Last week the Reserve Bank dropped the OCR 25 basis points to 2.25%, but their tone was a bit more hawkish than usual. 

Some analysts are thinking it's a signal that rates have gone as low as the RBNZ is willing to drop them - and the new Governor may be wanting to turn a new leaf in 2026. 

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When it comes to improving our health, most of us know what we should be doing - eating better, moving more, sleeping well - but there is a good chance we might fail if we don't understand why we're doing it.  

What does long-lasting motivation look like? And what sort of motivation should we avoid to give us the best chance of staying on track?

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After a tough few months for Te Pati Maori, its AGM is taking place today. 

Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the country is "facing the most destructive government in our history," and the party is set on "making this a one term government." 

Meanwhile, 3 of 4 of Mariameno Kapa-Kingi's requests in her ongoing legal proceedings were declined by the judge - but her request to remain a party member was accepted until February 2026. 

Party President John Tamihere remains in office as the AGM goes forward. 

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Former police commissioner Andrew Coster claims he had briefed Chris Hipkins on Jevon McSkimming's alleged misconduct in 2022, and briefed Mark Mitchell in 2024. 

Coster stepped down as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency this week, after an IPCA report showed failures in how the police dealt with allegations against McSkimming. 

Both Hipkins and Mitchell have denied Andrew Coster's claims, and both have released statements saying they would have taken action had they known. 

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In just a few days, a law banning the use of social media for under 16s will take effect in Australia. 

For many parents, social media has been a daily part of family life for years - allowing kids to stay connected with their friends and family, sharing life updates with people they may not get a chance to speak with very often. 

Generations before have been relatively ignorant to just how seriously harmful it can be - figuring if they just keep open communication with their kids then they should be fine. 

But younger millennial and gen Z parents seem to be recognising the dangers, and most often opting to keep their kids offline. 

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For as long as most of us will be able to remember, the Kiwi dream has meant a 3 or 4 bed home with a deck out the back and just enough grass to need a mower. 

It's represented putting down roots and starting a family with a sense of security in owning your own place. 

But after years now of rising house prices and interest rates going up and down quite rapidly, I've been wondering whether our property obsession has changed - and whether it's a temporary change or a permanent one. 

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This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by NZ Herald Senior Writer Simon Wilson, and journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton, to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.

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We got another OCR cut this week - now down to 2.25% - the lowest it's been since June of 2022. 

That was the last one for the year, so a lot of us mortgage holders are trying to figure out whether things are slowing down, and if it's time to fix for a longer term this time around. 

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Health seems to be overcomplicated these days - but does it really need to be? 

Everywhere you look you see another kind of diet, another 'must-have' exercise machine, a drink that can replace a meal, or a new gym programme that promises to finally solve all your problems. 

But truly, could the foundation of good health be as simple as a daily walk and eating whole foods? Why do so many people overlook what seem to be the staples of good health, instead going for expensive trends? 

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled the party's first policy for next year's election - low-interest loans to support doctor-owned clinics.

The scheme will offer up to 50 ten year long loans a year for doctors or nurse practitioners to open or buy into local clinics, interest free for the first two years. 

After announcing their policy of three free GP appointments a year, questions were raised around how our already overwhelmed health system could manage more appointments. 

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