Brooke van Velden: Workplace Relations Minister on the rift with NZ First over the Health and Safety overhaul
episodeTranscript
jump: chapters · speakers · find in transcriptTranscript
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What challenges are arising from the Health and Safety reforms?
So all of a sudden the government's health and safety reforms hit a speed bump, if not a roadblock. New Zealand First have decided they don't like it. Part of it's the Pike River rollbacks. Brooke Van Velden, of course, the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, is with us. Good morning.
Good morning, Mike.
Is this part of the problem of trying to push big stuff through late in your term and therefore someone's looking for a bit of attention and they might get it and all of a sudden you've got trouble?
Look, I think really what this points to is the fact that we've got three different parties in a coalition that has by and large been working quite well. But of course, you come at angles from a different perspective. Now, I can't really speak for New Zealand First and what their view is on the economy and actually reducing regulations that are holding us back. But I can speak for ACT, which is why we need a strong ACT in government. That actually stands up for the little guys doing it really tough in this economy who say, I'm sick of spending money on unnecessary compliance.
How is New Zealand First's stance affecting the legislation?
We want to keep people safe, but we don't know what we want to do. That's what I'm here to fix. And I note from yesterday's comments that the New Zealand First Party will be supporting it with tepid support. Yeah, who cares? But of course, you know.
But I mean, this is the crux of it. This is this is a headline going nowhere, isn't it? I mean, he signed a deal. He's a lawyer. He knows. Well, the deal's a deal. It's over, isn't it?
What is Brooke van Velden's perspective on coalition dynamics?
He will vote for it.
That is my understanding. You know, it's been discussed over the past two years at cabinet level. It's gone through the entire select committee process. The policy has been signed off. I agree. I'm not quite sure why this is read. Its head is an issue right at this point in time.
He's an attention seeker. You know that.
Yeah, but you know what? I can only really speak for ACT and ACT is actually here with our mission to try and make it better to do business in this economy and hire more staff.
What role does ACT play in the current political landscape?
And if we've actually got less compliance costs, more focus on the critical risks or things that will cause death and serious injury and not sweating the small stuff like posters saying, don't touch the hot water tap, that's a better direction for our economy. And that's what I'll keep focusing on. That's what ACT will be focusing on trying to get back into the next government too.
Good stuff. Nice to talk, Brooke Van Velden, Minister for Workplace Safety and Relations. What I'm looking for in this campaign, and I think it's futile, is some more adults in the room. Peters is playing games. I'm sick of people playing games. The conservation thing I'm on. Have you read the conservation thing? I've read the conservation thing. I read the conservation thing because I'm sick of these idiots who are telling you the heafy track's going to get sold off.
How does the conversation address compliance costs and safety?
Anyway, the upshot is if you read it. that's nothing of the sort. And so we need less of Winston, less of the noise, less of the headline-grabbing nonsense, and a few more adults in the room. Basically what the Winston thing is, he didn't do his homework, right? So when you've got a coalition deal, have a look at what ACT and New Zealand First and the National Party have agreed to, and then don't suddenly, because somebody comes to see you in your office whining, go, I know, I'm going to change my mind now. I mean, that's not how you run a country. For more from the Mike Hosking Breakfast, listen live to News Talk ZB from 6 a.m. weekdays or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
No segments match your search.
Select any passage to copy it with its citation or turn it into a shareable card.
Chapters
5 chapters
1
What challenges are arising from the Health and Safety reforms?
0:00–0:55
2
How is New Zealand First's stance affecting the legislation?
0:55–1:18
3
What is Brooke van Velden's perspective on coalition dynamics?
1:18–1:48
4
What role does ACT play in the current political landscape?
1:48–2:27
5
How does the conversation address compliance costs and safety?
2:27–3:05
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from The Mike Hosking Breakfast
Mike's Minute: The critical meeting for NZ Rugby today
Jenny Mitchell: Kiwi country musician on moving to Melbourne, touring with Kacey Chambers, new music
Jonathan D. Cohen: American Institute for Boys and Men Gambling Policy Lead on the rise of prediction markets and sports betting
Full Show Podcast: 24 September 2026
Anishka Jelicich: New Zealand Winegrowers CEO on wine exports exceeding $2 billion in the year to June
Elliott Smith: Newstalk ZB's Lead Rugby Commentator on the NZ Rugby Summit looking at how to cut outgoing costs