Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Five people in a submersible missing in the North Atlantic Ocean will be battling harsh conditions, if alive. Sonar's picked up banging underwater, as searchers race against time to find the sub before its oxygen runs out. CNN's reporting an internal US Government memo states it's unclear exactly when the noises were heard, or for how long. Retired Australian Navy commodore, Peter Scott, says whet...

The door may not be entirely shut on redemption for Michael Wood. The Mount Roskill MP resigned all his ministerial portfolios today, over revelations he held trust shares that conflict with his roles. That's on top of being stood down as Transport Minister, for owning Auckland Airport shares he was asked to sell 12 times. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says it does beggar belief. "Other people have...

The organisers of a South Island feral cat killing competition are sticking to their guns on reworking the challenge. The North Canterbury Hunting Competition dropped the under-14s category after protest, and it's now adults-only. Hunting must be done at least 10 kilometres from residential areas, with restrictions on methods. Organiser Matt Bailey says the feral cats endanger native birds. "These...

The case of Michael Wood, I think, has got to go down in history as one of the most confusing political stuff-ups ever, don’t you think? Because no-one can explain why. Why did Michael Wood fail time after time just to own up to the fact that he held shares that the rules clearly said he needed to declare? He should have declared them all when he filled out the register at Parliament of what each...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Labour Press Secretary Kaine Thompson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government confirmed that a Commerce Commission probe will investigate banking sector competition issues - and barriers new market competitors face, as well as profitability and financial measures. Will this bring any real c...

A small Kiwi startup may save New Zealand's wool industry- and reduce our carbon footprint. Woolchemy, founded by Derelee Potroz-Smith, is in the business of creating wool-based hygiene products, including woollen nappies. The Country's Jamie Mackay says New Zealand's wool industry is struggling, and this may be the extra boost that helps it recover. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for...

New Zealand's major banks are set to go under the microscope. The Government has confirmed a Commerce Commission probe into banking sector competition and barriers new market competitors face. The Commission will also investigate banks’ profitability and other financial measures. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says history indicates this probe won't deliver as much as people hope fo...

New Zealand Football are backing the All Whites after their friendly match with Qatar soured. The team abandoned the match before the second half after defender Michael Boxall was allegedly subject to racial abuse from a Qatari player. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says the All Whites will have to follow due process to avoid further complications. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Consumer confidence remains low in the face of mounting economic pressures. The Westpac Consumer Confidence Index rose to 83.1, but more households have a pessimistic economic outlook than optimistic. More than 40 percent of households said their financial position worsened over the past year, while only 14 percent said it improved. Senior economist Satish Ranchhod says two key factors are suppres...

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is heading towards liquidation weeks out from the 2023 ski season. Creditors didn't come to an agreement on the company's future today, which went into voluntary administration last year. A hearing is set down for tomorrow at the High Court in Auckland. Ruapehu Stakeholders Association chairman Jason Platt says this scenario was exactly what the organisation expected. "This on...

An employment expert feels a deregistered high school teacher experienced a 'rough run'. The Disciplinary Tribunal stripped a high school maths teacher of his registration, after a hearing into a student complaint. The teacher refused to refer to a transgender 14-year-old by their preferred pronouns or chosen name, citing religious beliefs. Whitehead Group employment specialist Max Whitehead says...

A chef says balance and eatability are keys to a good toasted sandwich. Mount Maunganui's Freeport with Cleaver and Co has won top prize at the Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover. This winning entry features smoked lamb pastrami, prawns, mozzarella, smoked cheddar sauce, and sweet and spicy pickles on sourdough. Chef de Partie Brooke Moore says toasties shouldn't fall apart when picked up. "Defini...

The Health Minister's promising to check measures designed to make healthcare more equitable are working. A new equity adjuster-waitlist tool - trialled at two hospitals - includes ethnicity as a factor in criteria, coming after medical need. The ACT Party has labelled it racial discrimination, and the Prime Minister is now pausing further rollout of the scheme. Minister Ayesha Verrall says they n...

The Government says there's no quick fix for the banking sector. It's ordered the Commerce Commission to probe bank profits and competition. A preliminary paper's due in August, and a final report a year later. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Duncan Webb says simply pumping money into Kiwibank isn't the answer. "There might be structural issues in the market. It's not my call where the capi...

Health officials are pressing pause on factoring in ethnicity as a priority for medical waitlists. Te Whatu Ora began including it in a new medical waitlist criteria in Auckland, alongside clinical priority, time spent on the waitlist, location and deprivation level. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said earlier that there is now no plan to implement the criteria at nationwide level. ZB senior politic...

The newlyweds at the centre of the deadly Hunter Valley bus crash have broken their silence. Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell have thanked the community for their “outpouring of love and support” after 10 of their guests died in the incident. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the pair won't give any interviews and need space to process the tragedy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

A former Phoenix player is lending his support to the All Whites after the team refused to play on amid racial abuse claims. Their match against Qatar was abandoned this morning, with defender Michael Boxall the subject of alleged racism. Paul Ifill says the All Whites made the right call in abandoning the match before the second half. "It's already a talking point, I don't think it would have bee...

MPs will decide whether or not to sanction Boris Johnson after a privileges committee report found he misled the House of Commons. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he will not be influencing MPs in the upcoming vote- insisting the decision is for the House. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the vote will determine whether Johnson is stripped of his access to the Palace of Westminster. LISTEN ABOVE S...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Mike Munroe, Labour Chief of Staff and Director at Mike Munro Communications joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Te Whatu Ora has released a new medical waitlist criteria that factors ethnicity, as well as clinical priority, time already spent on the waitlist, location and deprivation level. Shou...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has locked in a coveted confab with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Hipkins heads to China on Sunday, alongside a large delegation of high-flying New Zealand businesspeople. He'll be travelling to Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says Chris Hipkins will use the trip to boost the New Zealand-China trade relationship. LISTEN ABOVE Se...

The Blues were defeated by the Crusaders 52- 15 on Friday's Super Rugby semifinal. The Crusaders are now set to go up against the Chiefs next week in Hamilton for an all-New Zealand Super Rugby final. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps the loss here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is seeking to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme to stop it going bust down the line. The Climate Change Commission warns it's not working as intended, and four new options are now on the table. One includes taking forestry out of the scheme altogether to stop businesses planting trees rather than cutting carbon. Climate Change Minister James Shaw says there's a risk of creating a glu...

The Government says the fundamentals of our economy are really strong. When asked how he rates the chances of a credit rating downgrade, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says we're still in a good spot. "The IMF here recently and others, they've had long term concerns about aspects of the New Zealand economy like the current account balance, but they also weigh that up against things like levels o...

Australians will soon vote on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, with the Senate concluding months of parliamentary procedures. The vote requires Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to set a referendum date before the end of the year- the first held since 1999. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the polls aren't in favour of the referendum, with 60 percent of voters voicing disa...

The Police Minister is applauding officers' management of a gang tangi in Ōpōtiki. Hundreds of Mongrel Mob members descended on the Bay of Plenty town last week for the funeral of a gang boss. Police closed public roads for two hours for the Whakatane funeral procession. Minister Ginny Andersen says it's unacceptable people's daily lives were disrupted - but police used the opportunity to enact ne...