Labour wants Christopher Luxon to step in over Winston Peters’ comments on RNZ funding
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says it is time for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to step in after comments by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters about RNZ’s funding.
Meanwhile, ACT Party leader David Seymour has sought to downplay Peters’ remarks, pointing out the NZ First leader alone does not have the power to defund RNZ – that lies with Cabinet.
In a fiery interview on RNZ’s Morning Report show on Wednesday, Peters objected to questioning over his party’s proposal to define in law the term “woman” as “an adult human biological female” and “man” as an “adult human biological male”.
Towards the end of the interview, Peters accused the broadcaster of running the line of his opponents: “You’re paid for by the taxpayer and sooner or later we’re going to cut that water off too, because you’re an abuse on the taxpayer”.
The NZ First member’s bill is not government policy, and it will only be debated in Parliament if it is pulled at random from the ballot.
Winston has become unhinged, either through dementia or culture war froth.
His vile attack on RNZ alongside his deplorable threat to their funding as well as his abuse towards Corin Dann requires The Prime Minister to step in and reprimand Winston for threatening to defund RNZ…
Labour calls for PM to step in
Speaking to reporters at Parliament, Hipkins said it was unacceptable for a minister to threaten an independent media organisation’s funding because he objected to how he was being interviewed.
“Threatening a media entity that is statutorily independent, with cutting their funding because you don’t like the way you’re being interviewed is utterly unacceptable for any minister, even more unacceptable when that person happens to be the deputy prime minister.”
Hipkins said Peters’ comments were inconsistent with the Cabinet manual and contrary to the spirit and word of law governing RNZ.
“Ministers don’t have to participate meekly in an interview. If they don’t like the direction it’s going on, they’re absolutely entitled to push back on an interviewer,” Hipkins said.
“But where I think Winston Peters absolutely crosses a very bright line is where he says, because I don’t like the way you were interviewing me, we’re going to cut your funding.”
He said Luxon needed to enforce the expected standards of his ministers and “at the very least” make it clear to Peters that it should never happen again.
“Threatening to cut funding is a form of censorship. It is totally and utterly wrong.”
…the shock at how far Winston went wasn’t just political, it was across the media spectrum as well…
The interview began hot – and it didn’t really cool down. Unusually, it was Peters, the interviewee, and not Dann, the interviewer who asked the first question, with Peters inquiring at audio that played just prior to his interview.
Things went seriously awry in the second half of the interview, when Dann asked Peters what he thought about Labour and the Greens’ allegation that the bill was part of an imported culture war designed to distract from more pressing issues.
Peters looked past the fact that Labour and the Greens were the one making the attack, instead saying the question was “so typical” of RNZ.
Peters said: “The fact is, you’re paid for by the taxpayer and sooner or later we’re going to cut that water off too, because you’re an abuse on the taxpayer.
“You’re not hearing both sides of the story, you keep on putting the argument of the woke left. You’re a disgrace to the mainstream media.”
There are two things to pick apart here, first, and most importantly, did Peters err when he told Dann he would “cut that water [ie funding] off”?; and second, was Peters interviewed fairly?
On the first point, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins, having consulted RNZ’s governing legislation, thinks there is a case that Peters may have breached the law with the remarks.
“I believe those comments are contrary to both the spirit and the letter of the law when it comes to RNZ’s enabling legislation,” Hipkins said, adding they probably breached the Cabinet Manual too.
The Radio New Zealand Act has a whole section on what ministers aren’t allowed to do. It says ministers (including those not directly responsible for RNZ) cannot “give a direction to the public radio company … in respect of:
a) a particular programme or a particular allegation or a particular complaint; or
b) the gathering or presentation of news or the preparation or presentation of current affairs programmes; or
c) the responsibility of the company for programme standards.”
Peters’ remarks would seem to fly against this – and he did seem to have a very clear idea about how he would like RNZ, Morning Report, or Corin Dann to conduct their work.
“Your job is to be an interviewer, your job is when you have me on, you hear what we’ve got to say, when the Greens are on, you hear what they’ve got to say, when the National Party’s on you hear what they’ve got to say, but not you – when it’s our turn you’re interjecting all the time when they come on it’s a very placid lovely interview, isn’t it?,” Peters said.
Peters may argue that he was simply giving his own opinion about how journalism might best be practised – any politician, after all can have a view on anything.
But you could equally argue that that statement reads a lot like a direction from a minister (the Acting Prime Minister no less) to the state broadcaster of the kind the Act does not allow.
At first blush, they seem far more serious than the comments that landed Labour Minister Kiritapu Allan in hot water in 2023 – and those made by Willie Jackson about TVNZ the same year (both issued apologies for the remarks).
The comments about a funding cut were not a direct threat, but anyone at RNZ listening to the interview could easily infer that if Peters didn’t like what he was hearing, the broadcaster might have its funding reduced.
On to the second issue, whether the interview was fair.
In my view, it was.
…Corin Dann is one of the most straight bat journalists we have, accusing him of bias and abusing him is bullshit, it’s the antics of a drunk uncle being a prick.
The hypocrisy of Winston’s pearl clutching over ‘bussy’, while he is threatening to cut funding to the journalists asking him valid questions on his vile policy is so enormous, Shane Jones will be advocating to fast track mine it!
Culture War Winston’s attack on RNZ as ugly as his attack on Trans people and Tracy Martin!
