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The Green Party have just had their annual State of the Planet Address, and this year they're calling for a National Electrification Plan.  They say it's in response to the current fossil fuels crisis, and would add to their previous calls for free public transport and solutions to ease the cost of living.  The plan would lay out a clear plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and use renewable energy like solar panels to reduce the cost of living.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First has announced they will be campaigning on a new policy to end the supermarket duopoly.  The policy would give the Commerce Commission powers to enforce increased penalties for breaches and reform the role of the Groceries Commissioner, which the party says is currently toothless.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party have called in former broadcaster Rachel Smalley to help Auckland based MPs, including the prime minister, with their communications and media work ahead of the election this year.  It's come after the public have started to notice Luxon becoming less confident and stumbling over his words recently - in contrast to the precise and decided communication style he's had in the past.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyclone Vaianu has hit our shores and some regions are being hit particularly hard.  The East Coast has seen gusts of up to 130 kilometres an hour, thousands of homes in Northland and the Bay of Plenty are without power, and weather watches and warnings remain in place for the whole North Island and parts of the South Island.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's election year again in New Zealand, and it's a process that we're all familiar with.  But few are more familiar than Former PM Helen Clark and Former National MP Maurice Williamson, who joined Tim Beverige to look at what we can expect from election year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest numbers, as at one week ago, there were 24 days of petrol and 18 days of diesel in the country.  Things are looking to worsen for the foreseeable future, although an uptick in public transport use and EV purchases point to people taking things into their own hands.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First will be campaigning on a policy that would see half of all mining royalties go to the region from which it came, rather than Wellington.  The party says it would build up wealth and infrastructure in the regions, allowing for future development rather than having the money spent across wider national projects.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has delivered NZ First's State of the Nation address - the final one ahead of the looming election.  Peters also announced a National Energy Strategy that would break up power companies, no longer allowing them to control both power and the price.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has just over 50 days worth of petrol, and a week less of diesel, while the war in Iran wages on.  The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact the global oil supply, and the countries we generally import oil from are considering closing up shop on exports to ensure their own security. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices are up at the pump, auto shops are selling out of jerry cans, and we've seen the reports of thousand litre IBC tanks being filled up at BP.  It's raised the question around whether the closure of Marsden Point has been more harmful to New Zealand's fuel security that we had initially realised.  New Zealand would still be reliant on imports to meet fuel needs, but having the ability to import crude oil rather than just refined oil would likely lift the pressure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's leadership within his own party is being questioned after he didn't fare well in a Taxpayers' Union poll this week.  It has National down 2.9 points to 28.4% - but most notably, it suggests that the centre-left bloc could form a government in November. It'll be very tight though, with 61 seats for the left and 59 for the right.  Luxon sits at 21% for preferred prime minister, while Hipkins is at 22.7%.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One week on, the war in Iran is progressing by the day.  In the latest, the United States are gearing up to potentially send ground troops into Iran, Australia is considering whether they should send in troops, and New Zealand supports the US but won't involve itself any further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has highlighted issues within the KiwiSaver Act that have prevented a number of Kiwis from using their accounts to buy a home.  Many workers in rural areas, like farm workers, rural police and teachers, are often required to live in housing provided by their employer - which stops them from being able to withdraw their KiwiSaver for a first home as they're unable to live in it.  These issues have also stopped farmers from being able to purchase their own farm as it's not covered by current legislation.  Changes announced this morning would remove those barriers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A joint US–Israeli strike on Iran overnight has triggered retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes - a claim Iran denied until half an hour ago, with officials saying he was “safe and sound” and “actively commanding the field”. International reaction has been mixed, with some governments condemning the strikes, others urging restraint, and many calling for urgent diplomatic talks. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Saturday Donald Trump announced a 10% levy on all goods coming into the US in response to the Supreme Court ruling his other tariffs unconstitutional. The new global tariffs were updated to 15% on Sunday. Economist Cameron Bagrie joined Tim Beveridge to talk about the implications for kiwi businesses.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.