Who benefits from New Zealand’s data centre boom — and who pays for the upgrades?

Tanya Renwick from Stop Data Centres New Zealand joins Shubz to explain her concerns about electricity infrastructure, overseas investment conditions and public consultation. She outlines the questions she’s putting to authorities and why she wants clearer answers about costs to ordinary households.

Dr Sheree Trotter returns to challenge recent commentary following a Māori delegation’s Israel trip. She gives her perspective on genocide allegations, Hamas, October 7 and why she believes comparisons between Māori and Palestinian experiences leave important differences out.

Before that, Conservative Party candidate Doug shares his journey from 40 years in the fire service to standing in Northland. We discuss immigration, government overreach, Brian Tamaki and his argument for voting according to your values rather than election tactics.

Different views, direct questions and plenty coming through the live chat.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Show introduction and community catch-up

11:18 Doug — fire service, Northland and standing for the Conservatives

18:45 Political and social debate

34:48 Immigration and international issues

48:01 Closing thoughts with Doug and audience discussion

56:01 Tanya Renwick — data centres, infrastructure and accountability

1:12:37 Sheree Trotter — Israel, Māori perspectives and disputed narratives

1:36:22 Closing remarks

Shubz Says So | Episode 125

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

0:00 Opening and general chat

11:16 Interview with Doug

18:40 Political and social debate

34:41 Migration and global issues

47:54 Transition and technical issues

55:56 Interview with Tanya Renwick

1:12:33 Interview with Sheree Trotter

1:36:20 Closing remarks

You don’t have to agree with Brian Tamaki to question the charges against him.

The Free Speech Union joins Shubz to discuss the case, racial disharmony legislation and where offensive speech ends and criminal offending begins. We also get into online complaints, Netsafe and concerns about how the Harmful Digital Communications Act is being used.

Before that, Vision New Zealand deputy leader Heeka Robertson shares his journey from an Auckland upbringing and a law degree to government work, pastoring and politics. He explains why he lost faith in bureaucracy, his support for Brian Tamaki and the role he believes Christianity, family and immigration should play in New Zealand’s future.

The conversation also turns to gangs, policing and lived experience. Shubz explains why he has sometimes felt safer around gang members than police, and we discuss the trauma and search for belonging behind those experiences.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Show introduction and updates

12:02 Heeka Robertson — Vision New Zealand, faith and politics

43:13 Free Speech Union — Brian Tamaki’s charges, speech laws and online complaints

1:16:51 Reflections and closing

Shubz Says So | Episode 124

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

Big developments, big promises — but what do they mean for the people living next door?

Matthew from Stop Data Centres New Zealand joins Shubz to raise concerns about large-scale developments, electricity demand, environmental impacts and whether communities are getting a meaningful say. We discuss why New Zealand appeals to data centre operators and question what locals stand to gain.

Before that, ACT’s Mount Albert candidate Alex Price shares his journey from engineering to leading Fertility Associates — and why seeing his children leave for Australia helped push him into politics. We talk healthcare, business growth, the cost of living and giving young Kiwis a reason to stay.

Bernadette Soares returns to discuss her place at number 22 on NZ First’s list, campaigning in Upper Harbour and the party’s position on infrastructure before housing approvals. She also explains why she wants a bigger NZ First presence to keep National in check.

Plus, political commentary, viewer questions and the usual banter.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Political commentary

10:12 Alex Price — healthcare, business and standing for ACT

40:51 Data centre concerns — Matthew from Stop Data Centres New Zealand

1:08:36 Bernadette Soares — NZ First, Upper Harbour and infrastructure

Shubz Says So | Episode 123

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

James Christmas isn’t backing away from his disagreement with Winston Peters.

The ACT candidate joins Shubz to explain why he challenged Winston’s language on abortion, respond to accusations that he’s “woke” and discuss where personal freedom fits within his politics. We also get into the Tāmaki campaign, strategic voting and the election ahead.

Then the conversation gets deeply personal.

Conservative Party leader Helen Houghton opens up about her experience of sexual abuse and why she decided to speak publicly. She and Shubz talk as survivors about silence, shame, trauma and why protecting children means having conversations people would rather avoid.

Helen also gives her views on abortion, questions whether Winston’s comments are political theatre and outlines her party’s proposals on child protection and sentencing.

Content note: This episode includes personal accounts and discussion of child sexual abuse.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction and politics

5:17 James Christmas interview

9:25 Abortion policy debate

13:30 Political alignment and identity

17:07 Election strategy and debate

21:27 Strategic voting and performance

24:11 Electoral dynamics

28:36 Political philosophy and wrap-up

32:37 Advocacy and Conservative Party

37:12 Audience interaction and updates

44:52 Helen Houghton — abortion, politics and speaking publicly

50:40 Child protection, survivors and trauma

1:14:22 Lighthearted wrap-up

Shubz Says So | Episode 122

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

It’s your rates money. So why shouldn’t you see exactly where it goes?

