Podcasts about nz initiative

The Government's carbon credit trading scheme could have shut New Zealand's only cement manufacturing plant, but Fletcher Building announced today it got a $60 million bailout to keep it running - the $60m is not a loan. NZ Initiative Chief Economist Dr Eric Crampton told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the bailout doesn't address the root cause of the issue. "It's a mess that's trying to solve what's actually a real problem in how the government's industrial allocations in the emissions trading scheme work - the design of those is not good, and they are particularly not good when it comes to cement manufacturing," he said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Restrictions on innovation are being seen as a form of self-sabotage. ACT wants to introduce innovation trials – letting government ministers pause existing regulations if they block tests of new technology. Leader David Seymour told innovators the country punches above its weight when we back ourselves, but someone needs to build the framework to make it happen. New Zealand Initiative Chief Economist Dr Eric Crampton told Mike Hosking it's something New Zealand should be progressing with. He says we are too small to be stupid in this space, and need to enable innovation in new ways. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Minister says we can't just follow Australia's footsteps as the time for replacing our two ageing warships nears. The NZ Initiative says the frigates need to retire within a decade, with complex geopolitics adding urgency. It says the replacements will impact our status as a maritime nation, and our trade routes and defence capabilities for the next generation. Minister Chris Penk told Kerre Woodham we want to be able to coordinate with Australia but have other needs. He says it might come down to cost, different capability needs, or wanting to be more active in the Antarctic, for example. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cabinet's being warned its window for a decision around replacing our two ageing warships is rapidly closing. An NZ Initiative research note says the frigates are set to retire within a decade and the complex geopolitical environment adds another layer of urgency. Retired Major General John Howard says we're seeing more volatility both in our region and at home. He told Ryan Bridge the country now has the option to think broadly about the maritime capabilities we want and how we defend our national interests. Howard says if we're going to be serious about maintaining a blue-water capability, then we need a minimum of four warships. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are circling about how much progress New Zealand's actually made in the years since 1970. An NZ Initiative report suggests it's a mixed bag, with genuine improvements that are largely going unseen alongside stubborn problems that refuse to budge. On the positive side, fewer people are dying on the roads and life expectancy at birth has risen almost 11 years. But on the other side, education and housing are lagging behind. NZ Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking the improvements they've tracked almost happen automatically – there are fewer road deaths because cars are getting safer and we're living long because medicines are improving. He says the issues we're stagnating or falling behind on are the ones where it would demand bold reformers to actually improve the situation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think the people at the NZ Initiative thinktank need to have an away day in Christchurch Then they would understand why I'm poo-pooing this claim they're making today that having multiple local councils in close proximity to each other is a good thing. Because if there's one thing that proves how wrong they are, it would be the disjointed situation we have with housing developments in Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri. A situation I would sum up as the left hand having no idea what the right hand is doing. So what the NZ Initiative is saying, is the government is wrong reducing the number of local councils. It thinks that having multiple councils in close proximity to each other is a good thing, because it allows them to keep an eye on each other. I think he's wrong. And I don't think our three councils have any idea what each of them is up to.Because we have the Christchurch council flat out consenting townhouses and apartments to get more people living in the central city.We have Selwyn building homes too fast for the infrastructure to keep up. And, in Waimakariri, we've got that 850-home development proposed for Ohoka.Not to mention the Pegasus golf course development. If these three councils were keeping an eye on each other, as the NZ Initiative guy seems to think they are, we wouldn't have this piecemeal approach to housing developments. But we do. Christchurch city council has been signing off any townhouse or apartment development that comes across its desk, meaning all the people wanting to build or live on a full section in a 3- or 4-bedroom house are flocking to Selwyn and Waimakariri. Selwyn, especially. So much so, that the infrastructure in Selwyn isn't keeping up You might have seen the reports about developers striking problems with sewerage capacity. Selwyn council's executive director of building, planning and regulatory services, Robert Love, says the systems in Selwyn are definitely under pressure. He says: “The scale and speed of growth in Selwyn is among the highest in the country, which creates ongoing pressure on all infrastructure networks. While significant investment is being made and major infrastructure upgrades are under way or planned, including working with Selwyn Water, our treatment plants and networks are currently nearing capacity.” And that, right there, is proof that the three councils in the greater Christchurch area are not keeping an eye on each other - as the NZ Initiative claims - and is proof that we desperately need one council. To get a much more co-ordinated approach to where homes get built.