The Ralston Group - 20 June 1991

The Ralston Group was an early 90s TV3 political chat show where politicos and media industry insiders vigorously debated current affairs. In this mid-1991 episode ringmaster Bill Ralston prods RNZ political editor Richard Griffin, broadcaster Leighton Smith, North & South editor Robyn Langwell and lawyer Trevor de Cleene to tell it as they see it. They debate service on Air New Zealand, the reform of Accident Compensation Corporation, the National Party’s broken promise for a Guaranteed Retirement Income, and the vexed issue of personalised car number plates.

It was like the best sort of dinner party: noisy and gossipy, the guests well informed, well lubricated with lots of opinions and zero inhibition.

– Julie Middleton in The NZ Herald, 6 July 2003

Key Cast & Crew

Bill Ralston

Presenter

Peter Donnan

Director

Keith Slater

Producer

Steven Orsbourn

Camera

Leighton Smith

Panellist

Dave Johnson

Technical Director