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The coalition Government has unveiled its second Budget. Over 20 billion dollars in savings has been found over the next four years, more than half from controversial changes to our pay equity scheme. There are changes to KiwiSaver contributions, means testing for support for parents, and a major new tax incentive for businesses. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that it is a “responsible budget”, while Labour has called it an ‘austerity budget’ that leaves women out and is stealing from our kids. To break down what this all means for you, today on The Front Page, we’re joined by NZ Herald business editor at large, Liam Dann. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kiwibank has scrapped it's plans for partial privatisation after the Reserve Bank announced it's reduction of the amount of capital it requires banks to hold to protect their depositors in the event of a crisis. The bank had been talking to investors, seeking a $500 million capital raise after the Government gave it the green light to raise money to become more competitive. Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich talked to Andrew Dickens about the change and the future of the market. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Nick Mills live at Prefab for a look back on our economy this year. They reflect on the year that has been, and their hopes for the next year, election year. Why is the Willis v Richardson debate not happening? Is the GDP rise a sign of hope? Nick asks Nicola Willis the big questions. And they get in the Christmas spirit with some gift giving. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Confirmation that the economy grew strongly in the third quarter of the year is welcome news before Christmas”, Finance Minister Nicola Willis stated in the first line of her press release yesterday. ‘Welcome news' may be a bit of an understatement, given the context of recent attempts to undermine Nicola Willis and the Government's approach to righting the economy. Willis also needed the good GDP news after a disappointing Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update on Tuesday, in which almost every economic and fiscal indicator moved ever so slightly in the wrong direction. The GDP results showed the economy did better than expected in the September quarter, growing 1.1%. GDP per capita rose 0.9% for the quarter, if that's how you prefer to measure it. The increase in economic activity was broad based, with increases in 14 of the 16 industries that Stats NZ looks at. This is good news. But the problem with GDP figures is they're provisional and often revised. That's what has happened with the previous June quarter – which did worse than previously thought, falling one percent. If you look at it from an annual point of view, from September to September, the economy contracted 0.5%. These numbers provide an overview of what's going on. They are a sign of a gentle uptick rather than a booming recovery. But they don't give politicians a true sense of what is going on in New Zealanders day to day lives. As Liam Dann wrote recently, GDP doesn't capture wealth distribution, it doesn't tell us about the health of our nation, or the overall happiness of its people. As the end of the year approaches, Luxon and Willis survive ‘25 to enjoy a summer BBQ and a bevy or two and get to return to their leadership roles in 2026. But hopefully they and their politician colleagues will spend some time over the summer listening to ordinary Kiwis to get a sense of how New Zealanders are feeling about the cost of living, job security, and the challenges facing those running a business. Yesterday's GDP figures give Willis breathing room. But the pressure is on next year. Willis is excellent at sticking to her core messaging of fiscal discipline without causing misery to voters. It's a plan that holds some risk – there's little room to deal with the consequences of potential natural disasters or global financial crisis in the near future. The ‘steady as you go' message will remain next year, and yet there's a sense the hard yards haven't started yet. If we're going to meet the 2029 – 2030 surplus target, the ruler is likely going to have to come out again. Social services and public servants will most likely be the targets. In the meantime, we can head into the New Year with some cautious optimism that the economy may have peaked a look around the corner. I like the expression one of my listeners suggested to me on Sunday – ‘brick by brick in 26'. Maybe then we might have built something a more stable by 2027. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pointing to a slower economy, lower tax take and higher debt costs, but maintains she can achieve surplus six months earlier than the Treasury forecast.
