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The Government faces a tough balancing act for this year's Budget. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says he's reprioritised $4 billion to spend in the four year forecast period. It includes money saved by the Government's policy bonfire, and cash left over from the Covid response. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says inflation is ruthless, and a lot of money will be needed to continue Governm...

An experienced cave guide cancelled a school tour at Waipū Caves Farm Park because of the weather, hours before helping rescuers search Abbey Caves. Whangārei Boys' High School student Karnin Ahorangi Petera died in the caves on a school trip on Tuesday. Guide Ian Fox says they constantly monitor the weather, particularly if storms are predicted. "On the morning, the teacher and I discussed it, an...

In the past 12 months, food prices have risen the most in 36 years - but one vegetable grower says they're heading back down. Food went up 12.5 percent in the year to April, including a 22.5 percent increase in prices for fruit and veg. But in just the month of April, fruit and veg actually also slid 2.9 percent. Leaderbrands CEO Richard Burke says Cyclone Gabrielle caused some delays. "We've been...

Let me give you a bunch of reasons why you can- and should- ignore this letter from 97 ‘wealthy’ Kiwis asking the Government to tax them more. This is the letter that starts: “We write as people who are frustrated with how much tax we pay. We want to pay more”. They do not want to pay more themselves. What they actually want is other rich people to pay more tax. And you don’t have to take my word...

A UK citizen extradited to the US has plead guilty to cyberstalking and hacking schemes, notably the 2020 Twitter hack. 23-year-old Joseph James O'Connor was charged both North Dakota and New York and will forfeit over $794,000. He also faces up to 77 years in prison. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says O'Connor's 2020 Twitter hack affected several high-profile accounts including former president Bar...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Sam Johnson, Projects Director at Still joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National's Chris Luxon has ruled out any governing deal with Te Pāti Māori after the election, and won't enter an arrangement with the party, even if it was National’s sole route into Government. Why has it taken National...

1500 travel delegates from around the world are in Christchurch for the county's biggest tourism business event. Tourism Industry Aotearoa says the TRENZ conference will help to shape New Zealand's tourism economy for years to come. TRENZ was last held in person in 2019, and this is the first time Ōtautahi has hosted the event since 2006. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says TRENZ has g...

The pressure is on for the US Government to potentially raise the debt ceiling. Because recent tax receipts have been lower than expected, the US Government runs the risk of being unable to meet their financial obligations and defaulting. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that without more borrowing, the US will not have enough money to meet these obligations by June 1. Milford Asset Mana...

The Government has put more money down to stop housing developments from failing. They've made $159 million available to get affordable housing projects which would otherwise stall, off the ground.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains that the Government will either buy “build-ready” land or pre-purchase or underwrite homes. "This $159 million it's putting on the table-...

National's Chris Luxon has today ruled out working with Te Pāti Māori in any post-election deal. Luxon says it's clear that National and Te Pāti Māori have fundamentally different views on too many issues. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says National should have been more assertive early on when it came to Te Pāti Māori. "I don't know why they waited until now, but nevertheless Ch...

Former president Donald Trump has been found liable of sexually abusing and defaming columnist E Jean Carroll. Trump has been ordered to pay her $5 million in damages but because this is a civil case, he won't serve jail time. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this is unlikely to stop his plan to run for president in 2024, but Republican leaders will be concerned about the shadow cast by this v...

New Zealand investment into companies linked to deforestation has been trending upward in the last few months. According to research carried out by ethical investment charity Mindful Money, investment into companies known to contribute to deforestation has increased by 79 percent in one year. Mindful Money's report also shows that most of these investments are coming from KiwiSaver funds. Mindful...

The Commerce Commission is launching an investigation into potential breaches of the Fair Trade Agreement from retirement villages. This probe was inspired by several complaints from village residents and Consumer NZ about contract clauses deemed 'unfair' to retirees. Retirement Village Residents Association president Brian Peat says they're very pleased to be considered for a Commerce Commission...

