Podcasts about nicola willis

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; The Government says it's working with social media, tech, and telco companies to tackle scams targeting New Zealanders, after criticism the companies weren't doing enough; After three decades working at Women's Refuge, Dr Ang Jury is stepping down and handing over the mantle; A number of New Zealand authors whose books were used to train AI have found out they're getting a payout; Are our attitudes to drinking changing faster than we think? Destination Queenstown says a 9% boost in flights to the region is good news for the whole country.

We knew the rates cap was coming, but no one expected the government to drag it out this long. On today's episode, we dive into the plan to finally rein in council rate hikes… in 2029. That's six years after National took office. People need relief right now, not in the next political lifetime. Duncan reckons it's a great policy torpedoed by hopeless timing, and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joins us to break down why councils are already licking their chops. With spending up, payrolls swelling, and some councils proposing record increases, the delay effectively gives them three years to pump rates even higher. We also get into the government's wider economic credibility, the slow-walked reforms, Nicola Willis' spending story, and whether this National-led government is sleepwalking toward becoming a one-term wonder. Find out why Duncan says this delay is nothing short of a masterclass in political uselessness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the fight Comrade Wayne Brown over the cuts and populist legislation that this government is participating in. This time it's over the maximum increase to rates of 2%-4% leaving Auckland not able to fund it's needs. It also means that cities will become more user pays and the Councils will look to make up the losses in other areasUnder Labour the National Party and Christopher Luxon made it incredibly clear that Labour was responsible for the increase in ram raids. We continue to find out that meth us has exploded in NZ "like no where else in the world" so whom shall we hold responsible for that?NZ's new Reserve Bank Governor was in the Finances Expenditure Committee today and had a warm welcome, the same cannot be said for Nicola Willis who played Queen Karen when challenged by several members including Chloe SwarbrickWe have a big update for you as well on Te Rārangi Rangatira with a very influential school just having signed up=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

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.

A mortgage advisor is joining the Finance Minister in urging banks to slash home loan rates. Nicola Willis is asking them to pass on “as much as possible” in the wake of the Reserve Bank cutting the Official Cash Rate to 2.25%. She says the banks have a stake in the economy, and passing the cuts on will make a significant difference. Loan Market Mortgage Advisor Bruce Patten told Mike Hosking the banks are holding onto some really good margins at the moment. He says he'd like to see them pass them on before Christmas – everyone needs it, so someone needs to make the move. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This one kicked off with a simple question: if Christopher Luxon really was facing a leadership challenge, who would you want running the National Party? So we put it to our YouTube audience, and nearly a thousand of you delivered a fascinating result. Chris Bishop edged out Erica Stanford by just a single point, with Luxon miles back and Nicola Willis taking a real hammering. Duncan digs into why Bishop and Stanford are resonating right now, what each brings to the table, and why Luxon's position suddenly looks a whole lot more fragile than the Beehive might like to admit. We talk momentum, credibility, and the difference between being a fixer and being a leader who can move the country. There's also your feedback on New Zealand's strange lack of mandatory third-party insurance, plus a few thoughts on why consequences on our roads feel far too soft. Another sharp, punchy episode of Editor in Chief. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Finance Minister believes the country is in a position to grow. The Reserve Bank believes the economy has now turned a corner after last month's 50-basis-point cut to the OCR. It's cut the cash rate a further 25-basis-points to 2.25%, but is signalling further cuts are unlikely. Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge that while the data lags make things difficult, there is enough other information to give them a sense of where the economy is at. She says it's allowed the Reserve Bank to be confident in their forecast that the economy is growing and that growth will strengthen next year, and inflation will come down. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Politics Thursday this week Nick Mills was joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National's Ōtaki MP Tim Costley. They discussed the latest cut in the Official Cash Rate, how this will impact Kiwis and if we are beginning to see changes in the economy. Costley and Andersen also hit the big political news of the week including Nicola Willis's statement that National may repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill. As well as leadership coup rumours, how far the coalition agreements can span, regional councils and what is going on in the Wellington North electorate race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party could join coalition partner NZ First and campaign on repealing the Regulatory Standards Act at the next election, deputy leader Nicola Willis says. This is despite the law, which was pushed by the Act Party during coalition talks, being less than a month old, and having been passed into law with votes from both National and NZ First. Speaking to Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills on Newstalk ZB, Willis said National had not “come up with what our party position will be after the election”. “We haven't ruled out repealing it either. We haven't taken a position yet, but it's not impossible that we would go to the campaign trail saying, ‘yes, we met our coalition commitment, we supported that into law, but actually we agree with the concerns of some people, it hasn't operated as we'd hoped and we want to repeal it'. “We haven't come to a position yet, but we haven't ruled it out.” NZ First leader Winston Peters shocked the coalition last week when he said his party would campaign on repealing the law it had just helped to pass. His position is that the coalition obliged his party to pass the law, but his party is free to repeal it in the next Parliament. Willis said she was “comfortable” with this position. “They joined the Cabinet, they used their votes to ensure it is passed into law – they did their bit,” Willis said. Willis is not the only National MP to float repealing the law. Last week, when her colleague Chris Bishop was asked what the party was thinking, he replied, “you'll see our policy going into the election”. “I'm not going to give you a commitment on National policy,” he said. All three opposition parties say they will repeal the law if they have the numbers next term. Labour MP Duncan Webb has even submitted a member's bill to the ballot which, if drawn, would give NZ First the opportunity to repeal the law this term of parliament. Peters, however, described this as game-playing and said he would not be supporting the effort. Act leader David Seymour attacked Peters' about-turn on the law, saying it looked as though Peters was gearing up to join another Labour-led coalition, something Peters has said he would not do while Chris Hipkins was leader of the party. The Regulatory Standards Act is designed to improve the quality of government regulation by establishing a set of principles for what constitutes “good regulation”. Part of the controversy surrounding the law is the fact these principles are closely aligned to Act's political worldview and do not constitute more universally recognised principles of good regulation. The act is also controversial for the creation of a regulations board that acts as an assessor of compliance against these principles, although power to act on what the board says ultimately still rests with ministers and Parliament. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni join Morning Report for the weekly political panel.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; Regional Development Minister and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones has been one of the strongest critics of regional government, previously saying there is "less and less of a justifiable purpose" for keeping regional councils under the new RMA system; The owners of a property prone to severe flash flooding are taking Auckland Council to court for designating their house safe to live in; There's very little wiggle room when it comes to the rights and regulations around annual leave, according to an employment law expert; Kiwis are knocking back more lower-alcohol beers, but it's less about the alcohol and more about their waistlines, says one expert.

