Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The reappointment of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr has not gone down well with National and ACT. National say the party is appalled, and ACT says it shows the low standards that Labour sets for New Zealand. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie addresses the backlash and points out that Grant Robertson was in a no-win situation when it came to making this reappointment in the current cl...

There's an increasing amount of employers wanting workplace investigations. One private investigator, Kerry Tattersall, says she's completed more employment investigations in the last month, than she did in the six months prior. Kerry Tattersall, private investigator at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, explained the kinds of investigations she’s been working with, as well as what may be driving this ph...

An idea to get bank profits down without needing an inquiry. Jacinda Ardern is telling banks to consider their social licence to operate, after ANZ announced a record profit of $2.3 billion dollars, and Westpac more than $1 billion. The Government says the Commerce Commission won't be called in to take a look. Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs says we could try open banking, a system used in other dev...

Addington Raceway is humming as Christchurch punters continue to enjoy the return of Cup Day. It's the first time in two years the venue can hold the annual event without Covid restrictions. Racing industry manager Darrin Williams says despite general admission not being as high as they'd like, it's been an outstanding day. He says it's just great to be able to have punters on course again. LISTEN...

A plea to give overseas bus drivers an easier ride into the country. More than 1800 bus trips were cancelled in the Wellington region last week - largely because of driver shortages. Metlink General Manager, Samantha Gain, says the Government could make helpful changes. She says loosening immigration settings would really help with the current shortage of about 120 drivers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

The decision to reappoint Adrian Orr as Reserve Bank Governor is under fire. He's been given another five-years in the role from March, as unanimously recommended by the central bank's board. The Opposition says Adrian Orr didn't act fast enough on inflation - but Finance Minister Grant Robertson has countered stability is needed. Former Reserve Bank senior staffer, Geof Mortlock, says he's appall...

Earlier today, Finance Minister Grant Robertson got Adrian Orr reappointed as Reserve Bank Governor for another 5 years. The National Party and ACT have not taken this update well, with National saying that the Reserve Bank should have been subjected to an independent inquiry.  National Party leader Chris Luxon believes an independent inquiry into the Reserve Bank is necessary, as banks have been...

Over in Australia, private health insurer Medibank is dealing with the fallout from being hacked. Yesterday, Medibank were staunchly against paying a ransom to the hackers who had stolen sensitive information from 9.7 million customers. This data includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth. Since then, the hackers have issued a threat that they'll release all this sensitive custom...

Black Ferns player Liana Mikaele-Tu’u has recently been ruled out of the upcoming Rugby World Cup final against England. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u injured her thumb part way through last weekend's semi-final against France and will have to sit out of Saturday's final match. D'Arcy Waldegrave, host of Sportstalk, joined us to talk about who may replace her on the day, as well as who we can expect to be co...

The Government's being urged to accept responsibility over the tertiary education pay disputes. Those are the disputes that have been leading to strike action. The Tertiary Education Union says the Government's continuing to push that this is an issue between an employer and their union, and nothing to do with them. Their National Secretary, Sandra Grey, says that the Government needs to get invol...

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has come under fire for refusing to let migrants on rescue ships disembark into Italy.  The controversial far-right leader has prevented 250 people on two separate rescue ships head into Italy, and humanitarian charities have branded this decision as an illegal one. So far, only children and people with medical issues have been allowed to leave the ships in Si...

That poll out last night should be a shock to no one.  That’s what happens if you ignore voters and just keep pushing through stuff we don’t want, like Three Waters or farmer’s climate tax. They deserve to be on 32 percent. I’d put that as the high-water mark frankly. And yesterday’s announcement is not going to help. It’s supposed to help; it’s supposed to make us like them a whole lot more again...

Westpac has recently announced that their profits are up by 12 percent, putting their earnings at $1 billion dollars before the years' end. The timing of this coincided with Jacinda Ardern's latest post-cabinet briefing, in which she said that banks had to assess their “social licence to operate” as they make record profits in a cost of living crisis. Westpac NZ CEO Catherine McGrath defends these...

