The Finance Minister says she's disappointed by revelations MFAT is exempt from cutting spending this year.

It's been confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade won't be given a reduced baseline budget.

Most agencies face two percent cuts - but MFAT will be subject to the same five percent reduction for most agencies next year, and the year after.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister says she's disappointed by revelations MFAT is exempt from cutting spending this year.
It's been confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade won't be given a reduced baseline budget.
Most agencies face two percent cuts - but MFAT will be subject to the same five percent reduction for most agencies next year, and the year after.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained further.
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

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on MFAT avoiding cuts ahead of Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/41506585-067f-46ca-9a42-b45000552c2f/transcript

The family of a murdered Christchurch man whose body was never found is welcoming a renewed push for a 'no body, no parole' law.

A Bill from National MP Tom Rutherford would only let convicted murderers be released, if they reveal where to find their victim's remains.

A similar push in 2020 didn't get through.

Simon McGrath - whose brother Michael was killed - says he’s not sure this law would've changed his case, but he sees value.

"The bill's certainly going to incentivise perpetrators to do the right thing and give up information about the location of their victim's remains - it's a leveraging tool for the police."

LISTEN ABOVE

The family of a murdered Christchurch man whose body was never found is welcoming a renewed push for a 'no body, no parole' law.
A Bill from National MP Tom Rutherford would only let convicted murderers be released, if they reveal where to find their victim's remains.
A similar push in 2020 didn't get through.
Simon McGrath - whose brother Michael was killed - says he’s not sure this law would've changed his case, but he sees value.
"The bill's certainly going to incentivise perpetrators to do the right thing and give up information about the location of their victim's remains - it's a leveraging tool for the police."
LISTEN ABOVE

Simon McGrath: brother of murdered builder Michael McGrath on the proposed 'no body, no parole' law

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/457b8724-337e-4ce6-917c-b49000638da8/transcript

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Shane Jones says it's a sad outcome for Stuart Nash to give up his candidacy. 

Nash has resigned - after outcry over revelations he'd called his Napier opponent MP Katie Nimon lazy, for taking leave after having a baby. 

Leader Winston Peters announced the party has accepted Nash's offer to quit.

Jones says Nash did an honourable thing - to avoid distracting from the election. 

"But look, it's not the end of the life for Stuey, he's got a lot more to offer in a variety of other contexts."

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Shane Jones says it's a sad outcome for Stuart Nash to give up his candidacy.&nbsp;
Nash has resigned - after outcry over revelations he'd called his Napier opponent MP Katie Nimon lazy, for taking leave after having a baby.&nbsp;
Leader Winston Peters announced the party has accepted Nash's offer to quit.
Jones says Nash did an honourable thing - to avoid distracting from the election.&nbsp;
"But look, it's not the end of the life for Stuey, he's got a lot more to offer in a variety of other contexts."
LISTEN ABOVE

Shane Jones: New Zealand First Deputy Leader on Stuart Nash stepping down following controversial comments

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/19c43e76-ed06-49f8-83d1-b490005fb4d9/transcript

New Zealand First has swiftly picked a new candidate for Napier after the resignation of Stuart Nash. 

Te Kira Lawrence, who was previously announced as the Party's East Cape candidate, will now stand in Nash's place. 

Stuart Nash resigned from New Zealand First last night, after a text was revealed where he called Napier MP Katie Nimon the laziest MP he'd ever come across, for taking leave after having a baby. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says politics is a 'rough-and-tumble' game, but it's surprising National stepped in over this matter.

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand First has swiftly picked a new candidate for Napier after the resignation of Stuart Nash.&nbsp;
Te Kira Lawrence, who was previously announced as the Party's East Cape candidate, will now stand in Nash's place.&nbsp;
Stuart Nash resigned from New Zealand First last night, after a text was revealed where he called Napier MP Katie Nimon the laziest MP he'd ever come across, for taking leave after having a baby.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says politics is a 'rough-and-tumble' game, but it's surprising National stepped in over this matter.
LISTEN ABOVE

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Stuart Nash resigning following backlash over recent comments

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/78c48f6d-0951-4f72-a6f5-b4900058be35/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on MFAT avoiding cuts ahead of Budget 2026

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