Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Business leaders across New Zealand have voiced concerns that Donald Trump's tariffs could have a more severe global impact than the Covid-19 pandemic and the Global Financial Crisis.  The months since Trump’s 'Liberation Day' announcement have seen sustained market volatility, tit-for-tat trade wars and fears of a resurgence in inflation. New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hart...

There's belief state-owned enterprises need to go back to basics in order to up their game. New Treasury documents show the Government's told New Zealand Post and Landcorp it's not impressed with their recent performance. Simeon Brown - the Minister responsible for State-Owned Enterprises - has told them to deliver bold turnaround plans. Northland MP Grant McCallum says Lancorp's lost its purpose....

Finance Minister Nicola Willis may get her wish to see the latest move in the Avatar franchise premiere in the capital at the end of the year. That's due to a decade-old agreement between the producers of the Avatar franchise and the Government. It states at least one of the films produced here must hold a local premiere - if the studio wants to receive its rebate payment - worth about $60 million...

We've had a case of conflicting polls over the last twenty-four hours, with two completely different Governments predicted. But if there's one thing you can take from these polls, which they both agree on, it's that the pay equity revamp hasn’t turned into the circuit breaker that the left clearly thought it was going to be. The polls are almost identical in the proportion of people who oppose the...

A closed court has seen graphic video of a 2021 terrorist attack in Auckland at New Lynn Countdown.  A coronal inquest began today into the stabbing of six people at the supermarket. Officers monitored Sri Lankan Islamic State supporter, Ahamed Samsudeen - then shot him dead. Newstalk ZB's Jordan Dunn has been at the inquest. He says police revealed why they didn't originally follow the 35-ye...

Foodstuffs is hoping to bring retail crime down after a successful trial of live facial recognition technology. The Privacy Commissioner has deemed Foodstuffs North Island's trial compliant with the Privacy Act, and effective in reducing harm.  But his report states there's more work to do. General Counsel for Foodstuffs North Island, Julian Benefield, says retail crime has put staff at risk...

Two starkly different outcomes from the latest poll numbers. The latest RNZ Reid Research poll - out this morning - has the right bloc on 46.4, behind the left bloc on 50.3. But the latest 1 News Verian poll - released last night - has the right bloc on 50-percent, well ahead of the left bloc on 45. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the implications of what these results showed....

Elon Musk has come out swinging against US President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax and spending bill.  In a post on X this morning, the Tesla CEO called the bill an 'outrageous, pork-filled, disgusting abomination'.  Musk added those who voted for it knew it was wrong - and should be ashamed.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson weighs in on these events - and wonders if this is a...

No hard feelings from Gary Stead with New Zealand Cricket rejecting his proposal to job-share the Black Caps coaching role. His seven-year tenure will conclude at the end of this month - with NZC deciding to stick with an all-format mentor. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further, LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's helping protect a tourism crown jewel - with a cash injection for Milford Sound. It's putting more more than $15 million into a new alpine walk, clearing landfills and upgrading amenities and flood protection - much coming from the visitor levy. Cruise ships will be permitted back into inner parts of the Sound.  Southland Mayor Rob Scott says it's essential the ships don't ta...

Portugal police have announced a fresh search for Madeleine McCann. The British three-year-old disappeared 18 years ago from a resort in Praia da Luz - one of the most high-profile missing person cases in history. The search centres around the resort - and chief suspect Christian Brueckner's former home. UK correspondent Elizabeth Callaghan says this search is designed to gather more evidence abou...

New data shows more Kiwi farmers are satisfied with their banks - pointing to improved communication and less 'undue pressure'. Federated Farmers’ latest Banking Survey shows 60 percent of respondents are 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their bank. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Rob Campbell and Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Will we read Jacinda's new book? What are we expecting? Are we annoyed there's no apology over the Covid response? The new WorkSafe changes kicked in - are we glad the Government is dialling back on the health and safety enforcement or do we think this is a step to...

Looks like nothing's changed in camp Jacinda, has it? You will get no admission that she and her Government got anything wrong during Covid, from what I can gather. Now, this is my disclaimer - I haven't actually read the entire memoir just yet. But from what I've skim read and from what I've read and heard in the reviews, and what I've read and heard with her interviews promoting the book, i...

Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon and former Finance Minister, Steven Joyce, have won positions on integrated media company NZME's board.  Board positions were voted on today in a shareholder meeting - where current chair Barbara Chapman stepped down. Joyce is set to chair, and he says he's got an eye on the company's future. "It's about not necessarily slavishly following social media - it's s...

The Finance Minister says the latest poll will be a tough read for the Labour Party and Chris Hipkins. Labour saw a three percent drop in support to sit on 29, Chris Hipkins' preferred Prime Minister rating also fell by 1 percent.  National also saw a drop in support, down 2 percent to sit on 34.  Nicola Willis says even after complaining about their budget - Labour didn't see a jump in...

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has released her highly-anticipated memoir today, with some reviewers disappointed. A Different Kind of Power covers her tenure as Prime Minister, her Mormon upbringing, and navigating crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and Christchurch mosque attacks. Political commentator Grant Duncan says the book lacks political revelations.  "There's just no really jui...

The Conservation Minister says any decision around the closed Tongariro Chateau won't be taken lightly.  Budget 2025 labelled the heritage-listed site in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu a 'fiscal risk'. All options are on the table, including demolition.  Tama Potaka says it's an iconic building and very important to the area.  He says a decision on its future will be made in due course...

The downturn in construction continues. The Post is reporting almost a third of all business liquidations are construction companies - up from a quarter in 2022. Building Industry Federation chief executive Julian Leys says it's been a tough few months. But he says things are levelling out. "We still have a good number of building consents - sitting around at 33-34,000. We still are seeing active...

Safety experts are sceptical about a new Government directive for WorkSafe.  The health and safety regulator has been instructed to shift focus from enforcement, to offering advice.  Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden says it is currently feared for its punitive actions - and not appreciated for guidelines.  But the Institute of Safety Management's Jeff Sissons says that...

Triple murder accused and mushroom cook Erin Patterson continued to give her evidence in an Australian court today.  Three family members of Patterson's estranged husband died after eating the lunch she prepared at her Victoria home in 2023. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Patterson opened up about her issues during today's trial - and she explained that she hoped to get closer to h...

New Zealand's roadcone hotline is being launched today, as the Government announces a suite of cultural changes for WorkSafe.  It's being instructed to move away from enforcement, and engage in earlier risk management. WorkSafe says it's well placed to deliver on these expectations. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan says these changes have been met with a mixed response. LISTEN ABOVE...

Max Verstappen has issued a veiled apology for his crash with George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix. The four-time world champion was hit with a 10-second penalty by stewards for causing a collision with two laps remaining. Verstappen has now admitted his move 'was not right and should have not happened'. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

Some Whakatane residents could end up having their council bins confiscated for three months.   The District Council is bringing in a three-strike rule for people repeatedly putting the wrong items in recycling and green waste bins.   The Council's solid waste manager, Nigel Clarke, says he doesn't get why people keep doing it. "We tried to provide the education to help people recycle co...

A 53-year-old Royal Marine will appear in court following the Liverpool Football Club parade crash.  Paul Doyle from Liverpool has been charged with seven offences relating to the crash in the city on Monday.  He's a father of three and a local business man.  Seventy-nine people were injured in the event.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the...