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It's less than 100 days until the FIFA World Cup, and the Football Ferns have taken another hit. The Football Ferns have lost to Nigeria 3 goals to nil in Turkey, having conceded 21 goals in 7 games this year so far. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says this is an unfortunate contrast to Australia's Matildas, who recently defeated England 2- nil. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The International Monetary Fund is warning of a grim outlook for the economy. Its 2023 outlook forecasts New Zealand will have one of the lowest GDP growth rates and one of the highest inflation rates in the Asia Pacific region in the coming years. Infometrics chief economist Brad Olsen says it's highlighted the vulnerabilities New Zealand faces. "The IMF has highlighted that there are risks, give...

A report out today on the response to Auckland's Anniversary Weekend floods is critical of Council leaders, mayor Wayne Brown, and the city's emergency management systems. The independent panel led by former Police Commissioner Mike Bush, has found the Council was unprepared for the flooding's magnitude and speed. It also notes Council already knew about gaps in preparedness as far back as 2016. B...

A freshwater scientist says it's impossible for New Zealand to maintain its dairying practices and clean up rivers. The latest report by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ reveals 45 percent of the nation's rivers are too polluted to swim in. Two thirds of native birds living near rivers are at risk of extinction and 45 percent of lakes are now more polluted than a decade ago. Victoria...

17,000 Wellington streetlights are not fit for purpose, with some smashing to the ground. Since the LED lamps were installed in 2018, 17 have fallen because their adaptors can't cope with Capital's blustery winds. They will now all be replaced within a year. Council Chief Infrastructure Officer Siobhan Procter says problems immediately surfaced in 2018, but leadership teams weren't told. "These op...

An apology from a Southern Te Whatu Ora leader after a report has revealed it failed cancer patients for years. The Health and Disability Commissioner's released a damning report on the region's non-surgical cancer care, showing significant delays in care between 2016 and 2022. It included a patient told he had eight weeks to live, who faced a twelve-week wait to see a specialist. Te Whatu Ora Sou...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed a Three Waters rebrand will be announced 'imminently'.  Hipkins says this revamped water infrastructure policy will bring the focus back to "affordable water infrastructure." ZB Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen says that we're likely to find out more about the Three Waters reform within the next 24 hours. "It'll be very interesting to see what they a...

The Chief Ombudsman says the damage in Gisborne and Wairoa is worse than he expected. Peter Boshier is meeting iwi, councils and community groups in Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier and Hastings this week. Boshier says people's lives have been turned upside down. He says it's emotionally moving to see people in North Clyde and Wairoa clear silt from their homes -some are insured, some aren't. He expects h...

There are two elements to rising interest rates that are likely to negatively affect homeowner sentiment heading into October’s election.  The most obvious and immediate one is the weekly hit to homeowner’s back pockets. Anyone who’s moved from a dirt-cheap sugar-hit rate onto a mortgage rate several percentage points higher will be hundreds of dollars poorer every week. Even though inflation’s a...

Junior doctors across the UK are beginning a four-day strike in a dispute over pay. This strike will result in an estimated 350,000 appointments, including operations, being cancelled. UK correspondent Enda Brady says 61,000 junior doctors have walked out so far, and the British Medical Association (BMA) union has hinted that these strikes may continue for the next year. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystu...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and David Farrar, Curia Pollster and Kiwiblog contributor joined in on a discussion about the following topics:  The Government has announced that they plan to keep the seven-day isolation requirement in place for the next two months. What do we think of this- will people stick to the isolation requirements? The Greater Wellington Regional Cou...

A previous Immigration Minister isn't surprised at the dwindling Active Investor Plus visa applications. This visa, designed to attract wealthy individuals who can invest millions of dollars into New Zealand companies, has only drawn in 14 applications in the past six months. Former Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere blames the changes to the scheme for the lack of applications, including the E...

