The Government's economic policies are still failing to deliver, with unemployment up again, and the highest number out of work since 1994, but some research shows "green shoot" are appearing. A new argues this country’s 3-year Parliamentary term is too short for effective Government – few would argue with its view there, but calling for more MPs to keep politicians accessible to voters may be a step too far. A report, written by members of the Aotearoa Centre for Indigenous Peoples and the Law (Te Wai Ariki), is set to tell the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination a significant, ideologically driven attack on Māori rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and racial equity is occurring here.The country’s Iwi are losing patience with Te Pāti Māori and its internal ructions, and are pushing the party to get its act together as the country heads into election year. Te Pāti Māori is in disarray heading into 2026. Joining us this week is Labour's Finance Spokeswoman Barbara Edmonds, to talk Capital Gains and other economic issues:  

Was this the long awaited Labour party tax policy, or is it a health policy? After the Future Fund's rather confused and detail poor launch last week, Labour needed a strong policy launch to put it back on track and help end the year strongly. Te Pāti Māori's implosion continues, with news the party’s leadership is trying to suspend MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. She is at the centre of a variety of controversies, including allegedly overspending her office budget by a reportedly significant amount. Aged care is next in the queue for an overhaul, with concerns already being raised about how it will affect pensioners. The Government has agreed to an integrated approach to reform the aged care system including the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the funding model. The Marine and Coastal Area Takutai Moana Amendment Bill has been likened to a new confiscation and joining me now to discuss its implications is Associate Professor Andrew Erueti, from The University of Auckland Law School

Labour has launched its first 2026 policy initiative, but its Future Fund announcement left as many questions as it gave answers, and political opponents quickly dismissed it. Winston Peters and David Seymour have traded verbal blows over Fonterra's sale of its retail brands, with both accusing the other of having not milked cows. The country's first National Climate Change Adaptation plan hasn't been received too well, and inflation is up, but economists aren't too concerned - yet. We're joined by Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan to talk about this and take a bit of a look at Labour's Future Fund idea.

The Government has reawakened the old right silver bullet bogey of asset sales, to cries of indignation across the country. There was shock as the Government cut the farm methane emissions target in half, letting farmers off the hook while mythical technological advances are touted to do the job for them.  Many Māori Wards, mostly in provincial areas, were among the losers in the local body elections which has another miserable turnout, prompting calls for change to the way they're run. The latest cut to the OCR is being touted as the Reserve Bank cleaning up the economic mess the Government has created, and record numbers of people are still leaving the country - probably taking Luxon's advice to go where the jobs are - because they're not here. We're joined this week by Professor Jaqueline Beggs, co-director of Nga ara Whetu at the University of Auckland, to unpack some of the reasonings and pitfalls behind the Government's decision to cut methane emissions targets for farmers

The business sector seems to be realising this Government is not what they signed up for, with the latest blow to their corporate well being set to strike not at their profits, via mismanagement of the economy, but at them personally through reforms to fair trading rules. The latest Roy Morgan poll shows an effectively even split between the National-led Government on 48.5%, up 2 points from a month earlier, marginally in front of the Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māori Opposition now on 47.5%, down 2.5 points. National will be pleased to see its support up 2.5 points to 31.5%. The Government has released the Defence Industry Strategy, which optimistically details how Defence and industry will work together to deliver the Defence Capability Plan (DCP) while building a strong, resilient industry delivering economic growth and growing export markets. And we're joined by University of Auckland Academic Dr Sasha Maher to discuss the Government's lack of leadership on the increasingly important issue of climate change adaptation.

The Government's decision not to recognise Palestine raised a few eyebrows and caused a lot of political dissent with the left accusing Winston Peters of putting the country on the wrong side of history. The Government's bid to cut energy prices and boost supply was described as underwhelming and unlikely to cut prices for householders hard hit by the cost of living crisis. Prospectors can apply for new permits to search for oil and gas, but there's not expected to be a huge rush. The Treasury was asking some hard questions in its latest 4 yearly 40 year outlook on the country's economy, but most politicians will find it hard to deliver the medicine Treasury says the country needs. Our guest this week is Dr Ritesh Shah from the University of Auckland co director of the center for Asia Pacific Refugee studies to unpack some of the reasoning behind the Government's decision on Palestinian recognition.

Nicola Willis has been well and truly under the pump after last week's atrocious GDP numbers. The 0.9% dip in growth, with an even larger dip in per capita GDP, shows her growth policies are not working. There have been calls for her resignation, but Chris Luxon has expressed confidence in her – what else could he do? National has been under heavy Opposition fire in recent weeks over the parlous state of the country's social housing.The Government's concerns about the construction sector and its clearly wilting support among younger males, many of whom are tradies, is clearly part of the reasoning behind the decision to bring forward investment in school infrastructure. While the economy in general is stagnating, one sector is doing well...the Maori economy. To talk about how it is managing to do this while the general economy seemingly can't and some of the lessons to be learned, I'm joined by professor of Maori Management Jason Mika, from the University of Auckland's business school

The Government’s growth policies are clearly not working the way they were intended, as growth is stalling, and the electoral consequences for the coalition could be dire. The latest NZIER Consensus Forecasts point to a downward revision in the pace of the recovery over the coming year. The latest RNZ-Reid Research poll has Labour still narrowly ahead of National but neither bloc able to govern on its own. Labour is up 1.1 points to 34.3%. National is close behind on 32.5% up 1.8 points. As the Government struggles to control the cost of living, Growth Tsar Nicola Willis has come up with a new suite of moves which she believes will help boost competition in the market – by increasing regulation. ACT’s attacks on local democratic rights is being stepped up as the party’s local body candidates target “unelected” appointees in a bid to remove their voting rights on council committees. This week's guest is Associate Professor and Director of Global Studies at the University of Auckland Chris Ogden, who is a proponent of New Zealand joining the BRICS grouping of countries.

Labour is clearly looking to make the next election about economic management, and the pressure is mounting on Chris Luxon and Nicola Willis to stop the rot and turn the country around, despite the fact they have very little control over the economic levers. The latest Roy Morgan poll suggests voters really have had enough, with support for Labour surging to its highest point in this poll since the 2023 election. The Labour-Greens- Te Pāti Māori Opposition now has 50% support - up 4 points from a month ago.  While Chris Luxon laughs off polls which show his Government under pressure, he will not be able to ignore them for much longer. His administration's credibility and competence is under question, while his own personal leadership skills are also being put under the blow torch. The Government appears to be taking lessons on immigration from Nigel Farage and Donald Trump, launching a new crackdown as it again looks to divert attention away from the real economic issues affecting the country. And we're joined by Roy Morgan Poll Manager Julian McCrann to talk about their latest poll.

This time businesses are clinging to hope the clueless coalition can pull the economy around, but in Auckland confidence is collapsing, and it's local issues to blame. KiwiBank economists say the Budget's flagship policy, "Investment Boost" has had only marginal results so far, with most businesses saying they have no plan to use it and those who have saying they were going to invest without it anyway. The Reserve Bank is looking a little rudderless, after the chairman  followed the Governor and resigned. The Government clearly understands it has to do something about the cost of food before the next election, but its plan to boost supermarket competition looks unlikely to create any real change. And this time we're joined by Labour's Rachel Brooking to talk about the coalition's RMA changes and its seeming contempt for the environment.

Brooke Van Velden's anti union, anti worker crusade is under fire after she says she expects new members of the Employment Relations Authority to reduce compensation awards to workers. The Government's desperation to encourage “growth” through infrastructure has again been demonstrated with the passing of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill. It says infrastructure projects mean higher wages - we're still waiting. While the Government lauded the Reserve Bank's decision to lower the cash rate to 3% with a hint of 2 further cuts to come by year's end, there's no evidence at this stage the cuts are boosting spending, investment or employment, and the RBNZ says the economy likely slipped back into negative growth in the June quarter. Meanwhile questions have been raised as to whether the Government is trying to force the Reserve Bank's hand on OCR decisions despite its operational independence. And our guest this week is Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, who talks about changes to consenting regulations.

The Government's full and final settlement with Hyundai over the cancelled Cook Strait Ferries has ignited a new war of words over the project, although Rail Minister Winston Peters counts it as a win. The Government won't want to hear it, but can't be surprised its pay equity move is being challenged in court by 5 unions. The challenge argues the legislation breaches three key rights of those workers affected. Economic woes continue to mount for the Government as the cost of living continues to balloon and citizens leave the country like rats off a sinking ship. Tinkering with the RMA continues as various pressure groups and lobbyists vie to have their sector exempted from environmental protections, and we're joined by Labour's Transport spokesman Tangi Utikere as we unpack the Government's universal road user charges policy.

