Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald
9am-12pm Weekdays
Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.
It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.
If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio.
With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector.
Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.
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John MacDonald: Ending violence - a challenge for all of us
If you think the violence action plan announced by the Government yesterday has no relevance to your life - think again. It’s one of many plans that are part of...
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John MacDonald: Motorcyclist ACC levies a human rights issue? Really?
Even as a scooter rider, I think these motorcyclists who are kicking up a fuss about their ACC levies going through the roof don’t have a leg to stand on. It’s...
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Gerry Brownlee reflects on his first year as Speaker
A regular weekly contributor to the show up until last year, Gerry Brownlee is finishing his first full year as Speaker of the House. Brownlee joined John MacDonald...
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John MacDonald: Hey Winston! More fairy dust, less bull dust please
When Finance Minister Nicola Willis said “I have delivered” yesterday —after announcing the Government’s so-called plan for the Cook Strait ferries— what she really...
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Christchurch set to increase rates 8.4% - can it be curbed?
A firm answer from Christchurch's mayor on whether the Cathedral restoration levy should go into reducing a rates increase. Households have paid $6.52 each year...
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John MacDonald: I'm scratching my head over the greyhounds being scratched
I have never had a problem with greyhound racing so you’re not going to hear me singing the Government’s praises for banning the sport. But I am scratching my...
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John MacDonald: Our handling of Gloriavale is a national shame
Surely this is the final straw for Gloriavale. Or, more to the point, surely it’s the final straw for the Government. Because it is absolutely shameful that it...
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John MacDonald: The government should be pressing pause on boot camps
The minute the defence force said it didn’t want a bar of the new youth boot camps, the Government should have put the brakes on then and there. It didn’t, though,...
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John MacDonald: Here's one solution to the power price problem
I’ve been reading a report the OECD released this morning, and it’s occurred to me that, if we want our businesses to survive, there is a very simple thing we could...
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Politics Friday: Would cheaper electricity rates keep businesses open?
Today on Politics Friday, National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Megan Woods joined John MacDonald to dig into this week’s political news. Electricity prices are...
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John MacDonald: Traffic lights aren't the solution for Church Corner
Let me paint you a picture. A picture of over-the-top traffic management. So you’re heading up Riccarton Road in Christchurch, and you get to the traffic lights...
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John MacDonald: The problem I’ve got with Sevu Reece
In relation to what happened in the Christchurch District Court yesterday, I could be telling you right now how outraged I am about All Black Sevu Reece getting...
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Hipkins expecting a "very competitive" two years before next election
Chris Hipkins is expecting the next two years leading into the next election to be very competitive. Recent polls have Labour and National neck and neck, with Hipkins...
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John MacDonald: $8 bus fares? No thanks
There is no way I would pay $8 to ride a bus, but we’re being warned today that that’s what we could end up paying in just three years. That’s because the Government...
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John MacDonald: Can someone please tell Chris Hipkins he's dreaming?
Chris Hipkins was talking tough at the Labour Party’s annual conference in Christchurch yesterday, saying he is determined to make the current Government a one-term...
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John MacDonald: The sting in Covid's tail for our politicians
Do you think the last government spoiled things for everyone? There’s a question! Let me clarify that a little bit. Do you think the last government spoiled things...
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Politics Friday: Matt Doocey says he "didn't want to" reply to text from Mike King
Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Tracey McLellan to wrap this week’s political stories. They discussed...
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John MacDonald: How I feel now about the vaccine mandates
‘If you think I’m a Jacinda Ardern puppet, you’re going to get a huge surprise’. Who’s saying that, do you think? It’s Professor Tony Blakely – the epidemiologist...
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John MacDonald: Hotpool sell-off idea leaves me cold
If there’s one city council facility in Christchurch that never seems to have a bad word said about it, it’s the He Puna Taimoana hot pools at New Brighton. I...
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John MacDonald: Will they, won't they? Labour's capital gains tax decision
I reckon former Labour Party leader David Cunliffe might have just done the best sell job on a capital gains tax that any politician in New Zealand —or anyone for...
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John MacDonald: The haka is more than just pre-match entertainment
Anyone who thinks we can still stick to that pipedream of sport and politics not mixing probably got a hernia or had kittens yesterday morning before and after the...
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John MacDonald: Jetty restoration group's zero-interest pipedream
I don’t know if I’m going to make any friends in Governors Bay, especially with the people involved with the Governors Bay Jetty Restoration Trust. Because I think...
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Politics Friday: Stanford "well overstepped the mark" in Parliament - Labour MP
John MacDonald was joined by National’s Vanessa Weenink and Labour’s Duncan Webb this morning for Politics Friday. They discussed whether the new gang patch law...
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John MacDonald: Here's how to really make life difficult for gangs
Today’s the day when one of the most ridiculous laws we’ve ever seen in this country starts being enforced by the police. As of midnight last night, it is illegal...
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John MacDonald: Cowboy hats and feathers? Yes. Bad behaviour? No
I can’t accuse NZ First MP Shane Jones of being pale, male, and stale. But he is male, and he is stale with these comments of his about the way some MPs are dressing...
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"Lead by example": Hipkins says 'Parliament's hall monitors' should check their leaders' behaviour
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he had no problem with Te Pati Māori's haka in the House last week, during the vote on ACT's Treaty Principle Bill. David Seymour,...
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John MacDonald: Don't point the finger at David Seymour for Treaty Principles mess
An absolute circus is one way to describe David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Or you could say that the thousands at Parliament today to protest against it...
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John MacDonald: No mention of money doesn't make today's apology hollow
When it comes to apologies there are generally two types: a sincere apology and a hollow apology. And survivors of abuse in state or religious care are saying that...
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John MacDonald: Should the taxpayer chip-in for your solar panels?
If you’ve got solar panels on the roof, you’ll be loving the blue skies. And a solar energy advocate is saying today that those of us who don’t should be getting...
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John MacDonald: Health and Safety is off the rails
You'll have your own way of describing this crazy situation where we’ve got KiwiRail telling the Christchurch City Council that it has to close a 1.5 kilometre stretch...