The Government insists it has a plan to turn the economy around. Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows the country is first forecast to be in the black by 2029-2030. The Finance Minister has admitted the country is borrowing money to pay the interest bill on the debt. Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis Allan that bill is about $9 billion a year. She says around 80% of borrowing over the next few years will be for capital assets like hospitals, schools, and roads. There may also be more cuts to the public service as they aim to get back down to surplus. Economic growth is expected to be just 1.7% next year, and Willis says there's still room for efficiency in the public service. She will be sending letters out to her cabinet colleagues to give them ideas on where they can make some savings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis defends the state of the Government books, despite surplus being pushed out and debt growing more than previously predicted. The Bondi hero who tried to stop the two terrorists is fighting for his own health in hospital. Ryan Bridge speaks to a woman who has been by his bedside. A lawyer convicted of groping law students at a Russell McVeagh Christmas Party has been cleared to return to practicing law. Ryan asks the victims' lawyer Steph Dyhrberg how she feels about James Gardner-Hopkins getting a second chance. Auckland Council has listened and voted down a trial to move to fortnightly rubbish collections. Plus, the Huddle reacts to news that Ruth Richardson has officially pulled out of the big debate against Nicola Willis. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're going to start this morning with the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update, which was actually the Three-quarter Year Economic and Fiscal Update. It delivered news we all expected, and that is that we're getting there as a country. It's just taking longer than we thought. Treasury's half-year update, published on Tuesday, predicted a return to surplus in 2029/30, a year later than it forecasted in May. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she'd continue to aim for 2028/29 and said we're on target to return the books to surplus faster than they will in Australia, the UK, Canada, and many other advanced economies, while maintaining a prudent debt position. She's doubled down on what she calls her disciplined plan for returning the books to surplus, and says she's not willing to implement more brutal spending cuts, as the Taxpayers' Union have been advocating for, warning that their prescription would deliver human misery and hurt frontline public services and depress already weak demand in a recovering economy. She points out that the Taxpayer Union proposed, among other things, scrapping all Working for Families tax credits, reducing the average weekly income of the recipients by about $180. She said beneficiaries and low-income families would be at the brunt of any change like that, delivering a level of human misery she was not prepared to tolerate. She said of Labour's criticism, that their approach to spending is reckless and would further delay a return to surplus. She said that the Government had delivered about $11 billion a year in savings during its term. Without this disciplined approach, she says the year's deficit would be $25 billion, and debt would be on track to blow out to 59% of GDP. So, according to Finance Minister Willis, she and her government are on track, and that being castigated by the Taxpayers' Union for being too soft, too wimpy, and being criticized by Labour for being too harsh, means she's charting the right course. It is a fine balance she has to strike. You, me, everybody can see where she can make cuts. The winter energy payment, making it a needs-based payment, making a number of allowances needs-based, the fees free, that sort of thing. There's a lot of low-hanging fruit you could pluck off and save a few cents here and a few cents there. What a lot of households have done over the past few years. But she is bound by her agreements with coalition partners. There are some things she cannot touch. She's working in an MMP environment. There are plenty of things I'm sure she'd love to do, things that Ruth Richardson could do, but even allowing for the human misery factor, there are coalition partners she has to placate, and the Government wants to get re-elected. It is utterly pointless steering the right course, but only for three years. It is utterly pointless saving a few billion here, only for it to be squandered next time round. So what do you suggest she does? I'm sure she gets plenty of reckons from all sorts of people – the most recent and the most high profile was former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson, who really should pipe down. I'm glad that debate's off. That was just farcical. But Ruth Richardson needs to pipe down because she could do things, and did do things, that simply aren't possible for this Finance Minister to do under MMP. And also, it's a lot harder to get elected under MMP and to have a big say in the direction of the government unless you've got a big platform. So anything Nicola Willis does has to be with an eye to being the biggest party to form a government. So, I tend to think she's right, that if you've got the Taxpayers' Union going, you're too soft, you're too wet, you're too pathetic, you've got Labour going, you're too cruel, you're too harsh, you're too brutal, then she's pretty much on the right track. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 15 December 2025, the ripple effects of the shocking Bondi terror attack are being felt far and wide. Ryan Bridge speaks to terrorism expert Dr Levi West, Holocaust Center chair Deborah Hart and Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Pannett. The Reserve Bank Governor has swung into action to talk down financial markets, Finance Minister Nicola Willis seems happy. Avatar director James Cameron has warned this might be his last Avatar movie and is pitching for a better film rebate for local productions. Plus, after the Bondi attack the Huddle debates whether we have let antisemitism become acceptable. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update is due to be unveiled to the nation tomorrow, and the Finance Ministers outlined her expectations. Experts have speculated a projected surplus will be pushed back from 2029 by another year, and Prime Minister Chris Luxon tempered expectations earlier today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says 'fiscal discipline' will see New Zealand's economy keep growing in the coming months. "Importantly, I also get to update the Treasury's economic forecasts and that's what shows the picture for more job creation, income growth into the future, and people doing better." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update is due to be unveiled to the nation tomorrow, and the Finance Ministers outlined her expectations. Experts have speculated a projected surplus will be pushed back from 2029 by another year, and Prime Minister Chris Luxon tempered expectations earlier today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says 'fiscal discipline' will see New Zealand's economy keep growing in the coming months. "Importantly, I also get to update the Treasury's economic forecasts and that's what shows the picture for more job creation, income growth into the future, and people doing better." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's a stunt, performative politics, a farce, a side show, a distraction from the HYEFU and quarterly GDP results being released this week… goodness me, the thought of a debate between our current Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, and a previous Finance Minister, Ruth Richardson, caused quite a stir this week, didn't it? Politics is, by its nature, a contest of ideas and values, so why are we afraid of a little debate? We see performative debate taking place in the House on a regular basis? Dare I say it - but with all the hype, maybe people will watch this one. I like that Finance Minister Nicola Willis isn't quietly counting down the days until the Christmas break to slink away and hope the fudge campaign, devised by the Taxpayers Union, will slowly slip from our minds after a bevy and BBQ or three. In his column in the NZ Herald this week, Mathew Hooton said that whoever advised Finance Minister Nicola Willis to challenge her predecessor Ruth Richardson, now the chair of the Taxpayers Union, to a debate should be sacked. I wonder whether Willis, an experienced debater, came up with the idea herself. Hooton has a point - it's potentially a lose-lose situation. Richardson is going to be cast as a member of the hard-nose right happy to inflict misery on people to achieve fiscal consolidation, and Willis could be a sitting duck depending on the HYEFU and quarterly GDP results released next week. But do we want politicians who are always thinking about themselves, take a strategic approach and craft their messaging to avoid transparency, or would you prefer a Finance Minister prepared to openly discuss one of the main issues concerning New Zealanders today - the state of the economy - with someone who is trying to undermine her? The NZ Herald's political editor, Thomas Coughlan, does an excellent job of explaining what's behind this situation in his article titled Ruth Richardson v Nicola Willis - the facts behind the argument. Essentially, after a financial crisis or shock it is accepted that Governments spend more to get through - and that the books end up in a bit of mess - but once the economy has ‘restarted' and we're on the other side of the shock, fiscal consolidation kicks in, and budgets tighten so the country is ready for the next financial shock. What is to be debated is whether the current coalition is moving fast enough when it comes to this fiscal consolidation. Will we be ready for the next financial shock? We know we have challenges ahead - with two of the known ones being our aging population's impact on our health system and the increased cost of superannuation. Do we increase taxes? Reduce spending and inflict the social costs of austerity? Or do we risk taking a slower approach to getting back on track, with less negative impact on our communities? As long as it's a civil one - it sounds like something worth debating. But it needs to be a debate which doesn't get personal, nasty or derogatory. One in which each debater expresses their values and the reasoning behind their approach, backs their thinking with evidence and outlays a long term vision for New Zealand. This is the kind of discourse we should be having. Let's get an independent economist to run it - and get on with it. If nothing else - it could be highly entertaining, something we could all do with at this point in the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The war of words continues between Finance Minister Nicola Willis and former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. Richardson - the chair of the Taxpayers' Union - has been fronting a new campaign against Willis's fiscal decisions. The pair have agreed to debate each other, but are yet to agree on when or where. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says the pair have expressed interest in having the debate on Newstalk ZB, with Heather du Plessis-Allan overseeing it from the Breakfast slot. