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Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!   Sir Wayne Smith predicts new rule changes will be implemented in rugby, with permissible tackle height being lowered to belly-button level. Are the rugby rules too complicated? Are tackles below the belly button the way of the...

New data indicates the milk price cycle may be picking up after an earlier downturn. The latest lift on October 17 saw prices move 4.3 percent, with milk powder up 4.2 percent and the overall average price reaching $3202 USD. Fonterra has lifted their forecast by 50 cents and ASB and Westpac have since followed suit and increased their forecasts $7.35/kg MS and $7.25/kg MS respectively.  The Count...

Two warnings from international credit ratings agencies have sparked concern amongst economists. S&P Global Ratings expressed concern with National's proposed Three Waters policy, as it could negatively impact the debt ceilings for local councils. Fitch Ratings predicted that the new National-led Government couldn't live up to their promise of producing a budget surplus in 2027. BusinessDesk m...

Newly released tapes revealed Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt used his wealth to build a relationship with Donald Trump.  The recordings showed that Pratt had bought his way into Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, sent money to Rudy Giuliani, and bragged that his wealth was his 'superpower'. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Donald Trump also leaked information about private calls with the le...

The Prime Minister-elect's leaving the door open to revealing details of a coalition deal. Arrangements in 2017 weren't publicly released, because the Chief Ombudsman ruled details couldn't be requested under the OIA- because it came within Jacinda Ardern's capacity as Labour leader. ACT's David Seymour is in coalition talks with National and says he'd be happy for his promises to be made public....

Questions are being raised as to why competing weather forecasters NIWA and MetService don't work together in times of extreme weather events. MetService has recently concluded its weather forecasting models performed badly before the Auckland floods, leaving staff in disbelief over the inaccuracy. WeatherWatch Head Analyst Philip Duncan says the situation wouldn't have gone this far if the Govern...

The outgoing head of New Zealand's Insurance Council has advised Kiwis to stop building in 'dumb' places. Tim Grafton has spent 11 years in the role and overseen the pressure earthquakes, cyclones, floods and climate change are placing on infrastructure. He says building houses in risky locations will put people in harm's way and make it harder for insurance to be readily available. "All of those...

Sir Wayne Smith, former All Blacks and Black Ferns coach, suspects new amendments will be made to rugby's laws. Speaking on the Between Two Beers podcast, he claimed rugby would need to 'reinvent' itself by lowering the permissible tackle height to belly-button level. Sky Sport commentator Ken Laban says these potential changes come with 'dangerous' consequences for the future of the sport. "It's...

Jobseekers being ghosted by prospective employers- are often down to the company itself. New Seek data shows 72 percent of Kiwi jobseekers don't hear back about the job they've been interviewed for. Seek career coach Leah Lambart says it happens for a number of reasons, like the company choosing not to inform the candidate isn't the right fit. She says it may also be down to an internal issue in t...

David Seymour says he sees no reason why a potential coalition deal shouldn't be made public. Arrangements in 2017 weren't publicly released, when the Chief Ombudsman ruled details couldn't be requested under the Official Information Act - because it came within Jacinda Ardern's capacity as Labour leader. But ACT Party leader Seymour says he'd be happy for this year's finalised arrangement to be i...

A coronial hearing into the Christchurch Mosque attacks has begun, but it's not a question of who is to blame. Coroner Brigitte Windley is tasked with determining the circumstances of each of the 51 deaths - and addressing unanswered questions. It follows a criminal prosecution and a Royal Commission of Inquiry. Herald senior reporter Anna Leask has spent the day in court- and she says the Coroner...

World Rugby has launched a formal review into allegations made by England's Tom Curry over a racial slur in their World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa. Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe during the first half, alleging South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi made the derogatory remark. The move is poised to disrupt the Springboks build-up to the final against the All Blacks on Sunday morning....

