What we stand for

Some of our published contributions to the public policy debate

Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 78: Will Gollum end the recession?

This week your IDP trio discuss whether there is opportunity in us following Singapore’s Temasek investment model, NZ’s first human rights case based on gender,  whether Peter Jackson and Gollum are going to pull us out of the economic downturn, more MPs getting in trouble (a weekly occurrence at the moment), the Kāinga Ora review is finally complete, and the dangers of Auckland’s CBD. Tune in later this week for our BIG BUDGET BONANZA!  

Read More
Madison Burgess-Smith Madison Burgess-Smith

How the Budget can boost business confidence

Businesses will therefore want a government response that helps pull New Zealand out of the doldrums quickly, and sets New Zealand back on a path to continued prosperity. In this context, businesses are welcoming the Prime Minister’s statement that the Budget will contain no surprises.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 77: Strike Force Raptor?

Another big week in politics as we take you through the Strike Force Raptor rising from the ashes, the state of the US presidential elections, startups taking off, MP's ducking for cover, and those ducking out altogether... for Treasure Island perhaps?

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 74: Can you support the mega-tunnel?

The team is back with another run through of this weeks biggest stories. From mega tunnels to mega wins for pet owning renters. We also cover off the return of your favourite cold and flu tablets, the review into state housing and the ongoing state of media.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 73: How much do you hate heritage listings?

Another big week in politics! We chat through yet another 100 day plan, the lid being kept on minimum wage, painful heritage listings, the Easter road toll and Jesse pays his respect to policy and psychology hero Daniel Kahneman.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 72: Should we plumb the Milford Track?

A big episode just in time for the long weekend! Join the team as they chat through what has been a very busy week in politics. From the OECD saying your local school kids are naughty, to more money coming the way of young families, but perhaps not through the budget? They also get through also debate that sneaky Chinese cyber attack, kids on social media, before the ultimate showdown over the cost of your favourite DOC hut.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 71: To vape or not to vape?

This week we cover off Jesse and Henry's boys trip to the Taranaki - and all the energetic things they learned along the way. We chat about even more vape restrictions that are in the pipeline, the exit interview of Grant Robertson, rounding it out with a bit of money talk on tax cuts and GDP.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 70: Are the police paid enough?

It's an episode where the gloves come off, even the return of Jesse from Dad leave wasn't enough to cool tensions over police pay! We also battle it out over international students, interest deductibility, the speed of India's rise and if we're doing enough to make sure we're on that train, before we try to unpack what on earth is happening in the House of Commons.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 69: Hungry kids and leaking classrooms?

It’s another Maddy and Henry special as we await the return of the big man, Jesse Corlett. This week we go big on education, discussing the axing of much of the school build programme, as well as the end of free lunches for kids as we know them. We also cover off the million dollar man’s cheeky $52,000 entitled entitlement before saying ma te wa to Newshub.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 68: What is Grant leaving behind?

With Jesse MIA, Maddy and Henry sit down to cover the latest in the Beltway's comings and goings. The big news is Grant Robertson's departure, which Maddy says is an opportunity for Labour to refresh and rejuvenate. With that, we also cover speed cameras, the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and National's welfare stance.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 67: Brown vs Brown

This week we cover off Trump, debt to income ratios, the cost of skiing, mental health emergency lines, the show down for control in Auckland and how Jesse's parking of the family wagon is about to get a hell of a lot more expensive.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 66: Who won Waitangi?

A short work week but a long week in politics! This week we cover off Waitangi - the good, the bad and the plagiarized. We also deep dive into a couple of heavier policy challenges that seem to have resurfaced in recent weeks including capital gains tax, minimum wage increases and just why the world seems to be so unfair for ute owners.

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 65: Byron's last hurrah!

After a solid run of 65 episodes, this is Byron’s last as co-host on the Iron Duke Podcast. But they say when one door closes, another door opens – and in this case its two. We are excited to announce Jesse Corlett and Henry Levett joining MBS as co-hosts of the podcast. Jesse and Henry are introduced to listenerville, we take you through our peaks and our pits, and round it out with a final goodbye and some of Byron’s most memorable moments.  

Read More
Ben Craven Ben Craven

Episode 64: What's in store for 2024?

In his penultimate episode, Byron kicks off 2024 with a splash (thanks to Wellington's crumbling water infrastructure) and takes a deep dive into Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. Maddy tackles public transport across the Motu and looks at the surge in tourist arrivals. We round it out with a discussion about what it means to take pride in our cities.

Read More