The Good Oil

Cam Slater
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Political and news commentary with a New Zealand flavour hosted by New Zealand's multi award-winning number podcaster and blogger. Cam Slater doesn’t do quiet and, as a result, he is a polarising, controversial but highly effective journalist who takes no prisoners. Love him or loathe him, you can’t ignore him.

  1. 14H AGO

    Episode 33 - Barry Soper

    Cam Slater finally sits down with legendary political journalist Barry Soper for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation about Barry’s new book, the 12 Prime Ministers he’s covered, and what politics really looks like from the inside. Barry opens up about the catastrophic loss of his personal archives (a staff member “tidied” several thousand pages of notes going back to Roger Douglas) and how that forced him to write the book as pure memory. They then dive deep into the characters:Key timestamps: • 00:05:49 – Muldoon: the little grunter, Think Big, the schnapps election, and why Barry has revised his opinion of him • 00:19:50 – Jacinda Ardern: five years of close observation, “kindness,” the performative nature of her leadership, and the movie that confirmed everything • 00:24:00 – Chris Hipkins: the man trying to distance himself from the very government he was central to • 00:26:00 – Helen Clark: despised her politics, admired her ability and leadership style • 00:34:38 – Jim Bolger: the man who came to Barry’s wedding and quietly rolled Jim McClay • 00:43:00 – Winston Peters: the most consummate politician Barry has worked with, his coalition strategy, and why small parties usually get smothered • 00:49:00 – The Trevor Mallard wine prank and the Annette King flowers saga • 00:51:30 – Why Luxon is largely misunderstood and what he actually needs around him It’s funny, blunt, and full of the kind of stories you only get from someone who has been in the room for decades. No political tome — just two old hands telling it straight. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 9m

  2. MAY 18

    Episode 32 - Tameem Barakat

    Cam welcomes Tameem Barakat, founder of The Centrist, for a deep and personal conversation. The episode opens with the ritual humidor check — this week featuring the La Ora Family Creed Foete Sol Toro from Canteros.nz — before Tameem tells his story. Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Tameem has Egyptian and Italian-Jewish heritage. His parents married in 1960s London when class and education mattered more than religion. He recounts watching hours of CNN Headline News as a child, his early obsession with politics, and how his mixed background gave him a unique lens on the Middle East. Tameem explains why he chose music with a political edge early in his career (inspired by Bob Dylan, Public Enemy, and others) rather than love songs, and how he eventually transitioned into writing and founding The Centrist. The pair discuss the backlash he’s received, including Martyn Bradbury calling the site a “hate blog,” Tameem’s view that the Overton window has shifted dramatically left, and why centrism is now treated as extreme. The conversation moves into COVID-era New Zealand — Tameem’s move from Canada during the pandemic, MIQ experiences, the wage subsidy, vaccine passes, and his view of Jacinda Ardern as a “shabby little dictator.” They also cover media propaganda, free speech, the difference between criticising governments and antisemitism, and why Tameem believes ideas should matter more than identity. A candid, wide-ranging interview that gives listeners the full picture behind one of New Zealand’s most discussed new platforms.Key sections include: • 01:52 – 09:55 – Tameem’s background and family story • 10:00 – 15:12 – Music career and early political writing • 22:00 – 29:10 – The move to New Zealand and MIQ experience • 32:00 – 45:00 – COVID policies, vaccine passes, and a direct assessment of Jacinda Ardern • 55:00 – 01:08:00 – In-depth discussion on Israel/Palestine and the Overton window • 01:09:20 – 01:19:00 – How The Centrist was founded during lockdown • 01:34:00 – 01:45:00 – Racism accusations from the left and closing thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 45m

  3. MAY 4

    Episode 31 - Elliot Ikilei

    Buckle up for a no-holds-barred chat with Elliot Ikilei from Hobson's Pledge. We dive into his wild ride from a chaotic upbringing – solo parents on both sides, teenage drugs, booze, and rebellion – to finding faith at 25 and turning it all around through youth work. Elliot pulls no punches on the bad cases that broke him, the wins that fueled him, and why Hobson's Pledge is battling what he calls "tribal separatism" in NZ. From government overreach to cultural division, we cover the fight for equality, the Treaty mess, and why the left's playbook is failing. If you're sick of the spin, this episode cuts through the crap. Listen now – and join the pushback.  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Cigar Review (Canteros.nz)  01:07 - Welcome & Guest Introduction  02:24 - Elliot’s Personal Background: From Chaos to Christianity 06:11 - The Shift: Family Structure vs Colonisation Narrative  08:00 - Journey into Politics & Conservative Party Years  13:25 - Critique of Luxon & Hipkins Leadership  18:22 - COVID Authoritarianism & Jacinda Ardern  30:00 - The Reality of Jacinda’s “Kindness”  38:00 - Parliament Protest & Political Loyalty  43:08 - Joining Hobson’s Pledge & The “Racist” Label  50:00 - Media Bias & Independent Media  58:00 - Stochastic Terrorism & Demonisation of Opponents  01:05:00 - Posie Parker, Brian Tamaki & Man Up  01:15:00 - Foreign Policy: China in the Pacific & Fiji  01:22:54 - 2026 Election Outlook & NZ First Surge  01:32:13 - Hobson’s Pledge Wins & Closing Thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 35m

