List of Back Benches episodes - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This is a list of episodes from the New Zealand political show Back Benches
Back Benches
Back Benches is a New Zealand political interview show, presented by Wallace Chapman and Damian Christie. It is filmed at the 'Backbencher' pub across the road from Parliament Buildings in Wellington, at 9.10 pm Wednesday nights , and reshown on Thursday mornings, Friday nights, and Saturday mornings...

, aired on the channel TVNZ 7.

The date listed is the date (Wednesday) that the episode was filmed and aired live for the first time. Each episode is aired again on the subsequent Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Series One (2008)

ACT

Green

Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it...

Kiwi

Libertarianz

Libertarianz is a political party in New Zealand that advocates libertarianism, favouring self-government and limiting the power of the government over the individual. Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism is a major influence on the party...

Labour

New Zealand Labour Party

The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....

Māori

Maori Party

The Māori Party, a political party in New Zealand, was formed on 7 July 2004. The Party is guided by eight constitutional "kaupapa", or Party objectives. Tariana Turia formed the Māori Party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour-led...

National

New Zealand National Party

The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...

NZ First

New Zealand First

New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...

Progressive

New Zealand Progressive Party

Jim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party....

United Future

#	Date	Members of panel				Issues and topics discussed
1	2 April 2008	Louisa Wall Louisa Wall Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :...	Maurice Williamson Maurice Williamson Maurice Donald Williamson is a New Zealand politician, representing Pakuranga in the House of Representatives as a member of the National Party...	Jacqui Dean Jacqui Dean Jacqueline Isobel Dean is a New Zealand politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Waitaki electorate.-Early career:Dean has worked in a number of roles, including professional acting...	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...
2	9 April 2008	Moana Mackey Moana Mackey Moana Lynore Mackey is a New Zealand politician and has represented the New Zealand Labour Party in the Parliament of New Zealand since 2003. She has Māori, Irish, Scottish and Spanish ancestry....	Chester Borrows Chester Borrows Kerry James "Chester" Borrows is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Borrows initially worked as a police officer, and later gained an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in a record time of two years and 14 days...	Ron Mark Ron Mark Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...	Sue Bradford Sue Bradford Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :...	Free Trade Agreement with China
3	16 April 2008	Louisa Wall Louisa Wall Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :...	Tau Henare Tau Henare Tau Henare is a New Zealand Māori parliamentarian. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1999 and returned to Parliament in 2005. He has been involved with four political parties: Mana Motuhake, New Zealand First, Mauri Pacific and the National Party - representing three in...	Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	Asset sales
4	23 April 2008	Darren Hughes Darren Hughes Darren Colyn Hughes was a New Zealand Member of Parliament between 2002 and 2011, first elected at the age of 24. He represented the Labour Party and was a Minister outside Cabinet in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand....	Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	Mike Williams Mike Williams (New Zealand) Mike Williams is a former President of the New Zealand Labour Party.Williams has been an information technology consultant and was a director of Genesis Power, the New Zealand Transport Agency, and GNS Science.He is currently Chief Executive of the anti-P Stellar Trust, a charity which campaigns... ; factory closures; the junior doctors strike
5	30 April 2008	Jacqui Dean Jacqui Dean Jacqueline Isobel Dean is a New Zealand politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Waitaki electorate.-Early career:Dean has worked in a number of roles, including professional acting...	Dr Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :...	Te Ururoa Flavell Te Ururoa Flavell Te Ururoa James William Ben Flavell is a New Zealand politician and serves as a member of the New Zealand Parliament.-Ancestry:...	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...	Food prices; Anzac day trading; inconsistent asset sales
6	7 May 2008	Moana Mackey Moana Mackey Moana Lynore Mackey is a New Zealand politician and has represented the New Zealand Labour Party in the Parliament of New Zealand since 2003. She has Māori, Irish, Scottish and Spanish ancestry....	Chester Borrows Chester Borrows Kerry James "Chester" Borrows is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Borrows initially worked as a police officer, and later gained an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in a record time of two years and 14 days...	Sue Kedgley Sue Kedgley Susan Jane Kedgley , BA , TTC , MA , is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.-Early career and Wellington City Council:...	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...	Railway purchase; petrol taxes; New Zealand music month; eco-efficiency
