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Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!

James Shaw stepped down as co-leader of the Green Party. Was this expected? What will Shaw's legacy be?

The Government changes their minds on the status of the country's UNRWA funding, with contributions pausing until Foreign Minister Winston Peters approves. What inspired this rethink? Is this the right decision?

Chris Luxon and David Seymour are at odds over the Treaty, with Luxon now saying the Treaty is akin to a partnership - exactly what Seymour doesn't think. Was it a good move for Luxon to take a stand?

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The Reserve Bank has poured cold water over growing speculation for an early rates cut this year.

In a webinar delivered to the public, RBNZ chief economist Paul Conway said non-tradeable inflation came in higher than predicted, at 5.9 percent.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says it's likely the RBNZ won't cut the OCR until the fourth quarter of 2024.

"The economy has slowed a lot and inflation is coming down, but as Conway pointed out, inflation is still too high- it's well above target."

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One leading accountant and agri-business advisor fears the current downturn in the rural sector may be the worst recorded in recent memory.

Pita Alexander says there's been 11 financial downcycles impacting the sector since 1948, but this one is the worst.

The Country's Jamie Mackay says the dairy sector may have bottomed out- and the worst is yet to come for sheep farmers.

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One expert is predicting James Shaw's next career move following his departure from the Greens.

Shaw announced he'll step back as party co-leader- but stay on in Parliament for the first reading of his Right to a Sustainable Environment Bill.

BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie suspects James Shaw could eventually replace Rod Carr as Climate Change Commission chair.

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The House roared back to life this week, as MPs settled in their seats for this year's first Question Time.

Smokefree legislation, the Treaty Principles Bill and the Red Sea New Zealand Defence Force deployment were all key issues discussed in the first session of 2024.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon led a very restrained session in the debating chambers.

"We had people in the past years who have been fantastic- clever, intellectual debaters, cutting... we don't have that anymore. Luxon would like to be, but he's a politician in chief executive's clothing."

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The NZSAS are reportedly offering experienced personnel significant retention payments to prevent them from quitting.

Military leaders have been told the unit is 'near collapse', with at least one third of the uniformed workforce leaving since 2021, most citing poor pay.

NZ Herald investigative reporter David Fisher says NZSAS needs a significant funding boost before mid-2025.

"The capabilities that it's lost, the stressors that it has are deep, and they're widespread. There's no quick fix to it, it needs the Government to lean in to boosting the military."

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There's accusations the Midwifery Council is ignoring midwives, over proposed changes to its 'Scope of Practice'.

Almost 3000 people have signed a petition against the revision - and replacing the words 'women and baby' with 'whanau'.

Petition organiser Deb Hayes says the council hasn't listened to feedback.

"I think midwives might not have even bothered replying, because the Midwifery Council doesn't listen to the feedback we give anyway."

The council agreed to adopt the revised scope late last year, and including an explanatory paragraph.

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It's believed more Gloriavale leavers will join a bid for compensation after a lifetime of lost opportunities.

Nine leavers found to be employees, not volunteers, in landmark Employment Court cases are jointly seeking $5.2 million.

It's for lost wages, entitlement breaches, penalties and compensation.

Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust general manager Liz Gregory says she's met with other leavers who want to get on board.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there were 50 or 60 people that might actually also file with the Employment Relations Authority." 

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A former Green MP says it's no surprise James Shaw has stepped aside as co-leader.

He's announced he'll stand down in March, but remain an MP to back his Sustainable Environment Bill's first reading.

Gareth Hughes says Shaw got the Party into Government for six years, so he can say mission accomplished.

"It makes sense, I think, for him- and also for the Party to refresh itself and look to the future."

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The Foreign Minister is standing by refusing to commit further funding for the UN's aid agency in Gaza.

A number of countries have hit pause after Israel alleged a dozen staff took part in the October 7 Hamas attack.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon says New Zealand won't contribute until Winston Peters has okayed it.

Peters says our next payment tranche isn't until the middle of the year.

"We've got time to consider this and plenty of time to come to a resolution- having heard what the United Nations investigation has to say."

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