Duncan Garner - Editor In Chief

Slam Dunc S2E16 - Why does NZ struggle to respect vital workers?

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Large sections of our critical healthcare workforce are expected to essentially work for free while they are 'training'. It is referred to as 'placeme...

Fighting 'placement poverty' in New Zealand's critical sectors

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Faced with the stark decision of nourishing her dreams or her stomach, Bex made the gut-wrenching choice to step away from her social work program. He...

Slam Dunc S2E15 - My part in the selling of 500k cream horns..

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you have listened to this podcast, my radio shows before this, or the AM Show before that, you may have heard me mention a place called Viv's Kitch...

A Wave of Change: Water safety in New Zealand with Daniel Gerrard

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock the secrets of staying safe in the water with Daniel Gerrard, the Chief Executive of Water Safety New Zealand, as we tackle the harrowing stati...

Slam Dunc S2E14 - First home buyers in NZ continue to get shafted

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I think you may consider this Slam Dunc to be my most sceptical and cynical yet, as I draw on 30 years of seeing how the housing decision makers screw...

'The Week That Was' - a housing special with the team from Valocity

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

'The Week That Was' this week is something a bit special. I am joined by not one, not two but three of the smartest housing brains in the business as ...

Slam Dunc S2E13 - I think this is a cry for help

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The amount of time our kids are spending on their devices, their phones in particular, is reaching epidemic levels.  The research data from the expe...

Cassie Roma on advocacy, acceptance and PRIDE in the LGBTQ+ community

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My heart swelled with pride as I reconnected with Cassie Roma, an American Kiwi whose advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community knows no bounds. During her re...

Slam Dunc S2E12 - Is the government cutting crucial funding?

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

DGEIC has learned that it appears the government is cutting critical and crucial funding in the science area. DGEIC would like to know why..., Learn ...

Addressing the challenges of New Zealand's aging population: Housing, social connection, and elder abuse

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the untold challenges and opportunities within New Zealand's aging population, as Karen Billings-Jensen from Age Concern joins us for an enli...

Slam Dunc S2 E11 - Luxon's policies have unified Maori

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s policies have unified Maori as a group of people for the first time in 30 years. He agreed to opening up a tinde...

From boardroom to base camp: Redefining boundaries with Robert Bruce

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's something incredibly humbling about standing at the foot of the world's tallest peak, feeling the bite of the cold Himalayan air and knowing y...

Slam Dunc S2E10 - James, Chloe and the Green Party leadership

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So James is going and Chloe has thrown her hat into the Green Party leadership ring. She seems the natural choice - if not now for her, then when? Bu...

'The Week That Was' with Efeso Collins and Michelle Dickinson

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The great guests on 'The Week That Was' continue as this week I am joined by former Auckland mayoral candidate and current Green Party MP Efeso Collin...

Slam Dunc S2E9 - Kiwis are too accepting of shabby management of our public assets

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In places like Europe and South America the people rise up and protest when those in power abuse their positions, or let public infrastructure and ass...

From gangs to the dark web: The changing face of drug use in New Zealand with Chris Wilkins

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is an in depth look at our drug landscape with associate professor Chris Wilkins, lead researcher of a ground-breaking survey of 13,000 d...

Slam Dunc S2E8 - Are the council jobsworths ruining a perfectly good city?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As it stands Auckland city is a dog. The downtown is an international embarrassment with a mix of undesirables that the council does nothing about, pr...

New year new Mumsy?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My dear mother continues to get almost as much fan mail as I do, so I thought I would get her on the poddy again to check in with her at the beginning...

Slam Dunc S2E7 - The better life across the ditch?

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over the weekend my son and his mates said goodbye to a good friend. His family were heading across the Tasman chasing the promise of a better life an...

Confronting New Zealand's family violence crisis: A deep dive with Ang Jury of Women's Refuge

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine a New Zealand free from the dark shadow of family violence. This episode promises to take you through a landscape of hope and transformation, ...

Slam Dunc S2E6 - Investing in roading infrastructure is still as important as ever

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Despite all the talk of climate change and ditching gas guzzling cars, electric cars still need good roads, and our future is a mix of all transport o...

Rebirth and resilience: Overcoming the prisoner's past

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embark on a transformative journey with Api, a man whose story is a powerful testament to overcoming a past riddled with crime. Following his release ...

Slam Dunc S2E5 - Middle aged men and our approach to water safety

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Men aged over 45 made up 60 percent of the 90 preventable drownings in New Zealand in 2023. Last night I got a first-hand glimpse as to why this is t...

'The Week That Was' with Melodie Robinson and Lloyd Burr

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the first panel of the year I am joined by a couple of outstanding broadcasters, who also happen to be a couple of my favourite people. New AM hos...