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 30th of June 2026, the employment market's showing slight signs of life, Infometrics Consultant Rob Heyes shares his thoughts. A NZ Initiative report says merging councils might not be the golden solution to our local government issues, senior fellow Nick Clark tells Ryan why. Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a brain injury crisis striking Aussie sporting heroes and a massive, multi-million-dollar copper theft has police puzzled. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A thinktank suggests we need to move away from a 'bigger is better' mindset when reforming local government. A New Zealand Initiative report says the Government's plan for creating fewer larger councils through mergers is the wrong fix. It cites Infrastructure Commission findings that Auckland's 2010 super-city merger delivered more costs than savings. Initiative Senior Fellow Nick Clark told Ryan Bridge that our councils are already large by overseas standards. He says that if bigger is better, than we would see a lot better results, and we aren't. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A think-tank is calling on ACC to make rehabilitation its priority ahead of paperwork. The Accident Compensation Corporation's claims pool stopped growing in April after once increasing 15% annually. A New Zealand Initiative report says there's evidence to suggest it could be achieving this by cutting back on rehabilitation outcomes. Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking that currently a person is considered rehabilitated if ACC hasn't paid them for five weeks – but this isn't a real measure. He says the real measure of success isn't whether they get them off the books, it's whether they restore them to health and bring them back into the labour market. The problem, Hartwich says, is that some people don't return to work at all, so we have to make sure they don't linger on ACC, and that it doesn't become another form of welfare. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 24th of June 2026, the world's latest ai models may soon pose a threat to national security, cyber security expert Nadia Yousef shares her thoughts. A new NZ Initiative report warns ACC's focused on the wrong thing, President and Chair of Physiotherapy NZ tells Ryan where it's going wrong. Labour's promised retirement village residents will get their money back within three months of leaving if it's elected, Retirement Village Residents Association National President Brian Peat shares his thoughts. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the French PM saying forty people have drowned in heatwave-related deaths in France since Thursday and thousands of UK criminals have been fitted with hi-tech ankle tags to stop them drinking during the Fifa World Cup. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A reminder physiotherapy can be an important step in getting back to work after injuries following revelations some people might be missing out. A New Zealand Initiative report shows the Accident Compensation Corporation automatically marks a person as "returned to work" five weeks after their last payment. This comes after its claims pool stopped growing in April, after once increasing 15% annually. Physiotherapy New Zealand President Kirsten Davie told Ryan Bridge some injuries need urgent attention. She says that's where physiotherapy needs to step in and be involved, to help people get back to work. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Fifield and Simon Pound. First up, it's a merger that could put 620 million dollars into local philanthropy, but some say the proposed purchase of TSB by Heartland Bank will strip Taranaki of an important of its society. New Plymouth District councillor Gordon Brown has started a petition opposed to the merger, he joins the panel to discuss why. Then, Oliver Hartwich of the NZ Initiative says New Zealand's supposedly flexible labour market fails on youth wages. He tells the panel why.

Record plasma donor numbers aren't enough to meet growing demand, and there's debate over whether compensation is needed to bring figures up. It's National Blood Donor Week, and the Blood Service is looking to recruit another 4000 over the next year. More than 25,000 New Zealanders have donated plasma in the past year - the most the service has ever recorded - and yet it's still not enough. NZ Initiative expert Eric Crampton joined the Afternoons team to weigh in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's being criticised for rushing homeschooling legislation. It's backed down on proposed changes that would've increased the oversight of those who teach children at home after pushback from families. NZ Initiative Education Research Fellow Michael Johnson told Mike Hosking the state has the right to reassess how education is delivered. But he says the homeschooling community has the right to be upset. Johnson says it exists because it's a bit different from mainstream education, and you can't be too heavy handed with it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

