Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings

16/12/2024

"Forget about your benchmarking and dashboard reports and big sticks - we are overdue in this country for some serious amalgamations of local councils."

The Government is cracking down on local councils, but John MacDonald thinks it's time to do away with some of them.

13/12/2024

"They say it would be much fairer if everyone just paid a flat rate of $140, but I disagree."

John MacDonald thinks motorcyclists are being a bit dramatic with the complaints over the ACC levy increase.

12/12/2024

A regular weekly contributor to the show up until last year, Gerry Brownlee is finishing his first full year as Speaker of the House.

Gerry Brownlee joined John MacDonald to reflect on his year amid the continuing drama in Parliament.

12/12/2024

Motorcyclists are so unhappy that their ACC levies are increasing by almost 80 percent over the next three years - from $297 to $532 - that they’ve lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, saying it isn’t fair that they’ll be paying more than $800 a year when car drivers only have to pay $130 a year.

Is it a fair complaint? Or do you think, because of the risks associated with motorcycling, that riders should have to pay more for ACC cover?

Call John from 9am on 0800 80 10 80 and let him know what you think about the levies.

The Government is to commission a review of the state insurer, as costs soar.

12/12/2024

A year ago we had our final ever Politics Friday chat with National's Gerry Brownlee.

Now, after a year in his new role as speaker, Gerry will join us on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings this morning after 11am.

He's certainly seen his fair share of drama in the house, so what does he make of his 2024? And how will he keep MPs in line next year?

12/12/2024

"Everyone sitting around that Cabinet table should be hanging their heads in shame."

John MacDonald is unimpressed with the latest to come out of the whole interisland ferry saga.

11/12/2024

A firm answer from Christchurch's mayor on whether the Cathedral restoration levy should go into reducing a rates increase.

Christchurch is facing an 8.4% rates increase - should the Cathedral restoration levy be used to curb the increase? Phil Mauger shares his thoughts.

11/12/2024

"There are so many things about this move by the coalition that just don’t make sense to me."

John MacDonald is confused by the Government's decision to ban greyhound racing.

10/12/2024

WIN

Newstalk ZB is proud to support the first annual Christchurch Street Sprints 2025 taking place on January 11th and 12th at Waterloo Business Park.

To win your way there, comment who would want to be there with you.

Experience the excitement of New Zealand motorsport and watch top drivers compete in high-speed time trials, enjoy car displays, and live entertainment.

Tickets available here - https://shorturl.at/cHhqC

10/12/2024

Greyhound racing is set to be phased out over the next 20 months in New Zealand in a decision announced by Racing Minister Winston Peters yesterday.

How do you feel about the decision to end greyhound racing in this country?

Call John on 0800 80 10 80 from 9am and tell him what you think.

OPINION: Nearly 3000 dogs face uncertain futures as racing is effectively ended in NZ.

09/12/2024

"Surely this is the final straw for Gloriavale. Or, more to the point, surely it’s the final straw for the Government."

John MacDonald is glad this ruling with BNZ means that something is finally being done about Gloriavale.

09/12/2024

The lawyer representing former members of the Gloriavale is saying today that, now the Court of Appeal has ruled that the BNZ can close the community’s bank accounts, the Government must intervene and close the community down.

Brian Henry says the residents still in the remote West Coast religious settlement, which includes hundreds of children, must be protected from their leaders who will never change.

So is it time for Government intervention, and to close Gloriavale?

Call John from 9am on 0800 80 10 80 and share your thoughts.

Two-year legal dispute over BNZ's bid to ditch Gloriavale ends.

08/12/2024

CLOSED

Newstalk ZB is proud to bring the country to your Christmas table thanks to Harris Farms.

Comment to win the final Harris Farms Meat Pack including a Christmas Ham for your Christmas dinner.

If you want NZ meat on your Christmas table, you want Harris Farms.

08/12/2024

With the two boot camp runaways apprehended at the weekend after, apparently, being involved in an attempted car-jacking, is it worth continuing with the boot camp experiment?

If you listen to crime expert Dr Jarrod Gilbert, maybe not.

Because he’s saying today that, unless we get involved with at-risk kids at a very, very young age, we can forget about keeping them on the straight-and-narrow.

So, are the boot camps still worth it?

Call John on 0800 80 10 80 from 9am and tell him what you think about the boot camp situation.

It follows the tragic passing of one bootcamp participant due to a car accident.

05/12/2024

"We should be doing it because businesses keep our smaller communities, especially, alive. When small-town businesses go, so do the people."

John MacDonald was reading the OCED report this morning, and agrees that the businesses should have their electricity subsidised.

05/12/2024

Today on Politics Friday, Matt Doocey and Megan Woods joined John MacDonald to dig into this week’s political news.

Today on Politics Friday, National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Megan Woods joined John MacDonald to dig into this week’s political news.

05/12/2024

The OECD has said overnight that electricity prices in New Zealand look to remain high and we should be separating the generation and retail arms of the big power companies to increase competition and reduce prices.

But going one step further, how would you feel about businesses getting cheaper power rates to help them stay open and reduce the risk of more going under?

Would you be happy to pay more than a business to help them stay functioning?

Call John from 9am on 0800 80 10 80 and share your view.

04/12/2024

"Let me paint you a picture. A picture of over-the-top traffic management."

John MacDonald is unimpressed with the council's decision to set up traffic lights at Church Corner in Christchurch.