Podcasts about finance ministers

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joined Heather du Plessis-Allan for their weekly chat. On the Golden Bay Cement bailout, Willis defended the Government's decision to not change the ETS and instead provide funding directly to the company. "If we had said 'actually no, the ETS doesn't apply to you, Golden Bay Cement', there would have been a conga, well, there could have been a conga line of others who would have said, 'hey, we don't want the ETS to apply to us either.'" Willis also confirmed that Erica Stanford is expected to make announcements on a potential social media ban in the coming weeks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal and provincial finance ministers meet in Prince Edward Island to talk breaking down barriers and strengthening the economy. That's as the Bank of Canada releases a cautiously optimistic economic outlook. Power & Politics hears from Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and two of his provincial counterparts. Plus, footage shows protesters swarming the premier of Nova Scotia's car and smashing the front windshield. P&P has the details from the CBC News reporter who was on the scene.

The Central Bank Governor, Gabriel Makhlouf, has warned against spending overruns ahead of the Budget 2027.In his annual pre-Budget letter to the Finance Minister, he highlighted that if their spending overruns persist, there could be a €25.7 billion deficit in the public finances by 2030…For more on this, Shane is joined by Economist Austin Hughes…

“Why is the Finance Minister still in office despite failing to release funds for flood mitigation, resulting in the deaths of 35 people? The blood of those innocent souls will forever be on Ato Forson's hands.” — Nana B, National Organizer, NPP

On Europe Today this Friday, our Europe Editor Maria Tadeo is in studio with all the latest information on her exclusive interview with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, discussing everything from Europe's economic future to next year's French Presidential elections.Europe Today is Euronews' daily podcast hosted by Maria Tadeo and Méabh Mc Mahon, broadcasting directly from Brussels, at the heart of Europe. Every morning, we deliver the top and exclusive stories shaping the European Union (EU) and beyond.Stay ahead with the key news and insights that matter in Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Finance Minister's again reiterating the volatility of oil prices as fighting resumes between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump's declared the ceasefire is over as both sides accuse the other of breaching the terms of the ceasefire agreement. American forces have hit dozens of Iranian targets, while Iran's fired drones at US bases in response. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking she'd just been celebrating falling petrol prices. She says in the past 24 hours, oil prices have jumped 5%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is hopeful that New Zealand's exports will grow significantly over the next ten years. If reelected, National says it will pursue trade negotiations with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. It would seek talks with a further six trading nations over the next decade. Nicola Willis says it's likely there will be more demand for New Zealand-made products over the years as the market grows and changes. "If you'd asked me 20 years ago - what will China buy from us? I probably wouldn't have predicted some of the products that they now buy from us. I wouldn't have said that they would be an importer of our wine, that they would be such a massive importer of dairy products." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is hopeful that New Zealand's exports will grow significantly over the next ten years. If reelected, National says it will pursue trade negotiations with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association. It would seek talks with a further six trading nations over the next decade. Nicola Willis says it's likely there will be more demand for New Zealand-made products over the years as the market grows and changes. "If you'd asked me 20 years ago - what will China buy from us? I probably wouldn't have predicted some of the products that they now buy from us. I wouldn't have said that they would be an importer of our wine, that they would be such a massive importer of dairy products." