Best Commonwealth Fund Podcasts (2024)

1
John MacDonald: $10M fines will sort out the supermarkets. As if 5:26

2h ago5:26

5:26

The Commerce Commission says the big supermarket operators are still creaming it. They’re not making the changes the Commission wanted them to make. Their profits are still too high and the Commission is talking tough, saying it would like to be able to fine them up to $10 million if they keep ripping people off and ignoring what the Commission wan…

1
Eric Idle: Comedian on his upcoming show in Christchurch 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live!' 10:28

2h ago10:28

10:28

Monty Python star Eric Idle is making his way to Christchurch in his one man musical. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live! is a nostalgic reflection on his love comedy, music, life, and what he calls “Mock and Roll”, a blend of comedy and music. He joined John MacDonald live from Los Angeles to discuss the show that will be hitting the cit…

1
Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on the Commonwealth Games report, high rises in the CBD, and pokie machine harm 11:05

21m ago11:05

11:05

A report into the viability of Christchurch hosting the Commonwealth Games took 14 hours to write, after it was requested in January. The report, commissioned by Mayor Phil Mauger, from Council and Christchurch NZ recommended Christchurch avoid holding a standalone event. Newstalk ZB has revealed it cost just over $1000 for staff time. Mauger told …

1
John MacDonald: Are we done now with the Commonwealth Games? 5:26

2h ago5:26

5:26

It is time for Christchurch to get real. To get real and accept that we will never host the Commonwealth Games. Never host them on our own, and not even bother trying to be part of any national bid to host them in the future. I’ve never shared Mayor Phil Mauger’s dream of getting the Games here again. His idea is based purely and simply on his rose…

1
John MacDonald: The Government's roading spend-up is a no-brainer 4:55

3h ago4:55

4:55

Let’s get this clear from the start: Transport Minister Simeon Brown is no knight in shining armour coming to the rescue of motorists up and down the country. He’s not doing anything special or spectacular with this announcement that the Government wants to spend a record amount of money on our roads and transport. $32.9 billion over the next three…

1
John MacDonald: Our view of the pension needs to change 5:14

1h ago5:14

5:14

Life’s all about choices. And we need to make some. Outgoing Treasury boss Dr Caralee McLiesh says cutting costs here and there, like the Government is doing at the moment, isn’t going to be enough to really get the country's finances in order. And she reckons one of the things we need to do is make changes to the government superannuation scheme. …

1
John MacDonald: Road user charges are fairer for everyone 5:09

1h ago5:09

5:09

If you drive a petrol vehicle, how’s that $20-a-week tax cut looking now that the Government wants to sting you with road user charges? I’m being a bit facetious. Because I actually think road user charges are much fairer than fuel taxes. Because, when you use a road, it makes no difference whether you drive an old dunger or something more modern -…

1
Politics Friday with Megan Woods and Matt Doocey: Widespread road user charges, infrastructure plans, and importing LNG 21:14

1h ago21:14

21:14

This week on Politics Friday, Labour’s Megan Woods and National’s Matt Doocey joined John to dig into some of the biggest political stories of the week. On the agenda was the proposed road user charges system – will it work? Is it fair? Can National and Labour agree on an infrastructure plan to ensure things get finished? And is importing LNG a lon…

1
John MacDonald: Bipartisan infrastructure planning? Pfft 5:16

2h ago5:16

5:16

I love the Government’s thinking on infrastructure planning. It wants us to have a 30-year plan for big projects that politicians, generally, wouldn’t be able to muck around with. Which, of course, would give us all a lot of certainty. It would also give the people who invest their own money in infrastructure certainty, as well. So a great idea. Be…

1
Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the national infrastructure plan, Christchurch Cathedral funding, Canterbury Museum funding 11:03

2d ago11:03

11:03

Finance Minister Nicola Willis is visiting Christchurch today and joined John MacDonald in studio to give her thoughts on a few topics. They discussed National's infrastructure 30-year plan. Is she confident of getting cross party support? What were her true thoughts when she was approached about putting more money into the Christchurch Cathedral, …

