December 18, 2024 • 23 mins
Parliament has officially adjourned for the year and MPs and Ministers are journeying home to various parts of the country.
Still in Wellington, though, are the two Lower Hutt-based MPs, Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Chris Bishop.
The pair joined Nick Mills for the final Politics Thursday panel of 2024, where they debated the economic outlook after news of a big GDP slump, ongoing fallout from last week's ferry announcement, and their hopes for next year.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk said B focusing in on the issues
that matter politics Thursday on Wellington Mornings, news Talk said.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
B Shine, can you make you so? Final politics panel
for the year and we're off to the Hut Valley today.
Well the Hut Valley's off to Wellington today. Joined us
in the studio Housing Minister and Hut South MP, Chris Bishop.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Good morning, Chris, good morning. How are you. I'm very well.
It's good to be back. And I mean not for
what you look a little bit.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I mean I can't say that to all, but I
said it to Git it about a year ago. I said,
you look at a bit tired and it headlines all
over the world. I should be I can't call it,
but look at a bit tied. But you look like
you've had a hard year.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
It's been a big year, a big year. Okay, break Yeah,
I'm really good. Yeah, I'm just looking forward.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
To a break. Well, it's been a hell of all
of Wellington.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Ess, it's been a hell of a year for you.
I mean, you know, I'm mean and I don't really
want it at this time that you mentioned, but you
lost your father. Nobody, you know that's that's a tough one.
That's I mean, and I know that you were very
close to your dad, and so you know, it's been
a hard year for you.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
Yep, I lost my dad but became a father again
as well, so cemetry in some respects.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
And yeah, it's been a tough year for well into
a number of respects as well.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, and I mean personally, I want to make mention
it's been a tough year for you. And you know,
if you listen to Maori Maori tradition, one comes, one goes,
isn't it. But that's a tough break for you. In
Labor Police spokesperson Ginny Anderson.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
Good morning.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
You're looking fantastic.
Speaker 5 (01:47):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (01:48):
I put my makeup on this morning just for you.
Last time I didn't. You said I looked a bit rough.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So why are we blow this?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Why are we blowing this out of the water?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Dangerous? Fighting for now?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
I said, some little bit tired. It was a simple
look like someone that cares, you know.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Okay, Oh, Ben, don't worry.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
I had it from colleagues out braver than me.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
You can't say that. Well, anyway, let's reflect on the
year that's been. But I want to ask about a
couple of things that issues we've had recently before we
get onto the reflection. But you want to start with you,
let's start with the state of the books. Not great.
We're in deficit until twenty twenty nine, with fingers crossed
(02:33):
under the latest forecast, and the government's bringing in less
revenue and spending more than forecast at the budget. I mean,
where I have to all be concerned by this, don't we?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, it's a it's a marker really of the you know,
the really troubled economic times that we are in and
Treasury's gone through this sort of forecasting revision and basically
we didn't grow as quickly as people thought we grew previously,
and they're forecasting lower you know, lower revenue to flow
(03:07):
and going into the next few years. So it's a
it's a you know, it's a tough time for things
in an economy. Just said the GDP numbers out for
the September quarter, you know, one percent fall in GDP.
We're in recession and we've got to grow our way
out of it. There's no silver bullet economy. It's all
about growth and that's why things like you know, we
passed the fast Track Bill this week through Parliament. That's
(03:29):
why that bill is really important because it will make
it easier to get on and build the sort of
projects and it needs to grow infrastructure, energy, et cetera.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
A little issue that I have with that, and I
think it's great. I support it one hundred percent, in
support where you're do one hundred percent. But the little
issue I've got with that is that the developers aren't
there anymore. Well they're not, they're not. The developers are there,
but they're not active because that's scared.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
The biggest thing we can do around development of housing,
and this is more broadly true for the whole economy
is get interest rates down. You've got to remember the
cycle that we're in and what happened. We had a
prolonged period of high government spending and high government borrowing.
Inflation went to seven points will peaked at seven point
three percent. It remained elevated for a long period. All
(04:10):
of the New Zealanders remember that period. The Reserve Bank
then pushed the ocr the interest rates up to five
and a half. That has put enormous pain on New
Zealand's more businesses, households, the broader economy, particularly construction. Interest
rates are now coming down, so we're now most economists say,
were at the very bottom of the cycle. Interest rates
(04:30):
are now coming down really quickly. The Reserve Bank lowder
the OCR fifty basis points, and you know, most forecasts
or more forecasts that they will continue to come down.
The best thing we can do to get confidence back
in the economy is get interest rates down, because it
makes it easier for.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
People to borrow, to buy a house, more businesses to borrow.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Construction development economics become better, and you know, but we're
not there yet.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Is there any way we can get to a surplus
before twenty twenty nine?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Have you?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
I mean, if you looked at it and you can
become government the next election. Are we in trouble?
Speaker 5 (05:01):
We are in trouble.
Speaker 6 (05:01):
And those figures out for GDP showing that our gross
dommanistic product down, and particularly in that manufacturing area, we've
seen some big manufacturing output places, clothes, paper mills. Those
job losses, particularly in rural parts in New Zealand, are
really hurting our economy as we see more people laid off.
(05:23):
I think, what the way while it gets complicated this space.
I think it's Nicolaurin sounds like the cheer as well.