Today, The Country celebrates 29 years on the air. Formerly known as The Farming Show, the program was the first Kiwi rural show to go nationwide on a commercial radio network. Host Jamie Mackay says The Country went on to inspire some spin-off shows created by people who worked with the series in the past. "I think it's good for rural New Zealand in all seriousness, that not only NZME but also so...

The Government may be looking to abandon the current layout for Three Waters in favour of a 10-entity solution. The proposed 10-entity policy alternative has been sent to BusinessDesk as the primary recommendation that will be put to Cabinet in the coming weeks. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says this alternative proposal kills off the concerns surrounding local Government say, a k...

Israel Adesanya has copped backlash from fans after he taunted the son of Alex Pereira following his UFC victory. Adesanya turned his attention to Alex Pereira's son after he knocked out his father, and fell to the ground to mock the teenage boy in the audience.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says there's no such thing as grace in the UFC, and the sport is inherently aggressive and confrontati...

Auckland Transport's new CEO wants services back to pre-Covid levels. Dean Kimpton wants to lift public transport usage by 20 percent in the next year. He says that involves employing another 360 bus drivers and up to 50 ferry skippers. "So this is not an easy task, it's going to take a lot of employment, it's going to take a lot of training and we have to implement new schedules." LISTEN ABOVE Se...

A student group at Otago University has objected to the university's bid to renew its liquor licence. Students for Sensible Drug Policy Dunedin want the licence renewal to be conditional, on the university stocking up on a medicine to treat opioid overdoses. The group will present its case at a district licensing committee on Thursday. Otago University Students Association President, Quintin Jane,...

The Health Minister says when countries move away from mandated Covid-19 isolation, it means more transmission. The Government's keeping the seven day isolation requirement for people with Covid-19 for at least the next two months. Cabinet's also asked for more work on whether testing to return to work for mild cases or asymptomatic people would be safe and effective. Health Minister Ayesha Verral...

Suggestions the Government's Three Water reforms will change, but it still hasn't appeased opponents. Sources have told BusinessDesk officials are considering merging water services into 10 regional entities, rather than four. The recommendations are expected to go to Cabinet in coming weeks, although the Prime Minister says no decisions have been made. Manawatu mayor Helen Worboys it doesn't addr...

Cabinet is seeking advice on whether a Covid "test to work" scheme would work. Business NZ CEO Kirk Hope says that could allow some workers back sooner than seven days. "Of course, you know your employer's going to say- only come in if you're capable of working, we don't want you here if you're still, in fact feeling quite sick." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An opposition MP has resigned from Australia's shadow cabinet to campaign to give indigenous people a voice. The Liberal Party's Julian Leeser has resigned, after his party confirmed it will oppose the change to the country's constitution. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says he's supported the cause a long time. "This is something he's been working on for a decade. He has been campaigning fo...

New Zealand's mandatory seven-day isolation period for Covid-19 isn't changing for at least the next two months. Chris Hipkins says he expects we'll reach a point by the end of winter where Covid becomes normal and we're moving towards the virus being just another thing managed by the health system. ZB's Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen says it seems that the remaining Covid-19 restrictions w...

Weight loss surgery doesn't meet the 'strict' threshold required to withdraw KiwiSaver funds. Three people have applied for the early release of their retirement savings on the grounds of serious illness, and all three applications were rejected. Financial advisor Liz Koh says the threshold to withdraw KiwiSaver funds under 'serious illness' is very high, and applicants will need a condition that...

At a time when the Reserve Bank is piling pressure on mortgage holders, Kiwisaver hardship grants have spiked, and our economy is already quite likely in recession, the latest job numbers from SEEK add to a confusing and seemingly contradictory economic picture.  According to SEEK’s employment dashboard, job ads have increased month-on-month for the third time this year, with job ad volumes almost...

The husband of Scotland's former first minister, Peter Murrell has been arrested in connection with an SNP finance probe. Peter Murrell was questioned after being taken into custody by Police Scotland officers. UK correspondent Enda Brady says neighbours described the police entrance into Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell's house as something out of a police drama. Enda Brady explained that Peter...