1
John MacDonald: This speed limit increase makes no sense 4:53

4h ago4:53

4:53

It’s not quite as fast as Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton wants it. But the Government’s thinking about raising the speed limit on the Southern Motorway between Rolleston and Christchurch to 110 kph per hour - which would be the highest speed limit in the South Island. Mayor Broughton reckons it should be 120, the Government thinks 110 is more like it, …

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour leader talks oil and gas exploration, a Canterbury Super City Council, the speed limit changes for the Southern Motorway 6:47

1d ago6:47

6:47

John was joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins on the show today for their regular catch up. John was keen to find out where Labour stands really on oil and gas exploration in New Zealand - if they get back into power will they honour any contracts in place? Does Hipkins agree with the proposed speed limit change on the Southern Motorway, given the…

1
John MacDonald: Hysterical statements won't keep the lights on 5:02

3h ago5:02

5:02

Sometimes, no matter how much of a greenie you might think you are, you just have to get real. Tell that to the likes of the Labour Party, though, which is saying the moves announced by the Government to try and make sure we have enough electricity to keep the heaters and lights on, and the factories operating, show that it is “giving up on climate…

1
John MacDonald: What backdown? The Government's just facing reality 5:51

1h ago5:51

5:51

I think the Government’s done a John Key. You know - float an idea, wait for the noise, and change the thing people are making the most noise about. Which is exactly what’s happened with the new Fast Track legislation for large-scale infrastructure and mining projects. Some are saying the Government’s 'backed-down' with its decision to let an indep…

1
John MacDonald: RMA changes only part of the solution to our power puzzle 5:13

5d ago5:13

5:13

If you’ve heard all the talk over the past 24 hours about the Government making more changes to the Resource Management Act and you’ve thought ‘oh boring, nothing to do with me’, think again. Because there’s one aspect that has potential to make a difference for anyone and everyone in the country. Which includes you. I don’t think it’s going to be …

1
Politics Friday with Vanessa Weenink and Labour's Duncan Webb: NZ's energy crisis, the treaty bill and central government 17:32

5d ago17:32

17:32

Today on Politics Friday John was joined by National's Vanessa Weenink and Labour's Duncan Webb in studio. Is New Zealand in an energy crisis, and will the RMA changes help get more power into our grid at a better price? Why is National supporting the treaty bill to a certain point, even though they have no plans at all to support it past the first…

1
Ben Campbell: Kiwi band Zed's Bassist on their first album in 20 years 11:57

2h ago11:57

11:57

Today Kiwi iconic band Zed release their first album in 20 years, Future Memory. Formed at Cashmere High School, the Canterbury band will celebrate with a launch party in Akaroa today. Bassist Ben Campbell joined John to talk about the album, their history and the pressure their fame brought the young group 20 years ago. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio…

1
John MacDonald: Why the PM shouldn't be giving councils a ticking-off 4:31

3h ago4:31

4:31

If we thought the last government was a bunch of control freaks, the current one’s just as bad, isn’t it? That's what I’m thinking with all this talk from the Prime Minister, telling local councils that ratepayers are sick of white elephants, that they need to focus on the basics like collecting the rubbish, fixing the pipes and filling-in potholes…

1
Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on the Cathedral rebuild, the Prime Minister's comments on council spending, LIV Golf 8:13

3h ago8:13

8:13

John MacDonald was joined in studio by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger for their regular catch up. What did he make of the Prime Minister’s comments on council spending? The work on the Christ Church Cathedral has been indefinitely paused, will it receive any more ratepayer money? And, does he support the idea of LIV Golf making its way to Christchu…

1
John MacDonald: Christchurch's cathedral will never be finished. Here's why 6:01

14d ago6:01

6:01

Remember Bishop Victoria Matthews? Who wanted to pull down the Christchurch cathedral after the earthquakes? Reckon she’s thinking “told you so” now that the reinstatement is officially on ice? Bet she is. And if she isn’t, she should be. Because let’s be realistic. On ice, whatever you want to call it, the cathedral will never be finished. Never. …