If you cut funding, that's what they're saying. We're going
to cut stuff back to get us speck in the
good books. You cut, jobs are lost here in Wellington,
eleven percent of jobs being cut.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Well that's been changed. That numbers. The economists lad us
to economist saying it's not.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
Not as much as that.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
I thought stats z eleven percent there. I saw a
stats enzed article that said it was eleven percent.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Okay, I think they've corrected it though, haven't.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
They stats sensed anyway?
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Okay, well, we're arguing over somitics yet go.
Speaker 6 (06:00):
So cut funding, jobs lost, it's no surprise your tax
takers down. You've got less people paying text, and so
unemployment costs go up to pay the benefit. And you're
in this spiral of having to either borrow more because
well Chris has pointed out we borrowed for COVID.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
We're borrowing more now than.
Speaker 6 (06:22):
We were over around that COVID period, and so we're
in this downward economic spiral of cutting unemployment going up,
costs going up to pay for that unemployment, and the
only answer the government has is that we want to
get interest rates down.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
Well that's great.
Speaker 6 (06:37):
I want my interest rates down too, but that's not
enough to get economic growth. They're relying on immigration and
foreign investment to drive growth, and that alone isn't a
good enough plan.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Yesterday, bush I said on the show that what I
think needs to happen is the banks need to start
lending more freely as well as the interest rates come down.
Business loans, I mean you'll be well aware that you know,
to get a business loan or for bank if you
don't have a home, you got very little chance of
getting it. For small and medium sized business.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Yeah, yeah, I mean.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
I couldn't agree with you more just on just on
Jinny's point around you know what we need to do
to grow the economy. It's not just about immigration and
foreign investment, although those things are important. I mean fast
Track is important because it will give us a pipeline
of infrastructure projects around the country. But it's there's no
silt of bullock, because if there was one, the last
government would have done it and we would do it too.
(07:31):
It's just you've just got to get all the basics right.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
You've got to.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Get the sound fiscal position right. You've got to get
your investment settings right. You've got to get your planning
law right, you've got to get your TEX system right.
You know, all of these things work together to grow
the economy, and we've got a comprehensive program reform across
all of those different areas. But there's you know, this
can't just wave a magic wand and make things grow
(07:55):
again quickly.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
You know, I would contend though that, and this is
where the debate lies, that that the actions this government
has taken has further entrenched just into a recession. It's
made it worse. And now we see GDP going down
off the back of our books, not being back in
the black until twenty twenty nine. The decisions to cut
the areas they did, particularly in some of those big
(08:18):
construction and infrastructure projects that were underway, they haven't.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
We lost.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
We lost close to twenty thousand construction workers went offshore
since you came into government, and there were big projects
light maling that would have been underway right now had
you not have paused and tried to recost them to
get them cheaper. And I'd be really interested to see
the difference in cost when you paused it to what
it is about. It's like the theory, so just end
up costing us more.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Sorry, the Furry project was never due to start until
twenty twenty seven anyway.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Light Rail again.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Light rail again wasn't meant to start until the late
twenty twenties. So there's actually billions of dollars going into
construction and the broader infrastructure space. Right now, there's one
hundred and forty billion dollars of infrastructure pipeline and there's
a whole series of projects lined up and we're adding
more to it, and Crown Capital.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Investment is is strong.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
It is true that construction has been in it down
to which is the function of interest rates, because private
set to housing developers have been able to get developments
away because of it, because of interest rates. You know
when OC hours at five and a half, you know,
it's just what happens. It's why we've got to get
interest rates down. I know it sounds boring, but it
is actually it is actually completely true.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
I think we all understand that. But if the government
can't do anything about making banks loan, because if the
banks were actually a little bit lenient, the percentage of
people that could borrow would go up and we'd see
more people doing business.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Yeah, well, we know we control the Reserve Bank, or
rather the Reserve Bank is independent, but there are a
government into entity and they operate under under our a readmit.
But ultimately, decisions that banks commercially make are not ones
for politicians to make.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
And I don't think you want us to do that.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
It is politics. Thursday, we did the old mistake where
we started talking. I won't tell you the subject that
we were talking about. We might get ourselves in trouble
if we start talking about the subject that'll be in
my book. All right, about that in my book, don't we.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Do?
Speaker 2 (10:05):
You know what my book's going to call? Bits? He
called me?
Speaker 3 (10:07):
What was it going to be called?
Speaker 2 (10:07):
I'm no saint. Fallout continues from the government's fory. It's
not about me. It's Christmas time. I'm going a bit loose.
I'm just I'm a bit out there. It's last week.
Come on, come on, Nick. The fallout continues from the
government's fairy announcement last week. Chris, it seems pretty clear,
and I pok. I came out because I know Nicker
a little bit, because he's been on the show and
(10:28):
I watched that presentation. I came straight out the next
day and God's my witness for this. I said, this
is how it went down, right, I said, Nicola came
to cabinet and she had a plan. The plan didn't
make it rail and enabled, right, but she had a plan.
Winston kicked up said nope, it's got to be rail. Nope, nope,
(10:49):
that's a Winston thing. So so Nichola said, okay, you
take it, you fix it and have it done by
this date or I'm taking it back on Now you're smiling. Well,
I'm telling you.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
The story and the Minister railbs sort it out, and
I say, I was the first to get it right,
and you're smarting, and I know what you're thinking.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
I know what you're thinking.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
Well, we don't comment on confidential cabinet discussions, as you
know much of a team.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Look, it's been a we've got a we've got a
path forward as the key point.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
And people you got to remember the context, right, which
is we came and actually it was one of the
most things I most remember about last year because we
got a ministerial warrants. In fact, even before we got
our ministerial wasn't it warrants. Nicola and I had a
meeting with Treasury and they said, you need to the
outgoing government would like you to authorize the release of
(11:41):
money in relation to the Fury project. And we said, oh,
that's interesting, tell us more and anyway, I won't I
won't bore with everyone with the details. But over the
period of the next couple of weeks, as the government
was changing, like literally November last year, it became really
clear that the project was a disaster.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
But go forward and.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You know Grant, Grant Robertson even you know, was getting
worried about.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
We all get the history of it, and we all
get that nicol And made the right decision. Now, no,
I don't think anyone's doubting that she made the right decision.
