Skip to main content
The Backroom of Politics

The Backroom of Politics

By Gerry Brownlee

The Backroom of Politics is an insight into the discussion that leads to policy-making in New Zealand, hosted by Hon Gerry Brownlee MP.


Authorised by Hon Gerry Brownlee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
Available on
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Housing with Leonie Freeman

The Backroom of PoliticsSep 09, 2021

00:00
32:14
Better Ways to Farm

Better Ways to Farm

Today in the Back room of Politics, I talk to Halter, an agricultural technology company revolutionising dairy farming, with great results. Listen in to hear how technology is helping reduce carbon emissions, while increasing productivity.

Jun 28, 202323:15
Zespri - New Zealand's Golden Export

Zespri - New Zealand's Golden Export

Today in the Backroom of Politics, I talk to Zespri Chairperson Bruce Cameron, and Head of Global Affairs Michael Fox, both at Fieldays in Hamilton, about Zespri's huge contribution to New Zealand export receipts.

Jun 27, 202317:55
What is artificial intelligence? - Madeline Newman Executive Director of AI Forum NZ, and Hon Judith Collins

What is artificial intelligence? - Madeline Newman Executive Director of AI Forum NZ, and Hon Judith Collins

Today in the Back Room of Politics I talk with Madeline Newman Executive Director of AI Forum NZ, and Hon Judith Collins, National Party MP and spearhead of a Parliamentary bipartisan Caucus on AI, where we discuss what exactly is artificial intelligence (AI), what are its implications, and where is it heading?

Jun 15, 202336:24
The War in Ukraine - What can we do to help?

The War in Ukraine - What can we do to help?

Today in the "Back Room of Politics" I talk to a great kiwi Tenby Powell Fformer army officer, business man, local government politician who has decided to do something practical to help people in the Ukraine through a special purpose NGO called Kiwi K.A.R.E (Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation).


May 31, 202334:53
Political lobbying - should there be rules and regulations?

Political lobbying - should there be rules and regulations?

Today in “The Backroom of Politics” Gerry Brownlee National Party MP talks about the interesting subject of political lobbying with three prominent Government public relations specialists, Mark Unsworth - Saunders Unsworth, Georgina Stylianou – BRG, and Spiro Anastasiou - Senate SHJ

Jan 19, 202336:45
What is Hate Speech? With Dr Chris Wilson.

What is Hate Speech? With Dr Chris Wilson.

Today in the Back Room of Politics, I talk with Dr Chris Wilson Senior Lecturer, Politics and International Relations Programme Director, Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies, at the University of Auckland about the Government’s planned hate speech legislation. What is hate speech? Do we want it or need this legislation? And what are its implications?

Jan 01, 202336:50
Free Iran with Samira Taghavi and Mahsa Marks

Free Iran with Samira Taghavi and Mahsa Marks

Today in the Back Room of Politics, I talk with Samira Taghavi, Barrister and Mahsa Marks, Consultant both Iranian born women now living in New Zealand, about the human rights violations in Iran, their own experiences growing up in Iran, and their current views on what is happening.

Dec 18, 202236:49
Co-governance with Hon Willie Jackson and Hon Shane Jones

Co-governance with Hon Willie Jackson and Hon Shane Jones

Co-Governance it’s a hot button issue and today I’m sitting down with Hon Willie Jackson, a strong proponent, and Hon Shane Jones who is not so enthusiastic, whatever way you look at it co-governance will be an issue in 2023.

Aug 17, 202239:40
Canterbury Water

Canterbury Water

Today we're discussing the Central Plains Water Scheme - A very large irrigation system, which is an important part of NZ Infrastructure that is making a difference.  Barbara Kuriger and Nicola Grigg joins Gerry to discuss with a number of guests.

Jun 15, 202225:10
China and the Pacific with Josie Pagani and Mike Yardley

China and the Pacific with Josie Pagani and Mike Yardley

I sit down with Josie Pagani, political commentator and former director of the Council for International Development, and Mike Yardley, broadcaster and columnist, to discuss China's proposed multilateral agreements in the Pacific, New Zealand's response, and how we can better engage with the region. 

