Finance Minister Nicola Willis has backed the decision to scrap the fees-free scheme for good.

Last week, Winston Peters revealed to Newstalk ZB on Friday the Government's doing away with the free final year of tertiary education.

Nicola Willis says it's important for the Government to invest in things that Kiwis really need and want - not a failed policy that didn't achieve any of the goals it aimed to accomplish.

"New Zealand has been in deficit since 2019, we're carrying a heck of a lot of debt, we've got some real priorities for our budget in terms of the health system, the education we want to give our young kids, the defence system we want to build up, the infrastructure we want to build - all of those things have a better call on money."

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Aaron Ibbotson from Forsyth Barr joins the show

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“We still see 10–15 deceased estates a week.”

That was one of the more confronting moments from this conversation about wills, investing, and what happens when your wishes aren’t documented.

In this quick bite we cover off some of the big points from our previous episode 'Are you leaving your wealth in limbo?'

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Oil prices have jumped more than three percent on the back of another snag in negotiations between the US and Iran.

Donald Trump has taken to social media to call Iran's response to a US 14-point memorandum 'totally unacceptable'.

Brent crude is now trading at more than 104 US dollars a barrel.

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further.

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Shane Jones says while Kiwis may be concerned about fuel prices, they don't need to worry about fuel supply.

The Government's updated its fuel response plan, so fuel is only restricted under phase four.

At that phase, emergency services, health services, schools and courts would get uncapped priority access, while others would need to limit their fuel use.

The Associate Energy Minster told Mike Hosking that at this stage, there is bugger all to worry about beyond price.

However, he says the Government wanted to show businesses and other stakeholders that it was being proactive.

“In the event we do strike a dangerous patch, then we've got additional fuel [at Marsden Point] that can be made available on a staggered managed basis. So it gives the confidence to the lifeline of the economy, the users of diesel, that it's actually here.”

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The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt.

The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as the government tries to pull the economy out of the red.

But some finance experts say we shouldn't be relying on the government to fund our retirements, and super should be treated as a bonus rather than a survivable income.

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Interest rates are rising again, fuel prices are climbing and many homeowners are wondering what to do next. But according to Squirrel mortgage adviser Adam Clark, too many Kiwis are focusing on the wrong things.

In this episode of The Prosperity Project, Adam joins Nadine Higgins to unpack the psychology of mortgages, why obsessing over tiny rate differences can backfire, and the financial habits that quietly cost borrowers hundreds of thousands over the life of a loan.

They also dive into refinancing, cashback offers, fixing strategies, mortgage structures, EV lending and the dangerous temptation of “cheap debt”.

Plus:

• Why banks hike rates before the Reserve Bank moves
• The truth about cashback “free money”
• Why fixing for the shortest term isn’t always smartest

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Mike Hosking in studio to discuss two major policy changes announced last week - abolishing fees free study, and raising the age of superannuation.

Luxon said that although the changes may not be 'politically popular' they are important, and other party's aren't brave enough to agree.

"I think they're being quite dishonest in terms of not facing up to the challenge that we've got and I think just chucking it down the road to the kids and grandkids isn't the right way," he said.

"So, I get it's not politically popular, but actually we should have a bigger conversation and a debate about it."

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