Today on The Huddle: Nick Leggett, Chief Executive of Transport NZ and Ali Jones from Red PR joined us to talk about the following topics- and more! Anti-social behaviour in Christchurch is on the rise, as many sets of business owners are experiencing homeless people being aggressive in the streets. How serious is this?  Auckland Ratepayers Alliance aren't happy with Auckland Council's $200,000 mi...

Over in Australia, private health insurer Medibank has recently been hacked and the personal data of at least 9.7 million current and former customers in hanging in the balance. The hackers have asked for a digital ransom, and while Medibank won't disclose how much it is, they will confirm that they're not paying it. In the meantime, Medibank is encouraging customers to be cautious, as the hackers...

Auckland Council is currently facing a $200,000 dollar deficit, which is worse than previously anticipated. In order to boost their finances, NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan recommends that Auckland Council sell off an asset. Specifically, Fran O'Sullivan recommends that they sell their Auckland Airport shares because it's the easiest way for the Council to make an extra few million righ...

New poll results from yesterday indicate that Labour's approval is going down further, as preliminary polls give the current Government a 32 percent approval rating. Despite these concerning numbers, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson isn't too worried about the next election. Grant Robertson insisted that Labour's declining ratings aren't the fault of the party, but rather the circumstances th...

Wānaka's Cardrona Distillery is aiming to expand their brand further out internationally, after 7 years in business so far.   To commemorate seven years of operation, Cardrona Distillery has released a limited edition whiskey, which has also been aged for 7 years.  Cardrona Distillery founder, Desiree Reid discussed the company's plans for international expansion and how much they can potentially...

Christchurch businesses are noticing a rise in anti-social behaviour, driven by an increasing number of homeless people and beggars. There are reports of tents being pitched on footpaths and physical abuse. The Central City Business Association wants action and a greater police presence. Chairperson and business owner Annabel Turley says crime and antisocial behaviour is rife. She says there doesn...

Predictions the Government's early childhood care package will push up the education cost. The Government's raising the income threshold for childcare subsides from April. Early Childhood Education Office Chief Advisor, Sarah Alexander, says it'll likely have an uneven effect across the country. She says many have held off increasing fees, because of fierce competition and knowing many families ca...

Calls for for resignations from Auckland Council's executive team. Mayor Wayne Brown has met with National MPs today, discussing its governing body's ballooning $270 million dollar budget hole. He's ruled out plugging it with a 12 percent rates rise. Auckland Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson Josh Van Veen says Council Chief Executive Jim Stabback needs to go, and so does the entire leadership team...

This weekend was a big one for New Zealand rugby, as we had the All Blacks win their test match against Wales and the Black Ferns advance to the final for the Women's Rugby World Cup. Jason Pine, host of Weekend Sport, talked about the highlights from both matches, and gave us a rundown of what to expect from the Black Ferns' final match against England next weekend. England's team is a strong one...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's latest post-cabinet conference touched on banks making record profits  in a cost of living crisis impacting a substantial portion of New Zealanders. Not long before her Monday afternoon press conference, Westpac announced that they had made a full year profit of one billion dollars before the end of the year, a full 12 percent from last year. Jacinda Ardern says tha...

While many high schools across the country have decided to refuse to televise 1st XV rugby matches, Napier Boys' High thinks otherwise. Napier Boys' High has stated that they think televising the 1st XV rugby matches is good for the players' development, and have worked out a deal where one match per week is broadcast on Maori Television. Other Super 8 schools in the central North Island, such as...

According to microloan non-profit Nga Tanagata Microfinance, wage earning and partial wage earning clients now outnumber beneficiaries when it comes to needing loans.   Chief Executive of Nga Tanagata Microfinance Natalie Vincent says that it is “actually alarming.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.