David Baker returns with updates from his council accountability tour and his push for publicly accessible project costs, quotes and independent checks. We talk contractor selection, council management costs and whether technology could help councils do more with less.

Before that, Dunedin councillor and former international banker Benedict joins Shubz to explain his independent run for Parliament. He makes his case for councils using New Zealand-owned banks, investing more strategically and putting local jobs at the centre of financial decisions.

Plus, the election billboard battle, community questions and a later catch-up with Tama Singh on politics, culture and the election ahead.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Opening banter and updates

4:46 Billboard election battle

7:27 Community check-in and Matii

13:00 Benedict — banking, local jobs and standing as an independent

33:00 Reflecting on the interview

38:41 David Baker — council spending and accountability

1:01:43 Politics and cultural debates

1:13:01 Election outlook and closing discussion

Shubz Says So | Episode 121

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

Don Brash says two ticks National could cost the centre-right the election. So what’s his alternative?

Don returns to explain his split-vote argument, why he disagrees with John Key’s position and what it could mean for National’s list MPs. We also get into retirement, staying sharp and why he’s uncomfortable with New Zealand getting closer to the United States.

Before that, longtime activist John Minto joins Shubz to discuss the journey from anti-apartheid campaigning to Palestinian solidarity. We question him on October 7, the killing of civilians, a two-state solution and the campaign calling on voters to demand sanctions against Israel.

NZ First MP David Wilson shares his story from running a surf shop to Parliament, including reconnecting with his birth family. He also explains his party’s arguments for changes to banking and electricity, and gives his views on immigration, jobs and the election.

Three guests with plenty to say. Where do you stand?

CHAPTERS

0:00 Show introduction

9:39 News and zodiac chat

19:06 John Minto — activism, Palestine and October 7

41:27 Political commentary

45:28 David Wilson — NZ First, banking, power prices and immigration

1:14:46 Don Brash — split voting, the election and New Zealand’s future

1:45:14 Closing remarks

Shubz Says So | Episode 120

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

We heard Paul Hopkinson’s case. Now Dane Giraud has a response.

Dane joins Shubz to challenge arguments made in our Free Palestine Party interview. He gives his perspective on Zionism, antisemitism and Jewish self-determination, explains his support for a two-state solution and questions what was missing from the conversation.

Cassandra Lee joins from Australia for a frank yarn about politics, immigration, Palestinian flag protests and why her views don’t fit neatly into one political camp. We also talk about her upbringing across Australia, Austria and New Zealand, and what brought her into online commentary.

Then Conservative Party candidate Paul Deacon shares his journey from international banking to standing for Parliament. He explains why the COVID years changed his political loyalties, what he believes his experience offers and why he wants voters to look beyond the established parties.

Plus, your comments, questions and the usual back-and-forth with Shubz.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Show opening and politics

2:33 Conversations with callers

9:46 Audience interactions

23:54 Cassandra Lee — Australian politics, immigration and identity

51:20 Dane Giraud — Zionism and responding to Paul Hopkinson

1:20:37 Paul Deacon — banking, politics and the Conservative Party

Shubz Says So | Episode 119

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For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com

Could splitting your vote change who holds power?

Harry Mowbray joins Shubz to explain his split-vote campaign and why he believes some centre-right voters should back National in their electorate and give their party vote to ACT or NZ First. We question his assumptions about electorate wins, overhang seats and what happens if the numbers don’t fall his way.

ACT candidate Callum Sheridan returns with stories from thousands of doors out west. What are voters actually saying, how does that compare with the noise at candidate meetings, and why is he putting his hand up?

Plus, Rotorua councillor Robert Lee is back for another yarn about local government, council representation and the issues getting people talking.

Shubz also reflects on the journey so far, responds to community questions and explains his decision to walk away from a confrontation during the Heal the Nation kaupapa.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Opening remarks

1:17 Setting up the livestream

5:56 Political guest introductions

13:27 Reflecting on the journey

22:12 Addressing community questions

28:25 Robert Lee interview

34:44 Local government and wider political discussion

44:40 Wrapping up with Robert Lee

51:45 Introducing Callum Sheridan

54:42 Callum Sheridan — campaigning and conversations with voters

1:18:25 Harry Mowbray — split voting and MMP

1:45:40 Closing discussion and reflections

Shubz Says So | Episode 118

Subscribe, share it with the whānau and have your say in the comments.

For all inquiries: producer@shubzsayso.com