Shane Jones: The Roughest Tongue in Parliament

Shane Jones is one of New Zealand’s most polarising and fascinating politicians.

He started his parliament life in Labour 20 odd years ago.

Now he is the deputy leader of NZ First and the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries of New Zealand.

This is his first ever long form podcast about the person rather than policy.

+ We talk about his early life growing up in the Far North and his love of language.

+ Becoming a father at a young age.

+ His bowel cancer journey and how a foot massage in China may have saved his life.

+ His honest assessment of Helen Clarkes leadership and what Winston Peters is like when the cameras are off.

+ And some of the most controversial headlines of his career: including his headline grabbing remarks about immigration, mining, Nicola Willis, his public feud with Matt Watson. And also the truth behind his recent Canada travel controversy.

+ Shane also discusses his thoughts on ageing, apologising, flaws and the legacy he hopes to leave for his children and grandchildren.

+ This is Shane Jones as you rarely hear him: the person behind the public persona.

***

This episode has been brought to you by the legends at Odoo.

Click the link in the show notes to learn more about Odoo and support the people who support the show.

If you run a business, you’ll know how quickly the tools can stack up: invoicing, accounting, sales, inventory, projects, your website.

Odoo brings it all together.

It’s an all-in-one business management platform with over 45 apps built to work seamlessly together, helping you manage your entire operation from one place.

Try Odoo free for 15 days with no credit card required at https://www.odoo.com/r/2PF

Odoo. All your business, on one platform.

***

0:00 - Growing up in poverty in the Far North 2:26 - Addressing the Canada travel controversy 6:55 - Family life and personal background 12:06 - Early parenthood and seizing opportunities 14:08 - Language, genealogy, and St. Stephen's School 16:53 - Memories of rural upbringing and Christmas 22:23 - Bowel cancer journey and the path into politics 25:25 - Political evolution and the 1986 protests 28:56 - The role of rhetoric and language in politics 37:25 - Reflections on Helen Clark and Winston Peters 38:35 - Dealing with public headlines and controversies 43:26 - The public feud with Matt Watson 46:13 - Apologizing to Nicola Willis 47:48 - Influences and oratorical skills 50:44 - Working with Winston Peters and political legacy 54:33 - Lessons learned and future outlook 56:04 - The community's role in his early education 59:32 - Public interactions and handling scrutiny 1:01:03 - Legacy, mortality, and resilience 1:08:04 - Personal flaws and reflections on a career