In this episode of Political Playback, Bob McCoskrie and guest panelists Rodney Hide and Peter Williams discuss – Te Pati Maori’s latest stunt in Parliament; latest political polling and the continued rise of NZ First; media bias at 1News and also Stuff’s censorship of certain paid advertisements; are Te Pati Maori imploding or is this a clever strategy to attract different types of voters; political violence is ratcheting up – is it just the left’s fault?; and the powerful stories of detransitioners Issy and Zara – being ignored by the media.
Show summary auto-generated by Descript app:
In episode 51 of Political Playback, hosted by Bob along with panelists Rodney Hyde and Peter Williams, several key topics were discussed:
- **Parliamentary Disruption and Democracy in Decline**: Rodney and Peter critically assess the recent suspension of Parliament following a breach of agreed rules by members of the Maori Party. They discuss the broader implications of such behaviour on New Zealand’s parliamentary democracy and the actions taken by Speaker Gerry Brownlee.
- **Political Polls and Strategy**: The panel examines the latest political polls showing a decline in National Party support, a rise for New Zealand First, and the implications of these trends for the upcoming elections. They debate potential strategies for National, including focusing on marginal electorates and leveraging issues with broad public support.
- **Internal Issues within Te Pāti Māori**: The discussion highlights internal conflicts within Te Pāti Māori, noting allegations of dictatorial leadership and factional disputes. The panel debates whether these issues indicate a potential implosion of the party or are typical of new political movements.
- **Media Bias and Influence**: Bob, Peter, and Rodney critique the reported lack of bias in One News, showcasing examples of perceived media bias and selective reporting, particularly in relation to political and social issues in New Zealand.
- **Political Violence and Responsibility**: The recent attack on Winston Peters’ home is discussed, with emphasis on whether certain politicians’ rhetoric incites such actions. The panel debates the boundaries of legitimate protest and the moral responsibilities of public figures. The panel also discusses right-wing protests, including ones against Jacinda Ardern’s wedding and Destiny Church’s protests. They weigh the legitimacy of these protests against those by the left, such as the recent attack on Peters.
- **Detransition Stories and Media Silence**: The episode concludes with a discussion on the lack of media coverage of detransition stories in New Zealand, highlighting the disparity between the interest these stories generate online and the mainstream media’s reluctance to cover them.
