Matt Heath & Tyler Adams Afternoons

Is a perfect storm about to hit one of Queenstown's hardest-hit sectors? The hospitality sector in the resort is facing a workforce crisis just as international visitors are returning. Staff are already overworked staff and employers feel they will have to pay even higher hourly rates to migrant labour to keep their establishments open. Add to that the problem of retaining existing staff due to is...

National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis has had a meteoric rise through the ranks of the Party since entering Parliament in 2018. She was a champion debater in her university years, before becoming a policy advisor for Bill English and senior advisor for John Key. Before becoming an MP she held senior positions at Fonterra, Export NZ and the New Zealand Initiative. Nicola Willis was Simon Barne...

Tax. A short word but a complex topic. Amid all the talk of a 'wealth tax' Simon Barnett & James Daniels asked the question 'Is our tax system fair?' PWC Tax Partner Geof Nightingale joined in the conversation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With winter approaching the push is on to get people to get their flu shots.    There’s concern the upcoming flu season will hit the most vulnerable hard.   Northern Region Chief Clinical Officer Vaccinations Dr Anthony Jordan joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels on the show.  Find vaccination locations nationwide: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/pharmacy/ LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Local Government NZ says a report on sea level rise is critical for decision making on new builds. The sea's rising twice as fast as previously thought. A natural hazards and planning expert says councils should be liable for allowing buildings in risky coastal areas. Insurance Council Chief Executive Tim Grafton joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels to discuss the implications for coastal home own...

Winston Peters says he has been trespassed from Parliament after attending the Wellington convoy protest earlier this year.  "I have found out that the Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard, has trespassed me from Parliament grounds for a period of two years," the former Deputy PM said today.  Peters accused Mallard of dictatorial behaviour in line with a "banana republic".  The NZ First party lead...

It just keeps on getting bigger and better for Kiwi golfer Steven Alker.  Fresh from taking the PGA Tour Champions by storm in the second half of 2021, this month Alker cruised to his second victory on the Tour, shooting a 7-under 65 to win the Rapiscan Systems Classic in Mississippi by six shots.  That followed his win in the Timber Tech Championship in Florida last September.   Steve Alker was S...

The Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points, to 1.5 percent. It comes after three consecutive 25 basis point hikes by the central bank. While economists believed we would see a lift in the OCR today - they were divided on whether it would go up by 25 or 50 basis points. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Barry Soper joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels to discuss the move. LIST...

The Events industry is welcoming New Zealand's move to the orange traffic light setting. Brent Eccles, owner of Ecces Entertainment and President of the NZ Promoters Association, says it is a fantastic move after a tough couple of years. He joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels on the show. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment Lawyer and Partner with Malley & Co solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he answered questions about among other things flexible work hours, extended casual contracts and if you can ever truly speak 'confidentially' with your CEO. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Meningitis Foundation is pushing for a potentially life-saving meningitis vaccine to be free for all 16-year-olds, urging the Government to extend the age band of those who qualify for it on the national immunisation schedule.  Claire and Gerard Rushton ​brought a 6357-signature petition on behalf of the Meningitis Foundation to Parliament recently, calling for free vaccines for preventable fo...

Could it be the end of fizzy in the schoolyard? The Government's popped the top on a proposal to only offer healthy drinks in primary schools - with consultation closing in June. Education Minister Chris Hipkins says when kids eat and drink well, it has a number of benefits and good learning outcomes. He says sweet drinks account for more than a quarter of Kiwi kids' sugar intake. Dental Associati...

High Jumper Hamish Kerr is fast becoming one of New Zealand’s athletic stars.  He created New Zealand athletics history two weeks ago after matching his national record of 2.31 meters to secure bronze at the world indoor champs in Belgrade - becoming the first New Zealander to earn a global medal in the discipline.   He’s now got his sights set on the Commonwealth games later this year.   Hamish K...

Steadily climbing crime is being blamed for dramatically slower police responses to major call outs. Wait times in Auckland have increased from less than half an hour to almost two hours over the past five years. Police Association President Chris Cahill says staff numbers have risen by 1300 since 2017. But he told Simon Barnett and James Daniels demand has also ballooned. “There’s been a 60 perce...

Airbnb claims Christchurch could miss out on much-needed visitors because of new council requirements for resource consents for house sharing People who rent out unhosted visitor accommodation in residential areas will now need a resource consent. It will cost at least one thousand dollars, but won't expire. The decision can be appealed to the Environment Court. Hospitality NZ Canterbury branch pr...

Pet Refuge is seeing firsthand the effects of the ongoing rise of family violence with the number of pets coming into the shelter increasing sharply over summer.  Pet Refuge was full during some periods of summer and recently reached the milestone of helping more than 100 pets and their families escape abuse since opening in July last year.   Unfortunately, because of changes in the economy, the n...

Dr Anthony Jordan is the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre’s clinical director and one of our leading immunologists.  He joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners questions about COVID-19. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a really interesting story on sports sponsorship in the NZ Herald.  It's written by Gregor Paul and here's an excerpt from it: 'Many sponsorships are morally, ethically, socially and environmentally grey, but some aren't, especially not in rugby.'.   He goes on to say 'Some are simply indefensible and for too long New Zealand's professional rugby teams have relied on their fans to bury any...

Nathan Wallis is New Zealand's leading Neuroscience Educator, focusing on child development and how the brain works. He has developed a reputation as a lively and engaging speaker who uses humour and plain language to make his complex topic come to life. He has been in hot demand, delivering well over 200 presentations a year in New Zealand, Australia and internationally.  Nathan's sessions explor...

New Zealand recorded the highest rate of deaths from melanoma worldwide in 2020. A study by international scientists in JAMA [jah-muh] Dermatology reveals 325-thousand melanoma cases were recorded globally in 2020. 57-thousand patients died with rates highest in New Zealand and Australia - followed by Western and Northern Europe and North America. The study's authors say we need to invest in preve...

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment Lawyer and Partner with Malley & Co solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners' employment related questions. Today, he answered questions about a merged company with workers who have come together working with different benefits, 90 day trial periods and the Will Smith slap, among other things. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com...

Is housing intensification going to destroy the Kiwi way of life?  A new Remuera townhouse project planning to put up 13 new homes is causing issues within the community.  The plan, however, is fully legal under Auckland’s intensification plan.   Matt Lowrie, greaterauckland.org.nz editor, joined Si and James.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tohu Harris plays as a lock, second-rower and prop for the New Zealand Warriors. At international level he has played for the Kiwis and New Zealand Māori. He's currently recovering from knee surgery but is back on the field running the drinks bottles. He previously played for the Melbourne Storm with whom he won the 2017 NRL Grand Final. He was also awarded the Warriors' Simon Mannering Medal as t...

Dr Anthony Jordan is the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre’s clinical director and one of our leading immunologists.  He joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners questions about COVID-19. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Barnett & James Daniels don't agree over Hot Cross Buns and when they should be sold. Bernie Segrue of Bernies Bakery HQ joined them to discuss the questions around this Easter favourite. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.