Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

We’ve had the first monetary policy decision from the new Reserve Bank Governor, and it’s not until you get a new captain at the helm that you realise just how little confidence you had left in the previous one. Now, to be fair, it’s early days for Anna Breman. We’ll judge her by what she does from here on in. But she does start with a clean slate - without us reading too much into her decisions or second-guessing every move because of a poor track record.  And that, I’d say, is a very welcome change from just a few weeks ago before she took over. Her assessment is that inflation is fine. Yes, it’s a little high right now - 3.1 percent, outside the target band - but it’s expected to fall back within the band by this time next year.  The economy is improving. The green shoots that were previously limited to certain regions and industries are becoming more widespread. Households are getting more money in their pockets, but they’re still cautious - and that’s a problem. Because unless they’re confident enough to spend, they’ll hold back the economic recovery from what it could potentially be. But - and this is probably the bit you’ve been most interested in, and waiting for - they will start raising the OCR faster than expected. Previously, the Official Cash Rate projection had it going from 2.2 percent in March to 2.3 percent in December. That’s now been brought forward: they’re forecasting 2.3 percent in June and 2.4 percent in December. The first increase will still most likely be in December, but the chances of it happening in September just increased. It’s not a major concern. It’s not a major correction. It’s not a game-changer for most people. But it does bring the inevitable a little closer. Still - for now - it’s nice to have a change at the top, isn’t it? And here’s hoping this Governor does a better job than the last one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac is proposing funding two new leukaemia medications in pill form from May. It could relieve pressure for hospitals. It could also apply to people currently paying for it, who'd receive funding for the treatment in a private hospital - subject to meeting criteria. Associate Health Minister David Seymour says Pharmac will sign off on this - and it's likely this will move forward. "There'll be two new blood cancer medicines and they'll help an estimated 80-90 people every five years, with what is quite a rare, but brutal disorder."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hints that Christchurch's brand-new stadium will be soon hosting an event no other city will have. American rock band Foo Fighters are the first international act confirmed for One NZ Stadium, scheduled to open in April. Other major events lined-up include Super Rugby’s Super Round and a concert featuring Six60 and Synthony in May. Venues Otautahi CEO Caroline Harvie-Teare says a New Zealand-exclusive event announcement is coming soon. "They're the things that really shift the dial when it comes to visitation here in Christchurch and they're the things that we want to see here in Christchurch, and this is why we've got this beautiful new venue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building says it's not out of the woods yet, but their financial situation is improving. It recorded an $11 million half-year loss  - down from $134 million the year before. Earnings are out of the red at $45 million, compared to $-88 million the year before. Chief executive Andrew Reding says they'll take a while to get back on track.   "We're not forecasting great times for our financial year 2026, and indeed think that the calendar year 2027 is when things are lined up and moving properly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank says inflation's too high, but it's actually worried it could soon end up too low. It's kept the OCR unchanged at 2.25 percent. New Governor Anna Breman says they're not happy with headline inflation surpassing the one-to-three percent target band last quarter. But she says underlying core-inflation is much lower, and wage growth slow. She explained that unless the economy rebounds, they think inflation might actually fall below the target. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions in Parliament today - with barbs traded between the Prime Minister and Opposition leader. Chris Luxon took a swipe at Labour's Chris Hipkins at Question Time over inflation. Speaker Gerry Brownlee told numerous MPs to cool down, after heckling from both sides. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the action from today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fight for the oppressed and overlooked is encompassed in Jesse Jackson's legacy. The Civil Rights leader has died aged 84 surrounded by family.  Jackson built a career around activism - fighting alongside Martin Luther King Jr to improve the lives of Black people in America.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says President Donald Trump paid tribute - and so did some other former leaders. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing Netball New Zealand chair Matt Whineray insists they will heed the lessons from the Silver Ferns coaching debacle. Whineray's ending his eight-year tenure alongside three other board members. The governing body came under intense scrutiny last year for their handling of Dame Noeline Taurua's standing down and eventual re-instatement. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest dog attack in Northland has sparked calls for urgency around manging savage canines.  Northland 62-year-old, Mihiata Te Rore, was killed by three dogs yesterday as she visited a home in Kaihu. NZ First's Shane Jones has suggested penalising owners of dangerous dogs with prison sentences. Northland MP Grant McCallum says councils need to enforce regulations to keep people safe - but some law changes are in order. "We've got too many dogs out there and you have to question some of the breeds, so the question becomes - do we look at a stronger de-sexing policy going forward? And also, some of the breeds of these dogs...are there just some breeds we don't need?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six companies linked to the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, are being wound down, according to new reports. One company is related to public relations, another to retail, and none appeared to be commercially active. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Ferguson was desperate for money, even emailing Epstein for help while he was in prison.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.