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: Tutt-tutting and more reports won't save lives
You might be thinking the revelation that at-risk kids in New Zealand are no safer than they were three years ago, when a 5-year-old boy was beaten, burned and murdered...
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John MacDonald: Don't let Canterbury become the nation's dumping ground
How would you feel about rubbish from all over New Zealand and maybe even overseas being dumped in the South Island? That’s what could be happening with this new...
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John MacDonald: No Minister, this is not a win for democracy
How do you think I’m feeling about the Government's Māori wards bill passing its third reading in Parliament? Which means any local councils which established...
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Why does Chris Hipkins think the Māori Wards bill is "embarrassing"?
Today on Canterbury Mornings John MacDonald was joined by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins for their regular chat. Why does he feel the Māori Wards Bill is an embarrassment?...
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John MacDonald: Are we serious about gun control or not?
Would you rather the police could only search a place for illegal firearms if they believed there were illegal guns there, or would you rather they could search...
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John MacDonald: History never repeats. Except for boot camps
Even though it’s just been a few days since the Abuse in Care Inquiry report was released, the Government needs to be a bit quicker on the uptake and should be pulling...
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Politics Friday: Should the Govt be intervening in the Port Hills replanting?
John MacDonald was joined by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Reuben Davidson for Politics Friday. They discussed whether the Government should intervene on...
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John MacDonald: The Port Hills is not the place for pine trees
“Pines are one of the most flammable plants on the planet.” That’s a quote from a plant ecologist at Victoria University, Dr Nicola Day. And it's why some Christchurch...
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John MacDonald: Abuse Inquiry - the direct and indirect victims
In some way, shape or form, every New Zealander is a victim of the horrific abuse laid bare in the inquiry report released yesterday. First and foremost - absolutely...
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Ed Byrne talks his new show and special connection to NZ
Irish comedian Ed Byrne joined John MacDonald on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, where he discussed his new show - Tragedy Plus Time. He explained how he manages...
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"TV reports unlikely to change MPI decision": Phil Mauger on Orana Park, road cones, elections
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined John MacDonald for their regular catchup. The Mayor gives his thoughts on whether Orana Wildlife Park is in trouble, and how...
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John MacDonald: The addict's battle is lost in a drug war
Let’s play a little bit of would-you-rather. Would you rather the country faced a bill of $1 billion per year for the harm caused by drug use? Or $8 billion per...
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John MacDonald: The invisible VP for president? Don't think so
One headline I’ve read about President Joe Biden quitting the presidential race is describing it as “a shock decision”. It’s no shock to me. But it was, apparently,...
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John MacDonald: This is the most pointless piece of road safety advice
Do you know what the most pointless piece of road safety advice is? Drive to the conditions. I get it and it’s well-meaning. But it’s pointless. A waste of breath....
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John MacDonald: Councils cutting costs? It won't happen. Here's why
It seems our local councils are in the Finance Minister’s line of sight. She’s been saying since the latest inflation numbers came out yesterday that, yes, it is...
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John MacDonald: Is the government's tree talk hot air?
Not that long ago, I was talking to a guy who said it was perfectly fine for him to use some old floorboards he’d ripped up out of his kitchen for firewood, because...
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"I know I'm capable of it": Kiwi high jumper's aiming for an Olympic medal
The 2024 Olympics are less than two weeks away, our athletes are selected and ready to go. Kiwi High Jump star Hamish Kerr has indicated he was more than ready...
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Hipkins disagrees that Treaty considerations were a "distraction" for Pharmac
Labour leader Chris Hipkins is unwavering on making Treaty considerations an expectation for Pharmac. His Government required Pharmac to commit to embedding Te...
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John MacDonald: Our cops deserve better. Way better
It can be very tricky sometimes getting to grips with who’s twisting the truth, who’s exaggerating things, and who really are the victims and the villains when it...
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John MacDonald: The two ways Joe Biden can't win
Joe Biden can’t win. In two ways. The first one’s obvious. After yesterday’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and the imagery and defiance and sheer strength...
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John MacDonald: Simeon understands your road cone pain
In Canterbury we talk about things happening pre-earthquake and post-earthquake. And I’ve been trying to remember what things were like pre-earthquake when it comes...
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Politics Friday: Do we have an obsession with road cones?
This week on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined by Labour’s Tracey McLellan and National’s Matt Doocey to wrap the week that was. The hot topic of the morning...
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John MacDonald: Hey KiwiRail, come clean or be cleaned-up
I think we’ve reached the point where people are going to be asking themselves not only “if I book a ticket on the Interislander, how confident can I be that they...
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John MacDonald: My one reservation about universal road charges
I bet if you drive a petrol vehicle and you’ve said anything about how much cheaper it must be to have a diesel, anyone who does have a diesel has jumped down your...
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John MacDonald: On yer bike Darleen
There is a very fine line between being highly principled and high-and-mighty. And I think the Green Party has crossed that line. Even though the Greens think their...
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John MacDonald: You might not love it - but it's the only option
I don’t love the idea, but I’m willing to accept it. That’s how I’d describe my stance on paying a toll charge to use a piece of road. Just like when pay TV became...
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John MacDonald: Who should set the speed limit on your street?
Even though the air temperature was down around the minus-4 mark in Canterbury this morning, there would have been no shortage of muppets driving as if it’s the...
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Politics Friday: Who is responsible for speed limits?
Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined by Labour’s Megan Woods and National’s Hamish Campbell to dig into the biggest topics from the week. With Newshub...
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John MacDonald: The quarter-acre dreamers need to wake-up
There are going to be some noses out of joint today, with this announcement from the Government about what it’s going to do to try and sort out the shortage of houses...
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John MacDonald: Mark and Paul - Facebook friends no more
There’s a thing in politics called “optics”. Which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s all about being seen to do something. It’s also about how people see whatever...
