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The Government is defending softer rules for Buy Now, Pay Later lenders than initially promised. Providers like AfterPay and LayBuy will soon be made to complete a credit report for new customers. It had proposed full affordability assessments to force providers to check shoppers can afford debt repayments. The lenders offer people interest-free loans and make money by charging when payments are m...

Petrol prices continue to climb higher. The average price of 91 is expected to hit $3 within weeks, and the Government has already ruled out another discount. AA Principal Advisor Terry Collins says there are a few reasons for the hike. "The Saudis announced they'll take a million barrels of production out a day, Russia said it's taking some oil out of the market, and in the last month or so- the...

National is slamming the Government for a rise in home detention breaches. Official figures show the number of charges for an offender breaking electric monitoring conditions hit a new high of 2035 in the past year. It's estimated to be the highest annual figure on record. National justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith says while it's appropriate for some, it's time to raise the bar for eligibility. "I...

An Auckland school that's banned phones for years is supporting National's promise to crackdown on cellphone use in schools. If elected, National will axe phones for all year groups - with some exemptions for those needing the devices for health or learning purposes. Auckland Grammar School has banned student phone usage for decades. Headmaster Tim O'Connor says it's a method that works. "As long...

A food dehydrator is under the spotlight in relation to an alleged mushroom poisoning in Victoria. Three people are dead and another is in critical condition in hospital awaiting a liver transplant after eating the deadly lunch. A former daughter-in-law of some of the victims made the lunch, and is now being investigated. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the dehydrator is among the latest...

The Crown have appealed the $450,000 compensation awarded to an individual sentenced to 7 years jail for an indecent assault charge. Daniel Fitzgerald was convicted after forcibly kissing a woman on Wellington's Cuba St, his third-strike offence after incurring two other indecent assault convictions. Otago University law expert Andrew Geddis says the Crown is arguing against compensating Fitzgeral...

I'm not going to say no to a ban on phone use in schools . I think we all know phones are not the biggest problem with education, truancy and a crap curriculum are the biggest problems . But banning phone use can’t hurt, can it?   There is no upside in having phones in classrooms . Unless they’re being used for a particular lesson, they’re just a distraction.   Think about how distracting they are...

The remains of Matthew Flinders, the first explorer to circumnavigate Australia, will be buried in his home town of Lincolnshire in 2024. His remains were identified after they were discovered in HS2 rail project dig at St James's burial ground in Euston in 2019. UK correspondent Enda Brady says his body went missing after his death in 1814, and a local group has been campaigning to bring his rema...

Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital PR and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a first of its kind climate infrastructure fund in New Zealand to support 100 percent renewable electricity, including solar, wind, green hydrogen and battery storage to fuel...

Economies are slowing down all over the world- with many poised to enter technical recessions. Australia's economy has stalled and unemployment rates are set to rise, leading experts to believe the region will follow New Zealand into a technical recession. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham says there are lots of ways to think about whether an economy has tipped into a recession.  "Is it really a r...

The conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms continues to grow at a rapid pace. An updated Orme & Associates report on land-use change from pastoral farming to large-scale forestry shows the amount of land sold in 2021 soared 66 percent compared to the previous year. The Country's Jamie Mackay says sheep and beef farms being replaced by carbon farms is bad for the country in the lo...

The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a climate infrastructure fund to support 100 percent renewable electricity generation. The fund is designed to provide access to greater pools of capital for New Zealand, create jobs, and accelerate green energy options, including solar, wind, and hydrogen. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says BlackRock are essentially offerin...

A Victorian woman who cooked up a mushroom lunch which killed three and put another in hospital says she meant no harm. The woman, a daughter-in-law of some of the victims, is being investigated. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are baffled by this case, as no-one can identify what type of mushrooms were cooked and served to the victims. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Police Minister is putting pressure on National to confirm they plan to keep the firearms registry if they enter Government. A survey conducted by Horizon Research and Gun Control NZ shows 71 percent support the registry, while 14 percent oppose it. Minister Ginny Andersen fears that ACT, who have criticised the registry, may bully National into scrapping it if they enter a coalition.  "We kno...

Te Pāti Māori wants to introduce a 'culture pass'- giving young people money to spend on the arts sector. The idea stems from overseas, where people who turn 18 get 200 Euros to spend on museums, theatre or concerts. Point Chev Social Enterprise Trust spokesperson Chris Casey says it could start off with $200 a year. "It's not a novel idea overseas, it's been going for years and years. It's a wond...

The Government has been quizzed on why it's not putting money into a renewable electricity scheme. It has partnered with worldwide asset management company BlackRock to launch a $2 billion infrastructure fund. It'll have a particular focus on the path to 100 percent renewable energy, such as solar, wind and green hydro. Energy Minister Megan Woods says they're acting in New Zealand's interests. "O...

A Wellington City Councillor is criticising headlines about the mayor's dog. Tory Whanau has been bringing her two-year-old staffy to the City Council offices since being elected. But the landlord's put his foot down- so Teddy's being sent to live with the mayor's family, so he's not left home alone. Councillor Diane Calvert says she has sympathy for Tory, and any impacted staff. "Personally, I th...

Gang tensions are at a high in Palmerston North, with a man fatally shot in Highbury on Sunday. A source tells our newsroom it follows unrest between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs. Manawatu Area Police Commander Ross Grantham says he believes the situation's under control. "We have a high presence within the community, we've brought in additional staffing and we're stopping people from doi...

ACT MP Simon Court has revealed he was shot in a drug deal gone wrong in his pre-parliament life. Senior political correspondent Barry Soper says, aged 17, Court went camping with friends - who got some marijuana. Court reportedly wasn't involved with the deal, but that evening, the group were violently threatened by the drug sellers. Soper says Court was seriously injured. "The gunman, in fact, s...

A moment of madness has marred England's World Cup round of 16 penalty shootout win over Nigeria in Brisbane. Lauren James was red-carded in the 87th minute for stomping on a Nigerian player. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small percentage of Aucklanders have been caught using phones while driving. A six month Waka Kotahi safety camera trial across the city picked up 2.4 percent of drivers holding cell phones. There were 242,000 potential offences, including not wearing seatbelts. Fines won't be issued as police weren't involved. Road safety campaigner Greg Murphy says that was with only three cameras, picking up...

The first wave of asylum seekers will be moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge to await the outcome of their applications. Under the controversial scheme, beset by delays, up to 500 men aged 18-65 will be housed on the barge to await decisions on their visa. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the barge will be docked off the Dorset coast, and the residents will be able to step off their accommodation....

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and current affairs commentator Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Labour have announced plans for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing, with two three-lane tunnels for vehicles and a separate Light Rail tunnel. Is this plan credible coming from Labour?  The Green Party have pitched a a...

Meat exporters have been watching the global spat between the US and China, and some worry New Zealand may be caught in the crossfire. New Zealand's leading trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis has warned the golden weather for trade policy is over and the region has to be careful going forward. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says tensions are high between the US and China and New Zealand...

Three gunmen are on the run following separate shootings in the past week. Police are hunting 24-year-old Dariush Talagi, after two people were shot on Queen Street in Central Auckland on Thursday night. Auckland police have also launched a homicide investigation, after a man was shot at Taurima Reserve in Point England on Saturday. Another person later showed up at Middlemore Hospital with a guns...