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Today marks 50 years since Dick Tayler made history at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. Tayler brought home the gold for winning the 10,000 metres, an impressive feat for the former South Canterbury potato grower. The Country's Jamie Mackay recapped the event here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Equity markets are enjoying a significant spike in the new year. International markets are soaring at an all-time high not seen since 2021- while the New Zealand markets are slowly working their way up. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what this means for investors. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Cricket has confirmed the Basin Reserve has sold out a month ahead of the inaugural Test clash between Black Caps and Australia. The second Test, scheduled at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on March 8, is also set to sell out, with limited tickets remaining. ZB's D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the unprecedented demand here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lower-income Australians are in for some financial relief following Prime Minister Albanese's latest announcement. People earning less than $150,000 stand to benefit from the revamped stage-three tax cuts package, especially those who make between $50,000 and $130,000. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this modified version of a scheme created by the Morrison Government will ensure people...

Health Coalition Aotearoa have called for the current Associate Minister for Health to be replaced over her proposed plan for tobacco taxes. Official documents show Minister Casey Costello is looking into a three-year tobacco tax freeze. Co-chair Boyd Swinburn says this proposal is the latest in a string of 'anti-health' measures. "Wanting to repeal the smokefree legislation that was brought into...

The cost of insurance is still stubbornly high, according to the latest data. Figures released by Stats NZ show that inflation is going down, but insurance prices have skyrocketed between 12 and 20 percent in the past year. Insurance Council chief executive Tim Grafton says construction inflation and 2023's significant natural disasters are to blame for these increased costs. LISTEN ABOVE See omny...

A growing number of employers are trying to lure in new staff with work-from-home arrangements. Seek's latest data reveals around 10 percent of job ads indicate the role can be done remotely.  This compares to pre-COVID times, when the percentage was at 1.3. Economist Matt Cowgill says this shows that the labour market has changed drastically since 2019. "We had that experience through Covid where...

Oranga Tamariki looks to have fallen short of its responsibility for children's health checkups. The National Care Standards require Oranga Tamariki to annually check medical and dental needs, when a child comes into care. But a new report has found Oranga Tamariki has failed to properly keep track - and not all children had regular checkups. Independent Children’s Monitor Chief Executive Arran Jo...

A gang clash at Christchurch Hospital's Emergency Department is being investigated.  Police were called just after 8pm yesterday, with reports of an altercation between four Mongrel Mob members or associates. One person was assaulted, and another taken into custody. City Councillor Aaron Keown says it speaks to a wider community issue. "With our growing gang situation that needs to be knocked on t...

It's looking likely Wellington's residents will avoid facing harsher restrictions on their water use- for the moment. The region is currently under level two restrictions, with a ban on all sprinklers and irrigation systems for residential homes in Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, and Upper Hutt. Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter warns that the city isn't out of the woods just yet....

New Zealand First's Casey Costello believes a potential plan for cigarette taxes will help people quit smoking. A leaked document shows the Associate Health Minister is getting advice on a potential three-year tax freeze for tobacco. Costello is also looking at harsher penalties for selling vape products to minors, and freezing tax on smokeless tobacco products. She says further financial penaltie...

A bit of rare good news for Wellingtonians, they've escaped having the water restrictions ratcheted up on them this week. That decision was taken today, it’s taken every week at the moment, and at the moment they’re staying in level 2- for now. But the case against Wellington City Council as the bad guys is building fast. I would argue it’s becoming more and more obvious that they have neglected t...

The Head of the British Army has warned that UK civilians could be required to fight in a possible war with Russia. General Sir Patrick Sanders has stressed the need for ministers to 'mobilise the nation' if the ongoing conflict between Russia and the Ukraine intensifies. UK correspondent Kay Oliver says General Sanders has warned that the UK was facing a '1937 moment' when the Russia-Ukraine war...

Tonight on The Huddle, David Farrar from Kiwiblog and Curia and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!  The opposition parties have fired back at the Government, saying it's a bad idea to send NZDF personnel to provide maritime security in the Red Sea. Do we think this is the right move? The big discussion point to come ou...

Annual inflation has slowed down in recent months, in line with predictions from economists. The Consumer Price Index rose 4.7 percent in the year to December, down from 5.6 percent annually to September. It's a big fall from the 7.3 percent peak for the year to June 2022. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says it's a positive step forward, but increased rental inflation means it's not sa...

Questions are being raised over what incoming restrictions from the Reserve Bank mean for first home buyers. The banking regulator proposed debt-to-income restrictions for owner-occupiers, to be introduced mid-2024. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says this is unlikely to set off alarms for prospective buyers, as interest rates are a bigger issue. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

Christchurch City Council has agreed to look into the viability of hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games- but not everyone is on board. Mayor Phil Mauger is keen on bringing the Games to the region, with events spread out to the wider South Island. Councillor Andrei Moore says without a major overhaul, the cost of hosting the event is unsustainable. "Yesterday, councillors were briefed on a potentia...

The Prime Minister says he's up for the challenge of defending his Government's policies, even in the absence of a coalition partner. Chris Luxon addressed the annual Rātana celebrations, as did Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. But the architect of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill - ACT's David Seymour - did not front to face questions from Māori. ZB senior political correspondent Bar...

It's official- Auckland's pedestrian crossings come at a far higher price than those in the capital. Figures from the 2021/2022 financial year show Auckland Transport chewed through $6 million on 12 signalised crossings, at an average cost of half a million dollars. Meanwhile, Wellington City Council built four cheaper, non-signalised raised crossings for just under $120,000. Auckland Transport Ch...

Awards season is in full swing, with Hollywood blockbusters taking centre stage at the 2024 Oscars. 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' made the shortlist for Best Picture, and both films have 8 and 13 nominations respectively. However, 'Barbie' director Greta Gerwig, and lead actress Margot Robbie, have missed out on nods.  LA correspondent Sean Mandell says it's strange that Ryan Gosling got nominated fo...

The Labour Party has hit out at the Government sending Defence Force troops to the Middle East, saying it has shades of the Iraq invasion. Six personnel will assist in targeting coalition strikes on Houthi rebels, who have been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker says they don't believe the country should be embroiled there. "I think history show...

Politicians of almost every stripe have descended on Rātana Pā  today for the annual celebrations. ACT's David Seymour was a notable absence. Over the day, Māori leaders labelled the Government the enemy and warned the Prime Minister not to meddle with te Tiriti o Waitangi. Chris Luxon assured the crowd his Government is committed to progress for Māori. NZ First MP Shane Jones was heckled during h...

New Zealand has had its smallest annual inflation increase in two years. CPI rose 4.7 percent in the year to December- in line with the expectations from economists. That's down from the 5.6 percent recorded for the year to September, and down from the 7.3 percent rise recorded in the year to June 2022. Kiwibank economist Jarrod Kerr says this means the Reserve Bank will start cutting interest rat...

Former President Donald Trump emerged victorious in the New Hampshire Primary. His opponent, Nikki Haley, conceded she'd lost to Donald Trump in New Hampshire, but says the race is far from over. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's likely Nikki Haley will pull out of the race by March's Super Tuesday. "I think she's going to hang in there, see how much she can do in February- but at this poi...

The Wellington Phoenix are set to ban a group of spectators from their A-League football games. A small cohort have been identified for antagonising Melbourne Victory fans and causing multiple fights during the 1-all draw at Sky Stadium last week. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave outlines this plan further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.