Episodes

  • Christopher Luxon's State Of Nation Speech: Defining Or Disappointing?

    Christopher Luxon's State Of Nation Speech: Defining Or Disappointing?
    Jan 20 2026
    Christopher Luxon had the stage, the timing, and the attention. Election year. State of the Nation. A chance to set the agenda. And yet, nothing new landed. We unpack why the Prime Minister’s speech felt safe, steady, and completely underwhelming. From cost of living pressures and power prices to debt, borrowing, and that familiar “green shoots” language, Duncan asks the question many households are already asking around the kitchen table. Are we actually better off? Joining the discussion are Ashley Church and Ani O’Brien, who bring sharply different perspectives on strategy, substance, and whether this was deliberate discipline or a missed opportunity. There’s debate around fiscal discipline, KiwiSaver changes, housing, local government, and the political risks of playing it too safe when voters are still hurting. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Shane Jones: The Deal I Want To Make With Donald Trump

    Shane Jones: The Deal I Want To Make With Donald Trump
    Jan 16 2026
    After two years of talk, the granny flat breakthrough is finally here. You can now build a 70 square metre flat in your backyard without resource consent or a building consent. It’s a big shift, and one that could unlock thousands of homes across the country. On this episode, Duncan breaks down why this reform matters, how it cuts straight through council red tape, and why it could be one of the most practical housing changes in years. This podcast was the first to reveal the policy back in 2024, and now it’s officially in play. Duncan is joined by Shane Jones, who explains how the change came together, why trusting licensed builders is key, and what it means for families, Māori landowners, and regional New Zealand. There’s also a wider conversation about housing supply, infrastructure, mining, fishing, and the cultural shift needed to get this country building again. Jones also talks about his desire to strike a mining deal with US President Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • National and the Brutal Cost Of Living Crisis They Missed

    National and the Brutal Cost Of Living Crisis They Missed
    Jan 15 2026
    Why does the cost of living still feel out of control for so many Kiwis? And why is National struggling to convince voters they understand the pressure at the kitchen table? In this episode, Duncan Garner digs into why the government’s cost of living response has failed to land, despite repeated promises. From power prices and rates to food bills and fixed incomes, Duncan argues the real economy isn’t measured in GDP figures, but in whether households can actually pay their bills. At the centre of the episode is an email from Tony, a 77-year-old from Dunedin, whose story captures what many older New Zealanders are facing. Rising rates, soaring power bills, shrinking savings, and no meaningful relief in sight. It’s a warning for Christopher Luxon, and for Labour too. Ignore the home economy at your peril. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 mins
  • Shubz Speaks Out On Allegations And Accountability

    Shubz Speaks Out On Allegations And Accountability
    Jan 15 2026
    Chris Hipkins, Labour, and the 2026 election take centre stage as Duncan Garner lays out why this is the year hiding is no longer an option. Labour’s polling has remained strong, with Chris Hipkins consistently rating well personally. But Duncan argues that goodwill doesn’t equal trust, and trust won’t come without hard answers. Who would sit around the Cabinet table under a Hipkins government? What role would the Greens play? How would Labour pay for its promises? And how does any of it help struggling Kiwis right now? The episode also features Shubz Live, who joins Duncan to talk about his Iwi Whakamā healing journey from Wellington to Kaitaia. Shubz addresses criticism from Māori leaders, explains why he believes media coverage has been unfair, and responds directly to allegations about his personal life. He speaks candidly about accountability, mistakes, and why he says calling out abuse of power matters more than popularity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Labour And Chris Hipkins in Striking Distance, But They Must Act NOW

    Labour And Chris Hipkins in Striking Distance, But They Must Act NOW
    Jan 14 2026
    Good polling doesn’t let you off the hook. It puts you right on it. In this Slam Dunc, Duncan turns his attention to Chris Hipkins and asks the questions he believes aren’t being asked loudly enough. Hipkins is polling well, personally popular, and sitting comfortably while the Government absorbs most of the heat. But Duncan argues that’s exactly why the scrutiny now needs to ramp up. This is an election year, and keeping your head down won’t cut it forever. What does a Hipkins-led Cabinet actually look like? How much influence would the Greens have? What’s Labour’s real economic plan, and how does it help people now, not five years down the track? From capital gains tax confusion to cost of living credibility, Duncan says it’s time for clarity, not vibes. Because likeability doesn’t win elections. Trust does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Progress vs Delay: The Real Difference Between National And Labour

    Progress vs Delay: The Real Difference Between National And Labour
    Jan 13 2026
    Do you want progress or paralysis? This week, Duncan lays out what he sees as the starkest political divide in years, and why the Government’s fast track legislation sums it up better than anything else. We dig into how endless consultation and red tape stalled housing, infrastructure and regional development for years, and why the new approach is being sold as a course correction rather than a shortcut. From mining and regional jobs to environmental scrutiny and investor confidence, Duncan argues the old system simply wasn’t working. Joining the conversation are Ashley Church and Janet Wilson, with sharp predictions for the year ahead. Coalition tensions, leadership pressure, the economy, house prices, Māori politics and what really matters heading into the 2026 election. We also look offshore, including Donald Trump, global power plays and why the year ahead could be anything but boring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Politicians Still On Holiday While New Zealand Works - Double Standards?

    Politicians Still On Holiday While New Zealand Works - Double Standards?
    Jan 12 2026
    Welcome to 2026, and we’re back... even if Parliament and the school system aren’t. This is the first Editor in Chief of an election year, and Duncan isn’t easing into it quietly. We dig into the long summer shutdown for politicians and teachers and ask whether it’s completely out of step with how the rest of New Zealand lives and works. While families, businesses and tradies are already back at it, those at the top continue to lecture the country about productivity, sacrifice and working harder. Duncan calls out what he sees as hypocrisy, double standards and leadership that clocks off when the country can’t afford it. We also read a powerful letter from a newly elected local councillor warning about iwi influence at council level and what she believes is happening quietly behind closed doors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • Green Shoots In The NZ Job Market With Tom O’Neill

    Green Shoots In The NZ Job Market With Tom O’Neill
    Jan 7 2026
    After a brutal stretch for job seekers, are we finally seeing signs of life in the employment market?Tom O’Neill from cv.co.nz joins Duncan Garner to break down what he’s seeing on the ground. Job ads are lifting, employers are starting to move again, and there’s cautious optimism that 2026 could be a turning point. We talk about why hiring is one of the clearest signals of economic confidence, how interest rates and consumer mood are changing behaviour, and where the green shoots are actually appearing.There’s also practical advice for anyone looking for work. When to apply, why summer might be one of the best times to job hunt, how the hidden job market really works, and why LinkedIn matters more than ever. A realistic, useful conversation for anyone wondering whether the worst might finally be behind us. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - duncan@rova.nz and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 mins