Slam Dunc S2E4 - The mysterious case of the $500k pedestrian crossings

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It doesn't happen often but today I find myself wholeheartedly agreeing with Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. Why on earth does it cost $500k to build a p...

Nathan Fa'avae: Adventure sports legend and pioneering food entrepreneur

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embark on a captivating journey with Nathan Fa'avae, an adventure sports icon whose three-decade career is nothing short of legendary. From the starti...

Slam Dunc S2E3 - The govt and maori: what is fake and where is the focus?

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial Intelligence is getting better by the hour. Just ask Christopher Luxon and Simon Gault, recent high-profile victims of A.I created clips. ...

Fostering period positivity and eco-conscious period solutions

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock the secrets to a greener, more mindful approach to menstruation with Kylie Matthews, the COO of AWWA Period Care, as your guide. Every word wit...

Slam Dunc S2E2 - Let's not ban driving on beaches

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst what happened recently with the young person dying after being involved in an accident while driving on Muriwai beach was tragic, I hope it doe...

Starting fresh: Overcoming post-holiday blues and embracing change

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Banish those post-holiday blues and turn career contemplation into action with guidance from clinical psychologist Dougal Sutherland. In this episode,...

Slam Dunc S2E1 - National v Maori, Golriz & her mental health, and the 'cycle of life'

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Slam Dunc returns for 2024 with a bumper edition, and there has been plenty to get stuck in to... National, Maori and white supremacy? Golriz, ...

DGEIC is back for a new 2024 season!

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hi folks, it's your favourite Editor-in-Chief returning for a new year and a brand new season (apparently I have seasons now...) Expect more of the s...

Slam Dunc #159 - The end of an emotional year

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I think I've shed more tears this year than any other one I can remember. I began the year doing my dream job, and ended it having made 159 podcast e...

'The Year That Was' with Mikey Havoc and Marie Dyhrberg

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A special panel to wrap up the first season of DGEIC where I'm joined by two of my absolute favourites to review the year that was and to look ahead t...

Slam Dunc #158 - The 'payback' mini-budget

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis has so far been mostly impressive in her new role as Finance Minister. Today she delivered the so-called 'mini budget', where she has f...

Celebrating our frontline heroes: A tribute to emergency service workers and the power of community support

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the holiday spirit fills the air, our thoughts turn to those who forgo the festivities to keep us safe. This episode is a tribute to the emergency ...

Slam Dunc #157 - We need to get better at celebrating success in New Zealand

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My old school, Westlake Boys High, have won rugby’s World Schools Festival in Thailand. I'm so pleased for them but in New Zealand we can sometimes ...

You asked and we delivered; Mumsy is back

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mumsy gets nearly as much fan mail as we do, so it only seemed right to get her back in the studio one last time this year. How has her year been, wh...

Slam Dunc #156 - Nicola Willis, Grant Robertson and 'the numbers' - where is the Auditor General?

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nicola Willis is doing what every incoming government does and that is to trash the reputation of the previous government. She is basically saying the...

Demanding better: The fight for disability rights and accountability

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Casey is a mother whose fortitude is tried and tested to it's limits as she fights for the rights of her two-year-old son, Wolf. Born prematurely and ...

Slam Dunc #155 - Fair pay or fair enough?

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the last things the last government did was to bring in fair pay agreements. One of the first things the new government has done is to repeal ...

'The Week That Was' with Nickson Clark and Leah Panapa

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the penultimate 'Week That Was' panel for the year I'm joined by The Edge afternoon host, and greenskeeper, Nickson Clark, and radio royalty Leah P...

Slam Dunc #154 - What to do with the Cook Strait ferries?

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The new government has said 'no thanks' to KiwiRail’s request for an extra $1.47 billion for infrastructure needed for Cook Strait’s new mega-ferr...

A chat with the next generation: The world according to my 13yo son and his mates

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When I was their age, my biggest concerns were probably what toy I wanted for my birthday or how much more time I could spare to play outside before s...

Slam Dunc #153 - Prime Minister Winston Peters...

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At 79 a lot of men are spending their pension, getting a funeral plan sorted, wearing the same cords for the third straight day and playing indoor fak...

Feeding New Zealand: The story behind the 'Meat The Need' telethon

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to feel inspired and make a difference? Join me for a heartening conversation with Wayne Langford, the driving force behind the life-changing 'M...

Slam Dunc #152 - The two Luxons vs the mobilising Maori

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It seems to me there are two distinctly different Christopher Luxons - Private Chris and Public Chris. Either way, one of the Luxons needs to guide h...

Mastering stress-free productivity with Nat Milne

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Step into the shoes of Nat Milne, a successful businesswoman who has cracked the code to stress-free productivity. This episode is your golden ticket ...

Slam Dunc #151 - Xmas may not be so merry this year

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've been saying this a fair bit recently but this has been a tough year for many of us. And unfortunately next year may not see much improvement. S...

