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Description

What happens when political opposites interview the same politician? Stuff columnists Verity Johnson and Damien Grant bring their sharply different world views and personalities to long-form conversations with some of the most interesting political figures in New Zealand. No echo chamber. Just two very different perspectives, one politician and wide-ranging conversations that can go anywhere.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Polls Apart podcast

Kieran McAnulty

2026/11/05

Kieran McAnulty, Labour’s campaign chair and Shadow Leader of the House, sits down with Verity and Damien to talk about the Future Fund, taxes, housing, infrastructure, and... gingernuts.

Sir John Key

2026/10/31

Sir John Key joins hosts Damien Grant and Verity Johnson to discuss past crises and MMP politics. Defending Christopher Luxon, Key argues the coalition remains well placed to win the election despite soft polling.

Paul Henry

2026/10/28

Former broadcaster Paul Henry explains to Damien Grant and Verity Johnson why he wants a career in politics – for at least six years, anyway. They also discuss the minimum wage, red tape, the Government’s performance and working with David Seymour.

Chris Hipkins

2026/10/26

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins joins Verity and Damien in the Polls Apart studio to discuss capital gains tax, education policy, investing in the future, social media bans and the ‘Ming vase strategy’.

Chlöe Swarbrick

2026/10/21

Greens co-leader and Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick is in the Polls Apart hot seat to talk KiwiMart, GDP, tax, flirting with libertarianism and Great Barrier Island.

Chris Bishop

2026/10/18

Verity and Damien are joined by the “unexpectedly delightful” Chris Bishop to discuss the RMA, renewable energy, solving the housing crisis – and ham sandwiches.

Qiulae Wong

2026/10/15

Verity and Damien are joined by the ‘rebound boyfriend’ of NZ politics, Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong, to discuss coalitions and kingmakers, climate change and the economy, universal basic income, electricity, thinking big – and seaweed.

Winston Peters

2026/10/15

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters joins Polls Apart hosts Verity Johnson and Damien Grant to discuss, among other things, politics, longevity, wokeness and trackpants.

Polls Apart with Verity Johnson and Damien Grant

2026/10/12