An inventive way to encourage the understanding of the stupidity in New Zealand's governance... Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, has authored a novella, ‘The Martian Audit: Or, How New Zealand Repelled an Invasion Through Procedural Complexity'. It's a satirical work in which Martian invaders are held off and eventually sent packing by the country's planning system, consultation requirements, and public service culture. The novella is meant to entertain but reeks of reality – especially for those who have been challenged by the system. We also bring to your attention the latest, very significant, information about climate change. And we end in the mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist says New Zealand is different from Europe and our views on immigration aren't the same. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has used a pre-Budget speech in Auckland to promise a "careful" immigration policy that prioritises social cohesion over profit. He says failed immigration policies in Europe and North America have stoked a politics of division. Eric Crampton —the Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative business think tank— told Ryan Bridge 2023 MBIE data suggests most New Zealanders view immigration more positively than Europeans. He says Europe is in a very different situation with really "messed up" labour markets. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's between a rock and hard place ahead of her budget. Moody's has downgraded New Zealand's economic outlook from stable to negative and Treasury officials are revisiting their economic forecasts. Nicola Willis says the Government shouldn't be spending more to deal with the fuel crisis, but austerity also isn't the answer. Former Treasury Secretary and NZ Initiative Senior Fellow Murray Horn told Mike Hosking borrowing more and more won't work. He says all that will do is delay the economic pain and make it worse. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns we're moving too slow to shore up New Zealand's security. A New Zealand Initiative report warns the Government's $12 billion defence plan risks being absorbed into a system too slow and fragmented to deliver for our security. It recommends six areas of action, including an independent 90-day review of defence policy settings reporting to Cabinet. New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow and Retired Major General John Howard told Mike Hosking we need to think quite differently about national security and defence. He says we have combat capability, but were now in a very different contested environment and we should be making better use of intelligence capabilities and systems, including open-source intelligence and AI. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A think tank's warning the way we appoint public agency leaders is hindering the Government from governing. The New Zealand Initiative says consecutive governments struggling to fulfil their promises is due to elected ministers being unable to choose a department's chief executive. Executive Director Oliver Hartwich says the Public Service Commissioner makes the appointment, which can happen before a minister is elected. He told Ryan Bridge that ministers may be forced to work with department heads appointed during the previous government's term, who may not be happy with you and vice versa, and that doesn't work well to implement the Government's agenda. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education researcher Michael Johnston from the NZ Initiative joins Emile Donovan to discuss the decision not to  build any new single-sex state schools

World leading urban planner Alain Bertaud speaks to Q+A about his vision for how cities should be allowed to develop through organic choices and markets, rather than central planning. Bertaud is renowned for his work in cities around the world, and famous for long walking tours of cities to get a sense for them. He has been in Auckland as a guest of the NZ Initiative, and intends to walk as much of Auckland as he can. 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.

“Extreme risk”. How Iran war exposes NZ's national security vulnerabilities The world has fundamentally changed, and New Zealand is not yet grappling with what that means for our national security, says Retired Major-General John Howard. After a distinguished 40 year career in the military, Howard is now speaking out about what the war in Iran represents, the limits of New Zealand's military capabilities, and the lack of strategic thinking around our military and economic vulnerabilities. In particular, Howard highlights the potential for fuel shortages, and that it is unclear how fuel will be allocated between the population at large and critical industries if necessary. Mayors speak out against road funding changes They're lifelines for small communities, but special purpose roads are about to lose their full government funding. Whena Owen meets a group of regional mayors who are raising the alarm. Meet the urban planner who wants less planning World leading urban planner Alain Bertaud speaks to Q+A about his vision for how cities should be allowed to develop through organic choices and markets, rather than central planning. Bertaud is renowned for his work in cities around the world, and famous for long walking tours of cities to get a sense for them. He has been in Auckland as a guest of the NZ Initiative, and intends to walk as much of Auckland as he can. Changes proposed to euthanasia regime Act MP Todd Stephenson presents his member's bill, which would expand access to the End of Life Choice assisted dying regime. 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.

