Heather du Plessis-Allan: Nicola v Ruth - bring it on

So, to the Nicola Willis v Ruth Richardson debate.

Here’s a challenge to Nicola Willis: do it this year. Do it next week.

I’m hearing that having challenged Ruth Richardson to the debate, Willis’ office would prefer to do it next year.

Perspective with Ryan Bridge: What will the Willis-Richardson debate do for Nicola's credibility?

This Nicola Willis-Ruth Richardson showdown looks like it'll go ahead next week after the HYEFU release.

As you'll know from listening to this show on Monday night, Nicola's not happy with Ruth. And Ruth isn't too happy with Nicola.

Ani O'Brien: Nicola Willis is no Ruth Richardson and that’s the problem

Nicola Willis promised discipline. She promised to rein in spending, shrink the bloated public service, and put New Zealand’s economy “back on track” after Labour’s disastrous run. Instead, she has drifted. Spending remains high, the bureaucracy is still bloated, and taxpayers see little sign of the tough decisions we were promised.

The result? Labour, of all parties, is polling neck and neck with National, less than 13 months out from the election. That should be a political impossibility, given the wreckage they left behind. But it speaks to the central failure of National and its Finance Minister. Voters expected change, and what they got instead was continuity.

Hon Ruth Richardson: Treaty of Waitangi Principles Bill submission

Treaty of Waitangi Principles Bill

Submission by Hon Ruth Richardson

December 2024

This is a Bill of consequence.

I regard it as in the same league as the Reserve Bank Act 1989 and the Fiscal Responsibility Act 1994 which together established the macro-economic architecture that has served NZ so well since.