Midday Report Essentials for Friday 16 October 2026
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.
The skinny
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