- 38 minutes 39 secondsLuxon repeats defeat of foes, indie operator fires up election debates
A single Herald story sparked a political drama and a media frenzy could have toppled the PM, but didn't . . . again. Also: the big TV election debates have yet to be set yet this time. But one indie outlet is already getting heavy hitters together to talk policy.
15 August 2026, 9:00 pm - 23 minutes 41 secondsMidweek - Luxon’s ructions, MediaWorks sold, crossing the line online, audience maturity
PM still standing after repeat defeat of foes. Also: MediaWorks sold offshore, commentator heads for court over claims made online, are NZ media audiences maturing? And Tangy Fruits were lame.
12 August 2026, 10:36 am - 37 minutes 51 secondsMassaging the facts, uncovering undercover cops, acting up in schools
How did a single media inquiry stop a multi-million-dollar health programme for prisons? Also: political parties competing for media attention on their election policies; politicians talking s*** - literally; and an unexpected local story from ‘spycops’ revelations in the UK.
8 August 2026, 9:00 pm - 23 minutes 55 secondsMidweek - FIFA fail, Luxon comms flub, Comm Games wins, ex-minister's memoir
Huge scoop derails FIFA plot, Commonwealth Games weighed up, Luxon's comms under scrutiny again, Kiri Allan's memoir
5 August 2026, 9:20 am - 33 minutes 43 secondsPolitical policy pile-ups, TikTok’s impact, gigs get gross
Sunday’s no longer a day of rest in politics, as parties pump out policies to set the media agenda. Also: TikTok’s economic impact claims - and what the app is good for in business and politics; reports of diapers on the dancefloor.
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website
In this episode:
00:55 Policies on parental leave, Pharmac funding and AI data centres were all mixed up in the media as parties jostled for attention this week
15:20 Social media on the election mix with 11 days to go
17:45 TikTok makes big claims about its economic impact here - but says less about the tax it pays.
Hear more on TikTok’s Economic Impact Report this week on The Detail
19:53 The MediaLab’s Antony Young on coverage of TikTok’s report and what the app is good for in business, and political electioneering
30:38 Does the ‘fun’flation-fueled cost of concerts really explain reports of people soiling themselves at big gigs?
Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.
Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts
1 August 2026, 9:00 pm - 25 minutes 17 secondsMidweek - Stuff cuts, Nash exits & podcast profits, funflation & gigs gone to sh*t
What might new cuts at Stuff mean? Also - political candidates and a 'prominent sportsperson' suffer the spotlight, fun-flation & the unfortunate consequences at live gigs.
29 July 2026, 9:12 am - 39 minutes 3 secondsPolitical dignity deficits, Long Story Short & paying for podcasts
One sexist text to a podcasting politico had National gnashing their teeth, but it wasn’t the only political dignity deficit in the news this week. Also: are podcasts popular enough for people to pay enough for the makers to make a living here?
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website
In this episode:
00:54 Coverage of Nash’s text going public - and other political dignity deficits
10:54 Midweek Mediawatch trail: golf vs football, sport obscures more war
13:30 Paul Henry quizzed on levelling up news media and big tech
16:49 Craig T Robertson on the global rise of podcasts - and start-ups upstaging big players.
22:45 Local podcaster Eugene Bingham on making a living from it and new service Long Story Short.
Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.
Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts
25 July 2026, 9:00 pm - 20 minutes 34 secondsMidweek - FIFA v golf, Argie aggro, more war, McGruers of Marton
World Cup v golf, Argentina v The World, US v Iran, Israel v Palestine- and a teary tribute to a Marton mainstay.
22 July 2026, 9:30 am - 39 minutes 59 secondsPaul Henry’s unveiling, Sam Neill stops the news, Stuff’s new local plan
ACT’s unveiling of Paul Henry triggered a media frenzy - and claims the shock jock might shirk the work it takes to make it in politics. Also: how Sam Neill’s shock death stopped the news & Stuff’s new digital bid to hook local news readers.
Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ website
In this episode:
1:19 Sam Neill’s death shocked the media, but his depth and range were duly honoured.
13:46 The stage-managed Paul Henry announcement prompted a full-on media frenzy, followed by scepticism about his commitment.
25:48 Hosking misses the mark on political poll.
27:47 Stuff rejigs Neighbourly to push back at platforms.
30:00 Stuff’s masthead chief Joanna Norris on the NeighbourlyNews.co.nz plan
Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.
Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts
18 July 2026, 9:00 pm - 27 minutes 16 secondsMidweek - Sam Neill's depth & range, Henry & Binface capture media, podcasting the courts
Sam Neill's shock death jolted our media - but they admirably honoured his depth and range. Paul Henry and Count Binface candidacies captivates media, court news in podcast form.
15 July 2026, 9:21 am - 43 minutes 39 secondsPlatforms overtake news outlets, politics & media undermining trust
The biggest survey of news habits says more people now pick social media platforms than actual news media for news. And more of us are watching news on them rather than reading it. Also: claims that point-scoring, headline-hungry politicians undermine trust in news.
11 July 2026, 9:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App