We finally got the long-promised rates cap, but the sting is in the timing. Instead of landing next year when households are desperate for relief, the full rollout won’t arrive until 2029. Duncan argues that while the idea is solid, the execution is political self-sabotage, effectively giving councils three more years to raise rates unchecked.

Jordan Williams joins us to explain why this delay is a gift to councils already planning hefty increases. Auckland is pushing its biggest hike ever, payroll costs across local government keep climbing, and interest bills are rising fast. The numbers point to a sector spending freely while ratepayers absorb the pain.

The conversation widens into the government’s economic credibility. Despite promising discipline, spending is still higher than when Labour left office, and the country continues to borrow heavily. Jordan argues the government has failed to use its mandate, slow-walking key reforms and missing the moment for bold action.

Duncan questions whether National understands the political risk. With water bills set to separate from rates next year and councils unlikely to reduce their charges to match, households could be hit twice. Add in the sluggish rollout of KiwiSaver changes and other long-dated policies, and the picture is one of a government moving far too slowly in a cost-of-living crisis.

Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz