Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Following global inflation peaking at the end of 2022, US interest rates had descended by November of that year. However, these interest rates have been spiking up again, to the confusion of economists. Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager Sam Dickie says the US managed to escape a recession- and that's making the Federal Reserve evaluate future hikes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey shows there's a change of heart throughout the sector. According to the data, business confidence lifted nine points in August to -4, the highest read since mid-2021. Expected own activity also jumped 10 points, to +11. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says business confidence has been on a slow and steady rise throughout the year- but the promise...

Protesters briefly disrupted Parliament's Question Time with whistles and banners, on the last sitting day of the term. As Greens co-leader, James Shaw was answering questions about climate change, the group of activists blew whistles and yelled "no more cows". The Country's Jamie Mackay voiced his disapproval, as the dairy sector has had a rough time throughout 2023. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

That's a wrap. The 53rd Parliament has adjourned for the campaign period, ahead of the October 14 election. The final session was a raucous one, with with MPs at times shouting over each other and Speaker Adrian Rurawhe having to intervene. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it was a showcase of political  personality, as everyone gears up for the campaign. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

Human remains found near a highway overpass in Sydney have been identified as belonging to Samah Baker. She was last seen in January 2019, and her former boyfriend James Hachem was arrested and charged with murder after the disappearance. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Samah Baker's family are hurting from this discovery, as they never got to say goodbye properly. LISTEN ABOVE See o...

A damning inquiry into New Zealand Rugby's constitution and governance structure has found neither are fit for purpose. A four-person panel has found the need for change is urgent, with Super Rugby and provincial unions struggling to create revenue amid declining fan engagement. NZR have responded with a statement saying they are committed to considering all recommendations.  Sportstalk host D'Arc...

National says their latest plan aims to give a boost to the house building sector. If they get into power, the party wants to support skilled construction workers by keeping apprenticeships and having 'appropriate' immigration settings. Housing spokesperson Chris Bishop says they need to address the housing shortage. He says they want the industry to have access to skilled labour here, and from ov...

There are growing calls for the Government to fund parenting support programmes, following on from taxpayer-funded antenatal classes. A survey run by the Positive Parenting Programme shows that Kiwi parents are feeling more stressed, anxious and angry as a result of their children's behaviour. Triple P New Zealand country manager Jackie Riach says a nationally funded parental support program would...

A domestic violence survivor has reaffirmed her belief the laws around marriage need to change. The Family Proceedings Amendment Bill had its first reading last night. It would scrap the two-year wait between a separation after domestic violence - and dissolving the marriage. Survivor and instigator of the Bill Ashley Jones says she's passionate about the proposed changes. "I think in my own exper...

National's plan to raid New Zealand's climate action fund is being labelled dangerous and grossly irresponsible. They plan to take money from the Emissions Trading Scheme - reserved for fighting climate change - to fund tax cuts. The ETS is a Government-run market that requires polluting companies to buy credits to offset their emissions. Climate Minister and Greens co-leader, James Shaw, says it...

A four-person panel has determined that the current New Zealand Rugby Union constitution and consequent governance structures aren't 'fit for purpose'. The review urges NZ Rugby to create a stakeholder council and an appropriately skilled board in order to address issues with fan engagement and revenue. Panel chair David Pilkington says the current process of appointing board members is 'convolute...

An independent power company says the industry needs structural reform. Consumer NZ has raised concern about historically high profits made last year by our biggest power companies. Meridian, Contact, Genesis and Mercury made a combined $2.7 billion operating profits in the past year. Consumer estimates 40,000 households couldn't afford power over the same period. Electric Kiwi chief executive Luk...

Well, good luck to James Shaw trying to convince Kiwis it’s a bad idea for National to give us that climate dividend as part of their tax cuts . He's going as hard as he can . Yesterday, he said it "pissed him off" and it was “incensing him” , and today he’s put out a press release saying he’s “insulted” . What he’s upset about is that National has used the ETS money to pay for their tax cuts . Th...

Labour is casting doubt over National's newly unveiled tax policy that promises to end the foreign buyers ban. National claims that their proposed 15 percent tax on overseas homebuyers will generate the revenue needed to help fund tax cuts. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says it's clear that National has looked through property price data and examined foreign purchases before the ban w...

National leader Chris Luxon and deputy Nicola Willis have unveiled their long awaited tax plan- as the clock ticks down to October's election. If elected, National would shift personal income tax brackets for inflation and expand tax credits, and cover it by slashing public service spending and rolling out a 15 percent foreign buyer tax on homes. Enable. Me's Hannah McQueen says the shifted person...

Scott Weenink believes his experience as chair of the players' association will aid him in his new role as chief executive of New Zealand Cricket. The 50-year-old former Wellington first-class cricketer and businessman replaces David White, and will begin after being welcomed into the Auckland office on Friday. He says New Zealand Cricket's biggest strength is their flexibility around contracting...

It's been a choppy month for stock markets globally, with the NZX underperforming throughout August. The NZX is currently down by 5 percent for the month, with experts concerned this dip has wiped out gains made in the first half of 2023. Milford Asset Management analyst Jeremy Hutton says rising interest rates are a major factor in the downturn, as many economies are working to avoid recession. L...

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National have finally shown us their long awaited tax plan- is it good? Could they have gone harder? And most importantly- is it a vote winner?  Restore Passenger Rail Supporter Rosemary Penwarden has been rema...

Labour's keeping the heat on National over its centrepiece tax policy - suggesting its promise is collapsing faster than a house of cards. The party's election tax plan would shift income brackets for the so-called squeezed middle, using $14.6 billion found by reprioritising spending and adding taxes. Minister Grant Robertson says that makes huge assumptions on how much would be raised, and is lik...

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) scheme has been expanded to cover all of London's boroughs- to the outrage of drivers. Under the scheme, drivers must pay a charge of £12.50 a day to drive a non-compliant vehicle within the zone. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Londoners are taking to the streets to protest and damaging the cameras designed to monitor the zone. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

A Restore Passenger Rail spokesperson says it's a bit extreme for a judge to decline bail for a protester. Rosemary Penwarden appeared in Wellington District Court yesterday - accused of endangering transport on State Highway One in Kilbirnie. She's been remanded in custody, but is appealing to the High Court to instead be given electronically monitored bail. Protest group spokesperson James Cockl...

Unused face masks will end up costing the Ministry of Education thousands of dollars. The Ministry's spending $26,000 a month on storage fees for millions of masks likely to go unused, now that mandates have ended. The storage cost is so high, the Ministry is now considering spending $120,000 to destroy them. The Secondary Principals Association's Vaughn Couillaut says he can understand the Minist...

Global investment giant BlackRock warns central banks won't start cutting interest rates anytime soon. Their strategists believe western central banks are committed to stamping inflation out for good- despite the economic troubles weighing China down. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says BlackRock is convinced central banks will overlook China's economic climate to focus on i...

Securing the future of test cricket will be front of mind for New Zealand Cricket's new chief executive, Scott Weenink. The 50-year-old lawyer and former Wellington first-class player has replaced David White, who's spent the last 12 years at the helm. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The speed and risk from Hurricane Idalia is growing as it approaches Florida's West Coast. It's expected to wreak havoc on the US state, touching down early tomorrow morning. Unsurvivable storm surge is predicted to hit parts of the island city of Cedar Key. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says coastal areas are frantically preparing. "Classes have been cancelled, businesses boarded up, whole town...