Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has stepped down from the position and as the leader of the governing Fine Gael party. He’ll be replaced as prime minister in April after a party leadership contest- meaning he could be replaced by a new Fine Gael leader. Varadkar explained earlier today that he'd chosen to stand down for personal and political reasons. UK correspondent Enda Brady says people who...

Tonight on The Huddle, Newstalk ZB host Tim Beveridge and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! New research from HelloFresh shows half of Kiwis are throwing away food after the best before date, despite the use by date being a better indicator. They think New Zealand needs a better system to reduce food waste-...

The US economy is stunning experts as it goes from strength to strength. The US Federal Reserve is predicting GDP will grow by 2.1 percent in 2024- an upgrade from December's forecasted 1.4 percent. Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager Sam Dickie explains why America continues to flourish economically. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey for 2024 shows farmer confidence has risen from a record slump- but remains low overall. This latest survey found farmer confidence in the agri-economy was up to a net reading of -16 per cent from -47 per cent. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains why the mood in New Zealand's rural community has lifted, citing a change in leadership and overseas markets....

One economic expert believes there are 'bright pockets' to be found in today's newly-released GDP figures. Data from Stats NZ shows the economy contracted 0.1 percentage points in the final quarter of 2023- putting New Zealand in a technical recession. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann says this means the economy is turning faster than expected, which will hopefully mean rates could come down. L...

Today's GDP data has confirmed New Zealand has entered a technical recession. A new report from Stat NZ shows the economy contracted 0.1 percentage points in the final quarter of last year, following a 0.3 point drop in the September quarter. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's no doubt the books are in a poor state, and the current Government inherited it from their Labour...

The boss of Fonterra is playing down concerns about the Chinese market. Fonterra's half year profit is up 23 percent, and its interim dividend is up 50 percent, as it sells more processed product at a higher profit margin. But it's keeping the forecast milk payout midpoint unchanged at $7.80, following a recent drop in global raw product prices. Fonterra Chief Executive Miles Hurrell says China is...

Meal kit delivery service HelloFresh are calling for a new food labelling system, in order to minimise waste. New research has found over half of Kiwis throw away food after it passes the best-before date- despite these dates not reflecting the use by terms. HelloFresh Australasia CEO Tom Rutledge says a time-temperature indicator (TTI) will give people a better idea of when food is safe to eat. "...

Mental health experts and addition specialists will begin working in emergency departments as part of a trial, as confirmed by the Government. They'll start out in four large hospitals in July and the scheme will be rolled out across the country, if proven successful. The Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, says it's clear that the Peer Support workforce needs to be scaled up. "What we want t...

Banking customers are losing out, according to a draft report that finds a lack of competition. The Commerce Commission's found ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac also have sustained high profits compared with global peers. The report says Kiwibank also lacks the capital to disrupt the big four in a meaningful way. Commerce Commission chair John Small says these banks aren't interested in competing with ea...

Tough economic choices are on the horizon for the Government. GDP slipped 0.1 percent in 2023's last quarter, the second of negative growth in a row. Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says the previous Government left plenty of fiscal cliffs. He says it's unfortunate there isn't more money to go around. "I don't think there's a single person around the Cabinet Table who doesn't want to pay...

Australia's unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in February, down from 4.1 percent. This decrease comes off the back of an ongoing economic slowdown, as Australia aims to tamp down inflation. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's likely employers are feeling more confident, amid the promises of rate cuts later this year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

Sam Whitelock's final act in an All Blacks jersey may not be last year's World Cup final. The New Zealand Herald reports the 153-test lock has been approached by coach Scott Robertson to return from France This is despite his former franchise, the Crusaders, says as far as they know he's on a two year deal at Pau. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

One anti-youth vaping group thinks the Government's plan to crack down on youth vaping will miss the mark. The Government has promised a complete ban on disposable vapes and tougher fines for retailers caught selling to under-18s. Vape Free Kids co-founder Charyl Robinson says the only way to really tackle this problem is to reduce the number of available retailers. "There's been no indication tha...

I don't think many of us are surprised to hear that we’re back in a technical recession for the second time in a year, it's pretty rough out there. Personally, I know people involved in retail. They're behind on rent, they can’t pay it because they aren’t making enough money any more. I know an architecture business that hasn't had any business for months now, I've heard of contractors like drafts...

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has reportedly been targeted by a security breach of medical records. The London Clinic has launched an investigation into hospital staff allegedly attempting to view Kate's medical data from her stay in January. UK correspondent Kay Oliver recaps the ongoing saga. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! New research has linked intermittent fasting to an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Should we be concerned? Have we tried this diet? Is anyone actually convinced by the Government's proposed crackdown on youth vaping? T...

Another social media giant is gearing up to hit the stock market. Forum-based social network Reddit plans to make an initial public offering, making it the first social media company to go public in years. Stake executive director Matt Leibowitz says it'll be interesting to see what a company with Reddit's reputation can attract. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many local retailers, including Kathmandu and The Warehouse, have reported less-than-stellar earnings this week.  KMD Brands has posted a $10 million loss, and The Warehouse Group today announced a $23.7 million net loss. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey says it's clear economic conditions and interest rates are having an impact on consumer spending. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listen...

Everybody's looking forward to extra tax cuts- but some people will have to take a hit to pay for them. The Government has confirmed new changes to the income tax system are coming from April 1, and commercial and industrial building owners are uniquely affected for the worse. NZ Herald Wellington business editor explains why they won't be able to deduct depreciation as an expense under these rule...

A former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister has delivered his final speech in the House. Grant Robertson resigned from politics last month, after a long career impacted by a a shifting economy, disasters and a global pandemic. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Robertson will be remembered for his humour over his years in Parliament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The Warehouse Group has revealed it plans to sell or close its online shopping website TheMarket.com by the end of the financial year. It comes just weeks after the company sold off its outdoor chain Torpedo7 for just a dollar. Today's announcement also comes as The Warehouse Group announces a $23.7 million net loss in the six months to January 28, amid grim retail conditions. Chief Product Office...

A recent study shows intermittent fasting is linked to a high risk of cardiovascular death. The American study analysed 20,000 adults and found 91 percent were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Auckland University head of nutrition and dietetics, Clare Wall, says it's hard to tell how accurate the study is. "But what we don't know is actually how long these people have been on these...

World Rugby is set to introduce some new rules and changes in the hope of increasing the speed and overall entertainment of the game. Some of these measures - 20 minute timeouts for red cards and reduced TMO decisions - have been implemented in Super Rugby. NZ Rugby's high performance referee manager Chris Pollock says there's been an increased appetite for rugby following last year's World Cup. "...

A supermarket action group is questioning the Commerce Commission's decision making. The Commission's decided not to investigate Sanitarium's move to pause the Warehouse's Weet-Bix supply, finding no evidence of anti-competitiveness. Sanitarium paused supply after the Warehouse began selling the cereal more cheaply than major supermarkets. Grocery Action Group's Ernie Newman says the Warehouse has...