Let’s not forget this demand to define woman is driven by culture war froth, not any real threat and it’s a naked attempt to erase Trans people.
Let’s also not forget the disgusting manner in which Winston threw the ever brilliant Tracey Martin under the bus…
Tracey Martin hits back at Winston Peters after fiery RNZ interview
…you may hate trans people with the level of derangement that NZF Hate Troll Rhys Williams does, but who in NZF would actively shit on the mana of the mighty Tracey Martin?
Hold your heads in shame that the culture war virus has taken over the once proud NZFirst.
Ugh.
David Seymour’s assurance that Winston can’t cut RNZ funding because Paul Goldsmith is the Minister is like being reassured you don’t have to worry about Lord Voldemort because the Death Star will be taking care of your problem.
This is hateful abuse from a Politician called out on his Transphobia for political gain stunt.
Winston threatened to cut RNZ funding because he was asked hard questions about a spiteful political stunt. If you are seriously cheering this, you have mutated into something very dark and you need to have a cup of tea and a lie down.
This isn’t normal.
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RNZ should have been defunded years ago, why any National government didn’t cut all funding is a mystery.
It’s not called Red Radio for nothing, National government pay them taxpayers money to run hit pieces on them at every opportunity, I can understand why Labour want to increase their funding, it’s an arm of the Labour party.
You don’t have any friends, do you?
The Blue NZ Herald will soak up the funding. National want to increase their funding, alongside Blue Newstalk ZB Radio, it’s an arm of the Labour party.
You have lost touch with reality, while RNZ has problems being socialist is not one of them, maybe you should get your ears (or the gap between them) checked as you obviously only hear (or read) what you want to hear or see. Winston is a conman from way back who is long past having anything useful to contribute. I support the fact that there’s only male and female mammals but I object to politicians who make that the main issue while they are destroying the country with their corruption on behalf of their supporters.
what a crock of shit
” It’s not called Red Radio for nothing ”
RNZ’s Editor in chief and chief executive Paul Thompson was appointed by Stephen Joyce , remember him ?
Paul Thompson would disagree.
Your perception doesn’t fit with reality.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/04/21/mediawatch-why-is-rnz-promoting-taxpayers-union-propaganda/
SSAF Don’t put things like facts in front of I’m Wrong and Bob the liar as they will have a meltdown.
They get get their information from Blue Conspiracy Radio, reality check. They are about as authentic as Destiny is a church.
Haahaa, triggered snowflake?
Yes, I see I triggered you tighty Im not righty snowflake.
You not understand the use of a question mark I see squeaky, turns a comment into a question.
Seems you didn’t spend much time in school.
I’m a man of truth and honesty not to mention integrity, I will have you know Squeak.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha who do you think you are kidding mr fart if you think we can’t smell you’re shite
Yes Steven Joyce who used his position as minister, to subsidize the string of loss making radio stations he had recently sold, to the tune of 40 million.
Red Radio! Crap, when it is announced on air as “Radio New Zealand….National”
I’m Right you are complete dick.
” I’m Right you are complete dick ”
I second that.
I don’t like National, ACT or NZ First so can we get of them since my tax dollars pay them?
RNZ is conservatism on a stick. if you think RNZ is somehow progressive with state funding and “leftie” programming you have no idea.
The Fred Flintstone of NZ politics is at it again–Winston’s recent outbursts are likely a mixture of age related brain scramble and his own form of Trumpiness. 80 year olds talking about woke?
Peters and his rotten little party have been a blight on NZ politics for far too long and it will be good to see the back of them–which will happen due to demographic change.
Good thing TM but I can’t wait patiently. Old people can turn cranky and it is said that their blood turns to vinegar. But they cling onto power and being kindly, they possibly think they have superior wisdom and ability than younger, but in fact their wisdom becomes more pared down until it’s just a tough coat of wiliness that only a wrecking ball will dismantle fracture.
So we need to change the rules about politics, those beneath age 25 must sit short uni papers on set subjects and get passing grade in all, and the study must be done in NZAO. The older ones also need to do same study once they are past age 70, and if sitting MPs this will still apply, so they will have to step down until they achieve passing grade.. That’ll end up with us having the wisest, machiavellian types we can wish for!
And also advertising and promotion for elections will be limited for amount of money spent, amount of time allotted, and the sites be declared and controlled, and all donations must be declared large or small, except $9!
Euthanasia for Peters and his party?
Not much is ‘normal’ at present, but then Winston’s antics are par for the course with this coalition of chaos and its low quality participants and is just living up to its ever growing reputation as the worst excuse for a govt in at least 50 years.
Winston is of course, as usual, correct.
Incorrect, as usual, both you and Winston. Tracey Martin however has called Peters lies out.
Winston is loosing his marbles
Trump has lost his
And Luxon is just plain piss weak .
RNZ and Trans must be rife with Greyhound owners?
WINSTON
“You’re paid for by the taxpayer and sooner or later we’re going to cut that water off too, because you’re an abuse on the taxpayer”.
A pause, a long pause.
‘ Oh just a minute – which one of us am I talking about?’
“Imported culture war” says Chloe. And prithee tell, who imported it?
Peters with his woke arse right wing snowflake shit. Boring. It’s all about the sport and betting industry if you ask me. the Trans Blacks. lol
Yes Steven Joyce who used his position as minister, to subsidize the string of loss making radio stations he had recently sold, to the tune of 40 million.
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