There's confidence the Social Investment Fund is assisting organisations that will effectively help at-risk youth. It's allocating $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, those who've grown up in care, and under-13s suspended from school. Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking they're taking a different approach to previous governments, which spent billions of dollars with no results. She says they're using data, measuring outcomes, and holding organisations accountable – adding the fund will be scaled up, if it works. 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.

A Bay of Plenty trust says new investment will help more families address harm before authorities have to step in. The Social Investment Fund's putting $50 million into programmes for children with parents in prison, and those who've grown up in care. Among the recipients is Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust. Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor told Ryan Bridge their aim is to tackle family harm early, before official intervention's needed. She says you can never remove the need for state intervention at critical times, so it's still a tool that can be used - but their services are prevention focused. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For me, one of the best things to come out of yesterday's announcement about the Cook Strait ferries has nothing to do with the ferries themselves. There's still a bit of smoke and mirrors about the numbers and what it's going to end up costing. Because what it still comes down to is that the Government poured $671 million down the drain when the Finance Minister pulled the plug on funding for the old ferry project. Which some —Nicola Willis included— thought was too Flash Harry with too many bells and whistles. They were, generally, the bells and whistles for the portside infrastructure. That's where the concerns about the cost blow-outs came from. And that's the side of it that could still blow out. Nevertheless, Rail Minister Winston Peters says it's still a better deal. Even though it's going to mean we get smaller ships, lower spec portside facilities, years later than planned. Nevertheless, I really like what he's saying about the Government getting the experts in to provide advice and guidance from the get-go. And I want to see a lot more of this from the current government and future governments. Because one thing that's always got me about politicians is how they can end up in government and find themselves in Cabinet and be put in charge of things they have absolutely no clue about. And politicians being politicians, full of ego and bluster, they plod along faking it and hoping they make it – without asking people who actually know stuff for help. We saw this with the last government when Jacinda Ardern invited senior business leaders to give their input into the COVID response planning, but they were left feeling ignored. I remember people like former Air NZ boss Rob Fyfe talking about it and how frustrating it was. But if this ferry project is back on track because the Government has actually asked people who know what they're on about for advice and guidance and has actually listened, then that has to be a good thing. And I think politicians need to get out of the way more often and let experts have more of a say on big infrastructure projects, if it means things being done more efficiently and without the kind of cost blowouts that now seem to be par for the course. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister for Economic Growth: What recent reports has she seen on exporters' access to United States markets? JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent data has she seen about smoking rates in New Zealand? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister for Infrastructure: What reports has he seen on New Zealand's Infrastructure Pipeline? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she agree with Nicola Willis in March 2023 that "National will take action to get food prices under control once more"; if so, are food prices now higher or lower than October 2024? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on cycle trails in New Zealand? SCOTT WILLIS to the Associate Minister for the Environment: How many jobs addressing wilding conifers did Jobs for Nature fund over the course of the programme, and how many roles will be lost when funding is discontinued? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: What actions, if any, were taken to mitigate multiple clinical portals in Central and Te Manawa Taki regions described in Health New Zealand document HNZ00092045, and when were these actions taken? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent announcement has he made about Rotorua? ORIINI KAIPARA to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by the Government's proposed changes to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Housing: On what date, if any, did he make a specific request to the Cabinet Office for conflict-of-interest advice relating to the city link bridge funding transfer, separate from his regular six-monthly conflict reviews, and what was that advice?