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, Treasury released a whole lot of documents showing the advice it gave the Government during the early days of the fuel crisis. One of the key things was a recommendation not to cut fuel taxes or road user charges, because it didn't think it was needed. The Government went with the advice. But, you might also remember, that the Government went a step further than that and said that the fuel tax increase - due to kick in at the start of next year - was unlikely. Which I thought was a bad move. And I still do. In the reports I've seen about yesterday's document dump, there's nothing about any Treasury advice on next year's increase. But there's two reasons for that: 1. This advice was to help the Government deal with things in-the-moment. And 2. When Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop poured cold water on the fuel tax increase, that was just politics. Because, as you'll remember, there were all sorts of people crying out for help. The Government went ahead with the support for low-to-middle income earners. But that was it. And it knew it wouldn't be a good look if it said no to everyone else wanting help and, in the same breath, said it was also going ahead with next year's fuel tax increase. But that was a bad move by the Government. My view on that hasn't changed. And that's why I think the Government needs to bite the bullet and press on with the fuel tax increase early next year. As planned. There'll be plenty of people who will say that they couldn't afford fuel taxes increasing. But I don't think the country can afford not to increase them. And I'm not the only one. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour thinks the same. He says the Government shouldn't do anything to limit its revenue from fuel taxes because of the long-term consequences for the Government's finances. And what he's talking about there, is limiting or restricting the amount of money the Government gets in to pay for road maintenance and construction. It also helps pay for things like public transport. The Finance Minister even acknowledged this negative impact when she said a few months back that the fuel tax increase was unlikely to go ahead. So, in its heart of hearts, the Government knows that increasing fuel taxes is a no-brainer. Which it is. The Government knows it. We know it. So there's only one thing for it to do. It needs to stop being so antsy and it needs to commit to putting the fuel taxes up, as planned, early next year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister believes all signs are pointing to economic growth this year. The International Monetary Fund's recommending the country continue to hike taxes and make spending cuts. It predicts the economy will grow by 2% throughout this year, rising to 2.7% next year. Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking the IMF's quite optimistic about our growth this year, and she believes the economy's ready to bounce back. She says they see it starting to recover after a difficult few months, and all of the bank economists agree. The IMF's also broadly happy with the Government's targeted response to the oil price shock. It believes the annual inflation rate will peak at 4% within the next few months thanks to high oil prices, before dropping back. Willis told Hosking inflation would've been a huge problem if the Government unfurled the money hose like a lot of people wanted. She says there was a lot of talk about cutting petrol tax, and giving people extra cash in their back pocket. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices have plunged with the shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran, and it's sparked discussion about what's going to happen next. It's bringing consumers some ease at the pump, with 91 dipping below $3 a litre. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's 'pleased' to see prices coming down, but prices need to stay below the $3 limit for four weeks in a row before they end the fuel support package. "If that oil prices spikes up again in response to events in the Middle East, you might see that the petrol price at the pump bump up again. But we're all crossing our fingers...and hoping it stays low." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Organization Undoing Tax Abuse says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's ultimatum to the City of Johannesburg is a welcomed move. Godongwana has given the city until Friday to explain why National Treasury should not stop transferring funds to the metro. OUTA says this is a welcome development, with Treasury now doing what it ought to have done years ago, placing pressure on the City of Johannesburg to address deteriorating financial governance, including R1.2 billion owed to Rand Water and R3.7 billion to Eskom. We spoke to OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage.

