This weekend there will be two editions of "The Nation"

27 June 2013

Coming up this weekend on The Nation

This weekend there will be two editions of "The Nation".

On Saturday at 9:30 we will run a shorter half hour edition featuring interviews with Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and former Fiji coup leader Lt Col Sitiveni Rabuka.

On Sunday at 8:00 we will run our usual hour-long programme and we will have full coverage of the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election including results, analysis and reaction from candidates and party leaders.

We will also repeat the Brownlee and Rabuka interviews. 

Spinning a Loop

By Richard Harman, Executive Producer, “The Nation”.

If you read most of the commentary on the Government’s proposal to fund the Auckland rail loop in 2020, it would seem the Government has done a “U” turn and backed down from its opposition to the loop.

But has it?

The Government opposes any move by the Auckland City Council to raise rates or to impose a regional petrol tax. Instead, suggests the Prime Minister, the Council contribution could come from selling assets.

The most likely assets to be put on the block would be the Council’s shares in the airport or the port.

But back on May 26 Rachel interviewed Auckland Mayor, Len Brown, about this very issue.

Brown was adamant that he would not agree to any sales of these assets to fund the loop.

The Government has known this all along. It has been offering heavy hints for some time that this was the way ahead for the loop. We knew that which is why Rachel asked the questions she did.

But this latest announcement ups the ante.

It raises the question as to whether the Government is trying to put the heat on Mr Brown as he goes into his election campaign.

It certainly doesn’t guarantee that the loop will go ahead --- at least as long as Len Brown is Mayor.

All of this then forms the background to Rachel’s interview with Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee this weekend. The answers should be fascinating.

BY-ELECTION SPECIAL

Can David Shearer survive the Ikaroa- Rawhiti By-election?

David Shearer  seems to have been virtually full time in Ikaroa Rawhiti these past few weeks campaigning for Labour's candidate meka Wahitiri.

It would be a huge shock if Labour didn't win but unless it wins with a big majority there may be questions asked about Shearer's leadership?

TV3's Political Editor Paddy Gower will be with Mr Shearer on our By-Election Special on Sunday to get his reaction to the result. .

We will have full results plus more reaction from Meka herself; Maori Party candidate Na Raihania and Co-Leader Pita Sharples as well as Greens Co-Leader Metiria Turei.

Paddy Gower, Tova O'Brien and Colin James will provide commentary and analysis.

Kava in a Cold Climate

This year's 48th Otago University Foreign Policy School is on "Pacific Geopolitics in the 21st Century" and one of the featured speakers is former Fiji coup leader Lt Col Sitiveni Rabuka.

He will be with Rachel for an exclusive interview to look forward to the elections planned for September next year and also to give us an insight into the Bainimarama dictatorship.

ENDS

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