A little bit husky, a little bit hoarse, not as bad as Heather, but a little bit husky from belting out the classics at Eden Park last night with Metallica. Oh my god. Oh my god. What a show. What an event for the city. If you were there, you know, and you'll still be buzzing, and you will still think that is one of the best concerts you've ever been to. I used to quite like Metallica. I mean, you can't grow up in the 80s and not know who they are and not appreciate them as a consummate as consummate performance, but I wasn't a die-hard fan. I went down after work yesterday to get some merch because I was taking my eight-year-old grandson to the show last night because he loves them. I thought I like them, I'll go, I'll get him a T-shirt. A three-hour queue to get the merch! And the town was heaving with people in Metallica T-shirts, and I thought, wow who on earth would queue for three hours? Who would travel from the far ends of the country and from across the Tasman to go to Metallica? After that show last night, I'll tell you who will be queuing for three hours, me, I will be. I've gone from they're good to oh my god. And I've got all of these years of music to catch up on. How fabulous. And just for the vibrancy it brought to the city. And I have to say Eden Park, and a number of us at ZB were invited along by Eden Park, so bear that in mind when I say what I say, but Eden Park is a fantastic venue. Everybody it seemed had great seats. The show itself, the stage was amazing. There were no problems for us getting out. We walked for 15 minutes, got picked up by his dad and out we went. The crowd was lovely. Honestly, I could rave all morning, but I'm not going to. I shan't. It was amazing and perhaps we can compare notes a little later. We do have news to talk about. And finally, finally, finally after years of wrangling, and after years of cost blowouts, and after years of political infighting, ladies and gentlemen, we have two new ferries. Well, not exactly – we have a contract for two new ferries. And yes, wait, yes, we did have a contract for two new ferries with the South Korean shipyard. That contract got torn up. Now we have a new contract for two new ferries with a Chinese shipbuilder. Port infrastructure will have to be rebuilt to accommodate the larger ferries while much of the Wellington side infrastructure can be rebuilt and upgraded. Picton they'll need new stuff, Wellington they can make do. And that's where the real savings are to be had for the taxpayer. The new ferries will be hybrids, able to switch between using diesel and electric power, and will have more capacity for trucks and rail wagons that exist at present. Winston Peters, who's been all over this from day one, said the new no-nonsense infrastructure programme was helping save the taxpayer money when the two ships enter service in 2029. The iRex project, that was the one ditched by the Coalition Government when it came to office, which included substantial costs for landside infrastructure, had ballooned to approximately $3 billion at the time of its cancellation. In 2023, Treasury officials said, yes, we know it looks like $3 billion, we think it could be more like $4 billion when we look at the cost overruns, when we benchmark it against average cost overruns and other similar projects. When even Grant Robertson, the former Finance Minister, says, oh no, we're spending way too much money, this is very concerning. When he says that, you know that it's getting out of control. There was no guarantee it was going to be around $4 billion. And the problem seems to have been, rather than delivering the much oft-quoted phrase of Nicola Willis', a Toyota Corolla, under the spell of the former government, there were consultants and officials going, oh my god, we can build a state-of-the-art shipping infrastructure within New Zealand, and it's going to have all the bells and whistles and the very latest technology, and yes, we do have to build completely new infrastructure to service it, but my god, can we look what we can do. And they were given full rein to go off and design something and create something really beautiful that just kept getting more and more expensive. The new ferries are expected to replace the current fleet by the end of 2029, and possibly there will be cost overruns, and possibly it won't be 2029. I spoke to the chair of Ferry Holdings, Chris Mackenzie before we came on air, wait till you hear the attitude he takes, the pragmatic, no-nonsense, no-frills, let's just get the job done approach. That's what was needed and that's what we've got. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says recent changes to the Zero Carbon Act and emissions reductions plans don't add up and will leave New Zealanders paying billions to meet international climate obligations. Swarbrick spoke to Corin Dann; The NZ Breakers have made a collective decision not to wear the rainbow Pride flag on their uniform during next year's NBL Pride Round. Ian Roberts, Australia's first openly gay NRL player and advocate spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss; A patient advocate has suggested many Kiwis would be willing to pay more tax, if it can be ring fenced to only be spent on health. Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss; A rare pink grasshopper has been spotted hopping through Canterbury's Mackenzie Basin. Department of Conservation ranger Jen Schori spoke to Corin Dann.

