morgan Poll, TOP is a genuine political force. Qiulae Wong joins Martyn to lay out TOP's bottom lines, their coalition conditions, and who they're prepared to go into Government with.

🎙️ *Extra 1-on-1 in 10 with Victor Billot — Alliance Party Leader*
After securing a historic union affiliation, Alliance Leader Victor Billot joins Martyn to discuss how the Left builds a winning coalition in an economic election — and how progressives push back against the global surge of far-right populism.

🔥 *Political Panel Discussion*
⚡ Matthew Hooton — NZ Herald Columnist
⚡ Maria Slade — Business Desk Journalist
⚡ Simon Wilson — Listener Columnist

*Tonight's Political Agenda:*
📌 Issue 1 — 33,000 Homeless Children & an 11-Year High in Company Liquidations
The Budget promised growth. Instead we have a record number of homeless children and company collapses at levels not seen in over a decade. Is this the economy National promised New Zealanders?

📌 Issue 2 — Is Democracy Under Attack? The War on Māori Representation
ACT and the Taxpayers' Union are crying foul over Māori representation at the local council level. But who's really attacking democracy here? Tonight the panel calls it.

📌 Issue 3 — Labour's List vs NZ First's Candidates
A deep dive into the electoral maths — Labour's party list strategy versus NZ First's candidate game. Who's positioned better heading into the next election?
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This week on The Bradbury Group:

🎙️ **1-on-1 in 10 with Green Party co-Leader Marama Davidson**
Marama Davidson joins Martyn Bradbury for a post-budget breakdown — will this Budget ease the cost of living crisis, address wealth inequality, or leave working New Zealanders behind?

🎙️ **Extra 1-on-1 in 10 with Environmental Activist Mike Smith**
Mike Smith joins Martyn to reveal what he uncovered: how New Zealand's seven biggest polluters have been secretly advising the Government — and what that means for climate policy and democratic accountability.

🔥 **Political Panel Discussion**

Martyn is joined by:
⚡ Matthew Hooton – NZ Herald Columnist
⚡ Matthew Tukaki – Political Commentator and Māori Broadcaster
⚡ Maria Slade – BusinessDesk Journalist
⚡ John Tamihere – Māori Party President

**Tonight's Political Agenda:**
📌 Issue 1 – Will the Budget actually save the economy?
📌 Issue 2 – Pete Hegseth's contemptuous remarks about New Zealand — and will the National Government sell out New Zealand's nuclear-free status to appease Trump?

Can this Budget deliver for ordinary New Zealanders? Who is really shaping Government policy — ministers or the polluters in the room? And is New Zealand's nuclear-free identity now on the negotiating table?

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