Expect regular matches in Japan to be added to the New Zealand rugby calendar in the coming years. NZ Rugby and and the Japanese Rugby Football Union have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore strategic and commercial opportunities until 2027. Former Japanese coach Sir John Kirwan approves of this agreement, as Japan has an excellent economy and rugby community. "They have a good s...

Pak'nSave Porirua is being criticised for a Mother's Day giveaway of laundry liquid. Its' social media post advertising a giveaway with laundry liquid, laundry scent booster, air fresheners and chocolate is being labelled as misogynistic. Cory Ross, the Pak’nSave employee who wrote the post, told the Herald claims of the giveaway being misogynistic is 'ridiculous'. Massey University Marketing Prof...

First of all, good on Christopher Luxon for ruling out working with the Māori Party. Smart play, makes Te Pāti Māori exclusively Labour’s problem and makes it a lot easier for Luxon to frame the left, as he likes to dub it, as a coalition of chaos. Because between the antics of the Māori Party, the infighting of the Green Party and the troublesome ministers of the Labour Party, it looks pretty cha...

A shock development, with a murder trial over the death of a young Christchurch mother suddenly aborted. David Hawken, and Rebecca Wright-Meldrum, were appearing in the High Court in Christchurch, charged with murdering Angela Blackmoore. A four-week trial began last week, but Justice Cameron Mander today dismissed the jury. Herald journalist Kurt Bayer says the judge couldn't give details. "He to...

Local hāpu have been offering support after the death of a Whangārei High School student yesterday. Ngātiwai members were at the Abbey Caves last night where the boy died, and today visited the school. A rāhui's now been placed on the caves. The school opened today with a security presence, but other than issuing a statement, the principal isn't answering questions. Ngātiwai Trust Board Chief Exec...

Problems for Donald Trump if he wants to get nominated for President again. He's been found liable of sexually assaulting writer E Jean Carroll in a dressing room, and later defaming her. Former Republican National Convention Communications Director, Doug Heye, says women and independent voters won't want to associate with him. "What we need to learn is whether or not these Republicans who are run...

At age 5, Prince Louis has conducted his first royal engagement. The young prince joined the Prince and Princess of Wales and his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte as part of The Big Help Out volunteering initiative.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says the royals were helping the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough to renovate their scout hut. Enda Brady says the photos of Prince Louis will...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Jack Tame, host of Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day:  The Māori Party’s co-leaders were booted from the House by the Speaker after the pair led a haka for Meka Whaitiri that not every party agreed to. How much of a flop is this for The Māori Party? The new State Highway 25A bridg...

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard will run as the ACT Party candidate for Rangitīkei. Hoggard announced he plans to step down from his role as Federated Farmers president, which he has held for three years. The Country's Jamie Mackay says there had been speculation and rumours going around for the past week ahead of today's announcement. Jamie Mackay says there's been a long history of Fe...

Credit bureau Centrix has teamed up with the country’s leading buy now, pay later providers to keep users out of financial trouble. PayWatch is a credit reporting system that will allow leading BNPL providers Afterpay, Zip and Laybuy to share overdue account data and flag borrowers behind on payments. Centrix chief operating officer Monika Lacey says PayWatch will enable buy now, pay later provide...

BusinessDesk's Pattrick Smellie is confident Meka Whaitiri's resignation won't increase the likelihood of a centre-left Government being elected come October. In a Businessdesk opinion piece, Pattrick Smellie argued that Meka Whaitiri's departure from Labour is just the latest of many challenges Chris Hipkins faces as election year progresses. He explained that even if Te Pāti Māori generated more...

Te Pāti Māori co-leaders were kicked out of Parliament’s debating chamber after conducting an unauthorised pōwhiri. The pōwhiri was meant to symbolically welcome Meka Whaitiri, who returned today as an independent MP after last week's shock resignation. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it appears Te Pāti Māori misled Speaker Adrian Rurawhe by informing him they had received per...