Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hoping inflation can drop back into the Reserve Bank's target band off the back of the latest data.

The annual inflation rate for 2025 was 3.1 percent, up from 3 percent for the year to September.

Willis says the Government supports the Reserve Bank getting back to their target band of 1 to 3 percent.

"It's inflation that's the broadest driver of the cost of living. At the same time, interest rate reductions have been really important to recovering our economy after a very difficult period, but it's always the case that as the economy recovers, you do expect that eventually interest rates do go up."

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hoping inflation can drop back into the Reserve Bank's target band off the back of the latest data.
The annual inflation rate for 2025 was 3.1 percent, up from 3 percent for the year to September.
Willis says the Government supports the Reserve Bank getting back to their target band of 1 to 3 percent.
"It's inflation that's the broadest driver of the cost of living. At the same time, interest rate reductions have been really important to recovering our economy after a very difficult period, but it's always the case that as the economy recovers, you do expect that eventually interest rates do go up."
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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

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the impact of the latest rise in inflation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/781adab6-3691-4e73-9ae1-b3de0065702e/transcript

The Finance Minister's brushing off concerns about the government's fast track programme. 

Local Government New Zealand is calling on central Government to pause all referrals on housing projects - claiming they're bypassing council decisions.

It wants a review to clarify the housing fast track's role within the new planning system.

Nicola Willis says she wants to make clear fast-track approval doesn't give developers a free pass to charge ahead.

She says expert panels still impose conditions - requiring roads, wastewater and other infrastructure to be in place, before construction.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister's brushing off concerns about the government's fast track programme.&nbsp;
Local Government New Zealand is calling on central Government to pause all referrals on housing projects - claiming they're bypassing council decisions.
It wants a review to clarify the housing fast track's role within the new planning system.
Nicola Willis says she wants to make clear fast-track approval doesn't give developers a free pass to charge ahead.
She says expert panels still impose conditions - requiring roads, wastewater and other infrastructure to be in place, before construction.
LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister brushes off worries about fast track for housing projects

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/55cdbb3c-28b4-44dd-bde7-b4c5008c1096/transcript

Kiwis are catching on to the benefits of solar panels - and demand's spiking.

Solar company Electrify Nelson says inquiries have gone up a couple-of-hundred percent on a year ago.

But the industry warns we need about six thousand more trained electricians - across the country - to do the work.

Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive, Mike Casey told Heather du Plessis-Allan he hopes interest will continue over time.

He says oil shortages because of the Iran war is keeping demand high - with energy prices climbing.

He says solar is the one reprieve Kiwis get.

LISTEN ABOVE

Kiwis are catching on to the benefits of solar panels - and demand's spiking.
Solar company Electrify Nelson says inquiries have gone up a couple-of-hundred percent on a year ago.
But the industry warns we need about six thousand more trained electricians - across the country - to do the work.
Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive, Mike Casey told Heather du Plessis-Allan he hopes interest will continue over time.
He says oil shortages because of the Iran war is keeping demand high - with energy prices climbing.
He says solar is the one reprieve Kiwis get.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike Casey: Rewiring Aotearoa CEO on shortage of electricians as solar panel demand soars

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2434e2b1-039c-4356-b390-b4c5008837a3/transcript

Auckland Transport's confident the new City Rail Link can cope with hordes of Warriors supporters heading to Sunday's game. 

The network faced its first weekday today - recording about 72-and-a-half thousand train journeys as of five this evening. 

It will be put to the test again this weekend - with 55 thousand fans headed to Eden Park to watch the Warriors take on the Newcastle Knights. 

Public Transport director Richard Harrison told Heather du Plessis-Allan extra trains will be running - and there will be buses to the stadium from the North Shore. 

He says those with tickets to the game can get free travel from 2pm. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Auckland Transport's confident the new City Rail Link can cope with hordes of Warriors supporters heading to Sunday's game.&nbsp;
The network faced its first weekday today - recording about 72-and-a-half thousand train journeys as of five this evening.&nbsp;
It will be put to the test again this weekend - with 55 thousand fans headed to Eden Park to watch the Warriors take on the Newcastle Knights.&nbsp;
Public Transport director Richard Harrison told Heather du Plessis-Allan extra trains will be running - and there will be buses to the stadium from the North Shore.&nbsp;
He says those with tickets to the game can get free travel from 2pm.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Richard Harrison: Auckland Transport Public Transport Director on CRL first weekday, Warriors this weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bc6d3fd4-973e-41a9-a9c8-b4c500846a0f/transcript

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the impact of the latest rise in inflation

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