A tax expert suggests National's trademark tax relief seems a fair way off, with little wiggle room in its fiscal plan.

The Party says it can't offer tax cuts until it gets on top of debt. 

It says all its commitments are costed, matching Labour's $2.4 billion Budget operating allowance. 

Tax expert Geof Nightingale told Andrew Dickens the $7.5 billion left over arrives in 2029, so it's a long way out. 

He says 2029 is an election year, so there will be spending promises then too, which will make it difficult to promise a tax cut. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A tax expert suggests National's trademark tax relief seems a fair way off, with little wiggle room in its fiscal plan.
The Party says it can't offer tax cuts until it gets on top of debt.&nbsp;
It says all its commitments are costed, matching Labour's $2.4 billion Budget operating allowance.&nbsp;
Tax expert Geof Nightingale told Andrew Dickens the $7.5 billion left over arrives in 2029, so it's a long way out.&nbsp;
He says 2029 is an election year, so there will be spending promises then too, which will make it difficult to promise a tax cut.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

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

Geof Nightingale: Tax expert says National's tax relief seems a fair way off

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e9f94940-9f8b-44b4-9bf3-b4e1011e9926/transcript

The Greens want to keep a tight rein on AI. 

The Party wants people held accountable for decisions made using Artificial Intelligence, and to have a public register of AI systems used by Government agencies. 

It wants people to be able to opt-out of AI-assisted decision making and wants to put a pause on hyperscale data centres.  

Green Party MP Lawrence Xu-Nan told Andrew Dickens AI needs to be sensibly regulated, as it's a manmade tool that should enhance but not replace.  

He says their proposal would allow the benefits of AI to be shared by everyone instead of just a few. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Greens want to keep a tight rein on AI.&nbsp;
The Party wants people held accountable for decisions made using Artificial Intelligence, and to have a public register of AI systems used by Government agencies.&nbsp;
It wants people to be able to opt-out of AI-assisted decision making and wants to put a pause on hyperscale data centres. &nbsp;
Green Party MP Lawrence Xu-Nan told Andrew Dickens AI needs to be sensibly regulated, as it's a manmade tool that should enhance but not replace. &nbsp;
He says their proposal would allow the benefits of AI to be shared by everyone instead of just a few.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Lawrence Xu-Nan: Green Party MP on their proposal to regulate artificial intelligence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/08b5041e-fa1b-4807-b61d-b4e10177d6a6/transcript

ASB says elections aren't usually a handbrake for business or household decisions.  

Fresh analysis from the bank has found activity doesn't tend to slow down before an election or speed up right after one.  

Senior Economist Mark Smith says there were two exceptions around the 2008 and 2020 elections but adds that was probably because of the GFC and the pandemic. 

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens from what they're hearing, businesses are looking past the short-term uncertainty to the longer-term opportunities ahead.  

She says investment and hiring intentions have remained pretty positive. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

ASB says elections aren't usually a handbrake for business or household decisions. &nbsp;
Fresh analysis from the bank has found activity doesn't tend to slow down before an election or speed up right after one. &nbsp;
Senior Economist Mark Smith says there were two exceptions around the 2008 and 2020 elections but adds that was probably because of the GFC and the pandemic.&nbsp;
Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens from what they're hearing, businesses are looking past the short-term uncertainty to the longer-term opportunities ahead. &nbsp;
She says investment and hiring intentions have remained pretty positive.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on the ASB research showing economic activity doesn't tend to slow down ahead of elections

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dcd882df-eb53-4c69-9a20-b4e10171795b/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 13th of October 2026, National’s dangled the carrot of tax cuts, but not until the books are back in surplus tax expert Geof Nightingale shares his thoughts.

The Greens' newest policy takes on their biggest rival yet -- AI, Green Party MP Lawerance Xu Nan explains how they plan to regulate it.

ASB are challenging the old idea that business grinds to a halt before an election, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson shares what activity she's seeing from businesses.

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on an Australian engineer finally leaving IRAQ five years after being arrested and jailed and an iconic Australian band furious after song used illegally by Pauline Hanson at a conservative conference.

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

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 13th of October 2026, National’s dangled the carrot of tax cuts, but not until the books are back in surplus tax expert Geof Nightingale shares his thoughts.
The Greens' newest policy takes on their biggest rival yet -- AI, Green Party MP Lawerance Xu Nan explains how they plan to regulate it.
ASB are challenging the old idea that business grinds to a halt before an election, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson shares what activity she's seeing from businesses.
Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on an Australian engineer finally leaving IRAQ five years after being arrested and jailed and an iconic Australian band furious after song used illegally by Pauline Hanson at a conservative conference.
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 October 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1ce9e52e-9e38-462c-ac71-b4e1011a3ef9/transcript

Geof Nightingale: Tax expert says National's tax relief seems a fair way off

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