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Labour says efforts to crack down on ram raids are working. The party's police spokesperson is hitting back at claims by National Leader Chris Luxon that there are two ram raids a day. Ginny Andersen told Tim Dower data released by Police shows a 70 percent reduction in ram raids from their peak of 116 a month in August last year. “While the numbers are a bit noisy, they have been in decline gener...

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has worked to shore up US support for Ukraine on a whirlwind visit to Washington this week, delivering an upbeat message on the war’s progress while facing new questions about the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces. The Ukrainian leader received a far quieter reception than the hero’s welcome he g...

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave joined Tim Dower to discuss France halfback Antoine Dupont's facial injury in the 96-0 win over Namibia, the Warriors' do-or-die finals clash against the Brisbane Broncos, and Liam Lawson in the Japanese Grand Prix. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An increase in employees testing positive for cannabis. The Drug Detection Agency is attributing the rise to the proliferation of medicinal cannabis and easier access. New Zealand’s Medicinal Cannabis Act came into effect in 2020. CEO Glenn Dobson told Tim Dower there is a risk people are impaired at work. “When the patient first goes to have a conversation or consultation with their GP or their d...

The powerbrokers’ debate last night – you learn anything from it? Your impression of anyone improve, or did you feel the shine coming off someone by the way they conducted themselves? I thought it was bloody awful myself, but I stuck with it because I kinda had to. Let's forget the weird pub beer garden look of the whole thing, I just want to think about the substance of the, er, “debate” and the...

The UK is set to overturn several policies aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with Prime Minister Sunak promising a 'pragmatic' solution. Sunak confirmed that the ban on on the sale of petrol and diesel cars would be pushed back from 2030 to 2035- bringing it in line with France and Germany. The Prime Minister also announced energy efficiency targets for rental properties would...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Labour MP Greg O'Connor has done the unthinkable and conceded that Labour is likely going to lose the election. Is this a rookie move or is there strategy behind this? 80 percent of Kiwis are wondering if Chris Luxon will work with Wi...

In a blow to New Zealand farmers everywhere, MPI discovered Mycoplasma bovis in Canterbury's Selwyn. It's just months after the announcement the country had no known cases of the cattle disease. A standard bulk tank-milk background screening picked up the infection. The Country's Jamie Mackay says the news that 1000 dairy cows will have to be culled will be devastating for the farmer impacted. LIS...

New Zealand's economy is in the green and our technical recession is officially over. Stats NZ says the GDP rose 0.9 percent in the June quarter and 3.2 percent for the year to June. It also revised the figure for the March 2023 quarter to 0 percent - up from a 0.1 percent drop. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says households are still feeling high interest rates rampant inflation- an...

ACT leader David Seymour isn't sure National's proposed taxes will help New Zealanders. The party's released their alternative budget today, promising modest income tax cuts of $16 billion over four years. It's also proposing three tax rates rather than five. Seymour says whoever leads the next Government will have to have an honest conversation about what the numbers require. "I'm not confident t...

Fonterra is reporting profit after tax of $1.6 billion dollars, up 170 percent on last year. It's reporting earnings of 95 cents per share- up from 36 cents per share. The full year dividend will be 50 cents per share, including an interim dividend of 10 cents per share. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says this result is good for New Zealand's dairy farmers, who have been doing it tough al...

It's the end of an era, as a Wellington cultural icon is set to go up for sale. The Green Parrot café, which first opened in 1926, has hosted celebrities, politicians and travellers for the last 97 years. It's on the market - with an asking price of $200,000. Co-owner Chris Sakoufakis says his father, Kosta Sakoufakis, is ready to retire- and he hopes someone else will take it over to the hundred-...

Yet another Oranga Tamariki review- this time, of youth justice and care residences. The report led by Mike Bush suggests high-level change to make residences safer for young people and staff. In it, staff say they're too bureaucratic, short on beds, and there are too many band-aid fixes. Bush says he's aware there's 'review fatigue'. "They are swimming in recommendations and have been for many ye...

