Heather and Simon discuss health policies in the final week of the election campaign. There is general agreement that nothing being offered will result in the structural reforms and workforce solutions needed to get New Zealand's health system working properly. Although proposed increases to Medical School outputs for doctors will help, the numbers are tiny compared to the shortage of clinicians the country is facing. And it's not just doctors and nurses but every clinical specialisation. Mental health staffing is particularly troubling. The proposals to review how the PHARMAC funding model works is welcomed with the need to access modern biologic medicines. Parties on the centre right are planning to get rid of the newly created separate Maori Health Authority. Other than that, most policies offered are simply tinkering around the edges of health. 

 With the beautiful Havelock marina and the Tui Coffee cart as a backdrop, Heather and Simon discuss the differences in approaches to law and order issues offered up by parties in election 2023.

It seems the left (both liberal and conservative) are focussing their policies on harm minimisation, rehabilitation and alternative approaches The parties of the right (both liberal and conservative) are more focussed on answering public calls to feel 'safer' including more police, tougher courts, more prisons and increased measures for youth offenders and gangs.

There are also vastly differing approaches to firearms legislation and issues relating to children and young people.

The sky backdrop is real - not a green screen. #gomarlborough 

This episode is recorded 'on the road' along State Highway 6 between Havelock and Blenheim. Easy Vote cards and party lists have started appearing in letterboxes around the country.

Heather and Simon discuss some of the so-called micro-parties like Animal Justice, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, Democracy NZ, Freedoms NZ, Leighton Baker, New Nation, NewZeal, NZ Loyal and Women's Rights.

The discussion is mostly about party lists and how important it is for voters to do their research on the candidates being offered up. However, there is also a reminder not to write someone off because they said something or liked a post 10 or more years ago. People are entitled to an opinion and to change their minds.

Early voting is only days away. 

 This is the third episode in the season where Heather and Simon answer questions submitted by the audience. In this episode, they discuss:

1. Immigration - effects on housing, infrastructure and the workforce.
2. The so-called "bellwether" seats of Hamilton East and West, Northcote and a general chat about some other interesting electorates like Hutt South, Auckland Central, Wellington Central, Ikaroa Rawhiti, Te Tai Hauauru, Ilam and Tamaki.
3. What can be implied from the recent resignations of several ACT Party candidates.
4. Whether the podcast will be doing detailed policy comparisons (YES)

You can send in questions for the podcast through the contacts page at torquepoint.co.nz or via TorquePoint's social media pages. 

 Heather and Simon discuss the latest developments. National's Chris Luxon has been busy ruling out some of ACT's policies. Meanwhile, ACT's David Seymour fired a shot back across the bow with the suggestion of providing confidence and not supply in order to change the government. Serious negotiation or just political pre-wedding jitters? Who is the creepy uncle and who is giving away the bride? A light-hearted look from Wellington railway station just to get everyone back on track. 

 What are the possible party combinations that could form a government in election 2023?