Both Sides Now's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Both Sides Now
Both Sides Now is a new political podcast hosted by Eve McCallum and Finn Ross in which they have travelled around New Zealand and interviewed former and current high profile politicians. With Eve being a member of the Young Nationals and Finn Young Labour they are aiming to break down the increasing political polarisation around the world while helping to engage young people in politics.
This was an epic chat with the kiwi who spent 4 years having daily meetings with the most powerful man in the world. He chats about his time in the White House, politics in the United States and how he's helping to shape the future of New Zealand. Chris has done very little media in New Zealand so don't miss the chance to hear directly from someone who was once the most influential kiwi in the world.
This was an epic chat with new MP James Meager where we chatted about everything from climate change, to the treaty, to what his proudest achievements are outside of politics and the impact his new career will have on his personal life.
Catch Eve and Finn sharing how they think the campaign has gone and what we can expect in the coming weeks!
Eve and Finn would both agree that theres many things in TOP they would both vote for. This was a great chat where we explored more about who TOP are, what they would bring to Parliament and why voting for them isn't a wasted vote.
We had an epic conversation with Paddy Gower, we covered everything from his career in the media, to how he prepares for the leaders debates, to many stories from throughout his career in the media.
This week we changed things up and caught up with New Zealand journalist and TV presenter Jack Tame to discuss the state of the media in New Zealand and globally, their role in polarisation and elections.
Listen to hear Chris's thoughts on police carrying hand guns, who he would give a knighthood too, Te Reo in schools and more
We caught up with National Party Leader Christopher Luxon for the first episode of season 2. We covered just about every topic in this interview from polarisation, to climate change, to what Christopher does for fun.
For the final episode we sat down and discussed some of the highlights of the first season of the podcast and what we have learnt from travelling around NZ and meeting all the politicians that we spoke too. We discuss things such as our favourite episode, where we think NZ should sit on the political spectrum and what surprised us most about each other!
The Hon Nikki Kaye was education minister under the John Key lead National Government and won the traditionally left seat of Auckland Central for the National Party for the first time. Throughout Nikki's time in the National Party she was known for being one of the most liberal MPs in the caucus. She talks about what it was like disagreeing with her own caucus. This is also a great yarn for anyone who is keen to go into politics as Nikki offers up some advice on going into politics, especially for young people
Being a former co leader of the Green Party Eve found this interview one of the more challenging as Metiria sits on the complete opposite side of the political spectrum. However, Metiria’s openness to discussion and debate allowed both of us to learn a lot from the discussion. What was most apparent from her interview was her unrelenting drive to want to improve life for those who are struggling or disadvantaged in society. While she is lecturing law at Otago University now, it is obvious this drive has not gone away.
Roger Douglas is one of the absolute legends of New Zealand politics, we would have loved to have the cameras rolling as soon as we arrived at his house because we were straight into some epic political conversations. Roger Douglas is most well known for Rogernomics, his suite of neoliberalism policies he enacted as finance minister that was relatively controversial in the 1980’s. Roger then went on to found the Act party and is openly critical of many politicians today. This is a fascinating conversation with one of NZ politics legends!
We went and caught up with former National Prime Minister of 7 years the Rt Hon Jim Bolger. Finn particularly enjoyed this interview, ‘a man after my own heart’ with Jim answering the question on what is the biggest challenge NZ is facing the same as Finn, inequality and climate change. Jim told us some classic stories including talking Nukes with Bill Clinton on the back of a boat and about his establishment of Te Papa against popular opinion. Also to Finn’s liking Jim was outspoken in his support of capital gains tax which is surprising given few of the National Party have done this.
At the start of every podcast, we ask each politician what their political ideology is. Have a listen to hear what our 11 guests said to this question!
Was a great discussion this week with former Maori Party Co Leader Te Ururoa Flavell where we talked Co-Governance and learnt some new context for this discussion that there were more Maori than European when the Treaty was signed, now its the opposite. Te Ururoa was super open about how devastated he was about the loss post-2017 election and the work that New Zealand still has to do to honour the Treaty.
Was a great discussion this week with former Maori Party Co Leader Te Ururoa Flavell where we talked Co-Governance and learnt some new context for this discussion that there were more Maori than European when the Treaty was signed, now its the opposite. Te Ururoa was super open about how devastated he was about the loss post-2017 election and the work that New Zealand still has to do to honour the Treaty.
We met with former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey at the gorgeous Wellington law building. Our cameraman Thomas said during the interview he was admiring all the books Geoffrey had collected in his big library when to his surprise he realised all the books were written by Geoffrey! This epitomises Geoffrey Palmer, he carries an incomprehensible amount of knowledge and has contributed more to legislation in New Zealand than just about anyone. Both Eve and I thoroughly enjoyed his new book written with his granddaughter, ‘Democracy now Aoteoroa’. One thing both Eve and I agreed with was his disenfranchisement at the rise in ‘slactivism’. This is where people think they are helping a movement by posting on social media but real change on the ground takes giving time or money.
James Shaw is well regarded on the right of politics despite being from NZ’s furthest left party, being the co leader of the Greens. We had some great discussion on how effective some of the key policies are that he leads as minister for climate change and how long he expects to be in office. Check out this awesome discussion now !
Shane Jones was the most straight up interview we had. This made for one of the easiest conversations of the series. Shane talked to us about his time in both the Labour Party and New Zealand First. He provided an insight into New Zealand First and his thoughts on the liberal movement that is becoming increasingly intertwined with New Zealand Politics.
Will Dame Jenny share Sir John Key's answer about voting for Donald Trump in 2016? Listen to find out.
We were privileged to get to speak with Dame Jenny Shipley, New Zealand's first female Prime Minister. She talked openly with us about the challenges faced with being a woman in politics in the 90s. What was also of particular interest was her ability to make decisions. When asked about her decision to cut benefits in 1991 as Minister of Social Development, she unequivocally said that she got that decision right.
As part of some of the episodes, we have a bonus speed round to go with them. Here is Hon Chris Hipkins!
The Hon Chris Hipkins was our first current politician, we met him in the beehive for an awesome interview. As Minister for Education, Police and Covid Response Chris is one of the most influential politicians of our time and we thoroughly enjoyed this conversation. Chris exemplified what we are trying to achieve at Both Sides Now by having a book case full of political books from both the right and left of the political spectrum. He also highlighted to us that robust disagreement, exchange of ideas and dissent are the lifeblood of democracy, something that both of us are worried we are losing to polarisation.
At the end of most of the episodes, we recorded a speed round where we asked the politicians 20 yes/no/short answer questions. Sir John gave us a few surprise answers in his, including a controversial opinion on Trump!
This was one of the most epic conversations both Eve and I have had. We could have talked to John for hours, we both came away with hundreds more questions we wanted to ask and a even more respect for John and his legacy. Finn got a chance to debate with John on tax and inequality and Eve was able to pull to the surface the polices John wished he had been able to get across. This was one of the interviews where we wished we had he camera rolling before and after as John was super open with us about his views on current politicians around the world. It was great to hear about John’s respect for Jacinda. John really encapsulated a lot of what we are trying to do with the podcast around being great mates with the other side of the political spectrum, e.g. playing plenty of golf with Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and being good friends with both of them but being open about the fact he wouldn’t vote for them. Tune in for this conversation with one of New Zealand's greatest leaders!