World Rugby has launched a formal review into allegations made by England's Tom Curry over a racial slur in their World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa. Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe during the first half, alleging South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi made the derogatory remark. The move is poised to disrupt the Springboks build-up to the final against the All Blacks on Sunday morning....

Democracy activist Ahmed Zaoui is facing a new legal battle- this time for his life. The former refugee to New Zealand was arrested after holding a political meeting at his home. He's been charged with subversion, which can be penalised by up to 20 years in prison, or death. Lawyer Deborah Manning says Zaoui says the charges don't meet international standards. She says he was one of a number of po...

Two by-elections have spelt bad news for the ruling Conservative Party ahead of the next general election. Mid Bedfordshire has elected its first Labour MP since the 1930s, and Tamworth also swung towards the Labour Party. Both by-elections were triggered by the resignation of their respective Conservative MPs. Violent crime statistics are down by 28 percent. The decline is driven by a fall in cri...

Chinese President Xi Jinping promised foreign companies greater access to China’s huge market and more than $100 billion in new financing for other developing economies as he opened a forum Wednesday on his signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Xi's initiative has built power plants, roads, railroads and ports around the world and deepened China’s ties with Africa, Asia, Latin America...

Fletcher has its AGM next Friday, but it’s expecting a tough time from the shareholders. It’s expected the Iplex pipes drama will be a hot topic, as well as its persistently poor performance, and a number of shareholders being told to vote against directors’ remuneration. Business commentator Rod Oram joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exporters and importers are calling on Ports of Auckland to lift its efficiency and productivity by at least as much as they’re hiking their user prices. The number of containers moved on and off ships has dropped by 42 percent in the past four years. But at the same time, the Ports put up its prices, including a general increase of 7 percent from next year. New Zealand Council of Cargo Owners cha...

The All Blacks aren’t taking their Rugby World Cup semi-final opponents lightly at all. Despite having the easier opponent on paper, Los Pumas have beaten Ian Foster twice since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, the other matchup will see England take on the Springboks in a rematch of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final – but also the 2007 final. NZR’s investigation of the Ranfurly Shield saga has f...

The All Blacks are one win away from their fifth Rugby World Cup final – but they’ll have to get past Argentina. Los Pumas have beaten the All Blacks twice in their history – both of those coming in the past four years during Ian Foster’s tenure. Their first win came in 2020 with a 25-15 win in Sydney, before following it up with a 25-18 win in Christchurch last year. Argentina rugby journalist Fr...

A Wellington day care centre says its frustrated parents will have to park 50 meters away to drop off their kids while a cycleway is installed. CoKids Daycare Centre on Thorndon Quay claims they've been given less than a week's notice to prepare for a year of disruption. The centre looks after around 100 children and is concerned they may have to close. CoKids' Steve Piper told Jason Pine the lack...

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission wants good safety assurance processes in the stevedoring industry. The watchdog has identified serious safety concerns in the sector after investigating two fatal accidents at ports in April 2022. It recommends Maritime NZ work with the sector on minimum training standards and a code of practice. Chief Accidents Investigator Naveen Kozhuppakalam told...

The All Blacks are eyeing up a fifth Rugby World Cup final, as they look to take on Argentina tomorrow morning. Coach Ian Foster says they aren’t looking past Los Pumas in any way, shape, or form to get there though. Since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks have lost twice to Argentina. Former All Black and 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Mils Muliaina joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

Candidates for the Port Waikato by-election have closed, but Labour has chosen to sit this one out. Labour Party President Jill Day says it's an "unwinnable" contest for them, and the party is focusing on its transition to opposition. The by-election was triggered by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen just before the election. Meanwhile, negotiations continue between Prime Minister-elect...

The All Blacks have a chance to make their fifth Rugby World Cup final, but they have to get past Argentina first. However, with two wins over the All Blacks in the past World Cup cycle, the All Blacks certainly won’t be taking this one lightly. The Black Caps remain unbeaten at the Cricket World Cup, but their win streak could be under threat. They have a top of the group clash against hosts Indi...