Show Notes
A top economist says the recovery is here - but card spending data out today is weak and retailers say they are entering the peak trading season under real pressure. Gareth Kiernan from Infometrics explains what's going on. A Taxpayers Union ad made with AI depicts Chris Hipkins as a home invading thief over the Capital Gains Tax. Have attack ads gone too far: Political scientist Claire Robinson wrote a book on political marketing.
More from Midday Report
Kia ora, welcome to Midday Report essentials . In todays episode: Kerrin Leoni resigns from the Labour Party after video shows she campaigned with Mongrel Mob members, and Chris Hipkins says racism on the right is a factor in the gang scandal. RNZ political editor Jo Moir joined me on whether it could cost him the election. The fiscal fights continue: the Greens say NZ First's campaign promises add up to $70 billion: and that's before a BNZ buyback: Chloe Swarbrick fronts with her fiscal plan. Finally, a special interview with Luke Harding who is covering the war in Ukraine: He has a new book called Betrayal: which asks the question: if Trump were a Russian asset what would he do differently?
This week President Trump's envoy stood in St Petersburg and called Vladimir Putin a humanitarian. With the lifting of sanctions on Russia and harsh criticism of Ukraine President Vlodamyr Zelensky questions are being raised about whose side America is now on. Guardian journalist and author Luke Harding has a new book on the conflict called Betrayal. Harding spoke to Guyon Espiner.