Voters seem to be losing confidence in the Government with the latest Taxpayers Union Curia poll showing Labour opening up a lead on National, and all the coalition parties slipping, National and NZ First by 2 points each. FInance Minister Nicola Willis didn't win many friends when she said the latest unemployment figures weren't bad, as they were better than forecast, and those who lost their jobs shouldn't take it personally. The Government's boot camp programme for young offenders looks like it will need a reset after 80% of the graduates reoffended, and Treasury's final 2025 Long-term Insights Briefing is critical of Labour's response to the pandemic saying it spent too much, drawing a strong reaction from our guest for this edition Professor of Macro Economics at Auckland University, Robert MacCulloch.

Chris Luxon may have secured his legacy if the Government's changes to NCEA announced this week prove effective. The secondary school qualification has not been serving students well, and it is time for change, but the Government will have to be careful business doesn't get too much influence and turn schools into nothing more than vocational colleges. The Government copped some real flak for being asleep at the wheel when the US made a surprise decision to slap a 15% tariff on our exports - it could cause significant hurt in some sectors, such as beef and wine. A draft strategy to boost the country's geothermal energy output in the next 15 years is positive thinking, but its lifting of the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration provides no more than a forlorn hope another mother lode will be discovered. Joining us this week to talk energy and resources is Labour's Megan Woods.

The Government is copping some flak overs its decision to stop same day enrolment for voters, and its petty decision to change the cover of the New Zealand passport so the English words are placed above the Te Reo. The Reserve Bank warns global turmoil could affect the economy, with weaker demand for exports and increased uncertainty.  Farmers are more confident, but why wouldn't they be, with a Government which appears to be at the beck and call. And the education system is set for more tinkering - to discuss this, we're joined by Education expert, Professor Gavin Brown from Auckland University.

This time, inflation is on the rise again, with the prospect of stagflation looming, and the Government looks set to take the blame. The Government is continuing its attack on local democracy, with David Seymour bemoaning increases in rates. The argument over the voting age has brewed up again with the UK allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote. Labour's jobs strategy is under fire and its latest infrastructure announcement has been panned as simply the re-announcement of the same old work. This time we're joined by political columnist and analyst Janet Wilson to look at dynamics within the coalition and other issues.

NZ First has surged in the latest Taxpayer's Union Curia Poll, becoming the third highest ranked party for the first time - it begs the question - will Winston Peters use his improved electoral position to force David Seymour into collapsing the coalition by calling for amendments to the Regulatory Standards Bill? A plan has been put forward to replace income tax with private savings, effectively privatising the welfare system, and the Government plan to attract more international students hasn't exactly found favour with ACT. The reserve Bank has put the OCR on hold - we talk about this and other economic issues with ASB Chief economist Nick Tuffley.

This time, opposition to the Regulatory Standards Bill is reaching a crescendo, but the backroom deals have been done and the Bill will pass, despite its undemocratic nature. Chris Luxon releases another set of KPIs for the coalition, none of them particularly challenging. The FamilyBoost programme has received a boost, but opposition parties are dismissing it as too little too late. Businesses are getting stronger powers to trespass people, but as with the shoplifting fines, enforcement will be crucial, and while the Government says it is focussing on the cost of living, nothing it is planning is likely to give any relief soon. Our guest this week is Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey, who talks about this Government's rather troubling view of democratic process.

This time, some of the Government's law and order policies have come into effect, with tougher sentencing...There was shock at Parliament with the passing of Takutai Tarsh Kemp, but another MP also departed the House, with NZ First's Tanya Unkovich quitting. When the Government talks about fairer policies, it usually means someone's hard earned rights are set to disappear, especially when Brooke van Velden is involved, and we talk with Labour's local Government spokesman Tangi Utikere as the Government continues its apparent war on local councils.  

This time foreign policy has been the big issue in the past week, with Winston Peters and Chris Luxon at times seeming to be pursuing different agendas.  The GDP print surprised just about everyone, but forecasters are saying the next quarter's numbers won't be nearly so uplifting. The Government has been touting the success of its investment summit and the "golden visa" as it pushes its growth agenda, and David Seymour's Ministry for Regulation has a new target - the costs of winding up a deceased person's estate. And as foreign policy is such a major issue at the moment, we have Professor of International Relations at Otago University Robert Patman join us to mull over the implications of latest events.