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

A big showdown in Johannesburg this weekend. 

The All Blacks are facing the Springboks for the first time on their tour of South Africa, clashing at Ellis Park at 3am Sunday. 

The Kiwi side is on a winning streak against the domestic sides, but the Springboks have won four of the past five meetings. 

Former Springbok Kevin Putt told Ryan Bridge the South African side is taking physicality to a whole new level. 

He says if they decide to beat the All Blacks up instead of just beating them, it could be a long day at the office. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

A big showdown in Johannesburg this weekend.&nbsp;
The All Blacks are facing the Springboks for the first time on their tour of South Africa, clashing at Ellis Park at 3am Sunday.&nbsp;
The Kiwi side is on a winning streak against the domestic sides, but the Springboks have won four of the past five meetings.&nbsp;
Former Springbok Kevin Putt told Ryan Bridge the South African side is taking physicality to a whole new level.&nbsp;
He says if they decide to beat the All Blacks up instead of just beating them, it could be a long day at the office.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Kevin Putt: Former Springbok previews the first clash between the All Blacks and Springboks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/10596c30-0b39-4a10-a999-b4ad0001b6b1/transcript

Kiwibank is reporting a 9% drop in annual profit. 

It comes amid talk of a potential merger between Kiwibank and TSB Bank, if the current TSB-Heartland merger falls through. 

The Crown-owned bank says it's dealing with a challenging economic environment. 

Its net interest income —the gap between what it's receiving in interest and paying out in interest— has risen 1.7%. 

Massey University's Professor Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge that suggests they're having to cut what they're charging on their loans in order to get the lending they're getting. 

She says that method is fine in the short term, but it's not maintainable in the long term. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Kiwibank is reporting a 9% drop in annual profit.&nbsp;
It comes amid talk of a potential merger between Kiwibank and TSB Bank, if the current TSB-Heartland merger falls through.&nbsp;
The Crown-owned bank says it's dealing with a challenging economic environment.&nbsp;
Its net interest income —the gap between what it's receiving in interest and paying out in interest— has risen 1.7%.&nbsp;
Massey University's Professor Claire Matthews told Ryan Bridge that suggests they're having to cut what they're charging on their loans in order to get the lending they're getting.&nbsp;
She says that method is fine in the short term, but it's not maintainable in the long term.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Claire Matthews: Massey University Head of Accountancy, Economics and Finance on Kiwibank's financial results

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/388ac631-a23a-4d6c-9b79-b4ac01895ed7/transcript

New Zealand First's plan to force more Fonterra milk into the hands of rival manufacturers is being dismissed as a “dumb idea”. 

The party wants to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, giving qualifying manufacturers access to up to 500-million litres of Fonterra milk a year for six years – up from the current 50-million. 

Dairy industry analyst Peter Fraser told Ryan Bridge if NZ First wanted to build a fast-moving consumer goods industry, it should have started 25 years ago. 

He says even Goodman Fielder —with major brands across the country— would struggle to use half of that volume of milk, so thinking competitors would simply build a new factory is “nuts.” 

LISTEN ABOVE  

New Zealand First's plan to force more Fonterra milk into the hands of rival manufacturers is being dismissed as a “dumb idea”.&nbsp;
The party wants to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act, giving qualifying manufacturers access to up to 500-million litres of Fonterra milk a year for six years – up from the current 50-million.&nbsp;
Dairy industry analyst Peter Fraser told Ryan Bridge if NZ First wanted to build a fast-moving consumer goods industry, it should have started 25 years ago.&nbsp;
He says even Goodman Fielder —with major brands across the country— would struggle to use half of that volume of milk, so thinking competitors would simply build a new factory is “nuts.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Peter Fraser: Dairy Industry Analyst on NZ First's proposal to amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9e773330-07ae-4763-a744-b4ac0183c80a/transcript

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

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