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Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

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...

John MacDonald: Is the PM missing his moment?

4 mins; March 29, 2026

John MacDonald: Is this the end of Hipkins' election chances?

3 mins; March 26, 2026

Politics Friday: Reuben Davidson and Stuart Smith on Hipkins, Fuel, and the new Stadium

21 mins; March 26, 2026

"We're really pleased" Stadium Constructor CEO on the completion of One New Zealand Stadium

12 mins; March 26, 2026

John MacDonald: The Red Sea precedent NZ can't ignore

4 mins; March 25, 2026

Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on Fuel Impacts, the Councils Satisfaction survey and the opening of One NZ Stadium

8 mins; March 25, 2026

John MacDonald: Targeted approach to fuel prices misses the mark

3 mins; March 24, 2026

John MacDonald: Govt should be talking about more than just fuel supplies

4 mins; March 23, 2026

John MacDonald: The fairest way for businesses to recoup fuel costs

4 mins; March 22, 2026

John MacDonald: Fuel relief plan is focusing on the wrong people

3 mins; March 19, 2026

Liam Dann: NZ Herald Business Editor on the GDP growing by 0.2%

5 mins; March 18, 2026

John MacDonald: ANZAC force - are we biting off more than we can chew?

3 mins; March 18, 2026

John MacDonald: Food prices are one thing we can't blame on politicians

3 mins; March 17, 2026

Chris Hipkins on his Ex-wife's Social Media posts, Rising food and fuel prices

10 mins; March 17, 2026

John MacDonald: Are my views on EVs changing at all?

5 mins; March 16, 2026

John MacDonald: The COVID toilet paper rush was OTT and so is this

4 mins; March 15, 2026

John MacDonald: The only way to stop the tanks running dry

4 mins; March 12, 2026

Politics Friday: Hamish Campbell and Tracey McLellan on the Covid inquiry, Christ Church Cathedral, and Car-less days

20 mins; March 12, 2026

John MacDonald: Buying NZ made has never been so important

4 mins; March 11, 2026

Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor on his Wastewater plan, Cathedral Square Revitalisation, and Dux de Lux funding

9 mins; March 11, 2026

John MacDonald: Covid report has something for everyone

5 mins; March 10, 2026

John MacDonald: Now is not the time to cut fuel taxes

4 mins; March 09, 2026

John MacDonald: The main reason Luxon should stay

4 mins; March 08, 2026

John MacDonald: Social media ban gets no likes from me

4 mins; March 05, 2026

Politics Friday with Vanessa Weenink and Tracey McLellan: Iran, Social Media bans, and Dux de Lux

19 mins; March 05, 2026

John MacDonald: What happened to our 1980s foreign policy mojo?

4 mins; March 03, 2026

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Iran strikes, GP costs, and bootcamps restarting

12 mins; March 03, 2026

John MacDonald: This idea to fix Chch's stink problem stinks

4 mins; March 02, 2026

John MacDonald: Fighting over Government statements won't bring peace

4 mins; March 01, 2026

John MacDonald: We should be shouting from the rooftops about solar

4 mins; February 23, 2026

John MacDonald: This could be exactly what the monarchy needs

4 mins; February 19, 2026

Politics Friday with Matt Doocey and Megan Woods: Infrastructure, The English language, and Earthquake reflections

20 mins; February 19, 2026

John MacDonald: Spend more money? Tell him he's dreaming

4 mins; February 18, 2026

Bic Runga: Sway singer joins John MacDonald with new music after fifteen years ahead of her homecoming show in March

13 mins; February 18, 2026

John MacDonald: The Infrastructure Commission is talking my language

4 mins; February 17, 2026

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Infrastructure Report, Kiwisaver, and NZ Firsts rise in the polls

11 mins; February 17, 2026

John MacDonald: The rise and rise of NZ First

4 mins; February 16, 2026

John MacDonald: Less government ministers and departments? Easier said than done

4 mins; February 15, 2026

Politics Friday: Vanessa Weenick and Tracey McLellan on Māori Electorates, Liquid Gas, and more

18 mins; February 13, 2026

John MacDonald: Everyone should pay their way at Chch's new stadium

4 mins; February 12, 2026

John MacDonald: Reserve Bank inquiry not political? Pull the other one

4 mins; February 11, 2026

John MacDonald: It's not just students from India we should be talking about

4 mins; February 10, 2026

Matthew Hague: Lawyer and former police officer says couple who found $200k in their ceiling should keep it

4 mins; February 09, 2026

John MacDonald: Importing gas isn't great - but it has to happen

4 mins; February 09, 2026

John MacDonald: Would paying people more fix the jury system?

4 mins; February 08, 2026

John MacDonald: My question to you about the economy

4 mins; February 04, 2026

John MacDonald: There's no way less testing will mean safer driving

3 mins; February 03, 2026

John MacDonald: When did toilet-trained 5-year-olds become too much to expect?

4 mins; February 02, 2026

John MacDonald: Who cares about a criminal's "good character"?

4 mins; February 01, 2026

John MacDonald: Christchurch's seven-year stench

3 mins; January 29, 2026

John MacDonald: Why haven't we learned from our landslide history?

