Public service cuts spur debates on AI, shorts and flying

The Whip for 3 June 2026

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Jenna Lynch and Peter Dunne. First: Is New Zealand "freeloading" off America's military, as suggested by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth? And how do panellists score the political management of Chris Penk's comments supporting a nuclear "conversation"? Then, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little is unimpressed by the Government's deadline to plan amalgamation, with just 10 weeks to go. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=883553a0-2ed8-4582-9384-d25b5e9bdf92]

Morning Report Weekly Political Panel: Louise Upston and Tangi Utikere

Louise Upston and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=38c43d04-eff8-46f9-ac92-af6665d0c4f4]

House on Sunday: Budget day and its aftermath

Budget Day is a Broadway production with dance numbers (emphasis on numbers), undue laughter and applause, and everyone’s a critic. Then comes the legislating. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=5bf797ee-8f49-4fec-9ff8-daa899a94f0e]

The House on Sunday: Chamber blowback & biscuit tin tactics

On The House, Louis Collins considers the motivations that may lie behind governing-side members' bills; and Phil Smith considers the political version of Newton's Third law of Motion – chamber blowback. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=384cd970-01e0-4f62-b797-1ef560cd17b1]

The deliberately boring election-year Budget

The government has delivered its third Budget pointing to an earlier return to surplus, but with no election-year lolly scramble. Political reporter Giles Dexter pores through the books, and looks at the looming debate over superannuation. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/politics-nz?share=28d7ba24-3d70-42d3-ab71-098c58b24c5f]