Cross Party Lines

Cross Party Lines
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A weekly podcast about the political landscape in New Zealand and around the world. Proudly going beyond the headlines, looking at the structural challenges, challenging the status quo and explaining our place in the complex geopolitical stage. Hosted by Phil Goff, Chris Finlayson and Sam Collins crosspartylines.substack.com

  1. Reshuffles, Refineries and Royal Commissions

    6日前

    Reshuffles, Refineries and Royal Commissions

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with an episode that sweeps from the parliamentary pecking order to the Strait of Hormuz — and lands on a question New Zealand still hasn’t answered about its own pandemic past. Proudly supported by our foundational partner, Frank Risk Management, the 100% kiwi owned insurance brokerage. In this episode: * Party reshuffles and the next generation — Across Labour, National, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, the political talent pool is being redrawn ahead of the election. Phil makes the case for Labour’s newly promoted women — Vanushi Walters in Foreign Affairs and Camilla Belich in Justice — as serious future leaders. Chris offers a generous farewell to Shane Reti and a pointed observation about why timing, more than talent, makes or breaks a political career. And the Greens’ membership-driven list process gets put under the microscope — democratic in theory, but does it deliver the candidates a party needs to actually win? * Oil shock, drones and the future of New Zealand’s defence — With petrol above $3 a litre and South Korea already restricting refined oil exports, the Iran war has stopped being an overseas story. The panel takes apart the Marsden Point debate — who actually closed it and why the critique doesn’t hold up — before pivoting to a much bigger question: is New Zealand’s entire approach to defence procurement dangerously out of date? Phil argues the wars in Ukraine and Iran have made large ships and fighter jets obsolete, and that drones and asymmetric capability are where New Zealand’s defence dollar should go. Chris wonders aloud whether the aircraft carrier is already yesterday’s weapon. Both agree the last thing you want as your spokesperson in a fuel crisis is Shane Jones. * The COVID Royal Commission — vindication, lawfare, or time to move on? — The second Royal Commission into New Zealand’s COVID response landed with 63 recommendations and a broadly positive verdict. Chris, who represented Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson before the Commission, explains why their decision not to appear in the public witness box was entirely proper — and why Winston Peters’ call for a third commission is less about accountability and more about using legal process as a political weapon. Phil and Chris find rare cross-party agreement: New Zealand got it mostly right, the work has been done, and the country needs to act on what it knows rather than relitigate what it can’t change. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful debate, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. 🎟 Catch the team live at the Featherston Booktown Festival — Saturday 9 May. Tickets at booktown.org.nz This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    53 分鐘
  2. Those Polls, That War and the Return of Inflation

    3月9日

    Those Polls, That War and the Return of Inflation

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines is back with an episode that flows from domestic political turbulence straight into the fires of the Middle East — and lands on the economic storm heading New Zealand’s way. Proudly supported by our foundational partner, Frank Risk Management, the 100% kiwi owned insurance brokerage. In this episode: * National in freefall — is Luxon’s leadership terminal? A damning Taxpayers Union Curia poll puts National at just 28%.The panel unpacks what the numbers really mean, when voters start paying attention, and whether a leader change this close to an election is a lifeline or a death sentence. Phil draws on the hard lessons of Labour’s Palmer-to-Moore pivot in 1990. * Iran, international law, and the ghost of Iraq — Nine days into the US strikes on Iran, there is no clear objective, no post-war plan, and the civilian death toll is rising. Phil draws a sharp line from the WMD lies of 2003 to the intelligence being ignored today — and argues that every US regime-change attempt, from Iraq to Libya, has left a failed state in its wake. Chris questions what happens to the rules-based international order when the country that built it decides the rules no longer apply. And what does a Chinese move on Taiwan look like in a world where “might is right” has been normalised? * Inflation is back — and this time, wages won’t save you — Oil nearly doubled since January. LNG up 70% in a week. War surcharges on every container at sea. The panel examines how the Iran conflict threatens to derail New Zealand’s economic recovery, hammer small businesses already on the edge, and hand the opposition a weapon the government has no good answer for. Phil and Chris debate whether Nicola Willis can avoid Grant Robertson’s fate — and whether freezing the fuel excise increase would even matter. This episode is a reminder that the decisions made in Washington and Tehran don’t stay there — they show up in your petrol tank, your mortgage rate, and the ballot box. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful debate, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    46 分鐘
  3. Homelessness, Local Power and War in Iran

