The country is desperate to go for growth. The question is: how?

We got 3 points of view over the weekend - Friday it was the turn of Matthew Hooten. His piece was called New Zealand needs a strategic approach to building wealth like Singapore's Temasek.

Temasek own and manage assets that are held directly by its government. They operate a major bank and insurance company, Singapore airlines, the country’s main port, and a load of other things.

It's as if we’ve been investigating it for decades. Even Grant Robertson was interested but nothing’s ever happened. So it has cross party appeal, but why hasn’t it happened? Who knows. Ask the politicians - all talk no action.

On Sunday, it was the turn of Don Brash and Michael Reddell who in a shared piece said our problem is our low productivity.

No kidding! Every politician says that and none have come up with an answer.

Brash and Reddell's only proffered solution is to lower company tax rates to attract overseas and local investment. They claim we have the one of highest company tax rates in the world, which is balderdash. We sit at 28 per cent. Australia at 30, the US and the UK around 26.

We're slightly above median and no disrespect to Don Brash, you had terms as a reserve bank governor and leader of a couple of political parties and plenty of opportunities to lift productivity and failed.

then there was Sam Stubbs who said if we’re selling public assets lets sell them to new Zealanders like super funds so the wealth stays in New Zealand instead of being exported.

To me that’s the key. Stop saying productivity and start saying wealth creation.

find out how to make or supply stuff that the world wants and then keep the profits and the workers in New Zealand, then we start generating wealth and then we recycle it to create more great businesses..

That's Denmark's trick. That's why they operate the second largest container ship operation in the world, to import capital rather than export it.

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US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on goods coming from Canada, Mexico and China, sparking fears of a trade war.

China is facing 10% on imports, while Canada and Mexico will see 25%.

Canada has already hit back with retaliatory 25% tariffs for the US.

Geopolitical Analyst Geoffrey Miller talks to Andrew Dickens about what these decisions will mean for the US and if New Zealand has to be wary.

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Phase two of the Covid-19 inquiry begins today, creating space for the public to submit feedback around key decisions the New Zealand government made during the pandemic.

Whether it is vaccine mandates, lockdowns, extended lockdowns, rat tests, and tracing, anyone can have their say.

How will this phase differ from the first initiative?

Matthew Hague is a lawyer who defended a client who didn't want the COVID jab, and talks to Ryan Bridge about what this new phase means.

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What happened over the weekend in sport?

Newstalk ZB's Andrew Alderson joins the show to discuss the India v England T20 match, Auckland FC's 'impressive' win, Lydia Ko's struggle and the NFL heading to Australia.

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There's confidence from the wool sector that Kainga Ora will learn the value of wool carpets.

The social housing agency's back-tracking on a previous ban after using synthetic carpets for more than a decade.

It will now allow wool carpet providers to tender for carpet and underlay contracts.

Campaign for Wool general manager Kara Biggs told Andrew Dickens there's an opportunity to show Kainga Ora how wool can compete on price and value now.

She says that wool is natural, flame resistant, warmer, and more absorbent, which means it's a better and healthier alternative for those in community housing.

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New Zealand remains in the dark about Donald Trump's tariff plan, as new data shows the US has overtaken Australia as our second largest destination for exported goods.

Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Andrew Dickens blanket tariffs wouldn't have the same impact as targeted tariffs.

She says it would mean the cost will be passed on to the US consumer rather than having to be absorbed by exporters, and we would still be competitive against other markets.

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