Podcast: Free to Disagree: Chris Bishop’s biggest achievement may not save his political career
Dr Oliver Hartwich
16 October, 2026
Chris Bishop passed the new Planning Act with one working day to spare, and may not be in the next Parliament to see it work. Damien accused him of regulatory capture earlier this year and now says he has achieved more in three years than most politicians manage in a career. The polls take over from there, with Te Pāti Māori on 0.4 per cent while holding several electorates, and National and Labour’s fiscal plans separated by a rounding error. The episode ends on Donald Trump, after a week that included a planned live-streamed execution, a diesel deal with Putin and a suggestion that Ukraine should replace its president.