Almost all New Zealanders chose to not opt out of increasing their KiwiSaver payments. Minimum contributions increased from 3 percent in April to 3.5, although people could remain at 3 percent if they wished. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's important the Government set out their direction to increase contributions further." "Setting the direction out now makes it clear where we're going, it gives everyone time to adjust." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis says the Government's focused on the country's long-term economic outlook. GDP's risen 0.8% in the March quarter. The Economic Growth Minister says the June quarter won't be as sunny, as many businesses and households have been hit hard by the Iran war and fuel crisis. But she told Mike Hosking the global oil prices are tracking lower than Treasury had forecast. She says there's every reason to believe that flows through to lower prices at the pump, lower inflation, and better prospects for the economy overall. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says petrol prices will fall if the US-Iran peace deal holds, but it is a big if, and it will take time. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister and Finance Minister are urging fuel companies to pass on any oil price drops to consumers, in the wake of the US/Iran deal. Waitomo's chief executive Simon Parham spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Finance Minister says it's still too early to say whether we're seeing the beginning of the end of the fuel crisis. Prices have already fallen significantly since the US-Iran peace deal was announced. Traders on prediction market Kalshi are now picking the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and be fully back to normal by August. But Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking while the deal is clearly good news, she's waiting to see how the situation develops. She says it's still fragile and we've had breakthroughs in the past only to go backwards, so she's not counting her chickens just yet. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News of a peace agreement to be signed this between Iran and the US is prompting optimism about fuel prices and the global economy, but the Finance Minister is staying cautious. Both sides have agreed a deal, to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday - and it's understood the the Strait of Hormuz will reopen and 60 days of nuclear negotiations will commence. Nicola Willis says there's been breakthroughs followed by backsliding over the last few months as the conflict continued. "I'm steeled for possibly bad news, but hopeful this is going to stick because we've already seen the global oil price come down pretty significantly as a result, and I'd love to see it keep coming down." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've curated a special 10-minute version of the podcast for those in a hurry. Here you can listen to the full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jens-stoltenberg-how-norway-built-the-worlds-largest-fund/id1614211565?i=1000771963692 If anyone can tell the story of how Norway built the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, it's Jens Stoltenberg. As the fund marks its 30th anniversary, Nicolai Tangen sits down with Norway's Finance Minister and former NATO Secretary General to trace the decisions that turned oil revenues into $2 trillion in national savings. They discuss why Britain and Norway diverged so dramatically despite producing similar volumes of oil, the thinking behind the spending rule, and the risk of complacency when wealth feels guaranteed. Stoltenberg also explains his reasoning behind suspending the ethics council, the paradox of excluding defence companies Norway itself purchases from, and what he believes will matter most for the fund in the next 30 years. Tune in! In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New full episodes every Wednesday, and don't miss our Highlight episodes every Friday. The production team for this episode includes Isabelle Karlsson, Halvor Njerve and PLAN-B's Niklas Figenschau Johansen. Background research was conducted by Une Solheim. Watch the episode on YouTube: Norges Bank Investment Management - YouTubeWant to learn more about the fund? The fund | Norges Bank Investment Management (nbim.no)Follow Nicolai Tangen on LinkedIn: Nicolai Tangen | LinkedInFollow NBIM on LinkedIn: Norges Bank Investment Management: Administrator for bedriftsside | LinkedInFollow NBIM on Instagram: Explore Norges Bank Investment Management on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If anyone can tell the story of how Norway built the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, it's Jens Stoltenberg. As the fund marks its 30th anniversary, Nicolai Tangen sits down with Norway's Finance Minister and former NATO Secretary General to trace the decisions that turned oil revenues into $2 trillion in national savings. They discuss why Britain and Norway diverged so dramatically despite producing similar volumes of oil, the thinking behind the spending rule, and the risk of complacency when wealth feels guaranteed. Stoltenberg also explains his reasoning behind suspending the ethics council, the paradox of excluding defence companies Norway itself purchases from, and what he believes will matter most for the fund in the next 30 years. Tune in! In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New full episodes every Wednesday, and don't miss our Highlight episodes every Friday. The production team for this episode includes Isabelle Karlsson, Halvor Njerve and PLAN-B's Niklas Figenschau Johansen. Background research was conducted by Une Solheim. Watch the episode on YouTube: Norges Bank Investment Management - YouTubeWant to learn more about the fund? The fund | Norges Bank Investment Management (nbim.no)Follow Nicolai Tangen on LinkedIn: Nicolai Tangen | LinkedInFollow NBIM on LinkedIn: Norges Bank Investment Management: Administrator for bedriftsside | LinkedInFollow NBIM on Instagram: Explore Norges Bank Investment Management on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Finance Minister is promising more detail is coming regarding a billion dollar pre-Budget allocation. The funding's been labelled 'secret spending' by Labour. Nicola Willis says this reflects the Government's provision for a potential capital to operating forecast change in transport spend - that can be subject to future decisions. "That is literally what it is, and we will be taking policy decisions on that over the next few weeks and months." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A researcher and data analyst, Eric Akwetey Addo, has clarified one of the most widely debated issues in Ghana's financial sector, the revocation of the licence of GN Savings and Loans. He explains that the decision was taken by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) as part of its regulatory mandate, and not by the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, as has been widely suggested in public discourse

