/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/rss ¾ÅÒ»ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:45:24 Z en /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-vanessa-weenink-and-tracey-mclellan-treaty-principles-bill-ferry-economy/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-vanessa-weenink-and-tracey-mclellan-treaty-principles-bill-ferry-economy/ There's a lack of enthusiasm for a ferry service between Wellington and Lyttelton.  According to Local Democracy Reporting, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon believes the Government should consider reinstating the service, which ran from 1895 to 1976.  National Party's Vanessa Weenink told John MacDonald the idea is harking back to the old days.  She says she’s unsure what the business case would be, and is unsure if it would work out.  Labour's Tracey McLellan says it's a romanticised idea.  She told MacDonald she can’t see this one working, and it’s still taking three years to get the Cook Strait Ferries sorted.   LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:39:37 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-the-erebus-memorial-new-build-precautions-and-bird-poop-problems/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-the-erebus-memorial-new-build-precautions-and-bird-poop-problems/ John MacDonald was joined today by Mayor Phil Mauger.  They discussed the potential for Christchurch to be home to the delayed Erebus Disaster memorial – is Christchurch an appropriate home?   The central city has been overrun by birds and their droppings, does the Council have a plan to deal with the mess? And what measures will the council take regarding the new build’s in the city’s east, given the recent findings that houses may sink in some areas? LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 09 Apr 2025 23:40:06 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-reuben-davidson-and-vanessa-weenink-trump-tariffs-housing-density-supermarkets/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-reuben-davidson-and-vanessa-weenink-trump-tariffs-housing-density-supermarkets/ John MacDonald was joined in studio by Vanessa Weenink and Reuben Davidson to delve into some of the biggest political stories of the week. The US President has rolled out tariffs of at least 10% on almost all imported goods – what will this mean for our export market?  Is the need for housing in Canterbury so great that intensification is inevitable? And will the supermarket announcement make a tangible difference for Kiwis at the till any time soon?   LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 03 Apr 2025 23:28:45 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/john-macdonald-has-the-grocery-commissioner-checked-out/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/john-macdonald-has-the-grocery-commissioner-checked-out/ Where's the grocery commissioner? Wasn’t he going to get cheaper groceries for all of us? That was the idea. But he hasn’t. So is Nicola Willis going to do it? My prediction, is she won’t. Because, no matter how much we would all like to pay less at the supermarket, the two ideas she announced yesterday are duds. And I’m picking that, if you did a grocery shop yesterday afternoon, the Government’s announcement-of-an-announcement yesterday morning did nothing to soften the blow when you went through the checkout. So the Government wants to see a foreign operator coming here. Which is never going to happen. For the simple reason that foreign operators have bigger fish to fry elsewhere. German supermarket company Aldi is often touted as a potential foreign outfit that could come here and create more competition. It’s kind-of here already, because it's been registered with the New Zealand Companies Office since 2000. But it hasn’t bothered doing anything more - focusing on Australia, instead. But, despite Aldi operating across the Tasman, Australians are still paying through the nose. Just over a week ago, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission put-out a report saying that Coles, Woolworths and Aldi are among the most profitable supermarket chains in the world. Prices there have risen sharply over the past five years. With the supermarkets increasing profit margins during that time, as well. Sound familiar? And just like here, politicians in Australia are all promising to do something about it. But, like here, it will be all talk and won’t amount to anything. And, in five years time, shoppers on both sides of the Tasman will still be paying through the nose and politicians will be floating go-nowhere ideas. But if you forced me to pick one of the ideas Nicola Willis announced yesterday that I think could actually work, it would be this threat she made yesterday to force the two big companies to sell some of their supermarket brands, to create more competition and reduce their dominance. If you forced me to choose one, I’d chose that one. But it's a terrible idea. David Seymour doesn’t like it, either. Saying that, if the Government poked its nose in this way into Foodstuffs and Woolworths operations, it would put businesses off investing in New Zealand. Which I agree with. I think it could. And it’s a weird thing for the Government to be proposing just two weeks after it had all the money people over here from around the world trying to get them to invest in New Zealand. Looking at the rules the Commerce Commission uses to decide whether to allow things like mergers to go ahead, they're all about preventing situations like we have with supermarkets in New Zealand. Not enough competition - all that stuff. Which is fine when you’re deciding whether-or-not to allow a merger. But for the Government to try and do that retrospectively, which is what it would effectively be doing, would be a terrible thing. It would be a terrible thing for the supermarket companies. It would also be a terrible thing for the Government’s sale pitch to the world. That New Zealand is open for business; that we want businesses to come here; and that we’re getting rid of some of the red tape to make it easier come here. It would say 'we’re doing all that but, if you do come here, we might tell you what to do with your business if we think there are a few votes in it for us'. But the ideas Nicola Willis announced yesterday won’t win votes. Because they won’t go anywhere. Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:30:30 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-megan-woods-and-matt-doocey-tamatha-paul-and-police-stadium-ticket-prices-rma/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-megan-woods-and-matt-doocey-tamatha-paul-and-police-stadium-ticket-prices-rma/ National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Megan Woods joined John MacDonald in studio to discuss some of the biggest political stories of the week.   Green MP Tamatha Paul has been under fire for her comments about beat police – does their presence really make people feel less safe? And how do her comments bode for Labour, given they’re potentially coalition partners?  Is it fair the new Christchurch stadium could have a levy for ‘out-of-towners', since ratepayers funded the build?   And will the proposed changes to the RMA really deliver what’s promised?  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:47:53 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/ben-elton-british-comedian-talks-comedy-his-career-his-authentic-stupidity-tour/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/ben-elton-british-comedian-talks-comedy-his-career-his-authentic-stupidity-tour/ British comedian Ben Elton is returning to Christchurch this May, in what will be his final show in his Authentic Stupidity tour.  He joined John MacDonald for a chat about his outlook on life after years of writing comedy and how he feels about performing in Christchurch – plus, an exclusive reveal about his upcoming autobiography.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:03:21 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-the-restoration-of-the-cathedral-square-chalice-stadium-ticket-costs-loans-for-community-groups/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-the-restoration-of-the-cathedral-square-chalice-stadium-ticket-costs-loans-for-community-groups/ Christchurch's Mayor says he was shocked by the $400 thousand bill to restore Cathedral Square's Chalice.  The City Council's investigating ways to reduce the cost for work, including a complete re-paint and corrosion repairs.  It's the first maintenance work to the Chalice since installation in 2001.  Phil Mauger told John MacDonald options include touching up the Chalice leaves but leaving the actual structure as-is.  “The person that we’re dealing with, we’re working with them to see if we can lower it down.”  “It is far too much.”  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:20:40 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-hamish-campbell-and-duncan-webb-christchurch-cathedral-free-trade-deal-with-india-party-politics-in-local-body-government/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-hamish-campbell-and-duncan-webb-christchurch-cathedral-free-trade-deal-with-india-party-politics-in-local-body-government/ The future of Christchurch’s beleaguered cathedral is on the radar again – is there a chance it could be turned into a public use venue, or will it be lost to the city entirely?  Will a free trade deal with India really be as quick and straight forward as the Prime Minister believes? And does party politics have a place in local body government?  This and more are discussed by Labour’s Duncan Webb and Hamish Campbell on Politics Friday.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 20 Mar 2025 23:44:39 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-matt-doocey-and-reuben-davidson-off-leash-dogs-public-private-partnerships-and-local-body-elections/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-matt-doocey-and-reuben-davidson-off-leash-dogs-public-private-partnerships-and-local-body-elections/ Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Reuben Davidson.   Christchurch City Council is considering allowing unleashed dogs to run free in two central city parks – neither were fond of the idea.  With the Investment Summit underway in Auckland, is Davidson disagreeing with his own party on the future of public-private partnerships?  And Doocey believes there’s no reason to change the voting system for local body elections – do we just have too many councils?  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:26:51 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-on-tariffs-ukraine-gps-school-lunches/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-on-tariffs-ukraine-gps-school-lunches/ Labour Leader Chris Hipkins joined John MacDonald this morning to dig into the latest.  They discussed the latest from Ukraine and the potential for Trump to introduce agricultural tariffs in the wake of his over 20% tariffs on key trade partners.  Is talking to an overseas GP on the phone really a good solution to our lacking services?  And what on earth has gone wrong with the school lunch system? Is a marmite sandwich really sufficient?  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:17:45 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/leeann-watson-business-canterbury-ceo-on-the-mood-of-business-owners-and-growing-confidence-in-the-region/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/leeann-watson-business-canterbury-ceo-on-the-mood-of-business-owners-and-growing-confidence-in-the-region/ In the first of their regular catch ups, Business Canterbury’s Leeann Watson joined John MacDonald in studio to dig into what’s happening on the business front.  They discussed how business owners are feeling, and what can be done to help them continue to gain confidence and grow in the region.