Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New Zealand's population continues to grow at pace. The latest Stats NZ figures show New Zealand had a net new migration gain of 72,300 in the year to April. Kiwibank senior economist Mary Jo Vergara doesn't think this increase will be as inflationary as economists predicted. "Migration has implications for both the supply side and the demand side of the economy, but we think it'll add to the boos...

National's Chris Luxon clarified that New Zealand is a country of 'endless potential' after yesterday's backlash. Luxon commented that the nation had become a "very negative, wet, whiny, inward-looking country" while chatting to farmers in Helensville. He says New Zealand is a well-positioned country with smart, creative, determined people- that isn't realising the endless potential it has. "We're...

2degrees founder Tex Edwards is offering a $5000 reward to recover his stolen Lexus. Edwards believes police have better things to do than hunt for the missing vehicle, which disappeared from outside his Grey Lynn home yesterday. He acknowledged he was lucky enough to be able to dig into his pockets and offer a reward to hopefully get the car back. "It's bad that we have crime, but on the whole, I...

A greener world could be within reach as Kiwi scientists develop a new recyclable battery. A Canterbury University researcher is working on perfecting redox-flow batteries that store energy in liquid electrolytes, rather than solid. People would be able to refill their tank with charged battery fluid, instead of waiting at a charging station. But Professor Deb Crittenden says redox-flow batteries...

New Zealand farmers have  called Labour’s bluff on the climate tax Labour was planning , and they’ve won this thing.  After yesterday’s announcement from the Nats,  there is now very little chance- actually probably no chance at all - that Labour will put any kind of tax on farmers before the election . Because what happened yesterday is that farmers got hope . All they have to do is hold on for t...

Kāinga Ora is defending its eviction policy in the face of criticism. Just three people have been evicted since a bad behaviour crackdown was announced in February of last year. That's despite 10,000 complaints in the same period. Kāinga Ora National Services Manager Nick Maling says there are problems, but they need to be considered in context. "85 percent of those complaints are about minor issu...

Police have been brought in to bolster Ōpōtiki's small contingent ahead of a gang tangi tomorrow. The Bay of Plenty town has had an influx of members since a Mongrel Mob leader died on Friday. Ōpōtiki College has chosen to close this week, and other schools have also shut. Bus services were impacted today and the library closed its doors. Acting Area Commander Tristan Murray says they expect to ha...

Chris Luxon's not backing down from calling New Zealand 'wet and whiny', but clarified he was referring to the Government. The National Leader was heard telling a farmer the country had become negative, wet, whiny and inward-looking and had 'lost the plot'. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon will understand he'll be picked up on any side comments he makes by the media. "I'v...

There are warnings New Zealand's social cohesion is straining at the seams. According to a report by Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, rising polarisation stems from a wider breakdown of trust, as demonstrated by the 2022 Parliament occupation. Former Chief Science Advisor and report co-author Sir Peter Gluckman says society can't work without some form of cohesion. "What happens is we find...

Scotland's former former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge after an earlier arrest. Sturgeon was arrested as part of an investigation into financial irregularities by the Scottish National Party. She took to social media to share her shock at the arrest and confirm her innocence in the matter. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says at least $1.5 million was given to the SNP...

Tonight on The Huddle, current affairs commentator Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Chris Luxon is under fire for describing New Zealand as a 'negative, wet, whiny, inward-looking country' that has 'lost the plot'. How does this look? Does he make any good points? Will this appeal to voters? National ha...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is set to go to China at the end of the month. This trip will be the first Prime Minister-led delegation there since 2019, and Hipkins is expected to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says it's likely Chris Hipkins will meet President Xi Jinping and several key ministers. "The details will probably come out next week. Norm...

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has questioned the role of television match officials in the wake of his side's Super Rugby exit. They were denied progressing to the semi-finals by what some consider was a match-winning try for Ardie Savea in the last play against the Brumbies. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further- and why he agrees with Holland's assessment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/...

The causes of a fatal bus crash in New South Wales won't be known for some time. 10 people are dead and 25 others injured after a bus carrying wedding guests rolled in the Hunter Valley. The 58-year-old driver has been arrested and charges are pending. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says investigations are underway into the weather conditions and the state of the driver. LISTEN ABOVE See...

The Government says it's committed to working with farmers in the wake of National's newly announced emissions policy. If elected, National would push back the start date for farmers paying for emissions to 2030. Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says Federated Farmers has walked away from He Waka Eke Noa, the Government's emissions policy, but other groups are still on board. O'Connor says Lab...

Secondary school teachers are inspiring mass frustration over their plan to resume striking. These teachers voted to reject the Government's latest collective agreement offers. They're refusing to teach two levels each day, from Monday to Thursday over the next three weeks. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the Government's latest offer makes 'significant progress' for teachers, and the primar...

Charges are expected to be laid after the driver involved in a fatal NSW coach crash was arrested. The coach rolled into the Hunter Valley, killing 10 people and injuring another 25 at 11.30pm on Sunday night. Taylor Ryan, a reporter from Australia's 10 News says investigations are still in the early stages, and police have only just rolled the coach upright. "Now that it's upright, I think they'l...

Retail card spending fell $113 million last month, compared to April - across all industries. Stats NZ data shows the largest contributor to the 1.7 percent drop was fuel, down $25 million, followed by apparel, which fell $13 million. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says it's a weaker result than expected. "We thought those increases in migration, as well as those increases in prices, wou...

The Regional Development Minister says Mount Ruapehu is highly likely to open for skiing this year. The Government has decided to split the running of the mountain's ski fields and is supporting two bidders to take over. Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Tūroa Limited are now expected to purchase the assets and business from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. Minister Kiri Allan says only two more barriers are left...

The Opposition's given more explanation for for why it's kicking emissions pricing down the road. National has today proposed an on-farm, pricing plan by 2030, five years later than the Government and industry plan. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has already hit back, saying National has no idea how to get to net zero by 2050 - and is treating the climate with contempt. But National agriculture spok...

I really hate wealth taxes. I hate them even more than I hate capital gains taxes . Because at least with a capital gains tax , you have sold the asset, so you made some money and can use that money to pay the tax . With a wealth tax, you haven’t sold anything. You're just getting taxed because the house you live in and the assets you own are worth enough to tax . And so you need to start paying ,...

The Green Party have unveiled their wide-ranging tax and income policy ahead of October's election. To keep low-income Kiwis above the breadline, the Greens proposed a top tax rate of 45 percent on income over $180,000 and a 2.5 percent wealth tax on assets worth more than $2 million. ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour and the Greens will need each other this election if t...

A newly purchased domain name and IP filings may allow NZ Rugby to stream their own games. NZ Rugby claimed the URL nzrplus.co.nz on April 11th, 2023. While not live yet, this indicates the organisation will broadcast games to fans directly.  Spinoff founder Duncan Greive, who broke the original story, says NZR stated they weren't going to charge for games in the immediate term- but the current de...

There’s speculation of a possible $1m-plus advance for Dame Jacinda Ardern as she sets her eyes on a book deal for her autobiography. Dame Jacinda has yet to confirm which publishing house the deal is with, although Penguin is thought to be the front runner for New Zealand and Australia. Publishing experts say most advances here are generally between $5000 and $10,000. Time Out Bookstore Manager J...

There’s speculation of a possible $1m-plus advance for Dame Jacinda Ardern as she sets her eyes on a book deal for her autobiography. Dame Jacinda has yet to confirm which publishing house the deal is with, although Penguin is thought to be the front runner for New Zealand and Australia. Publishing experts say most advances here are generally between $5000 and $10,000. Time Out Bookstore Manager J...