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.

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.

Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

The Police Commissioner has described an investigation into complaints against former Deputy Commissioner, Jevon McSkimming, as a cover-up. An IPCA report, released last night, has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police; The government is set to appoint an Inspector General of Police - after a damning report into the force's handling of the Jevon McSkimming case; A former Police Commissioner has been placed on leave after a damning report found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police; Nicola Willis and Tangi Utikere joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

Coster is a dead man walking at this point. Anyone not completely brainwashed during Covid could see there was something a bit off about him - this IPCA report is proof they were right. He knew about this so-called ‘affair' McSkimming had - the woman had worked for the Police. He didn't ask the questions he should have. He promoted McSkimming and didn't tell the people he should have told about dodgy stuff. Which makes it look, well, dodgier, doesn't it? In August, I asked Coster about McSkimming. No answers then, and still no answers now. We've asked to speak to him this morning, he's on leave. Nicola Willis gets tangled up in this, too. She recommended Coster for his current job. He's still got five years on his contract. She says she's appalled, but she can't fire him. That's a job for Brian Roche. I don't think there's any doubt he's going to get the sack, unless he resigns first. The whole thing is an absolute cluster. In a big government job like Police Commissioner, you've got to cross the t's and dot the i's. It's a $700k job. Coster wasn't up to the job. And if he doesn't quit his current one, it's only a matter of time now before it's taken from him. The clock for Coster is now ticking. And for the frontline, sadly, respect and integrity takes a lifetime to earn and moment to lose. They're the ones who'll cop the backlash. They're the ones who have to actually talk to real people everyday. As of 6 o'clock last night, their jobs just became a lot harder. 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.

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.

Jamie talks to Nicola Willis, Emlyn Francis, Jane Smith, Stefan Vogel, and Winston Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Economic Growth Minister's confident the economy will turn a corner soon. Unemployment's reached 5.3% in the September quarter – the highest it's been since 2016. 160 thousand Kiwis have been out of work and looking for a job, the most since 1994. Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking unemployment may rise further this quarter, but there are positives, like the increase in hours worked and a move from part time to full time work. She says these unemployment figures do bounce around a bit, so she certainly won't say unemployment is at its peak. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 6th of November, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis discusses the rising unemployment rate. ACT Leader David Seymour gives his thoughts on the University of Auckland's refusal to provide refunds for their now-scrapped compulsory Māori courses. Brilliant pollster Henry Olsen talks us through the various elections, New York City in particular, in the US yesterday. And author and journalist David Cohen discusses his unofficial biography 'Jacinda: The Untold Stories'. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This outspoken North Otago farmer pulls no punches when it comes to Nicola Willis's "taking the piss" technology, the Bill Gates woke joke that's starting to revoke, ridiculous sheep research on the Port Hills, banning farming on the Wellington farm park, and we ask if it's getting dry on the home farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; SkyCity finally has the keys to the long-delayed International Convention Centre in Auckland; Experts are alarmed the number of New Zealanders with diabetes is not just getting bigger, it's also getting younger; Unemployment is expected to rise to a near nine-year high, with people still struggling to find work, or enough work.

