Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The countdown is on, as international pop superstar Pink has touched down ahead of her Dunedin concert. Pink is expected to perform at Forsyth Barr Stadium at 7:30 for 32,000 people - one of the largest concerts in the city's history. Dunedin mayor Jules Radich says historically Dunedin's had great concerts since the stadium opened. "We do actively promote the stadium and attract them here, so tha...

A former Defence Minister says the price tag for a couple of new Air Force planes would be at least a couple hundred-million-dollars. The Prime Minister's Air Force Boeing 757 was meant to fly out this morning, but a technical fault with the nose landing gear meant the aircraft's been grounded all day. Chris Luxon was forced to fly commercial to Melbourne for ASEAN talks. Wayne Mapp says the plane...

Commercial flights for the Prime Minister might be more favourable with the taxpayer. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the only reason Prime Ministers like taking these planes is to have the media in tow. "Having travelled on hundreds of trips with the Prime Ministers, it's not that often that you get a real breaking yarn on these trips." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

Australian women's football captain Sam Kerr is to face trial in England after being accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. The Chelsea striker was deemed to have used insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to an officer during an incident in Twickenham at the end of January. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Kerr is expected to he...

Disappointment in the rugby community as Sky axes two rural-focused rugby shows. Grassroots Rugby and Mainfreight Rugby, which previously enjoyed historically long runs on TV, have recently been dropped. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what this means for the future of provincial rugby. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hurricanes' women's side have gotten themselves in hot water after last weekend's controversial anti-Government haka. The Hurricanes Poua began their season by opening their match against the Chiefs Manawa with an altered haka calling out 'this redneck Government'. CEO Avan Lee says investigations are under way to find out who signed this action off. "I don't think it's our place to make comme...

Swiss voters have given themselves extra month's pension each year in a new nationwide referendum. In a new poll, 60 percent of voters voted in favour of increased pensions- and 75 percent of voters also rejected raising the pension age from 65 to 66. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest in the world, and this will be an extra increase for taxpaye...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government has unveiled their new plan for transport infrastructure, including 'roads of national significance' and a fund for pothole prevention. What do we think? Will improved roads be worth the inevitable extra cost hikes? A new...

Chris Luxon is set to meet with more key trading partners this week. The Prime Minister will fly to Melbourne tomorrow for a special summit, to mark Australia's 50-year relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains this will be a crucial summit for Luxon- as he missed the chance to meet some of these leaders during APEC. LISTEN ABO...

The Government's promised newer roads, fewer potholes and more maintenance in their new transport spending roadmap. Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released details on the investment, which includes 15 new 'roads of national significance' and a pothole prevention fund. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the increased motor vehicle licensing fees will be the beginning of several...

While New Zealand's media industry struggles to survive, their Australian counterparts are battling setbacks from social media giants. Facebook's parent company, Meta, recently confirmed it wouldn't renew commercial deals with news publisher Network 10. Australian Financial Review media reporter says it's likely Meta never believed they were going to see much profit out of this deal. "There was a...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis warns the Government could likely miss the proposed 2027 surplus forecast. The Government included this deadline as a key goal in their pre-election fiscal plan. Willis blames worsening economic conditions and the resulting lower tax income. "I want to be upfront with New Zealanders about the fact that the numbers are looking a lot harder now than they did before Chr...

The hopes for New Zealand's Olympic performance have gotten stronger after a record-breaking medal count at the World Indoor Championships. After silvers were given to shot-putter Tom Walsh and pole vaulter Eliza McCartney over the weekend, the Kiwi contingent has landed two golds on the final day. Hamish Kerr equalled the Oceania record of 2.36 metres to win the high jump and Geordie Beamish stun...

A designated retail crime unit is making a difference in Tauranga's CBD. More than 1200 charges have been laid against 215 offenders in just six months. Tauranga Pharmacy Co-owner Kelly Mitchinson says when people call the police, something actually happens now. She says police didn't care as much in the past unless violence was involved. "They'd come in here, super entitled- they'd come in with a...

There's a prediction big drops in mortgage rates are on the cards. Both ANZ and ASB have lowered some of their mortgages rates, following the Reserve Bank's decision to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5 percent. KiwiBank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr says if the central bank starts cutting in November, it could be just the start. "They'll be cutting throughout 2025, so we'll see mortgage...

The Transport Minister says a balance must be struck between building much needed infrastructure and paying for it. The Government has released its $21 billion spending roadmap, which includes new major roads and a pothole prevention fund. Vehicle registration fees will increase by $25 dollars next January, then again in three years, to help cover costs. Minister Simeon Brown says it's a gradual p...

Over in Australia, a Senate inquiry has been launched into the risks posed by Red Imported Fire Ants. Allergy bodies have warned the fire ants could cause a widespread flare-up in allergic reactions if they become endemic. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says these ants are widespread throughout Australian parks, and eradicating them would be a challenge.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

New Zealand is celebrating a record medal haul at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Scotland, snaring two silvers and two golds to beat the previous record tally set in 2016. 1500 metre runner Geordie Beamish and high jumper Hamish Kerr snared gold on the final day. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big changes need to be made to Premier House, according to one member of the building's board. Former National MP Annabel Young says the recent report into the state of the house shows it's in a sorry state. It comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon revealed the building needs serious work. Young says earthquake strengthening needs to be done, as well as the restructure of some rooms. "It's...

The DoC is to repair Cathedral Cove's walking track. This is welcome news to the businesses that rely quite heavily on the tourism that that attracts. Conservation Minister Tama Paka told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that she is 'absolutely focused on making sure we can get the track down there back on track.'   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now the Royals have issued a new statement on Kate Middleton's health. Kensington Palace put out a statement saying it had announced in January she would be out of action until Easter. No significant updates would be given until then Royal Correspondent Victoria Arbiter told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that "The Palace has been forced to issue this statement, but they are simply responding to what ha...

The government is giving the police more powers to take gangs guns off gangs. Firearm protection orders already allow the courts to stop the high risk offenders from being around guns at all. But now that's going to be extended to any member or associate of a gang with a significant conviction. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that they're "enabling New Zealand...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will no longer claim a $52,000 accommodation allowance for living in the Wellington apartment he owns - and will re-pay $13,000. His U-turn came mere hours after he told media in Queenstown that he was entitled to claim the money. Earlier today it was revealed he was claiming an 11 per cent top up to his own $471,000 salary in the form of a $52,000 optional accommo...

The six defendants in the White Island case have been ordered to pay a collective $10.21 million in reparations and almost $2.5 million in fines. The biggest penalties were for Whakaari Management Limited, which runs the island itself. White Island Tours, were operating the boat tours to the island, including the tour group present on the island when it erupted. Richard Raymond KC is the lawyer re...

Prince Harry has lost a High Court challenge over his royal security arrangements. The Duke of Sussex took legal action against the British Government over a decision to lower his personal level of security, after stepping back from Royal duties. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Harry is now expected to hand over at least $2 million in legal fees. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...