Charlotte Cook leaning on a bench and smiling. Beside her is a stack of cookbooks and a bowl of tomatoes.

White text reads, "Grilled, with Charlotte Cook".

12m

The leaders of ACT, the Greens, Labour, and National face Midday Report’s Charlotte Cook, who grills them over policies, technique in the kitchen, and how they got into politics.

Produced by RNZ

Series details.

Credits

Charlotte Cook
Presenter, Director, & Producer
Angus Dreaver & Sam Rilstone
Camera Operators & Editors

Instead of the usual campaign diet of sausage rolls, lollies, and caffeine, in this web series our top four polling parties put their leaders on the chopping block in the kitchen.

The leaders of Act, the Greens, Labour, and National faced Midday Report’s Charlotte Cook, who grilled them over policies, technique in the kitchen, and how they got into politics.

Each party got to pick a meal of their choice. Some made bolder decisions than others, but all provided the perfect way to see who could be leading your country, from the comfort of a kitchen.

Watch the series to find out if they could handle the heat, who tried to serve raw chicken, and if knives came out.

Te Pāti Māori and NZ First declined to take part in the series.

Get in touch

More like this

  • Geoffrey Palmer

    Guyon Espiner talks to five former NZ Prime Ministers, starting with reforming lawmaker Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who became our 33rd PM in 1989.
    The 9th Floor/Episode 1
    60m
  • How MMP changed politics

    New Zealand’s MMP voting system promised fairness and diversity — but has it delivered? In this episode of Context, Guyon Espiner and Corin Dann look back at how MMP came to be, from a slip-up by David Lange in the 1980s to Winston Peters’ rise as kingmaker, and now Christopher Luxon’s challenge of managing a three-party government.
    Context (New)/Season 1/Episode 8
    41m
  • Melissa Chan-Green | Til Death

    Content warning: discusses death and loss, and sexual assault. After his bride’s death just hours after their wedding, a devastated groom struggles to process his grief. Five years later, he turns to Melissa Chan-Green to tell his heart-wrenching story for the first time.
    re_covering/Season 5/Episode 8
    57m
  • Metiria Turei

    Did Metiria Turei mean to turn the 2017 election on its head? Earlier that year, the former Green Party co-leader made an admission that would upend their entire campaign.
    Matangireia/Season 1/Episode 1
    45m
  • An extended interview with Minister of Finance Nicola Willis

    Minister of Finance Nicola Willis discusses the significant challenges facing Aotearoa's economy. The latest figures show GDP has contracted more sharply than forecast, while investor confidence has fallen to lows not seen since COVID. With unemployment climbing and the cost of living putting pressure on whānau across the motu, what is her plan to kick-start the economy, and what role might iwi play in the recovery?
    MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes/Season 3/Episode 19
    29m
  • Chelsea Winstanley: Overcoming trauma and coming out on top

    Oscar-nominated film producer Chelsea Winstanley talks to Anika about overcoming trauma, taking risks, and coming out on top.
    It's Personal with Anika Moa/Season 1/Episode 1
    47m
  • Kenneth Roth

    Do Israel’s actions amount to genocide? Kenneth Roth has spent decades documenting human rights violations. He explains how genocide is defined—and whether it’s happening in Gaza. Plus, is Trump's power on the wane?
    30 with Guyon Espiner/Season 3/Episode 13
    32m
  • Not Her Destiny: Former church member asks, "Did I not deserve to be protected?"

    For years, Destiny Church shaped every part of Lynia Morseu-Tol's life: her faith, her family, and her identity. As a takatāpui wahine Māori, its teachings left her feeling ashamed, conflicted, and alone—all while she endured years of abuse at home. 16 years after leaving the church, Lynia speaks out about its leaders, whom she believes failed to protect her, and condemns Ngāti Uenuku - Rainbow Community. This is Lynia's story of reckoning with faith, identity, and whānau.
    MATA Reports (New Report)/Season 2/Episode 2
    28m
  • Mamas Return to Play

    Juggling new motherhood in often-isolated countries and continuing a sports career can have big pressures on Pasifika women.
    9m