Midday Report Essentials for Monday 9 March 2026

Bracing for impact. Energy and retail prices set to rise for New Zealanders as the impact of the war on Iran washes up on these shores; we speak to the chief economist of New Zealand's largest bank about how this will hit your pocket; Christopher Luxon defiant about staying on as National leader despite record low poll numbers and whether a derailed economic recovery could cost him his trump card; Ads for weight-loss drugs in New Zealand. Why only the US and NZ allow direct-to-consumer drug advertising and why one psychology and pharmacology expert believes the drug should be banned.