Holiday Breakfast

A Wellington property developer is calling on the Government to slash red tape after he was forced to pull the pin on a housing development due to unworkable regulations.   Brent Slater says compliance costs and rules around retaining wall specifications drove the build cost to almost $10 thousand per square-meter.   Slater told Tim Dower that governments and councils need to better support develo...

Water Safety New Zealand says behavioural change experts are needed to help bring our drowning figures down.   Provisional figures show 90 preventable drownings last year, down slightly on the 94 in 2022 but still higher than the 10-year average of 82.   More than 80% are male, and 58% are over the age of 45.   Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard told Tim Dower that it's about trying to get the message...

An interim report was released yesterday looking into the factors involved in last year’s Sea World helicopter crash.   Four people were killed and nine were injured in the mid-air collision when a departing helicopter's rotors collided with another coming into land near the theme park.   The interim report found the departing pilot, who died in the crash, had low levels of cocaine in his system....

Those looking for a quick trip down to Queenstown this summer may be left disappointed as beds have already filled up for the season.   The region is filled with gorgeous scenery, music festivals, and a variety of events and activities for visitors to enjoy.   Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers joined Tim Dower on the ZB’s Summer Breakfast for a rundown of what the region has to offer.   LISTEN AB...

Three are dead and nine injured after a fiery crash in Rochester New York, in the very first moments of the New Year.   The FBI were called in to investigate the incident in which an SUV driver was reported to be driving at speed directly towards a pedestrian crossing.   The SUV then hit a smaller vehicle, killing both passengers.   US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower that thus far, no...

The vandalism of a piece of art on a Manawatu Gorge hiking trail has caused a surge of anger in the community.   Whatonga —a six-metre-tall steel statue on the Tawa Loop Track— has had its phallus removed with steel cutting equipment last Saturday night.   Local iwi Rangitāne say they are extremely disappointed with the disrespectful act on one of the region's most iconic landmarks.   Te Āpiti-Man...

The holiday road toll is down from last year.   An advocacy group says there's still a long way to go, with 19 people confirmed dead on our roads between December 22 nd and 6am today, January 3 rd .   Last year's holiday road deaths sat at 21.   Brake NZ advocacy director, Caroline Perry, told Tim Dower that we are starting to see some improvements, including median barriers and safer speed limits...

A consumer advocate's vowing to hold the Grocery Commissioner's feet to the fire on a shakeup to the supermarket duopoly.   A new lobby group's being formed, driven by the former Consumer New Zealand Chief Executive, Sue Chetwin.   It comes after struggles with The Warehouse supply of Weetbix and the fall of potential third player, Supie.   Chetwin wants to see action happening faster, telling Tim...

A combination of factors have combined to create a shortage in military personnel.   In the 21 months to April this year, the New Zealand Defence Force lost almost a third of uniformed staff.   It leaves gaps which mean three Navy patrol vessels and the Navy's main transport vessel can't be at sea because of safety issues.   Auckland University Associate Professor of International Relations Stephe...

Research into the illegal drugs market has revealed the extent of trade through social media channels.  Massey University’s Shore and Wh ākiri Research Centre Associate Professor Chris Wilkins told Tim Dower that dealers are using this tech to penetrate younger markets.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism providers in Bay of Plenty are preparing for their busiest cruise season since the pandemic – with 113 ships expected to visit Tauranga’s port this summer.   Tauranga Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Matt Cowley told Tim Dower the region is primarily a domestic tourism market and cruise tourism is the cherry on the cake.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

The famous themed gardens in Hamilton will begin charging a fee to out-of-town visitors this year.   The announcement follows a local rates increase of 25%, but is also about the garden becoming self-sustainable, according to Garden Director Lucy Ryan.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duties on New Zealand dairy products entering China have ended as part of the trade deal negotiated in 2008.   The removal of duty creates a saving of about $350 million a year for farmers in New Zealand, Minister of Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay told Tim Dower.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surf Lifeguards working at a beach in Auckland say they are being verbally abused when trying to help swimmers.   Swimmers were warned they were in a dangerous spot before abusing the lifeguards who half an hour later rescued them.   Retired Gisborne Lifeguard Murray Robertson told Tim Dower the abuse can be disheartening to those passionate about being there to save lives.   Listen above.   See o...

After 20 years of research, scientists have created three new types of apricot for New Zealand orchards.   Sharon Kirk at Ardgour Valley Orchards is growing 20 hectares of the new crop and told Tim Dower the new varieties are suited to New Zealand conditions and were bred “the old-fashioned way” to make a highly coloured and juicy fruit.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

As Virtual Reality becomes more accessible, Whangaparāoa College has decided to invest heavily in using the technology in the classroom.   Whangaparāoa College Principal Steve McCracken told Tim Dower the technology “brings learning to life.”   The college hopes to engage young people in a new way whilst upskilling teachers to make content relevant.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

New Years Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for our emergency services.   St John Deputy Chief Executive Dan Ohs talks to Tim Dower about the increase in callouts that come on New Years night, as well as what ambulance workers expect to deal with.   Listen above.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's video game sector continued to grow in 2023 with a 7% increase, despite Australian Incentives. Video game studios earned $434.4M in the year to 31st March 2023 of which 95% came from high-value digital exports. Chairperson of New Zealand Game Developers Association Carl Leducq told Tim Dower that New Zealand has a good ecosystem of recruiting young talent into the industry.   LISTEN...

The cruise industry wants New Zealand to provide more options for ships to be washed. Last season 11 ships were given notices barring them from sensitive marine areas because their bottoms were too dirty. Cruise Association Chief Executive Jacqui Lloyd says currently ships have to get hard-to-reach areas, cleaned manually by divers 12 nautical miles from our shore. She told Tim Dower that they are...

A New York Times lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI is expected to raise a lot issues around artificial intelligence. The publication alleges AI technology illegally copied millions of their stories, to train ChatGPT to spit out information. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower the legal action is likely to have big implications. He says the law suit could affect other aspects beyond p...

Surrounded by rugged mountains and stretched between the Canterbury plains, the Selwyn District has much to offer this summer. Named after the Selwyn River and boasting Arthur's Pass National Park.. there's plenty on display. It's the third stop on our Summer with the Mayors roadie as we get around the regions. It's Mayor - and newly elected Local Govt NZ President- Sam Broughton joins Tim Dower o...

People are being asked to leave beanbags and other polystyrene products at home when visiting Northland beaches this summer because of the potential environmental harm they can cause. An incident in the Bay of Islands last summer saw thousands of polystyrene beads from a broken beanbag discharged into the coastal marine area at Army Bay, Moturua Island, prompting a lengthy and expensive clean up o...

A switch in burglary tactics is concerning Waikato dairy and bottle shop owners. Criminals are increasingly swapping ram-raiding in vehicles, for using power tools like angle grinders to break in. Waikato retailer Ash Parmar told Tim Dower that while using powers tools are noisy, it doesn't deter offenders. He says shops in his area don't always have a lot of neighbours like shops in places like A...

Latest figures suggest financial struggles are harming student nurses. The Nurses Organisation student survey states fewer people would drop out, if they got financial help while completing their courses. Union Delegate Shannyn Bristowe told Tim Dower that 30 percent of respondents say barriers make them question whether nursing is the right choice. She says petrol, parking, travel, and food are b...

A feeling of malaise seems to have descended on British politics. UK correspondent Rod Liddle told Tim Dower that according to the latest opinion polls, few people appear enthralled by either of the main parties. He says just six percent think the ruling Conservative party is good, while 15 percent back Labour. Liddle says that leaves the vast majority of the UK thinking neither of the major parti...