Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Reserve Bank moving to increase the OCR for the first time in three years

Anna Breman: Reserve Bank Governor explains why OCR increase was necessary

The Reserve Bank Governor says Kiwis will ultimately benefit from today's OCR hike - the first in more than three years. The cash rate has been raised to 2.5 percent. Governor Anna Breman says inflation's been eating up household budgets. She says getting inflation back down helps everyone. "It will actually make sure that households get their purchasing power back, they can spend more, they can get more demand, and we will see better growth and employment coming back."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Reserve Bank moving to increase the OCR for the first time in three years

The Reserve Bank moved to increase the OCR, prompting concern from some over what it could mean for the economy. The central bank raised the cash rate to 2.5 percent - the first hike in more than three years. Some economists thought inflation could surge as high as 4.8 percent this quarter. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says inflation needs to be brought under control - so this was the right move. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the Reserve Bank increasing the OCR by 25 basis points

The Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate for the first time in more than three years. It's raised the OCR 25 basis points to 2.5 percent. The Monetary Policy Committee's six members all agreed to raise the cash rate - despite divided opinions from economists. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says the Reserve Bank will be looking to get the OCR down to a more 'normal' level - and this increase is the first step. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Mike Casey: Rewiring Aotearoa CEO on the Government looking to changes laws on plug-in solar panels

Plugging a a solar panel into your own wall is currently illegal in New Zealand, but the Government's looking into changing that. In a post on Facebook, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says work is currently under way to make this change happen. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey has welcomed this move, saying this development would be 'amazing'. "It's something that we thought needed to happen in New Zealand, it hasn't happened in Australia yet - we copy a lot of our regulations and standards from Australia, so we're breaking the mould and heading out and doing it ourselves." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Sophie Moloney: Sky TV chief executive on Sky winning NRL and Warriors rights in new broadcast deal

Has a second NRL team in New Zealand edged closer to a reality after the NRL's new multi-billion dollar broadcast deal? The Australian Rugby League Commission has signed a new seven-year TV rights deal with its existing partners on both sides of the Tasman, including Sky TV, starting in 2028. The NRL wants to increase to 20 teams during that period, with Christchurch considered a candidate for an expansion licence. Sky TV boss Sophie Moloney has been asked what the new deal means to that end. "That's definitely one for the commission - that wasn't determinist of our values, we've valued it up based on what we've got and we love our Warriors."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.