Kerre Woodham: Taxation is a finely balanced thing

We know times are tough. We know that we're in a period of rebuilding, we know that there are green shoots starting to come through. We're looking towards the end of 2025 as a time when things will turn around, when things will start to improve, and things will start to get better on a micro level in our own households, and on a macro level when it comes to the government.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: We're justified in feeling gloomy about the state of NZ

Pattrick Smellie, who has been a regular contributor to this show, is back from his long European sabbatical - and he reckons we need to cheer up in New Zealand.

He's written a piece for BusinessDesk saying that the headlines he’s seeing here at home suggest we’re as miserable as we were back in the early 1990s during Ruth Richardson's recession.

Mike's Minute: Our wrecked economy is making international headlines

Last year was the first time in 20 years that there were fewer cafes than the year before.

If that isn't a reality check on the state of our economy, then nothing is.

Yes, we are starting to see some light. There is some confidence here and an interest rate cut there.

Dr Oliver Hartwich: Time for a tune-up as New Zealand's economic engine sputters

When I was a university student, I noticed my car was not accelerating as smoothly as it once had. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it might just be my imagination.

It was not until I took the car for its warrant of fitness that the technician delivered the bad news: one of the engine’s four cylinders had stopped working completely.

Luckily for me, the problem was caught early enough to fix it without breaking the bank. Had I waited any longer, I might have been looking at a wrecked engine and a much bigger repair bill.

Countries can be a bit like that ageing car.