Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Labour's social development spokeswoman is flaming the Government for suggesting tweaking benefits will get more people in jobs. The Coalition is working under urgency to pass a Bill through the House to link benefit rises with inflation - not wage growth. Social Development Minister Louise Upston says it will ensure people can meet basic needs, and make employment the best way to get ahead. MP Ca...

It is amazing, isn't it? How the story of one rat in a Dunedin supermarket has just blown up for Countdown. First, it was a photo of a couple of rats in the supermarket in Dunedin. Then there were more rats caught, then the supermarket closed for two days, then it closed for another day and now it's closed indefinitely- until they finish catching the rats. At last count, it was 19 just since Frida...

Two key by-elections are taking place in the UK this week. Voters will head to the polls in Wellingborough and Kingswood on Thursday February 15- and the Tories are projected to lose these seats. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Rishi Sunak is continuing to lag in the polls and some are calling for Boris Johnson to step in ahead of the upcoming general election. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Auckland trains have been cancelled again today due to heat, and there's a warning this could continue until March. AT is blaming KiwiRail and KiwiRail is blaming the weather- can this be fixed? The Retirement Commissioner say...

Fonterra has lifted their 2023-24 season forecast farmgate milk price to $7.80 per kilogram of milk solids. Chief executive Miles Hurrell claims the 30 cent increase was inspired by a  streak of 5 strong GDT auctions. The Country's Jamie Mackay says this is a good start, but some dairy experts believe it should be higher. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are growing calls for Fletcher Building to make some leadership changes ahead of tomorrow's half-year result. The company has been placed in a trading halt, and it's been revealed Chief Executive Ross Taylor is 'considering his position'. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says it's a complex situation- and it's unclear if removing Taylor will solve everything. LISTEN ABOVE  See o...

New Zealand has gotten one step closer to getting a third medical school to counteract shortages. Waikato University and the Ministry of Health have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a business case for the program. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unclear how the Government plans to keep this new set of trained doctors where they need to be. LISTEN ABOVE   S...

Former leaders from both sides of the nation's political factions have come together to push back against New Zealand joining AUKUS. Ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark and her 2005 election rival Don Brash have co-written an editorial warning, claiming New Zealand needs to safeguard its independent foreign policy. Former National leader Don Brash says New Zealand has developed good working relationship...

A third medical school in New Zealand is one step closer to becoming a reality. The Ministry of Health has signed a memorandum of understanding with Waikato University to progress a business case, one of the tasks on the Government's 100-day plan. University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley says they're hoping to take in the first set of students by 2027. "We've worked with our partners in...

There's concerns some enrolment requirements could be preventing children from accessing their local school. Last month, the Ministry of Education had to intervene after an Auckland school told a woman who lived within zone that she couldn't enrol her child without a 12-month tenancy agreement. Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O'Connor says a short-term tenancy agreement is worth monitoring- to ens...

A storied 16-year professional basketball career will soon come to an end for Breakers forward Tom Abercrombie. The club's all-time leader in games and points will retire at the conclusion of the NBL season, after winning four championships with the side. Abercrombie made his debut in 2008, and has racked up a record 425 appearances during his long-running athletic career. He says he's 'extremely...

The Prime Minister is facing pressure from more than 9,000 doctors to urgently re-consider repeals to the Smokefree Amendment Act. Some of New Zealand's leading health organisations have banded together to issue a formal request. It asks that, rather than being scrapped in the first 100 days as planned, a new bill is sent to the health select committee. Council of Medical Colleges chair Samantha M...

There's a push for a shake up of the Fletcher Building board. The construction company is in a trading halt ahead of the release of its half-year results tomorrow. CEO Ross Taylor is also 'considering his position'. Shareholders Association Chief Executive Oliver Mander says whatever woes the company has, they're down to more than just Taylor. "We do think this is a wider conversation than the CEO...

Asbestos has been detected in at least three parks in Sydney's city centre, and an investigation is under way. Authorities confirmed traces of asbestos were discovered in Harmony Park, Victoria Park, and Belmore Park- three popular public parks. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the friable asbestos identified is particularly dangerous, and the city council is 'apoplectic'.  "It's very eas...

Spinner Rachin Ravindra continues to dominate with the ball for New Zealand against South Africa in the final session on the opening day of the second cricket test at Hamilton. Moments ago the Proteas were 161 for six - the left-arm orthodox has figures of three for 24 from an unbroken 16-over spell at the southern end. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

Concern Auckland's rail issues are a 'bit muddy' with a lack of clarity around the sudden drove of cancellations. Auckland Transport has limited services yesterday and today due to 'heat' affecting track steel. The Public Transport Users Association's Jon Reeves says he's heard claims some work KiwiRail was meant to do over Christmas to prepare trains for heat wasn't done. He says coincidentally,...

It looks almost certain that the CEO of Fletcher Building is gone. The company put the shares in a trading halt yesterday, and announced that Ross Taylor would be reconsidering his position. Which says to me- he’s resigning tomorrow. I can’t see a way for him to come out and say he’s not resigning after that statement’s been made. And if he does go, which seems more likely than not, I doubt very m...

King Charles says it's heartening to hear how his cancer diagnosis has helped promote public understanding of the disease. He's released his first statement following the announcement, thanking everyone for messages of support. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Charles could be moving to a Sandringham farmhouse for the time being- the same one Prince Philip spent his final days in. LISTEN ABOVE See...

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!  Auckland Transport has voiced disapproval with KiwiRail for shutting the trains down over today's heat level. Is this fair? Is this the sign of a bigger problem. ACT and David Seymour have shot up in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia po...

Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis are planning to make some changes to public sector agencies. Speculation indicates they could shoulder-tap people with a certain level of business experience to take on leadership roles.  NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis out to buy their first home may soon find that process a lot harder. Under the Reserve Bank's proposed new debt-to-income lending rules, it has been estimated an Auckland family would need $172,000 a year to buy an average-priced home. These rules could come into effect by June 2024, in order to stop first home buyers and owner occupiers borrowing more than six times their annual income. Cor...

Kiwis out to buy their first home may soon find that process a lot harder. Under the Reserve Bank's proposed new debt-to-income lending rules, it has been estimated an Auckland family would need $172,000 a year to buy an average-priced home. These rules could come into effect by June 2024, in order to stop first home buyers and owner occupiers borrowing more than six times their annual income. Cor...

Kiwis out to buy their first home may soon find that process a lot harder. Under the Reserve Bank's proposed new debt-to-income lending rules, it has been estimated an Auckland family would need $172,000 a year to buy an average-priced home. These rules could come into effect by June 2024, in order to stop first home buyers and owner occupiers borrowing more than six times their annual income. Cor...

SkyCity could be forced to cough up millions for alleged breaches of legislation on money laundering. The Department of Internal Affairs is accusing SkyCity of violating the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act, after a company review. NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson says SkyCity will be more concerned about the hits to their reputation, over a prospective fine. "T...

The Finance Minister plans to implement a 39 percent trustee tax rate by April 1. This increase follows on from Labour's proposed plan for trustee tax rates from Budget 2023. Nicola Willis says the Government is looking to fix up Labour's legislation to ensure rates are properly aligned. "We're concerned that when Labour lifted the top tax rate, that misaligning it with the trust rate would lead t...