Mediawatch

Episodes

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  High-energy election night, negative-energy campaign 08.11.2026 47m

  How an intriguing but inconclusive election night played out in our media - after an election campaign condemned as too negative. Who can fix that for the future? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - Republican rollback, election endgames, radio gets a break 04.11.2026 20m

  A blue tsunami catches out cautious US media and pollsters, an energy-sapping election campaign enters the endgame here, and radio gets a government windfall.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Advocacy ads & poll problems, do media manifest in manifestos? 31.10.2026 36m

  Political parties and third parties seek to sway the vote - as polls preoccupy the media. Also: future of media debated, and do media manifest in party manifestos? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - job cuts & a strike, members benefits, soundtracks in news 28.10.2026 20m

  The big debates are done, but the election onslaught rolls on - even on YouTube in the sauna. Also: Stuff urged to scrap regional news cuts, TVNZ staff walk out - and sentimental soundtracks in the news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Gang angst and law & order red meat, ban social media or fix it? 24.10.2026 38m

  Law and order was under the radar this election, until candidates campaigning at gang events hit the headlines. Also: both big parties want to ban social media for U-16s. A tech expert in the ‘NZ of the North’ says he has a better way. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - election debate deluge, gang scandal get legs, jobs on the line 21.10.2026 23m

  Almost all-election almost all-the-time as voting nears. Also, the gang visit scandal, Parents Alliance examined - and more journalists' jobs on the line.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Pitching for parents, education in the election, mascot mess 17.10.2026 36m

  Education became a hot topic as political parties pitched their election pledges at parents this week - and a new advocacy group pushed the issue in the media. Also: Australia pushes social media jeopardy back onto platforms & a sheep mascot scandal goes global. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - debates & stalemates, culture war comparison, bring back KiwiBuck, BS ok? 14.10.2026 22m

  Election debates keep on coming, platforming the 'major' and 'minor' leaders. Could a costings unit cut back the scraps? Also: did Nights and Hayden Donnell's Kiwibank scoop give Jon Oliver the wrong idea about NZ radio? Do our culture wars rate, and is BS OK on air? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Who wants to be a billionaire, reality TV check, award-wining oil scoop 10.10.2026 47m

  A random election debate question about extreme wealth struck a chord this week. Also: a local reporter’s role in an award-winning Reuters investigation of illicit oil shipping, and a new RNZ series runs the rule over reality TV.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - the campaign content pile-up picks up pace 07.10.2026 25m

  The debates, the political panels, the interviews and ads and interactive innovations are all cranking up in intensity as general election voting looms. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Overhangs hang over election, RNZ’s next chief, Phil Gifford 03.10.2026 39m

  As the election campaign got underway officially, media seized on arguments about overhangs and vote-splitting dividing both sides. Also: RNZ’s next boss unveiled, and the light touch and depth of the late Phil Gifford.In this episode:1:06 Election campaigns kick off with a storm of slogans, swearing, disputed tax attacks & a TV poll complicating the picture.10:12 Debates on left and right about engineering an overhang.14:36 Who is the next boss at RNZ, Jason Winstanley?19:50 RNZ board chair Brent Impey on the announcement - and his track record at top-rating Newstalk ZB.32:02 Remembering Phil Gifford - and the ‘Loosehead Len’ legacyFollow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - New RNZ chief, election 2026 is launched . . . officially 30.09.2026 19m

  RNZ's named its next CEO as Jason Winstanley, a current Newstalk ZB stalwart. If you can't beat them, hire them? Also: official election launch parties kickstart a campaign already well under way - and Colin can't sew. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Hager headlines, putting down the watchdog, regional news cuts, propaganda & pie prices 26.09.2026 38m

  Critics complained there was no smoking gun. Supporters said it shone a light on a sinister spiderweb. How did the media handle Dirty Work? Also: journalism jobs at risk in the regions, the plan to scrap the broadcasting watchdog, propaganda & pie prices Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - Hagerpalooza, preppers' delight, Seymour on Report 23.09.2026 26m

  What mark has Nicky Hager's 'Dirty Work' made 24 hours after a rock gig-like launch? Also - TVNZ doco spotlights Kiwi preppers, & Deputy PM buries his boycott of Morning Report Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Phillips report & the full story, retail politics 19.09.2026 36m

  The fugitive Tom Phillips was huge news when the hunt for him ended tragically a year ago - and again with this week’s official report. But can our media tell the full story even now? Also: a new media lab with a journalist-in-residence - and retail politics colliding with the politics of retail. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - Phillips report, CRL mania, election event angst, mascot wars 16.09.2026 23m

  The Phillips report the media have been waiting for. Also: CRL is go, media mascot v mascot, live election event tension & the hyrox horrorGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Political food fights, pondering the passing of journalism 12.09.2026 35m

  The media seized on the politics of food this week, when the Greens floated state-owned supermarkets and 1News lifted the lid on emergency food grant refusals. Also: who pays when journalism dies? And does it really matter if it does?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - TVNZ's next news chief, cartoons & mascots, Sky sorry again 09.09.2026 23m

  TVNZ takes Stuff exec for next news chief - next year, the legacy of a long-serving cartoonist, mascots make a marketing comeback, Sky TV offside again with fans again for live foul-up Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Political head-to-heads hot up, are prediction markets legit news? 05.09.2026 36m

  Odds from Polymarket are popping up in our news, even though it's illegal here. But are prediction markets a legit source of news anyway? Also: head-to-head clashes between politicians, and with presenters, are heating up, but not always generating light.Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:10 Media picking apart political bickering over delayed fuel tax.5:50 Greens double down on misleading claims about MPs houses.8:02 Act pushed back on media criticism of policy to put ‘reside’ back in ‘residency’ rules.11:35 ZB host takes on Wellington mayor on Tiaki Wai rollout.17:05 Polymarket predictions popping up in our news, six months after it became illegal for NZers to use.23:11 Newsroom.co..nz senior business reporter Andrew Bevin on how prediction markets work and whether their odds are legit news or not.Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - plane crazy, animal ads & monkey mascots, debate update 02.09.2026 22m

  Was the Capetown flyover a PR masterstroke or disaster? Also - netball's bounceback, animal ads & monkey media mascots and an election debate update. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details