Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

One business expert says a change in leadership isn't enough to save Fletcher Building. Yesterday, Chief Executive Ross Taylor and Chair Bruce Hassall both announced their resignation following some lower-than-anticipated half-year results. Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch says the entire company should be broken up altogether. "The company should be nationalised, the Gove...

New Zealand's agricultural sector could be impacted by escalating tensions in the Red Sea. Experts warn the ongoing attacks could cause further shipping bottlenecks around the world. The Country's Jamie Mackay says freight prices have climbed to a level not seen since the days of the Covid-19 pandemic. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's population has continued to expand in 2023- but the influx has slowed somewhat. New data from Stats NZ shows annual net migration reached just under 126,000 in the year to December. The net migration gain is still one of the largest recorded, it's equivalent to the population of Taranaki. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this means for economic forecasts. LI...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has been on the receiving end of backlash over her proposal for the public sector. There's growing speculation the coalition Government will cut jobs in order to meet targets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the number of public service workers has gone up by tens of thousands under Labour- and industry leaders will be looking to create savings. LI...

Over in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his engagement to his long-time partner. The Prime Minister proposed to Jodie Haydon on Valentine's Day, at his Canberra residence. The pair have been together since 2020, where they met at a Melbourne business dinner. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says people from all corners of the country have congratulated Albanese on the enga...

Dame Noeline Taurua's role is up for grabs, as Netball NZ has launched an open recruitment call. The Silver Ferns coach will have to fight to keep her job, as Netball NZ is determined to choose the best coach to guide the team for the next four years. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proposals to cut Wellington's swimming pool and library hours have been scrapped. The City Council finalised its draft 10-year budget today, in a meeting lasting almost seven hours. The Council voted on spending cuts, including unpopular proposals to trim community services. Councillor Nicola Young disapproves of this verdict, saying one local pool's had its time.  "They are spending a lot of mone...

A new report by the Education Review Office reveals primary teachers feel less equipped to teach maths than ever. The ERO report claims almost a quarter of new teachers are not confident about their own teaching abilities in mathematics. Otago University Associate Professor Naomi Ingram says maths is a trickier subject than reading or writing for educators. "Their perceptions are that it is unique...

Dame Noeline Taurua will have to fight hard to return as the head coach of the Silver Ferns. Netball New Zealand said the organisation and Dame Taurua had agreed to go to the open market for the role, in the best interests of the Ferns and the 'integrity' of the sport. Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie says it's important that they don't take the Silver Ferns' success for granted....

Auckland's mayor wants better communication from agencies responsible for the rail network. Wayne Brown had talks with Auckland One Rail, Auckland Transport and KiwiRail yesterday and promised an aggressive plan to reduce disruption. He says communications need to be clear and aimed at the passengers, not other agencies.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Emergency Management Minister says smoke is dissipating from the fire still raging on Christchurch's Port Hills. The blaze has burned through at least 650 hectares since it broke out yesterday, triggering evacuations. The fire is yet to be contained, but people are being allowed back into homes on Hoon Hay Valley and Early Valley Roads. Others will have to stay another night away. Minister Mar...

Over 100 firefighters, 12 helicopters and two fixed-wing planes are working to fight the raging fire in Christchurch's Port Hills. The fire was reported at 2.45pm yesterday on Worsleys Rd and had spread over an area of 100 hectares by the evening. Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says rubberneckers seem to have heeded the message to stay away. "We've had FENZ-led meetings at the community centre, wh...

Let me tell you something that happened today. This morning, David Seymour was on the radio with Mike Hosking, outlining his plans to tackle truancy in this country by enforcing the rules so that parents cop fines if they don’t send their kids to school. Only about 2.5 hours later, over on ZM, a mum entered a competition to get herself and her daughter to the Taylor Swift show in Melbourne tomorro...

Over in the UK, a second parliamentary candidate has been suspended over his comments about Israel. Graham Jones, a former Hyndburn MP has been suspended and faces potential investigation. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the party's focused on cleaning up its act ahead of the general election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Childfund NZ CEO Josie Pagani and Ben Thomas from Capital joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! There's been an uptick in rats and mice invading Countdowns across the country- what do we think of this? Will this harm the company's reputation? The Government plans to index benefits to inflation rather than wage growth- a move the oppositio...

Fletcher Building has had an eventful few days, culminating in the loss of chief executive Ross Taylor and chair Bruce Hassall. The company has also reported a $120 million half-year loss after tax. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton warns Fletcher may need more than a change in leadership to win back investors. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB has warned mortgage holders to be prepared for 'any eventuality' when it comes to interest rates. Chief executive Vittoria Shortt says borrowers shouldn't bank on one particular scenario when it comes to future rate hikes. This follows ANZ economists issuing a 'hawkish' prediction that the OCR could go up two more times in the near future. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny...

Labour's Three Waters policy has been flushed for good today. A bill to repeal the Water Services Act has passed its third reading in the House, and the Government aims to implement its replacement through two further bills by mid-next year. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's incredible how much change the original bill went through before the Government scrapped it. LISTEN AB...

There's growing concerns about Joe Biden's capabilities ahead of the 2024 election. A couple of unfortunate weeks have led to Democrats reconsidering a second term for the President, and Vice Presidents Harris has expressed interest in taking over. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's unlikely Harris will be ready to step in as the next nominee. "California Governor Gavin Newsom is in the win...

Economists are predicting a boost in consumer spending this February 14th. As demand for flowers and chocolates and fancy dinners skyrockets, people are expected to spend more to contribute to this economic bump. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this Valentine's Day is expected to be the first in several years to match pre-pandemic spending demand. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/...

ASB's CEO isn't surprised by today's reduced half-year profit. The bank has reported a 11 percent fall, due to slower lending, reduced margins and higher costs. CEO Vittoria Short says their profitability is linked to New Zealand's economy. "We've seen a slowing in growth as headwinds impact everything from inflation that's feeding through to businesses and homes- and also the rising interest rate...

New Zealand's Auditor-General has spoken out against Government agencies, claiming their reporting produces 'a lot of rubbish'. John Ryan told the Finance Select Committee that agencies like to tick off 'project milestones', but their actual accomplishments are 'questionable'. He says the general public doesn't get to see or experience the outcomes of these reported milestones. "The public really...

It's clear rodents caught in two Woolworths stores could pose a food safety risk. The Dunedin South store has been closed since Friday, and 23 rats have been trapped, in the second infestation since late last year. Meanwhile, Christchurch's Eastgate store is being investigated after video posted online showed a mouse on a salad. Massey University Professor, Steve Flint, says mice and rats could co...

Resignations by Fletcher Construction's two top players can be traced back to a single project. The company has reported a $120 million half-year loss after tax. Chief Executive Ross Taylor and Chair Bruce Hassall have announced they'll both leave this year. Taylor says remediation for the SkyCity fire in 2019 was the most complicated thing he's seen in 40 years in the industry. "We basically prog...

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are battling a significant vegetation fire in Christchurch's Port Hills. Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Worsleys Road and Princess Margaret Hospital have been evacuated, with multiple evacuation centres in place. Summit Road is closed between Dyers Pass and Gebbies Pass Roads, and residents in that area need to be ready to evacuate at short notice. Newstalk ZB's E...