The COVID-19 Royal Commission phase two report has landed, and Duncan Garner says it makes for incredibly uncomfortable reading for anyone thinking of voting for Chris Hipkins again. The report confirms that major decisions, including mandates affecting children and the extension of extraordinary powers, were made despite warnings from experts. Duncan asks why there is so little accountability when the architects of these policies have moved on to comfortable new roles while the rest of New Zealand deals with the economic hangover and a mountain of debt.
We also look at the brutal reality of the New Zealand housing market and the cost of living crisis. Duncan shares a letter from Isabella, a 28-year-old accountant earning $121,000 a year who still cannot afford to buy a home in Wellington. It is a sobering look at how much costs have exploded and why so many young Kiwis are looking at Australia just to get ahead.
00:00:00 Welcome to Duncan Garner Editor-in-Chief
00:01:00 The COVID Royal Commission Phase Two Report
00:03:00 Lack of accountability for pandemic architects
00:05:00 The struggle to get ahead in New Zealand
00:06:00 $121k salary and still locked out of housing
00:08:00 How to support the podcast
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Duncan Garner Podcast: After 30 years of fronting other people’s brands across TV, radio, and newspapers, I am finally in charge.