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: This is a terrible thing to say, but it's true
Do you know why the Government has failed to meet all of its child poverty targets? The overarching reason I’m talking about here. Because this is really complex...
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Politics Friday: Why are govts struggling to solve child poverty?
Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb to delve into some of the topics listeners are most interested in. They mark...
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John MacDonald: When are the banks going to lift their game?
Adrian Orr. Champion of the people. Well, that might be going a bit too far. But the Reserve Bank Governor was speaking my language when he says that dropping...
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John MacDonald: How would you rate your trust in the public service?
I reckon most of us, when we fill out the census papers, assume that the information we’re providing won’t end up in the wrong hands. I know there are some people...
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"Frankly reprehensible": Chris Hipkins condemns "thuggish" behaviour from Destiny Church
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins joined John MacDonald this morning to give his thoughts on some of the biggest stories of the week. The integrity of the public service...
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John MacDonald: We're great at peacekeeping. But not in Ukraine
Already, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is looking ahead to whenever a ceasefire might happen in Ukraine and has said that, if or when it does, he’d be happy...
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John MacDonald: Is that all the PM has to say about Destiny Church?
When I saw Brian Tamaki on the news last night, he looked more pompous than ever. Pompous - not pious. Because he was the one who instructed his so-called followers...
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John MacDonald: Here's why we're so bad at road repairs
I’m starting to wonder whether it was just a fluke that we managed to build things like the big hydro dams back in the day without them falling over. Without them...
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Politics Friday: School lunch fumbles are 'less than ideal'
Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined in studio by National’s Matt Doocey and Labour’s Tracey McLellan. They discussed yesterday’s supermarket announcement:...
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"Next year's problem": Christchurch Mayor stands by lowered rates increase
John MacDonald was joined by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger for a chat about the biggest issues concerning residents. Christchurch City Councillors have adopted...
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John MacDonald: Here's how you can tell council elections are looming
Let me give a shout out to Christchurch City Councillor Melanie Coker, who has told her council colleagues that what they are doing by not paying-off debt to keep...
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John MacDonald: User pays for water doesn't sit well with me
If you thought Three Waters was a dog, how are you feeling now, with the news out today that the Christchurch City Council is looking at going all user pays on it...
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"I'm very grateful": Diesel talks his musical career, family connections
A man of many stage names, Mark Lizotte, better known as Diesel, joined John MacDonald live from Australia for a chat. He’ll be taking to the stage in a couple...
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John MacDonald: Seymour is the fly in Luxon's ointment
Whenever people used to bang on about Christopher Luxon being the next John Key —which, I think we all agree now, he isn’t— but whenever I used to hear that talk,...
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John MacDonald: The foreign buyer ban has run its course
So the Government's doing all sorts of things to try and get rich migrants into the country - except one thing. Which it should be doing. Former immigration minister...
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John MacDonald: What should the Crown do with its Christchurch airport shares?
After all his talk about asset sales, David Seymour has obviously been scratching his head like the rest of us, wondering what we’ve actually got left to sell. And...
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Politics Friday: Should the Crown sell it's share in the Christchurch City Airport?
Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined in studio by Hamish Campbell and Reuben Davidson. David Seymour thinks the Crown should sell its share in the...
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John MacDonald: Why we should be nervous about state housing changes
Be very nervous. That’s my advice regarding the Government’s big re-set for state housing provider Kāinga Ora. Don’t get me wrong. Some of the stuff it’s doing...
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John MacDonald: I'm torn on the Paris climate agreement
I tell you what, I am almost torn on this talk today about New Zealand pulling out of the Paris climate agreement. The one we’re signed up to along with a truckload...
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John MacDonald: Shopping for trouble at the mall
“There are dropkicks everywhere”. That's what someone said to me when we were talking about this situation around Eastgate Mall. This person I was talking to goes...
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John MacDonald: Time to end the e-scooter free ride
A mate was telling me last night how surprised he was that he was breath-tested by the police yesterday afternoon. If he’d been riding an e-scooter, though, he...
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Politics Friday: School lunch programme's off to a shaky start
In the first Politics Friday of 2025, John MacDonald was joined by Matt Doocey and Megan Woods to dig into some of the biggest political stories of the week. New...
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John MacDonald: Banks vs Fossil Fuels - a cultural battleground
I like to think that I care about the climate and climate change. Well, I know I care. But, like most of us —if I’m really honest— I’m all a bit token on it. Which...
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Christchurch Mayor prepared to "have a yarn" with new Health Minister over GP shortage
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is in campaign mode after confirmation he's seeking a second term in October's elections. He'll battle Councillor Sara Templeton...
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John MacDonald: Which assets to sell? What about these ones?
Generally speaking, when something isn’t making you any money, you try to get rid of it. That’s in business, especially. And it looks like that’s the approach National...
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John MacDonald: Planning for retirement in your 40s? Really?
What do you think someone in their 40s is thinking about right now? I can think of a few things, and I bet it’s not retirement. Even though we’re being told today...
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Best of 2024: 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: 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...
