Thursday's Budget is being illed as 'grown-up' with no lolly scrambles under a cloud of tough choices ahead. But with rising mortgage costs and stubborn inflation, will the Government deliver something people can actually feel in their wallets? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack what’s been revealed ahead of Budget day and what might still be hiding in the numbers.

Plus, are mortgage holders already trapped by rising rates, and is AI becoming a convenient excuse for job cuts?

The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.

Thursday's Budget is being illed as 'grown-up' with no lolly scrambles under a cloud of tough choices ahead. But with rising mortgage costs and stubborn inflation, will the Government deliver something people can actually feel in their wallets? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack what&rsquo;s been revealed ahead of Budget day and what might still be hiding in the numbers. Plus, are mortgage holders already trapped by rising rates, and is AI becoming a convenient excuse for job cuts? The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.

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We're here to help you find a way with a curation of the &lsquo;best bits&rsquo; from top business podcasts. 
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Budget 2026: Even grown-ups like presents at Christmas

The Government's announced a $1.2 billion gas transition loan scheme – a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand’s most gas hungry businesses afloat. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses. 
 
It’s being framed as a lifeline: help gas‑heavy manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel. 

But behind the headlines, big questions remain.

Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill? 

Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

The Government's&nbsp;announced a&nbsp;$1.2 billion&nbsp;gas transition loan&nbsp;scheme &ndash; a big bet on keeping some of New Zealand&rsquo;s most gas hungry businesses afloat.&nbsp;
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government will guarantee 80% of each loan, with about $48 million set aside to cover potential losses.&nbsp; &nbsp; It&rsquo;s being framed as a lifeline: help&nbsp;gas‑heavy&nbsp;manufacturers and processors stay open, protect jobs, and ease pressure on a shrinking and increasingly expensive fuel.&nbsp;
But behind the headlines, big questions remain.
Who really benefits, who foots the bill, and will any of this cost creep its way into your power bill or tax bill?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page, journalist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with us to unpack whether this scheme is an economic rescue mission, a political pivot, or something more complicated.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

How the $1.2b gas loan gamble could reshape big industry’s energy use

ConsumerNZ's Jon Duffy tells Herald NOW Business why Kiwis feel better about KiwiSaver even as many are dipping into savings.

ConsumerNZ's Jon Duffy tells Herald NOW Business why Kiwis feel better about KiwiSaver even as many are dipping into savings.

Research shows rising KiwiSaver satisfaction, but more hardship withdrawals | Tue 26 May

Rural lending specialist Rabobank expects the 2026-27 dairy season to be another strong one for farmgate milk prices, but says rising inflation will take its toll.

After a string of strong Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions, Rabobank expects a robust opening milk price from dairy co-op Fonterra of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg of milksolids for the 2026-27 season.

However,  the bank said the inflationary impacts of geopolitical disruption were likely to squeeze farmer margins in the new season.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

Rural lending specialist Rabobank expects the 2026-27 dairy season to be another strong one for farmgate milk prices, but says rising inflation will take its toll.
After a string of strong Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions, Rabobank expects a robust opening milk price from dairy co-op Fonterra of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg of milksolids for the 2026-27 season.
However, &nbsp;the bank said the inflationary impacts of geopolitical disruption were likely to squeeze farmer margins in the new season.
The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Budget 2026: Even grown-ups like presents at Christmas

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