Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A war of words over ACT's plans to re-define the principles of the Treaty. Prime Minister Chris Luxon has said National would support the Bill to the select committee stage. But ACT Party Leader David Seymour says National hasn't ruled out supporting it further. "We've got no commitment any further either way, and I suspect that first of all- this is a debate we need to have, and I suspect they'll...

Kiwi golfing superstar Lydia Ko is embracing that winning feeling again on the LPGA Tour. After a winless 2023 on the Tour, the 26 year old has won the opening event of 2024 in Florida by two shots. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps today's victory. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has abandoned his bid to be a Republican presidential candidate. He's thrown his support behind Donald Trump. Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh says DeSantis lost by 30 points to Trump in Iowa - so pulling out is the right move. "It made no sense for him to stay in, he was going to get killed in New Hampshire. And as he said, he really had no pathway. Get out, e...

Looks to me like it’s a tough old start to the year for the new Government. This is basically day one of the news year, the TV news shows were back this morning, most of the big radio shows are back today- and what are we all talking about? The big hui at Turangawaewae at the weekend, and the unexpectedly big Māori opposition to the Government's Māori related policies. And it's not a one-off, ther...

ZB host Tim Beveridge and Ali Jones from Red PR joined the Huddle back in June for a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Michael Wood remains on stand-down as Transport Minister, after it was revealed he was asked to sell his Auckland Airport shares 12 times. Can he keep his job- and should he? The PGA Tour and LIV Golf surprised the sports world by announcing an unexpected...

The Black Caps have pulled off one of the all-time great test cricket victories, beating England by one run on the final day of the second match at the Basin Reserve. Neil Wagner finished with four wickets for the innings and took the final scalp of James Anderson, caught behind by Tom Blundell. New Zealand have become only the fourth team to win a test after following on. Neil Wagner says today's...

Job ads continue to plummet in New Zealand of the back of a slowing economy. The latest data from Seek show that jobs ads in November are down 28% compared to this time last year. Infometrics Principle Economist Brad Olsen told Heather Du Plessis Allan that "there are fewer businesses that are looking for the same numbers of staff as before."   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

There are now serious concerns for the future of the professional netball in New Zealand. Sky TV's bid for broadcasting rights beyond 2024, covering the ANZ Premiership and Silver Ferns tests, is reportedly less than half the current agreement. Players' wages could also take a hit, with broadcasting revenue accounting for the majority of their pay. Auckland University sports marketing lecturer Mar...

The NZTA is set to Quadruple the amount of speed cameras across New Zealand. There are currently 200 speed cameras on the road which they want to be pushed up to 800. However, road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told Heather Du Plessis Allan that he is not sure "that number is actually going to end up being being correct or accurate."   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

US national security advisor Jake Sullivan has gone to Israel this week to talk about the war with the Israeli war cabinet. He's passed on a message essentially asking the Israelis to begin pulling back from the relentless bombardment of Gaza. US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Heather Du Plessis Allan that "the language from US officials would indicate they are growing tired of how long this war...

Ardie Savea has been named the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial player of the year at this evening’s ASB Rugby Awards. This comes a month after being named world rugby player of the year. Newstalk ZB's Sports Contributor Jason Pine told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that he just "couldn't see who else could have won."   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual New Zealand health survey has found that less than half of adults exercise the recommended two and a half hours a week. South Auckland Community advocate Dave Letele runs the Brown Butterbean Fitness Group. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that many have other things on their mind. Letele says families struggling to put food on the table don't have the time to eat healthily and exercise...

Rishi Sunak's approval rating continues to take a hit in the polls ahead of the election. His approval rating has reached -49, according to new data from YouGov- a lower rating than Boris Johnson scored after his resignation. Only 21 percent of British voters hold a favourable view of Sunak, and 70 percent of voters disapprove. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's looking likely that the Tories w...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joined in on discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Finance Minister Nicola Willis remains firm in her decision to scrap cost increases to the Cook Strait mega-ferries project. Does this serve as a warning to the public service around budgets for big projects? Wh...

More local councils are turning to asset sales in order to balance their books. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council aims to sell off several majority shares in the Port of Tauranga, and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are also investigating potential asset sales. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains what these sales might mean for investors. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

'The Big Feed', a famed rural telethon set to support farmer-driven charity Meat the Need, is heading into its final moments. The telethon kicked off at 6am today and will wrap up at 8pm- giving hosts 14 hours to raise as many meat and milk meals as possible for over 110 food banks. The Country's Jamie Mackay says this year's telethon aims to break last year's record of 1.2 million meals. LISTEN A...

Today's Q3 GDP report caught several economists by surprise. GDP fell 0.3 per cent in the September quarter, lower than the predicted 0.2 or 0.3 percent growth forecasts had predicted. Across the whole year, GDP fell 0.6 percent overall, sparking more grim predictions. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says Luxon's inherited a long-running recession to address. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnyst...

New Zealand's former Finance Minister has stepped up to justify today's disappointing GDP results. GDP fell 0.3 percent in the three months to September- with political voices blaming the previous Government's decisions for the decline. Grant Robertson says it doesn't tarnish Labour's economic credibility, as other economies are in the same boat. ZB political editor Jason Walls says there's a silv...

Over in Australia, Kathleen Folbigg's convictions have been officially quashed, after spending 20 years in prison. The 56-year-old was released after new medical evidence revealed she didn't murder her four children. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's likely Folbigg will be awarded compensation after her release. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Usman Khawaja feels unfairly targeted by the International Cricket Council following their demand he refrain from writing statements in support of Palestine on his shoes. The ICC have ruled the opening batter will be fined or banned if he uses the test against Pakistan as a platform to make what they've deemed a political statement. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE...

Picton is concerned about what's ahead - with the Government refusing to fund cost increases to the Cook Strait mega-ferries project. KiwiRail says the plan to have two new ferries and bigger, better ports can't go ahead without Government funding. Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Pete Coldwell, says a number of people moved to the region for ferry-related jobs. "There are obviousl...

Almost 200 countries have agreed to begin reducing the consumption of fossil fuels at COP28. The Dubai conference came close to being a failure, because some nations wanted to phase them out. The deal specifically calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems. Australian National University climate change professor Mark Howden says that's weak and undefined language. "What does...

Buller District Council is on paw patrol for the number of cats allowed in homes. From next Wednesday, only two feline friends are allowed in homes from Carters Beach, Reefton and Westport. It was initially proposed to increase the maximum to four, but the council U-turned after public feedback. Buller mayor Jamie Cleine says they're not anticipating a lot of complainants over how it'll be policed...

Weak economic growth is expected to continue a while. GDP fell 0.3 percent in the three months to September - a much worse result than forecast by most economists. BNZ Economist Stephen Toplis says it will take time to get a sunnier situation. "Market conditions ease, and that gives the economy a bit of a boost. But I think, realistically speaking, we're talking until the middle of next year." LIS...

Police could be apologising to some Parliament protesters following a report from the police watchdog. The Independent Police Conduct Authority found excessive force was six times during the weeks-long occupation. That included knocking a woman's phone from her hand and pushing her to the ground - or spraying people with fire extinguishers. Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming says they'll...