Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

In November China's economy showed clear signs of strain as investment, consumption, and industrial output all weakened more than anticipated. "I think the most worrying thing is fixed asset investment actually, which has now declined for the 3rd month in a row," Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis told Andrew Dickens "We've never seen that before." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 19 December. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France has sentenced a doctor to death after he poisoned 30 patients, killing 12. The EU has agreed to provide Ukraine more money after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged leaders to use frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv. But, the money may not be enough. "Bit by bit it's getting worse and worse for Ukraine, no matter what support they've got," Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has approved OceanaGold’s Waihi North mining project, extending gold and silver extraction in the Waihi area until 2043, delighting the pro-mining crowd. It's a decision I agree with. Waihi has already been extensively mined and the environment beaten up. The decision will keep the town alive and provide hundreds of jobs. But make no mistake, this will not be an El Dorado for the whole country. The royalties are still at the excruciatingly low level they've always been at. Waihi North will generate $5.2 billion in additional gold and silver exports over its 18-year lifespan — averaging $286 million per year. Meanwhile, Crown revenue from corporate tax, PAYE, and royalties is expected to total a net present value of $422m over the life of the project. That's not an economy-saving sum, and it represents an 8 per cent yield on the output. But a deal is a deal. What concerns me is thoughts of new claims — the area behind Pauanui and Tairua on the Coromandel. Or the new work proposed for Bendigo. Until the whole nation truly benefits from the work that damages our land, is it worth it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwibank has scrapped it's plans for partial privatisation after the Reserve Bank announced it's reduction of the amount of capital it requires banks to hold to protect their depositors in the event of a crisis. The bank had been talking to investors, seeking a $500 million capital raise after the Government gave it the green light to raise money to become more competitive. Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich talked to Andrew Dickens about the change and the future of the market. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.