New Zealand's continuing to feel the knock-on effects of continuing economic downturn - but is there light at the end of the tunnel? 

The latest data shows GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter, before the fuel crisis started to hit.

However, EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald is urging caution at this stage.

"Everyone's kind of hedging their bets a little, but those underlying good factors that were evident in those numbers...they're still there. But some of the intentions to hire and invest - understandably, it's gone on hold."

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand's continuing to feel the knock-on effects of continuing economic downturn - but is there light at the end of the tunnel?&nbsp;
The latest data shows GDP rose 0.8 percent in the March quarter, before the fuel crisis started to hit.
However, EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald is urging caution at this stage.
"Everyone's kind of hedging their bets a little, but those underlying good factors that were evident in those numbers...they're still there. But some of the intentions to hire and invest - understandably, it's gone on hold."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on whether the economy will bounce back following US-Iran peace deal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5c1850a2-28dd-4656-85e3-b46d00694aee/transcript

So, we’ve had yet another Labour health policy announced - and, once again, it has problems with its numbers.

This one is a revival of the free prescriptions idea. You’ll remember Labour introduced this in 2023 when it was in Government. It scrapped the $5 fee you pay when you pick up a prescription. 

The coalition Government then reinstated that $5 charge as soon as it won the election.

Now Labour is promising to remove the cost again, bringing it back down to zero - at a cost to the taxpayer of $75 million a year.

So, what are the problems with the policy?

First, they claim people will save up to $100 a year. That implies 20 prescriptions annually (100 divided by 5 equals 20). But I’m calling bollocks on that. Since Labour was last in power, you no longer have to refill prescriptions every three months - you only need to do it once every 12 months.

So, the only way you’re hitting 20 prescriptions a year is if you’re on 20 different medications, or you’re on a lot of medication and also need frequent courses of antibiotics throughout the year. For most people, that simply doesn’t stack up.

Second, can you already get free prescriptions? Yes, you can. Where? Chemist Warehouse.

That means this policy doesn’t help those people at all - they’re already getting their prescriptions for free. If anything, it helps Chemist Warehouse, which will now be able to charge the Government for a cost it has been absorbing until now.

Third, can you get free prescriptions if you’re very poor and can’t afford the $5? Yes, you can - through the Community Services Card.

So, what does that leave? A very small group of people: those who don’t live near one of the approximately 70 Chemist Warehouse stores in New Zealand and who don’t already qualify for a Community Services Card.

And the idea that those people will save up to $100 a year? I think that’s bollocks.

This is the third Labour Party policy in two weeks where the numbers don’t add up.

Do better, Labour.

LISTEN ABOVE

So, we’ve had yet another Labour health policy announced - and, once again, it has problems with its numbers.
This one is a revival of the free prescriptions idea. You’ll remember Labour introduced this in 2023 when it was in Government. It scrapped the $5 fee you pay when you pick up a prescription.&nbsp;
The coalition Government then reinstated that $5 charge as soon as it won the election.
Now Labour is promising to remove the cost again, bringing it back down to zero - at a cost to the taxpayer of $75 million a year.
So, what are the problems with the policy?
First, they claim people will save up to $100 a year. That implies 20 prescriptions annually (100 divided by 5 equals 20). But I’m calling bollocks on that. Since Labour was last in power, you no longer have to refill prescriptions every three months - you only need to do it once every 12 months.
So, the only way you’re hitting 20 prescriptions a year is if you’re on 20 different medications, or you’re on a lot of medication and also need frequent courses of antibiotics throughout the year. For most people, that simply doesn’t stack up.
Second, can you already get free prescriptions? Yes, you can. Where? Chemist Warehouse.
That means this policy doesn’t help those people at all - they’re already getting their prescriptions for free. If anything, it helps Chemist Warehouse, which will now be able to charge the Government for a cost it has been absorbing until now.
Third, can you get free prescriptions if you’re very poor and can’t afford the $5? Yes, you can - through the Community Services Card.
So, what does that leave? A very small group of people: those who don’t live near one of the approximately 70 Chemist Warehouse stores in New Zealand and who don’t already qualify for a Community Services Card.
And the idea that those people will save up to $100 a year? I think that’s bollocks.
This is the third Labour Party policy in two weeks where the numbers don’t add up.
Do better, Labour.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Another Labour health policy where the numbers don't add up

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9a35ef30-4f4c-4429-b527-b46d007c9fd8/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18 June.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18 June. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 18 June 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d1282aee-7754-4ffc-b328-b46d0076b731/transcript

Labour isn't ruling out funding other policies with its capital gains tax, but assures there's a cap. 

It's today pledged to again scrap prescription co-payments - to the tune of $74.5 million - which this Government reinstated.

CGT revenue will also fund free pregnancy scans and three GP visits a year.

Leader Chris Hipkins says people living outside the big cities are entitled to affordable medicine as well, and Labour aims to deliver. 

"There's about 150,000 people who are not picking up prescriptions because of the cost...yes, it's going to cost more, there's an annual survey done every year and it found, last year alone, that 155,000 didn't pick up the benefits." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Labour isn't ruling out funding other policies with its capital gains tax, but assures there's a cap.&nbsp;
It's today pledged to again scrap prescription co-payments - to the tune of $74.5 million - which this Government reinstated.
CGT revenue will also fund free pregnancy scans and three GP visits a year.
Leader Chris Hipkins says people living outside the big cities are entitled to affordable medicine as well, and Labour aims to deliver.&nbsp;
"There's about 150,000 people who are not picking up prescriptions because of the cost...yes, it's going to cost more, there's an annual survey done every year and it found, last year alone, that 155,000 didn't pick up the benefits."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Chris Hipkins: Labour leader on the party pledging to drop prescription fees again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/23e55883-7f49-4ea0-a27f-b46d007720c0/transcript

Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on whether the economy will bounce back following US-Iran peace deal

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