Will's Word: Why we talk to politicians you might not agree with

I saw some feedback recently after we ran a story on a Pacific candidate standing for the ACT Party.

The comment asked: "Is there a reason PMN keeps doing articles on ACT? Seymour is interviewed semi-regularly too. For a party that stands against so many Pasifika values and isn't voted on, it seems pretty disproportionate. Is it to appease funders or something?"

Firstly, thank you. I genuinely appreciate the feedback.

Left, right, centre, blue, red, green, magenta. Feedback is healthy. Questions are healthy. Media organisations should be challenged and we should be accountable to the communities we serve.

But I think it's important to reiterate why we do what we do.

It's actually pretty simple. It's balance.

Listen to Will's Word below.

In my job, I interview politicians and candidates from all political persuasions and colours. Not because I agree with them. Not because I disagree with them. But because that's the role of the fourth estate.

My own views at the end of the day are irrelevant.

Now, I hear the point some people are making. You may feel ACT's values don't align with your own values. That's your right.

But I would be doing listeners a disservice if I only gave airtime to people who think the same way I do, or the same way you do.

Democracy is messy. It's disagreement. It's hearing perspectives you don't like. Frankly we don't all think the same, we don't all vote the same, and we certainly don't all talk the same.

It's funny, some days I get accused of being a lefty journalist and on others, I'm a right-wing hack.

From left: NZ First leader Winston Peters, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and ACT Party leader David Seymour - key figures in Aotearoa's current coalition government. Photo/Facebook/Winston Peters

Honestly, if I'm annoying both sides from time to time, that's probably a sign I'm doing something right.

As for the suggestion we interview ACT to appease funders?

No. That couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is much more boring.

David Seymour is the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Whether you voted for him or not, whether you agree with him or not, he helps run the country. The decisions he and his party make affect Pacific communities. So Pacific people deserve to hear from him directly, not filtered through a mainstream news lens.

And here's one thing I'll give Seymour credit for, he shows up. He knows Pacific people aren't traditionally ACT voters. He knows many listeners disagree with him. But he still comes on.

Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono, a regular guest on Pacific Mornings, where he discusses foreign policy, climate issues and Pacific priorities in Aotearoa politics. Photo/Supplied

Just like Labour politicians do, we have a weekly slot with a Pacific Labour MP.

We have a weekly slot with Green MP Teanau Tuiono.

We also speak regularly to New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters.

Because at the end of the day, my job isn't to tell people what to think.

It's to provide balance.