1
Andy Dickson: The Narcs guitarist talks the music scene of the 80's, Selwyn Sounds 2025 10:30

9d ago10:30

10:30

An award-winning Christchurch band is in the lineup for the 2025 Selwyn Sounds. The Narcs’ Andy Dickson joined John MacDonald for a chat about the music scene in the 80’s, and what it was like to perform with some of the biggest names in the industry like Elton John and Queen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
John MacDonald: Limiting booze sales - Auckland has but Christchurch shouldn't 5:09

1h ago5:09

5:09

With some ideas, they sound better than they actually are. Which is how I’m feeling about this idea that Christchurch should do what Auckland has just done and ban supermarkets and bottle stores from selling alcohol after 9 o’clock at night. I don’t think it’s a good idea. Because I just don’t think it would make people buy less alcohol, they’d jus…

1
John MacDonald: I don't like this carrot-and-stick road safety funding 5:31

10d ago5:31

5:31

I don’t like the idea of the Government dangling $72 million in front of the cops and saying to them: “You’ll get this if you test the number of drivers we want you to test for drugs and alcohol.” You might think it’s great that the police are being told what’s expected of them and that some of their funding depends on it. But I don’t. Don’t get me…

1
More Conversations from Aspen Ideas: Health 18:53

1h ago18:53

18:53

In this special two-part edition of The Dose, we’re bringing listeners along to an exhilarating gathering of health care’s most innovative thinkers and changemakers — Aspen Ideas: Health. In part 2, host Joel Bervell talks to two people who are reshaping how we think about community health: Mary Oxendine, a Lumbee and Tuscarora woman and the former…

1
John MacDonald: We'd be hypocrites if we said no to LIV Golf 5:31

8d ago5:31

5:31

If you don’t like the idea of Saudi Arabia putting money into sport, then tell anyone you know who supports Manchester City to burn their shirt. If you don’t like the idea of Saudi Arabia putting money into sport, then tell anyone you know who’s right into Formula 1 that they should be ashamed of themselves. If you don’t like the idea of Saudi Arab…

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader talks the Jobseeker sanctions, genetic engineering, and rising crime rates 9:26

16d ago9:26

9:26

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings John MacDonald was joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins for their regular chat. He asked his feelings about the ACT party wanting to sanction those who get pregnant while on the benefit, how will that impact families? Does he support lifting the ban on genetic engineering? And why is crime still going up un…

1
John MacDonald: I say no to mayor's speed limit increase 9:26

7d ago9:26

9:26

When you drive the Southern Motorway between Rolleston and Christchurch, how fast do you go? According to the mayor of Selwyn, Sam Broughton, chances are you go faster than 100 kph. Which is why he thinks the speed limit on that piece of road should be lifted to 120 kph. An idea which I think is ridiculous. I’m thinking it probably has something to…

1
John MacDonald: What's all this talk about beneficiary-bashing? 5:30

11h ago5:30

5:30

Look out dole bludgers, we’re coming after ya. That’s the Government’s message to beneficiaries who are being warned that, if they abuse the system, there’ll be limits on what they can spend their benefit money on. This is all part of the new traffic light system for people on the Jobseeker benefit. Some might say it’s a traffic light system with a…

1
John MacDonald: Here's what we should do with Cathedral Square 5:24

11d ago5:24

5:24

Can you believe the audacity of the Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Project asking the Government for another $60 million? Quite rightly Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said no and the Anglican Cathedral is now likely to be mothballed. Which leaves us with the question: what do we do now with Cathedral Square? There are two options, as I se…

1
Conversations from Aspen Ideas: Health 16:08

18d ago16:08

16:08

In this special, two-part edition of The Dose, we’re bringing listeners along to an exhilarating gathering of health care’s most innovative thinkers and changemakers—Aspen Ideas: Health. In part 1, host Joel Bervell speaks with two people dedicated to supporting communities that have been excluded from our health care system: Lola Adedokun, executi…