7	14 May 2008	Jacqui Dean Jacqui Dean Jacqueline Isobel Dean is a New Zealand politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Waitaki electorate.-Early career:Dean has worked in a number of roles, including professional acting...	Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....	Sue Bradford Sue Bradford Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :...	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...	Methamphetamine Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
8	21 May 2008	Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry...	Sandra Goudie Sandra Goudie Sandra Anne Goudie is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the National Party.-Early years:Before entering politics, Goudie was a farmer, and was later a councillor for the Thames-Coromandel District.-Member of Parliament:...	Sue Kedgley Sue Kedgley Susan Jane Kedgley , BA , TTC , MA , is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.-Early career and Wellington City Council:...	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...	Budget; leadership; rising cost of petrol
9	28 May 2008	Louisa Wall Louisa Wall Louisa Hareruia Wall is a New Zealand MP and national representative netball and rugby union player.-Early and personal life :...	Chester Borrows Chester Borrows Kerry James "Chester" Borrows is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Borrows initially worked as a police officer, and later gained an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in a record time of two years and 14 days...	Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...	Tax cuts; power cuts; the Government's apology to Vietnam veterans; hoodies; Epsom Epsom (New Zealand electorate) Epsom is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Epsom is Rodney Hide MP of the ACT Party. He has held this position since 2005.-Population centres:... and Richard Worth Richard Worth Richard Westwood Worth, OBE, VRD, KStJ is a former New Zealand politician. He was a member of the National Party parliamentary caucus until he resigned on Friday 12 June 2009.-Background:...
10	4 June 2008	Jill Pettis Jill Pettis Marjorie Jill Pettis is a New Zealand politician, and a member of the Labour Party.Pettis became MP for Whanganui in the 1993 elections, but in 2005 she narrowly lost the seat to Chester Borrows. She was returned to Parliament however as a list MP...	Paula Bennett Paula Bennett Paula Lee Bennett is a New Zealand politician and member of parliament for the National Party. She is a Cabinet minister with the roles of Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues and Minister of Youth Affairs.-Early life:Bennett was born in 1969 to Bob...	Dail Jones Dail Jones Dail Michael John Jones QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was formerly in the National Party.-Early life:Jones was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended Karachi Grammar School...	Dr Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :...	Polls; leadership; food
11	11 June 2008	Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry...	Chris Auchinvole Chris Auchinvole Chris Auchinvole JP is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Auchinvole was born in Prestwick, Scotland, and attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England. In New Zealand, he has been involved with the export industry, and operated a company based on the West Coast...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United...	Rising costs of petrol and power; Auckland as capital city; Nándor Tánczos Nandor Tanczos Nándor Steven Tánczos , a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1999 to 2008, represented the Green Party as a list MP. He briefly lost his seat in the 2005 General Election, but returned to Parliament following the sudden death of Rod Donald just prior to the first sitting of Parliament, as he...
12	18 June 2008	Judith Tizard Judith Tizard Judith Tizard is a former New Zealand politician. She was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Judith Ngaire Tizard was born in Auckland in 1956...	Chris Tremain Chris Tremain Chris Tremain is a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the New Zealand National Party.-Member of Parliament:Tremain was first elected to parliament in the 2005 election, when he won the Napier electorate, beating incumbent Russell Fairbrother by 3951 votes. This was the first...	Ron Mark Ron Mark Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...	Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...	Violence; arming police; driving while using a cell phone; Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
13	25 June 2008	Lynne Pillay Lynne Pillay Barbara Lynne Pillay, known as Lynne Pillay is a New Zealand politician, and member of the Labour Party.- Member of Parliament :...	Eric Roy Eric Roy Eric Wilbur Roy is a New Zealand politician. He is a National Party Member of Parliament , being first elected in 1993.-Early years:...	Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...	Gang violence; designer babies; the publics' distrust of politicians
