Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Another step towards healthier school lunches. The Government is seeking feedback on a plan to get unhealthy drinks out of primary and intermediate schools. If implemented, schools and Kura will only be required to only supply healthy drinks to years one to eight students the likes of water and milk. CEO of Libelle Group Johannes Tietze told Andrew Dickens good inroads have been already been made...

So let's talk about the war Is it Ukraine versus Russia? Yes. On one level. But Russia's beef is with NATO's influence in Ukraine. So it's really a proxy war of Russia versus NATO. And the big cheese in NATO is America. Sure France and Germany and Spain have big concerns because the fight is on their continent. But in terms of global geopolitics, this is the States' circus. So will it escalate to...

The US Federal Reserve has started to raise its rates to combat inflation, which will have an effect on bonds. In New Zealand, the bond index has already fallen 5 percent year to date and 13 percent since it peaked in 2020. This will have implications on funds but is also expected to have huge implications on households with the cost of borrowing going up. The Reserve Bank of NZ is expecting rates...

Commodity prices are on the up. The ANZ World Commodity Price Index hit a new record in March with a lift of 3.9 percent. Meanwhile, global shipping is being driven up due to the continuing lockdowns in China. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suggestion to lower the retirement age for Maori. Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi has suggested lowering it eight years to 57 given Maori die younger than Pakeha on average. Dr Ashley Bloomfield has announced his resignation as Director-General of the Ministry of Health. Bloomfield will step down in at the end of July after a four-year tenure dominated by Covid-19. Listen above as Jack Tame...

The European Union’s executive branch proposed Tuesday a ban on coal imports from Russia in what would be the first EU sanctions targeting the country's lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed to increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after what she described as “heinous crimes” carried out around K...

A new brain drain may be upon us, but that doesn't necessarily mean the brain gain is over. Tony Austin is a Kiwi who has held senior roles at eBay and Amazon, and he's coming home to take a position with tech start-up Partly. Austin was an early investor in the online auto parts firm and he's now been hired as Chief Strategy Officer. Tony Austin joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

Tourists are returning to New Zealand very soon. Some may be wanting to do campervan tours and looking at firms like Tourism Holdings. When the borders were closed, a lot of their campervans were sold to private customers with little international demand, but they charged at domestic prices for those they kept. Tourism Holdings CEO Grant Webster joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

A measure of support for lowering the superannuation age for Maori. Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi has suggested lowering it eight years to 57 given on average, Maori die younger than Pakeha. Ngai Te Rangi CEO Paora Stanley told Andrew Dickens it's a good start in addressing the issue of Maori health. “This gives us an ability to sit down as decent people and have a discussion about why this...

Ashley Bloomfield is resigning as Director-General of the Ministry of Health. Bloomfield will step down from the role at the end of July with more than a year left on his current contract. Meanwhile Jacinda Ardern has had to defend the Government’s efforts in helping Ukraine. It comes after Defence Minister Peeni Henare had requested to send javelin missiles to Ukraine, but was turned down. Newsta...

Kowbucha has had a successful early trial. Kowbucha is a probiotic that's being fed to a sample group of calves to stop them from burping. The name is a play on the current kombucha craze. Fonterra Programme Manager of Scientific Affairs Shalome Bassett joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has identified a major gender gap in KiwiSaver. The data shows that women have, on average, 20 percent less saved in the scheme than men. The research was done on behalf of the Retirement Commission. Retirement Commission Director of Policy Dr Suzy Morrissey joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister has labelled Ashley Bloomfield an absolute hero. The Director-General of Health resigned earlier today, and will finish up in the role in late July - a year before his contract ends. Bloomfield says dealing with a pandemic is a 24/7 job and it's time for a break. Minister Andrew Little told Andrew Dickens Bloomfield has kept politicians and the Health Ministry focused on the fi...

In a forthcoming book, a pair of New York Times reporters and CNN political analysts report that President Joe Biden "assessed" Fox News "as one of the most destructive forces in the United States." The reporters, Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, say that Biden was even more critical of Fox Corp patriarch Rupert Murdoch. According to the book, Biden told an unnamed associate in mid-2021 that M...

And so Ashley Bloomfield will leave the building in 4 months. A decision he made late last year. Even though he has another year and a bit on his contract. As he said he wanted to leave when the country was in a good place with the Covid pandemic. So there's some certainty for you. In 4 months we should be sweet. I've never envied Ashley's job. It's been 24/7. The decisions have been necessary but...

If you're in Christchurch, you'll now need a resource consent to rent out accommodation through Airbnb or any other online booking platforms. The consent won't expire once you've got it, but to get it will cost at least $1000. Airbnb don't like it and are calling the move the most restrictive and outdated home sharing laws in Australasia. Christchurch City Councillor Mike Davidson joined Andrew Di...

Rotorua locals want the government to commit to stop sending out-of-town homeless to stay in emergency housing. Is that a fair request?  The Defence Minister wanted to send lethal aid to Ukraine – but Cabinet has said no. Should it reconsider?  The bank of mum and dad – is the extent to which we're subsidising our kids a problem?   Wimbledon is looking to ban the world's Tennis No 2 Daniil Medvede...

Easter travel chaos looms as Covid surges.  Two stolen Charles Darwin notebooks have been returned to the library.  Hollywood A-lister walks into a pub and supermarket in rural England!  UK correspondent Enda Brady joined Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Southland drought continues to break records.   A crucial GDT Auction tonight: Is the dairy market at a tipping point?   Meatworks in North Otago continue to battle staffing issues and one has started to give monetary incentives to keep people at work.  Host of the Country, Jamie Mackay, joined Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The building industry says construction could come to a halt unless the energy efficiency building code deadline is pushed back.   MBIE says the new insulation requirements aim to reduce the energy needed to heat new homes by up to 40%.  The deadline's the end of this year, but the sector says it's got far too much on its plate already to meet those requirements.   Director of Easy Build, Mike Fox...

The Air New Zealand capital raise... It's turned into a bit of a debacle. What's happened?  Are retail investors really the ones being shafted here? Do they understand what's going on at all?   Clarifications had to be made for NZX investors. Is this stuff going to have an impact on the confidence in this raise?  Pattrick Smellie from Businessdesk joined Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudi...

The former Defence Minister is working to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.  Ron Mark says he's talking almost every three hours with a network of Christian-based organisations operating in Ukraine, to try and assist them from here.  He told Andrew Dickens families there need everything.  Mark says he's hoping to meet with the Romanian ambassador when he arrives here this week.  “...

Rotorua residents want Kainga Ora to ensure new emergency housing developments go to locals.    The Ministry of Social Development denies it's actively moving homeless people to the region, although its policy allows for people from outside the area to be re-homed in Rotorua, when needed.   Restore Rotorua Chair, Trevor Newbrook, told Andrew Dickens it's not sustainable to house out-of-towners.  “...

The Australian Prime Minister has been called out by members of his own party ... with a federal election imminent.  New South Wales senior Liberal MP, Catherine Cusack, says Scott Morrison has ‘trashed’ the party’s values over two decades as state director.  Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Andrew Dickens Cusack accused him of being a “self-serving ruthless bully” ... who knows nothing a...

Trade Me Jobs had record vacancies in the first quarter and record-high salaries in four regions.  But if you don't want to go all the way and change jobs you might still think it's time to ask for a pay rise.   So, how do you do it tactfully and most importantly, successfully?  HR expert at EY Una Diver joined Andrew Dickens.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.