Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Inflation and the rising cost of living are contributing to worsening child poverty. Stats NZ data shows more than 140,000 children were living in material hardship for the year to June 2023. Save the Children Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey says the cost of living is significantly challenging families on the lowest incomes. She says measures - like free school lunches and period products - need...

If National is looking for an excuse to get out of paying for Labour’s dumb free year of university, they may have just got it. The Tertiary Education Commission has admitted that the first year free of tertiary study has led to no discernible evidence that it increased the number of students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Which basically means it hasn’t worked, because that was the point of...

Prince William has called for an end to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. In a statement, he spoke of the 'terrible human cost' of the conflict in the Middle East. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says these comments will spark discussion on whether the royals can comment on crises of this scale. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on the Huddle, Ben Thomas from Capital PR 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! Green Party MP Efeso Collins unexpectedly died this morning at a charity event, surprising the nation. How will he be remembered, both politically and personally? Labour's Ginny Andersen and Police Minister Mark Mitchell...

More operations could be done by robotic surgeons in the not-so-distant future. California-based company Intuitive Surgical has been leading the charge in robot-assisted surgery, beginning in the late 2000s. Milford Asset Management explains the surge in popularity- and shares - surrounding this technology. LISTEN ABOVE     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shock across the country, as Green MP Efeso Collins unexpectedly died days after delivering his maiden speech in Parliament. Collins collapsed at an Auckland charity event and was pronounced dead. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it shows a great deal of respect for Parliament to adjourn until Tuesday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is warning some proposed transport projects could cost more than the Government bargained for. NZTA has estimated the roads and public transport schemes National campaigned on could leave a fiscal hole of $24 billion. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says the transport agency recognises several factors will drive up the cost of these projects....

Russia will soon face a new wave of sanctions from the US after the death of Opposition politician Alexei Navalny. The security council announced today its decision to take a stronger stand to deter any further aggressive action. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says these sanctions could target various revenue sources, potentially including grain and fuel supplies. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

Stacey Jones is the new Kiwis head coach, beating Wayne Bennett to the job. The Warriors halfback replaces Michael Maguire, who stood down to take on opportunities in New South Wales. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Media giant NZME has reported a drop in net after-tax profit of $12.2 million dollars. The company behind the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB has blamed declining business confidence, inflation, and increased interest rates on their reduced earnings. CEO Michael Boggs says they're hoping for a better financial year in 2024. "We're seeing really good green shoots so far in January and February,...

Auckland Airport is disputing Air New Zealand's concerns the redevelopment will push fares up. Air New Zealand has requested Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly look into concerns about the Airport spending up to $8 million on redevelopment. The airline says the airport's regulated charges are expected to add $46 to a ticket price by 2032, a five-fold increase. Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihunganui...

This week, ASB launched the first steps of a multi-layered campaign designed to protect consumers from scammers. The bank hopes to raise awareness around the issue to prevent their customers from being targeted by fraudulent schemes. ASB CEO Vittoria Shortt says they aim to highlight the most popular scams consumers have to be vigilant for. "Most scams don't start with the bank, they start with pe...

Smart mouthguard tech is expected to be rolled out this Super Rugby season- but there's safety concerns. Players are required to wear them to be eligible for the H1A1 protocol, meaning players will be taken off the field if there's a suspected concussion. However, Australian rugby players have voiced unease regarding the technology, and some have claimed they've had trouble breathing. Former NZ Ru...

A council colleague described Efeso Collins as a strong advocate and a family man.  The former Auckland councillor and mayoral candidate died this morning after collapsing at a charity event. He entered Parliament at last year's election and delivered his maiden speech last week. Alf Filipaina says Collins was a supporter for South Auckland and wanted a better future for his daughters. "I know tha...

Turbulence in Air New Zealand's relationship with Auckland Airport. The airline is asking Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly to look into the Airport's development spending, concerned it will drive up airfares. CEO Greg Foran says its plan doesn't deliver a new runway, or improve capacity. He says Air New Zealand wants investment going into the airport, but they also want costs kept down. "There hasn'...

Mark Mitchell has mounted a defence against attacks levelled by a political rival. On Mike Hosking's show this morning, Labour's Ginny Andersen accused the Police Minister of being paid to kill people, when he was a defence contractor in East Africa and the Middle East. Mitchell later claimed he doesn't know if he was personally responsible for any casualties, as his team defended a compound in Na...

Outrage in the UK as a London-based cleaner was fired for eating a leftover tuna sandwich. Gabriela Rodriguez regularly cleaned the offices of law firm Devonshires Solicitors, and she was let go following an investigation. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the UK is still struggling with a food insecurity problem, hence the backlash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Toby Manhire from The Spinoff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Grant Robertson is stepping away from politics for a new role at Otago University- how will he be remembered? Was he among the best Finance Ministers the country's ever had, or the worst? Pseudoephedrine will soon be available to purcha...

Several leading economists are at odds over next week's OCR call from the Reserve Bank. ANZ has claimed the Bank will hike rates up twice before April, BNZ thinks an increase is unlikely, and ASB today predicted the OCR will hold until November before rates are cut. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham says the economy has slowed down- but high rates still linger. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

The Country's Jamie Mackay doesn't think history will remember Grant Robertson well as a Finance Minister. Robertson announced today that he would retire from politics- and take over as Otago University's new Vice Chancellor in July. Mackay says Grant Robertson deserves a pass for his role in the Covid-19 response, but the 2023 Ardern-Hipkins Government was a 'failure'. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystud...

Infant formula maker A2 Milk has   lifted its first-half net profit by 15.6 percent. That's despite a double-digit decline in China’s infant formula market. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie explains this 'surprising' turnaround for the company. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Robertson's newly announced departure has sparked plenty of debate about his political legacy. The former Finance Minister has retired from Parliament- and will become Otago University's new Vice Chancellor in July. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Robertson left the Government books in an 'appalling' state. "You only have to look at the figures to know just how badly this...

There's fresh concerns about our alcohol consumption. Health New Zealand's released a report on the population's health, the first of its kind since the agency was established. It highlights continued alcohol-related harm as one of our key challenges, noting consumption contributes to road traffic injuries, drownings, suicide and relationship disruptions. Report author Gary Jackson says we saturat...

Despite ongoing staffing struggles, the Defence Force has continued to discharge personnel for failing to get the Covid vaccine. The case of Bonnie, a medic at Burnham Army Camp who was dismissed for not getting vaccinated, has caught media attention. This comes after the Court of Appeal ruled that the Defence Force's 'mandatory retention reviews' were unlawful. Lawyer Matthew Hague says these 'ri...

A man who's advocated for bringing back pseudoephedrine wants official recognition it was a bad idea. John Key's Government removed the cold and flu medication, hoping to stall meth manufacture. Associate Health Minister David Seymour is introducing a bill this  to reclassify the drug, so it's available in pharmacies without a prescription. Blackland PR director, Mark Blackham says a moral panic a...