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Supreme Court has delivered a huge win for family carers of disabled adult children - so where to from here? The Aussie social media ban is officially in play - so what happens when you take your kids on holiday there? In an extraordinary move, the NZ Cyber Agency is personally warning 26,000 Kiwis whose computers have been infected with malicious software. Plus, the Huddle debates why Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pushing for a debate against former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chris Hipkins is hitting out at the Taxpayers' Union as it prepares to launch a campaign against Finance Minister Nicola Willis. The lobby group is questioning Willis's track record on the economy. Willis has responded, challenging chair and former finance minister Ruth Richardson to a debate. The Labour Leader told John MacDonald the Taxpayers' Union has a view of "entrenched privilege". He claims the organisation is funded by a group of rich people who want to keep all of their money. Hipkins is also unimpressed by Willis' decision to agree to the debate, which he says shows deep divisions among the National Party. He calls it petty and says Willis should be focused on things like creating jobs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Falls for the Greens and Te Pati Maori in the latest 1 News Verian Poll - which gives the coalition more than enough seats to govern. National is on 36 percent, up two - while Act is also up two to 10 percent, and New Zealand First steady on nine. In the left bloc, Labour was up three to 35, but the Greens dropped four to seven, and Te Pati Maori - after weeks of infighting - fell two points to one percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge they're focused on doing things to make sure people are better off, can get ahead, and have strong public services. She says it's positive to see that most people, if given the chance to vote tomorrow - would re-elect the current Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As expected, the Reserve Bank cut the OCR to 2.25% last week - but an unexpected side effect has been a lack of effect. The Reserve Bank announced that this would be the end of cuts, sending the wholesale market into a panic and, therefore, seeing no change in interest rates. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan, "my message to the banks is always the same, which is pass on as much as you possibly can because it's good for the economy." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 27th of October 2025, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins Ryan to talk on the final OCR cut of the year. The Northland pylon fiasco is heading to court, Northland MP Grant McCallum shares his thoughts. Business groups have come up with an alternative plan for the surcharge ban, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges tells Ryan what they're asking of the Government. Plus US Correspondent Mitch McCann has the latest on Steve Witkoff appearing to coach a Russian official on how to win Trump over and Black Friday sales for the American economy. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christchurch City Council's been selected to act as a one-stop consenting authority for large-scale supermarket developments. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's the latest step in the Government plan to make New Zealand attractive for new operators. She says developers previously had to navigate up to 66 different councils, processes and responses. Willis says the aim is to boost competition in a sector dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths by letting new entrants deal with just one authority. Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told John MacDonald that the intention of having a one-stop shop regardless of the number of sites you're operating on is sound. She says that they've heard from businesses who operate across multiple sites that there's a real inconsistency across the local authorities, which can be incredibly painful to deal with. But, Watson says, whether or not this plan creates the right incentives is still yet to be seen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There's growing speculation that National is looking to oust Chris Luxon as leader ahead of the election, but Finance Minister Nicola Willis is disputing these rumours. Reports have claimed National is looking to replace Luxon with Chris Bishop, but this is mostly speculation. Nicola Willis says the party has a Prime Minister who's delivering significant reforms - and making good on the promises National campaigned on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 24 November 2025, if you're building a new home or doing a biggish renovation you'll soon be forced to buy a building warranty in case of building faults. Building Minister Chris Penk talks to Heather about the details. Koura's Rupert Carlyon says employers should be stopped from decreasing salaries to accommodate higher Kiwisaver contribution rates. The eye-watering amount of food that gets thrown away every year - and the surprising worst offender. Finance Minister Nicola Willis hits back at suggestions that Prime Minister Chris Luxon might get rolled by one of his MPs. Plus, the Huddle debates why we're so fed up with Air New Zealand, its service and especially its prices! Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rail Minister Winston Peters said the budget for the new Cook Strait ferry project is less than half the cost of the previous Government's ill-fated mega ferry plan, even though the new ferries cost a bit more.The total project cost will be under 2 billion dollars. In making the big announcement in Wellington, he lost no opportunity to stick the boot into the iReX plan, which was scuppered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis in 2023.
