Podcasts about finance minister nicola willis

Instead of cracking down on New Zealanders with student debt living overseas, we should be making things easier for them. Especially, if we want them to come back. Tell that to the National Party, though. Which has announced that, if it forms the next government, it will be going after graduates overseas with student loans and doing nothing about it. The ones who account for 93 percent of the student debt that needs to be paid back. National is promising to make life a bit easier for graduates living here. Giving them more time to pay off their loan with lower repayment rates. But the ones overseas will face higher interest and tougher penalties if they don't pay it back when they should. Which makes no sense to me. Especially, if we want to get these people back to New Zealand. How the system works, is that anyone with a student loan who moves to another country gets hit with interest. Which means more debt to pay-off. If you've graduated and you've got a student loan to pay off and you're in New Zealand, no interest. But the minute you go overseas to live, the interest starts getting added. And you're expected to make two lump-sum payments every year. Not everyone does, though. And these are the ones National has in its sights. With Nicola Willis saying the taxpayer has subsidised their education and, if they choose not to use their skills to contribute to New Zealand society, then two things are needed: they need to pay more for the privilege of the taxpayer subsidising them and there needs to be consequences if they don't follow the rules. I agree there needs to be consequences for not paying it back. Because a loan is a loan. But what National is proposing isn't the answer. Because this so-called crackdown won't do anything for the New Zealanders overseas who are way behind in their student loan payments and are too scared to set foot here because they think they'll be arrested at the border. It's crazy to get all hardcore on it when some people are already too scared to come back. The thing is, too, it's all very well going overseas. But that doesn't mean people walk into well-paying jobs. The grass doesn't always turn out to be greener. Which is why I think a much better approach would be to be a bit flexible with these people. What would be wrong, for example, with IRD talking to them and seeing if they might qualify for some grace on the basis of hardship? Or agreeing to letting them come back, pay a few hundred bucks for a start and see how it goes. I wouldn't have any problem with that. Because what would you rather have? These people stuck overseas owing all this money? Or would you rather they were here using their skills and knowledge and making a genuine contribution to the country? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's fallen into a cunning wee trap set by Nicola Willis a few weeks ago. She laid the bait —releasing 'fiscal rules' her party would abide by if re-elected— and challenged Labour to do the same. On the weekend, they took the bait and released their own 'fiscal strategy'. Which is different form their 'fiscal plan' – more on that in a second. The problem for Labour is that its strategy reveals that it wants to do exactly the things National has been saying they want to. Tax, borrow, and spend more. There's a gap between what they say they're willing to spend and what they have announced they'll tax. There are billions of dollars they want to spend that they haven't yet explained how they'll tax. Rental interest deductibility, which they'll announce soon, won't cover the shortfall. Which plays into National's attacks. And the entire basis of their campaign, which is that you can't trust Labour not to tax the bejeezus out of you and leave you broke. In an election campaign, unanswered questions, the void, is filled with noise. To be in control of a campaign, you want to be making the noise and not have others make it for you. And to make matters worse, Labour says they won't release their fiscal plan, which is more detailed and fills in the blanks, till the PREFU. Which is a month away. Until they front with some answers, you can't help but look at this as a successful election bait, set, trap from Nicola Willis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis says the National's new proposed increase to the fuel tax, the new bed tax and the possible bank levy aren't new information. A Taxpayers' Union Curia Issue poll shows 76 percent of National supporters want the party to promise no new taxes or tax increases. The party yesterday outlined a promise for fiscal responsibility - including a commitment to lower the debt to GDP ratio and to get the books back into surplus. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says these proposals have been documented and National's simply being straight with voters. "Three issues we've already been very open and upfront about, and I can be very clear with you that there is nothing that we are considering that you haven't heard about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis says the National's new proposed increase to the fuel tax, the new bed tax and the possible bank levy aren't new information. A Taxpayers' Union Curia Issue poll shows 76 percent of National supporters want the party to promise no new taxes or tax increases. The party yesterday outlined a promise for fiscal responsibility - including a commitment to lower the debt to GDP ratio and to get the books back into surplus. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says these proposals have been documented and National's simply being straight with voters. "Three issues we've already been very open and upfront about, and I can be very clear with you that there is nothing that we are considering that you haven't heard about." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's promising to stick to three spending guardrails if it returns to Government, and is calling on other parties to follow suit. The party's promising a return to surplus in 2028/29 - and bending debt below 40 percent of GDP. It's also promising to reduce the size of Government, bringing spending to 30 percent of GDP. Finance Minister Nicola Willis joined the Weekend Collective to explain further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is not apologising for comments labelled racist by MPs - including the Prime Minister. Peters last week responded to heckling about vaccination from Green MP Laurence Xu Nan by telling him to go back to his country, saying people there lie like a flatfish. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Finance Minister Nicola Willis has voiced disappointment with Winston Peters' stance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is keeping fuel relief measures in place, predicting more volatility as the conflict drags on. Finance Minister Nicola Willis also indicated the unemployment numbers to be released tomorrow, will likely show an increase in joblessness. Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold spoke to John Campbell.