Isn't David Seymour the guy who got himself into government at the last election and then went and set up a new government department? But, despite the irony, I agree with him that we need fewer government departments and fewer Cabinet ministers. Previously, the ACT leader has described the public sector as "a big, complicated bureaucratic beast". There are the numbers to back that up. We have 82 cabinet portfolios, 28 ministers and 41 separate government departments and agencies. David Seymour thinks that's crazy and says ACT will campaign in this year's election on changing that. And, instead of having 41 government departments and agencies, he wants us to have no more than 30. As for cabinet ministers - at the moment there are 28, David Seymour thinks we need no more than 20. I remember Oliver Hartwich from the NZ Initiative think tank saying last year that we could get away with having as few as 15 cabinet ministers, instead of the 28 we have at the moment. But he thought that 20 was more realistic. As for government departments, they are monsters. They operate in silos. They compete with each other for funding. They don't talk to each other. That's why there's so much duplication. For example, do we need a Ministry of Education and an Education Review Office? I don't think so. Do we need a Ministry of Justice and a Department of Corrections? Possibly not. As for cabinet positions, do we need a mental health minister? Could that all be part of the health minister's job? And don't get me started on things like the Minister for the South Island or the Minister for Auckland that Labour brought in. So, I'm with David Seymour and I think we could do with fewer government departments and agencies. But it will never happen. Talking about having less government departments and less cabinet ministers is easy and politicians talk about it because they know it tends to go down well with people. But it will never happen. Because, whether people admit it or not, they still expect the government and its departments to fix everything. And, unless that changes, the government isn't going to get any smaller. And its list of departments isn't going to get any shorter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critics aren't convinced the Government's new mega-Ministry will work. It's merging the environment, housing and urban development, and transport ministries into a new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. Right-wing think tank NZ Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich says it will still report to the same number of ministers. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan having it fully operational in six months is also ambitious. Hartwich says the ministries are busy with RMA reforms, which are taking up all their resources. He says putting a super merger on top of that could be asking too much. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's revelations a rise in top grades at universities may not be down to New Zealanders getting smarter. Analysis by the New Zealand Initiative reveals 'A ' grades have increased from 22 percent to 36 percent of all grades since 2006. B grades have fallen from 47 percent to 38, while C grades have dropped from 20 percent to 17. NZ Initiative research fellow Dr James Kierstead says 'A' grades are becoming the most common grade for university assignments and that shouldn't be the case. "It's not really something we want to follow the US in, because grade inflation's been a big deal in the states and it's helped undermine half a dozen universities there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 4th of November 2025, Centrix data shows more people are getting mortgages, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Andrew what this means for the economy. A new NZ Initiative report's calling on the government to tap into GP data, Chair of General Practice Owners Association Dr Angus Chambers shares his thoughts. NZ Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective Chair Daniel Chrisp tells Andrew we're running out of room to bury the dead. Plus, Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the weather in Melbourne for the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup. 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.

Do we need more MPs? The NZ Initiative thinks we do - saying today that, instead of 120, we should have 170. It says the number of MPs in New Zealand is low compared to other countries with similar populations and we need 50 more to keep them accessible to voters. Another thing it's calling for is a four-year parliamentary term. That's a no-brainer, as far as I'm concerned. But 50 more MPs? No thanks. However, I do think some change is needed because of the size of some of our electorates. Which is essentially why the NZ Initiative is advocating for more MPs. But I think a much better option would be to have less list MPs and more electorate MPs. Because, you think about the size of some electorates - the West Coast is a prime example - I've always thought it's crazy that one electorate MP has to represent and cover such a huge area. The Te Tai Tonga Maori seat is another one. One MP has to cover the whole South Island - as well as Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, Wellington City and the Hutt Valley. The reason the NZ Initiative is making this call today, is because it's reviewed the last 30 years under the MMP voting system. And its two key points are the parliamentary term and the number of MPs. Senior Fellow Nick Clark says the three-year term is too short for effective long-term policymaking. He says: "By the time a government finds its feet and starts implementing policy, it is already thinking about the next election. A four-year term would give governments time to develop coherent long-term policies." No argument from me there. He also says our parliament - with 120 MPs - is about 30 percent smaller than international benchmarks say it should be. So he says get 50 more. He also thinks we need less cabinet ministers and reckons 15 would be enough. But I reckon he's going to be pushing it uphill to sell his idea of more politicians. I'm not sold. Far from it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 1News reporters Yvonne Tahana, Abbey Wakefield, and Ali Pugh; artist and activist Tāme Iti; former Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse; NZ Initiative local government specialist Nick Clark; and ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar.

After six weeks north of the Equator, it's good to be back. "Two years ago, New Zealanders voted for change. Not just a change of government but a change of direction. They were promised fiscal discipline, economic renewal and a productive economy. The New Zealand government has shown it can reform when it wants to. Now it must also reform what matters most: the unsustainable growth in public spending.” This quote came from The Australian (August 28), and it was written by Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of the NZ Initiative. In Podcast 300, he provides us with a very good analysis of the challenge facing the NZ economy. We spend the second half of this interview discussing one of the most extraordinary human beings of all time, Leonardo Da Vinci. The reason is explained fulsomely and you'll understand my enthusiasm as it unfolds. I can only suggest that what you'll hear provides a greater perspective of the present. And finally, we are back with Mrs Producer and The Mailroom. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jennie Moreton and Peter Field. First up, we take the pulse on a petition to deport Neo Nazi Thomas Sewell back to New Zealand which has reached 50,000 signatures in Australia. Shoudl we take him? Or can Australia deal with him? Then, a new chaper in water reforms begins today as councils deliver their water delivery plans. Now it appears more than 40 water providers will emerge with many councils choosing to keep water in house. The Panel talks to Gary Kircher, Mayor for Waitaki. Finally, Denmark has 25 ministerial portfolios, NZ has 81. The NZ Initiative think tank thinks we need to follow Denmark.

