Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

I think we all know how this police pay negotiation is going to play out, don't we? It's pretty obvious.  We don’t know how long it’s gonna take, but we know how it’s going to end. The Government will, in the end, have to offer the police a decent pay increase. And the reason they will do that is because anything short of that is just stupid. Politically stupid and realistically stupid. I never re...

Kensington Palace says it won't be re-issuing the unedited photo of Kate Middleton and her three kids after a photo-shop drama. The image was the first official image of Kate since her surgery early this year- the Princess has since apologised for any confusion, saying she does occasionally experiment with editing. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this incident puts more pressure on Kate after the...

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!  Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is being forced to retire because the Ombudsmen Act 1975 requires an Ombudsman to resign by 72. Is this fair? Should we evaluate this 49-year-old law? Do we believe that Princess Kate was just 'experimenting...

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s mid-season update offers a grim warning for sheep and beef farmers. The report claims farm profits could drop 54 percent to $62,600 on average this financial year, off the back of significant losses. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Climate Change Commission has recommended reducing the number of carbon credits ahead of future auctions. After a full year of failed auctions, the Commission believes halving the number of credits to reduce oversupply is the right decision.  BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says fewer units will drive up the carbon price. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier's enforced retirement has sparked discussion about reforming an old law. The Ombudsmen Act 1975 states an Ombudsman must resign once they turn 72- and Boshier's resigned ahead of his birthday. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Boshier's still making excellent decisions- and should be granted exception. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

A new Aged Care Taskforce Report has proposed some changes for Australia's aging population. The taskforce acknowledged more money was needed to fund care for Australia's elderly- and suggested participant co-contributions be increased. The report ruled out meeting the rising costs with extra taxes, citing 'intergenerational equity issues'. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the region's ag...

Black Caps batter Daryl Mitchell has come under fire for his recent post-match comments. New Zealand is recovering after their 2-nil defeat by Australia at Hagley Oval Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Demand from aspiring business owners has shot up to record levels, according to new data. Enquiries are up 50 percent from last year, many coming from 'corporate refugees' and former Government consultants. ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small says many of these laid-off workers have gotten used to a certain lifestyle. "They need to replicate those incomes and the way the job market is...

Air New Zealand is suspending Auckland to Chicago services due to ongoing issues with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines used in Boeing 787 aircraft. They'll suspended from the end of this month, until late October. Customers can rebook on another flight, or get a refund or credit. The airline's chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty, says the company will wo...

The Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade is expected to return a $2500 donation gifted by the local Head Hunters chapter. The infamous motorcycle gang's Wellsford chapter raised the money through their ' Outlaw Run' fundraising ride. Charities law expert Sue Barker says there's laws around accepting donations from criminal organisations- if the money was raised through illegal actions.  "The question...

Questions over whether the law forcing the retirement of Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is fit-for-purpose in the 21st century. The near 50-year-old Ombudsmen Act states an ombudsman must resign once they turn 72. It's meant Boshier's resigned ahead of his birthday on Saturday. Electoral law expert and barrister Graeme Edgeler says this law doesn't make sense, as the Ombudsman appointment only last...

Police Minister Mark Mitchell is determined to work out a solution to police pay concerns. Police staff have widely rejected the Government's latest proposed pay offer, and many are considering industrial action. Mitchell says they're currently in good faith negotiations with the Police Association. "The reality of it is, we are in a very tough financial situation. But I just want to assure everyo...

A former pilot says the Latam plane plunging mid-air reminds him of a Qantas flight more than a decade ago. A number of people were thrown into the roof and 50 were treated for injuries. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission's seizing the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, with Chilean authorities taking the lead in the investigation. Massey University School of Aviation CEO Ashok...

The Police Association has slammed the Government's latest 'insulting' pay offer. Police staff have dubbed the four percent pay increase 'demoralising' and are calling for the Government to come to the table. Association president Chris Cahill says this increase is lower than the public service pay adjustment offer they received last year.  "It doesn't recognise the high cost of inflation that mem...

I'll tell you what, what happened with that Latam flight yesterday is probably my worst nightmare. Weirdly, this has gotten worse since I've had a child, I think that maybe you're more worried about your own mortality- but every time since I've gotten on a flight, at some point between getting on the flight and the flight starting to take off, before it's fully airborne, I start to think about how...

I'll tell you what, what happened with that Latam flight yesterday is probably my worst nightmare. Weirdly, this has gotten worse since I've had a child, I think that maybe you're more worried about your own mortality- but every time since I've gotten on a flight, at some point between getting on the flight and the flight starting to take off, before it's fully airborne, I start to think about how...

India has established a Free Trade Agreement with four European nations. The nation will lift most tariffs for Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the UK could benefit from a similar arrangement as the nation prepares for a post-Brexit future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and broadcaster Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Kensington Palace posted a photo of Princess Kate and her family to celebrate Mother's Day in the UK- and several media outlets have since pulled the image amid concerns about possible photo manipulation. What do we think of this? What's...

Freedom Furniture has posted a $9 million dollar loss, and is relying on Australian owner Greenlit Brands to support them financially. The furniture and homeware retailer has 12 stores in New Zealand, including five in Auckland. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says the 'recessionary environment', increased interest rates and transport delays created by the Red Sea terror attacks have imp...

The Government is set to re-introduce interest deductibility for landlords this April. They'll also be able to claim 80 percent of interest expenses from next month, and 100 percent from April 2025. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says time will tell as to whether these proposed changes will benefit renters as well. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Records have been smashed as Australians swelter through a weekend autumn heatwave. Maximum temperatures in the heatwave-affected areas have been 10C to 16C above the March average. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the increased temperatures come with a higher risk of dangerous bushfires. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, some proposed new legislation is putting TikTok back in the spotlight. The new bill would force the app's partner company ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months or be banned from US app stores amid spyware concerns. Tech commentator Paul Spain says lots of companies would love to have the power and influence that comes with owning the platform. "Meta probably wouldn't be allowe...

The Finance Minister says the Government's thinking about what to do about problems in the media sector. In the past few weeks there's been proposals made about Newshub's closure and cuts at TVNZ. Nicola Willis says no decisions have been made about what will be done. She says it's hardly a unique problem. "It's not just New Zealand who's going through these big problems, this is a global phenomen...

Australia walked away with a series-winning victory over New Zealand at Christchurch's Hagley Oval. The Aussies chased 279 to win before tea on the fourth day to take the series 2-nil. Cricket commentator Andrew Alderson says the Black Caps 'choked' under the pressure of the series, to the benefit of Australia. "The Australians are so confident and so used to being able to deal with level of press...