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:01:18 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/john-macdonald-zelensky-will-be-back-at-the-white-house/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/john-macdonald-zelensky-will-be-back-at-the-white-house/ What we saw at the White House at the weekend was nothing short of vile. But we shouldn’t be surprised. Watching it, I was blown away. But I wasn’t surprised. And I reckon that, despite all the talk coming from European countries since Saturday, I reckon that Ukraine’s president will realise he has no option but to give Trump what he wants. But let’s go back to what happened in the Oval Office on Saturday. And it wasn’t just Donald Trump and JD Vance. There was that clown reporter who asked Volodymyr Zelensky why he wasn’t wearing a suit. As for Trump and Vance, though, I thought they were like a couple of parents losing their rag with one of the kids. Have you said thank you? After all we've done for you, you can’t even say thank you. Talk about cringe. Here were these two guys berating someone who doesn’t even have English as his first language. And while I thought it was vile. And while I was blown away by it all. I still wasn’t surprised.  Because what better way to tell European countries that they better get their head around the idea of giving more support for Ukraine’s war with Russia? Trump’s been telling Europe this. At the weekend he was yelling it. And it seems to have worked. European countries are already making noises about standing firm with Ukraine. But, as vice-president JD Vance said on Saturday - and this is the one thing I thought he was right on - he said you don’t win wars just thumping your chest. Actions win wars. So I’ll give him that one. But it was kind of odd that, as soon as he’d said that, he started going on about diplomacy being the answer and when Zelensky asked him what he meant by diplomacy, the vice-president suddenly became very undiplomatic in front of the cameras. And then Trump joined in and it was a shouting match. At one point Trump did an Andrew Bailey and touched Zelenskyy on the arm during their “animated discussion”. The question now is, what will happen next? My pick is that Zelensky, even though he must have felt completely under attack, will lick his wounds and he’ll be back at the White House. Mark my words. Because, even though he knows Russia has form and that Russia could keep attacking Ukraine, even with the minerals deal in place, Zelensky knows that Europe has form too when it comes to supporting Ukraine. He knows that European countries talk a lot, but their contribution to the war effort doesn't always match the talk. So Ukraine still needs America. And Zelensky, if he hasn’t admitted it to himself already, he will eventually. But Trump is still going to have to tread carefully. As a headline in the New York Times says: “Trump is rootin’ for Putin”. And while he might think that Russia’s Vladimir Putin is a good guy, most Americans don’t. But that won’t be enough to stop him. Because, as he said in the Oval Office on Saturday, he and Putin went through a lot together when there was all that talk about Russia interfering in the US elections. And, as we know, that is one grudge the president will never let go of. So even if Americans aren’t happy with their president being mates with Putin, he won’t care.  Zelensky will realise that. And I think he’ll be back at the White House to sign that deal sooner rather than later. Sun, 02 Mar 2025 23:27:57 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-megan-woods-and-matt-doocey-four-year-terms-councils-citizens-arrests-and-the-defence-budget/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-megan-woods-and-matt-doocey-four-year-terms-councils-citizens-arrests-and-the-defence-budget/ Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Labour’s Megan Woods and National’s Matt Doocey to delve into some of the biggest topics of the week.   Four-year parliamentary terms could be on the table – what are the benefits of an extra year? What would be the potential downfalls for councils?  Would either of them make a citizen’s arrest?   And is it true Labour cut the budget for the defence force?  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 27 Feb 2025 23:35:47 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-talks-roading-plan-red-zone-governance-inner-city-noise-limits/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-talks-roading-plan-red-zone-governance-inner-city-noise-limits/ Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined John MacDonald live in studio for their regular catch up.  Community members of Christchurch’s red zone are outraged over their exclusion from a governance group overseeing the future development of the area – why have they been left out?  The age-old question of who has the right to a quiet night has reared its head once again. Inner city noise limits are being reviewed, but if the bars came first, should residents have to deal?  And Mauger has come under fire for voting against a roading plan around the new recreation centre – can he defend his thinking despite the project still going ahead?  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 26 Feb 2025 23:34:22 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-matt-doocey-and-duncan-webb-christchurch-earthquake-rangioras-after-hours-clinic-child-poverty-chinese-warships/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-matt-doocey-and-duncan-webb-christchurch-earthquake-rangioras-after-hours-clinic-child-poverty-chinese-warships/ Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb to delve into some of the topics listeners are most interested in.  They mark the anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake, which occurred 14 years ago tomorrow.   Rangiora’s after-hours clinic is still not underway, but some certainty has been gained after the Waimakariri District Council has offered to bankroll the project.  Child poverty statistics have not shifted – is this a problem governments can’t solve?  And what do they make about the Chinese Navy sightings in the Pacific?  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:23:47 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-on-destiny-church-public-service-christchurch-hospital/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-on-destiny-church-public-service-christchurch-hospital/ Labour Leader Chris Hipkins joined John MacDonald this morning to give his thoughts on some of the biggest stories of the week.  The integrity of the public service is being called into question after Census data was allegedly misused – how will this impact trust in the future?  