Geopolitical uncertainty is forcing the Government to push fuel assistance out a while longer. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they'll continually review the package. Willis says there was a period when petrol prices dipped below $3 a litre, but they're climbing again. "Treasury are forecasting prices could remain above $3 through August and September, so we've agreed to keep the temporary supports in place for now, because there hasn't been a sustained reduction in price." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's support for continued fuel relief, with motorists still sensitive to price rises. The Government's extending the in-work tax credit, higher mileage rates for health workers and eligible patients, and reimbursements for relievers. That's despite average pump prices staying below $3 for four weeks. Waitomo Group CEO Simon Parham told Ryan Bridge people change their behaviour once prices climb above that mark. He says people top up rather than fill their tank – likely a sign of them managing household budgets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we're not prepared to stop paying the NZ Super pension to people whether they need it or not, then we need to think very seriously about whether we pay it to people who move here from overseas. Sounds tough, I know. But, hopefully, this revelation today that we are paying $1 billion a year in pension payments to people from other countries - double what it was 10 years ago - will bring us to our senses. Because we can't keep carrying on the way we are. So, $1 billion a year in pension payments is going to migrants over the age of 65. Which Finance Minister Nicola Willis is OK with, saying changes that require someone to be a New Zealand resident for 20 years - instead of 10 years - are enough. Winston Peters, though, disagrees, saying that we should “watch this space” for some sort of announcement from NZ First sometime soon. But, if we go by what NZ First has said previously, the party could be about to announce that it's bringing back an idea that it floated about 10 years ago but never got anywhere with. But it's an idea I like. So what NZ First has talked about previously, isn't stopping paying the pension to migrants full-stop. But running a pro-rata system, based on how long they've lived here between the ages of 20 and 65. Funnily enough, Labour and the Greens supported the idea when it was floated in 2015. But National, at the time, opposed it, with some of its MPs saying the policy was “disgusting, bigoted and racist”. It seems, based on what Nicola Willis is saying today, that it hasn't changed its tune since then, either. But something needs to change. Because, over the next 30-odd years, the number of pensioners is expected to roughly double. And the cost of the NZ Super scheme during that time is expected to grow 1.5 times faster than the economy. Which is why Winston Peters is right when he says we haven't gone far enough just requiring migrants to be New Zealand residents for 20 years before they qualify for the pension, instead of 10 years. The thing is, I understand how odd it would be for someone to move here, spend a decent chunk of their working life here, and then - when they turn 65 - be told that there's no pension for them and to fend for themselves. But when the cost of the NZ Super pension scheme is going to blow out to the extent that Treasury says it is, what do we do? Banning people who move here from overseas from getting the pension would put us at odds with other countries, such as the UK, where you can go and get a pension after being there for 10 years. That's why I think the pro-rata idea, that NZ First may be about to resurrect, would be a much more realistic approach. Because doing nothing isn't an option anymore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

