Ben Thomas

Gareth and Ben look at what's being dubbed 'scrutiny' week. Audio

In a surprise move this morning Prime Minister Christoper Luxon has stripped two ministers of their portfolios. Political commentator and former National Party press secretary Ben Thomas speaks to… Audio

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace and panellists Sue Bradford and Ben Thomas discuss the upwards trend in opioid prescription for over 65s. The panellists also share their thoughts on the first four… Audio

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace and panellists Sue Bradford and Ben Thomas discuss the banning of disposable vapes, and hear from a parent in response to changes to disability funding for carers. Audio

Sue Moroney is a former MP with the Labour Party and now chief executive of Community Law Centres Aotearoa. Ben Thomas is a former National government press secretary, a columnist and a director of… Audio

It's all eyes on Waitangi as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrives at the Treaty Grounds today. What reception will he and his coalition colleagues get? And the Green Party is searching for a new… Audio

Gareth, Ben and Kathryn will discuss Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.  Audio

To politics - and today looks to be the day we get a new government! National leader Christopher Luxon says talks with ACT and New Zealand First have concluded, and he's planning to announce the full… Audio

Negotiations to form the next Government will ramp up on Monday, now that more than half a million special votes have been counted, and the final shape of the next Parliament is known.

There are a… Audio

Kathryn, Gareth and Ben discuss how the Greens fared on election night and also how will they fare in Opposition. And a look at the challenges underway to form this Government. Gareth Hughes is a… Audio

Wallace and panellists Anna Dean and Ben Thomas talk about what can go wrong lending money to family members. Then, the results of a poll revealing NZ's most hated vegetable. And, a cameo from Tux… Audio

Wallace and panellists Anna Dean and Ben Thomas discuss Sunday's rugby line up and the quiet period in politics with coalition negotiations going on. Audio

Wallace and panellists Anna Dean and Ben Thomas look back on the week that's been. Plus, our panelists tell us what has been on their mind. Audio

It was the clash of the Chrises, the debate to demonstrate who should be prime minister.

TVNZ's leaders debate last night pitted National's Chris Luxon against Labour's Chris Hipkins.

It was the… Audio

It was a tale of two campaign launches over the weekend, as Labour and National jump started their election runs.

Labour sought to make a splash by announcing they'd make dental carefree for… Audio

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas talk about the Prime Minister's trip to China which was shaping up as a success until it was overshadowed by what was happening with Minister Kiri… Audio

Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas join Susie to discuss the recommendations for an electoral system shakeup that would lower the voting age to 16 and extend the parliamentary term to… Audio

Gareth Hughes and Ben Thomas join Kathryn to look at the departure of Stuart Nash and the questions left for the Prime Minister's office to answer, Jacinda Ardern's valedictory speech this week… Audio