Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Kiwiblog contributor and pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has admitted to having an alcohol problem, after another incident of public drunkenness got recorded. Is this acceptable behaviour for an elected official? How sympathetic should we be?

Prime Minister Chris Luxon revealed his 100-day plan today. The plan is comprised of 49 actions, including repealing Three Waters, Auckland's Fuel Tax and the ute tax- and establishing major targets for the health system. Will these plans help New Zealanders in the long run?

Winston Peters has been accusing reporters of taking bribes, and Luxon came to Winston's defence. What do we think of Luxon's management- is he being too soft on Winston?

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The incoming Government has agreed to disestablish the Productivity Commission, as ACT requested.

Staff are disappointed, yet unsurprised, as many were concerned the agency had become too politicised.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says there were already tensions between chair Ganesh Nana and former staffers.

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The Prime Minister has come to the defence of his deputy's scathing attacks on the media.

Winston Peters has been accusing reporters this week of taking bribes, in reference to the $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund.

Applicants to the fund were asked, when appropriate, to produce funded content to support NZ identity, culture and public interest requirements, including support for the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

But, overriding this in NZME's funding agreements - a clause specifically requested by the company - is an acknowledgement of the absolute editorial independence.

Chris Luxon says he wouldn't describe the fund as a bribe - but he doesn't support it either - similar to many New Zealanders.

ZB political editor Jason Walls says it's clear Luxon isn't interested in intervening- and he's going to let Winston be Winston.

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Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare has posted a lower-than-expected half-year profit.

The company had earned $186 million after tax for the six months to September, a 4 percent decrease from 2022.

Chief executive Richard Umbers says this loss is driven by a more subdued housing market. 

"The housing market is under pressure. That impacts our ability to sell, which inevitably has a flow-through effect on the business." 

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The Reserve Bank left the OCR at 5.5 percent during today's review, in line with predictions.

The Bank also issued a hawkish statement about future hikes, claiming further hikes would be needed if inflationary pressures got to be stronger than anticipated.

Infometrics chief economist Gareth Kiernan says there's a good chance the OCR will need to go up between now and 2025.

"Economic activity is running a percentage point higher than the Reserve Bank had been anticipating when it did its' last statement back in August- that didn't sound like a lot, but we knew the economy was highly stretched."

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Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has admitted to having an alcohol problem.

This statement follows another incident of drunken behaviour- which was recorded at a popular Cuba St establishment two weeks ago.

Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert hopes she's getting the necessary support, but acknowledges the risk this poses.

"We need to make sure we've got people with the right skills and the right capabilities to make decisions in the best interests of the city going forward."

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A cable car company is pitching gondolas as public transport solutions for a number of cities.

A case has been presented to multiple councils by Austrian company Doppelmayr Urban Transport Solutions.

Aerial cable cars are being touted as options for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.

Doppelmayr CEO Garreth Hayman says it would be good for getting people to and from airports.

"There is a cabin coming very frequently every few seconds, and there is completely level boarding there. It would be quite easy to use- like going on an escalator with your luggage."

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Despite some setbacks, Luxon has unveiled his Government's 100-day plan.

The plan features 49 action points, including repealing the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, the Clean Car Discount scheme, and Fair Pay Agreement legislation- and setting new targets for the health system.

Political commentator Grant Duncan says the Government's next phase will need to do more to fix the issues they planned to address.

"They need to get serious about their actual plans, particularly with rebuilding the economy. Just repealing stuff isn't rebuilding the economy."

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The Reserve Bank says there may be a need for more interest rates hikes.

It has held the Official Cash Rate at 5.5 percent, and their forecast track suggests no rate cuts are on the horizon until mid-2025.

Independent economist Tony Alexander says he doesn't think the Reserve Bank will actually do that- or really believes it will have to.

"I think today's statement was all about a signal to the market. To say- don't get too optimistic out there, inflation's falling, but maybe you're getting a bit optimistic about the pace which things are going to ease off."

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Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was honoured today at a memorial service.

Her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, led other political figures in tribute- including Joe and Jill Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush.

Melania Trump also attended, and caused a bit of a stir.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson said American media zeroed in on her unique choice of outfit, as she was the only former First Lady to wear grey.

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