In this conversation, Arthur Falls interviews Moko Tepania, the mayor of the Far North, discussing his popularity, the challenges of local governance, and the dynamics between local and central government. Moko emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the realities of budget constraints, and the need to empower communities in decision-making. The discussion also touches on the complexities of fulfilling legal obligations while addressing community needs and the impact of public perception on governance. Moko emphasizes the need for a proactive approach to governance, advocating for constitutional reform to better reflect the values and needs of the nation. The discussion also touches on the tensions between different political factions and the necessity of building consensus among diverse groups to create effective policies.

Natalia Cleland of Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) discusses the organization's work with marginalized and homeless individuals in Wellington. DCM has been providing support for 54 years and focuses on ending homelessness and advocating for the most vulnerable. They have government contracts for housing first and outreach services, but also rely on donations. The conversation explores the increase in homelessness in New Zealand, the challenges faced by those seeking housing, and the need for more affordable housing. The conversation explores the factors contributing to the homelessness crisis in New Zealand and the role of the Human Rights Commission in addressing the issue. It emphasizes the need for affordable and decent housing as a human right and calls for action from the government. The discussion also highlights the importance of social support services, such as the Sustaining Tenancies program, and the need for rehabilitation and counseling for individuals in the justice system. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the role of community groups and the importance of unity in addressing homelessness.

Infrastructure New Zealand is an industry body representing infrastructure building companies and other stakeholders. They advocate for infrastructure projects that are best for the sector and the country. The politicization of infrastructure and the lack of stable funding have led to a significant infrastructure deficit in New Zealand. The government's approach to infrastructure has been inconsistent, leading to uncertainty and inefficiency. There is a need for stable funding and a menu of projects with political consensus. Local government settings and funding arrangements need to be improved to enable better infrastructure delivery. There is a growing interest in involving private capital in infrastructure projects to increase efficiency and reliability. The conversation explores the challenges and potential solutions for infrastructure development in New Zealand. The main themes include the role of public-private partnerships, the need for long-term planning and funding, the importance of coordinated resilience and adaptation planning, and the impact of natural disasters on infrastructure. The conversation also touches on the political challenges and the need for consensus and stability in infrastructure decision-making. The key takeaways include the need for political and local government reform, the urgency of addressing climate change and resilience, and the importance of learning from past disasters.

The conversation explores the topic of income inequality and the declining share of labor in the total income of society. Geoff Bertram, an economist, discusses the historical trends and factors that have contributed to this phenomenon, including neoliberal policies and the erosion of labor bargaining power. He also highlights the concentration of wealth and excessive profits in certain sectors of the economy. The conversation touches on the role of propaganda and persuasion in shaping public opinion and the need for policy changes to address inequality. The conversation explores the close relationship between capital and government, the impact of conspiracy theories and misinformation, the need for organized labor, and the potential for change through movements like Te Pāti Māori. The discussion also touches on the importance of institutions, the role of research in shaping policy, and the challenges faced by the working class. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for systemic change to address wealth inequality and empower marginalized communities.

Max Rashbrooke discusses the disparities in wealth and income distribution in New Zealand, highlighting the impact of low wages and underemployment. He explores the challenges of increasing the minimum wage and the need for higher value sectors in the economy. Rashbrooke also emphasizes the lack of government investment in research and development and the influence of the real estate market on capital allocation. He concludes by discussing the historical factors that have contributed to the current situation. The conversation explores the lack of support and investment in skills and training, wealth inequality and the dominance of the fire economy, the need for a capital gains tax, transitioning to an inclusive economy, policy changes for an inclusive economy, and the power balance in the workplace and the role of unions.

The podcast episode covers a range of topics including social cohesion, trust, government policy, local governance, infrastructure funding, and the emissions trading scheme. The host, Arthur Falls, shares his takeaways from previous episodes and interviews with experts on these topics. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), manufacturing, housing market, political communication, and the Three Waters policy. It delves into the impact of these topics on climate change, economic prosperity, and social dynamics. The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities associated with policy implementation and public perception.

In this conversation, Michael Goldthorpe, a public relations specialist, discusses the key elements of winning an election and the challenges faced by political campaigns. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on hope, change, empathy, evidence, and a clear vision of the future. The conversation also touches on the disconnect between top-down messaging and the concerns of people, as well as the complexity of the housing crisis and the need for bold solutions. The conversation explores the role of communication in politics and the impact it has on policy and public perception. It discusses the concept of the Overton window and how political parties can shape public opinion to align with their policies. The conversation also touches on the use of race as a divisive tool in politics and the need for a party that represents the middle ground and focuses on long-term planning. Overall, it highlights the importance of effective communication in bridging the gap between policy and the public.

We discuss the emissions trading scheme (ETS) and its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The interview explores the purpose of the ETS, how it works, the issue of carbon credits and forestry, and the challenges of pricing agricultural emissions. The ETS is supposed to work by putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions to drive climate change mitigation.

Local councils in New Zealand are contributing to the housing crisis due to debt restrictions and limited central government support. This hinders infrastructure development and leads to restrictions on local development. Changing incentives and providing councils with tools to finance infrastructure can help address this problem.

Paul Spoonley and I discuss social cohesion in New Zealand and the decline of trust in institutions. We explore the impact of factors like migration, violent extremism, COVID-19 policies, and media literacy on the social fabric. We discuss the need for representative diversity in institutions and the challenges posed by declining fertility and rapid population growth. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust and reevaluating core institutions in a digital age.

This was originally written before the election and in it I was pretty hard on Labour. Given National is now in charge, I’ve changed it so criticism is anchored to them. Both parties say and do some pretty stupid stuff but it is the government itself that is the focus of this show.