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Free to Disagree

by The New Zealand Initiative
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Latest episodes

  • Is National losing voters to ACT, or driving them away?

    October 8, 2026 · 45 min

    Three polls landed this week, with National under 30 per cent on the party vote while holding 44 electorate seats, and Opportunity sitting either side of the threshold depending on which poll you read. The question is whether National’s…

  • The surplus that is always three years away

    October 1, 2026 · 41 min

    The Treasury's pre-election update showed spending up, revenue down and debt rising after three years of a government elected on restraint. Oliver and Damien ask who ends up as finance minister after 7 November, and whether any of them…

  • Nicky Hager's book and the Taxpayers' Union

    September 24, 2026 · 43 min

    Nicky Hager's new book on the Taxpayers' Union has had several of its claims publicly contradicted within days of publication. Oliver and Damien discuss the fallout and what it has already cost the organisation. Next, 51 prominent New…

  • National's plan to break up Foodstuffs

    September 16, 2026 · 41 min

    National has announced it would split Foodstuffs into separate Pak'nSave and New World chains, in the name of more competition. Oliver and Damien ask whether breaking up a family-owned cooperative is likely to persuade an Aldi or a Lidl to…

  • The Greens’ $2.8 billion supermarket plan

    September 11, 2026 · 48 min

    The Greens want to buy 120 supermarkets and a couple of distribution centres for $2.8 billion, which one analysis puts at a saving of $68 a household a year. Oliver and Damien ask what nationalisation would actually deliver, and why New…

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  • Do celebrity candidates actually win votes?

    September 3, 2026 · 46 min

    Paul Henry is standing for ACT and Taine Randell for New Zealand First. Oliver and Damien ask whether celebrity candidates actually win votes, and why New Zealand tends to produce the reverse, politicians who become famous through…

  • The social media ban National couldn't sell to its coalition

    August 27, 2026 · 32 min

    National has introduced a bill banning under 16s from social media, and both coalition partners have refused to back it. Oliver and Damien ask whether such a ban could work, and whether the state should be involved at all. Next, Oliver…

  • Could MMP break?

    August 20, 2026 · 42 min

    Te Pāti Māori have told supporters to give them their electorate vote and send their party vote elsewhere. Oliver and Damien ask what happens if National voters start doing the same, and whether MMP survives it. Next, they discuss…

  • Luxon survives his third coup attempt

    August 14, 2026 · 40 min

    One day after Christopher Luxon survived a confidence vote, Oliver and Damien ask whether he has finally shown the country who he really is. Next, they discuss Chris Penk's departure from politics and what it costs National. And finally…

  • Are voters just going on vibes?

    August 12, 2026 · 35 min

    Free to Disagree is a new weekly podcast produced by The New Zealand Initaitive. Join Oliver Hartwich and Damien Grant as they talk about New Zealand politics and economics. Two friends on broadly the same side of politics who find plenty…

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About the show

Free to Disagree is a weekly conversation about New Zealand politics and economics hosted by Oliver Hartwich and Damien Grant. Two friends on broadly the same side of politics who find plenty to disagree about anyway. Each week they discuss three big issues, leading up to the election. Produced by The New Zealand Initiative.