New Zealand has started to get involved in the Iran war at a diplomatic level, meeting with 40 other nations to try to get the Strait of Hormuz opened, while Winston Peters has been in the US talking with officials. The latest polls are still a depressing read for Chris Luxon, with National still mired below 30% support. The March Roy Morgan sample shows support for National dropped 4.5% to 26.5% – its lowest level of support since being elected in 2023, and potentially a 16 seat loss in the House. The latest Taxpayers Union Curia poll also has National below 30%, but up 1.4 points compared with last month to 29.8%. NZ First jumps 3.9 points to 13.6%, its highest ever level of support in this poll and 11% in the Roy Morgan.More than a year of tension between the Governments of this country and the Cook Islands, which began with the Cooks entering into an agreement with China without telling the New Zealand Government, appears to have been resolved with the signing of a Defence & Security Declaration between the two countries. ASB economists have warned the current Middle East crisis is set to add $55 a week to household living costs this year, in what is certain to be a big obstacle to this Government’s re-election plans. And we tap into the Reserve Bank’s presentation on the OCR decision as Governor Anna Breman outlines what seems a very optimistic view of the inflation track.