It's the Reserve Bank outing this week.

One last hurrah for the year. It has a certain anticlimax about it, doesn't it?

It's probably going to be 25 basis points. 25 points is priced in by just about everyone.

There is a chance it's zero. Next to no one says 50 basis points.

Infometrics last week had the Q3 GDP number at 0.9% and I'm told the Q2 number is going to be revised up, which means if you add all that to the Q1 number then we've actually had a pretty decent year.

"What? Are you mad? How can you say that?", I hear you say. Well, don’t shoot the messenger.

These are either facts, or expert predictions. Either way they are to the right side of the equation. The point being is that's the sort of thing the Reserve Bank looks at.

Is inflation in its box? Well, it’s a smidge high, given it’s 3%, so right at the top end, but technically still within the 0-3% range.

If we cut further, they will ask, do we risk driving that number a bit higher through increased bullishness and spending? Quite possibly.

Now I'm not personally arguing for a hold. But if you want to toss a few ideas about the place, that isn't a bad one. A case can be made for holding, for saying inflation is there or thereabouts and that the economy has got no shortage of green shoots, and 2026 looks okay so our job is done.

The psychological advantage, no matter what they do, is not to be underestimated either. "If this is it, it's as good as it gets. It's as low as they go".

Then a lot of people will make decisions around money and mortgages, and a lot of people have been holding. They've been in the waiting place and, as Dr. Seuss said, "the waiting place is no place for you".

In a funny way it might also shake us out of our funk. We are disproportionately miserable, not because of reality, but because it's been so bad and we need a kick up the backside to get on with it.

Maybe Christian Hawkesby, in his farewell flourish, offers not just the 25 basis points but a bit of uplifting hyperbole as he steps out the door.

They have cut six times this year. We could end 2025 at 2.25%. It started at 4.25%. Shows you what a mess we have dealt with.

But I get the sense the page has turned.

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Ukraine and the US are signalling they're nearing a proposal to end the war as Russia maintains its uncompromising position.

Ukrainian and US officials have negotiated details of a proposed 28-point peace plan in Switzerland.

A US official's told reporters Ukraine has agreed to a peace deal, but there were still some minor details to be sorted out.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it appears several key issues have still been set aside, including the new territorial boundaries, the size of an ongoing Ukrainian military, and the proposed ban on NATO troops inside Ukraine.

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 26th of November, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop explains why they want to scrap regional councils.

Estonia has the highest education results in Europe, and now their Education Minister is in New Zealand to check out how our reforms are panning out.

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen cover off Michael Wood, regional councils, Greg O'Connor and Craig Rennie on Politics Wednesday.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Today on Politics Wednesday Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen delve into the proposal to scrap regional councils, replacing them with boards made up of local Mayors.

They also cover off Labour's seat selections, with MP Greg O’Connor missing out on the selection for a new seat, and former Labour MP Michael Wood's move to re-enter politics.

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Thousands of cases of amputation and vision loss could be prevented thanks to diabetes monitoring technology.

Continuous Glucose Monitors, or CGMs, have been funded for Type 1 diabetes since last October.

New data from CGM producer Dexcom finds lifetime use of the devices could prevent up to 70 thousand diabetes-related complications and save the country $50 thousand a day.

Diabetes New Zealand Chief Executive Heather Verry told Mike Hosking funding should be expanded to all diabetes patients.

She says Pharmac is only funding for Type 1, and at $200 a month, these devices are unaffordable for everyone else.

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European nations are eyeing New Zealand’s education overhaul as a model for their own reforms.

Education Minister Erica Stanford's implemented new curriculums, scrapped NCEA, increased learning support funding and put a sharper focus on teaching the basics this year.

Estonia’s Education Minister Kristina Kallas is here meeting Stanford, and says her country and others are considering similar changes after drops in achievement.

She told Mike Hosking New Zealand's direction is the right one.

Kallas says basic skills are needed to develop critical and analytical thinking.

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The Reserve Bank's set to slash the Official Cash rate today but the big question is whether today's cut will be the last.

The final OCR decision of the year is set down for 2pm.

Most economists expect the cash rate to be cut 25 basis points – from 2.5% to 2.25%.

Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr told Mike Hosking the main message seems to be that we’re getting pretty close to the bottom.

He says interest rates are at stimulatory levels and they’re looking to see if that will entice some investment.

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Red tape continues to tie up New Zealand's agriculture and horticultural sectors.

Animal and Plant Health NZ's annual survey finds nearly half its members feel regulatory performance has worsened, despite recommendations put forward by the Ministry for Regulation earlier this year.

Chief executive Liz Shackleton told Mike Hosking despite reassurance from regulators, the day-to-day process is not getting easier.

She says farmers and growers face a raft of challenges and don't have the right tools for the job.

She says it's a real handbrake on economic growth, and we're missing out on better environmental outcomes.

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