A political lobbyist on ‘reprehensible’ tactics in NZ democracy
Toby Manhire speaks to Holly Bennett, founder of government relations agency Awhi, about the reality of lobbying in Aotearoa, and to Spinoff deputy editor Alice Neville about the very best of canned margaritas.
06 Oct 2026
More about the episode
The influence and ethics of political lobbying is under the spotlight in the 2026 campaign. What do lobbyists really do, what rules do they play by, and why has NZ failed time after time to do anything to tame the sinister stuff? Holly Bennett, founder and managing director of of Awhi, a kaupapa Māori government relations and communications firm in Auckland, joins Toby to talk it all through.
Plus, in How Good, Alice Neville on canned margarita, and why the Mighty Mighty was judged the mightiest of them all.
At Large with Toby Manhire is produced by Te Aihe Butler, Bridget Mills and The Spinoff. Read more at thespinoff.co.nz.