14	2 July 2008	David Bennett David Bennett (New Zealand) David Bennett is a New Zealand politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2005, representing a Hamilton electorate for the National Party.-Early years:...	Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....	Te Ururoa Flavell Te Ururoa Flavell Te Ururoa James William Ben Flavell is a New Zealand politician and serves as a member of the New Zealand Parliament.-Ancestry:...	Heather Roy Heather Roy Heather Roy , is a New Zealand politician and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader...	Flexible work hours; Zimbabwe cricket boycott; kids playing sport
15	9 July 2008	Darien Fenton Darien Fenton Darien Fenton is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament.-Personal life and early career:Fenton's grandfather, Fred Frost, was a Labour MP for New Plymouth from 1938 – 1943....	Sandra Goudie Sandra Goudie Sandra Anne Goudie is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the National Party.-Early years:Before entering politics, Goudie was a farmer, and was later a councillor for the Thames-Coromandel District.-Member of Parliament:...	Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...	Leadership; truckers protest; law and order; National's employment policy; Rodney Rodney (New Zealand electorate) rightRodney is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Rodney is Mark Mitchell of the National Party... and Lockwood Smith Lockwood Smith Alexander Lockwood Smith is a New Zealand politician, the 28th and current Speaker of the House of Representatives. Smith is a member of the New Zealand National Party, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 1984...
16	16 July 2008	Sue Moroney Sue Moroney Suzanne Mary Moroney , generally known as Sue Moroney, is a New Zealand politician. She is a member of the New Zealand Labour Party and was first elected at the 2005 general election. She is based in Hamilton, New Zealand.-Early life:...	Chris Tremain Chris Tremain Chris Tremain is a Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the New Zealand National Party.-Member of Parliament:Tremain was first elected to parliament in the 2005 election, when he won the Napier electorate, beating incumbent Russell Fairbrother by 3951 votes. This was the first...	Ron Mark Ron Mark Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	3am bar closures; harsher penalties for hit and runs Hit and run (vehicular) Hit-and-run is the act of causing a traffic accident , and failing to stop and identify oneself afterwards...
17	23 July 2008	Shane Jones Shane Jones Shane Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand politician. He was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:Jones is Māori, of Te Aupōuri and Ngai Takoto descent, as well as having Dalmatian ancestry...	Maurice Williamson Maurice Williamson Maurice Donald Williamson is a New Zealand politician, representing Pakuranga in the House of Representatives as a member of the National Party...	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...		Maori Language Week Maori Language Week Māori Language Week, te wiki o te reo Māori, is a government-sponsored initiative intended to encourage New Zealanders to promote the use of Māori language. Māori, English and New Zealand Sign Language are the official national languages of New Zealand... ; counting calories; meningococcal vaccine Meningococcal vaccine Meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine used against Meningococcus, a bacterium that causes meningitis, meningococcemia, septicemia, and rarely carditis, septic arthritis, or pneumonia.-Types:... s; Winston Peters Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being... ; Shane Jones' Shane Jones Shane Geoffrey Jones is a New Zealand politician. He was a cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:Jones is Māori, of Te Aupōuri and Ngai Takoto descent, as well as having Dalmatian ancestry... office
18	30 July 2008	Russell Fairbrother Russell Fairbrother Russell Fairbrother is a lawyer and former New Zealand politician. He was a Labour Party Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008.-Early years:Fairbrother was born into a truck driving family and raised in the Wairarapa town of Carterton....	Paula Bennett Paula Bennett Paula Lee Bennett is a New Zealand politician and member of parliament for the National Party. She is a Cabinet minister with the roles of Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Disability Issues and Minister of Youth Affairs.-Early life:Bennett was born in 1969 to Bob...	Dail Jones Dail Jones Dail Michael John Jones QSO is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the New Zealand First party, and was formerly in the National Party.-Early life:Jones was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and attended Karachi Grammar School...	Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United...	Winston Peters saga; Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