The Government is delaying hiking the levy most home owners pay via their private insurers to fund the Natural Hazards Commission until 2027. The $552 levy was supposed to go up by between $207 and $311, but reports claim ministers are still considering their options, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying she didn't want to make a 'hurried decision'. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government is delaying hiking the levy most home owners pay via their private insurers to fund the Natural Hazards Commission until 2027. The $552 levy was supposed to go up by between $207 and $311, but reports claim ministers are still considering their options, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying she didn't want to make a 'hurried decision'. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New polling data has revealed less Kiwis have faith the current Government can turn the economy around ahead of the upcoming election. A New Zealand Herald-Kantar poll has found voters are evenly split on Labour's proposed capital gains tax and about 45 percent of respondents in an IPSOS survey scored the Luxon-led Government below 3 out of 10. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it's clear a significant number of people are still opposed to the capital gains tax and the Government has plenty of time to expose the negative impacts. "There's also a big, undecided group in the middle and those are the people that we will be speaking to between now and the election." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 17 November 2025, Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains why the Government is moving to make importing dirty cars cheaper. The Supreme Court has ruled that Uber drivers are employees, Anita Rosentreter from the Workers First Union speaks about the implications for drivers. Finance Minister Nicola Willis gives a very strong hint about next year's election date, and reveals when she found out that Andrew Coster was part of an IPCA investigation into disgraced Jevon McSkimming. MBIE's Ian Caplin explains what parents need to know about the magic sand asbestos warning. Plus, the Huddle debates polls that show Kiwis support for Labour's CGT and why the Government is rating so poorly in the latest Ipsos survey. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Finance Minister's being urged to take urgent and decisive action on our banking sector. Ministers have accepted most of the recommendations of a select committee inquiry into the industry, including directing the Reserve Bank to focus on more competition. But banking expert Andrew Body says Nicola Willis needs to go further. He told Mike Hosking the Minister should be seeking law changes and a harmonisation of Australian and New Zealand banking rules. Body says the Minister should be ringing Treasury Secretary Ian Rennie, asking for a proposal for legislative change by 8am Monday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Prime Minister has indicated trade talks with India are progressing well - and speculation claims both nations could have a trade deal by next year. Trade Minister Todd McClay has been hosting Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Auckland for a fifth round of talks on a trade deal. Finance Minister Nicola Willis won't disclose too much, but she says good progress is being made. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 10 November 2025, the Maori Party has expelled two of its own MPs in the latest episode of the party's implosion. Former leader Te Ururoa Flavell speculates where this will go next. ANZ chief executive Antonia Watson defends the company's huge $2.5 billion profit - a 21% rise! Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne reacts to news that New Zealand has suspended $30 million dollars in funding over its diplomatic spat with the Cooks. Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks bank profits and asset sales. The Huddle debates the future of the Maori Party and the Cooks. Plus, how producer Antz found out he was owed $400 dollars ... and you might be too! Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The government is no longer soley focued on attracting Blockbuster films like the Lord of the Rings and Avatar to these shores, it's now hoping to give the industry a boost by offering incentives to smaller productions, too. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today it's expanding eligibility for the International Screen Production Rebate scheme to allow smaller budget productions and digital effects only projects to benefit from the rebate. One actor says the changes couldn't comes soon enough. Kim Baker Wilson reports.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 3 November 2025, Dame Noeline Taurua has raised more questions than answers after her round of interviews. Employment expert Max Whitehead says it's clear Netball NZ has not acted appropriately in the saga. 120 police officers are under investigation for falsifying 30,000 breath tests. Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers explains how this happened. Media commentator Duncan Greive reacts to news that Simon Dallow will step down after 19 years at the 6pm newsreader desk. Finance Minister Nicola Willis on Andrew Bayly and Westpac's 13% profit rise. Plus, the Huddle debates new research that has quantified the amount of unpaid labour we do in a day. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Labour has confirmed its worst case secret: a Capital Gains Tax will be brought in if Labour wins the next election. Heather asks Chris Hipkins about all the ins and outs of the new policy. Netball NZ Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie says it wasn't a mistake to stand Dame Noeline Taurua down - but can't say what changes will be made when Taurua returns as coach. Teaching kids consent will be mandatory for schools soon, but sex education therapist Jo Robertson says we could go further. Finance Minister Nicola Willis encourages Air NZ's new boss to tidy his own house first before asking the Government for money. Plus, on the Huddle, Josie Pagani tries to convince Heather and Trish Sherson of the need for a CGT. Good luck Josie! Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Governing parties have been quick to condemn Labour's proposed capital gains tax policy. The opposition announced the policy for next year's election campaign, targeting commercial and investment properties, but not family homes. It would funnel the revenue into health. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been quick to label this scheme as 'half-baked' - and it'll likely drive the country further into debt. "I'm just pleased that New Zealand today can see Labour's alternative for what it is. It's a Labour-Te Pāti Māori-Greens Government that will tax you more, drive the country further into debt and put the economy at risk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Changes to lending restrictions are on the cards. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is welcoming the Reserve Bank consulting with banks on easing loan to value restrictions from December. The central bank's looking at increasing the new lending limit for first-home buyers and property investors. Banking Association CEO Roger Beaumont says this is really good - and will give first-home buyers more flexibility. "They're taking advantage of what I'd call the 'sweet spot' of softer house prices, combined with declining interest rates." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Participation in local elections is at a historic low and there's growing calls for reform. Turnout's been higher in rural areas and much lower in the main cities, but data shows under 40 percent of eligible voters made their voices heard. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says a simpler solution is needed, much like the general elections. "It might be simpler if it was just - turn up and vote. Turn up to the booth, turn up to the place just as you do for the general Government elections." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Labour claims a promise isn't being kept - as the Government mulls selling its stake in Chorus. Finance Minister Nicola Willis today said the Government's considering selling the 61 percent stake in the telecoms infrastructure company - now rollout of ultra-fast broadband is complete. She says the money from a sale would be spent on hospitals and schools. But Chris Hipkins told Heather du-Plessis Allan that they've broken their word. He says National promised no asset sales - and this would fall into that category. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Finance Minister says she's okay with a short spike in inflation. The Reserve Bank has slashed the cash rate 50-basis-points to 2.5% and is leaving the door open to further cuts. It expects inflation to reach or surpass 3% in the short term but believes the economy is weak enough to push inflation back down again next year. Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking we won't see another long-period of sustained much-higher inflation. She says a little blip's okay, but the three years of high inflation under the last government is not okay. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Reserve Bank has cut the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, despite acknowledging inflation is still above where they'd like it. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they've factored in broader economic conditions. She says the central bank clearly thinks any fluctuation in inflation will be constrained by spare capacity in the economy. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this will come as good news as more people are set to roll into lower mortgage rates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 6 October 2025, Foreign Minister Winston Peters tells Heather about the protesters that keep turning up outside his house night after night. Heather applauds the Government's tough love attitude to unemployed teenagers. The Finance Minister Nicola Willis gets a grilling over ex-RBNZ governor Adrian Orr's $416,000 golden parachute payment. Just 60% of 13-17 year olds know how to cook three or more meals - does this reflect badly on us parents? Plus, the Huddle debates young people on the benefit and Adrian Orr's big payday. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is in for a significant payday. He resigned in March, following a funding disagreement, with tensions between Treasury, the bank, and the Finance Minister. The central bank's annual report shows Orr will receive a $416,000 restraint of trade payment this month. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she wasn't informed of this until today. "I had been assured that they had done those negotiations in accordance with the terms and conditions in his contract, which had already been agreed when he was reappointed as Governor in 2022." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the weekend, the Government confirmed it wouldn't recognise Palestinian statehood - for the time being. Winston Peters made the announcement at the UN General Assembly, saying conditions weren't yet right. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has defended this move - and says no matter what happened, one side would have taken issue with their choice. "We, as a Cabinet, decided to do what we believed was an independent, New Zealand-based decision - based very much on the facts in front of us what we thought was the best thing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today on the show… Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis ranking 15th and 13th among business leaders, a shockingly low position. ACT Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour shares his thoughts on government spending and regulatory reforms. Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 24 September 2025, first we got Ikea and now we get a Swedish Reserve Bank Governor! Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Ryan Bridge why Dr. Anna Breman got the top job. US president Donald Trump's visit at the UN was as fiery as expected, including getting stuck on an escalator! US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley was there for it all. Auckland Council has officially voted in favour of 15-storey apartment blocks along major arterial routes in central Auckland. NIMBYs can still protest during the consultation protest though! Should Kiwis pay to park at our national parks? Federated Mountain Clubs are not happy with it. Plus, the Huddle debates the damning result from today's Mood of the Boardroom. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicola Willis admits the economy isn't where the Government would like it to be. The Herald's annual Mood of the Boardroom survey shows business leaders are less optimistic about the economy than they were a year ago. Only a third of respondents back the Government's current growth agenda. The Finance Minister told Mike Hosking they're hearing the call for harder, faster action, loud and clear. She says business leaders broadly think the Government's doing the right things, but she accepts the Government isn't there yet when it comes to economic growth. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and the wider coalition Government have been under pressure since gross domestic product figures last week showed a sharper economic contraction than had been expected. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds reports.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says a new Reserve Bank Governor will be announced “very shortly” as she comes under growing pressure to tackle New Zealand's economic woes. Economists are calling on the Reserve Bank to cut the Official Cash Rate more aggressively after yesterday's shock GDP result. New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.9% in the June quarter, a reduction well over market expectations. Expectations were for a 0.4% decline in GDP, while Reserve Bank forecasts were for a 0.3% drop. The worse-than-expected outcome could mean the Reserve Bank will cut its Official Cash Rate (OCR) more aggressively than was previously thought, economists said. In an interview with Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning, Willis was asked what she expects from the Reserve Bank to address the situation. “I will very shortly be announcing a new governor for the Reserve Bank. Obviously, we've had a chair change at the Reserve Bank. We are refreshing that institution and I think that is very good indeed,” Willis said. She would not give a specific date for the announcement, instead describing it as happening “very shortly”. She confirmed she knew who the new Governor is. Christian Hawkesby is the current Acting Governor of the Reserve Bank. He was appointed to a six-month term in April following Adrian Orr's resignation in March. Willis told Hosking Kiwis shouldn't get down about the latest drop in GDP and we mustn't talk our way into a recession. She says we shouldn't overreact to a bad quarter – we've got to keep playing the full game, dig in, and do the things that are needed to grow the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of September, Sir John Key has some advice for Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who has some tough questions to answer after that Q2 GDP result. The Government is flying the flag for the wool industry in China. Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson take a pop quiz and discuss school holidays plans as they Wrap the Week. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Most Played Moment Of 2025: In this exclusive interview from inside the Beehive, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins us to discuss NZ's economic future covering everything from housing affordability, debt, and financial literacy to KiwiSaver, exports, and why cutting red tape is critical for growth.Watch the full episode hereThe Minister's appearance is not an endorsement of any particular financial advice service or company.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
The resignation of the Reserve Bank chair Neil Quigley was announced by Finance Minister Nicola Willis last night as happening with "immediate effect". It came after months of close scrutiny over his handling of Adrian Orr's resignation as Governor. Quigley described Orr's resignation, in early March, as a "personal decision" but a series of revelations followed that cast doubt on that. Minister Willis declined to be interviewed on Saturday Morning but in a pre-recorded interview to RNZ last night she said "Mr Quigley chose to tend his resignation. If he had not offered his resignation, I would have asked him for it." RNZ Business Editor Gyles Beckford has the latest.
Supermarket experts say there is no clear player waiting in the wings to rev up competition for cheaper groceries. That's despite Finance Minister Nicola Willis name dropping Costco in her announcement on reforms to the sector this week. Costco was one of a number of players she mentioned that had been in touch - and are interested in the New Zealand market. So how realistic is it? Money Correspondent Susan Edmunds reports.