But fast forward that the last week.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Yeah, what happened, Well we don't talk about what happened
in Key.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
But you know, you're not denying that I got it wrong.
You know, if I had got that wrong, if I
got this completely wrong, you were to come back and
said you're completely wrong.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Well, what I want to know what rail compatible is
because the Prime Minister keep saying they're not railing able
they're rail compatible. It sounds like they're giving a tender
date with each other night.
Speaker 5 (12:28):
What's going on.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
We have a mixture on the straight right now of rail,
rail enabled and rail compatible, so there's a variety of
different structures. The key point is that it's state it's
essentially state Highway one for the railway network, and it's
a it's a key freight enabler. So we committed to
a resilient and reliable Cook Straight.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Are you committed to being rail because.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
I means yes, everyone sees run rail across the Cook Straight.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
I guess everyone says, if you get rid of that,
we're in real trouble.
Speaker 6 (12:55):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, yeah, absolutely, And the problem is that
the one rail one we have now that's looking shaky.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
So that what their plan? It's twenty what is it?
Speaker 6 (13:05):
Nine twenty nine, and so you know, are you going
to get that many years out of the existing fleets
really quick?
Speaker 3 (13:11):
We've had his yes from both KI Rail and independent experts.
Is that was that we can hear. I was very
confident about that, and and so the other people have tested.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Have they spent a little bit of money on them?
I mean because I walk, I walk where I walk
and they go past where I walk, and they suddenly
after all the kerfuffle and you know, a few months ago,
they suddenly look a lot cleaner and a lot smarter
and a lot polished. More polished. Are they have they
had a little bit of a revent?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Yeah, I mean there's ongoing maintenance work obviously, and there
will need to be as we as we get towards
the end of their life. But but look, we need
new fairies. No one's been any doubt about that. They're
coming toward the towards the end of their life. The
question is can they Can they keep going for another
four or five years? And the answer is years.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I think the big question that we how much is
it going to cost? You? And Ken Winston still.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Put a bit less than the four billion which.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
We did the four billion. This is another question because.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
That's questionable.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
That it is question.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
You've spoken a few bit about it. That The point
that I am concerned about, and I think others are
as well, is that this ear marked three hundred million
to get out of the current contract with Hyundai, and
so that's just an earmark amount that that's not final.
So how much money are we going to waste? And
taxpayers money of getting out of a deal that potentially
(14:26):
could have given us a cheaper and better piece of infrastructure.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
It's not a waste, though, to get out of a
deal that would end up costing you the thick end
four billion dollars because the fairies that were purchased under
the previous government we could relilegad in us again were
too big and required about three billion dollars worth of
landside infrastructure that no one had the money to pay
for and no one had ever.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
Still going to need that, lens.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
We've just got to keep our fingers.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
It's still going to need that Landsmord infrastructure. You're still
going to have to build waters there and Wellington, not.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
To the extent that you would have under the larger,
very very large ferries previous purchase previous.
Speaker 6 (15:00):
On those and you can't guarantee they'll be rail enabled
and bring you up over five billion dollar.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Watch and wait and.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Ginny, it is not going to be five billion dollars
and absolutely assure you of that.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Okay, let's move on. We're hopefully we're going to be okay,
all right, I want to just quickly before we go
on to a little bit of a reflections of the year, TONI,
what are you thinking? Bothal you quickly give me that's
your that's your neck of the woods.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
I was comfortable with the name change, but I'm also
equally comfortable with the Minister Penk's decision to leave it
as it is. I used to live in Patni for
a number of years, so I don't I know this
is a bit strange for a politician.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
I don't have a fixed view on it. I was
equally comfortable either way.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
Genny, Well, it's it's what the local. It's what the
local we want, It's what the Hut City Council want.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
You know this.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
This government has spoken a lot about restoring local democracy
and letting local communities have they say yet they won't
let the Hut City Council and Mona Fenowa decide how
they want to name their local beach when that was
the original name. So it does seem I guess a
bit two faced.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Okay, let's look back, let's reflect on the year for
a couple of minutes. I know you're very busy. You
want to get out of here and go and do
your Christmas shopping and get on with your last couple
of days. Of political stuff. First full year in government, Chris,
your first year in power? What do you what do
you get? I love scoring things. You're a cricketer. I
(16:30):
are't scoring things out of ten? What do you What
do you give your government out of ten?
Speaker 3 (16:36):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
I give you I give you a seven.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
Yeah, I'll give us a six and a half. Seven. Yeah.
I think you know.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
It's gone into recession that you're gonna get them a seven.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Six and a half. Maybe maybe this is right. Maybe
maybe I.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Can't can't blame this government for a recession that started
two years ago. Anyway, we're dealing with the consequences of
the last lot.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
What score? What score are you going to give them?
Because I'm going to ask the same with you, So.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
I think they'd like you to get a toe Like
the amount of joy outright cuts you. Think about how
Willington has suffered, you know, like Chris and Nicola hold
the heads up as being proud Wellingtonians. This city has
been run into the ground.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Okay, we're coming back. Just in case you didn't realize
we're coming back. We're away. Let's get well into moving again.
