Holiday Breakfast

The removal of pre-departure tests could be the bait luring Australians to New Zealand ski slopes. NZ Ski Chief Executive Paul Anderson told Tim Dower they've seen a huge increase in bookings in the last week. He says this could've been because of the snow or the scrapping of pre-departure tests for international tourists. Paul Anderson says the travel experience for Australians won't be as bad fo...

Coach Michael McGuire has picked four debutants in a powerful Kiwis line-up to tackle Mate Ma'a Tonga at Mt Smart. Three new backs - winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, centre Marata Niukore and stand-off Dylan Brown make the run on side  while Penrith prop Moses Leota will be unleashed from the bench. Joey Manu is shifted from his usual centre spot to fullback while Jahrome Hughes will join Brown in the hal...

Too many of us are calling good food 'scraps'. New research from Rabobank/KiwiHarvest shows the average Kiwi household wastes around $1500 worth of food each year. Rabobank CEO Todd Charteris told Tim Dower the problem's getting worse. He says this is the fifth year the survey has been conducted, but the first year where there's been a decline in improvement. Charteris says Gen Z are the most wast...

Farmers says a stock control bylaw being proposed by the Tasman District Council, will be impossible for farmers to comply with. The council wants farmers to hold sheep 50 metres back from a road, while moving stock until all cars have driven past. There's also a suggestion the new bylaw has a 'no-poo' requirement when shifting stock. Nelson Provincial Federated Farmers President Stephen Todd told...

National’s taking aim at Government employment initiatives, saying they don’t target those most in need.  The party's Social Development and Employment spokesperson Louise Upston says the majority of placements go to people who aren't on the benefit, or are on it short-term.  Figures revealed to Newstalk ZB show just five per cent of Mana in Mahi placements went to people on the benefit for longer...

That's a wrap on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities.  The four-day event concluded with a pageant through the streets of London, which included 10,000 performers from every corner of the Commonwealth uniting at the Palace.  Royal Commentator Victoria Arbiter told Tim Dower a major highlight was the Queen's lighting of the beacon.  She says it was a symbolic moment...  “She pushed the button...

One of our greatest ever cricketers has only just retired but he's rightfully getting one of our top awards.   Ross Taylor becomes a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.   You'll be aware of his 450 international matches for the Black Caps, the most 100's for NZ, a former captain.  But he's also done some things with the game that you likely wouldn't necessarily know – promoting Māori and...

There are concerns problem gambling could intensify if Lotto ramps up its online gaming options.   The Otago Daily Times reports Lotto is looking to make changes online, and also add a third weekly draw.   Gambling expert Max Abbott told Tim Dower he's most worried about the increase in online games.  He says Lotto's been trending towards moving online for a while now, which can be far more addict...

New Zealand's first female High Court judge and a man who worked tirelessly for the betterment of Māori have received the highest honours in this year's Queens Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours list.  Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O'Regan have both been recognised.  Dame Silvia was New Zealand's first female High Court judge and has been recognised for contributions across fields inclu...

Dr Bryan Betty is on the Queen's Birthday Honours list this morning.  You'll know him as a spokesman for the Royal New Zealand College of GPs. He's their medical director.  Dr Betty has become an Officer of the Order of Merit for Services to Health.  Dr Bryan Betty joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suggestion we should shake up the way hospitals buy medical equipment.  One News reports hospitals are using medical equipment that's outdated and allegedly faulty.  Medical Technology Association CEO Cushla Currie told Tim Dower that New Zealand currently decides what medical equipment to buy based on the cost of the item.  But she says we should look to evaluating them on more than just their...

Tourism operators say they're facing a staffing crisis, as the country fully reopens next month.  Questions remain over how New Zealand's recovering tourism industry will cope... with estimates 70–80 percent of the sector's workforce was lost due to Covid.  Haka Tourism Group General Manager Eve Lawrence told Tim Dower it's down to a combination of people being forced to change careers, and people...

Newstalk ZB host Miles Davis worked alongside Bruce Russell and was at work with him on Sunday night.  He joined Tim Beveridge to pay tribute to the late Newstalk ZB host.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB newsreader Joe Gilfillan was a long-time colleague and close friend of the late Bruce Russell. Joe Gilfillan joined Tim Beveridge to pay tribute to the late Newstalk ZB host.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like father like son and like mother like daughter.   Annabel Langbein – you'll know the name well. New Zealand celebrity cook, author, TV host and NZ Order of Merit recipient.   And just as Annabel learnt her skills from her mother and their time cooking and gardening together, Annabel has passed on that love for cooking to her daughter Rose.   They are co-writing recipe books together and have b...

As inflation continues to be the highest in 30 years, those in the alcohol brewing industry are worried it'll put many out of business, and leave consumers footing the bill.  Those in the industry are saying adding a 6.9% increase on top of the excise tax they currently pay is comparable to hiring 2–3 more staff members.   In 2021 New Zealanders paid 1.22 billion dollars in an alcohol excise tax,...

Peter McQuarters – known as Peter Mac – is the current host at Hokonui in Ashburton and worked with Bruce Russell in radio in Timaru.  He joined Tim Beveridge.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's back to Gallipoli for many New Zealanders this morning.  The reopening of our borders means people can once again travel to attend Anzac services in Turkey – after two years of pandemic absences.  Veterans Minister Meka Whaitiri will represent New Zealand, with a contingent of Defence personnel.   Whaitiri told Tim Dower they've been there for a few days and walked the trail up to Chunuk Bair...

A reminder you don't have to go to an Anzac service to commemorate the day.   Thousands of New Zealanders across the country bundled up to attend Dawn services this morning, the first for many since the pandemic began.   RSA national president BJ Clark told Tim Dower there are small cenotaphs in nearly all communities.  “Grab your poppy and take it alone and, you know, a little period of reflectio...

The situation at Arise church is being described as a crisis.  The founding pastor of the mega-church group – John Cameron – has resigned from its board, after interns claimed they were overworked, overwhelmed and taken advantage of.  He's also apologised for any hurt caused.  Religious scholar Peter Lineham told Tim Dower the church is reacting quickly and openly.  “It announced that John Cameron...

A warning to managers – not to push their staff back to the office too quickly.  The move to the Orange setting means many office workers are heading back to their regular workplaces – some for the first time in eight months.  Clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire told Tim Dower some workers may need to ease back in gradually.  “It’s not a black and white solution, you do not people against their o...

The Prime Minister is set to roll out the welcome mat to New Zealand on her trade delegation to Asia.  Jacinda Ardern is leading a trade delegation to Singapore this morning.  She'll then head to Japan later this week.  Asia New Zealand Foundation Executive Director Simon Draper told Tim Dower they're both countries we have pretty good broad relationships with already.  “We already are exporting q...

Businesses might have to step up their game, as a new generation of workers enters the workforce unwilling to compromise on their personal beliefs.   According to a study from Randstand over half of both Gen Z and Millennials say they'd quit their job if started affecting their enjoyment of life.   New Zealand Country Director for Randstand Katherine Swan joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnyst...

It seems the clock is ticking for Boris Johnson.  The UK Prime Minister came under fire over parties at Downing Street during lockdown, and then was heavily criticised for his incorrect attack on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over Jimmy Savile.  Five aides quit within 24 hours last week – including the chief of staff and director of communications.  Broadcaster and former politician Nigel Farage...

More support for a call for te reo Māori to be compulsory in schools.   Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon wants a five year-strategy, to make the language a core subject in schools.   He believes that will help address issues around the Treaty and racism.   Māori language advocate Scotty Morrison told Tim Dower there's a growing appetite for it to be made compulsory.  “I think we’re well on th...