
Midday Report · Thursday · 15 min
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 16 October 2026
0:00-15:37
transcript
show notes
A top economist says the recovery is here - but card spending data out today is weak and retailers say they are entering the peak trading season under real pressure. Gareth Kiernan from Infometrics explains what's going on. A Taxpayers Union ad made with AI depicts Chris Hipkins as a home invading thief over the Capital Gains Tax. Have attack ads gone too far: Political scientist Claire Robinson wrote a book on political marketing.