We're away.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
That phrase jity, get well into moving.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Gy, No, I've meant it in that way. I meant
the city's going No. Oh no, Ginny, you've been in
opposition for twelve months. What score do you give yourself
as being an opposition? I give you a four and
a half. Sorry, I really haven't been powerful in that.
Speaker 5 (17:43):
I think we have been well.
Speaker 6 (17:45):
The thing the main challenge, I would say for opposition,
and if you look at National when they were first
in opposition and how many leaders they went through, we've
held together strong, We've had good messages and we're unified with.
Speaker 5 (17:55):
A with a good leader.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Okay, we'll give first.
Speaker 6 (17:58):
You're in opposition is challenging, and you take a look
at other governments. For example, when National was first in opposition,
I think they had a pretty rocky first year.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Give me a score.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Oh I give us a good seven and a half.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Oh my god, bets give me your score as them
as the opposition, have they rattled the cage enough?
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Well, in the spirit of Christmas, I'll give them a four.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
It's lovely.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Thank you, Okay, is what this is to both of you. Chris,
I'll start with you, so I'll start with you. Be fair.
What's your biggest win of the year. What's Labour's biggest
win of twenty twenty four me personally or no, the
party or yourself, whatever you want to do it.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
I think I'm really strongly holding this government to account
on poor decision making that has taken us backwards, things
like giving tax breaks to landlord's, tax breaks to tobacco
companies and then cutting jobs so the poor choices and
letting people know that they've prioritized corporates and their mates
(18:57):
overworking kiwi's and that that's not fair.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Chris Bishop, what do you think your biggest win as
the coalition government? I would say sticking keeping the coalition again.
They are never looking like it's rattled. I think that's
a pretty big one. I'm not a serious about that,
it's a pretty big win.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
I mean, I'm personally proud of fast treat I think
it will make a big difference. It was a huge
amount of work, very professional Wellington Public Service who delivered
It's about thirteen different agencies fro across the government worked
on it.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
And we've got it done in a year. So I'm
proud of that.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
I think people do underestimate the stability of the coalition
and it's the first time in New Zealand the MP history,
I've had three parties and you know, let's face it,
pretty strong personalities, particularly the leadership and the cabinet.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
It's never happened before in an MMP. So I think
we're ending the year.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
I reckon it's cost Christopher Luxan a little bit. Do
you reckon it's Do you think that he's I mean
he's a businessman, so he knows what he's got to
do to hold the thing together, and he's working part
twenty four hours, seven days a week to hold it
all to look and give out the project that it's
all good. You're regon it might have hurt his own personal.
Speaker 6 (20:00):
The Treaty Principal's Bill has been a problem for him.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
I think New zealand As are pretty realistic and pragmatic
about politics, and I think the public know that it's
a They elected a three way government.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
I mean they get the public has.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Quite my question. I'm just like, I mean, you know,
the guy we know, the Prime Minister is a good guy,
but he's not popular.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Why I think I think he is. I think he
is popular.
Speaker 6 (20:25):
We've had in the history of people.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
Appreciate and I can honestly say this from you know,
obviously reasonably senior minister. There's there's a there's a collegiality
and a professionalism and a friendship there between all three
of the leaders that was driving the government forward.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
And do they disagree. Of course, you'd.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Expelcate quick One biggest loss of the year come to
you first, Chris. The biggest thing that you could have
got right that you didn't get you know, you took
your eye off the ball and got clean bold for
a golden duck. What was it?
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Well, there's there's some there's some things across my portfolios
that I don't want to make public.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
But you know, you're always try and do better.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
I've been reflecting actually last few days on what I
want to try and do next year and where I think,
you know, we didn't make as much.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Progress this year.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
I thought the biggest loss black caps at the Basemin Reserve.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
That was disappointing.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Judy was very disappointing.
Speaker 6 (21:19):
Our biggest loss, I would have to say, is that
the cuts to the disability sector. I've seen those locally
who parents who rely on respite here for disabled children.
Those cuts have really hurt people in our community. And
they're still struggling. So it's a very real.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
One biggest wins you talked about, sorry, hopes for the
new year? What do you want? What do you want?
If you've got one thing you both want for the
new year, tell me what that is, Chris Bishop.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Well, I think all New Zealanders want growth back into
the economy. And the good news is that the forecasts
are that growth will pick up on the second half
of twenty twenty five and average, you know, over two
three percent for the full you know, the years out
beyond that. That is desperately needed in the Zealand economy.
And we've got to put our pedal to the medal
next year when it comes to getting growth back into
(22:05):
the economy because that is the one thing that will
improve living standards for everybody. It will improve the government books,
which you know Jenny was talking about before, but it
will also improve the living standards of Kiwi's.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Jenny, have you got one thing that you hope for
for next year?
Speaker 6 (22:19):
I hope Keewis have some hope right now. It's the
general feeling is really low. When I talk to people
in the heart will Run Wellington that the morale in
general has been ground down after an incredibly tough year
of really struggling.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
So I think.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
Kiwi's deserve to feel hope and pride for their country,
and I really hope that those things start to change
for so many families who are struggling over Christmas.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Well, Merry Christmas to you both and to your farowned families.
I hope you have a really good break and a
really good Christmas.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Thank you too. Merry Christmas. Mer Christmas, Jillianry christmasare Ry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Yeah, thank you for coming on the show. Have a
great break and we'll catch you next year when we get.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Into some more when you're back on deck.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Anniversary wee anniversary same as the same time as you.
