Labour believes it's more financially responsible than the current Government following the release of Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update. 

It's predicting economic growth of just 1.7% in 2026, well down on the May Budget's 2.9% forecast. 

Labour's Finance and Economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds was asked by Andrew Dickens whether her party would have increased taxes to get back in black faster. 

She says they would have followed the same plan they had in 2023, before the election, but ultimately it comes down to choices. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Labour believes it's more financially responsible than the current Government following the release of Treasury's Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.&nbsp;
It's predicting economic growth of just 1.7% in 2026, well down on the May Budget's 2.9% forecast.&nbsp;
Labour's Finance and Economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds was asked by Andrew Dickens whether her party would have increased taxes to get back in black faster.&nbsp;
She says they would have followed the same plan they had in 2023, before the election, but ultimately it comes down to choices.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance Spokesperson on the state of the Government's books

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c52e4c9a-8b50-4779-9b33-b3b501643610/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 13th of Feburary 2025, The Government says Kainga Ora has exceeded savings targets, delivering $211 million in operating cost reductions, Associate Minister of Housing tells Ryan how they've made savings.

New Zealand First's announced they'll be campaigning for a referendum to put an end to Māori electorate seats, former Te Pati Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell shares his thoughts. 

The Sail GP is back in Auckland, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill tells Ryan how big of a boost this will be for the city. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologising for saying the UK is 'colonised by immigrants' and US President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC has been scheduled to go to trial in February 2027, according to court documents. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 13th of Feburary 2025, The Government says Kainga Ora has exceeded savings targets, delivering $211 million in operating cost reductions, Associate Minister of Housing tells Ryan how they've made savings.
New Zealand First's announced they'll be campaigning for a referendum to put an end to Māori electorate seats, former Te Pati Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
The Sail GP is back in Auckland, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill tells Ryan how big of a boost this will be for the city.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologising for saying the UK is 'colonised by immigrants' and US President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC has been scheduled to go to trial in February 2027, according to court documents.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 13 February 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ec857096-7232-476e-a945-b3ef011a9622/transcript

All eyes are on Auckland's waterfront this weekend - as Sail GP returns. 

Thirteen teams on foiling catamarans will race around the Waitematā Harbour tomorrow and Sunday.

Last year's Sail GP drew in more than 25-thousand spectators - for Auckland's first time hosting. 

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill tells Ryan what they're doing to prepare. 

All eyes are on Auckland's waterfront this weekend - as Sail GP returns.&nbsp;
Thirteen teams on foiling catamarans will race around the Waitematā Harbour tomorrow and Sunday.
Last year's Sail GP drew in more than 25-thousand spectators - for Auckland's first time hosting.&nbsp;
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill tells Ryan what they're doing to prepare.&nbsp;

Nick Hill: Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive on Sail GP returning to Auckland's waterfront

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bec7a75c-325b-4677-8082-b3ef011b9829/transcript

You know how everyone complains the lights at supermarkets are too bright? People reckon they do it on purpose.... it's a trick to make you awake and alert, no matter the time of day, so you keep shopping and buy more stuff. 

Well, the opposite is true of movie theatres, right. 

You go there and they dim the lights because it makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The screen is a sensory overload - that's what you're paying for the. The lighting enhances that.

Well, can I just say that you shouldn't never go the movies early, before they've dimmed the lights. 

I went to the movies the other day in the afternoon. My usual cinema was not showing anything at te time I wanted. 

Off I go.. down to... wait for it... Queen Street. 

$17 for parking. That's on me. 

$40 for the ticket and coke... which went down smoothly after I choked on the price. 

Anyway, the cinema's empty but the lights are on. Like flood lights. Like Supermarket lights. 

There is precisely zero glamour about a Queen Street movie theatre in full glare. 

It's like when they turn the lights on at a nightclub. 

The seat was so worn in the backside and shoulders there was no tread left on the thing. 

Then there were the stains...and I don't really want to go into those. 

The carpet was all worn and tatty and under the seats - popcorn for Africa. It's like somebody vacuumed the bits you walk on and everything else they forgot. 

Now. I'm not complaining about this. Believe it or, I just don't really complain about bad experiences at restaurants and stuff because I always think, if you don't like something, just don't go. 

And I like going to the movies. Even though I knew it was a bit gross and tatty, I sat down and pretended I was at the Silky Otter. 

All I'm saying to you this morning, dear listener, is you wouldn't shop in the dark, so don't visit the movies in the light. 

You know how everyone complains the lights at supermarkets are too bright? People reckon they do it on purpose.... it's a trick to make you awake and alert, no matter the time of day, so you keep shopping and buy more stuff.&nbsp;
Well, the opposite is true of movie theatres, right.&nbsp;
You go there and they dim the lights because it makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The screen is a sensory overload - that's what you're paying for the. The lighting enhances that.
Well, can I just say that you shouldn't never go the movies early, before they've dimmed the lights.&nbsp;
I went to the movies the other day in the afternoon. My usual cinema was not showing anything at te time I wanted.&nbsp;
Off I go.. down to... wait for it... Queen Street.&nbsp;
$17 for parking. That's on me.&nbsp;
$40 for the ticket and coke... which went down smoothly after I choked on the price.&nbsp;
Anyway, the cinema's empty but the lights are on. Like flood lights. Like Supermarket lights.&nbsp;
There is precisely zero glamour about a Queen Street movie theatre in full glare.&nbsp;
It's like when they turn the lights on at a nightclub.&nbsp;
The seat was so worn in the backside and shoulders there was no tread left on the thing.&nbsp;
Then there were the stains...and I don't really want to go into those.&nbsp;
The carpet was all worn and tatty and under the seats - popcorn for Africa. It's like somebody vacuumed the bits you walk on and everything else they forgot.&nbsp;
Now. I'm not complaining about this. Believe it or, I just don't really complain about bad experiences at restaurants and stuff because I always think, if you don't like something, just don't go.&nbsp;
And I like going to the movies. Even though I knew it was a bit gross and tatty, I sat down and pretended I was at the Silky Otter.&nbsp;
All I'm saying to you this morning, dear listener, is you wouldn't shop in the dark, so don't visit the movies in the light.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Don't go to the movies with the lights on

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/548f31e4-e7a6-4089-959f-b3ef0119f1c8/transcript

Barbara Edmonds: Labour's Finance Spokesperson on the state of the Government's books

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