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A new poll shows although support is down for National, the right-wing bloc could form a Government. Tonight's One News-Verian poll shows National have dropped two points to 35 percent and Labour is down two points to 33. Act is up one to 12, the Greens are up three point to 10 percent and Te Pati Maori is up one to 3 percent. On those numbers, ACT and National would win 61 seats and the Labour/Gr...

School leaders are expecting staffing challenges for Term 3. Students returned to school today. Auckland Primary Principals' Association President Kyle Brewerton says in 20 years as a principal - he's never seen shortages this bad. Brewerton says about a third of respondents say shortages are worse this term, than last term. "We did put out a quick poll this afternoon, just little over 50 percent...

Volunteer divers have made an unusual discovery off the coast of Wellington's Oriental Bay. An unexploded fuze mechanism from World War II is the third potentially live piece of discarded military ammunition unearthed from the Capital's waters.  Ghost Diving NZ Founder and President Rob Wilson says the volunteer divers were taken aback by this dangerous discovery. "We immediately put it in a bucke...

The opening day's ended in the trial of the mother who allegedly murdered her three young daughters in Timaru. South African born Lauren Dickason pleaded not guilty to killing her six-year-old daughter and two-year-old twins in September 2021. The 41-year-old admits killing the children, but is mounting a defence of insanity. NZ Herald senior reporter Anna Leask says the jury has to decide whether...

Moves to help the justice system crack down on brazen criminal offending. The ram-raid trend of filming a criminal act and posting it online will now become an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Government is also creating a new offence for people commissioning children to offend, or rewarding them for it. Police Minister Ginny Andersen says she knows young people are competing on stealing cars...

A tree planting event in Perth has been called off after an Aboriginal group demanded $2.5 million for approval. 120 volunteers were set to plant at least 5500 shrubs and trees along Perth’s Canning River, until Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation demanded planting at a site of cultural significance cease. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this is the second tree planting event that has bee...

Novak Djokovic believes the skillset of Carlos Alcaraz combines the best qualities of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the Serb himself. The 20-year-old Spaniard's stormed to his maiden Wimbledon title and second grand slam to consolidate his ranking as the best men's tennis player in the world. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

The Greens say a policy announced today to return privately held land to Maori is about justice. If adopted, it would allow the Crown to negotiate buying land from owners prepared to sell, to return to Tangata Whenua. It would apply to land found by the Waitangi Tribunal to have been wrongfully acquired. It's unclear what'll happen if the owner isn't happy with the price. Party co-leader, Marama D...

UK fans have expressed shock that BBC news reader Huw Edwards is at the centre of this recent scandal. He had been outed by his wife, who later stated her husband was in hospital after a serious mental health episode. UK correspondent Enda Brady says many viewers see Edwards as a respected broadcaster and credible TV presence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strong wool prices in Australia and New Zealand are at a historic low. For the last three years, farmers have reportedly been hoarding their wool supply, but merchants in Australia have turned to dumping their supply because they can't afford to store it. The Country's Rowena Duncum says wool merchants in the UK and Europe are experiencing similar issues as the market declines. LISTEN ABOVE   See...

US inflation fell to 3 percent in June, highlighting the Federal Reserve's success at pushing down price pressures. The US dollar has dropped to a 15-month low, in sharp contrast to other economies struggling to control inflation. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this is down to the US having a very efficient economy, a fact that's often overlooked. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com...

News anchor Huw Edwards has been named as the presenter at the centre of the BBC scandal. He's been outed by his wife, but London police claim there's no evidence Edwards paid a teenager for sexually explicit pictures.  Fellow British broadcaster Stewart Purvis says these revelations still raise plenty of questions. "Has the public opinion changed where we feel those are private matters? I think t...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been warned to show 'gratitude' by both the US and UK at the NATO summit. Zelenskyy expressed annoyance at the lack of a clear timeline for Ukraine to join the alliance, labelling the decision 'absurd'. Curtin University Associate Professor of National Security Alexey Muraviev says these regions were clearly 'telling off' Zelenskyy. "At some point in tim...

Questions are being raised over Te Whatu Ora's honesty regarding health targets.  Te Whatu Ora says they're treating 90 percent of cancer patients on time in the southern district, but letters sent out warn of delays. These letters claim the patients should expect to wait 12 weeks for their first appointment, 8 weeks over the national target. Cancer care advocate Melissa Vining says DHB management...

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett and independent journalist Clare de Lore joined in on a discussion about the following topics- and more! Chris Hipkins is still adamant that it was his handiwork in shutting down a potential wealth or capital gains tax. Does this prove Hipkins and Robertson aren't getting along? Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter at...

Eden Park's CEO is confident the FIFA Women's World Cup will draw in the crowds. FIFA has announced it will give away 20,000 free tickets to the Women's World Cup matches hosted in New Zealand. Nick Sautner says 1.25 million tickets have been sold so far, and this event is tracking to be the biggest women’s sporting contest in the world. "The promotion in the last 24 hours- there was huge demand f...

An employment court has vindicated six former Gloriavale women - who today won their employment court battle. These women claimed they were exploited and treated like slaves while they worked on domestic tasks for the community, including preparing food, cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. Their lawyer, Brian Henry, says there was a clear recipe for suppression and enslavement of women within the...

Free school lunches are in the firing line, with documents showing Treasury isn't keen. A report to the Finance Minister says the programme doesn't affect attendance, and gives little benefit to Māori students. Each day, 10,000 meals are left over, either because kids aren't at school, or don't like what's on offer. KidsCan Chief Executive Julie Chapman says there's no doubt waste is an issue that...

A Budget document shows Treasury is less than enthusiastic about the free school lunch program, Ka Ora, Ka Ako. A report to the Finance Minister claims the scheme did not impact attendance and provided little benefit to Māori students. The document also revealed funding for the program ran out at the end of 2023, with permanent funding dependent on proof the scheme was effective. ZB senior politic...

Australia and the EU have failed to resolve negotiations on a planned free trade agreement worth almost $100 billion. After two days of negotiations, both sides failed to reach a compromise and will now have to reconvene in August. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Trade Minister Don Farrell even travelled to Brussels this week to break the five-year deadlock. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

The Warriors have secured the services of veteran halfback Shaun Johnson for another year. The 32-year-old has decided to return for his 14th NRL season, days after becoming the fifth Warrior to record 200 games for the club. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the team set to go up against the Springboks in Auckland. Richie Mo'unga is back at 10, Brodie Retallick and Will Jordan will make their debut as All Blacks- and Damian McKenzie is absent from the lineup. Former All Black Josh Kronfeld says this has all the makings of a big game. He says the fact that both teams are evenly matched and that both teams have just...

BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine is urging the presenter accused of soliciting explicit photos to come forward publicly. Vine was among several broadcasters forced to deny their role at the centre of this scandal, as people speculate the identity of the accused. This follows a second person coming forward with a complaint about the unnamed presenter.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says rumours have been...

Tonight on The Huddle, Georgina Stylianou from Government Relations firm BRG and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion on the following issues of the day- and more! Labour has decided against introducing a capital gains or wealth tax if they get re-elected. New documents show the Government was looking into it, as part of Budget 2023, before the PM dumped the...

The Prime Minister today ruled out introducing a capital gains or wealth tax if Labour is re-elected come October. Hipkins also confirmed that a capital gains tax had been considered for the 2023 Budget, but ultimately scrapped. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen is surprised the Government considered this significant change to the tax system in the first place. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystud...