New year, same friendly local politics podcast.
The political year kicked off with a dramatic reshuffle that sees Shane Reti removed from health in favour of Simeon Brown, James Meager made minister for the fiefdom that is the South Island and Nicola Willis in the renamed role of minister for economic growth. Alongside a caucus retreat and a state of the nation speech from prime minister Christopher Luxon, it’s all part of an effort to reset the agenda.
Fresh from their own mentally and physically invigorating retreat, the Gone By Lunchtime team of Toby Manhire, Ben Thomas and Annabelle Lee-Mather regather to assess that effort, and the background against which it plays: a stinker of a poll for National that puts then behind Labour, shows little love for any leader called Chris and points to pessimism within the electorate, a volatile global context as Trump returns to the White House and a record response to the Treaty Principles Bill.
Plus: How big a deal is Luxon’s decision to decline his invitation to Waitangi and what are the potholes of the health system?
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