Innovations and stigmas in addiction support

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with River Paton from Pivot by Explore, a holistic alcohol, drug, and wellbeing service. We explore Pivot's un...

Slam Dunc #150 - Today I am a proud, but concerned, Dad

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am full of fatherly pride. But I am also concerned we are in danger of being divided along 'iwi versus Kiwi' lines. Learn more about your ad c...

'The Week That Was' with Mark Sainsbury and Wilhelmina Shrimpton

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm joined by a couple of broadcasting legends for this weeks panel. Men's health campaigner Mark Sainsbury and founder & director at Wils & Co Media ...

Slam Dunc #149 - A cyberattack warning for us all to heed

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This could happen to any of us. Kiwi covers band 'The Pink Floyd Experience' recently lost everything to hackers. Their business, social media pages,...

The impact of identity theft: A rock bands saga

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have all heard about hackers stealing identities, but have you ever wondered how it impacts individuals and businesses on a professional and person...

Slam Dunc #148 - I'm no longer the alpha male

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There comes a time in a fathers life when he just has to admit that his son now has the wood on him. I have been putting off owning up to it, but for ...

Changing lives: The "I Have a Dream" story

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever been punched in the gut by a societal issue? That's how it feels tackling the lack of wrap-around services for underprivileged children in our co...

Slam Dunc #147 - Nice try Christoper Luxon...

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The government is softening us up for changes in their so-called 'mini budget'. But what did I hear in Christopher Luxon's announcement yesterday?  ...

Understanding New Zealand's gang culture with Jarrod Gilbert

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Discover a world that lies under the radar yet influences society in profound ways. Renowned gang researcher, Jarrod Gilbert, takes us on a journey in...

Slam Dunc #146 - Repealing the smoking laws: the saga continues..

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Still the story rages on, and the more the Government explains the dumping of our smoke free laws to pay for tax cuts, the more they sound like they'r...

Championing children's rights with Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I sit down with the newly appointed Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, for an important conversation on children's rights...

Slam Dunc #145 - Surviving the staff Xmas Party..

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tis the season for socialising with work colleagues. Here is your old mate EIC's advice to survive, and thrive, at the staff Xmas party... Learn more ...

'The Week That Was' with Simon Pound and Mel Homer

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

My guests this week are partner at Previously Unavailable, co founder of Ingrid Starnes and host of ‘Business is Boring’ podcast Simon Pound, and ...

Slam Dunc #144 - Why I feel sorry for Tory Whanau

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has come out and admitted she has a problem with alcohol. Why people feel the need to film public figures living their s...

Peter Montgomery: Sailing, broadcasting, and heartbreaking loss

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join me for an intimate journey with one of my all-time favourite broadcasters, the legendary PJ Montgomery. Peter sheds light on the personal and pr...

Slam Dunc #143 - The new government's disgraceful u-turn on smoking

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I find it extraordinary that in 2023 I'm even saying something like this but has this new government traded peoples lives in order to fund tax cuts fo...

Sam Stubbs: Revolutionising New Zealand's approach to housing and investment

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Simplicity founder Sam Stubbs is wanting to change the way New Zealander's look at housing, and investing in infrastructure in general.  In this epi...

Slam Dunc #142 - Accepting and embracing our differences

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gay or straight, black or white, big or small - human beings are all different. I have no time for people or organisations who marginalise or discrim...

Empathy, acceptance, and advocacy: Robert Rakete & Jeanette Thomas on parenting transgender children

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered what it's like to raise a transgender child? As well as being cohosts on The Breeze radio station, Robert Rakete and Jeanette Thomas are...

Kamahl Santamaria on his mental health

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Warning: The following content includes discussions about suicidal thoughts that may cause emotional distress. In this Editor-in-Chief discussion, Ka...

An exclusive interview with controversial journalist Kamahl Santamaria

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In his first public interview in 18 months controversial journalist Kamahl Santamaria sits down with the Editor in Chief to tell his side of the story...

Slam Dunc #140 - Christopher from marketing gets to work

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mr Outcomes has finally wrangled his coalition partners into a hopefully cohesive government. But now the real work starts, and the country waits wit...

'The Week That Was' with Simon Bridges and Carmen Vicelich

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

She was a lively old 'Week That Was' panel today! I was joined by Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Simon Bridges and Founder and CE...

Slam Dunc #139 - Deputy PM; David vs Goliath

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the coalition negotiations finally seem to be drawing to a close, the most significant sticking point seems to be who will be Deputy Prime Minister...

Pio Terei on cultural crossroads, parenthood and more

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us on this candid journey with Pio Terei, a revered comedian, actor, and two-decade veteran at The Parenting Place. With a twinkle in his eye and...

Slam Dunc #138 - The rape and pillaging of our fishing stocks

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It feels like we have been discussing and debating this for years and yet here we are in 2023 and we still have a problem with destructive and unsusta...

