Politi-grill: Mai FM’s Nickson Puts Our Politicians to the Test

Election week has arrived, and Mai Morning Crew's Nickson Clark isn't letting our political leaders off lightly.

In his new series Politi-Grill, Nickson, who has his own eyes set on the Auckland Mayoralty, goes toe-to-toe with key party figures to see what they're really made of.

Debating in Parliament is one thing, but surviving Nickson's hot seat is another story entirely.

Paul Henry - ACT Party

First up to face the heat is veteran broadcaster Paul Henry, who joined the ACT Party lineup back in July.

Nickson doesn't pull any punches, grilling Henry on ACT's stance on Māori, his past life with National, whether he's already eyeing the exit door, and if his depleted KiwiSaver balance is the real reason he entered the race.

Tamatha Paul - Green Party

Next to step up is Green MP and New Zealand activist Tamatha Paul.

Nickson grills Paul on her viral social media videos, taxing the super-rich, her thoughts on the capital as a former Wellington City Councillor, the Greens’ "situationship" with Labour, which politician she’d take to R&V, and more.

Shane Jones - NZ First

Then comes New Zealand First’s Shane Jones.

Nickson grills Jones on how he managed to land so many ministerial roles, mining on conservation land, being second-in-command to Winston Peters, whether he'd ever hit a music festival with Chlöe Swarbrick, and the ultimate dilemma: would he rather stop mining altogether, or attend Chris Hipkins' birthday?

Qiulae Wong - TOP

Next into the hot seat is one of the freshest faces in politics, Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong.

Nickson puts Wong through her paces, grilling her on why the party dropped 'The' and 'Party' from its name, why they still haven't cracked Parliament, which major party she'd actually prop up, tax reform, and if she's ever rewatched that infamous Jack Tame interrogation.

Chris Hipkins - The Labour Party

The man himself, Chris "Chippy" Hipkins, joins the table.

Nickson grills the Labour leader on his go-to chip flavours, the flaw behind the "Better Starts Now" slogan, his infamous sausage roll campaign diet, and that legendary Covid "spread your legs" slip-up. Plus, the ultimate ultimatum: would he rather form a coalition with Winston Peters, or flat with Christopher Luxon?

Oriini Kaipara - Te Pāti Māori

Te Pāti Māori MP and former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara takes the hot seat.

Nickson grills Kaipara on the party’s campaign strategy, whether she ever second-guessed joining, if she considered chasing wealth, and what constitutional transformation really means.

Paul Goldsmith - National

While Christopher Luxon is holding off from media at the moment, our final guest on the chopping block is Epsom-based List MP Paul Goldsmith from the National Party.

Nickson grills Goldsmith on what he actually tells people he does for a living, juggling his 11 ministerial portfolios, whether he’s Māori enough to be Treaty Negotiations Minister, and the nickname Shane Jones gave him.

We may be biased, but this might be the best thing we've seen this whole election campaign.

Huge pakipaki to you, Nickson!