The 9th Floor

Imagine a country where the Prime Minister set the price of basic goods. Where the Cabinet, without having to even put it to a vote in Parliament, decided the wages you get and the taxes and interest rates you pay. That was the country Geoffrey Palmer was determined to change when he entered Parliament in 1979. How leaders make those kinds of calls, how the decision process works and how power is wielded: that was at the heart of our mission when we researched and interviewed the five Prime Ministers for this series. Palmer is an essential voice on what it means to exercise power - precisely because he never wanted it and remains highly sceptical of those who do.

Guyon Espiner sits down for an in depth discussion with Mike Moore in the 2nd episode of RNZ's The 9th Floor.

Guyon Espiner speaks with Jim Bolger about being Prime Minister & what it’s like to run the country.

Guyon Espiner sits down with Jenny Shipley, New Zealand's first female Prime Minister, for an in depth discussion about being the country's leader & what it’s like to run the country.

Guyon Espiner speaks with Helen Clark about being Prime Minister of New Zealand & what it’s like to run the country.