    3月2日

    Homelessness, Local Power and War in Iran

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with an episode that moves from homelessness policy at home to war and international law abroad. There may be many headlines this week — but there is really one global story dominating the conversation. In this episode: * Move On Laws and rough sleeping — Are proposed “move on” powers a practical response to visible homelessness, or political theatre dressed up as law and order? Phil argues the answer lies in Housing First and sustained social support, not fines or prison. Chris reflects on the balance between individual rights and community rights — and whether both can be protected without abandoning compassion. * Local Government under fire — Following criticism of councils at the Local Government Conference, the panel asks whether central government is undermining its own partners. Is local government being scapegoated for cost-of-living pressures? Should the Local Government Act be revisited? And why does funding reform matter more than slogans? * Iran, Trump and the future of international law — The second half of the episode turns to the US strikes on Iran. Was there an imminent threat? What does the War Powers Act require? And what happens when great powers sidestep the UN Charter principles New Zealand helped shape in 1945? Drawing comparisons with Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, Phil and Chris question whether regime change without strategy ever delivers stability — and what this moment means for the future of the rules-based international order. Along the way: reflections on American history, congressional authority, the danger of “might is right,” and why small countries like New Zealand have the most to lose when international law is weakened. Serious, candid and unflinching, this episode is a reminder that whether we’re talking about Queen Street or Tehran, politics is ultimately about consequences — and who bears them. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful debate, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    47 分鐘
  4. Infrastructure, Brain Drains and Dog Whistles

    2月23日

    Infrastructure, Brain Drains and Dog Whistles

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines tackles three of the biggest structural questions facing New Zealand: how we build the country, how we keep our young people here, and how we respond when politics drifts into populist rhetoric. This week’s episode moves from infrastructure to immigration — and ends with a firm defence of decency in public life. In this episode: * The Infrastructure Gap — Following the release of Te Waihanga’s National Infrastructure Plan, Phil and Chris debate whether New Zealand’s problem is underinvestment, poor coordination, political short-termism — or all three. Why do we spend near the top of the OECD as a share of GDP but rank near the bottom for results? And is bipartisan buy-in the only way to avoid stop-go mega-projects and pork-barrel politics? * Keeping Young Kiwis in Aotearoa — With net departures to Australia surging again, the panel revisits the myth of “rabbit out of the hat” election policies like interest-free student loans. Did it really change the trajectory in 2005 — and what would actually address the long-term productivity gap with Australia? From capital investment to university reform to targeted student loan relief, the discussion turns to how New Zealand can compete in a shared labour market with a larger, wealthier neighbour. * Populism and the Politics of Immigration — Shane Jones’ latest comments on Indian migration spark one of the most forceful conversations yet on the podcast. Phil and Chris challenge the rhetoric head-on, arguing that migrants add more than they take, that demographic change strengthens rather than weakens the country, and that cruelty dressed up as “plain speaking” corrodes democratic culture. The episode closes with a broader question: how should mainstream parties confront — not normalise — dog-whistle politics in an election year? Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    45 分鐘
  5. Māori Seats, Ministry Cuts and Election-Year Inquiries

    2月16日

    Māori Seats, Ministry Cuts and Election-Year Inquiries

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with an episode that moves from minor party positioning to the power of inquiries, and ends with a timely reflection on civility in public life. Recorded against the backdrop of severe storms in the lower North Island, the episode opens with a renewed call for cross-party cooperation on climate adaptation — before turning to the politics shaping 2026. In this week’s episode: * Minor party signals for 2026 — New Zealand First’s proposed referendum on Māori seats and ACT’s plan to cap ministers and slash departments. Is this substantive reform, symbolic positioning, or electoral dog-whistling? Phil and Chris unpack the history, the precedent, and the political math behind both announcements. * The politics of inquiries — With investigations announced into Moa Point, Bay of Plenty landslides, COVID policy, and Reserve Bank decisions, the panel explores when inquiries strengthen democracy — and when they risk looking like election-year theatre. What makes an inquiry credible? Independence, integrity, and timing. * Civility in an attention economy — From Shane Jones’ inflammatory rhetoric to Pam Bondi’s combative congressional performance in the US, the episode closes on a broader question: how does democratic debate survive in a media landscape that rewards outrage over substance? The answer, according to Phil and Chris, lies in precision, discipline, and the quiet power of asking better questions. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for thoughtful, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value calmer politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    46 分鐘
  6. Waitangi Wrap Up, Nuclear Risk and Mandelson's Fall From Grace (Again)

