Nicole McKee will be the new ACT Party Deputy Leader, replacing Brooke Van Velden who's leaving politics this year.

Nicole only stood for Parliament six years ago, coming with a background as a small-business owner, volunteer and firearms advocate.

But she's risen through the ranks, becoming a cabinet minister, minister for courts, and rewriting the Firearms Act.

Party Leader David Seymour's confident in her, noting that she's is straight-forward, principled, practical, and never forgets the voters she represents.

So what will Nicole bring to the table, to advance the party's ambitions? The new ACT Party Deputy Leader Nicole McKee joins Tim Beveridge to explain.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT has announced its plans to radically downsize Government departments, and bring fairness back into our benefit-system.

Firstly: They're making medical certification for health-related benefits mandatory, and only issued by MSD-approved doctors with objective criteria rather than a leaving it to a GP's discretion.

Secondly: Those on the Jobseeker benefit for more than four months will be given an electronic payment card that's only designated for essentials like groceries and rent.

Lastly: They want to cut the 43 Government departments into 19, and drop the number of portfolio ministers from 28 to 18.

ACT Party Leader David Seymour joins the Weekend Collective to unpack the party's ambitions.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GP fees could be frozen for 12 months from July under a proposed Health NZ shake-up of the funding system.

Under the proposals, around 60 percent of practices would receive increased funding through capitation re-weighting and annual funding increased.

Overall funding for GPs would reportedly increase by six percent, as part of a $120.6 million injection for primary health.

Health Minister Simeon Brown joined the Weekend Collective to unpack the overhaul.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon has returned from Queensland, after meeting with Anthony Albanese with a group of New Zealand businesses.

No announcements have been unveiled, but the leaders discussed defence options and Luxon has been eying opportunities to get involved in the 2032 Olympics.

NZ Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse joined the Weekend Collective to discuss.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says this year's budget especially strengthens Auckland's role as New Zealand's economic engine room.

They point out that they're investing in health, including funding to purchase land for a future South Auckland Hospital, and a share of the Government's $5.5-billion health package.

Additionally, they highlight plans for housing growth with a new $400-million fund for councils to enable more homes.

Lastly, they're putting aside a billion for rail improvements, and another billion for school upgrades.

But Mayor Wayne Brown says the devil is in the detail - and we'll need more clarity into a timeline of these initiatives, along with an explanation of how the Government's funding their share of the CRL.

So what do these investments actually mean for Aucklanders - and how confident can we be in keeping a globally competitive city?

Minister for Auckland Simon Watts talks to Tim Beveridge to discuss...

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is "freeloading" from the American military because of our low military spend.

The remarks were made at an Asia-Pacific security conference in Singapore, attended by Defence Minister Chris Penk.

The New Zealand Government has already announced plans to lift defence spending to around 2% of GDP over coming years — nearly double what we currently spend — but Hegseth says allies should really be aiming closer to 3.5%.

That raises some big questions. At a time when New Zealanders are worried about the cost of living, hospitals and public services, why should defence move up the priority list? What are the risks if countries like New Zealand don’t step up militarily?

Defence Minister Chris Penk joins Tim Beveridge to discuss.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will be presenting the 2026 budget on this coming Thursday.

A number of pre-budget announcements have already been made including money directed to maths and literary in schools and maritime security, while social housing and the public sector have faced budget cuts.

Founder of Bagrie Economics, Cameron Bagrie, spoke to Tim Beveridge about what he expects and what he thinks should be done.

One change Bagrie believes is unpopular but crucial is reforming NZ Super saying 'the current system is unsustainable'.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, announced a $79 million boost over three years for tourism and farming by stopping the spread of wilding pines.

The work will be concentrated around Queenstown, the Mackenzie Basin, the North Island’s Central Plateau, and New Zealand’s largest farm in South Marlborough.

The extra funding will take the total for stopping the spread of wilding pines to $109m over the next three years.

Hoggard joined Tim Beveridge to chat about the pines and their negative impact on our environment.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.