Hipkins believes the GP shortage is the biggest factor impacting demand at Christchurch Hospital ED, so what would he do differently if he was Health Minister now?  And he expands on his statement condemning the actions of Destiny Church protestors over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:23:29 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-matt-doocey-and-tracey-mclellan-talk-supermarkets-mental-health-funding-helicopters-school-lunches/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-matt-doocey-and-tracey-mclellan-talk-supermarkets-mental-health-funding-helicopters-school-lunches/ Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined in studio by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Tracey McLellan.  They discussed yesterday’s supermarket announcement: does the Government really believe another player will enter the scene, or is it all just talk?  Why has some mental health funding been redistributed when New Zealand continues to suffer through a mental health crisis?  A bit closer to home, the price for our police to hire helicopters is blowing out each year, will Christchurch ever get its chopper?   And is a pie really a healthy option for a school lunch?  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 14 Feb 2025 01:19:44 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-the-rates-decrease-user-pays-water-system-and-the-port-hills-blaze/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-the-rates-decrease-user-pays-water-system-and-the-port-hills-blaze/ John MacDonald was joined by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger for a chat about the biggest issues concerning residents.  Christchurch City Councillors have adopted their Draft Annual Plan.  It now proposes a 7.58% overall rates increase, down from the originally-drafted 8.93%. They achieved this not by cost cutting, as well as paying off less debt, resulting in next year’s rates increasing significantly.  Is the Mayor doing the right thing, or is he just thinking of the next election?   Does he support the proposed ‘user-pays’ water system being introduced for ratepayers?  And Mauger reflects on the response to the second big Port Hills fire now twelve months on from blaze.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:18:52 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/mark-lizotte-diesel-on-his-career-releasing-new-music-family-connections/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/mark-lizotte-diesel-on-his-career-releasing-new-music-family-connections/ A man of many stage names, Mark Lizotte, better known as Diesel, joined John MacDonald live from Australia for a chat.  He’ll be taking to the stage in a couple of week’s time as a part of the line up for Selwyn Sounds.  He and John talked about his career and it continuing to flourish with the release of new music and his pre-show habit of weather forecasting. Plus, John learned about his famous musical family connection!  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:13:22 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-hamish-campbell-and-reuben-davidson-christchurch-city-airport-shares-eastgate-mall-crime-cook-islands-china-deal/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-hamish-campbell-and-reuben-davidson-christchurch-city-airport-shares-eastgate-mall-crime-cook-islands-china-deal/ Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined in studio by Hamish Campbell and Reuben Davidson.   David Seymour thinks the Crown should sell its share in the Christchurch City Airport – is it wise to sell off a profit-making asset?   Eastgate Mall has made headlines for its crime this week, as MP for Christchurch East, will Rueben be asking for more police?  And should we be nervous about the Cook Islands making deals with China?  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 06 Feb 2025 22:58:00 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-megan-woods-and-matt-doocey-should-e-scooter-companies-pay-acc-levies-banks-school-lunch-programme/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-megan-woods-and-matt-doocey-should-e-scooter-companies-pay-acc-levies-banks-school-lunch-programme/ In the first Politics Friday of 2025, John MacDonald was joined by Matt Doocey and Megan Woods to dig into some of the biggest political stories of the week.  New data reveals that ACC paid out almost $15 million for e-scooter injuries last year, a nearly 50% increase on the year before – is it time for the businesses operating them to pay levies?  What does Megan make of Shane Jones honing in on the banks and their dealings —or lack thereof— with fossil fuel companies? Is it wise to sell off the country’s state-owned assets? And the new school lunch programme has seen some criticism – would Matt eat the meals?  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 30 Jan 2025 23:46:38 Z /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-his-campaign-plans-for-the-next-election-alcohol-bylaws-speed-limits-gp-shortage/ /on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/phil-mauger-christchurch-mayor-on-his-campaign-plans-for-the-next-election-alcohol-bylaws-speed-limits-gp-shortage/ Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is in campaign mode after confirmation he's seeking a second term in October's elections.  He'll battle Councillor Sara Templeton for the top job, the only other contender so far.  In his first catch up of 2025, he discussed his motivations with John MacDonald, as well as thoughts on alcohol bylaws, changing speed limits, and the lack of GPs in the area.  He’s prepared to talk to the new Health Minister about Canterbury's GP shortage.  Victoria University research has found half of family doctors in the region have no room for new patients.  It's worse in south Canterbury, and 59% of GPs have closed their books.  Phil Mauger told MacDonald he'll talk with Simeon Brown about potential solutions.  He says there's more people in Christchurch than ever, meaning the load is greater on general practices.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:44:57 Z