1
John MacDonald: Come back 3 Waters. All is forgiven 5:04

20d ago5:04

5:04

Come back 3 Waters - all is forgiven. You might be thinking that, now the Government has told councils they’re going to have to borrow truckloads of money to sort out their water infrastructure problems. Which could impact their credit ratings, increase their overall borrowing costs and increase rates. So yeah - that’s how I’m feeling. Because I’m …

1
John MacDonald: Is a boot camp military-style if the military aren't there? 5:23

5d ago5:23

5:23

When you think of military-style academies for young offenders, is the military part of it with a capital M or a small m? Because the Government’s in the firing line after confirming that there are no military personnel on-site at the trial academy which started-up last week, and that there’ll be no military personnel there on an ongoing basis. Whi…

1
John MacDonald: Is compulsory health insurance the answer? 4:57

6d ago4:57

4:57

So the guy running the hospital system says it could go broke within just a few months and we’re going to just keep on doing things the way we have forever, are we? That would be nuts. Which is why I think we’d be much better off if we just required people to have health insurance. The public system which Dr Lester Levy —who is the Commissioner app…

1
John MacDonald: I judge a school on more than just test results 5:42

25d ago5:42

5:42

They used to be called school inspectors, these days it’s the Education Review Office and the Government is planning a shake-up, promising that we’re going to know more about what schools are getting right and what they aren’t. And, when you listen to what the Prime Minister and Education Minister Erica Stanford have been saying, there’s going to b…

1
John MacDonald: Council cathedral payment needs to be stopped 5:46

8d ago5:46

5:46

If you ever needed proof that local councils are great at throwing other people's money around, here it is. Because, even though the reinstatement work on the Anglican cathedral in Cathedral Square could come to a standstill in just a matter of weeks because of money problems, the Christchurch City Council is handing over $7 million. Which beggars …

1
Politics Friday with Megan Woods and Hamish Campbell: NZ's drinking culture, child safety, Parliament bullying allegations 20:26

11d ago20:26

20:26

Today on Politics Friday, John was joined in studio by Labour's Megan Woods and National's Hamish Campbell. On today’s agenda: Why, despite multiple reports, are children in New Zealand still being abused and losing their lives? Is it time for a cross-party commitment to ending this? What can be done about the drinking culture in New Zealand, is it…

1
John MacDonald: Tutt-tutting and more reports won't save lives 5:10

12d ago5:10

5:10

You might be thinking the revelation that at-risk kids in New Zealand are no safer than they were three years ago, when a 5-year-old boy was beaten, burned and murdered by his carer, has nothing to do with you. But think again. Where this has all come from, is a report by the Independent Children's Monitor as to whether the care system in this coun…

1
John MacDonald: Don't let Canterbury become the nation's dumping ground 5:33

30d ago5:33

5:33

How would you feel about rubbish from all over New Zealand and maybe even overseas being dumped in the South Island? That’s what could be happening with this new waste-to-energy plant that is planned for South Canterbury. And I would be dead against it. Fine, if burning rubbish to create energy is a good thing and can be done without munting the en…

1
John MacDonald: No Minister, this is not a win for democracy 5:08

23d ago5:08

5:08

How do you think I’m feeling about the Government's Māori wards bill passing its third reading in Parliament? Which means any local councils which established Māori wards without asking residents first will have to hold a referendum if they want to keep them. The same for any other councils that might want to in the future, as well. How do you thin…

1
Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the Māori Wards Bill, tax cuts, Green Party's aim to be opposition 7:07

18d ago7:07

7:07

Today on Canterbury Mornings John MacDonald was joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins for their regular chat. Why does he feel the Māori Wards Bill is an embarrassment? Will National's Tax Cuts prove Labour wrong in the future? And what does he make of the Green Party stating their ambition to be the major opposition party? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu…

