First it came for the groceries, the mortgage and the power bill. Now the economy is coming for our fun.

From $12 glasses of wine and $27 movie tickets to streaming subscriptions that keep creeping up, the cost of enjoying yourself is becoming harder to justify.

Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker unpack “funflation”, the latest inflation data, and whether bird flu could make chicken and eggs the next household staples to surge in price.

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Could compulsory KiwiSaver help make New Zealanders wealthier and build a stronger economy? In this episode of Money Talks, Liam Dann speaks with policy advocate and economics student Leonard Hong about why he believes New Zealand needs a more ambitious approach to saving, investment and long-term wealth creation.

Leonard reflects on his Korean-New Zealand upbringing, his fascination with economics and politics, and the lessons New Zealand could take from Australia and Singapore. He also discusses Gen Z’s financial anxiety, the future of work in an AI-driven economy, and why compulsory retirement saving could give ordinary Kiwis a far more secure future.

Money Talks is brought to you in partnership with CMC Markets.

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The Official Cash Rate has risen for the first time in three years — but does that mean mortgage rates are about to climb too?

Tamsyn Parker is joined by NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Jenée Tibshraeny to unpack the OCR hike, the risk of inflation becoming embedded and why fixed-term borrowers may not feel the impact immediately.

They also examine an OECD report suggesting New Zealand’s real wages are near the bottom of the developed world, why workers are struggling to negotiate pay rises, and whether restrictive employment contracts are holding back productivity.

Plus, thousands of properties could carry a hidden natural-hazard warning that may affect insurance claims, renovations and even the ability to secure a mortgage.

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There are signs of optimism in the New Zealand economy, but are we ready to believe in the recovery?

Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker look at the latest economic signals, from falling petrol prices and a stronger sharemarket to the lingering pressure on households. They also discuss new research showing young New Zealanders are more worried about the cost of living than their global peers, the impact of AI on the future of work, and why the Indian Prime Minister’s visit could mark a major trade moment.

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Could the AI frenzy end in a painful market correction? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss the warnings and what it could mean for KiwiSaver. Plus, should the Reserve Bank should leave interest rates alone? And what does the falling New Zealand dollar mean for you?

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National's proposal to make KiwiSaver compulsory could be one of the biggest changes to New Zealand's retirement system in decades. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker break down what it would mean for workers, businesses and future retirees. Is compulsory saving the key to closing the wealth gap with Australia?

They also examine new data on the cost of living, wage growth and why so many New Zealanders feel poorer than they did a few years ago. Plus, are younger generations giving up on the traditional Kiwi dream, and what does that mean for our future economy?

The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets. 

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The US-Iran peace deal has brought down oil prices and eased some inflation fears. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss what that means for Kiwi wallets, the outlook for interest rates, and whether New Zealand's long-awaited recovery might finally be gaining momentum.

Plus, what can we learn from Switzerland's debate over immigration and population growth?

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From collecting bottles for pocket money in small town South Canterbury to advising governments at the IMF, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold has spent a lifetime thinking about how economies work. He joins Money Talks to discuss inflation, productivity, inequality and why New Zealand's biggest challenge may not be how we divide the pie, but how we grow it.

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House prices are still falling in real terms, construction is slowing and businesses are losing faith in a quick recovery. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss what could be New Zealand's biggest property reset in decades, 

They also explain why Auckland's economy is feeling the pain and consider whether upcoming GDP figures will show the recovery has stalled once again (probably).

The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets. 

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Should the retirement age rise to 67? Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker discuss the growing cost of NZ Super and whether younger generations are being asked to foot the bill. They also look at the surprising figures opposed to the potential rise in retirement age.

Plus, a new levy on banks and insurers, the Heartland-TSB merger and what a split OCR vote could mean for mortgage holders.

The Economy of Everything is brought to you by CMC Markets

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