Matt Heath & Tyler Adams Afternoons

This week on The Highlight Reel everything from Easter Eggs to rising insurance bills. Si and James debate the return of the three strikes legislation. James is pretty black and white on the issue, Simon not so much. Producer Tyler gets a hard time over his vaping habit. Plus, James reveals why he doesn't like oak trees while Simon is worried about what the robot vacuum might see. LISTEN ABOVE See...

A fascinating discussion this afternoon after Simon told James how he was floored over seeing one of his favourite wines on a restaurant menu for $34 a glass. That broadened into a wider discussion over the troubles facing so many in the hospitality trade. Renowned restaurateur Warwick Brown called the show. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi kayak icon Luuka Jones is gearing up for what will be her 5 th  Olympic Games in this year, becoming only the third kiwi woman to hit that milestone alongside   Dame Valerie Adams and Barbara Kendall. She’s built a career on incredible determination, winning   silver at the 2016 Olympic Games and won her first big international gold medal last year by triumphing in the extreme discipline know...

News today that an Auckland Council manager has been working remotely from the Gold Coast since January under flexible employment policies. Simon Barnett & James Daniels asked if this is letting the work team down and should those who have fallen in love with the work from home lifestyle get back to the office or get a new job. A young caller by the name of Louie challenged that notion and sai...

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate Wayne Brown's idea that councils should be allowed to keep the GST on rates. The boys also talk about changes to the postal service, Easter trading hours and neighbours at war. They take a look at New Zealand's bad rep internationally in terms of behaviour in the classroom. Plus, a couple of words that could be considered offensive - one in pa...

New Zealand school students are among the worst-behaved kids in the OECD and behaviour has worsened in the last two years, a new report has found. A report released by the Education Review Office (ERO) has called for classroom behaviour to become a priority and a more “national approach” to worsening behaviour. “We know that disruptive classroom behaviour is a significant and persistent issue in N...

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government's still committed to cutting tax in May's Budget, despite worsening economics. She's revealed in today's Budget Policy Statement, Treasury now expects 0.1 percent GDP growth this year. The forecast last year was 1.5 percent. The Finance Minister says surplus isn't possible in 2026-27 - but it could be achievable the following financial year, altho...

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners' employment related questions. Today saw questions about an employer refusing to pay sick pay, a contract without a maternity clause and cameras in the workplace among other things. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...

This week on the  Highlight Reel, Si & James debate whether or not MFAT should help the Kiwi tourist's arrested in Thailand.  Simon is full of fun facts about the amount of noodles being eaten world wide.  The wider Barnett family are having trouble with the 'first home buyer grant'.  Plus, James thinks now that we've entered a 'technical recission', we shouldn't be getting those promised tax...

Wayne Brown grew up in Auckland, attended Auckland Grammar, and went on to get a degree in engineering. After spending several years overseas he returned to New Zealand and set up an engineering consultancy, diversifying into property development and kiwifruit growing. He’s chaired health boards and been a director of organisations including TVNZ, Māori TV, Vector and Transpower, including appoint...

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate what makes good comedy after Jimmy Carr takes a crack at a deaf woman in the audience. They also discussed Police pay and whether they should be allowed to strike. The Greens run into more trouble with another MP.   Plus, it's Simon's turn for a smelly work lunch, James goes for a tour of Christchurch's new Court Theatre building and Simon dar...

The Principal of one of New Zealand's top schools has slammed New Zealand's education system - saying it's heading towards rock bottom. Auckland Grammar head Tim O'Connor says the profession isn’t as valued as it once was. He told the Herald's Leaders Getting Coffee podcast that's evident by people not wanting to enter the profession and the fact that schools can’t easily access specialist teacher...

Tim Southee was handed a Test debut at the age of 19 against England. He responded taking 5 wickets for 55 before smashing 77 off 40 balls in the second innings with nine sixes. Since then he has progressed into one of the best bowlers in world cricket, across all three forms of the game, going on to form one of the world's best new-ball partnerships with Trent Boult and establishing himself as on...

Do you understand anything about bitcoin? James says he missed the boat on it a few years ago, Simon says he just doesn't trust it. We called in the cavalry and asked the NZ Herald's Markets With Madison host Madison Reidy to help. LISTEN ABOVE     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever fancied your skills as a vet, dentist or phone screen repair specialist? A story about DIY dentistry in a Northland town with no dentist prompted Simon Barnett & James Daniels to ask the question what have you had a go at yourself in an effort to save some money? Some callers' efforts were super enterprising. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners' employment related questions. Today saw questions on non disclosure agreements, an employer not paying waiting time and a question from someone who was worried after just having failed a drug test. LISTEN ABOVE See...

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate  the concept of no body no parole and take a very revealing call from a former prison inmate. They also discussed the prospect of  congestion charging. Adding to that – they discuss the continued issues with the Defence Force Boeing.   Plus, we get a touching insight into sleepover night for the grandkids at Simon's place, the proposed changes...

Shane Reti believes the new health targets will help bring a greater level of focus back to the sector. The Government's implementing five key targets it says will drive better outcomes for all New Zealanders. This includes for cancer treatment, child immunisation rates and hospital wait times. The Health Minister says these targets are ambitious, but achievable. He says some of the targets are ju...

Minister Mark Mitchell spent his early years living on Whenuapai Air Force Base where his father was a Flight Lieutenant. After leaving school he worked in the farming sector before   joining the New Zealand Police during which and was a member of the Dog Section and Armed Offender’s Squad. He then went on to work in international political hotspots, including the start-up of his own company speci...

A 71 year old has gone viral this week after CCTV caught her getting swept up by a rolling door, the store posting the video on its Facebook page. Susie Nordqvist ran Si and James through the story today on the News You Never Knew You Needed To Know. LISTEN ABOVE, WATCH BELOW   Video via Best One - Tonteg Stores on Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever had a flight cancelled or delayed in a situation that really peeved you? Si and James spotted a discussion on X (formerly Twitter) about a woman whose flight to Dunedin was delayed at such short notice she missed a fair chunk of Pink's show last night. She was not happy and thought she should have been given more notice. When the boys brought this up on the show the phones and text m...

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate whether it’s  bullying or banter to hang a clock around a young worker’s neck when they are late for work . They also discussed how important is having a driver’s licence to get people off the dole and into a job. Plus, we get an update on James' gout, the pair ask how much you would pay for a dating app, and is 98 octane fuel a have? LISTEN A...

World Vision is reporting a 56% increase in 12 months in the cost of a selected food basket that includes things like rice, bananas, chicken, and eggs. Australia, in the same period (2022 to 2023) saw a 29% drop for the same basket. So how are we affording it? The Wellington City Mission says the reality is many of us aren't. Missioner Murray Edridge says demands on its Social Supermarket is unpre...

Theresa Gattung is one of New Zealand’s most successful business people. She made waves in 1999 becoming CEO of then Telecom at just 37 years old. After leaving Telecom she has started several immensely successful businesses, been a board member on some of world largest organisations, and been involved with a number of not-for-profit and philanthropic interests. Among her many accolades she was ap...

A young Bunnings staff member in Dunedin was spotted wearing a large clock around his neck while working in the trades area of the store. Puzzled customers asked him why and he told them he'd been late for work. Bunnings have said their intention was good natured and no concerns had been raised.  However the sector union said that bullying and hazing young workers is outdated and said anyone shame...