1
John MacDonald: Are we serious about gun control or not? 5:25

1M ago5:25

5:25

Would you rather the police could only search a place for illegal firearms if they believed there were illegal guns there, or would you rather they could search a place for illegal firearms if they suspected illegal firearms were there? There’s quite a difference. If you believe something, you’ve generally seen or heard information that gives you r…

1
Politics Friday: National's Matt Doocey and Labour's Reuben Davidson talk Pines on the Port Hills, Abuse in Care report, and mental health 21:59

20d ago21:59

21:59

John MacDonald was joined by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Reuben Davidson for Politics Friday. They discussed whether the Government should intervene on the replanting regulations for pine trees on the Port Hills after the multiple intense blazes. It’s been an emotional week in Parliament with the release of the Abuse in Care Report, so what…

1
John MacDonald: The Port Hills is not the place for pine trees 5:48

20d ago5:48

5:48

“Pines are one of the most flammable plants on the planet.” That’s a quote from a plant ecologist at Victoria University, Dr Nicola Day. And it's why some Christchurch councils went to the Government wanting a change to the forestry rules, to try and stop pine forests being re-planted on the Port Hills after the big fire earlier this year. The seco…

1
John MacDonald: Abuse Inquiry - the direct and indirect victims 8:29

24d ago8:29

8:29

In some way, shape or form, every New Zealander is a victim of the horrific abuse laid bare in the inquiry report released yesterday. First and foremost - absolutely first and foremost - it is the 200,000 people who were abused while in the care of the state and religious organisations that we are most mindful of. As we should be. The Government ap…

1
Ed Byrne: Irish comedian on new show, the death of his brother, and his special connection to Kaikoura and Christchurch 11:12

1M ago11:12

11:12

Irish comedian Ed Byrne joined John MacDonald on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, where he discussed his new show - Tragedy Plus Time. He explained how he manages to talk about the death of his brother Paul in the show and balance the emotion with humour. Plus his special connection to Kaikoura and Christchurch. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list…

1
Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on Orana Wildlife Park, cost of road cones, and next year's local elections 8:40

24d ago8:40

8:40

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined John MacDonald for their regular catchup. The Mayor gives his thoughts on whether Orana Wildlife Park is in trouble, and how he feels about the council funding for it now. And, what is the cost to council for the use of road cones in Christchurch? And will he be standing for Mayor in next year's local elections…

1
John MacDonald: The addict's battle is lost in a drug war 5:52

25d ago5:52

5:52

Let’s play a little bit of would-you-rather. Would you rather the country faced a bill of $1 billion per year for the harm caused by drug use? Or $8 billion per year for the harm caused by alcohol? I know what your answer is. I’m picking it’s the same as mine. I’d rather we had neither. But that’s the comparison in front of us with these new stats …

1
John MacDonald: The invisible VP for president? Don't think so 5:16

27d ago5:16

5:16

One headline I’ve read about President Joe Biden quitting the presidential race is describing it as “a shock decision”. It’s no shock to me. But it was, apparently, to some of his campaign staff. According to reports, some of them had no idea their man had made-up his mind and was pulling the plug. Which I think is too little, too late for the Demo…

1
John MacDonald: This is the most pointless piece of road safety advice 5:04

1M ago5:04

5:04

Do you know what the most pointless piece of road safety advice is? Drive to the conditions. I get it and it’s well-meaning. But it’s pointless. A waste of breath. Because some people are incapable of doing it. And it would seem from some of the reports in the past 24 hours about those two buses which went off the road yesterday on the Twizel-Tekap…

1
John MacDonald: Councils cutting costs? It won't happen. Here's why 5:00

2M ago5:00

5:00

It seems our local councils are in the Finance Minister’s line of sight. She’s been saying since the latest inflation numbers came out yesterday that, yes, it is somewhat positive that inflation is at 3.3 percent —just outside the Reserve Bank’s target— but she’s saying it’s not time to take the foot off the pedal. And she’s made it very clear who …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Commonwealth Fund Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide