The Trans Tasman Pol Pod Episode 126

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered a pre-Budget speech launching a new blast of austerity described as “public service reform.” This will involve slashing the number of Government agencies, cutting thousands more public sector jobs and boosting the use of AI. Winston Peters is working hard to put NZ First in pole position for when the campaign proper kicks off in October, with the announcement of several significant policy initiatives – KiwiSaver from birth for all New Zealanders, and the purchase of the BNZ from its Australian owners, to merge it with KiwiBank. Three polls in a row have now shown National with support at the critical 30% level or below, with the Roy Morgan sample putting the party at around 25%. It continues to leach support to NZ First in particular. Winston Peters and David Seymour have both tried to outdo each other with their anti migrant policies in recent weeks, now National, which has been leaching support to its minor coalition partners is doing the same, just without the vehemence and vindictiveness of ACT and NZ First. And we're joined this week by Auckland University Economist Emeritus Professor Tim Hazledine, who's not too convinced by Winston Peters' plan to buy the BNZ and merge it with KiwiBank.