We're all back at the same time.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk said B focusing in on the issues
that matter politics Thursday on Wellington Mornings, news Talk said.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
B Shine, can you make you so? Final politics panel
for the year and we're off to the Hut Valley today.
Well the Hut Valley's off to Wellington today. Joined us
in the studio Housing Minister and Hut South MP, Chris Bishop.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Good morning, Chris, good morning. How are you. I'm very well.
It's good to be back. And I mean not for
what you look a little bit.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I mean I can't say that to all, but I
said it to Git it about a year ago. I said,
you look at a bit tired and it headlines all
over the world. I should be I can't call it,
but look at a bit tied. But you look like
you've had a hard year.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
It's been a big year, a big year. Okay, break Yeah,
I'm really good. Yeah, I'm just looking forward.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
To a break. Well, it's been a hell of all
of Wellington.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Ess, it's been a hell of a year for you.
I mean, you know, I'm mean and I don't really
want it at this time that you mentioned, but you
lost your father. Nobody, you know that's that's a tough one.
That's I mean, and I know that you were very
close to your dad, and so you know, it's been
a hard year for you.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
Yep, I lost my dad but became a father again
as well, so cemetry in some respects.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
And yeah, it's been a tough year for well into
a number of respects as well.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, and I mean personally, I want to make mention
it's been a tough year for you. And you know,
if you listen to Maori Maori tradition, one comes, one goes,
isn't it. But that's a tough break for you. In
Labor Police spokesperson Ginny Anderson.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
Good morning.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
You're looking fantastic.
Speaker 5 (01:47):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (01:48):
I put my makeup on this morning just for you.
Last time I didn't. You said I looked a bit rough.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So why are we blow this?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Why are we blowing this out of the water?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Dangerous? Fighting for now?
Speaker 2 (02:00):
I said, some little bit tired. It was a simple
look like someone that cares, you know.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Okay, Oh, Ben, don't worry.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
I had it from colleagues out braver than me.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
You can't say that. Well, anyway, let's reflect on the
year that's been. But I want to ask about a
couple of things that issues we've had recently before we
get onto the reflection. But you want to start with you,
let's start with the state of the books. Not great.
We're in deficit until twenty twenty nine, with fingers crossed
(02:33):
under the latest forecast, and the government's bringing in less
revenue and spending more than forecast at the budget. I mean,
where I have to all be concerned by this, don't we?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, it's a it's a marker really of the you know,
the really troubled economic times that we are in and
Treasury's gone through this sort of forecasting revision and basically
we didn't grow as quickly as people thought we grew previously,
and they're forecasting lower you know, lower revenue to flow
(03:07):
and going into the next few years. So it's a
it's a you know, it's a tough time for things
in an economy. Just said the GDP numbers out for
the September quarter, you know, one percent fall in GDP.
We're in recession and we've got to grow our way
out of it. There's no silver bullet economy. It's all
about growth and that's why things like you know, we
passed the fast Track Bill this week through Parliament. That's
(03:29):
why that bill is really important because it will make
it easier to get on and build the sort of
projects and it needs to grow infrastructure, energy, et cetera.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
A little issue that I have with that, and I
think it's great. I support it one hundred percent, in
support where you're do one hundred percent. But the little
issue I've got with that is that the developers aren't
there anymore. Well they're not, they're not. The developers are there,
but they're not active because that's scared.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
The biggest thing we can do around development of housing,
and this is more broadly true for the whole economy
is get interest rates down. You've got to remember the
cycle that we're in and what happened. We had a
prolonged period of high government spending and high government borrowing.
Inflation went to seven points will peaked at seven point
three percent. It remained elevated for a long period. All
(04:10):
of the New Zealanders remember that period. The Reserve Bank
then pushed the ocr the interest rates up to five
and a half. That has put enormous pain on New
Zealand's more businesses, households, the broader economy, particularly construction. Interest
rates are now coming down, so we're now most economists say,
were at the very bottom of the cycle. Interest rates
(04:30):
are now coming down really quickly. The Reserve Bank lowder
the OCR fifty basis points, and you know, most forecasts
or more forecasts that they will continue to come down.
The best thing we can do to get confidence back
in the economy is get interest rates down, because it
makes it easier for.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
People to borrow, to buy a house, more businesses to borrow.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Construction development economics become better, and you know, but we're
not there yet.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Is there any way we can get to a surplus
before twenty twenty nine?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Have you?
Speaker 2 (04:56):
I mean, if you looked at it and you can
become government the next election. Are we in trouble?
Speaker 5 (05:01):
We are in trouble.
Speaker 6 (05:01):
And those figures out for GDP showing that our gross
dommanistic product down, and particularly in that manufacturing area, we've
seen some big manufacturing output places, clothes, paper mills. Those
job losses, particularly in rural parts in New Zealand, are
really hurting our economy as we see more people laid off.
(05:23):
I think, what the way while it gets complicated this space.
I think it's Nicolaurin sounds like the cheer as well.
If you cut funding, that's what they're saying. We're going
to cut stuff back to get us speck in the
good books. You cut, jobs are lost here in Wellington,
eleven percent of jobs being cut.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Well that's been changed. That numbers. The economists lad us
to economist saying it's not.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
Not as much as that.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
I thought stats z eleven percent there. I saw a
stats enzed article that said it was eleven percent.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Okay, I think they've corrected it though, haven't.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
They stats sensed anyway?
