The Prime Minister's tempering expectations ahead of the Government's books opening this week.

The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update will be unveiled tomorrow - with some economists expecting a projected surplus to be pushed out by another year. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this will be the third time a return to surplus has been pushed out.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Prime Minister's tempering expectations ahead of the Government's books opening this week.
The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update will be unveiled tomorrow - with some economists expecting a projected surplus to be pushed out by another year.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this will be the third time a return to surplus has been pushed out.
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 whether surplus is likely to be pushed out further

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a6f345e8-705d-49a2-b432-b3b400475b25/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 19 December.

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 Friday 19 December. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 19 December 2025 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6ad6c7a2-3ebf-4540-aab5-b3b800662fb1/transcript

France has sentenced a doctor to death after he poisoned 30 patients, killing 12.

The EU has agreed to provide Ukraine more money after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged leaders to use frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv.

But, the money may not be enough.

"Bit by bit it's getting worse and worse for Ukraine, no matter what support they've got," Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens.

LISTEN ABOVE

France has sentenced a doctor to death after he poisoned 30 patients, killing 12.
The EU has agreed to provide Ukraine more money after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged leaders to use frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv.
But, the money may not be enough.
"Bit by bit it's getting worse and worse for Ukraine, no matter what support they've got," Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent says things are getting worse for Ukraine despite support

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5da835e0-d351-44d6-94e8-b3b800674c6e/transcript

The government has approved OceanaGold’s Waihi North mining project, extending gold and silver extraction in the Waihi area until 2043, delighting the pro-mining crowd.

It's a decision I agree with.

Waihi has already been extensively mined and the environment beaten up.

The decision will keep the town alive and provide hundreds of jobs. But make no mistake, this will not be an El Dorado for the whole country.

The royalties are still at the excruciatingly low level they've always been at.

Waihi North will generate $5.2 billion in additional gold and silver exports over its 18-year lifespan — averaging $286 million per year.

Meanwhile, Crown revenue from corporate tax, PAYE, and royalties is expected to total a net present value of $422m over the life of the project.

That's not an economy-saving sum, and it represents an 8 per cent yield on the output.

But a deal is a deal.

What concerns me is thoughts of new claims — the area behind Pauanui and Tairua on the Coromandel. Or the new work proposed for Bendigo.

Until the whole nation truly benefits from the work that damages our land, is it worth it?

The government has approved OceanaGold’s Waihi North mining project, extending gold and silver extraction in the Waihi area until 2043, delighting the pro-mining crowd.
It's a decision I agree with.
Waihi has already been extensively mined and the environment beaten up.
The decision will keep the town alive and provide hundreds of jobs. But make no mistake, this will not be an El Dorado for the whole country.
The royalties are still at the excruciatingly low level they've always been at.
Waihi North will generate $5.2 billion in additional gold and silver exports over its 18-year lifespan — averaging $286 million per year.
Meanwhile, Crown revenue from corporate tax, PAYE, and royalties is expected to total a net present value of $422m over the life of the project.
That's not an economy-saving sum, and it represents an 8 per cent yield on the output.
But a deal is a deal.
What concerns me is thoughts of new claims — the area behind Pauanui and Tairua on the Coromandel. Or the new work proposed for Bendigo.
Until the whole nation truly benefits from the work that damages our land, is it worth it?

Perspective with Andrew Dickens: Are the economic effects of Waihi's mining worth the environmental damage?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ee51bf54-dd29-4099-8c9f-b3b80063aac0/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on whether surplus is likely to be pushed out further

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