Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

West Auckland social services charity the Waipareira Trust and chief executive John Tamihere have reached their deadline to settle an outstanding loan. $385,307 was taken from the Trust to pay for John Tamihere's mayoral campaign and Te Pāti Māori's general election campaign- in breach of the law. NZ Herald reporter Matt Nippert says this investigation has been ongoing since the end of 2019- and T...

The Finance Minister is denying there's a fiscal hole in the Government's books. Treasury is expected to open their accounts ahead of the election, giving an accurate picture of the Crown's finances. Grant Robertson says the Government's debt levels had been published in the budget- and they're not $20 billion in the hole. "We have ongoing conversations, but nothing has been firmed up at all, and...

I love the Auckland harbour transport plan, don’t you? Who doesn’t want to get across the harbour more easily and doesn’t want some more roads for cars? But surely no one believes Labour’s going to do this. Not only because they can’t deliver jack- do I need to mention KiwiBuild or Light Rail or Let’s Get Wellington Moving- but mainly because no one rational believes Labour actually wants to build...

Revelations the Government didn't follow advice to shut down a South Auckland youth justice residence, Korowai Manaaki. Former police commissioner Mike Bush's probe last year claims it was a 'near-miracle' no-one's been killed or seriously hurt. Stuff reports it also mentions the 'under-qualified' workforce can't deal with the teens there. A roof stand-off with youngsters in June was ended with KF...

The Government's choice for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing is being called 'comical'. It includes two three-lane tunnels for vehicles and a 21 kilometre light rail tunnel between Albany and the CBD. It'll take decades to finish and cost tens of billions of dollars. Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie disapproves of the high cost and projected emissions, and says there are better uses for $4...

There are no bolters in the All Blacks squad heading to the Rugby World Cup starting in France next month. Selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named the 33-strong All Blacks squad in Napier this afternoon, in front of almost 2000 locals. The squad features 18 forwards and 15 backs, with three hookers, six props, four locks, five loose forwards, three halfbacks, three first five-e...

In Australia, three people are dead and a fourth is in a critical condition after eating a meal containing toxic wild mushrooms. Victorian Police have questioned and released one person without charge. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's a small community in Leongatha, South Gippsland. "This is an awful set of circumstances. Could you just think- having that family gathering and hav...

Ian Foster is set to unveil the 33 players to contest the William Webb Ellis Cup come November. There's speculation that some unconventional picks could be made, with Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Emoni Narawa, and Shaun Stevenson in ply for the outside backs. Sportstalk host Jason Pine shares his predictions here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A campaign to save local businesses from the Smokefree 2025 Act may not be the work of concerned dairy owners.  A new report shows tobacco companies are supporting a campaign called Save Our Stores, which includes a petition to "save" dairies from smokefree initiatives. Health Coalition Aotearoa Smokefree panel expert Andrew Waa isn't surprised the tobacco industry is behind this initiative, but h...

Questions are rising over whether Alberta's withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games is another nail in the coffin for the multi-sport event. Rising costs have seen the Canadian province cancel its support for a bid to host the games in 2030. This comes weeks after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Games. Global News Journalist Kareem Gouda told Heather du Plessis-Allan...

Pop singer Lizzo has broken her silence over allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Three former back up dancers have accused her of weight shaming and sexual harassment. The Grammy winner says the claims are false and unbelievable and the dancers who are making the allegations have their noses out of joint after being told off for poor behaviour. LA Entertainment Correspondent Sean Mandell told...

Farmers were trudging around a little deeper in the mud today after a fall in Fonterra's expected payout to dairy farmers. Fonterra has drastically cut its forecast Farmgate Milk Price, with the midpoint falling from eight-dollars-per-kilogram of milk solids to just seven-dollars. It's blaming reduced demand for whole milk powder from China. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre told Heat...

