The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 15

The latest set of polls to emerge shows voters aren't really sure of their opinions as the election approaches. The Government has provided details of changes to the Fuel Response Plan following what it calls extensive consultation and engagement with business and industry, and other stakeholders. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the priority is to ensure the country continues to have sufficient fuel supply so “we never need to implement restrictive fuel savings measures.” The OECD, has released its 2026 report on New Zealand’s economy. It blows hot and cold, with some aspects of the Government’s programme getting the thumbs up, and others not cutting the mustard. The report picks out the ageing population and energy supply as the biggest concerns, while arguing the tax system is holding productive investments back by encouraging investment in housing above productive assets. In another blow for the steadily disintegrating Te Pāti Māori, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is quitting and forming her own party. She says she believes other colleagues will also leave the party before the election telling The Hui she believes they’ll create a network of independent Māori MPs answering to their electorates, not a central political machine.  And we're joined by Professor Robert MacCulloch from Auckland University, who is concerned the Government is set to ignore the key findings of the OECD's report on the New Zealand economy.