The overfishing crisis: New Zealand's marine dilemma

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we navigate New Zealand's troubled fishing waters with Sam Woolford from LegaSea. Sam gives us a harrowing look at the devastating imp...

Slam Dunc #137 - MFAT and te reo Maori..

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MFAT is a ministry usually too scared to make any decision unless it’s made for them. So why does it appear they are looking at removing te reo Mao...

Breaking free from the Brethren: Craig Hoyle's incredible story

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're pulling back the curtain on the exclusive religious sect known as the Exclusive Brethren with our guest, Craig Hoyle, author of the new bestsell...

Slam Dunc #136 - Coalitions and media moanings

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the coalition negotiations continue I wonder whether some in the media are paying too much attention to the length of time it is taking. Does the ...

Exploring the cosmos with Rocket Lab Founder, Peter Beck

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered how a tool and die maker apprentice from New Zealand ended up launching rockets into space and competing with the likes of Jeff Bezos an...

Slam Dunc #135 - Why I'm getting better at sleeping

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm an 'active relaxer'. I struggle to sit still for too long. I like doing stuff. This has traditionally meant that I've not been great at getting a...

'The Week That Was' with Graeme Hill and Petra Bagust

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I'm joined by not only two great New Zealander's but two of our best broadcasters. Graeme Hill, who has branched out into avocados, and Petr...

Slam Dunk #134 - Bank profits in New Zealand

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you bank locally? Or are you, like the vast majority of Kiwis, with one of the big four Australian-owned banks? It's reporting season for bank pro...

Boxing rings and boardrooms: The Dean Lonergan story

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for an inspiring chat with Dean Lonergan, the hard-working Kiwi league player and entrepreneur who has tasted both success and failure in equa...

Slam Dunc #133 - What coalition government?

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm filing a missing report with the police today. One coalition government - have you seen it? For some so supposedly driven by outcomes, Christophe...

Online thrifting: Conscious consumerism with Wendy Quach

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Remember the sheer joy of discovering a hidden gem in a thrift store? Our guest today, Wendy Quach, founder of '& Again', has transformed that experie...

Slam Dunc #132 What our kids are seeing online: the disturbing reality

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So many of our under 12yo's have access to devices that can quickly and easily get them online. Once there they are at the mercy of the 'wild west' th...

Protecting our children: A call to arms against online exploitation

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The online world is a wild west, where our children are exposed to unspeakable acts of depravity. From real rape scenes to animal bestiality, the onli...

Slam Dunc #131 - Against Paul Henry's advice, I meet a listener...

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Legendary broadcaster Paul Henry once offered me some sage advice around meeting your fans/listeners. Don't do it, they're bound to be crazy. With th...

Travelling alone in your 70's: Mumsy's tale..

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Due to illness, Mumsy found herself minus her travelling partner on the eve of a big trip to Europe. In your 70's this can be a worrying situation, bu...

Slam Dunc #130 - My advice to Nice Guy Chippy

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Labour are quietly melting down while the eyes of the nation are for the most part on the other team. The big loser in all this? Nice Guy Chippy.. Le...

'The Week That Was' with Rawdon Christie and Marie Dyhrberg

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the 'Week That Was' today I'm joined by a GC and a KC - former breakfast tv host turned real estate guru Rawdon Christie, and criminal defence lawy...

Slam Dunc #129 - And still a little country waits...

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher. David. Winston. One hopes they are furiously beavering away behind the scenes to form a government as quickly as possible. But one is no...

Habitat for Humanity: 30 years of housing those in need

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I sit down with Alan Thorp from Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, a man who has spent over half his life committed to providing affordable hous...

Slam Dunc #128 - Media is doing it tough and you could be next

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Media companies are often some of the first to feel the pinch when times are tough and other businesses pull back on 'discretionary spending' such as ...

Bird of the Century and the conservation challenges in New Zealand

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this compelling conversation, I am joined by Nicola Toki from Forest and Bird.  While Forest & Bird turns 100 this year, the 'Bird of the Year' c...

Slam Dunc #127 - The alarming truth about nursing in NZ

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On todays podcast episode Amanda (not her real name) spoke openly and honestly about why she quit nursing after loving it for 20 years. If alarm bell...

Unmasking healthcare woes: From veteran nurse to courageous whistleblower

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was taken aback when I first heard the nerve-racking stories of Amanda, a 20-year veteran in nursing who courageously decided to walk away from her ...

Slam Dunc #126 - So Winston is once again kingmaker..

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Luxon now finds himself with a tricky balancing act on his hands. On one side you have the wiley old kingmaker Winston Peters, while on th...

Understanding debt: A fresh perspective on collection and management

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drawing from his own experiences of growing up in a single parent household struggling with debt, Mark Francis, the executive general manager of DebtM...