Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New Zealand cannot arrest its way out of the gang problem. That's according to a report by the Chief Science Advisory - requested to inform policy for reducing gang harm. It instead calls for improvements in addressing related factors such as family harm, youth offending and drug use. Co-author Tracey McIntosh says legal action over simply being associated with gangs causes collateral damage. "Tha...

Here’s hoping Police National Headquarters is listening to the Government’s Chief Science Advisor following her report into gangs. Because by the looks of things... she’s taking a stronger position on gangs than they are. This might surprise you, because Juliet Gerrard is, after all, the Chief Science Advisor to the Labour Government, who just got endorsed by the Mongrel Mob’s Harry Tam. And it’s...

Oranga Tamariki is having a hard look at staff working in its youth justice facilities. Four staff have been stood down for allowing an MMA-style fight. The department is also dealing with sexual misconduct allegations against staff and youth escaping onto the roofs of two facilities. Oranga Tamariki deputy CEO Tusha Penny, says the employment of those four staff is under review. "We now know that...

A former Reserve Bank economist's dampening worries about a deterioration in the Government coffers. Treasury's latest Crown accounts show the tax take for the 11 months to May was $2.2 billion lower than expected. Meanwhile, debt is more than $5 billion dollars greater than anticipated. Michael Reddell says we shouldn't overdo concerns - and forecasting is a tough game. "So it's weaker than expec...

The Government books are looking worse for wear, with Treasury releasing concerning financial statements. The Crown accounts for the 11 months ending May show the tax take was $2.2 billion lower than expected, with the deficit being $2.1 billion higher than forecast. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Grant Robertson has tried to put a positive spin on the news by saying the loss w...

Some Springboks will get a head start on the All Blacks for next week's Rugby Championship test at Mount Smart. A dozen players are skipping the Wallabies fixture this week to jet to New Zealand early. The All Blacks decided against the tactic, and have all players in Mendoza ahead of Sunday morning's test against Argentina. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio....

Disappointment from some primary school teachers, over some signing up after the industrial action that has brought an agreement. The Ministry and NZEI signed a pay agreement last month, which gives union members a $1500 lump sum payment. Some have complained online that some teachers have just joined up now to get the extra money. But NZEI President Mark Potter says they're happy to welcome more...

The first of four accusers has testified against Kevin Spacey in a London court, labelling the actor a 'predator'. The accuser alleged Spacey had tried to grope him multiple times when they were alone and referenced one incident where Spacey grabbed his crotch while driving. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Spacey has pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges against him. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co...

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Health Minister Ayesha Verrall today unveiled a strategy for tackling shortages of over 8,000 healthcare workers. These include ramping up offshore recruitment, offering more training places and expanding 'earn-as-you-learn' a...

Honey producer and exporter Comvita has expanded into Singapore- and they're eyeing future growth. The company have bought honey retailer HoneyWorld Singapore and their associated consumer brands in a deal worth $10.4 million NZD. Comvita CEO David Banfield says the region is predisposed to their product- leaving lots of room for future expansion. "It just really gives us an opportunity to tell ou...

With the election 13 weeks away, political leaders are striving for the rural vote. The Country's Jamie Mackay says there's a tidal wave of discontent in rural New Zealand that will lead to Labour losing their existing rural seats. "There's been a wave of sentiment against the Government in rural New Zealand. I can tell you over at Agfest and Fieldays, it would be fair to say Damien O'Connor was w...

Business confidence has improved in the latest survey from NZIER, but there are worries in the mix. Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion data shows 59 percent of businesses expect a deterioration of business conditions, down from 63 percent. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says businesses are worried about soft sales as the economy slows down. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener...

The Australian Reserve Bank has decided to hold its Official Cash Rate steady at 4.10 percent. It says this gives the board more time to assess the state of the economy, the outlook and associated risks Australian correspondent Murray Olds says inflation is trending down, but economists are predicting future rate hikes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Maori Party have surged ahead in the latest Roy Morgan political poll. The party have reached 7 percent, a historically high level of support 13 weeks out from the October election. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Maori Party essentially got ahead by doing nothing. "Other than making a noise and other than having a defection from Labour for Meka Whaitiri, they haven't do...

Athletics New Zealand pole vault coach Jeremy McColl has been found guilty of serious misconduct, including harassment and inappropriate sexual remarks to athletes who were minors. Banned from any involvement in the sport for 10 years, McColl has resigned and apologised for the harm caused. Sportstalk host Adam Cooper explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

A blow for travellers to Waiheke Island, as Fullers raises return peak-hour adult ferry tickets by 19 percent to $59. Monthly unlimited travel passes cost just over $400, and just under $300 for tertiary students. Waiheke local board member Paul Walden says these price increases are reflective of the monopoly Fullers holds. "It's reflective of the monopoly that Fullers is privileged to have. We ju...

An animal advocacy group claims a feral cat-killing competition has led to a pet being killed in North Canterbury. A cat had to be euthanised in the region, after being shot last week. The North Canterbury Hunting Competition a week earlier included a category for killing feral cats. SAFE Head of Investigations, Will Appelbe says they don't think it's a coincidence. "Our position is- the normalisi...

A mysterious booming sound shocked North Canterbury residents this morning. The incident happened just before 9am, with many residents saying there was a 'shockwave' following the noise. Woodend-Sefton Community Board Chair Shona Powell has 'no idea' what caused the mysterious explosion. She says there are a lot of theories out there, ranging from gas explosion, meth lab explosion or construction...

If polling out today is anything to go by , the Maori Party are going to be a force at this election . The Roy Morgan poll has the Party at 7 percent. Which is huge, it’s the highest level of support the Party has ever registered. But that’s not the thing that’s convinced me they’ll do well . What's convinced me is the movement of the voters in the poll . You can see clearly see voters moving from...

Will the latest business confidence survey findings kill off thoughts of another Official Cash Rate hike? Latest Economic Research Institute data shows 59 percent of businesses expect economic conditions to deteriorate in the coming months. That's down from 61 percent last quarter. BNZ Economist Stephen Toplis says he thinks the hikes are over. He says the figures will indicate to the Reserve Bank...

Better support for health workers is a key part of Government plans to retain them. Health Minister Ayesha Verrall has today unveiled the strategy to tackle shortages of more than 8,000 doctors, nurses, and other health workers. Moves include ramping up offshore recruitment efforts and expanding 'earn-as-you-learn' programmes. Verrall says it's also about keeping them in the workforce, and that's...

Shoppers in Westfield malls across Auckland and Christchurch are being filmed without their knowledge, according to Consumer NZ. AI-powered billboards analyse the biometric data of passer-by and use that to show them targeted advertisements based on age, gender and even mood. Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy has raised concerns, claiming there's no disclosure on where consumers can expect to...

The family of a 17-year-old who was fatally shot by police Paris suburb last week have called for an end to the riots. France has endured a sixth night of clashes and destruction and thousands have been arrested. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says President Emmanuel Macron is due to meet with the leaders of both houses of parliament to quell the riots. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and former Labour Chief of Staff and Director at Mike Munro Communications Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Five youths sat on top of the Korowai Manaaki facility in South Auckland's Wiri on Saturday evening and were lured down with KFC and McDonald's. Is this a copycat...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will attend the NATO leaders summit to strengthen international ties in wake of Russia's war in Ukraine. This comes off the back of Hipkins' week-long trade-focused trip to China. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says Hipkins may finally get the chance to meet Joe Biden, as both leaders will be at the NATO summit.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for...