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: Capping council rates isn't a solution
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is in campaign mode for this year’s elections, saying that he thinks the Government might be onto a winner with its idea of forcing...
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John MacDonald: Get the Kiwis out of Iran and Israel - and leave it at that
The US air strikes on Iran yesterday are a disaster. A disaster that New Zealand needs to stay well clear of. Before yesterday, the prospect of it happening was...
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John MacDonald: The Govt.'s into local decision-making - when it suits
The Government’s been making it increasingly clear over time that it doesn’t really give two-hoots about local democracy. But, in the last 24 hours, it’s gone...
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"Blown away": Christchurch Mayor "disappointed" by Govt's power to overrule councils
Christchurch’s Mayor is back with John MacDonald to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was. The Government is giving the Housing Minister the power...
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John MacDonald: We need a one-size-fits-all life jacket rule
How weird is it that there are different rules or expectations regarding life jackets, depending on where you are in the country? I’m not the only one who thinks...
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John MacDonald: A closer look at our mental health hospitals is overdue
It was bad enough that a patient at Hillmorton Hospital who had threatened to kill was still allowed to come and go and ended up killing an innocent woman at her...
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John MacDonald: Police cameras yes - with a couple of provisos
I’ve surprised myself a little bit with my reaction to the news the police are looking at introducing body cameras. Generally, I’m all for it. But the civil liberties...
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John MacDonald: Australia might have AUKUS-buyer's remorse
Donald Trump won’t be too happy with Helen Clark right now, because she’s saying she doesn't want New Zealand to be an ally of the United States ever again. I’m...
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"Bullsh*t": Labour MP hits out at Tourism NZ's new marketing campaign
Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb joined John MacDonald in studio for Politics Friday. They discussed Helen Clark’s recent comments around New Zealand’s relationship with...
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John MacDonald: Wool carpet is great - but not everywhere
I’m all for the push to have wool carpet used in government buildings but I think it’s a mistake putting it in state homes. Kāinga Ora has announced that, from...
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John MacDonald: People should have known about mentally-unwell gardener
I’m not exactly sure where to start with this, because it is just so tragic and there is so much to it. I could start by ripping into the people who run Hillmorton...
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"Made their point": Hipkins says Te Pati Māori needs to focus on the big issues
Labour's leader says Te Pati Māori should focus on the issues most New Zealanders care about. Parliament last week voted to hand down the harshest suspensions...
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John MacDonald: The Govt needs some skin in the solar game
How would you feel if the Government came out and said solar energy is the future and it was going to throw everything at it? Because that’s something I think...
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John MacDonald: We need to get real about housing intensification
“A complete balls up”. How about that for what might be quote of the day? That’s how Christchurch city councillor Andrei Moore is describing the council’s handling...
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John MacDonald: The modern learning environment - pipedream turned nightmare
Imagine a school having $800,000 in the bank. Imagine all the things a school could buy with that amount of money. This is a state school I’m talking about, not...
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"No commercial find of gas since 2005": Natural gas debate continues
John was joined by Matt Doocey and Tracey McLellan this week for Politics Friday. They discussed the situation with Shirley Boys High School, who have spent $800,000...
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John MacDonald: There's nothing special about supermarket specials
I love this idea the Commerce Commission and the Grocery Commissioner have come up with, of supermarkets giving us everyday low prices instead of the ever-changing,...
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"I'll listen to anything": Christchurch Mayor open to capping rate increases
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined John MacDonald this morning for their regular catch up. In the wake of Raf Manji’s comments about capping rate increases,...
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John MacDonald: Privacy Commissioner says facial recognition's okay, but...
I am really torn. Because when it comes to facial recognition technology, I’ve always been of the view that if you’re not doing anything wrong, there’s nothing to...
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Canterbury businesses excited by WorkSafe changes
Leeann Watson, CEO of Business Canterbury, joined John MacDonald to give a quarterly update. Are we seeing signs of recovery in Canterbury? What would a commuter...
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John MacDonald: The dangers of tinkering with Health and Safety
If there’s anyone who shouldn't be told they can wind things back on the health and safety front, it’s a New Zealander. Because generally, we are absolute shockers...
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"Turn down the temperature": MP calls to reduce pressure on students
Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined by National’s Hamish Campbell and Labour’s Duncan Webb to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week. The...
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John MacDonald: Finger-wagging won't get more kids going to school
I can’t find an exact figure but from what I have seen online, I’m pretty confident in saying that there are hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid fines in New...
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John MacDonald: All councils should learn from ECAN's open mind on rail
I hope Environment Canterbury isn’t bothering listening to Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey. He’s not impressed that the regional council is going to spend money doing...
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John MacDonald: Sometimes a ban isn't the answer
It would be very easy for me to say that the organisers of those ridiculous Run it Straight combat sport events have blood on their hands after the tragic death...
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"Speaks volumes": South Island Minister's 'disappointed' by Hipkins' criticism of the role
James Meager is responding to Chris Hipkins’ comments about the Minister for the South Island role. The Labour Leader called the position a “PR job”, saying there...
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"Petty personality vendettas": Hipkins responds to Peters ruling out Labour
Labour's yet to rule potential coalition partners in or out. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is refusing to work with Chris Hipkins next election, but has...
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John MacDonald: Have we lost the retail crime battle?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s the message cops have been given about shoplifting. And the powers-that-be can say as much as they like about their memo...
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John MacDonald: The community work sanction is an opportunity
The Government is describing the 20 hours unpaid community work that people on the Jobseeker benefit will be made to do from today if they don’t follow the rules,...
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Politics Friday: Should parents support their 18 and 19 year olds if they aren't working?
Today Megan Woods and Matt Doocey joined John MacDonald following the release of the budget. They discussed the key aspects of it including changes to KiwiSaver,...