19	6 August 2008	Clayton Cosgrove Clayton Cosgrove Clayton James Cosgrove is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Cosgrove was born in Nelson, New Zealand. He received a BA, in American Studies and Political Science, from the University of Canterbury in 1992 and received an MBA in 1996...	Sue Kedgley Sue Kedgley Susan Jane Kedgley , BA , TTC , MA , is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.-Early career and Wellington City Council:...	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...		Secret tapes; MMP Mixed member proportional representation Mixed-member proportional representation, also termed mixed-member proportional voting and commonly abbreviated to MMP, is a voting system originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag, and nowadays adopted by numerous legislatures around the world... voting system; an extra petrol tax for Auckland Auckland The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world... ers; Tariana Turia's Tariana Turia Tariana Turia is a New Zealand politician. She gained considerable prominence during the foreshore and seabed controversy, and eventually broke with her party as a result... office
20	13 August 2008	Steve Maharey Steve Maharey Steven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party...	Dr Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	Heather Roy Heather Roy Heather Roy , is a New Zealand politician and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader...	Olympics 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events... ; National's welfare policy; funding Herceptin Trastuzumab Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the HER2/neu receptor.The HER receptors are proteins that are embedded in the cell membrane and communicate molecular signals from outside the cell to inside the cell, and turn genes on and off...
21	20 August 2008	Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry...	Chester Borrows Chester Borrows Kerry James "Chester" Borrows is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Borrows initially worked as a police officer, and later gained an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in a record time of two years and 14 days...	Sue Bradford Sue Bradford Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :...		Olympics 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events... ; climate change Climate change Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average... ; eco bulbs Compact fluorescent lamp A compact fluorescent lamp , also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light, and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp; some types fit into light fixtures formerly used for incandescent lamps... ; the Privileges Committee hearing; Steve Maharey's Steve Maharey Steven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party... office
22	27 August 2008	Annette King Annette King Annette Faye King is a New Zealand politician. She is the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand. She was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand.-Early life:...	Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...		Emissions trading scheme Emissions trading Emissions trading is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants.... ; road tolls; cost of food
23	3 September 2008	Lesley Soper Lesley Soper Lesley Soper is a New Zealand politician.-Political career:She was a Labour Party list member of Parliament for several months in 2005, replacing Jonathan Hunt, and she returned to Parliament in 2007 to fill the vacancy caused by Georgina Beyer's resignation.Soper is a member of the Labour Party,...	Metiria Turei Metiria Turei Metiria Leanne Agnes Stanton Turei is a New Zealand member of Parliament and the female co-leader of the Green Party. she is the Green Party spokesperson on Social Equity, Electoral Reform, Māori and Treaty Issues, Housing and Children....	Hone Harawira Hone Harawira Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira is a New Zealand Māori activist and parliamentarian. He was elected to the Parliament of New Zealand for the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau in the 2005 general election as the Māori Party candidate. His resignation caused the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, held...	Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...	Winston Peters saga; John Key John Key John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006.... ; emissions trading scheme Emissions trading Emissions trading is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants.... .
24	10 September 2008	George Hawkins George Warren Hawkins George Warren Hawkins is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Hawkins was born in 1946 in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden. He attended Dominion Road Primary School, Mount Albert Grammar School and then Auckland Teachers' College.-Papakura:Hawkins was a...	Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	Jim Anderton Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest...	Families Commission; leaked National policy; Winston Peters saga
25	17 September 2008	Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry...	Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Mary Fitzsimons, CNZM is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. She was the co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, and was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2010.-Career:...	Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...		Election '08 New Zealand general election, 2008 The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social... ; gangs