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Okay, well, we're arguing over somitics yet go.
Speaker 6 (06:00):
So cut funding, jobs lost, it's no surprise your tax
takers down. You've got less people paying text, and so
unemployment costs go up to pay the benefit. And you're
in this spiral of having to either borrow more because
well Chris has pointed out we borrowed for COVID.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
We're borrowing more now than.
Speaker 6 (06:22):
We were over around that COVID period, and so we're
in this downward economic spiral of cutting unemployment going up,
costs going up to pay for that unemployment, and the
only answer the government has is that we want to
get interest rates down.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
Well that's great.
Speaker 6 (06:37):
I want my interest rates down too, but that's not
enough to get economic growth. They're relying on immigration and
foreign investment to drive growth, and that alone isn't a
good enough plan.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Yesterday, bush I said on the show that what I
think needs to happen is the banks need to start
lending more freely as well as the interest rates come down.
Business loans, I mean you'll be well aware that you know,
to get a business loan or for bank if you
don't have a home, you got very little chance of
getting it. For small and medium sized business.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Yeah, yeah, I mean.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
I couldn't agree with you more just on just on
Jinny's point around you know what we need to do
to grow the economy. It's not just about immigration and
foreign investment, although those things are important. I mean fast
Track is important because it will give us a pipeline
of infrastructure projects around the country. But it's there's no
silt of bullock, because if there was one, the last
government would have done it and we would do it too.
(07:31):
It's just you've just got to get all the basics right.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
You've got to.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Get the sound fiscal position right. You've got to get
your investment settings right. You've got to get your planning
law right, you've got to get your TEX system right.
You know, all of these things work together to grow
the economy, and we've got a comprehensive program reform across
all of those different areas. But there's you know, this
can't just wave a magic wand and make things grow
(07:55):
again quickly.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
You know, I would contend though that, and this is
where the debate lies, that that the actions this government
has taken has further entrenched just into a recession. It's
made it worse. And now we see GDP going down
off the back of our books, not being back in
the black until twenty twenty nine. The decisions to cut
the areas they did, particularly in some of those big
(08:18):
construction and infrastructure projects that were underway, they haven't.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
We lost.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
We lost close to twenty thousand construction workers went offshore
since you came into government, and there were big projects
light maling that would have been underway right now had
you not have paused and tried to recost them to
get them cheaper. And I'd be really interested to see
the difference in cost when you paused it to what
it is about. It's like the theory, so just end
up costing us more.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Sorry, the Furry project was never due to start until
twenty twenty seven anyway.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Light Rail again.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Light rail again wasn't meant to start until the late
twenty twenties. So there's actually billions of dollars going into
construction and the broader infrastructure space. Right now, there's one
hundred and forty billion dollars of infrastructure pipeline and there's
a whole series of projects lined up and we're adding
more to it, and Crown Capital.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Investment is is strong.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
It is true that construction has been in it down
to which is the function of interest rates, because private
set to housing developers have been able to get developments
away because of it, because of interest rates. You know
when OC hours at five and a half, you know,
it's just what happens. It's why we've got to get
interest rates down. I know it sounds boring, but it
is actually it is actually completely true.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
I think we all understand that. But if the government
can't do anything about making banks loan, because if the
banks were actually a little bit lenient, the percentage of
people that could borrow would go up and we'd see
more people doing business.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Yeah, well, we know we control the Reserve Bank, or
rather the Reserve Bank is independent, but there are a
government into entity and they operate under under our a readmit.
But ultimately, decisions that banks commercially make are not ones
for politicians to make.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
And I don't think you want us to do that.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
It is politics. Thursday, we did the old mistake where
we started talking. I won't tell you the subject that
we were talking about. We might get ourselves in trouble
if we start talking about the subject that'll be in
my book. All right, about that in my book, don't we.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Do?
Speaker 2 (10:05):
You know what my book's going to call? Bits? He
called me?
Speaker 3 (10:07):
What was it going to be called?
Speaker 2 (10:07):
I'm no saint. Fallout continues from the government's fory. It's
not about me. It's Christmas time. I'm going a bit loose.
I'm just I'm a bit out there. It's last week.
Come on, come on, Nick. The fallout continues from the
government's fairy announcement last week. Chris, it seems pretty clear,
and I pok. I came out because I know Nicker
a little bit, because he's been on the show and
(10:28):
I watched that presentation. I came straight out the next
day and God's my witness for this. I said, this
is how it went down, right, I said, Nicola came
to cabinet and she had a plan. The plan didn't
make it rail and enabled, right, but she had a plan.
Winston kicked up said nope, it's got to be rail. Nope, nope,
(10:49):
that's a Winston thing. So so Nichola said, okay, you
take it, you fix it and have it done by
this date or I'm taking it back on Now you're smiling. Well,
I'm telling you.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
The story and the Minister railbs sort it out, and
I say, I was the first to get it right,
and you're smarting, and I know what you're thinking.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
I know what you're thinking.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
Well, we don't comment on confidential cabinet discussions, as you
know much of a team.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Look, it's been a we've got a we've got a
path forward as the key point.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
And people you got to remember the context, right, which
is we came and actually it was one of the
most things I most remember about last year because we
got a ministerial warrants. In fact, even before we got
our ministerial wasn't it warrants. Nicola and I had a
meeting with Treasury and they said, you need to the
outgoing government would like you to authorize the release of
(11:41):
money in relation to the Fury project. And we said, oh,
that's interesting, tell us more and anyway, I won't I
won't bore with everyone with the details. But over the
period of the next couple of weeks, as the government
was changing, like literally November last year, it became really
clear that the project was a disaster.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
But go forward and.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You know Grant, Grant Robertson even you know, was getting
worried about.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
We all get the history of it, and we all
get that nicol And made the right decision. Now, no,
I don't think anyone's doubting that she made the right decision.