There's a call to cull some of New Zealand's ministers. A new report from the New Zealand Initiative found New Zealand has 81 ministerial portfolios, while comparable countries have a third of that. The think-tank says we should be more like countries with comparable populations, like Norway which has 17 portfolios, and Singapore with 16. Co-author Roger Partridge told Mike Hosking we keep slicing off pieces of portfolios and giving them new names, resulting in important policy areas being split across multiple ministers. Housing for example, reports up to 12 ministers, he says, and when you splinter key portfolios you get fragmented decision-making, a lack of accountability, and higher costs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist says the Government did the best it could in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Treasury's latest report calculates the total cost of the Covid-19 pandemic at $66 billion. The Government ignored official advice at the time to ease spending. New Zealand Initiative Chief Economist Eric Crampton told Mike Hosking it is hard to fault anyone up until late 2020. He says, afterwards, the Government failed to come up with solutions outside lockdowns and wage subsidies. Treasury is now suggesting the Government establish an independent fiscal institution for better scrutiny. Crampton says Treasury isn't in a position where it can effectively challenge the Finance Minister's decisions. He says the public currently can't rely on Treasury for clear warnings when things are going wrong, which is needed for democratic accountability. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert is joining the calls to overhaul NCEA after the Government indicated changes were on the way. A damning report's highlighted major problems with the qualification's credibility, with some schools already withdrawing from Level One. NZ Initiative Senior Fellow Dr Michael Johnston says NCEA's had a 20-year run and it's time to rethink it. "I think a lot of teachers and schools have probably had a gutsful of it, to be honest. It imposes a very heavy workload on teachers... there's a lot that schools have to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new plan is being touted as a way to fast track shaking up the grocery sector. The New Zealand Initiative is proposing allowing new entrants to enter the market, rather than forcing any break-up of the existing supermarket companies. It outlines the need for fast track plans for rezoning, consenting, overseas investment clearance, and a more neutral stance from the government. Chief Economist Eric Crampton told Mike Hosking a new entrant should get a head start. He says within five years the government would find out whether planning barriers are what's held companies back. Foodstuffs and Woolworths are both members of the New Zealand Initiative. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's calling for fat to be cut from multiple areas of government. The Act Party leader wants a limit on the number of ministers – with no ministers outside of Cabinet, and no associate ministers other than in Finance. He wants 30 total government agencies, down from 41. Executive Director of business think tank New Zealand Initiative, Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking the current model doesn't make sense. He says there's a Minister of Housing but also a Minister of Building and Construction, as if they have nothing to do with each other. Hartwich also says the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is a prime example of a bloated cabinet. He says there are 16 ministers in charge of MBIE, and Ireland has 15 in its entire cabinet. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis is looking to further rein in Government spending in next month's Budget - but one expert has warned it won't go far enough. The Finance Minister is slashing the operating allowance from $2.4 billion to $1.3 billion. She's targeting a return to surplus in 2029. NZ Initiative economist Eric Crampton says Government spending has been running too high for years - and cuts need to be made to save the situation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's turning up the heat on China but throwing a tariff lifeline to most others. He's authorised a 90-day pause which will see tariffs dropped to 10% for many countries. However, China's rate has been increased from 104% to 125%. Eric Crampton —Chief Economist at New Zealand Initiative— told Mike Hosking it's a rapidly changing situation. He says it's really hard for any business to plan in this kind of environment – the chaos is just going to continue. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report examining the state of New Zealand's GP workforce has unveiled the strain many healthcare workers are currently under. The report, called The Heart of Healthcare: Renewing New Zealand's Primary Care System, describes an ageing, overworked cohort of GPs who struggle to maintain their business under the weight of increasing patients and operating costs. Former GP and NZ Initiative research fellow Dr Prabani Wood says current funding doesn't cover the necessary costs to deliver the care that patients need. "Add to that, the working conditions under which GPs currently have to work - which means that a lot of our time is spent doing vital, non-patient-facing work, such as following up referrals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief better pathways to industry and trades training are needed. A report from the New Zealand Initiative has found just 6% of 16-to-19 year-olds participate in workplace learning, while 11% are unemployed. It states schools are geared toward university education, even though only about a third enrol in degrees. Report author Michael Johnston says apprenticeship options need to be more visible to young people. He told Mike Hosking part of the problem is apprenticeship training is viewed as being for the kids who don't cope with the academic path. Johnston says we need to rearrange the system so that young people, regardless of their background and propensities, look at apprenticeship training as a viable option. