Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Property Investors Federation welcomes ACT's proposed housing policy changes- but tenant advocacy groups are sceptical. The plan includes reinstating mortgage interest deductibility, abolishing the bright-line test and allowing no fault evictions. Federation President Sue Harrison says these changes will make it easier for landlords and tenants alike. "No one wants to evict good tenants, no on...

I don’t quite know how we’re back here, but we are - Winston's back in Government, isn’t he?   I think all the signs now point to the fact that National can’t do it without him . The Herald’s Poll of Polls says National and ACT have a 40 percent chance of forming Government alone. With Winston, it’s a 99.7 percent chance . The big donors are backing him, he’s pulling in more money right now than i...

The UN has slapped down the UK for seeking changes to the UN’s Refugee Convention.  Home Secretary Suella Braverman says fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman should not be enough to qualify for international refugee protection. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Braverman is being accused of 'dog-whistle politics', as several nations have criminalised homosexuality.  LISTEN ABOVE See omny...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Taxpayers have footed a legal aid bill of almost $900,000 for the defence of the Mama Hooch rapists. They have already said they will appeal, so the figure is set to rise significantly. Meanwhile, the victims get...

Employment confidence is declining, with workers claiming it's gotten harder to find jobs. The Westpac McDermott Miller employment confidence index fell in the September quarter. Economists also warn unemployment is likely to rise for the rest of the year. EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says the company's advice line is seeing a wave of inquiries about restructuring and redundancy advice. LIST...

The property market roared to life in August, according to new data.  The Reserve Bank's latest mortgage lending data shows banks issued $5.8 billion worth of mortgages last month- up 15.7 percent from July. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says this marks a turnaround for the property market. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party has laid out their newly proposed fiscal policy ahead of the election. Labour has pledged to look for more savings across the books, and keep net debt under 30 percent of GDP.  Milford Asset Management's Frances Sweetman says Labour's 'careful and balanced' fiscal plan comes with a few caveats. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert has concluded Nadene Lomu may not be able to stop a documentary being made about her late husband. Jonah Lomu’s widow has written a cease-and-desist letter to the New Zealand Film Commission over a proposed documentary about the deceased rugby star. Nadene Lomu said she had trademarked and owned the intellectual property for 'all and anything' related to Jonah. AJ Park litigation pr...

An independent victim advocate says there's a mismatch between the support victims and offenders get from the justice system. Taxpayers have forked out $900,000 in legal aid for rapists Danny and Roberto Jaz. The pair were convicted for 69 offences between them including rape and sexual violation, they were sentenced to 17 and 16 and half years in jail respectively. Ruth Money says the money victi...

A Wellington business owner is incredibly frustrated over police precautions ahead of a planned protest. Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition plans action tomorrow, alongside other protests in coming days. Police have shut some roads and access ways to Parliament. Backbencher pub owner Alistair Boyce says it's unnecessary. "They are not a foreign power invading the country- this Parliament...

It's looking increasingly likely Chris Luxon will have to pick up the phone to Winston Peters next month. Tonight's One News/ Verian Poll shows New Zealand First is on 6 percent - up a point - and remaining in a kingmaker position. Labour and National have both dropped 1 point - to 26 and and 36 percent- and Act's steady on 12. The Greens are on 13, and Te Pati Maori is at 2 percent. National Depu...

Newshub's Paddy Gower says National and Labour's leaders are gutless for refusing to debate their colleagues in the minor parties. He will moderate the show-down between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins in Auckland tonight, after last week's TVNZ debate. Gower says it's important for the pair to face-off, but it seems a bit historic that the other leaders won't be there. "We know that whoever f...

Labour's David Parker has responded to National's criticism of the Party's fiscal plan. The plan promises to look for more savings across the Government's books and to keep net debt under 30 percent of GDP. But National questions Labour's credibility- saying it's blown all operating allowances set since 2017. Associate Finance spokesperson Parker says it's because of Covid and the cyclone and floo...

Jonah Lomu’s widow has written a a cease-and-desist letter to the New Zealand Film Commission over a proposed documentary. Nadene Lomu claims she has sole rights to her deceased husband's story, and wrote the letter as a 'last resort'. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prediction tonight's leaders debate may be more exciting than the last one. Chris vs Chris will appear on Newshub at 7 tonight, moderated by Patrick Gower. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says some were disappointed by the debate on TVNZ- but he says this one could be a different story. "I've talked to both leaders- Chris Hipkins says he's essentially going on 'attack mode', so expect fireworks...

Hollywood writers will be picking up their pens again. Guild leaders unanimously voted to approve a new contract- ending the almost five-month strike as of this afternoon. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the new agreement is three years. He says it includes lifting wages, improving ongoing payments for streaming shows, and protection against replicating writers' work with AI. "We think right...

Auckland's beaches have been widely affected by damage to a sewer pipe in St Georges Bay - in Parnell. Wastewater's confirmed to be shooting into Waitemata Harbour at two sites, shutting numerous surrounding beaches, as well as in the inner harbour and East Coast Bays. Watercare says crews have had plenty of practice working with pipes after this year's ferocious storms. Chief Operations Officer M...

Several women are speaking out against controversial comedian Russell Brand. London's Met Police have launched an investigation after receiving a number of sexual offence allegations in London and elsewhere in the country. Brand has since accused the UK government of trying to censor him on social media. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the comedian continues to deny the allegations and says all i...

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro and Business Mentors NZ CEO Sarah Trotman joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National seeks to introduce sanctions if beneficiaries don't meet their obligations to prepare for or find work. What do we make of this policy?  Despite Labour assuring everyone that a wealth tax is off the table, Welli...

Farmers have expressed alarm as some banks set targets to reduce emissions when their sector is under growing financial strain. BNZ has confirmed their dairy emissions reduction target is an 11 percent reduction in financed biological emissions intensity by 2030, against a 2022 baseline. Federated Farmers has met with BNZ to raise concerns about the target, as the sector is undergoing a difficult...

Air New Zealand is still figuring out how to deal with a shortage of planes after losing some of its fleet. The airline recently had to ground several planes, citing engine issues. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says Air New Zealand will have to struggle through the aircraft shortage for the next 6 to 8 months- and this may impact services. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener f...

The Hollywood writers' strike has reportedly ended after nearly 5 months of strike action. Sources claim the Writers Guild of America has reached a tentative agreement with major studios and streamers on a new three-year contract. Entertainment reporter Sam Rubin says the writers have achieved the outcome they wanted after the seemingly-endless months of sacrifice. "If you talk to many, many happy...

First Union are publicly campaigning as the four big banks are raking in mega-profits. They say ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac's profits have increased 80 percent in the past decade- and it's not being passed on to workers or customers. First Union Policy Analyst Edward Miller says staff and customers alike are suffering from increased net interest margins. "We represent bank workers, but we represent...

National's Chris Luxon was set to make an impression at Auckland’s NorthWest mall. Between declining a hairdresser's offer to moisturise his head, pulling off a man’s beanie without asking and getting a blue stain on his suit at Little Lab- it was a memorable day on the campaign trail. ZB chief political reporter Aaron Dahmen says it was a mix of entertaining and weird- making for perfect campaign...

Hamilton authorities are ditching the lawnmower in parts of the city for the betterment of the planet. The City Council has launched a no-mow trial for 13 green spaces- aiming to increase biodiversity and reduce the carbon emissions created by mowing. Hamilton Council Park Services Manager Duncan MacDougall says they won't be letting everything overgrow. "Not the whole park will be mown like this-...