Electricity Plan, Defence Industry Strategy & Freedom Flotilla activists w/ National MP Carl Bates: 7 October, 2025

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Energy Minister Simon Watts have announced a package of measures designed to improve the affordability of electricity in New Zealand through “new projects” and gas exploration, with little details to offer on timeline or cost. 

Employees & Manufacturers Association have called the announcement “underwhelming”, and the Major Electricity Users' Group says there is no evidence the plan will make a difference to affordability in the next decade. 
 
Defence Minister Judith Collins has announced a Defence Industry Strategy that will see further investment in order to develop advanced tech and lethal weapons for export from New Zealand. 

She says the plan will boost New Zealand’s military strength and support our local weapons and tech industries

As well, last week three New Zealanders were among hundreds of activists detained from the Freedom Flotilla, seeking to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

The activists will be deported on Wednesday from Israel to Jordan, but calls have been renewed for the New Zealand government to step up on its commitments to responding to the situation in Gaza. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with National MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, starting with the Electricity Plan