Jun 03, 202237:10
How to Stop Blowing Smoke, with Golriz Ghahraman and Martyn Bradbury

How to Stop Blowing Smoke, with Golriz Ghahraman and Martyn Bradbury

In the first episode of the 2022 season, I sit down with some of our most popular returning guests, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman and fellow podcaster Martyn "Bomber" Bradbury, to discuss emissions reduction, polls and tax cuts, all in the context of "leftie optimism" and "right-wing fatalism". 

May 31, 202242:41
2021 Political Wrap-Up with Dr Bryce Edwards and The Daily Blog

2021 Political Wrap-Up with Dr Bryce Edwards and The Daily Blog

Our final The Backroom of Politics episode for 2021 is a collaboration with The Working Group podcast, hosted by The Daily Blog. Myself and Dr Bryce Edwards join host Martyn Bradbury to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of New Zealand politics this year, and make our predictions for 2022. 

Check out The Daily Blog at the links below:

https://thedailyblog.co.nz

https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyBlogNZ

https://twitter.com/TheDailyBlogNZ 

And The Working Group podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Rwf4twYPiYcw7ietau4XS

Dec 16, 202154:31
Hospitality with Nikki Rogers and Marty Fuller

Hospitality with Nikki Rogers and Marty Fuller

In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Rogers, Regional Manager for Central South Island at Hospitality New Zealand, and Marty Fuller, longtime Christchurch hospitality figure and proprietor of the Elmwood Trading Company. We discuss the changes our hospitality sector has and will need to make in response to the changing Covid-19 environment in New Zealand. 

For more information on Hospitality New Zealand's work, head to their website: https://www.hospitality.org.nz/s/aboutus.

Keep up to date with Marty and the Elmwood Trading Company on their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodtradingco. 

Nov 26, 202126:12
Groundswell with Laurie Patterson

Groundswell with Laurie Patterson

This week I sit down with Laurie Patterson, co-founder of the Groundswell movement, to discuss what's driving the movement, and what change our farming communities want to see in their relationship with the Government.  

Nov 22, 202126:07
Auckland and Covid-19 with Leo Molloy

Auckland and Covid-19 with Leo Molloy

In this episode I sit down with entrepreneur and publican Leo Molloy to discuss the effects of repeated Auckland lockdowns on the city's hospitality sector, his vision for Auckland and mayoral candidacy, and our shared West Coast and Irish heritages. 

Nov 12, 202130:13
Three Waters Reform with Bruce Smith and Sam MacDonald

Three Waters Reform with Bruce Smith and Sam MacDonald

In this episode, I sit down with Mayor of Westland Bruce Smith, and Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald, to discuss the Three Waters Reform: the issue the reforms are trying to address, why they're so controversial, and how they will affect local communities.  

Oct 28, 202126:27
Hate Speech with Simon Bridges

Hate Speech with Simon Bridges

In this episode, I sit down the Simon Bridges, National Party Spokesperson for Justice, on the Government's proposed legislative changes to certain "hate speech" provisions. We discuss the ambiguity around defining hate speech and the implications of these changes. 

Oct 21, 202121:21
Covid-19 and Vaccinations with Hamish Campbell

Covid-19 and Vaccinations with Hamish Campbell

In this episode, I'm joined by molecular biologist Dr Hamish Campbell, to talk all things vaccination- how vaccines work, why you should get vaccinated, and what high vaccination rates mean for our communities. 

Oct 14, 202122:34
Three Waters Reform with Gary Moore

Three Waters Reform with Gary Moore

I sit down with Gary Moore, former Labour mayor of Christchurch, for a robust discussion on the Government's proposed Three Waters Reforms, which would see the management of drinking, storm and waste water removed from local authorities and handed to four new regional entities. 

Oct 07, 202133:00
Housing with Nicola Willis

Housing with Nicola Willis

I sit down with National's Housing Spokesperson, Nicola Willis, to discuss what's driving New Zealand's housing crisis, how it's impacting those trying to get into the market, and the possible solutions. 