TSB and Heartland Bank are looking to join forces by the end of the year. TSB owner Toi Foundation's seeking feedback on the plan to join with Heartland Bank, to the tune of $620 million. Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomes this decision to team up and take on the big Australian banks. "That's positive, and good for the state of banking competition." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 1,557.Today, after a weekend that saw Russian ships hit by drones, hit by drones and hit by drones again, it ended with another Russian ship being seized by abseiling Frenchmen. Meanwhile, Ukraine's “logistics lockdown” continued, leading to fuel rationing in Crimea and more Russian oil refineries self-sanctioning in very dramatic ways; no wonder Putin's Finance Minister has said Russia's spending on the war has gone two trillion rubles over budget.Contributors: Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis (Associate Professor of engineering at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at UCL). @DrMitoulis on X.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Gezim HilajStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest CONTENT REFERENCED:Russia overspends on Putin's war in Ukraine by $28bn (The Financial Times)https://www.ft.com/content/93674b5c-06ea-4e49-a005-dc08e1091574?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Inside the schools preparing Ukrainian children for war (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/31/inside-the-schools-preparing-ukrainian-children-for-war/ For more information on Professor Mitoulis's work, follow the links below:Bridge Ukraine: https://bridgeukraine.org/Meta Infrastructure: https://metainfrastructure.org/EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:France seizes Russian shadow fleet tanker in mission Moscow calls ‘piracy'Ukrainian drones dominate skies over occupied cities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nepal's Finance Minister, Swarnim Wagle, presented the country's 2026–27 federal budget worth more than AUD 19 billion (NPR 2.124 trillion) on Friday, 29 May. A PhD graduate in Economics from Australian National University, Wagle delivered the first budget of the Balendra Shah-led government, which was formed after Nepal's first general election following last year's Gen Z movement. During a visit to Australia in December to attend the Australasian Aid Conference 2025 at his alma mater, SBS Nepali spoke with Wagle about contemporary issues and the evolving relationship between Australia and Nepal. This interview was first broadcast on SBS South Asian's Nepali radio program on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. - अस्ट्रेलियन नेश्नल युनिभर्सिटी (एएनयु)बाट अर्थशास्त्रमा विद्यावारिधि गरेका स्वर्णिम वाग्लेले, नेपालमा गत सालको जेन जी आन्दोलन पछि सम्पन्न पहिलो आम निर्वाचनबाट बनेको वालेन्द्र शाह नेतृत्वको सरकारको तर्फबाट हिजो शुक्रवार, २९ मेमा लगभग रु २१ खर्ब २४ अर्बको बजेट प्रस्तुत गरेका छन्। आफू पढेकै युनिभर्सिटीमा 'अस्ट्रेलेजियन एड कन्फ्रेन्स'मा भाग लिन केही महिना पूर्व अस्ट्रेलिया आउँदा समसामयिक विषय तथा अस्ट्रेलिया र नेपालको सम्बन्धबारे उनीसँग एसबीएस नेपालीले गरेको कुराकानी सुन्नुहोस्। यो कुराकानी एसबीएस साउथ एसियन अन्तर्गतको नेपाली रेडियो कार्यक्रममा पहिलो पटक मङ्गलवार, १३ ज्यानुअरी २०२६ मा प्रसारण भएको थियो।हाम्रा थप अडियो प्रस्तुतिहरू पोडकास्टका रूपमा उपलब्ध छन्। यो नि:शुल्क सेवा प्रयोग गर्न तपाईंले आफ्नो नाम दर्ता गर्नु पर्दैन। पोडकास्टमा सामाग्री उपलब्ध हुनासाथ सुन्न यहाँ थिच्नुहोस्।नोट: हामी तपाईँलाई जानकारी गराउन चाहन्छौँ कि यस कुराकानीमा व्यक्त गरिएका विचारहरू वक्ता स्वयम्‌का हुन् र यी विचारहरू प्रति एसबीएसको समर्थन वा विरोध छैन।Subscribe to the SBS Nepali podcast here.Disclaimer: We would like to inform you that the views expressed in this conversation are solely those of the speaker, and SBS neither endorses nor opposes these views.