There are calls for more police in Auckland's CBD after another shooting. Police were called to reports of fighting between two groups on Lower Queen Street around 11.30 last night. One person fired up to four shots, leaving two people critically injured. Police are now hunting for the offenders. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck told Heather du Plessis Allan that they'd like a police sta...

The Defence Minister's not shying away from the criticisms that his new forward-looking military focus is too aggressive. Andrew Little's released the Government's updated strategic defence policy — a document which takes a more critical look at China's role in the Pacific. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that New Zealand's not willing to sit on the sidelines if areas of strategic importance, suc...

Doesn't the shooting in Auckland overnight  illustrate to you that the Police Ministers’ idea of getting volunteers to do patrols in Auckland CBD so police don’t have to is not only cooked , but also dangerous . The latest from police is that these guys didn’t know each other and got into a verbal altercation on Fort Street. Next minute, got into a physical altercation , and next minute one chap p...

In the UK, interest rates are expected to rise a 14th time as the Bank of England struggles to bring down inflation. Economists have predicted the Bank will lift rates from 5 percent to 5.25 percent. UK correspondent Enda Brady says interest rates will continue to rise in the coming months, with at least 3 predicted before Christmas. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Tonight on The Huddle, Radio Hauraki's Matt Heath and Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! ACT leader David Seymour has ruled out a partnership with NZ First and Winston Peters. Should Chris Luxon and National follow suit- or do they need to form a coalition? Police Minister Ginny Andersen has suggested wardens for Maori and other...

US markets plummeted overnight following Fitch downgrading the US credit rating from AAA to AA+. The agency cited fiscal deterioration over the next three years and drawn-out debt ceiling negotiations. Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager Sam Dickie says the fiscal situation in the US Government has been heavily publicised, meaning Fitch mulled over their decision to downgrade. LISTEN ABOVE See o...

International milk prices took a fall in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, concerning exporters and analysts. The GDT Price Index was down 4.3 percent across the board, with an average selling price of $3,100 per metric ton. The Country's Jamie Mackay says analysts will be reaching for the red pens to cut milk price forecasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robertson and Hipkins have admitted Government's books are in a more challenging position than expected- but deny claims of a fiscal hole. The Finance Minister confirmed he met with public service chiefs for a meeting about monetary restraint. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explained that as the economy goes further south and diverges from Treasury forecasts, the gap in the Crown accounts gro...

Questions over whether a bold makeover for Auckland's waterfront is good for the harbour facilities. Mayor Wayne Brown's put up plans for an open air saltwater pool, an exhibition centre, a water amphitheatre - and aquaculture. Maritime Union National Secretary Craig Harrison says it's unclear where Auckland Council is going to get the money to fund this project with. "Someone else could develop i...

Bad news for brunch lovers, with some food joints claiming egg supplies are dwindling. Bakeries and restaurants are apparently having to lower their usage. Bakehouse on Bond owner, Tom Bullock, says it's been a frustrating six months. "Egg powder's playing a part in the actual baking in some products, mostly bread-based products like brioche, etc." The Poultry Industry Association's Michael Brooks...

Police believe a ute being driven by missing Marokopa dad Tom Phillips was involved in an altercation in the Waikato area last night. Phillips was spotted yesterday in Te Awamutu, Te Rapa and Kawhia in three separate sightings. He disappeared more than 18 months ago with children Jayda, Maverick and Ember. Police inspector Will Loughrin says the stolen bronze 2003 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute forms...

New Yorkers are being encouraged to escape to a new city- our very own Capital. For the Escape to Wellington campaign, a computer was set up on the streets of the Big Apple for a day. Passers-by could click on a button for a glimpse of Wellington's lifestyle benefits on offer. Wellington NZ Chief Executive John Allen says the region needs talent and tourists, and a campaign set up in New York coul...

Progress on reducing waitlists in our health system - despite winter pressures. Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says total planned care treatments, including minor operations, are increasing nationwide. She says staff are moving through the waitlists in stages - starting by treating those who've waited more than three years. "Then we're moving down through that, potentially, with the goal of gettin...