Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

ACT says it isn't taking anything for granted, despite a staggering leap in a new political poll. The Roy Morgan survey puts it up 4 points to 18 percent - their highest result since December 2021. National is down 2.5 points to 31 percent, but can govern with ACT - while Labour has slumped to a historic low of 24 percent. ACT leader David Seymour says Roy Morgan was the most accurate in the last...

Auckland Zoo is dealing with the harsh reality of wild animals. Sumatran tiger Zayana gave birth to her first two cubs on Friday. But when the first was stillborn, she followed a natural instinct and killed the live second cub. Carnivore team lead Lauren Booth says a tiger needs two to three cubs to make it worth raising them. "The mortality rate within the first two years is about 50 to 70 percen...

The union for SkyCity Casino workers says it raised concerns years ago when it restructured. SkyCity's casino operator licenses could be temporarily suspended - over complaints about host responsibility. Unite Union says the casino slashed supervisor numbers by nearly 40 percent in 2016. National Director Mike Treen says it was up to them to ensure people didn't play too long. "I think it's led di...

National's promising shovels in the ground in its first term for a second Mount Vic tunnel- if it gets the top job after the election. Infrastructure spokesperson Chris Bishop says they'll get consents fast tracked. He says it's good for buses, cars, walking, cycling, and it will decongest Wellington. National says alongside upgrades to the Basin Reserve, it'll cost $2.2 billion dollars. The propo...

A view extra safety measures could reduce the need for mountain rescues. Two walkers were rescued from the top of Mount Ngauruhoe on Saturday - wearing light clothes and unsuitable footwear. They reportedly had limited English and mightn't have realised the climb's dangers. Adrift Tongariro tour guide Stewart Barclay says it would be useful to issue safety information in other languages. "As much...

Do you know what? I'm actually cross at Health NZ Te Whatu Ora for playing silly buggers with senior doctors and their pay . Things are serious right now . It is a serious thing for senior doctors to go on strike today , they've never done this before . And I can totally understand why- they must be at their wits end with the silly games Te Whatu Ora are playing   to avoid paying doctors properly....

A Burning Man festival-goer says although it's very wet at the US desert event - it hasn't dampened the mood. Nevada authorities are investigating a death after storms swept through, closing vehicle access. People are trudging through mud and being urged to shelter in place and conserve food and water. But Chris Knight says there's no chaos - and people are still partying. He says some are anxious...

The Problem Gambling Foundation says gambling outlets should take note. Internal Affairs has applied for a temporary suspension of SkyCity's gambling licence, after a former gambler complained. It's accused Sky City of not meeting Host Responsibility rules, relating to detecting a client's continuous play. The share market reacted to the application by wiping $260 million off the company's market...

Over half of Australians are set to reject the inclusion of an Indigenous advisory panel, according to a new poll. Data shows only 38 percent of voters intend to vote in favour of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, with 53 being opposed to the proposal. Australian correspondent Andrew Macfarlane says this poll follows a massive push in favour of the campaign, where John Farnham shared his support...

The Warriors are giving their fans the option to purchase a 'Finals FastPass' as demand for tickets soars. For $49, fans will be able to buy their way towards priority access to tickets for the highly-anticipated final. The fee won't guarantee tickets- but it gives fans a higher chance. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT's new energy policy is being praised as a helpful solution for New Zealand's future. The party has reiterated its pledge to overturn the ban on oil and gas exploration, and revealed it will scrap the Lake Onslow pumped hydro project. ACT is also campaigning on cutting red tape for offshore wind power projects - and bringing in a regulatory framework for carbon capture technology. Energy Resour...

Fresh off the back of a successful business delegation to India, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges is set to take 30 businesses to China. Despite the unstable economic climate, Bridges still thinks there's plenty of commercial opportunity in China. He says New Zealand does significantly more trade there than with India and there's room for more partnerships and relationships. LISTEN ABOV...

Te Whatu Ora says it's put a fair offer on the table as it stares down the barrel of an unprecedented strike by senior doctors and dentists. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists members will walk off the job for two hours tomorrow from midday. About 250 planned care procedures are likely to be deferred, although emergency care is still available. Te Whatu Ora's Andrew Slater says they're of...

The Council of Trade Unions are defending their ad attack on National's leader. Their billboards and newspaper ads call Chris Luxon 'out of touch' and 'too much risk'. National's campaign chair Chris Bishop is accusing Labour of being behind it, but the CTU president says they're not in cahoots with Labour. President Richard Wagstaff says it's their job to call out someone who's 'going after worki...

The Finance Minister is defending the CTU's controversial attack ad, claiming it's a technique favoured by both sides. Billboards and newspaper ads from the Council of Trade Unions describe Chris Luxon as 'out of touch' and 'too much risk'. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says it's the CTU's right to highlight relevant issues in a democratic society. "And they wouldn't be alone in doing that, the...

  Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis.   The attack ads are already being published, with the CTU going after Chris Luxon on the f...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently dismissed his defence minister, claiming it was time for 'new approaches.' Oleksii Reznikov had led the ministry since before Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion, and will be replaced by Rustem Umerov. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Reznikov spearheaded key changes in Ukrain's defence ministry and laid the groundwork for future NATO partnerships...

Rotorua Principals are becoming increasingly concerned about fights occurring at a CBD bus stop. Police presence has been increased in the area at the request of Mayor Tania Tapsell, but despite this, children still say they feel unsafe. Rotorua Intermediate School Principal Garry de Thierry told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he saw seven security people and a policeman at the bus stop earlier thi...

A retail crime unit introduced in the Western Bay of Plenty is receiving praise. Police put the unit in place after the area had five thousand retail crimes last year. In just three weeks it's managed to grab 53 offenders and lay more than 400 charges.  Papamoa Plaza Mall Manager Anne Murphy told Heather du Plessis-Allan that retailers are delighted. She says while they aren't relaxing yet, they a...

A Wellington City Councillor says there'll be some disappointment from developers and mana whenua about the now ditched Shelly Bay development. The land's been sold to Sir Peter Jackson and his wife Dame Fran Walsh, who intend to return it to its natural state. Many protested the development while others backed it, saying the city needs more housing. Councillor Nikau Wi Neera told Heather du Pless...

The Grocery Commissioner says suppliers being treated better will help drive down prices at the supermarket. Under new measures coming into force later this month, grocery stores could get slapped with a fine up to three million dollars for unfairly treating local suppliers. Pierre van Heerden told Heather du Plessis Allan that it'll be good for consumers too, because a healthy supplier base means...

ACT Leader David Seymour's taken issue with comments made by Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson, calling them divisive and ineffective. In his final speech of the parliamentary term yesterday, Jackson said Maori have a different set of rights because they're recognised as the indigenous people of the country.  Seymour told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it's the first time he's heard a Labou...

Election 2023 is set to be one of the most important in recent memory.    To cut through the spin – join Newstalk ZB’s The Front Bench to get to the heart of the issues that matter most.   Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Phil O’Reilly and Richard Hills thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Election 2023. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapi...

The mother of suspended Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been hospitalised after an extended hunger strike. Ángeles Béjar locked herself in a church in her hometown of Motril, in southern Spain to protest her son's treatment after he was suspended for forcibly kissing Jennifer Hermoso.   UK correspondent Enda Brady says Ángeles Béjar had locked herself in the church for 60 hours, living on...

Tonight on The Huddle, Projects Director at Still Sam Johnson and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Do we mind that National is using a 'climate dividend to fund their proposed tax cuts? Other parties have voiced their disapproval- will voters mind? Or are they only focused on the tax cuts? An attack ad targeting National's Chris Luxon...