But fast forward that the last week.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Yeah, what happened, Well we don't talk about what happened
in Key.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
But you know, you're not denying that I got it wrong.
You know, if I had got that wrong, if I
got this completely wrong, you were to come back and
said you're completely wrong.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Well, what I want to know what rail compatible is
because the Prime Minister keep saying they're not railing able
they're rail compatible. It sounds like they're giving a tender
date with each other night.
Speaker 5 (12:28):
What's going on.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
We have a mixture on the straight right now of rail,
rail enabled and rail compatible, so there's a variety of
different structures. The key point is that it's state it's
essentially state Highway one for the railway network, and it's
a it's a key freight enabler. So we committed to
a resilient and reliable Cook Straight.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Are you committed to being rail because.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
I means yes, everyone sees run rail across the Cook Straight.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
I guess everyone says, if you get rid of that,
we're in real trouble.
Speaker 6 (12:55):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, yeah, absolutely, And the problem is that
the one rail one we have now that's looking shaky.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
So that what their plan? It's twenty what is it?
Speaker 6 (13:05):
Nine twenty nine, and so you know, are you going
to get that many years out of the existing fleets
really quick?
Speaker 3 (13:11):
We've had his yes from both KI Rail and independent experts.
Is that was that we can hear. I was very
confident about that, and and so the other people have tested.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Have they spent a little bit of money on them?
I mean because I walk, I walk where I walk
and they go past where I walk, and they suddenly
after all the kerfuffle and you know, a few months ago,
they suddenly look a lot cleaner and a lot smarter
and a lot polished. More polished. Are they have they
had a little bit of a revent?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Yeah, I mean there's ongoing maintenance work obviously, and there
will need to be as we as we get towards
the end of their life. But but look, we need
new fairies. No one's been any doubt about that. They're
coming toward the towards the end of their life. The
question is can they Can they keep going for another
four or five years? And the answer is years.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I think the big question that we how much is
it going to cost? You? And Ken Winston still.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Put a bit less than the four billion which.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
We did the four billion. This is another question because.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
That's questionable.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
That it is question.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
You've spoken a few bit about it. That The point
that I am concerned about, and I think others are
as well, is that this ear marked three hundred million
to get out of the current contract with Hyundai, and
so that's just an earmark amount that that's not final.
So how much money are we going to waste? And
taxpayers money of getting out of a deal that potentially
(14:26):
could have given us a cheaper and better piece of infrastructure.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
It's not a waste, though, to get out of a
deal that would end up costing you the thick end
four billion dollars because the fairies that were purchased under
the previous government we could relilegad in us again were
too big and required about three billion dollars worth of
landside infrastructure that no one had the money to pay
for and no one had ever.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
Still going to need that, lens.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
We've just got to keep our fingers.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
It's still going to need that Landsmord infrastructure. You're still
going to have to build waters there and Wellington, not.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
To the extent that you would have under the larger,
very very large ferries previous purchase previous.
Speaker 6 (15:00):
On those and you can't guarantee they'll be rail enabled
and bring you up over five billion dollar.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Watch and wait and.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Ginny, it is not going to be five billion dollars
and absolutely assure you of that.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Okay, let's move on. We're hopefully we're going to be okay,
all right, I want to just quickly before we go
on to a little bit of a reflections of the year, TONI,
what are you thinking? Bothal you quickly give me that's
your that's your neck of the woods.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
I was comfortable with the name change, but I'm also
equally comfortable with the Minister Penk's decision to leave it
as it is. I used to live in Patni for
a number of years, so I don't I know this
is a bit strange for a politician.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
I don't have a fixed view on it. I was
equally comfortable either way.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
Genny, Well, it's it's what the local. It's what the
local we want, It's what the Hut City Council want.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
You know this.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
This government has spoken a lot about restoring local democracy
and letting local communities have they say yet they won't
let the Hut City Council and Mona Fenowa decide how
they want to name their local beach when that was
the original name. So it does seem I guess a
bit two faced.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Okay, let's look back, let's reflect on the year for
a couple of minutes. I know you're very busy. You
want to get out of here and go and do
your Christmas shopping and get on with your last couple
of days. Of political stuff. First full year in government, Chris,
your first year in power? What do you what do
you get? I love scoring things. You're a cricketer. I
(16:30):
are't scoring things out of ten? What do you What
do you give your government out of ten?
Speaker 3 (16:36):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
I give you I give you a seven.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
Yeah, I'll give us a six and a half. Seven. Yeah.
I think you know.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
It's gone into recession that you're gonna get them a seven.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Six and a half. Maybe maybe this is right. Maybe
maybe I.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Can't can't blame this government for a recession that started
two years ago. Anyway, we're dealing with the consequences of
the last lot.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
What score? What score are you going to give them?
Because I'm going to ask the same with you, So.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
I think they'd like you to get a toe Like
the amount of joy outright cuts you. Think about how
Willington has suffered, you know, like Chris and Nicola hold
the heads up as being proud Wellingtonians. This city has
been run into the ground.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Okay, we're coming back. Just in case you didn't realize
we're coming back. We're away. Let's get well into moving again.