The Finance Minister Nicola Willis took a gamble with her budget yesterday. Touted as a responsible financial move with no sugar hits, Budget 2026 focused on the long term, and an early return to surplus, over election year sweeteners. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks to Lisa Owen about Budget 2026.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about what she's called the "responsible Budget".

Finance Minister Nicola Willis hopes her Budget will convince voters to re-elect the Government in November. It includes significant investment in infrastructure and health. It also shows a return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year – a year sooner than previously forecast. The forecast uses the OBEGALx measure, which excludes ACC. Willis told Mike Hosking her message is simple. She says the Opposition would borrow and spend more, which would put the country's future at risk. The Finance Minister is also defending the new 1% levy on banks, insurers, and other financial market participants, which would be used to regulate the sector. Willis yesterday directed banks not to pass on the cost of the levy to their customers, saying they're the most profitable companies in the country and do very well for themselves. Asked by Hosking why she didn't increase tax on high-earning individuals like himself using the same logic, Willis said she didn't want him “flying off overseas”. She says that the idea that taxing high-earners more and they'll be more inclined to invest in New Zealand doesn't make sense, but when it comes to banks, it's a tiny, tiny levy relative to their bottom line. The move brings New Zealand into line with other countries like Australia and the UK, Willis says. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The surplus train's left the station early in Budget news today, with the country expected to be out of deficit by 2028/29, a year ahead of predictions. Government Ministers are trumpeting that figure, alongside a focus on health and infrastructure. The Waikato Expressway will get 12 more kilometres, Whangarei a new hospital wing and new police stations are on the horizon for Whanganui and Greymouth. The biggest surprise is a tax on banks and insurers, worth roughly $50 million dollars a year. The bowel cancer screening age will lower to 56 by September and increased health funding aims to increase surgeries and reduce wait times. $450 million has been set aside for targeted support, in case the fuel crisis worsens. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says things are tough - but its not the time for lolly scrambles. She says the crisis is hitting many hard - but the country will bounce back with growth and increasing wages. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says she's crafted the right Budget for the times ... as the Reserve Bank warns times are tough. It's held the Official Cash Rate steady - not wanting to damage the economy - but says it will have to hike it soon to counter surging inflation caused by the Middle East conflict. And one economist says that leaves the government battling a very difficult set of circumstances. Political reporter Lauren Crimp has more.

The country's money pie will be carved up tomorrow, with a bunch of people eager to see how fat their slice is or if they get a bite at all. The top secret super-sized document came off the printer in Petone yesterday. After seeing the 2026 budget bundle delivered, the Finance Minister went straight to an actual pie shop, Puku Pies and Kai. Puku Pie owner Jamie Williams spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dr Mohamad Al-Ississ, Macro and Geopolitical Strategist and former Finance Minister of Jordan, joins Tellimer Founder and CEO Duncan Wales to examine how a new era of geopolitical fragmentation is fundamentally reshaping the calculus for emerging market investors, sovereigns and corporations. Drawing on Mohamad's decade of leading Jordan's fiscal and economic policy, and his subsequent work advising boards and institutions on macro strategy and sovereign risk, the conversation examines why the world has shifted from optimising for efficiency to competing on resilience, and what that means for sovereign differentiation across emerging markets. They explore how AI is less a software story for EMs than an infrastructure and human capital imperative, and why energy policy has become inseparable from industrial and defence strategy. The episode also covers the corridor economies of Turkey and Azerbaijan, the risks of fiscal short-termism, and why career-safe index investing is increasingly a dangerous bet.The Emerging Markets Podcast by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tellimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Emerging Markets, Connected. Check out the full Tellimer offering ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Emerging Markets Podcast dives into a range of topics in the emerging and frontier market world including investment themes, debt restructuring, elections, and geopolitical tensions.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is provided for information purposes and represents the personal opinions of the speakers. It is not an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities, nor should it be regarded as investment advice. Tellimer Technologies Limited does not offer or provide advice and no mention of a particular security in this podcast constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, portfolio of securities, or enter any transaction or investment strategy. Nor is any such mention an indication that any investment is suitable for any specific person.For more information, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tellimer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