26	24 September 2008	Winnie Laban	Ron Mark Ron Mark Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...	Dr Russel Norman Russel Norman Dr Russel William Norman is a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. He is a Member of Parliament and co-leader of the Green Party alongside Metiria Turei.- Early life :...	Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United...	Privileges Committee findings; free trade deal with USA
27	1 October 2008	Grant Robertson Grant Robertson Grant Robertson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Wellington Central at the 2008 general election. Robertson replaced Marian Hobbs, who had retired....	Stephen Franks Stephen Franks Stephen Franks in Wellington, New Zealand is a commercial lawyer. At one time, he was Chairman and Partner of the large firm Chapman Tripp. Franks has been a member of two political parties. He previously served as a List MP for the right wing Act New Zealand...	Sue Kedgley Sue Kedgley Susan Jane Kedgley , BA , TTC , MA , is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.-Early career and Wellington City Council:...	Heather Roy Heather Roy Heather Roy , is a New Zealand politician and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader...	Candidates for Wellington Central Wellington Central rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square... ; tax; economics
28	8 October 2008	Hamish McDouall	Nikki Kaye Nikki Kaye Nicola Laura Kaye is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Auckland Central electorate, having defeated incumbent Labour MP Judith Tizard in the 2008 election.-Early life:...	Kevin Hague Kevin Hague Kevin Grant Hague is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 2008....	Derek Fox Derek Fox (New Zealand) Derek Tinia Fox is a New Zealand broadcaster, commentator, publisher, journalist and Māori Party candidate in several elections. He was the Mayor of Wairoa from 1995 to 2001....	Tax; the economy; life sentences Life imprisonment Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life... ;At the time of the filming and airing of episode 28, none of the panel guests were current MPs, but potential MPs. Kevin Hague became a list MP, and Nikki Kaye became the MP for the electorate of Auckland Central.
29	15 October 2008	Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry...	Josephine PaganiJosephine Pagani was not an MP, but was ranked 3rd on the Progressive Party list at the 2008 election. She did not enter parliament as Progressive Party only gained 0.91% of the popular vote	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...		John Key John Key John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006.... and Helen Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... ; universal student allowance Student loans in New Zealand New Zealand provides student loans and allowances to tertiary students who satisfy the funding criteria. Full-time students can claim loans for both fees and living costs while part-time students can only claim training institution fees.... ; showering
30	22 October 2008	Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton Doug Woolerton is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:He was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School, and has a background in agriculture, having been a farmer for twenty-one years and director of a milk company for nine....	Sue Bradford Sue Bradford Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :...	Judy Turner Judy Turner Judy Turner is a New Zealand politician who is the deputy leader of United Future New Zealand. She was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 as a list MP.-Member of Parliament:...	Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland Gordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United...	Anti-smacking policy Child Discipline Act The Crimes Amendment Act 2007 is an amendment to the New Zealand's Crimes Act 1961 which removed the legal defence of "reasonable force" for parents prosecuted for assault on their children... ; coalition building; the financial crisis
31	29 October 2008	Phil Twyford Phil Twyford Philip Stoner Twyford is a politician from New Zealand and a member of the Labour Party. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. He is the Labour Party candidate for Te Atatū.-Member of Parliament:...	Paul Quinn	Angeline Greensill Angeline Greensill Angeline Ngahina Greensill is a prominent Māori political rights campaigner, academic and leader.-Early life:Greensill is of Tainui, Ngati Porou, and Ngati Paniora descent, born in the late 1940s in Kirikiriroa and raised at Te Kopua , Whaingaroa on the turangawaewae of Tainui o Tainui ki...	Matt Robson Matt Robson Matthew Peter Robson is a New Zealand politician. He is deputy leader of the Progressive Party, and served in the Parliament from 1996 to 2005, first as a member of the Alliance, then as a Progressive.-Early years:...	MMP Mixed member proportional representation Mixed-member proportional representation, also termed mixed-member proportional voting and commonly abbreviated to MMP, is a voting system originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag, and nowadays adopted by numerous legislatures around the world... ; US election United States elections, 2008 The 2008 United States general elections were held on November 4. The result was a significant victory for the Democratic Party on the national level, as they increased majorities in both houses of Congress and won the Presidency. Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain in the... ; Peter Dunne Peter Dunne Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party... 's hairAt the time of the filming and airing of episode 31, none of the panel guests were current MPs, but potential MPs. Phil Twyford and Paul Quinn became list MPs