91 petrol is set to stay below $3 a litre for the fourth week in a row, and that means the $50 weekly fuel payment for working families should be coming to an end. The Government has always said any support would be timely, temporary and targeted — but with so much volatility in the Middle East, should it be extended? Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said she’ll take advice to Cabinet next week about extending the payment. But, there’s also the argument that this is all part of a bigger picture: New Zealand lagging behind other countries on EVs, solar and batteries. Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey joins us to unpack whether the fuel support should continue, and what New Zealand risks if it keeps moving too slowly on electrification. 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 DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says escalation in the Iran war may move out the trigger-point for stopping temporary fuel-support payments. The $50 weekly payments for lower-income working families was meant to last a year from April, or until 91-octane stays cheaper than three-dollars a litre for a month. Finance Minister Nicola Willis expects we'll reach the four-week threshold this week - but the latest data won't be available til Wednesday. "The reason we put that four-week rule in place was because we do not think we should have these extra supports in longer than we need them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National says its paid parental leave policy was already in the works, despite recent comments from Stuart Nash accusing one of its MPs of being lazy. Nash resigned from NZ First after it was revealed he called Napier MP Katie Nimon the “laziest MP” for taking time off to have a baby. National has today announced, if elected, it'll extend leave entitlements to 30 weeks by 2029, with a longer-term goal of reaching 40 weeks. Finance Minister Nicola Willis joined Tim Beveridge to explain further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 22nd of July, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses inflation and the bailout for Golden Bay Cement. TVNZ CEO Jodi O'Donnell speaks on their FIFA World Cup streaming numbers and what's to come in the future, and comments on the decision to put a 16 minute World Cup package at the top of the 6pm news over Ryan Fox's major win. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk Golden Bay cement, the return of Question Time, and the deals being done between councils and local iwi on Politics Wednesday. 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.

The Consumers Price Index (CPI) has increased 4.1% in the 12 months to the June 2026 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. As expected, the increase can be partially contributed to the US-Iran war as the largest upwards contributor to the annual inflation rate was petrol, up 27.5%. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is labelling annual inflation hitting its highest level in more than two years a “Trump spike”. Former Reserve Bank senior economist Michael Reddell told Andrew Dickens that economists don't tend to look at the headline numbers but they will be digging through the numbers to find trends. "It's a bit like the famous line about democracy, you know, it's not a perfect system, it's just better than any of the alternatives that have been tried, and inflation targeting is a bit like that as well. It's definitely not perfect." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 9th of July, Finance Minister Nicola Willis speaks on the Official Cash Rate, and Luke Jacobson tells us how the All Blacks will beat Italy this weekend. Dr Anna Breman explains the Reserve Bank's decision to raise the OCR by 25 basis points. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss the All Blacks' travelling gear, going to restaurants with bare feet, and school holidays 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.

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.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 2nd of July, Finance Minister Nicola Willis responds to the latest IMF report, which seems to have good economic news for us. L.A.B are launching their own festival in a sector where most are losing money or shutting down. So, do they have the magic? CNN anchor Richard Quest talks everything from oil, to the war in the Middle East, to AI, and the fascinating world we live in right now. 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.

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.

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.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 19th of June, Finance Minister Nicola Willis talks the state of the economy after the Q1 GDP number and makes a comment about Shane Jones' trip. Wellington's Chamber of Commerce celebrates the cancellation of the Golden Mile project but still wants something to be done about Courtenay Place. We preview the Super Rugby Final with the Hurricanes' Malcolm Gillies and Chiefs' Simon Graafhuis and celebrate yet another Warriors sellout —this time in Christchurch— with Cameron George. Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby Wrap the Week – discussing the holiday and the new business that's popped up near Newstalk ZB. 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.

