The 2026 Budget was delivered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis today, and it aimed to be more 'careful' amid the ongoing economic turmoil and international conflicts.

Healthcare, education, and infrastructure were the key priorities - and the Government's claimed the books will return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Winston Peters has lucked out, as he's secured an extra financial boost in terms of foreign aid.

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The 2026 Budget was delivered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis today, and it aimed to be more 'careful' amid the ongoing economic turmoil and international conflicts.
Healthcare, education, and infrastructure were the key priorities - and the Government's claimed the books will return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Winston Peters has lucked out, as he's secured an extra financial boost in terms of foreign aid.
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 the key points from Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7baa5c19-fd81-487e-879e-b458005cbe10/transcript

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said London will continue 'to support Ukraine 100 percent', despite Russia making threats.

The Russian embassy in the UK earlier accused Britain of 'deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis' and warned 'the deeper its involvement in the conflict... the higher the price it will pay'.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's no sign of either side backing down when it comes to the ongoing conflict.

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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said London will continue 'to support Ukraine 100 percent', despite Russia making threats.
The Russian embassy in the UK earlier accused Britain of 'deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis' and warned 'the deeper its involvement in the conflict... the higher the price it will pay'.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's no sign of either side backing down when it comes to the ongoing conflict.
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Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on UK backing Ukraine, despite Russia threats

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9dea402e-8062-443d-887c-b4ab00821339/transcript

The big US companies used to buy back more shares than they issued, but that's changed in recent months.

The latest bank estimates claim 2026 could be the first year in almost three decades that that reverses.

Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further.

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The big US companies used to buy back more shares than they issued, but that's changed in recent months.
The latest bank estimates claim 2026 could be the first year in almost three decades that that reverses.
Milford Asset Management expert Brendan Larsen explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Brendan Larsen: Milford Asset Management expert on what the demand for shares and bonds means for investors

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0b790fe0-c1a6-48a4-9f7f-b4ab007e976c/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 August, 2026, we ask Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell if he should lose his job after decades of warnings before the fatal Mt Maunganui landslide.

The walls are going up in open-air classrooms. Education Minister Erica Stanford reveals why it's personal for her.

Air New Zealand's new automated rebooking system that it says will save you hours in time.

And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Jordan Williams on whether they believe Labour leader Chris Hipkins won't adopt any of the minor parties' tax plans if he gets power.

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

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 19 August, 2026, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/marty-grenfell-tauranga-city-council-ceo-on-the-failings-identified-in-the-report-into-the-deadly-mount-maunganui-landslide/">we ask Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell if he should lose his job after decades of warnings before the fatal Mt Maunganui landslide.</a>
The walls are going up in open-air classrooms. <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-the-plan-to-build-more-walls-in-open-plan-classrooms/">Education Minister Erica Stanford reveals why it's personal for her.</a>
Air New Zealand's new <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/kate-boyer-air-nz-ground-and-in-flight-chief-operations-officer-on-the-airline-revealing-a-new-rebooking-system-to-international-flights/">automated rebooking system that it says will save you hours in time.</a>
And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Jordan Williams <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-what-did-we-make-of-the-mount-maunganui-landslide-review/">on whether they believe Labour leader Chris Hipkins won't adopt any of the minor parties' tax plans if he gets power.</a>
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 19 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5ee50c3f-9df0-4076-b1ec-b4ab0076b59e/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the key points from Budget 2026

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