32	5 November 2008	David Slack	Peter Cresswell	Martyn Bradbury	Jessica Hassell	New US President Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... ; New Zealand election New Zealand general election, 2008 The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social... David Slack is a commentator, author and speech writer; Martyn Bradbury and Jessica Hassell are bloggers
	8 November 2008	Stephen Franks Stephen Franks Stephen Franks in Wellington, New Zealand is a commercial lawyer. At one time, he was Chairman and Partner of the large firm Chapman Tripp. Franks has been a member of two political parties. He previously served as a List MP for the right wing Act New Zealand...	Sue Kedgley Sue Kedgley Susan Jane Kedgley , BA , TTC , MA , is a New Zealand politician, food campaigner and author.-Early career and Wellington City Council:...	Heather Roy Heather Roy Heather Roy , is a New Zealand politician and has served as an ACT Member of Parliament since 2002. From 2006 until 17 August 2010, Roy was ACT's Deputy Leader...	Vaughan Smith Vaughan Smith During the 90s Smith also ran Frontline News TV, an agency set up in 1989 to represent the interests of young video journalists who wanted to push the envelope of their profession. The workings of Frontline News TV captured the imagination of a generation of young freelancers and was described by...	Election Night New Zealand general election, 2008 The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social... SpecialThe panel guests of the Election Night Special were not all MPs, but candidates for the Wellington Central Wellington Central rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square... electorate seat. Sue Kedgley and Heather Roy were re-elected as list MPs, and Grant Robertson Grant Robertson Grant Robertson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Wellington Central at the 2008 general election. Robertson replaced Marian Hobbs, who had retired.... (not on panel) won Wellington Central.
Change of Government Fifth National Government of New Zealand The Fifth National Government of New Zealand is the current government of New Zealand. It is led by Prime Minister John Key.After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from Helen Clark's Fifth Labour Government. The National party... after general election New Zealand general election, 2008 The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
33	12 November 2008	Nikki Kaye Nikki Kaye Nicola Laura Kaye is the member of the New Zealand Parliament for the Auckland Central electorate, having defeated incumbent Labour MP Judith Tizard in the 2008 election.-Early life:...	Charles Chauvel Charles Chauvel (politician) Charles Pierre Chauvel is a New Zealand lawyer and politician. Since 2006 he has been a Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is the first New Zealand MP of Tahitian ancestry...	Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...	David Garrett David Garrett (politician) David Garrett is a former member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He entered parliament at the 2008 general election as a list MP for ACT New Zealand, having been ranked fifth on that party's list. He was ACT's spokesman on law and order until he resigned from the party on 17 September...	Coalition talks; the economy
34	19 November 2008	Alex Mitchell	Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Ardern Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern is a politician from New Zealand. A member of the Labour Party, she was elected as a list MP at the 2008 general election.-Professional life:Ardern has spent time in London, working as a senior policy advisor...	Gareth Hughes Gareth Hughes (politician) Gareth Thomas Llewelyn Hughes is a New Zealand politician and member of the Green Party. He took a seat in Parliament as the next person on the Green party list following the retirement of Jeanette Fitzsimons.-Early life:...	Kimo Winiata	New Cabinet New Zealand Cabinet The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system... ; whether alcohol companies should sponsor sports teams; NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement The National Certificate of Educational Achievement is, since 2004, the official secondary school qualification in New Zealand.It has three levels, corresponding to the levels within the National Qualifications Framework, and these are generally studied in each of the three final years of... Alex Mitchell was President of the Young Nats; Gareth Hughes stood as the Green Party's candidate in the Ōhariu Ohariu Ōhariu is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. It was contested for the first time at the 2008 election. It is the successor to Ohariu-Belmont, first contested at the first Mixed Member Proportional election in 1996... electorate; Kimo Winiata was president of the Young Māori Party, and is the son of Māori Party president Whatarangi Winiata