The Green Party says voters shouldn't have to guess who's numbers are right, as it pushes for a Parliamentary Budget Office. It says parties are already accusing each other of fiscal holes this year - highlighting the need for an independent office to cost election policies. The party's written to Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Labour's Barbara Edmonds, urging support. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says there's demand for this on both sides of the political aisle. "Wouldn't it be useful to have an independent body that can say - hey look very clearly here, if we compare apples with apples in terms of uniform forecasting protocols, then this is demonstrably untrue. That would mean political parties would also tighten up their act." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 16th of June, International Security Expert Matthew Schmidt unpacks the reported peace deal between the US and Iran. Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the impact the deal could have on New Zealand's economy. The All Whites are set to play their first match of the FIFA World Cup against Iran this afternoon – Football NZ CEO Andrew Pragnell previews the match. And Neuroscientist Kerry Spackman explains how to succeed in his new book ‘The Winner's Formula'. 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.

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.

Return to surplus? Nicola Willis charts economic recovery Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered her third and final Budget Day speech for the parliamentary term this week. A Budget delivering investment in health, infrastructure and defence, the Minister has described it as "responsible" - while Opposition voices have criticised the lack of stimulus for ordinary New Zealanders facing cost-of-living pressures. The big bonus is a forecast return to surplus in financial year 2028/29, one year earlier than previously forecast, using the government's favoured forecasting tool, OBEGALx. Five months out from the general election, Nicola Willis joins Jack Tame to discuss the government's record on economic stewardship, why the new bank tax won't be passed onto consumers, and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's "freeloaders" comment on New Zealand's defence spending. Children's Commissioner: The cost of child poverty In Budget 2026, Treasury published New Zealand's latest child poverty statistics. It's a grim picture, and one that isn't improving much: the number of households in material hardship is estimated to be 14 percent, with a 2028 target of six percent. Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad joins Jack Tame to lay out the cost of persistent child poverty and discusses the workability of a forthcoming ban of social media for under-16s. Why populist nationalism won't stop immigration Five months from the election, immigration is being framed by political parties as a critical election issue, with the Prime Minister warning the wrong policies could damage social cohesion. In New Zealand in 2026, migration is the main source of population growth, with the nation's fertility rate slumping to 1.6, below replacement levels. Is an immigration backlash the inevitable response to a globalising world? Jack Tame speaks to author and CEO of geospatial analytics company AlphaGeo Dr Parag Khanna. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered her third and final Budget Day speech for the parliamentary term this week. A Budget delivering investment in health, infrastructure and defence, the Minister has described it as "responsible" - while Opposition voices have criticised the lack of stimulus for ordinary New Zealanders facing cost-of-living pressures. The big bonus is a forecast return to surplus in financial year 2028/29, one year earlier than previously forecast, using the government's favoured forecasting tool, OBEGALx. Five months out from the general election, Nicola Willis joins Jack Tame to discuss the government's record on economic stewardship, why the new bank tax won't be passed onto consumers, and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's "freeloaders" comment on New Zealand's defence spending. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Keeping NZ super as it is, is a strike against intergenerational equity according to the Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Winston Peter's has described her comments as a "sad point". There were no changes to the super scheme in the Budget. But the finance minister took the opportunity to raise serious concerns about the cost of the universal benefit. Nicola Willis said super costs are rising sharply with the bill going from $20 billion in 2020 to a forecast $30 billion in 2030. NZ First Leader Winston Peters spoke to Lisa Owen.

While presenting Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nicola Willis shared a prediction that New Zealand will reach a $2.6 billion surplus by 2028-29. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner told Heather du Plessis-Allan the prediction was 'a little bit rosy'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Papatoetoe GP responds to budget health announcements; Pediatrician raises concerns over child poverty progress; Opotiki trades academy responds to budget announcement; Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses 'responsible budget'; Che Fu discusses hall of fame honour with John Campbell.

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

All eyes will be on Parliament this afternoon as Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers the Budget. At 2pm we'll pass the mic to Guyon Espiner for RNZ's one-hour Budget Special. But before then we wanted to look at where today's announcement sits in the history of Government Budgets. Historian Dr Grant Morris is with Jesse.

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.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 29th of May, we got the trades' reaction to the Budget and an economist's thoughts on what the books might look like in a couple years' time. Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Winston Peters both relay their wins from Budget Day. And Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson discuss Mike's holiday, the Music Awards, and Oura Rings. 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.