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrian Orr resigned as Reserve Bank Governor this week after 7 years in the job, but three years early, effective immediately and without explanation. Bernard Hickey talks in an emergency edition of When The Facts Change with NZ Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich, an Orr critic, about his legacy and how his replacement should change the bank, and with Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr about Orr's operation of monetary policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The cost of keeping Government-owned assets could be more than the return it's getting from them. A report by The New Zealand Initiative says the Government owns $571 billion in assets, yet the returns from them don't even cover the interest on loans used to buy them. Author Bryce Wilkinson is calling for a review to identify if assets should be sold, and if so, which ones. He says the Government should be asking if someone else could put the assets to better use to improve public access. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's taxes aren't as competitive as they once were. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has floated potential tax cuts for corporations in the wake of the latest Treasury report. Speaking to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB last night, she says our corporate tax rate is reasonably high compared to the rest of the world. Former Treasury Director Bryce Wilkinson told Mike Hosking that it could be a good move. He says the Government is trying to attract foreign investment and capital to try and compare with Singapore and Ireland, who have corporate tax rates within the 10-20% range compared to our rate of 28%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposed law change will prohibit universities from adopting positions on issues that aren't related to their core role and functions. They'll be required to actively promote an environment where ideas can be challenged, controversial issues discussed, and diverse opinions expressed. Universities will have to adopt a statement on freedom of speech and report annually on it. Former Victoria University dean and NZ Initiative senior fellow Michael Johnston told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's not a silver bullet to solve the culture problem at universities, but is necessary. He says problems on campuses are in part a result of a political bias pretty strongly to the left. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A business think tank is critical of the first part of New Zealand's Covid-19 review, believing it's not comprehensive enough. Phase 1 of the pandemic response report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry brings 39 recommendations. They include planning for quarantine measures, allowing movement of public sector capability during a pandemic, and assigning a minister to lead implementation. New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow, Murray Horn told Mike Hosking the report misses some areas. He says it doesn't explore whether damage to the economy and people's faith in government was more serious than needed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education in NZ has long been controversial. It's not incorrect to suggest that a Labour Education Minister has an easier task than a more ‘conservative' party minister (i.e. National's Merv Wellington in the 1980's.) Similar circumstances apply in other countries. Donald Trump returns to the Presidency with intent to eliminate the Department of Education and return the responsibility to the States. There are some valid reasons for doing so. Are there lessons for other countries? Dr Michael Johnston has been consulting NZ Education Minister Erica Stanford. After years of experience, most recently at Victoria University, Wellington, Michael is now with the NZ Initiative. His podcast contribution is very informative. Following the Mailroom there is further comment on other matters, including AI and democracy. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Who Makes the Law? Reining in the Supreme Court”. This report by Roger Partridge, lawyer and Chairman of the NZ Initiative, challenges the Supreme Court's overreach or activism in recent cases and the constitutional implications. Judicial activism is in a word, dangerous for democracy. This is a most important matter and it needs the attention of Parliament. And we venture into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is a shake-up needed for the Supreme Court? That's the question posed by a New Zealand Initiative report, which suggests the court may be straying into Parliament's domain by granting itself the power to rewrite legislation it deems unfavourable. It believes Parliament needs to reassert its sovereignty, to stop what it sees as the current drift towards judicial supremacy. Author, Roger Partridge proposes a maximum judge term of five to seven years, which will see them returned to the Court of Appeal and rotated around. He told Mike Hosking it's Parliament's prerogative to intervene when the court steers out of its lane. Partridge says the report is a call to Parliament that it's their job to set the law straight. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 16th of October, we discuss what will happen with the inflation number today, plus the struggles businesses are facing trying to have tables out on the street. We explore a new report from the NZ Initiative about Supreme Court creep when it comes to rules and regulations. Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk about why we don't like rich politicians and whether Luxon is getting the cut through needed 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.

An easier road for foreign investors looking at New Zealand's companies and property. The Government's new law reforms will allow overseas investment to proceed - so long as it doesn't go against our interests. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says right now, we rank 38 out of 38 countries for openness to investment. New Zealand Initiative Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking New Zealand's always been one of the most difficult places for investment. “That part of globalisation has always bypassed New Zealand. Actually, the share of FDI in our GDP is lower than it used to be 25 years ago.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.