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The expectation that interest rate hikes will lead to a recession has been in place for several months. The negative 4th quarter GDP, increased mortgage costs and announced layoffs have experts convinced that a recession is on the cards- or it's hit New Zealand already.  Milford Asset Management's Mark Riggall says the economy has been resilient so far, but the incoming recession is still imminent...

The Government 's depositor compensation scheme is on track to be operational by late 2024. This scheme designed to ensure depositors are protected in the event of their bank, finance company, building society or credit union was originally expected to launch early 2024. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained that setting up the levies banks should pay and the payout proce...

A quick police response may have saved lives in an American school shooting this week. A 28-year-old former student killed six children and adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says police responded much more slowly last year to a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But he says this time it was different and they had no hesitation in shooting the attack...

PM Chris Hipkins revealed that staff in the Prime Minister's office acknowledged Nash's email to two donors in 2021, but didn't escalate it. The Prime Minister sacked Stuart Nash last night after it came to light that he had emailed two donors to update them about a rent relief scheme during Covid-19. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper expressed confusion as to why Ardern wasn't made...

First Union bus drivers have achieved a 'historic' victory in wage negotiation. These bus drivers have become the first set of workers in New Zealand to get approval to initiate an industry-wide Fair Pay Agreement. The bus driver unions will begin negotiations as they attempt to address ongoing issues of investment, overseas recruitment and driver safety. First Union's Louisa Jones says these nego...

The Police Commissioner has admitted there may be other examples of Stuart Nash attempting to influence his decisions. Former Police Minister Nash resigned the portfolio, after revelations he asked the commissioner if he would appeal a judge's sentence. He's now also been sacked as a Cabinet Minister. Commissioner Andrew Coster says a collation of text messages will be released in the next week or...

A Kiwi developer has created an app to help with booking Great Walks. Last May, 20,000 bunks on the Milford Track were snapped up in minutes, but this app tracks cancellations, telling people who missed out if a bed becomes available. App developer James Morgan says more than 700 people have signed up so far. "And I've had a lot of feedback of people saying 'thank you' and 'this is amazing', which...

Corrections has admitted it could have given clearer information to the Parole Board around the release of a man who then killed his Christchurch neighbour. In June 2021, the Parole Board indicated they wanted to send Joseph Brider to the Salisbury Street Foundation on his release, but Corrections cancelled it in August. He then murdered Juliana Herrera. Corrections CEO Jeremy Lightfoot says an in...

National's Chris Luxon is adamant that Stuart Nash should depart Parliament. Stuart Nash has been stripped of his Cabinet roles after revelations yesterday he'd leaked details of confidential meetings, again breaching the Cabinet Manual. Nash has since taken to social media to apologise for his actions, but has confirmed he'll stay on as Napier's local MP to avoid setting off a by-election. Nation...

Hopes a new waste management system will put an end to "wish-cycling". The Government's standardising urban household recycling nationwide by 2027, and introducing kerbside food scrap collection by 2030. Zero Waste Network says people putting things in the bin, just hoping it's recyclable - is a big problem. Spokesperson Sue Coutts  says it creates issues for recyclers who sell products offshore f...

On Stuart Nash, totally predictable that he more would come out and he would get the sack.  In fact, we predicted it on this show 12 days ago, and it’s happened. He's lost his ministerial portfolios.   Now the question is- should he stick around in Parliament?  National wants him out, they want a by-election. Labour doesn’t want a by-election, probably because they’ll get a spanking in the Napier...

The Duke of Sussex made an unexpected appearance at the High Court for the Associated Newspapers hearing. Prince Harry is among several individuals who alleged unlawful information gathering by the media company, alongside other big names like Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost and Elton John. UK correspondent Enda Brady says today's preliminary hearing was certainly unique, as Elton John also turned up to j...