The 2026 Budget was delivered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis today, and it aimed to be more 'careful' amid the ongoing economic turmoil and international conflicts. Healthcare, education, and infrastructure were the key priorities - and the Government's claimed the books will return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Winston Peters has lucked out, as he's secured an extra financial boost in terms of foreign aid. LISTEN ABOVESee 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.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has described superannuation as a 'time bomb' that is here now and political parties need to be honest about it. Delivering the Budget today, Willis said National will enter the election with changes to ensure superannuation is affordable. NZ First's Shane Jones has confirmed the party's not budging on this issue. "The reality is, our economic growth rate...is quite anaemic. Under three percent, that's in the Treasury forecast. We need to do a hell of a lot more as a country, irrespective of who the the Government is, to substantially grow the economy and boost our revenue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow, Finance Minister Nicola Willis will deliver the third and final Budget of this Parliamentary term. 

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Green MP Gareth Hughes joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! As the New Zealand greyhound racing ban looms, there's talk of sending at least 70 greyhounds to Australia. What do we make of this? Labour's Barbara Edmonds is under fire after she called Finance Minister Nicola Willis a 'duck-faced horse'. Were these comments out of line? And why is Labour spending more time on media training than policies? Ahead of Budget 2026, the Government has introduced bank loans to help businesses reduce or eliminate their dependency on gas. Is this a good move? What did we think of Auckland FC securing the A-League title? How good is this? 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.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 20th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis unpacks the public service cuts and we hear from the head of Commonwealth Sport as Auckland hosts the Oceania National Olympic Committees' General Assembly. Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton joins out of Sardinia as the America's Cup officially gets underway. And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss the lack of details in Labour's Future Fund and Winston Peters' idea for BNZ on Politics Wednesday. 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.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 18 May, 2026, former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson on why we can't buy back the BNZ as Winston Peters suggests. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals part of her pre-Budget speech will be on setting a target of reducing the number of public servants to 1% of the workforce. We talk to chief victims adviser Ruth Money about why removing character references for sex offenders' sentencing is a good thing. And on The Huddle, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani discuss whether taking "weed" helps you exercise. 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 Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 14th of May, we get a couple of interesting insights into business in this country when it comes to governance and brick and mortar retailers. Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses her ever shrinking Budget operating allowance. And CEO of Jetstar Steph Tully unpacks the recent claim they're committed to New Zealand while also cutting routes and flights due to current jet fuel prices. 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.

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.

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins speaks to Ingrid Hipkiss; Finance Minister Nicola Willis explains the fuel rationing plan; Mariameno Kapa-Kingi discusses her exit from Te Pati Maori; Calls for more money for trades following fees free scrapping; Interview with NZ Rugby League's new boss, Andrea Nelson .

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 8th of May, Finance Minister Nicola Willis discusses the OECD report on the future impact of our current Superannuation settings. NZR Chairman David Kirk answers questions about the new CEO, new President, and the economic state of rugby in this country. And on Wrapping the Week, Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson listen in as Mike calls a young fan with a special invite! 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.

The Finance Minister says the Government's going to have to do something about Superannuation. An OECD report warns if current policy settings continue, we could be spending 5% more of our GDP on health, long-term care, and pensions by 2060. Minister Nicola Willis says the cost for superannuation is going up billions of dollars, while there are fewer workers for every pensioner. She told Mike Hosking the cost is also rising as a proportion of taxes. Willis says it will soon account for 20%, and every dollar spent isn't available for education, health, and infrastructure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's now five weeks exactly since Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she was "actively consulting with industry, local Government and other community stakeholders" about who would be on the list. Earlier this week, Shane Jones told Checkpoint officials are finalising the list but didn't want to rush it and would confirm a timeline at another time. Nathan Surendren is Chair of the think tank, Wise Response Society, a group of people from various walks of life and experience who look at the imminent risks facing New Zealand. Surendren spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.