Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the inflation rate remaining unchanged at 3.1%, the Luxon leadership saga

The Finance Minister is concerned about an expected spike in inflation.  The inflation rate has remained unchanged at 3.1% in the March quarter, despite forecasts of a drop.  ASB economists now expect it to approach 4.5% this quarter, remain above 4% until the end of the year, and remain above 3% until at least the middle of next year.  Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking there's no doubt inflation will rise this quarter.  She’s also refusing to name the five disgruntled National MPs that Christopher Luxon says are behind party leaks to the media.  Luxon's passed a vote of confidence at yesterday's lengthy caucus meeting, but MPs aren't revealing details of the vote, including how many of them supported Luxon.  Newstalk ZB understands the disgruntled MPs are Joseph Mooney, Andrew Bayley, Sam Uffindell, Barbara Kuriger, and Tim van de Molen.  Willis told Hosking she won’t throw colleagues under the bus without evidence.  She says each of the five have said they haven't leaked to the media and support a unified caucus.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.