Some good economic news, for now. Stats NZ figures show GDP increased 0.9 percent in the three months to June, and 3.2 percent in the year to June. The figure for the March quarter has been revised to 0 percent - up from a 0.1 percent drop. But Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr says they're still predicting a double-dip recession. "We think the second half of this year will be quite painful for...

Queenstown's mayor says putting filters on regional water sources is expensive. The area is in the grips of an outbreak of infections from a waterborne parasite. Known cases of cryptosporidium illness have reached 21 - and the boil water notice could last for months. The national water regulator has slapped a compliance notice on the region. Mayor Glyn Lewers says there are a lot of water intakes,...

The Labour Party insists its Ohariu candidate isn't telling voters to only give him their electorate vote. The Post reports Greg O'Connor told voters at a meeting that with polling going the way it is, National Deputy Leader Nicola Willis is likely to be the next Finance Minister. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Greg O'Connor was 'too honest' about his intentions by encouraging voters to only...

Australia's Opposition Leader has angrily rejected Anthony Albanese's probe into the Covid-19 pandemic response. Peter Dutton has labelled the year-long investigation into Australia's response as a 'desperate attempt' to distract voters. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this reaction is the latest instance of Dutton trying to inspire angry reactions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

The police watchdog has deemed the treatment of a Christchurch teenager in custody 'appalling'. The IPCA established police were justified in using force during a 14-year-old's arrest last year - but her care in custody was inadequate. The teenager was driving in a convoy of three stolen cars driving dangerously across Christchurch. She urinated and soiled herself during arrest before being taken...

Athletics New Zealand are distancing themselves from banned runner Zane Robertson after his arrest in Kenya. Reports have emerged that he's been arrested in possession of an unlicensed AK-47 rifle and 23 rounds of ammunition in his house on the outskirts of Iten. Kenyan publication The Standard also revealed Robertson was under investigation for sexually assaulting a woman at a party. Sportstalk h...

An increasing number of people are dipping into their retirement savings to meet soaring living costs. KiwiSaver members made 18,291 withdrawals worth an average of $7921 over the year, according to new data. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains why this is happening. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Nicola Willis is satisfied with her party pulling ahead of the competition in another poll. The latest One News-Verian poll puts the National Party on 37 percent - down 2 points - and Labour on 27, down one. NZ First has crossed the 5 percent threshold again- meaning the party could join National and ACT in Parliament. Nicola Willis says this poll shows voters are in the mood for change...

National's support has slipped, but a poll shows it's still miles ahead of the competition. The latest One News-Verian poll puts the National Party on 37 percent - down 2 points - and Labour on 27, down one. The Greens and ACT are both up two points - neck-in-neck on 12 percent - and NZ First is steady on 5. Only the centre-right bloc could form a Government- but Hipkins and Luxon are tied as pref...

It's been a busy 24 hours of crime in Christchurch, with police chasing down out of control youths. They've been smashing their way into shops, fleeing police and reportedly driving on a footpath dangerously close to a woman pushing a pram. It marks the second day in a row Christchurch police have dealt with repeated incidents- on Monday, 10 youths were arrested before dawn. Police Association Pre...

Te Whatu Ora is asking the Employment Relations Authority to help resolve its pay dispute with senior doctors and dentists. Members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists have scheduled a four-hour strike tomorrow. Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa says they've asked for help, because they're at an impasse. "We're yet to hear back, so we're hoping that we are chasing them, becaus...

The alarm is being sounded about a future drop off in Pharmac funding. A boost for the drug buying agency announced in Budget 2022- ends in 2024. Medicines NZ Chief Executive Graeme Jarvis wants the major parties to commit to continuing the money. He says if the gap isn't filled, Treasury is warning there will be years where it won't be possible to keep funding the same medicines. "So in other wor...