Caucus

Top political commentators unpick and make sense of New Zealand's election campaigns with frank and forthright discussion.

Hosted by Guyon Espiner, Lisa Owen, Tim Watkin and Julian Wilcox

A logo reads Caucus, with the see composed of a diagram of the seats in parliament. In one corner is a logo which reads "Election 2023".

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Missing in Action: Kingmakers, popular leaders, tax policy & something to believe in

Season 3 / Episode 1
The election is just two months away. 10 weeks. 72 days. Caucus returns looking at what's distinct about this campaign - no kingmaker, missed opportunities, weaker majors and stronger minor parties,
Julian Wilcox, Lisa Owen, Tim Watkin and Guyon Espiner. Lisa and Tim hold a sign for their election podcast Caucus.

Campaigns rev into gear over climate, dentalcare and cellphones

Season 3 / Episode 2
Get your teeth into the big announcements on climate change, cellphones and teeth. Caucus debates the BlackRock deal, China, free dentalcare affordability and teachers as the "phone police"
Energy Minister Megan Woods and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins at press conference announcing Blackrock Fund

National's yin and yang v Labour's frugal fear factor

Season 3 / Episode 3
With little money in the government's coffers heading into Election 2023, the Caucus podcast looks at how the two main parties plan to use fear, frugality and friendliness to win your vote.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and other Labour MPs announce four weeks paid parental leave for partners at Brooklyn Kindergarten

Don't stop believing: ACT hits fawke in the road as Labour falls & National stalls

Season 3 / Episode 4
ACT endures scrutiny, Shane Jones impersonates Julie Andrews and we recall 1999, while Lacklustre Luxon and Ho Hum Hipkins fail to inspire.
ACT party leader David Seymour

Money or the bag: Major parties crashing into the centre

Season 3 / Episode 5
National's tax plan is a clever political document but raises questions about "heroic" numbers. We look at how much government spending doesn't change and what's up for grabs in coalition deals. Plus a quick visit to Ilam and Epsom.
National Party finance spokesperson Nicola Willis and leader Christopher Luxon announce the party's tax plan.

A campaign of fear and loathing? Nah, the facts matter more

Season 3 / Episode 6
Should we be worried about the election campaign going negative? Or is the greater worry party leaders who can't get their facts straight?
Chris Hipkins shows attack ads about him

National, ACT & NZ First: Delivering the sun or just beach cricket?

Season 3 / Episode 7
Multiple polls point to a change of government. Is National passing the sniff test? Do voters really want ACT's 'real change' or a handbrake? We ask what a centre-right government might look like.
David Seymour and Christopher Luxon

The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step

Season 3 / Episode 8
Chris Hipkins needs a new song and dance routine and fast, or he could be doing the limbo and losing the next generation of Labour's leaders.
TVNZ Leaders Debate held on 19 September with Labour's Chris Hipkins and National's Christopher Luxon.

What do you do with a problem like Winston?

Season 3 / Episode 9
National's decision to form a government with New Zealand First as "as a last resort" is both a plea and a warning. What might a "cocktail" with ACT and NZF taste like? Could Luxon hold it together? And is NZF a racist party?
Winston Peters

National and Labour's broken bungy and why we all need to grow up

Season 3 / Episode 10
Grumpy voters, crimes against candidates, desperate parties, unsophisticated MMP strategies and the return of John Key. As the campaign peaks, so does the tension.
Political party leaders Chris Hipkins, Christopher Luxon, David Seymour and Winston Peters.

Long pants, Lazarus Peters, missing bits, & winners & losers

Season 3 / Episode 11
Wrapping up Election 2023, there's still plenty to play for ahead of election day. We review the highs and lows of Election 2023, unpack National's 'Winston Strategy', consider the missed opportunities and pick the seats to watch.
Chris Hipkins, Christopher Luxon, Miranda Davidson, Winston Peters and David Seymour.

The four Cs that cost Labour and how National nicked Auckland

Season 3 / Episode 12
A mood for change swept National & friends into power, so this season's final Caucus breaks down the numbers, unpacks the swing in Auckland, & looks at the coalition niceties. And the team opens their envelopes to check their predictions.
Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrives at Wellington Airport.