    2月9日

    Waitangi Wrap Up, Nuclear Risk and Mandelson's Fall From Grace (Again)

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with a wide-ranging episode that moves from the rituals of Waitangi Week to the most serious questions of global security — before closing with a sobering discussion on power, corruption, and trust in public life. In this episode: Waitangi Week, politics and performance — A clear-eyed assessment of what unfolded in the Far North: protest, resignation, symbolism. Phil and Chris reflect on precedent, dignity, and what leadership looks like in moments of discomfort.The quiet collapse of nuclear restraint — A deep dive into the expiry of the New START Treaty between the US and Russia, why arms control has mattered for decades, and how the erosion of nuclear agreements creates genuine existential risk — particularly as more unstable actors enter the equation.Why New Zealand still has a role — From nuclear-free activism to multilateral diplomacy, the case for New Zealand finding its voice again on global disarmament rather than staying permanently “under the radar.”The Epstein files and elite accountability — A forensic discussion of Peter Mandelson, power without consequence, and how misbehaviour at the top corrodes trust in democratic systems. Comparisons with New Zealand’s stricter political culture — and why that culture must be defended.Serious without being sanctimonious, this episode is a reminder that politics is ultimately about stewardship — of institutions, trust, and the future — and that when restraint collapses, the consequences are rarely abstract. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    50 分鐘
  7. Judith's New Job, Waitangi Avoidance and Modern Slavery Legislation

    2月2日

    Judith's New Job, Waitangi Avoidance and Modern Slavery Legislation

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with a grounded, institutional-focused episode that looks at how democracy works when it’s doing its job — and where it still needs strengthening. This week’s conversation centres on law, legitimacy, national rituals and rare moments of bipartisan progress. In this week’s episode: Judith Collins and the Law Commission — A deep dive into Collins’ appointment as President of the Law Commission. Phil and Chris weigh her experience as a former Attorney-General and Justice Minister against concerns about partisanship, precedent, and the importance of protecting the Commission’s independence. Is this continuity, risk — or both? Waitangi Day and political leadership — With the Prime Minister choosing not to attend the formal Waitangi Day ceremony, the panel explores precedent, protest, respect, and whether leaders lose political ground by avoiding discomfort. Modern slavery legislation — A rare bipartisan moment as Labour and National combine to advance Camilla Belich and Greg Fleming’s modern slavery bill. Why mandatory supply-chain reporting matters, how New Zealand’s inaction has damaged its reputation, and why progress shouldn’t be held hostage to ideological purity. Trade, migration, and scapegoating — How the modern slavery debate intersects with the India free trade agreement, immigration politics, and the dangers of reheating tired populist narratives that blame migrants for structural problems. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful debate, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    47 分鐘
  8. Climate Tragedy, Global Disorder and Election Year Kicks Off

    1月26日

    Climate Tragedy, Global Disorder and Election Year Kicks Off

    Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns for a weighty, wide-ranging episode that moves from tragedy at home to turmoil abroad — and asks what leadership looks like when the stakes are this high. This week’s conversation is shaped by three forces: climate reality, global disorder, and election-year positioning. In this week’s episode: * Climate change and human cost — Following a devastating week in Aotearoa, with nine lives lost to extreme weather events, Phil and Chris reflect on grief, responsibility, and why climate change can no longer be treated as an abstract or ideological debate. From landslips to floodplains, the discussion turns to adaptation, evidence-based policy, and why the window for meaningful action is closing fast. * Davos and the global order — Chris reports from Europe as the World Economic Forum unfolds. The panel dissects Mark Carney’s widely applauded speech, growing pushback against Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and what the erosion of the rules-based international order means for small countries like New Zealand. * State of the Nation speeches — With National and Labour both holding retreats, Phil assesses whether either Chris Luxon or Chris Hipkins managed to seize early momentum in election year — and why passion, credibility, and kitchen-table issues will matter more than set-piece speeches. Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

    50 分鐘
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關於

A weekly podcast about the political landscape in New Zealand and around the world. Proudly going beyond the headlines, looking at the structural challenges, challenging the status quo and explaining our place in the complex geopolitical stage. Hosted by Phil Goff, Chris Finlayson and Sam Collins crosspartylines.substack.com

資料

  • 創作者
    Cross Party Lines
  • 活躍年份
    2025年 - 2026年
  • 單集
    21
  • 分級
    兒童適宜
  • 版權
    © Cross Party Lines
  • 節目網站
    Cross Party Lines

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