Tonight on The Huddle, Transporting NZ CEO Nick Leggett and Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas Capital NZ joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day: Marama Davidson apparently meant to say white cis men cause the majority of sexual violence, but omitted sexual from her outburst. Does she still need to apologise for Saturday's comments? Auckland Council has banned two opposing co-gove...

Labor's Chris Minns is the new premier of NSW, but the remaining votes show he'll run a minority Government. New South Wales Labor currently holds 45 seats in Parliament, two less than required to form a majority Government. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says that Australia now has Labor Governments from coast to coast, everywhere except Tasmania. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

An independent economist suggests moving the financial goalposts may help get inflation back on track. The current inflation target is between 1 and 3 percent, but the target band had moved from 0 percent to 2 percent to 0 percent to 3 percent once before in 1996. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie says the debate about shifting the inflation target is likely to be raised as the economic and soc...

There are early signs that China's economy is rebounding after Covid-19, but dairy farmers may have to wait to reap the rewards. Westpac's senior agri-economist explained that the Chinese economy is expected to grow by 6 percent over 2023, an upswing from 2022's 3.5 percent, but dairy prices have yet to budge. The Country's Jamie Mackay says sheep meat markets and export log prices have picked up...

Greymouth Gas Turangi Limited has today been granted an offshore petroleum exploration permit from the Government. In April 2018, the Government announced an end to further offshore petroleum exploration permits and Greymouth Gas Turangi Limited's application was initially denied in March 2018. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie explained that the High Court had determined the Crown was...

Queenstown's deputy mayor says the district needs Government intervention to solve its housing crisis. The region has some of the highest property prices in New Zealand up against a relatively low-wage economy centred on tourism and significant demand for short-term tourist accommodation. Quentin Smith, Queenstown's deputy mayor describes this situation as a 'perfect storm', as they're struggling...

Businesses are still being plagued by worker shortages. An Employers and Manufacturers Association survey shows 90 percent of businesses are struggling to fill vacancies, and nearly a third have had roles in the market for more than six months. Up to 44 percent say things have gotten worse. EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald says it's down to a lack of skills and people in the workforce. "Only abo...

I've changed my opinion on Marama Davidson’s comments. Just a little bit, not completely.  But having read a lot more and hearing defence of her, I think I understand what she was trying to say. I think she left out a key word: “Sexual". If she had said: “It is white cis men who cause SEXUAL violence in the world”, then she’s actually right. Statically, 46 percent of the country’s sexual violence ...

Prime Minister Hipkins will be making a decision about MP Stuart Nash's future after it's emerged he emailed business leaders about cabinet meeting information around a commercial rent relief package in 2020. He wrote to them expressing his annoyance around the final outcome around the package. It follows past transgressions around his Police Minister profile over which he resigned. ZB's senior po...

Consumer New Zealand is shining a light on how many greenwashed products can be found on supermarket shelves. The watchdog claims it has found in a basketful of goods - products with false or misleading claims included Proper Crisps, Dilmah tea and Glad. Consumer NZ's Rebbecca Styles says in these tough times, people should shop to match their needs because you can't always trust green claims. "In...

Zero warning signs have been installed near fixed speed cameras since the policy was announced in 2019. Over three years ago, then-associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter said a new 'no surprises' approach to speed cameras would see signs installed in high-risk areas. Simon Douglas, AA Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer says that these signs would be a useful safety tool for drivers in high-...

Protests in Auckland on Saturday helped the last minute decision to can another controversial event. The Council's nixed an anti co-governance meeting in Mount Eden tonight, as well as a protest group's booking immediately after. The group are now planning a rally outside. On Saturday, more than 2000 loudly protested at an anti-transgender rally, including tomato juice being thrown at the speaker....

The second ODI match between Black Caps and Sri Lanka has been washed out by heavy rain. Christchurch umpires made the call just before 4:30pm, some two and a half hours after play was due to start. The third and final game is on Friday in Hamilton Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further- and weighed in on the state of New Zealand cricket as a whole. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/lis...