Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has jetted to Sydney, but there's no guarantees he'll play in Saturday's NRL finals match against the Penrith Panthers. The Warriors' 'Player of the Year' has reportedly suffered a lower leg injury and has just a 50/50 chance of taking the field. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nurses union says having more staff will reduce violence in emergency departments. There have been more than 7,000 assaults of public health employees in the two years to April. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is calling for around-the-clock security guards in all EDs. NZNO's Kerri Nuku says reducing wait times will lower the tension. "If we had more nurses, more doctors on the f...

Russian mercenary group Wagner is set to be prescribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government- making it illegal to align with or support the organisation. UK home secretary Suella Braverman described the group as 'violent and destructive' and a 'threat to global security'. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this designation could provide a legal basis for Ukrainians to sue Wagner for bill...

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Chris Hipkins has had to apologise for the actions of another MP, this time Willie Jackson. Jackson claimed ACT and National would get rid of the minimum wage. Is Labour's campaign out of control? Labour has laid out a...

EV charging network provider ChargeNet welcomes the latest announcement from National. The party pledges it will roll out 10,000 more EV chargers up and down the country, to the tune of $257 million. CEO Danusia Wypych says this investment from National would encourage more people to use electric vehicles. "Now, people are more worried about- will I get a charger? And we've seen from our own custo...

A drop in share prices for Sky City - over the possibility its casino license could be suspended for up to 10 days. The Department of Internal Affairs has applied for a temporary suspension from the Gambling Commission after it accused the operator of not complying with Host Responsibility rules. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton says the stock price dropped 13 percent on Monday, prompting...

ANZ economists are warning that taxpayers may have to cover the extra interest accumulated on Government debt. If the Treasury has to issue more bonds than the market wants, the price of the bonds will fall, and their yields will rise- which will cost taxpayers. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says the Government is bringing in less tax revenue that expected as the economy sl...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has laid out a five-point economic strategy for Labour's third term in Government- if the party's re-elected. Hipkins promised he'll lead a delegation to India to foster relations and eventually establish a trade deal. $100 million will also be spent on Venture Capital Fund for investment in agri-tech, to encourage innovation. ZB senior political correspondent Barry So...

National's Nicola Willis is promising a 'competitive, cost-effective' scheme that will benefit Kiwi motorists. Leader Chris Luxon is pledging to deliver 10,000 EV chargers over the next 4 years, at a cost of $257 million. National also seeks to dump Labour's clean car discount scheme. Nicola Willis says National will collaborate with the private sector to deliver a competitive bidding process that...

Willie Jackson maintains he's not deliberately disseminating disinformation - but says everyone's having an election year biffo. During a debate last night, Senior Labour Minister Jackson incorrectly maintained ACT and National planned to abolish the minimum wage. Jackson later clarified he was being facetious. He said he was in the heat of the moment, though he also agrees Kiwis should be aware o...

Two-time finalist Cameron Norrie has signed on for the 2024 ASB Classic- and there's room for more big names to come. The world No 16 tennis star joins defending champion Coco Gauff, a semi-finalist at the ongoing US Open. ASB Classic director Nicolas Lamperin is 'stoked' to welcome Cameron Norrie, and hopes to secure Caroline Wozniacki next. "She's been on my list for a while. I just got back fro...

An economic commentator says Labour's economic policy is big on aspiration, but lacks specifics and understanding. Their five-point election plan to grow the economy includes the PM heading to India in the first 100 days to foster relations. It would also invest $100 million in agri-tech and boosting tourism. Former Reserve Bank economist Michael Reddell says it doesn't deal with the big issues we...

The Commerce Commission is keeping a close eye on petrol prices. It's asked fuel companies to 'please explain' the differences in prices between and within various cities. Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton called for an inquiry into petrol price inequity three months ago. Commission chair John Small says this is likely to come down to competition. "What we need to do is find ways to promote local compet...

The former chairman of an American right-wing extremist group has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the US Capitol riot. Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was convicted on multiple charges, including seditious conspiracy. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Tarrio wasn't present on January 6th, but prosecutors claim he inspired and rallied followers from afar. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

Federated Farmers says it's concerned about the Ministry for the Environment handing out money to encourage participation in reform of the Resource Management Act. The advocacy group claims it's been offered $600,000 over three years to fund submissions and appearances at hearings. Spokesperson Mark Hooper says it's a high price tag and the timing doesn't make sense. "Why try and push this through...

The Black Caps completed a successful T20 series comeback following a dominant performance in the fourth and final match in Nottingham. The team levelled their four-match series against England and chased 176 with six wickets and 16 balls to spare. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK education secretary Gillian Keegan has apologised after being caught swearing on mic after an ITV interview. Keegan expressed frustration at a reporter's questions about the concrete crisis- and dropped an f-bomb in irritation. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unlikely she'll be fired after this incident, given the state of UK politics. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Hauraki's Matt Heath joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The latest Roy Morgan poll has ACT shooting up to 18 percent and Labour down to 24 percent, giving a Nats/Act coalition the chance to govern. If true, this is a real downer to Labour, right? National is promising another tunnel through Moun...

The Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.1 percent, but the door is open for future hikes. Outgoing governor Philip Lowe said Australian inflation had 'passed its peak', but further monetary policy may be needed to return inflation to target. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says the Australian economy is still running at full capacity- and it will take time to bring inflat...

New Zealand's trading power has proved more resilient than expected, but one economist warns the worst is yet to come. Stats NZ data shows the June quarter bucked expectations as the 'terms of trade' rose 0.4 percent after easing 1.5 percent earlier in the year. The Country's Jamie Mackay says ANZ's Susan Kilsby observed that the data didn't capture recent slumping global dairy prices- indicating...

A fiery start to the campaign season, as political leaders addressed prospective voters at a BusinessNZ-hosted conference. Luxon assured business leaders he would treat them 'like adults' as he criticised Labour's ongoing relationship with the sector. Hipkins, speaking after Luxon, defended the Government’s choppy economic record and claimed Labour's 'economic fundamentals were in good shape.' ACT...

ACT and National are on track to govern while Labour slumps to a new low, according to a new poll. The latest Roy Morgan survey shows ACT has surged by 4 points to 18 percent, catching up to National's 31, down 2.5 percent. Labour's taken a fall- their support dropped a further 2 percent to 24. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Roy Morgan poll is often dismissed in the lead-up...

Controversial Qantas boss Alan Joyce resigned today- retiring two months earlier than planned. This comes as the airline faces allegations of misleading conduct over airline ticket sales. His replacement, Vanessa Hudson, will take over from tomorrow. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's unlikely this change in management will clear the airline's reputation- but fast-tracking Alan Joy...

All Blacks midfielder David Havili is vowing to be ready if called upon for the World Cup opener against France this weekend. Jordie Barrett is in doubt for Saturday's match with a knee issue, and could become the fourth All Black to be sidelined. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's renewed debate over whether an Independent Costings Watchdog is needed to verify election promises. Labour, National and the Greens have all shown support for the idea. The Taxpayers' Union's Jordan Williams says an office separated from the Government of the time is needed to verify each party's election promises for the sake of democracy. "So we don't end up like the situation where we u...