For Friday Faceoff this week Nick is joined in the studio by lawyer and former Minister Christopher Finlayson, and political commentator and director of the Democracy Project Dr Bryce Edwards.

Rumours swirl of another coup in the National Party, and after a shaky interview with Mike Hosking, Minister Chris Bishop is fanning the flame.

Could National win without Luxon? Our panel give their insight into who could take over, and what would happen if they managed it? 

Then National announced their highly anticipated Wellington North candidate. But did anyone know? Jonathon Pitts is the new National candidate for the seat. Finlayson shares what he knows of Pitts, then the panel debate who win take the seat - Ayesha Verrall, Tamatha Paul or Jonathon Pitts - does he stand a chance?

Onto IRD calling for tax increases, GST and Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

Dr Edwards brings up the Nordic comparison (25% GST in some countries, and CGT) - but what are we willing to do to get to that standard? 

Finlayson talks cutting expenditure and what the government needs to cut. What is the solution to our ever growing deficit?

Then Trump and the Pope. What do our panel think of the President attacking the Pope for calling for peace? And onto the war in the middle east - what needs to be the response from our government, if there should be one?

And for the first time since 2020 trust in the news has increased, our panel share their thoughts. Plus, the panel share their hots and nots.

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