Raw Politics: Things get dirty

This week on the Raw Politics podcast: Are dirty politics happening before our eyes? Bouquets and brickbats for Parliament; and the Hager book assessed

How big a deal for voters is the latest string of misleading, dirty and sometimes AI-generated attacks from across the political spectrum? And might they backfire?

Today, the Raw Politics panel discusses false claims, out-of-context footage, AI slop and campaign disinformation which is happening even before we get into the official election campaign period

Join senior political reporter Marc Daalder and associate editor Sam Sachdeva at Parliament and Newsroom co-editor Tim Murphy in Auckland as the panel asks if two examples of ads that National has been pulled up on, and ongoing allegations between parties, matter at the ballot box.

The panel also offers bouquets and brickbats for the just-concluded Parliament and a debating chamber riven by indiscipline, falling standards and a Speaker exhibiting inconsistent rulings.

Our third topic is Dirty Work, the latest book by Nicky Hager released this week. It is the third of a trilogy which actually feels a bit like two-and-a-half books. While it makes a range of allegations, it is lighter on evidential documentation and detail, and slimmer in volume, than his earlier investigative works.

Finally, we offer recommendations for you to read, watch or listen to over your weekend:

Sam: Newsroom's Dave Williams' comprehensive two-part inquiry into the Taxpayers' Union from back in 2023.

Tim: The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor, out Friday, continues the trend of Labour outpointing National on all of the top six issues of concern to the public, including the economy. National wins favour for the seventh most important issue, law and order.

Marc: Kate Newton of RNZ's scoop on the Govt denying a law change to allow a start-up to dump particles in NZ oceans

Raw Politics will be available wherever you get your podcasts at the end of each week, and to watch on YouTube.