A Former Finance Minister expects this year's Budget to invest in health, education, and defence – with cuts elsewhere. Budget 2026 is being unveiled tomorrow, opening up the Government's books and detailing when a return to surplus is possible. Steven Joyce told Mike Hosking re-prioritisation is the story of the week, and he's backing further cost-savings in the public sector. The Government aims to cut around 8,700 jobs in the public service by mid-2029, with savings set to be re-invested. Joyce told Hosking we've had an increase in public servants since 2017, but outcomes aren't significantly better. He says many believe it has just increased the churn, and number of meetings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some more leaked audio has gotten the Labour Party in trouble, with MP Barbara Edmonds apologising for off-colour comments directed at the Finance Minister. The audio obtained by the Herald features a moderator asking various Labour MPs whether they'd rather fight "100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck." Edmonds' answer apparently referenced Nicola Willis. Willis says she's accepted Edmonds' apology - but this event says a lot about Labour's conduct this election year. "Step one - demonize your opponent. Step two - waffle on about values. Well, how about just answering the question? I guess that would require some actual policies." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australian man dies after fall on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Guzman y Gomez is closing its doors on US business New Zealand’s Finance Minister invites Aussies over after latest budget changes Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale begins Deep Dive: Kylie Minogue kept her second cancer diagnosis a secret – until this week. Australia’s pop princess has a tell-all Netflix documentary out now, which includes the stories of her 2021 diagnosis and her struggle to become a mum. Filled with home footage, the documentary gives an insider look at Kylie’s rise, her losses, her loves, and the music that helped her through. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by entertainment reporter Justin Hill. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister on Tuesday announced more than 9,000 public service jobs will go over three years, with savings of almost $2.5 billion. It has public servants holding their breaths. The government says new tech and AI will help streamline departments, but details are sparse. Either way some people are going to be looking for work. Bruce Pilbrow, the chief executive of New Zealand owned recruitment agency Tribe spoke to Lisa Owen.

A bid to change a political football as research finds housing targets aren't working. The New Zealand Initiative suggests councils should be judged on whether there's real and affordable choices – replacing traditional targets with price indicators. It also recommends an expert panel to make decisions rather than central Government. Research Fellow Benno Blaschke told Mike Hosking we need to get the politics out of it, like we do in other areas. He says the Finance Minister doesn't set interest rates, the Reserve Bank does, as it's independent and has the technical skill required. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Commissioner says deep cuts to the public service may seem dramatic, but the problem's built up over a long time. The Finance Minister says about 8700 staff will go by mid-2029, and most agencies' operating budgets will progressively reduce in coming years. Sir Brian Roche says cutting staffing down to 55,000 brings it to about one percent of the population. He says cuts and finding efficiencies should be more constant. "We only seem to reform ourselves every 30 or 40 years, we actually need to get much more cotemporary and dynamic in the way we think about organisations." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another swathe of Government agency job cuts and public sector reform. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they want to return the public servant headcount to 1% of the population by mid-2029, culling about 8,700 jobs. Government agency operating budgets will again be reduced – 2% now, increasing over following years. Willis says they will also thin out the ministries, pointing to savings it'll bring. She says they expect to hire more nurses, Police officers, and others in critical frontline roles. Willis says AI is “incredible” at slashing the amount of time needed for mundane tasks, revealing her staff used it to write a report on public service reform. She told Mike Hosking the Government was streamlining agencies and embedding AI and digitisation, and asking the public service to "get out of the 80s". She was experimenting with AI in her own office. “Instead of one of my analysts spending half a day coming up with a document, they said to AI, ‘Have a look at public service reform around the world, tell us who's done what, what seems to have worked well, what hasn't'. “And 10 minutes later, you've got a beautiful document with some guidance and some advice.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance ministers and central bankers from the world's top economies are gathering in Paris as the US war on Iran threatens to undermine the global financial system. Meanwhile, inflation tied to the war sparks a rout on bond markets, and the US's busiest commuter rail system shuts down over a labour dispute.