The Minister of Finance is standing in a North Canterbury cow paddock where Kiwi ag-tech company, Āmua, has secured $1.2million from AgriZeroNZ to accelerate development of its cow wearable technology. The Canterbury start-up, based on a hill country farm near Waiau, is developing a smart device that enables the rich nitrogen in cow urine to be spread evenly as fertiliser - potentially solving freshwater nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions at their source.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Nicola Willis, Kate Acland, Tom Young, Thomas Macdonald, and Julian Raine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a busy time in Australia, with Kiwis flying over to see Oasis - prompting speculation about the future of events in New Zealand. The bed tax debate lingers, but the Finance Minister has promised discussions are taking place to bring more events to New Zealand. Nicola Willis says Minister Louise Upston has been working hard behind the scenes to draw in events and get the economy going. "There'll be announcements over the coming months, Louise Upston is in negotiations and there'll be some exciting events coming to a city near you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

The government has released the full draft of New Zealand's new Year 0 to 10 curriculum as opposition from within the educational sector grows to the proposed changes; More than half a million tickets have been dished out to Auckland drivers by plate-recognition vehicles last year - double the year before; The NZ Police Commissioner has asked his counterpart in Australia for a please explain, after learning that the Northern Territory has renewed its recruitment drive for Police Officers in New Zealand; Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

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.

Finance Minister and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis stood in for Christopher Luxon for his weekly interview.

RNZ can reveal the Labour Party has agreed to campaign on a capital gains tax, or CGT, covering just property - excluding the family home and farms; Finance Minister and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis stood in for Christopher Luxon for his weekly interview; The new chief executive of Air New Zealand has suggested what he's calling a "situational subsidy" to support regional routes when the economy is not doing well and demand is low; Nearly two months after being stood down as Silver Ferns head coach, Dame Noeline Taurua is back in the top job; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Questions to Ministers TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister of Internal Affairs: How is the Government ensuring that New Zealand's firefighters are properly equipped and resourced to safely respond to fires happening across Aotearoa recently? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Dr LAWRENCE XU-NAN to the Minister of Education: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does she stand by all of the Government's statements and actions? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made about the Bikes in Schools programme? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her 50,000 jobseeker reduction target? SIMON COURT to the Minister for Children: What recent data has she seen on findings of harm in State care residences? GRANT McCALLUM to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has he made on housing? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her statement, "it's so disappointing that they are playing politics, that they are choosing to go on strike", and will she meet with the predicted over 40,000 striking educators to address their concerns? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Health: Do nurses have safe staffing levels; if so, what evidence does he have to demonstrate that? CARL BATES to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent announcements has he made about crisis recovery cafés? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Economic Growth: Does she agree with Nicola Willis that a National-led Government "will rebuild the economy to reduce the cost of living and help Kiwis get ahead"?

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.

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.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 9th of October, the Reserve Bank did what the market, and the Government, wanted and cut the OCR by 50 basis points. Is this the move Nicola Willis needs for growth? The CEO of the International Rugby Players' Association Omar Hassanein talks the threat of R360. Author and former member of Lord's, Jeffrey Archer is back to talk the last book in the William Warwick series and second last novel he will ever write. 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.

National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Megan Woods join Corin Dann for this week's political panel.

In today's episode, a new Education Review Office report recommends considering a move to regional school holiday dates to reduce the cost of travelling in the school holidays; National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Megan Woods join us for our weekly political panel; Why 3000 people across New Zealand are receiving NZ Super who are not yet 65; Four-thousand senior doctors and dentists have voted to join a mega strike action later this month.

After a protracted process and plenty of speculation, Winston Peters has announced the cabinet decision on acknowledgement of Palestinian statehood in his address to the general assembly at the United Nations. Not now, he said. “We are not ready to make that gesture.” Variously received as a laudable assertion of independence in avoiding “performative” politics and a “day of shame” for New Zealand, what does the announcement tell us about New Zealand's foreign policy, our position on Israeli activity in Gaza and government decision-making processes? Annabelle, Ben and Toby gather to discuss the latest developments. Plus: the fallout from an unexpectedly large GDP contraction continues, with Nicola Willis enduring a “battering” that included a scolding from the Mood of the Boardroom. And what to make of the results just released from the review of New Zealand's struggling electricity market? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Prime Minister and Finance Minister are brushing off the bruising verdict of business leaders as sentiment sours on their performance. The Herald's annual Mood of the Boardroom survey has canvassed the views of 150 executives and chairs as the government battles to turn around the flagging economy. And despite holding the most pivotal Cabinet positions, neither Christopher Luxon, nor Nicola Willis, are ranked in the top 10. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

An economist and former finance minister are calling on Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis to resign. It comes in the wake of worse than expected GDP figures out today - which show our economy shrunk by nearly 1% last quarter. Nicola Willis said it is not the government's fault - and has instead put the blame on the economic turmoil caused by tariffs. Russell Palmer reports.