<p>Hosted by <strong>Phil Goff</strong> and <strong>Chris Finlayson</strong>, <strong>Cross Party Lines</strong> returns without Sam for the first time — and the boys don’t miss a beat. In a wide-ranging Anzac week episode, they move from wartime gallantry to National Party treachery, and from All Blacks in Parliament to the politics of immigration dog-whistling. All thanks to our foundational partner <a target="_blank" href="http://frankrisk.co.nz">Frank Risk Management</a>, the 100% kiwi owned insurance brokerage.</p><p><strong>In this episode:</strong></p><p>* <strong>Haane Manahi and the Victoria Cross that never was</strong> — Phil opens with a moving account of an event he attended in Rotorua the night before recording: a film celebration of Sergeant Haane Manahi, who was recommended for a Victoria Cross by Field Marshal Montgomery himself — only for the British War Office to scratch it out and replace it with a lesser medal.</p><p>* <strong>National’s leadership crisis — five rebels, or twenty-five?</strong> — With the National Party caucus meeting looming and the media in full speculation mode, Phil and Chris take forensic stock of where things stand. Chris is blunt: changing a leader in April of election year is lunacy, the five alleged plotters are losers, and Luxon deserves more sympathy than he gets for inheriting a poisoned chalice with no apprenticeship.</p><p>* <strong>All Blacks in Parliament and the Taine Randall question</strong> — New Zealand First has selected former All Black captain Taine Randall to stand in Tukituki, prompting a tour through the graveyard of sporting superstars who have tried and failed at politics — from David Kirk to Chris Laidlaw to Graham Thorne. Phil and Chris are unconvinced the profile will translate. But the deeper question is what policies Taine is actually signed up to — including New Zealand First’s rhetoric on immigration.</p><p><em>Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation. New episodes every Tuesday. If you value thoughtful debate, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might too.</em></p><p><em>🎟 Tickets for the live show at Featherston Booktown Festival — Saturday 9 May. Get in at booktown.org.nz</em></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://crosspartylines.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">crosspartylines.substack.com</a>