#Clip: Barbara Edmonds: Inflation Is Back — Why Are Kiwis Getting Poorer?
Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds joins The Bradbury Group to discuss New Zealand’s latest inflation figures, the cost of living crisis, rising poverty, unemployment, OCR forecasts, and what Labour says it would do differently.
With inflation climbing to 4.1%, unemployment remaining high, and more working families relying on food banks, Barbara Edmonds explains why she believes the Government has failed to deliver on its economic promises.
This interview covers:
📈 Inflation rises to 4.1%
💰 Cost of living crisis
🏠 Housing costs
📉 OCR and interest rates
👨👩👧 Child poverty
🥫 Food insecurity
💼 Wage growth
🚌 Public transport affordability
🗳️ Election 2026
🇳🇿 New Zealand economy
Barbara Edmonds outlines Labour’s response to inflation, discusses economic policy, and explains why she believes New Zealanders deserve a clearer plan for growth and affordability.
You forgot to cover capital gains tax, means testing superannuation and removing the welfare dependency of politicians such as with Upston’s accommodation benefit. Or too much change for Labour’s baby steps? Is there something preventing Labour from a fair and equitable system, maybe an inability for a politician to tax themselves? Is this Barbara’s Paradox, where a politician can only tax those who don’t tax themselves? Barbara cannot tax herself as she taxes only those who don’t tax themselves. But by not taxing herself then she is part of the group she can only tax. The only way out of the paradox is if politicians treat everyone equally and tax is universal.