The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong says New Zealanders are looking for something different.

The leader of the Opportunity Party (TOP), Qiulae Wong, says many New Zealanders are seeking a fresh approach to politics after years of governments failing to address the country’s biggest challenges.

Wong said New Zealand has seen successive governments, whether led by Labour or National, struggle to deliver meaningful progress on major issues.

“They have seen successive governments, whether they have been Labour-led or National-led, fail to deliver on issues like climate change, competition, the cost of living, and the economy. These are problems that have persisted over decades, and we have been unable to break through and come up with real solutions. I think people are looking for a party that is bringing fresh thinking and fresh ideas.”

Wong said TOP is also focused on finding common ground rather than contributing to political division.

“We are also a party looking for common ground across the political spectrum rather than playing into this tribalism and ‘us versus them’ rhetoric. We want to bring people closer together, and I think New Zealanders are keen to see more of that in their politics.”

Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain about her background, Wong said she was born in Fiji and has paternal family connections to a business family from Lautoka.

“I was born there but grew up in Auckland from the age of six months. I went to university here and then spent my career working in the private sector and business.”

When asked which voters are being drawn to TOP, Wong said the party’s support is largely coming from younger New Zealanders.

“I think the bulk of people coming to our party are around my age—people who have grown up with an awareness of issues like climate change and have seen successive governments fail to tackle these big issues.”

Wong added that the Opportunity Party is open to working with any political party to achieve its policy goals.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is excited to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to New Zealand, describing the visit as an important opportunity to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain, Luxon said the visit will help enhance trade and defence cooperation, while also celebrating New Zealand’s vibrant Kiwi-Indian community.

Addressing concerns about trade, the Prime Minister said that increasing support for Indian farmers would not disadvantage New Zealand exporters. Exporters have also expressed optimism about Prime Minister Modi’s visit and the potential for stronger trade relations.

When asked whether increased New Zealand exports to India could lead to higher prices for some products for Kiwi consumers, Luxon said he does not expect that to happen, explaining that prices will continue to be determined by supply and demand.

On comments by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters regarding a New Zealand–India free trade agreement, Luxon said he does not believe India is taking note of Peters’ remarks.

Prime minister Luxon also reiterated that he does not support Winston Peters’ proposal to restrict voting rights to New Zealand citizens only.

Vision NZ Party leader Hannah Tamaki says she respects all faiths but believes that people who come to New Zealand should also respect the country’s way of life and its values.Tamaki also said she is concerned that some groups attempt to influence the government to advance their own agendas.No stranger to politics, Tamaki is contesting an election for the third time. This election, she is standing in the Papakura electorate.Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain, Tamaki said she intends to engage with people from all communities during her campaign and is confident of achieving a positive result.Commenting on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, Tamaki said she believes it was rushed through. She also said New Zealand’s immigration laws should be tightened.

National Farmers Union President Surendra Lal says only a small number of cane farmers in Labasa, including Minister Charan Jeath Singh, have begun harvesting, while most are holding off in the hope of a better offer from the Government.

Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain, Lal said about 95 percent of cane farmers are refusing to send their cane to the sugar mills until their concerns are addressed.

He claimed the Government and the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) management continue to ignore the union and have failed to respond to its correspondence, leaving farmers frustrated over the lack of engagement.

Labour’s finance spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, says she does not agree with all the findings in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report.

Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain, Edmonds discussed the IMF’s assessment of New Zealand’s economy. While the IMF has forecast GDP growth of around 2 percent this year, she said many businesses continue to report sluggish trading conditions, suggesting the economic recovery is yet to be widely felt.

On fuel relief, Edmonds acknowledged the IMF’s view that the Government’s measures had been positive. However, she argued that Government's targeted support was aimed at helping households facing rising costs, with many forced to choose between paying for fuel or buying food.

ACT’s Papakura candidate Malkiat Singh says he will not back down despite receiving threatening messages on social media.Singh says his ancestors endured lives of servitude and that his community has a long history of resilience.He says he entered politics to serve both his community and New Zealand. Singh also claims he knows who is behind what he describes as a campaign to discredit him, as well as the motives behind it, but did not provide further details.

Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Board Chairperson Nitya Reddy says he fully sympathises with sugarcane farmers, noting that he is a farmer himself and understands the challenges they face.

Reddy acknowledged that the forecast cane payment may not be sufficient for farmers. However, he explained that the forecast payment is calculated based on the estimated volume of cane expected to be harvested during the season.

He admitted that, despite government assistance and grants provided to the industry, many farmers are still not financially better off.

Reddy also rejected claims that he is a proxy for former Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh. In addition, he dismissed allegations circulating on social media that he receives a millions dollars from FSC for his role as board chairperson.

Dr Parmar joined Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain and said that any form of migrant exploitation is a serious concern, with mechanisms in place to address such cases.

Dr Parmar said the government is aware of protests being planned ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand and that authorities are monitoring the situation.

She also said that, despite the criticism, she continues to believe Te Tiriti courses should not be compulsory for first-year university students.