Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world.  

Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February.  

It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid. 

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand’s inflation is unlikely to reach the same peaks. 

He says New Zealand economists are predicting a peak of around the mid-4s, whereas Australia’s are expecting it to go well over 5%. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world. &nbsp;
Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February. &nbsp;
It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid.&nbsp;
Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand’s inflation is unlikely to reach the same peaks.&nbsp;
He says New Zealand economists are predicting a peak of around the mid-4s, whereas Australia’s are expecting it to go well over 5%.&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

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's inflation surging to 4.6%

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c9b0ed6f-08a5-4f42-8572-b43c0009af92/transcript

New Zealand is about to test its readiness for foot and mouth disease with a farm simulation next month on a Taranaki farm. 

It'll be followed by a national exercise including everything from mock on-farm detection, quarantine, and national governance decisions. 

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's one thing to have a plan on paper and another to actually carry it out.  

He told Ryan Bridge other countries have managed to effectively contain it.  

Hoggard says in Germany it was kept at a single farm and still meant exports could go ahead from the rest of the country. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

New Zealand is about to test its readiness for foot and mouth disease with a farm simulation next month on a Taranaki farm.&nbsp;
It'll be followed by a national exercise including everything from mock on-farm detection, quarantine, and national governance decisions.&nbsp;
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's one thing to have a plan on paper and another to actually carry it out. &nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge other countries have managed to effectively contain it. &nbsp;
Hoggard says in Germany it was kept at a single farm and still meant exports could go ahead from the rest of the country.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Andrew Hoggard: Biosecurity Minister on the trial of New Zealand's response to foot and mouth disease

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/27f9304f-5723-4abc-8e9f-b43c0007d99a/transcript

Andrew Hoggard: Biosecurity Minister on the trial of New Zealand's response to foot and mouth disease (1)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cdf74aff-0707-46a0-a521-b43c0007b659/transcript

There are hopes the Government's latest crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide gets the message through to retailers. 

People inhaling the gas to get high is becoming a serious public health concern.

Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances.

Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge the canisters can be used for whipping cream, but it's not really a big seller for retailers.

She says they will never sell that many, with caterers preferring a wholesaler than a convenience store.

LISTEN ABOVE

There are hopes the Government's latest crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide gets the message through to retailers.&nbsp;
People inhaling the gas to get high is becoming a serious public health concern.
Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances.
Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge the canisters can be used for whipping cream, but it's not really a big seller for retailers.
She says they will never sell that many, with caterers preferring a wholesaler than a convenience store.
LISTEN ABOVE

Carolyn Young: Retail NZ Chief Executive on the Government cracking down on nangs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b5f9d7d4-ee58-485b-b9ce-b43b012d5846/transcript

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's inflation surging to 4.6%

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