We're away.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
That phrase jity, get well into moving.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Gy, No, I've meant it in that way. I meant
the city's going No. Oh no, Ginny, you've been in
opposition for twelve months. What score do you give yourself
as being an opposition? I give you a four and
a half. Sorry, I really haven't been powerful in that.
Speaker 5 (17:43):
I think we have been well.
Speaker 6 (17:45):
The thing the main challenge, I would say for opposition,
and if you look at National when they were first
in opposition and how many leaders they went through, we've
held together strong, We've had good messages and we're unified with.
Speaker 5 (17:55):
A with a good leader.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Okay, we'll give first.
Speaker 6 (17:58):
You're in opposition is challenging, and you take a look
at other governments. For example, when National was first in opposition,
I think they had a pretty rocky first year.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Give me a score.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
Oh I give us a good seven and a half.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Oh my god, bets give me your score as them
as the opposition, have they rattled the cage enough?
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Well, in the spirit of Christmas, I'll give them a four.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
It's lovely.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Thank you, Okay, is what this is to both of you. Chris,
I'll start with you, so I'll start with you. Be fair.
What's your biggest win of the year. What's Labour's biggest
win of twenty twenty four me personally or no, the
party or yourself, whatever you want to do it.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
I think I'm really strongly holding this government to account
on poor decision making that has taken us backwards, things
like giving tax breaks to landlord's, tax breaks to tobacco
companies and then cutting jobs so the poor choices and
letting people know that they've prioritized corporates and their mates
(18:57):
overworking kiwi's and that that's not fair.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Chris Bishop, what do you think your biggest win as
the coalition government? I would say sticking keeping the coalition again.
They are never looking like it's rattled. I think that's
a pretty big one. I'm not a serious about that,
it's a pretty big win.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
I mean, I'm personally proud of fast treat I think
it will make a big difference. It was a huge
amount of work, very professional Wellington Public Service who delivered
It's about thirteen different agencies fro across the government worked
on it.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
And we've got it done in a year. So I'm
proud of that.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
I think people do underestimate the stability of the coalition
and it's the first time in New Zealand the MP history,
I've had three parties and you know, let's face it,
pretty strong personalities, particularly the leadership and the cabinet.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
It's never happened before in an MMP. So I think
we're ending the year.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
I reckon it's cost Christopher Luxan a little bit. Do
you reckon it's Do you think that he's I mean
he's a businessman, so he knows what he's got to
do to hold the thing together, and he's working part
twenty four hours, seven days a week to hold it
all to look and give out the project that it's
all good. You're regon it might have hurt his own personal.
Speaker 6 (20:00):
The Treaty Principal's Bill has been a problem for him.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
I think New zealand As are pretty realistic and pragmatic
about politics, and I think the public know that it's
a They elected a three way government.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
I mean they get the public has.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Quite my question. I'm just like, I mean, you know,
the guy we know, the Prime Minister is a good guy,
but he's not popular.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Why I think I think he is. I think he
is popular.
Speaker 6 (20:25):
We've had in the history of people.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
Appreciate and I can honestly say this from you know,
obviously reasonably senior minister. There's there's a there's a collegiality
and a professionalism and a friendship there between all three
of the leaders that was driving the government forward.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
And do they disagree. Of course, you'd.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Expelcate quick One biggest loss of the year come to
you first, Chris. The biggest thing that you could have
got right that you didn't get you know, you took
your eye off the ball and got clean bold for
a golden duck. What was it?
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Well, there's there's some there's some things across my portfolios
that I don't want to make public.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
But you know, you're always try and do better.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
I've been reflecting actually last few days on what I
want to try and do next year and where I think,
you know, we didn't make as much.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Progress this year.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
I thought the biggest loss black caps at the Basemin Reserve.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
That was disappointing.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Judy was very disappointing.
Speaker 6 (21:19):
Our biggest loss, I would have to say, is that
the cuts to the disability sector. I've seen those locally
who parents who rely on respite here for disabled children.
Those cuts have really hurt people in our community. And
they're still struggling. So it's a very real.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
One biggest wins you talked about, sorry, hopes for the
new year? What do you want? What do you want?
If you've got one thing you both want for the
new year, tell me what that is, Chris Bishop.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Well, I think all New Zealanders want growth back into
the economy. And the good news is that the forecasts
are that growth will pick up on the second half
of twenty twenty five and average, you know, over two
three percent for the full you know, the years out
beyond that. That is desperately needed in the Zealand economy.
And we've got to put our pedal to the medal
next year when it comes to getting growth back into
(22:05):
the economy because that is the one thing that will
improve living standards for everybody. It will improve the government books,
which you know Jenny was talking about before, but it
will also improve the living standards of Kiwi's.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Jenny, have you got one thing that you hope for
for next year?
Speaker 6 (22:19):
I hope Keewis have some hope right now. It's the
general feeling is really low. When I talk to people
in the heart will Run Wellington that the morale in
general has been ground down after an incredibly tough year
of really struggling.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
So I think.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
Kiwi's deserve to feel hope and pride for their country,
and I really hope that those things start to change
for so many families who are struggling over Christmas.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Well, Merry Christmas to you both and to your farowned families.
I hope you have a really good break and a
really good Christmas.
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Thank you too. Merry Christmas. Mer Christmas, Jillianry christmasare Ry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Yeah, thank you for coming on the show. Have a
great break and we'll catch you next year when we get.
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Into some more when you're back on deck.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Anniversary wee anniversary same as the same time as you.
We're all back at the same time.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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