Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Government says it's trying to strike the right balance between helping smokers quit and stopping youth vaping. Single-use vapes will be banned by the end of the year, and fines for selling vapes to under-18s will rise massively. The Associate Health Minister has been asked whether the Coalition will enforce minimum prices to put people off buying vapes. Casey Costello says she's not a fan of...

According to new reports, a record-shattering number of wealthy Americans are looking to make the move overseas. The political turmoil and social instability are inspiring investors, entrepreneurs and similar rich-listers to relocate.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Portugal, Malta, Spain, Greece and Italy are among the most popular locations people want to immigrate to. LISTEN ABOVE See omn...

World Rugby is considering a global trial of a 20-minute red card as part of plans to broaden the sport's appeal. The proposal, where the player sent off is eventually replaced by a substitute, will potentially go before the governing body's council at Dublin in May. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington Muslim leader says he wants community consultation during the ongoing debate on whether mosques can play the call to prayer over loud speakers. The City Council is investigating a proposal to change noise control rules, to let mosques play calls at prayer times. Some Councillors are citing noise concerns. Leader Tariq Saeed says they'd be played quietly, to not disrupt neighbours. "We...

I'm completely puzzled about something, I'm really stumped by this. And that is- why two Governments in a row now are pussy-footing around the vaping problem instead of just going hard and properly putting them out of the reach of kids. The associate Health Minister, Casey Costello, has today announced a so-called crackdown on vaping, which includes banning disposal vapes. Yes, that does sound fam...

Barack Obama has recently arrived in the UK, on a visit to 10 Downing Street. The former US President reportedly paid a 'courtesy visit' to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for an hour-long private discussion.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says this high-profile meeting gave Rishi Sunak an extra boost- but it's unclear what this means for Sunak's chances. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Toby Manhire from the Spinoff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Winston Peters has defended his use of Chumbawamba's hit 'Tubthumping', saying there's nothing wrong with using the song- despite what the band says. Who's in the right here? Does Peters has bigger things to worry about? Will...

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held interest rates steady at 4.35 percent. Australia's OCR has stayed in place since November 2023 off the back of 13 rate hikes- but governor Michele Bullock says the fight isn't over. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham explains further- and predicts when Aussie homeowners can expect cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lower tomato prices might be great news for consumers- less so for the country's growers. Farmers still can't export their product over to Australia, due to a pepino mosaic virus, or PepMV, outbreak impacting business  The Country's Jamie Mackay says the cost of production outweighs sale prices- and Kiwi farmers have been hit hard. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property developers Du Val Group have found themselves in another patch of controversy. The company has reportedly taken hundreds of millions from investors- and have since tried to convince investors to turn their loans into shares.  BusinessDesk's Pattrick Smellie recaps the whole saga here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick came out swinging during her first Question Time in the role, She asked Prime Minister Luxon to commit to resigning if his moves to regulate unruly Kāinga Ora tenants lead to more children becoming homeless. This request inspired laughter from other politicians in the House. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Chloe was determined to make an imp...

Over in Australia, rideshare giant Uber has been forced to pay over $270 million to compensate taxi drivers and operators. Taxi companies across the nation took legal action after they claimed they lost years worth of income when Uber moved into the country. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this is the fifth largest settlement in Australian history. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/l...

The White Ferns have dropped the opening cricket T20 against England, losing by 27 runs in Dunedin. The visitors were sent in to bat first, reaching 160 for 4, thanks to a captain's knock of 63 by Heather Knight. In reply, New Zealand fell short in their chase at 133 for 5, despite skipper Suzie Bates' 65. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recaps the loss. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listene...

Uber drivers have continued their employment fight, now at the Court of Appeal. Two years ago, the court ruled four Wellington Uber drivers should be considered employees, not contractors, giving them more entitlements. Now, Uber's appealing the decision, and drivers and unions rallied outside the court today. First Union strategic project coordinator Anita Rosentreter says the protesting drivers...

Debate in Wellington over the Council's proposal to allow broadcasting of religious calls over mosque loud-speakers. Local Mosques reportedly asked the council to change noise control regulations, so they can play calls to prayer over outdoor speakers, as is done in Muslim countries. Some have taken issue with the proposal. Councillor Nicola Young says such issues aren't what they need to think ab...

Complaints from Wellington bus drivers who've been resorting to tampering with excessively loud on-board speakers. One city bus company is threatening to turn security cameras onto drivers to stop them reducing the volume. Tramways Union National President Gary Froggatt says the noisy announcements keep giving drivers a fright. "The driver is concentrating at the front of the bus and the traffic....

If you needed proof that the Government is doing the right thing by cracking down on unruly state house tenants-  here it is. Even Chris Hipkins is endorsing it now. He's admitted today his Government should've done more to crack down on state house tenants terrorising their neighbourhoods. And he’s said- “I have some sympathy for some of the changes that they’re making, there should be further co...

Health officials are warning a shortage of anti-psychotic drug - olanzapine - could cause relapses for people with schizophrenia symptoms. Supply of the injected medication is already low, and a shipment didn't arrive last month. Royal College of Psychiatrists New Zealand chair, Hiran Thabrew, says it's critical for people to get their regular medication, or a substitute. "What might happen is tha...

The Transport Minister says changes to road user charges for plug-in hybrids are about finding a balance. Owners will pay $38 per 1000 kilometres- down from a proposed 53. The amendment put forward by Labour was accidentally agreed to by governing MPs in a mix-up during the select committee stage. Minister Simeon Brown says this change recognises that hybrids can run on a battery, or on petrol. "T...

Winston Peters says there is nothing wrong with him using a song by a UK punk band during his State of the Nation speech. The Spinoff reports Chumbawamba has requested their record label issue a cease and desist order to the New Zealand First leader for playing 'Tubthumping'. The band says it's odd the refrain 'I get knocked down, but I get up again' is being used by Peters as he barks his bigoted...

After all the speculation and scandal, the Princess of Wales has reportedly been spotted out and about again. Reports claim Kate Middleton was seen visiting an upscale farm shop by her family home in Windsor. UK correspondent says speculation indicates Kate could return to her royal duties as soon as Easter. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government is taking a harder line on Kāinga Ora renters- and urging the organisation to kick out unruly tenants. Is this the right course of action? Will this curb bad behaviour? It's been revealed the Defence Force was ill-pre...

Winston Peters has welcomed his Chinese counterpart to the Beehive, in a meeting building on many previous talks. The meeting comes as the Chinese Government's expressed concerns over New Zealand signalling interest in joining the AUKUS intelligence sharing pact. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says the AUKUS issue will be brought up, as China has their concerns about New Zealand getting...

The Housing Minister says the purpose of a crackdown on social housing tenants is to send a message. The Government's taking a harder line on Kainga Ora renters, with the Prime Minister ordering the provider to axe its Sustaining Tenancies Framework. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains the likelihood of these restrictions curbing bad behaviour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/li...

Residents in Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland are bracing themselves for a tropical cyclone. Cyclone Megan is now rated a category three storm, and is expected to touch down between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says experts are predicting half a year's worth of rain will batter the affected areas. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...