Sep 30, 202130:42
Social Entrepreneurship and Refugee Settlement with Elisha Watson

Social Entrepreneurship and Refugee Settlement with Elisha Watson

I'm joined by Elisha Watson, social entrepreneur and founder of Nisa, a Wellington-based manufacturer and retailer of ethically and sustainably produced clothing, with a mission to provide employment opportunities to people (especially women) from refugee and migrant backgrounds. We discuss the challenges facing refugees and migrants in finding employment in New Zealand, and what can be done to better enable these communities to feel welcome and supported. 

For more information on Nisa and Elisha's mission, head to their website: www.nisa.co.nz, or their social media: www.facebook.com/nisa.workshop www.instagram.com/nisa.workshop

Sep 23, 202125:27
Covid-19 with Sir Ian Taylor

Covid-19 with Sir Ian Taylor

With Auckland in Level 4 and the rest of New Zealand in Level 2, New Zealanders continue our successful battle against Covid-19 surrounded by questions about moving forward. In this episode, I'm joined by leading innovator, businessman and founder of Animation Research Limited, Sir Ian Taylor, about where to from here.

Sep 16, 202130:20
Housing with Leonie Freeman

Housing with Leonie Freeman

In this episode I'm joined by Leonie Freeman, Chief Executive of Property Council New Zealand, to discuss the Council's mission, the legislative, supply and demand issues driving the housing crisis, and how we might solve it. 

For more information on the Council, head to: https://www.propertynz.co.nz/about-us. 

To learn more about Leonie's philanthropic and independent initiative to solve Auckland's housing crisis, visit: https://thehomepage.nz. 

Sep 09, 202132:14
Covid-19 with Chris Bishop

Covid-19 with Chris Bishop

In this episode, I sit down with National's Covid-19 Response Spokesperson, Chris Bishop, to discuss the current lockdown, vaccine rollout, and ways New Zealand can improve its Covid-19 response.

Sep 02, 202126:52
Trade with Tim Groser, Charles Finny and Nicola Grigg

Trade with Tim Groser, Charles Finny and Nicola Grigg

In this episode, I sit down with Former Minister of Trade Tim Groser, Saunders Unsworth trade expert Charles Finny, and National's spokesperson for Trade Nicola Grigg, to discuss all things trade. 

Aug 26, 202138:31
Housing with Kathryn Marshall

Housing with Kathryn Marshall

In this episode, I sit down with Kathryn Marshall, General Manager of Williams Corporation, to discuss the bureaucracy slowing down housing construction and suggestions on improving the system- all from the perspective of a company in the trenches. 

Aug 12, 202121:46
Housing with Brad Olsen

Housing with Brad Olsen

I sit down with Brad Olsen, Principal Economist and Director at Infometrics and leading economic commentator, to discuss New Zealand's housing crisis. 

Aug 05, 202126:10
Magnitsky Laws with Bill Browder

Magnitsky Laws with Bill Browder

In this episode I sit down with Bill Browder, the financier and political activist behind the global movement of 'Magnitsky laws', which began in the United States. We discuss Bill's remarkable story as the victim of corruption in Russia, his involvement in passing these laws in the US and globally, and why New Zealand should join other nations in adding targeted sanctions to our diplomatic toolkit. 

Jul 28, 202123:48
Climate Change with Erica Stanford and Stuart Smith

Climate Change with Erica Stanford and Stuart Smith

I'm joined in this episode by fellow National MPs Erica Stanford and Stuart Smith, to discuss National's climate change approach, in response to my previous episodes with Golriz Ghahraman and Dr Rod Carr. 

Jul 22, 202130:50
Climate Change with Dr Rod Carr

Climate Change with Dr Rod Carr

I'm joined in this episode by Dr Rod Carr, Chair of the Climate Change Commission. We sit down to discuss the Commission's role, and how we can practically achieve New Zealand's climate targets. 

Jul 15, 202141:33
Climate Change with Golriz Ghahraman

Climate Change with Golriz Ghahraman

In this episode, I sit down with Green MP Golriz Ghahraman. We discuss the National and Green Party approaches to climate change, and how New Zealand can achieve its climate goals.  

Jul 08, 202121:38
Welcome to The Backroom of Politics

Welcome to The Backroom of Politics

The Backroom of Politics is an insight into the discussions that lead to policy-making in New Zealand, hosted by Hon Gerry Brownlee MP. 

Jul 08, 202100:27