The state of New Zealand’s economy is a disappointment.

In a pre-Budget speech to the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed the Government had found savings to pay for tax cuts.

However, she warned that the books are still in a structural deficit, with spending outpacing tax revenue.

EMA CEO Brett O’Riley told Mike Hosking that while it was disappointing to hear how bad the economy has gotten; it’s heartening to know that there’s a long-term plan.

He said the early hints of the Government’s economic growth plan was encouraging to a lot of people in the audience.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have hit the ground running in the UK.

The leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties, respectively, are out and about ahead of the July 4 election.

But Newstalk ZB UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that it hasn't been a smooth start for the Conservative leader.

He says Sunak had an embarrassing faux par in Wales when he asked locals if they were excited to watch the upcoming football, despite Wales not getting through to the Euro finals.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s little surprise a large number of Kiwi teachers didn't pass some high-school subjects.

New research has found a quarter of new primary school teachers failed maths and more than half failed science at NCEA Level One.

More than half who pursued Level Two maths also failed.

The Teaching Council's calling for more investment and widespread changes to how teachers are prepared for the classroom.

Auckland University Dean of Education Mark Barrows told Mike Hosking that they've known for a while people heading into primary teaching tend to be under-qualified in those areas.

He says providers need to think about how they can produce programmes that help students get past that.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.