Cross Party Lines

Māori Seats, Ministry Cuts and Election-Year Inquiries

Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with an episode that moves from minor party positioning to the power of inquiries, and ends with a timely reflection on civility in public life.Recorded against the backdrop of severe storms in the lower North Island, the episode opens with a renewed call for cross-party cooperation on climate adaptation — before turning to the politics shaping 2026.In this week’s episode:* Minor party signals for 2026 — New Zealand First’s proposed referendum on Māori seats and ACT’s plan to cap ministers and slash departments. Is this substantive reform, symbolic positioning, or electoral dog-whistling? Phil and Chris unpack the history, the precedent, and the political math behind both announcements.* The politics of inquiries — With investigations announced into Moa Point, Bay of Plenty landslides, COVID policy, and Reserve Bank decisions, the panel explores when inquiries strengthen democracy — and when they risk looking like election-year theatre. What makes an inquiry credible? Independence, integrity, and timing.* Civility in an attention economy — From Shane Jones’ inflammatory rhetoric to Pam Bondi’s combative congressional performance in the US, the episode closes on a broader question: how does democratic debate survive in a media landscape that rewards outrage over substance? The answer, according to Phil and Chris, lies in precision, discipline, and the quiet power of asking better questions.Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for thoughtful, good-faith political conversation.New episodes every Tuesday. If you value calmer politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

Waitangi Wrap Up, Nuclear Risk and Mandelson's Fall From Grace (Again)

Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with a wide-ranging episode that moves from the rituals of Waitangi Week to the most serious questions of global security — before closing with a sobering discussion on power, corruption, and trust in public life.In this episode:Waitangi Week, politics and performance — A clear-eyed assessment of what unfolded in the Far North: protest, resignation, symbolism. Phil and Chris reflect on precedent, dignity, and what leadership looks like in moments of discomfort.The quiet collapse of nuclear restraint — A deep dive into the expiry of the New START Treaty between the US and Russia, why arms control has mattered for decades, and how the erosion of nuclear agreements creates genuine existential risk — particularly as more unstable actors enter the equation.Why New Zealand still has a role — From nuclear-free activism to multilateral diplomacy, the case for New Zealand finding its voice again on global disarmament rather than staying permanently “under the radar.”The Epstein files and elite accountability — A forensic discussion of Peter Mandelson, power without consequence, and how misbehaviour at the top corrodes trust in democratic systems. Comparisons with New Zealand’s stricter political culture — and why that culture must be defended.Serious without being sanctimonious, this episode is a reminder that politics is ultimately about stewardship — of institutions, trust, and the future — and that when restraint collapses, the consequences are rarely abstract.Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

Judith's New Job, Waitangi Avoidance and Modern Slavery Legislation

Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with a grounded, institutional-focused episode that looks at how democracy works when it’s doing its job — and where it still needs strengthening.This week’s conversation centres on law, legitimacy, national rituals and rare moments of bipartisan progress.In this week’s episode:Judith Collins and the Law Commission — A deep dive into Collins’ appointment as President of the Law Commission. Phil and Chris weigh her experience as a former Attorney-General and Justice Minister against concerns about partisanship, precedent, and the importance of protecting the Commission’s independence. Is this continuity, risk — or both?Waitangi Day and political leadership — With the Prime Minister choosing not to attend the formal Waitangi Day ceremony, the panel explores precedent, protest, respect, and whether leaders lose political ground by avoiding discomfort.Modern slavery legislation — A rare bipartisan moment as Labour and National combine to advance Camilla Belich and Greg Fleming’s modern slavery bill. Why mandatory supply-chain reporting matters, how New Zealand’s inaction has damaged its reputation, and why progress shouldn’t be held hostage to ideological purity.Trade, migration, and scapegoating — How the modern slavery debate intersects with the India free trade agreement, immigration politics, and the dangers of reheating tired populist narratives that blame migrants for structural problems.Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation.New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful debate, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

Climate Tragedy, Global Disorder and Election Year Kicks Off

Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns for a weighty, wide-ranging episode that moves from tragedy at home to turmoil abroad — and asks what leadership looks like when the stakes are this high.This week’s conversation is shaped by three forces: climate reality, global disorder, and election-year positioning.In this week’s episode:* Climate change and human cost — Following a devastating week in Aotearoa, with nine lives lost to extreme weather events, Phil and Chris reflect on grief, responsibility, and why climate change can no longer be treated as an abstract or ideological debate. From landslips to floodplains, the discussion turns to adaptation, evidence-based policy, and why the window for meaningful action is closing fast.* Davos and the global order — Chris reports from Europe as the World Economic Forum unfolds. The panel dissects Mark Carney’s widely applauded speech, growing pushback against Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and what the erosion of the rules-based international order means for small countries like New Zealand.* State of the Nation speeches — With National and Labour both holding retreats, Phil assesses whether either Chris Luxon or Chris Hipkins managed to seize early momentum in election year — and why passion, credibility, and kitchen-table issues will matter more than set-piece speeches.Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation.New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com

30 Years of MMP, Reshuffle Season and Old Politicians

Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines unpacks New Zealand Politics so that you don’t have too.Recorded slightly earlier than usual (Saturday 17th January), this episode is designed to age well — focusing on some age old issues and questions.In this episode:* 30 years of MMP — As New Zealand marks three decades under Mixed Member Proportional representation, Chris and Phil debate whether the system has delivered on its promise. Has it improved fairness and representation, or simply handed too much power to minor parties and weakened decisive government?* Reshuffle season — With party leaders quietly assessing performance, loyalty and future potential, Phil and Chris reflect on the realities of promotions, demotions and political ruthlessness — drawing on their own experiences of cabinet reshuffles, leadership pressure, and caucus management.* Generational change in leadership — Sparked by an Economist article on Brazil’s president, the conversation widens to a global pattern of ageing leaders. Is experience an asset, a liability, or both? And should there be clearer expectations around when it’s time to step aside?Thoughtful rather than theatrical, this episode is about systems over slogans — and why democracy depends on honest debate about power, performance and renewal.Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for good-faith political discussion.New episodes every Tuesday. If you find value in calmer politics, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com