The Finance Minister says the Budget "lolly scrambles" are well and truly a thing of the past. The Government's cut its operating allowance by another $300 million to $2.1 billion. Nicola Willis says Government ministers have been looking carefully for savings. She told Mike Hosking they're having to be very careful about the choices they make. Willis says they need to look for investments that drive growth, living standards, and affordability. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bit of buzz around Kiwibank as it potentially looks to have another crack at getting bigger, and by getting bigger, then becomes better able to take on the so-called "big four". This is business and it's politics. Asset sales are back on the agenda, especially for the National and ACT parties. NZ First, not so much. So it may well be one of those things that gets tossed around as an idea, but in the reality of an MMP environment, it goes nowhere. Making the Kiwibank story slightly unique is its role in the overall banking atmosphere of New Zealand and whether a bigger bank would solve any of the perceived competition problems we have. People we know are prepared to change banks. Last year when there was a free for all on cashbacks for borrowing, people were moving freely like the wind. So the idea that there isn't competition doesn't appear to be true. But I'm in a minority given everyone from the Commerce Commission to the Finance Minister argues otherwise. I also detect more broadly that asset sales are not, as a topic, as edgy as they once were. If you go back to the 80's and Labour under Douglas and Prebble, asset sales were dynamite and not all of them went well, which didn't help the pro-sales argument. But the cold hard-ish reality here, 40 years on, is there isn't a lot left to sell. Some chunks of power companies are worth serious money. We have an airline, a TV network, a radio network, some farms – it's all got a moderately piecemeal vibe to it. Kiwibank should be able to raise the sort of money it needs, and it should be allowed to grow. Is the counter to a partial sale that we like a small, restricted bank that hasn't been allowed to be all it could be just so we can say we are anti-asset sales? In Kiwibank's case you are holding back growth. In TVNZ's case it's about ideology, i.e. should the state run a TV station given the place isn't worth anything to sell? And in say the case of Genesis, it's about serious coin we could badly use elsewhere. If this idea goes anywhere this election year, you would hope we are less hung up on ideology and more attuned to the nuances of the debate than we have been in the past. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government says in a worst case scenario, fuel would be rationed according to need - from critical services at the top to the general public at the bottom. Nicola Willis spoke to John Campbell.

The criticisms of Tuesday's federal budget have already started. Labor is facing allegations of broken promises over changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. And there is frustration in the electorate about the government's $50bn increase in defence spending over the next decade, while also significantly reducing the growth in NDIS spending. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to finance minister Katy Gallagher who, along with treasurer Jim Chalmers, is leading the decision making on a budget that claims to address intergenerational fairness – while also being responsible and resilient in an uncertain global environment