  4. APR 27

    Episode 30 - Shubz

    Cam sits down with the man causing absolute chaos in Māori social media circles — the guy they call Shubz. After years of watching his people get failed by the very organisations claiming to represent them, Shubz decided enough was enough. What started as live streams on TikTok has turned into a full-frontal assault on iwi elites, unaccountable millions in Treaty settlements, and the “you’re not Māori enough” gatekeeping that shuts down anyone who steps out of line.  In this wide-ranging conversation they cover:  - His grandmother’s influence and growing up around politics  -  Why so many Māori are still conditioned to believe Labour is the only option - The “waste of Māori blood” attack on Winston Peters and what it really reveals - The disconnect between the loud activist class and ordinary Māori on the ground - How Alfred Ngaro’s story convinced him National wasn’t the enemy he’d been told  00:00 – Welcome & Cigar Review (Perdomo Legacy Connecticut Grand Belicoso)  03:40 – Introducing Shubz  06:30 – How Shubz went from live streamer to poking the Māori elite  11:20 – “You’ve come out of nowhere and caused a fair bit of ruckus”  15:50 – Growing up around politics, seeing the hypocrisy first-hand  22:10 – Grandmother’s influence and standing up for the people  28:40 – The “waste of Māori blood” comment to Winston Peters  34:50 – Alfred Ngaro’s story and being told he was “in the wrong party”  41:30 – Why Labour is still pushed as the only option for Māori  48:15 – Iwi elites, funding that never filters down, and real injustice  55:40 – The disconnect between activist class and ordinary Māori  1:02:00 – Final thoughts and where this goes from here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 34m

  5. APR 20

    Episode 29 - Nathan Smith

    The Tyrannosaurus Machine: Nathan Smith on Cancellation, Media Lies, and the "Shadow Map" of Power Former journalist and political insider Nathan Smith joins Cam Slater to pull back the curtain on how the machinery of power actually works. From the "Tyrannosaurus" media narrative that fuels public cancellations to the concept of "Love Speech"—the unregulated PR manipulation that runs our newsfeeds—this is a masterclass in seeing through the establishment's funhouse mirror. We also go global: Why the "Iran is winning" narrative is a fantasy, how the Middle East conflict is actually a proxy for China's energy security, and the "Permanent Government" of bureaucrats who wait out elected politicians. Featuring Dunbarton Dondurma cigars from Canteros.nz (http://canteros.nz/). 00:00 - Cigar Review & Introduction 01:12 - The Cancellation Story: Tyrannosaurus vs Lizard 06:14 - Behind the Curtain: Business & Politics 10:07 - The Tyrannosaurus Machine: Puppet Masters 17:08 - Love Speech vs. Hate Speech: The PR Game 28:30 - The Shadow Map of NZ Politics 32:41 - Middle East Reality Check: Iran & Israel 42:58 - The China Play: Oil, Resources, and Proxy Wars 53:42 - Military Capability: US Dominance & Grey Zones 01:04:12 - The Expert Problem: Credentialism & "Beijing Bob" 01:13:08 - The Permanent Government: Bureaucracy vs Voters 01:21:58 - Local Politics Reality Check: Luxon & The Machine Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 35m

  6. APR 13

    Episode 28 - Alfred Ngaro

    In this episode of The Good Oil, Cam Slater sits down with former National MP Alfred Ngaro. This isn't a standard political interview; it's an autopsy of the modern New Zealand political machine. Ngaro provides a rare insider's perspective on the shift from the "Old School" politics of John Key and Winston Peters to the "Managerial" era of Christopher Luxon and the "Performative" era of Jacinda Ardern. Chapters:  00:00 — Cigar Review & Introductions 02:10 — Alfred's Journey: From National MP to the "Wave of Red"  04:10 — The "Uninspiring" Prayer: How Alfred caught John Key's eye  08:40 — The "Labour Tattoo": Dismantling the Pasifika-Labour Monolith  13:40 — Cultural Capital: Moving from state dependency to transactions  16:20 — "No White Knights": The grandmother's wisdom on opportunity  18:40 — Entrepreneurship in Decile 1 Schools: Breaking the factory mindset  20:40 — The Israeli Model: Why existential pressure drives innovation  25:20 — The "Feminization" of Education: From woodwork to "technology blocks"  31:00 — The Visionaries: Why Winston Peters is the consistent outlier  42:30 — The Flag Referendum: Where John Key lost his confidence  52:00 — The "Performative" PM: Deconstructing Jacinda Ardern's brand  57:00 — The Deal that Wasn't: Why Bill English failed Winston Peters  1:01:00 — The "Sloppy" Leader: A critique of Christopher Luxon's style  1:13:00 — The "Wombles" of the Opportunities Party: Why small parties fail  1:16:00 — The Compassionate Side of Winston Peters Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 39m

  7. MAR 23

    Episode 27 - Eeryk McRae

    In Episode 27 of The Good Oil Podcast, Cam chats with social commentator Eeryk McRae. Passionate, articulate, and politically sharp, Eeryk tackles government overreach, the rise of young voices in online political discourse, and the state of modern debate. He’s critical of the left without drifting to the far-right, bringing a fair, intelligent perspective to a fast-moving conversation that covers politics, culture, and the changing shape of public discussion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 40m

  8. MAR 23

    Episode 26 - Nathan Seiuli

    In Episode 26 of The Good Oil Podcast, Cam gets to know Nathan Seuli of PILLAR: Protecting Individual Life, Liberty, And Rights. Nathan is a Christian advocate for free speech, civil liberties, and rights to privacy, and a strong believer in a public square that is moderate, reasonable, and transparent. He unpacks why values matter, what is at stake when they are weakened, and why defending them matters for every New Zealander. A thoughtful conversation with a few hard truths, and two impressive beards at the table. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 38m
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About

Political and news commentary with a New Zealand flavour hosted by New Zealand's multi award-winning number podcaster and blogger. Cam Slater doesn’t do quiet and, as a result, he is a polarising, controversial but highly effective journalist who takes no prisoners. Love him or loathe him, you can’t ignore him.

Information

  • Creator
    Cam Slater
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Good Oil
  • Show Website
    The Good Oil

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