David Seymour on THAT Haka Backlash, Chloe, Winston, Luxon & Finding Love
Episode Description
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour returns for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation covering politics, personal life, and some unexpected stories along the way.
We talk about his engagement to Alexandra, the infamous haka in Parliament, the bizarre tale of “woke sushi”, and his honest takes on political allies, rivals, and regrets. From missing a deeply personal DVD his late mother left for his future partner, to why he hasn’t cried in 20 years, David shares a mix of heartfelt moments, political insight, and surprising humour.
In this episode:
- Getting engaged & wedding plans - The haka in Parliament and how he reacted - The “woke sushi” story - Relationships with Chloe Swarbrick, Winston Peters & Christopher Luxon - ACT’s influence in government - Coalition politics behind the scenes - Mistakes, regrets & political vulnerabilities
Why he wrote a support letter for Philip Polkinghorne
Whether you follow New Zealand politics closely or just want an inside look at the personalities running the country, this is David Seymour like you’ve never heard him before. ****
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**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong soley to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction to Performance and Podcasting 00:03:43 The Role of Popularity in Politics 00:06:58 Becoming Deputy Prime Minister 00:12:07 Policy Changes and Achievements 00:15:49 Public Perception and Media Coverage 00:20:05 Support for Constituents and Humanity in Politics 00:26:21 Backlash and Tribalism in Politics 00:29:44 Media Representation and Misunderstandings 00:35:01 Defining Racism and Personal Beliefs 00:40:29 Finding Meaning in Life and Politics 00:44:17 Calmness in Media Interactions 00:48:39 Media Integrity and Trust 00:51:57 Cultural Adaptation and Accents 00:56:25 Family Dynamics and Relationships 00:57:51 Balancing Politics and Personal Life 00:58:43 Political Aspirations and Legacy 01:00:05 Public Perception and Personal Identity 01:01:28 Conflict Resolution in Relationships 01:02:23 Family Legacy and Emotional Connections 01:05:45 Future Aspirations: Children and Family 01:06:43 Political Landscape and Party Dynamics 01:08:11 Coalition Politics and Relationships 01:10:30 Interpersonal Relationships in Politics 01:12:26 Reflections on Career and Regrets 01:15:20 Navigating Political Challenges 01:18:11 Addressing Societal Issues 01:19:35 Mental Resilience and Vulnerability 01:21:30 Emotional Expression and Personal Growth 01:24:06 Looking Ahead: Future Reflections
Brief Summary
David Seymour discusses his political challenges, personal life, and reflections on his career as New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister.
Key points
- Engagement Announcement. The speaker shares personal news about getting engaged amidst political turmoil.
- Deputy Prime Minister Changes. Discussion on the implications of becoming deputy prime minister.
- Land Rover Stunt Controversy. A politician defends a controversial stunt at Parliament, claiming no rules were broken.
- Treaty Principles Bill Backlash. The politician discusses the unexpected backlash against the treaty principles bill.
- A Win-Win for Everyone. The politician asserts that his bill is beneficial for all, based on global evidence.
- Resilience in the Face of Abuse. David Seymour discusses how to handle online abuse and negativity.
Ask about Dom Harvey
Episode highlights
- Engagement AnnouncementThe speaker shares personal news about getting engaged amidst political turmoil.“You've got engaged.”2:19Aug 16, 2025
- Deputy Prime Minister ChangesDiscussion on the implications of becoming deputy prime minister.“It means everything and nothing.”8:05Aug 16, 2025
- Land Rover Stunt ControversyA politician defends a controversial stunt at Parliament, claiming no rules were broken.“No one actually told me the speaker had said that.”17:19Aug 16, 2025
- Treaty Principles Bill BacklashThe politician discusses the unexpected backlash against the treaty principles bill.“I didn’t think it would be that controversial.”28:34Aug 16, 2025
- A Win-Win for EveryoneThe politician asserts that his bill is beneficial for all, based on global evidence.“There’s no question about that.”34:34Aug 16, 2025
- Resilience in the Face of AbuseDavid Seymour discusses how to handle online abuse and negativity.“I actually feel more sad for them because you've got this wonderful opportunity.”40:53Aug 16, 2025
- Media ChallengesNavigating media interviews can be tricky, especially with challenging journalists.“If the journalist decides to be a dick, then that’s a real shame.”49:16Aug 16, 2025
- Engagement Proposal with DolphinsA spontaneous proposal moment highlighted by the presence of dolphins.“You couldn't pay for this.”55:10Aug 16, 2025





