Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Relief in sight for Australian winemakers, as China proposes ending crippling tariffs in exchange for suspending a dispute lodged with the WTO. These tariffs were introduced in 2020, and contributed to a wine glut that created an oversupply of 2.8 billion bottles. NZ Wine Chief Executive Philip Gregan says winemakers on this side of the Tasman are relieved for their Australian counterparts. "We've...

One of Air New Zealand's higher-ups is in favour of establishing more transparency around airfares. The Airports Association is urging the Government to take action and set an independent monitoring system up. Air NZ's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Mat Bolland, says it'll be good to examine the extra costs that contribute to increased airfares. "We know customers are really feeling the pinch ri...

One pest control expert is defending sparrow extermination in the name of 'health and safety'. Daily Bread's Point Chevalier branch in Auckland has faced backlash after members of the public spotted poisoned birds outside the establishment. Smash'd Em Pest Control Manager, Jonathan Simes, says it's a necessary move to prevent the spread of germs and disease. "We need to weigh up the pros and cons...

Former New Zealand Rugby boss David Moffett is heading a second bid for a South Island NRL league team. Moffett - who is also an ex-NRL chief executive - is leading the charge for the team, dubbed the Kea, to enter as the competition's 18th team. He says he's 'excited' by the wide-reaching support for this venture. "We've had a lot of support for the logo, and also for the jersey and for the story...

Too many of New Zealand’s breast cancer sufferers are having 'unnecessary' mastectomies, according to the Breast Cancer Foundation. New research from the Foundation claims breast conserving surgery and radiation can lead to a higher overall survival rate. Breast Cancer Foundation research manager Adele Gautier says guidelines suggest 70 percent of surgeries should be breast conserving surgery. "Ri...

Yesterday, after we talked about Golriz Ghahraman's guilty plea, I got a text from someone listening which said something along the lines of- we should feel sorry for Golriz Ghahraman and the media need to back off. Now, the first part is fair to a point. I do feel sorry for Golriz, I feel sorry for her in the same way that I feel sorry for my two-year-old when he gets put in his bedroom for time-...

There's growing calls for more oversight of airfares as the cost of living bites. The Airports Association has attacked Air New Zealand’s pricing, accusing it of exploiting its 86 percent share of the domestic market to push up fares. It wants the Government to take action by setting up an independent airfare monitoring system. Airports Association CEO Billie Moore says it's being done in many oth...

Chris Hipkins says his leadership is rock-solid, despite a series of bad polls for his party. The Labour leader and his MPs were in the Wairarapa today for their annual retreat. Hipkins says today marks a new era for the party, and he's confident he'll be leading Labour for some time to come. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighs in on Labour's next moves for the future.  LISTEN ABO...

The Australian Workers Union wants industrial manslaughter laws used, after a man was killed during a mine collapse near Ballarat. A 37-year-old's body was recovered this morning after being pinned by fallen rocks, while another man is in serious condition in hospital. 28 other workers were also rescued. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Union wants to make sure an incident like this d...

A new dawn for the name of Auckland's A-League football team- and it's not the Black Knights. They'll be known as Auckland FC, with a primary colour of electric blue and a shield containing a tribute to Rangitoto and the city's skyline, as well as an ascending A for Auckland in its centre. Sportstalk's D'Arcy Waldegrave shares his thoughts on today's update. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listene...

New Zealand's second team in football's A-League will be known as Auckland FC. The team's playing kit features an electric blue colour way and a shield containing a graphic tribute to Rangitoto and the city's skyline, with an ascending ‘A’ for Auckland in its centre. Auckland FC will join the league with a men's team next season, with a women's side to follow in 2025-26. CEO Nick Becker says he wa...

Harry and Meghan's team are facing accusations of hypocrisy amid Kate Middleton's ongoing photo controversy. The Sussex's camp claimed the pair would never release a doctored official photo. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Harry and Meghan have yet to officially comment on the matter. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, David Farrar from Kiwiblog and Curia 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! Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the interest deductibility for rental properties will be good for tenants as well as landlords. Does Luxon have a point? How does this look amid police funding concerns? The Polic...

There's encouraging signs for food prices as the ongoing fight against inflation continues.  Stats NZ data for February shows overall food price inflation is at 2.1 percent, the lowest it's been since May 2021. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says rental prices are still stubbornly high- and that's a big part of the inflation bucket. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Inflation in the US is running hotter and faster than predicted, according to new data. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.2- a far cry from expectations. Milford Asset Management's Mark Riggall explains what this means for the US's economic future.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank and Treasury are designing a new deposit insurance scheme. However, Credit unions, building societies and finance companies have voiced concern that these measures could impact their bottom lines. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the risks and benefits involved in this scheme. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's promising a further loan to Mount Ruapehu skifields, giving certainty to local operators and communities. Cabinet has agreed to provide just over $10 million to ensure this year's ski season can go ahead. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is great news for skiers- but the timing isn't great for the Government amid existing financial concerns. LISTEN ABOVE  Se...

A piece in the Sydney Morning Herald has theorised Australia's rugby prowess could make a change for the better. The removal of controversial coach Eddie Jones is leaving the team room to grow and change, according to some experts. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoes has managed to withstand strong economic headwinds and deliver a strong profit. The company announced a net profit after tax of $84.2 million for the year ending 28 January 2024- a 5 percent drop. However, the total sales during that period were $792.0 million, an all-time high for the company. Group Managing Director Rod Duke says it's clear the products the company offers clearly resona...

Not even a bout of long Covid could stop canoe slalom veteran Luuka Jones from being selected for her fifth Olympic Games. The 35-year-old is off to Paris, following an Olympic cycle that's seen her battle with health issues and injuries. Jones was diagnosed with long Covid in early 2022- but she's grateful to be back in the game this year. "By the end of last year, I was in full health again. It'...

The Regional Development Minister says there isn't a 'cracker left' after the latest bailout for the Mount Ruapehu skifields. The Government has agreed to send $7 million to the Whakapapa skifield, to ensure the season can go ahead. Another $3 million will support the sale of the Tūroa skifield to Pure Tūroa Limited, while it's in concession talks. This is despite the Prime Minister previously say...

The media union is calling on TVNZ to come to the table to discuss proposed widespread cuts. The state broadcaster has announced proposed cancellations of Midday, Tonight, Fair Go and Sunday, with up to 68 jobs affected. Union E tū has raised concern on behalf its members about the changes and process. Negotiation Specialist Michael Wood says it's dangerous for the national media platform to dicta...

Golriz Ghahraman had nothing to say to media as she left the Auckland District Court today. The former Green Party MP has pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting at high end boutiques in Auckland and Wellington. A sentencing date has been set down for June 24. Herald reporter Katie Harris was in court, and says Ghahraman was very solemn- but didn't show much emotion. "There wasn't any tears g...

Donald Trump and Joe Biden will face off yet again in this year's race for the White House. Former US President Trump has secured the Republican nomination in the primaries, for a third election in a row. Incumbent President Biden will represent the Democrats. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this outcome was highly predicted. "Joe Biden, earlier in the day, got the nomination after wins in Ge...

A belief pharmacists being able to vaccinate children won't do much to vaccine rates. Health NZ and Pharmac will offer funded training to pharmacists who want to become authorised vaccinators. It'll allow them to administer vaccines to children from six-weeks-old at community pharmacies. GenPro Chair Angus Chambers says people will miss out on vital information that comes with a jab. "It may well...