4 mins; January 25, 2026

John MacDonald: The ACC change that is long overdue

3 mins; January 22, 2026

John MacDonald: Hey Labour, don't tell us you've changed - show us you've changed

4 mins; January 21, 2026

Phil Goff: former Mayor of Auckland dismisses rates caps as 'pure politics'

7 mins; January 20, 2026

John MacDonald: Rate caps won't make a difference

4 mins; January 20, 2026

John MacDonald: What the PM should have said about the retirement age

3 mins; January 19, 2026

John MacDonald: Pharmac funding weight-loss drugs is a no-brainer

3 mins; January 18, 2026

John MacDonald: Are we ready to accept the truth about NZ Super?

4 mins; December 16, 2025

John MacDonald: What needs to happen because of our terrorism complacency

4 mins; December 15, 2025

John MacDonald: Another kick in the guts for our volunteer firefighters

4 mins; December 11, 2025

John MacDonald: You won't get me liking any social media ban

4 mins; December 10, 2025

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the debate between Nicola Willis, Taxpayers' Union, Andrew Coster

11 mins; December 09, 2025

John MacDonald: Your house is going to be your castle again

4 mins; December 09, 2025

John MacDonald: You can't put alcohol violence down to marketing

4 mins; December 08, 2025

John MacDonald: The Eagle has landed in Chch and should stay

4 mins; December 04, 2025

John MacDonald: Don't dismiss the Christchurch supercity idea

4 mins; December 02, 2025

John MacDonald: Rates caps are a placebo policy

4 mins; December 01, 2025

John MacDonald: Is Christchurch ready for a red zone re-think?

4 mins; November 30, 2025

John MacDonald: 46 years and we still can't get the Erebus memorial decision right

4 mins; November 27, 2025

John MacDonald: Who can we believe about nitrates in the water?

4 mins; November 26, 2025

John MacDonald: The alternative to ditching regional councils

4 mins; November 25, 2025

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on Christchurch City Council becoming the consenting authority for supermarkets, Environment Canterbury, KiwiSaver

15 mins; November 25, 2025

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on regional council reforms, KiwiSaver, relationship with NZ First

9 mins; November 25, 2025

John MacDonald: Reasons to be nervous about the Govt's building changes

5 mins; November 24, 2025

John MacDonald: We need to go further with Kiwisaver

4 mins; November 23, 2025

Politics Friday with Duncan Webb and Matt Doocey: Prison numbers, Winston Peters and the Regulatory Standards Act, Pike River charges

18 mins; November 20, 2025

John MacDonald: Lessons for the future from the ferry deal

5 mins; November 19, 2025

Phil Mauger: Christchurch Mayor talks housing intensification, Maidstone Rd and Glandovey Rd, Avon-Heathcote Tidal Barrier

12 mins; November 19, 2025

John MacDonald: I'm paying attention to BusinessNZ, I hope you are too

4 mins; November 18, 2025

John MacDonald: Is the EV bubble about to burst?

4 mins; November 17, 2025

Sir David Carter: Canterbury A&P Association Chair on the Canterbury A&P Show returning for 2025

15 mins; November 12, 2025

John MacDonald: In terms of scandals, this one is right up there

6 mins; November 11, 2025

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on IPCA report on McSkimming and Coster, Te Pati Māori, gun law changes

10 mins; November 11, 2025

John MacDonald: Housing intensification is the future

5 mins; November 10, 2025

Matt Cross: Race Caller previews the 2025 NZ Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway

7 mins; November 10, 2025

John MacDonald: I'm meh about the meth plan. But at least it's something.

5 mins; November 09, 2025

John MacDonald: Money for restaurant reviewers, but not for Lifeline

4 mins; November 06, 2025

Politics Friday with Reuben Davidson and Matt Doocey: Lifelife, homelessness, sick leave, Fire and Emergency restructuring

20 mins; November 06, 2025

John MacDonald: Does taking more sick leave mean we're sicker or slacker?

4 mins; November 05, 2025

John MacDonald: Is this really the best way to deal with rough sleepers?

5 mins; November 04, 2025

John MacDonald: Netball's woes are more than just hoopla

4 mins; November 02, 2025

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on Prince Andrew being stripped of titles

12 mins; October 30, 2025

John MacDonald: Employers should be able to hire whoever they want

4 mins; October 29, 2025

John MacDonald: Do we need more MPs?

4 mins; October 28, 2025

Chris Hipkins: Labour leader reviews the latest in politics with John MacDonald

10 mins; October 28, 2025

John MacDonald: Another ham-fisted announcement from the Labour Party

4 mins; October 27, 2025

Politics Friday with Vanessa Weenink and Tracey McLellan: State of emergency, mega-strike, home economics, Netball NZ, Labour future funding

20 mins; October 23, 2025

John MacDonald: Who forgot to press "send" on the emergency mobile alert?

4 mins; October 23, 2025

James Thompson: Canterbury Civil Defence Controller updates the region ahead of damaging storm

3 mins; October 22, 2025

Dan Gordon: Waimakariri Mayor gives updates on storm preparation and damage in the area

4 mins; October 22, 2025

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Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

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