35	26 November 2008	Simon Bridges Simon Bridges Simon Bridges is a New Zealand politician and former District and High Court Crown prosecutor. Bridges is currently the representative for the electorate of Tauranga in the 49th New Zealand Parliament, as a member of the National Party.Bridges currently lives in Mount Maunganui with his wife,...	Grant Robertson Grant Robertson Grant Robertson is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to represent the Labour Party in the seat of Wellington Central at the 2008 general election. Robertson replaced Marian Hobbs, who had retired....	Metiria Turei Metiria Turei Metiria Leanne Agnes Stanton Turei is a New Zealand member of Parliament and the female co-leader of the Green Party. she is the Green Party spokesperson on Social Equity, Electoral Reform, Māori and Treaty Issues, Housing and Children....	John Boscawen John Boscawen John Boscawen is an ACT New Zealand member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and as of May 2011, ACT's Parliamentary Leader and former Minister of Consumer Affairs of New Zealand. He came to parliament in the 2008 general election as a list MP, having been ranked fourth...	Public spending; Christmas spirit; White Ribbon Day Domestic violence Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
36	3 December 2008	Amy Adams Amy Adams Amy Lou Adams is an American actress and singer. Adams began her performing career on stage in dinner theaters before making her screen debut in the 1999 black comedy film Drop Dead Gorgeous...	Kelvin Davis Kelvin Davis (politician) Kelvin Davis is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Member of Parliament:In the 2008 elections Davis stood for Labour in the Te Tai Tokerau seat...	Dr Kennedy Graham Kennedy Graham Dr Kennedy Gollan Montrose Graham is a New Zealand politician and MP for the Green Party. He has served in the New Zealand Foreign Service for sixteen years, and lectured at the University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington....	Sir Roger Douglas Roger Douglas Sir Roger Owen Douglas , is a New Zealand politician who formerly served as a senior New Zealand Labour Party Cabinet minister. He became arguably best-known for his prominent role in the radical economic restructuring undertaken by the Fourth Labour Government during the 1980s...	Eco bulbs Compact fluorescent lamp A compact fluorescent lamp , also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light, and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp; some types fit into light fixtures formerly used for incandescent lamps... ; Hanover Finance's function in Fiji Fiji Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island... ; Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of... and city councils
37	10 December 2008	Louise Upston Louise Upston Louise Upston is a National Party Member of Parliament, representing Taupō sine November 2008.-Member of Parliament:Upston was elected to Parliament at the 2008 general election....	Stuart Nash Stuart Nash Stuart Nash is a politician from New Zealand. He was a Labour Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2011. Nash is the great-grandson of former Prime Minister, Walter Nash.-Professional life:...	Keith Locke Keith Locke Keith James Locke is a current New Zealand MP representing the Green Party who was first elected to parliament in 1999. he is the Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ethnic Affairs, Pacific Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, Police and Auckland Transport...		Banks; pre-Christmas sales; Official Cash Rate Official Cash Rate The official cash rate is interest rate paid by banks in the overnight money market in Australia and New Zealand. Through the regulated use of exchange settlement accounts, a central bank is able to adjust the interest rates of a nation's economy. The OCR cannot be changed by transactions between...
38	17 December 2008	Chester Borrows Chester Borrows Kerry James "Chester" Borrows is a New Zealand politician.-Early years:Borrows initially worked as a police officer, and later gained an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in a record time of two years and 14 days...	Moana Mackey Moana Mackey Moana Lynore Mackey is a New Zealand politician and has represented the New Zealand Labour Party in the Parliament of New Zealand since 2003. She has Māori, Irish, Scottish and Spanish ancestry....	Sue Bradford Sue Bradford Sue Bradford is a New Zealand politician who served as a list Member of Parliament representing the Green Party from 1999 to 2009.- Early life :...	Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...	90 day "hire-and-fire" bill; the Bruce Emery case; maiden speech Maiden speech A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected or appointed member of a legislature or parliament.Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country... es

Recess (2008–09)

#	Date	Issues and topics discussed
1	24 December 2008	Law and order; the environment; the economy
2	31 December 2008	US election United States presidential election, 2008 The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365... ; financial crisis; China
3	7 January 2009
4	14 January 2009	Big issues of 2008; election campaigns
5	21 January 2009	Law and order; the environment; the economy
6	28 January 2009	International issues – global financial crisis; Chinese milk scandal.

Series Two (2009)

ACT