Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

National's Chris Luxon has been quick to slam Labour's 'economic mismanagement' after the PREFU revealed Government debt has blown out further. Treasury's latest update is forecasting no recession, but shows the Government will be in deficit longer than expected and take on billions more debt. Luxon says Kiwis are worried about losing their homes and taking on second jobs as the Government continu...

Health advocates are celebrating the release of a new DIY cervical screening test kit for women. This test, available from today, will allow women to use a swab to detect the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes more than 95 percent of cervical cancers. Te Whatu Ora National Screening Unit clinical lead Dr Jane O’Hallahan says this 'game-changing' test kit will encourage more peopl...

The future of Mount Ruapehu's skifields remain up in the air. The Tuwharetoa iwi group has abandoned its bid to take over the liquidated Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton says there are reports the iwi now plans to take legal action, if the sale isn't stopped. He says it's a sad situation. "They thought they were going to be bidding- then they come in out of left field and...

The Finance Minister is standing by the Government's record, after Treasury today laid the books bare. The Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update suggest our recession's likely over, but shows the Government deficit will continue longer than predicted in the Budget. Debt's now expected to peak at 22.8 percent of GDP by 2025. Grant Robertson says our Government borrowing wasn't for nothing. "Lots...

An important balance needs to be struck on welcoming more residents. Provisional Stats NZ figures show a net migration gain of 96,200 people in the year to July, a new record. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchod says we need skills from abroad, but it needs careful management. "Those people who are coming in- many of them are going to go into our essential services, like healthcare, where we n...

National's promising to spend our money on the right things, if elected next month. Treasury's today revealed the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update. It suggests our recession's likely over - but shows the Government will be in deficit for longer, and take on billions more in debt. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Opposition's now crunching its numbers. "What Na...

The Australian Government has confirmed its centrepiece housing fund bill will pass through Parliament, breaking a months-long impasse. Australia's Green Party pledged support, meaning the Housing Australia Future Fund has the necessary majority support in the senate. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the housing crisis is going strong, with affordable rental properties growing further out...

The Warriors' do-or-die NRL playoff match against the Newcastle Knights at Mt Smart on Saturday has officially sold out. Their first home playoff since 2008 sold out less than an hours after tickets were released to the general public. ZB sports news director Clay Wilson explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council is asking for proposals for a national stadium in the city. The working group - formed in July - now wants expressions of interest to assess. The winning venue will need to be capable of holding major events, have links to public transport and feature a retractable roof. Chair and councillor Shane Henderson says the stadium should be able to compete internationally for big ticket...

China has labelled the arrest of a parliamentary researcher on suspicion of spying 'slander' and a 'political farce'. Over the weekend, it came out that a parliamentary researcher with links to key political figures had been arrested over allegation of spying for China. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the UK Government is now under pressure to take action and reconsider China as a political threa...

The outgoing New Zealand Superannuation Fund CEO has slammed the near-$10 billion tax bill as 'nonsensical'. Matt Whineray believes the Superannuation Fund should have tax immunity status, according to an exit interview.  NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says the next Government will need to make choices about the state of the fund. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

A new international player is determined to snap up Fonterra dairy farmers, as competition intensifies. Fonterra farmers have put up signs featuring the slogan 'A proud Fonterra farmer' in response to Singapore-based OFI (Olam Food Ingredients) setting up in Waikato. Fonterra farm source group director Anne Douglas says Fonterra sets the benchmark for dairy prices, and OFI will respond accordingly...

No signs of slowing down from Novak Djokovic after recording his 24th grand slam title. Djokovic is the US tennis Open champion after beating Daniil Medvedev in the final in straight sets. ZB sports journalist Nathan Limm explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools across Melbourne are calling for increased security amid ongoing attacks. Multiple incidents of gang members getting into schools and harming students have surfaced, sparking safety concerns. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there are Facebook groups ranking Victorian schools by level of danger- and a solution must be found. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Support for National has rocketed up to just over 40 percent, with a 4.3 point jump in the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll. Labour has taken a devastating tumble, down 5.5 percent to 26.8 percent. ACT has fallen two points to 10 - but can comfortably govern with National. The Greens are up to 12.3 percent, Te Pāti Māori is on three, while New Zealand First flirts with the threshold at 4.6 percen...

The Warriors are set to go up against the Newcastle Knights this weekend, and expectations are high. The first home finals match held in New Zealand since 2008 will take place in Auckland's Go Media Stadium Mt Smart at 6.05 on Saturday. Former Warrior and club ambassador Monty Betham is confident the team can win as demand for tickets soars. "It really is building like that- the fans are going nut...

Meteorologists expect the El Niño climate system will start drying out parts of the country in the coming weeks. The North Island and northern and eastern South Island will be the most affected. Weatherwatch's Phillip Duncan says it'll bring a windier westerly - which very quickly dries the east of the country. "Parts of Hawke's Bay that were flooded are already now noticing how dry it's become in...

Calls for banks to drop mortgage rates- while they bring in record profits. They are scraping off an extra $2.2-billion dollars annually, from a 17 percent rise in lending profits caused by rising interest rates. Squirrel Chief Executive David Cunningham says he believes the slow housing market pushed the margin this high. He says shareholders want steady profits, and rising share-prices regardles...

ACT's Leader denies he's threatening the National Party by suggesting a confidence-only deal, post-election. David Seymour previously said his party would consider it - if National doesn't co-operate in negotiations. That would force the larger party to seek the minor party's support for Government spending. Seymour says ACT's position isn't new or dramatic. "It's just saying- look, we actually wa...

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis.   The Act Party has thrown a potential cat amongst the pigeons by threatening it may only ent...

A former British soldier awaiting trial on terror charges who appears to have escaped from a London prison by strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery truck remained at large Thursday as police stepped up security checks across the United Kingdom amid concerns he may try to flee the country. Opposition parties linked the escape to years of financial austerity, while Britain's Conserva...

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are certainly putting in the time to cultivate their relationship. Less than three months after honoring Modi with a state visit to the White House, Biden is to arrive in New Delhi on Friday — a day before the start of the Group of 20 summit there — to squeeze in another round of one-on-one talks with the leader of the world’s most populous nati...

A new approach to paying for private healthcare has started in New Zealand. Fettle gives people the ability to contribute to an investment fund which eventually goes into paying for private healthcare. Fettle founder and CEO Dr Colin Hutchinson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Injury concerns in the Warriors camp ahead of their first finals game since 2018. Star playmaker Shaun Johnson will sit out the first-round clash against Penrith due to a calf injury. And ticket demand for them is through the roof. Fans will be able to purchase presale access to finals tickets for $49, a perk usually reserved for those with full season memberships. But where those games will be he...

Huge problems in the All Blacks camp ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup opener. The three-time champion All Blacks will kick off the spectacle with hosts France tomorrow morning. But Jordie Barrett, Shannon Frizell and Brodie Retallick will all miss the opener due to injury. NZ Herald rugby writer Liam Napier joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...