TVNZ's Political Editor Maiki Sherman has resigned from the state broadcaster, citing unprecedented scrutiny and enormous pressure on her over the past week. It follows a barrage of criticism after revelations she directed a homophobic slur at another journalist during late-night drinks in the Finance Minister's office a year ago. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW SCHEDULE, TUESDAY 4 -7-2026.1521 HORMUZ STRAIT.1. FEDERAL RESERVE'S LIMITED ROLE IN INFLATION. ELIZABETH PEEK. Elizabeth Peek explains that the Fed cannot control supply-shock inflation caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. She warns that upcoming reports will reflect soaring diesel prices currently affecting Europe. (1)2. REPUBLICAN MIDTERM STRATEGY AND THE ECONOMY. ELIZABETH PEEK. Voter focus has shifted from the border to cost-of-living issues that skyrocketed under current leadership. Peek notes Republicans struggle with messaging despite initiatives to lower healthcare costs and prescription drug prices. (2)3. EUROPE'S ENERGY CRISIS AND THE TRANSATLANTIC RIFT. JUDY DEMPSEY. Judy Dempsey reports on soaring German and French energy costs necessitating diesel subsidies. She highlights European distrust of the American administration and the fraying of traditional multilateral institutions. (3)4. FAR-RIGHT GAINS IN EAST GERMAN ELECTIONS. JUDY DEMPSEY. Dempsey analyzes the AfD's momentum in East Germany, where pacifist sentiment and economic resentment drive support. The far-right party now contests Chancellor Mertz's coalition in upcoming regional state elections. (4)5. DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY IN GLOBAL CONFLICTS. MARY KISSEL. Mary Kissel outlines the State Department's roles in economic diplomacy and humanitarian coordination during global crises. She emphasizes the necessity of consistent messaging between the White House and international allies. (5)6. THE EBB TIDE OF SOCIALISM IN SOUTH AMERICA. MARY KISSEL. Kissel discusses right-of-center political shifts in Venezuela and Chile, crediting Marco Rubio for fostering regional economic growth. She calls for a transition of power to benefit the Cuban people. (6)7. ESCALATION AND IRAN'S REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE. JONATHAN SCHANZER. Schanzer details the five-man collective governing Iran and their commitment to revolutionary martyrdom. He describes US strikes on infrastructure while questioning if Pakistan is acting as a Chinese proxy. (7)8. THE IDF CAMPAIGN TO DEFANG HEZBOLLAH. JONATHAN SCHANZER. Jonathan Schanzer reports on Israel's efforts to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to prevent rocket attacks. He reveals that the IDF has already destroyed roughly 80% of Hezbollah's arsenal. (8)9. GERMAN ECONOMIC REFORM AND LARS KLINGBEIL. JOSEPH STERNBERG. Joseph Sternberg profiles the Finance Minister's supply-side proposals, including tax reforms and labor law flexibility. These initiatives aim to revive the German economy and reclaim voters from the far-right. (9)10. UK POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND THE KING'S VISIT. JOSEPH STERNBERG. Sternberg discusses Keir Starmer's unpopularity and the upcoming royal visit to America. He suggests the visit offers an opportunity to repair the special relationship despite deep strategic differences over Iran. (10)11. CHINESE ESPIONAGE AND THE ROBOTICS THREAT. DAVID SHEDD AND JACK BURNHAM. Experts examine the Schumer-Cotton bill targeting Chinese robotics, warning that these technologies contain software egress points for data theft. They argue this follows a long-standing pattern of intellectual property larceny. (11)12. AI SMUGGLING AND CIVILIAN-MILITARY FUSION. DAVID SHEDD AND JACK BURNHAM. The guests detail illicit efforts to smuggle Nvidia chips and steal American AI models through "adversarial distillation". They highlight China's strategic plan to acquire Western innovation without the investment. (12)13. Headline: The Gulf Standoff: UN Vetoes, Asymmetrical Tactics, and Iran's Ruling Council (13)Guest: Gregory Copley (14)Summary: John Batchelor and Gregory Copley discuss the Gulf standoff following Russian and Chinese UN vetoes,. They analyze Iran's asymmetrical warfare, use of human shields, and the influence of five uncompromising hardliners currently steering the conflict,,,. (15)14. THE IRANIAN STANDOFF AND STRATEGIC DEADLOCK. GREGORY COPLEY. Gregory Copley compares the conflict to a Korean-style stalemate where Iranian leadership refuses to provide a face-saving exit. Russia and China continue supporting Iran by providing missile propellant and equipment. (16)15. VIETNAM WAR LESSONS FOR MODERN CONFLICT. GREGORY COPLEY. Copley warns that alienation from the government and a lack of defined victory objectives could lead to strategic catastrophe. He notes Trump has alienated allies who previously supported US endeavors. (17)16. KING CHARLES AND THE ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE. GREGORY COPLEY. Gregory Copley discusses the King's role in mending rifts between unpopular US and UK leaders. The visit celebrates American independence while offering the King a platform to improve diplomatic relations. (18)

9. GERMAN ECONOMIC REFORM AND LARS KLINGBEIL. JOSEPH STERNBERG. Joseph Sternberg profiles the Finance Minister's supply-side proposals, including tax reforms and labor law flexibility. These initiatives aim to revive the German economy and reclaim voters from the far-right. (9)1742 PERSIA

What happens when a grown-up economist says the quiet part out loud: the U.S. is acting like it can break the rules forever? Andrés Velasco joins Matt and Luigi for a sharp, no-spin talk on debt, tariffs, copper, central banks, globalization, and why countries that treat boom times like a Vegas weekend usually end up crying in the shower. From Chile's "save it, don't blow it" playbook to America's very expensive habit of pretending deficits don't matter, this episode puts real-world economics back in plain English.