Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Maintenance on ageing Interislander ferries is seen as a short-term solution by the Maritime Union. Estimated annual maintenance costs to keep KiwiRail’s three ageing Interislander ferries running could almost double to $65 million by next year, and keeping the ferries afloat will be an “ongoing battle”. A previous assessment of the fleet’s condition raised concerns about steel corrosion, metal getting weak and cracking, and prohibitive maintenance expenses. The project to replace the fleet with two mega ferries was left dead in the water in December after overall costs, including new terminals and wharf upgrades, ballooned to almost $3 billion and the new Government refused to fund the blowout. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has previously refused to commit to replacing the fleet by 2026, which is when the now-cancelled mega ferries were due to arrive. Given the project’s history of delays, budget blowouts, and other problems, Willis said people were “dreaming” if they thought the mega ferries would be up and running with the necessary port development in place by that time. A Ministerial Advisory Group is looking into new options for the future of the ferry service. Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot told Mike Hosking that ships of this age will have issues, especially on Cook Strait. He says they are maintaining ferries that are nearing the end of their lives anyway. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s hopes an improved vaccine against an infectious disease running rife through New Zealand cattle could ease costs for farmers. The Ministry for Primary Industries is backing a project which aims to develop a modified vaccine against Bovine Viral Diarrhoea. It impacts about 80% of our dairy and beef herds and costs the industry more than $190 million each year. Research lead John Moffat told Mike Hosking that it's one of the many threats farmers face. He says the virus is one of the most important issues needing to be dealt with in the cattle industry. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A victims' advocate says new measures to address court backlogs are doable if all players in the system play their part. The Chief District Court Judge has introduced maximum waiting times based on the seriousness of the crime. For the least serious category —where there's no risk of prison— the aim is six months. Independent victims' advocate Ruth Money told Mike Hosking that the courts are jammed and delayed. She says people have their lives on hold waiting. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following his visit to New Zealand, the Chinese Premier has begun his visit to Australia. Li Qiang was greeted by hundreds of supporters and protestors upon his arrival in Canberra on Sunday, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House. Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there has been talks of better military communication, as well as extending the offering of visa-free travel to Australians. She said that Albanese says the bilateral relationship is back on track. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's changed its tune on transgender people participating in community sports. A policy in the New Zealand First-National Coalition agreement threatened to withhold public funding if sports bodies didn't separate trans athletes from grassroots competitions. After feedback from Sport New Zealand, Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says the government will now take a watching brief. Save Women's Sport spokesperson Ro Edge told Mike Hosking that she thinks Bishop's been given inaccurate information. She says a letter she received from Bishop wrongly stated Sport NZ's guidelines have exemptions for fairness and safety in female sport. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government promises “granny flats” of 60 square metres or less will be easier to build after planning changes that will force councils to permit small dwellings on rural and residential zones without resource consent. Making it easier to build granny flats was part of NZ First’s coalition agreement with National. NZ First leader Winston Peters, taking over as Acting Prime Minister while Christopher Luxon is in Japan, used Monday’s post-Cabinet press conference to announce consultation on changes that would fulfil that policy promise. “Making it easier to build granny flats will make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them best,” Peters said. “Over a quarter of households that do not own their home spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing. High housing costs have a greater impact on Māori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities, as well as seniors - so unlocking the space in the backyards of family members opens the door to new ways of living. “We know granny flats are a great option for seniors, but they’re also increasingly popular with other families such as those who want homes where their university-age children can live at home but maintain some privacy and independence, or families who want to provide extra support to a loved one,” he said. Feedback's being sought on the proposed change. Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Mike Hosking that it's good that proposed designs are required to meet the building code. But he says there's no checking to ensure designs and constructions adhere to the building code, which isn't such a good thing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend's Super Rugby semifinals have raised a few eyebrows over their smaller-than expected attendance numbers. ZB sports reporter Andrew Alderson suspects this is because these Super Rugby matches had to compete with this weekend's Warriors' clash. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Princess of Wales has returned to the public eye for King's Birthday celebrations, making her first public appearance this year. Kate faced wild internet speculation on her whereabouts earlier this year before revealing she's undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She was pictured smiling, sitting alongside her three children in a carriage for the Trooping the Colour parade. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the public were thrilled to see her back. "She looked a little thin, a little drawn, but she did look, still, pretty amazing. And after all the chemo she's been in - perhaps that's no surprise at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One teachers' union is concerned abut the recommended changes to teaching standards in a new report. The Ministerial Advisory Group reviewing English and maths learning has recommended annual 'checkpoint' tests for students. It also recommends children be encouraged to write by hand as much as possible for their first three years at school - and cursive lessons in years four to six. NZEI president Mark Potter says children in society are facing all sorts of issues, but how teachers teach isn't one. "Things aren't going well for children in our society right now, but just focusing on what teachers do in the classroom all the time, especially by political groups and political figures, is not going to help children at all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is on the ground in Japan, but his business delegation won't be touching down for another day. The Prime Minister's plane has broken down yet again, this time while refuelling in Papua New Guinea. Luxon's been forced to fly commercial to Tokyo, while the business leaders, officials and others in his delegation are travelling to Brisbane and then on to Japan today. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Luxon abruptly disappeared from the airport, leaving his delegation confused about what was happening. "The Prime Minister leaving took everybody by surprise, I saw his face as he was leaving in the motorcade... he was not happy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain’s Labour Party has launched its manifesto. It said on Thursday that it would be “pro-business” and prioritise “wealth creation”. Among the party’s flagship pledges is the creation of a new publicly owned energy company, a ban on awarding new North Sea oil and gas licences, and reducing medical wait times. UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that it’s quite different from the manifesto they ran on a few years ago under Jeremy Corbyn. He said that Starmer is very much saying that his party is the party for change, but he is for stability, and in his own words, there were no “rabbits out of the hat”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a big weekend in sports as the Super Rugby semifinals kick off tonight. The Blues and the Brumbies are facing off at Eden Park tonight, the Hurricanes and the Chiefs going head-to-head in Wellington’s Sky Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman told Mike Hosking that if he could only watch one of the matches, he’d take the Hurricanes v Chiefs. He said it’s got blockbuster written all over it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s been push back against the Government's plan to scrap around the clock speed limits outside schools. The Coalition's reversing speed limit reductions implemented over the past four years under the previous Government. The draft report wants speed limits in place at the start and end of each school day as opposed to the current 24-7 system. Healthy Auckland Together spokesperson Dr Jamie Hosking told Mike Hosking that kids are outside schools much more than just the first and last 30-minutes of the day. He says five out of six deaths and serious injuries that happen around schools are outside those times, when the variable limits wouldn't be operating. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's ditching plans to make gender pay gap reporting compulsory. The Labour Government pledged it would require companies with more than 250 workers to publish a pay gap report. But acting Minister for Women Louise Upston's instead developing a tool for businesses to calculate pay gaps voluntarily. Mind the Gap Co-Founder Dellwyn Stuart told Mike Hosking that while mandatory reporting would likely make more of a difference, it's great to see the Government taking action. She says most businesses don't set out to pay people unfairly, they just don't see what's happening in their payroll until they measure it, and then they want to fix it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday saw another historic ruling in the United States, as Hunter Biden was found guilty in his federal gun trial. The conviction makes him the first child of a sitting President to be found guilty of a crime. He was convicted of three gun offences for lying about drug use while illegally buying and possessing a gun in 2018. US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that several legal experts have already suggested that there are several avenues of appeal that Biden could take. She said that the most likely route is that the defence will argue that under the Second Amendment, Biden has a constitutional right to own a firearm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an expectation New Zealanders will continue to file out of the country in high numbers. The latest figures from Stats NZ show more than 130,000 people left the country in the year to April, the highest number on record. Among those were a record 81,200 NZ citizens. ASB Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking that we are moving in the right direction, but there’s still a way to go yet. He said it’s reflective of what’s happening offshore as well, as Australia’s unemployment rate is lower than ours, as well as higher wages and lower living costs being on offer. He said it’s pretty clear from a New Zealander’s point of view that it’s probably better across the ditch. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a belief that there's a problem with the New Zealand electricity business model, not just the new disclosure rules. Gentailers —companies that both generate and sell electricity— are required to disclose the price they use internally to sell power to their retail arms. But NZIER research found the new disclosure rules don't provide enough information to show if companies are artificially inflating prices. Chief executive of consumer group NZ Compare Gavin Male told Mike Hosking that the market wasn't designed to be dominated by a few large gentailers. He says a recent OECD report found there's a need for more competition in the sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought New Zealanders' faith in rural banks is dwindling. The Government's requested for the Finance and Expenditure and Primary Production select committees to lead a joint inquiry into rural banking. Rural Women NZ says their communities are facing a range of problems including banking competition and customer service. Chief Executive Gabrielle O'Brien told Mike Hosking that a lot of them are losing confidence in the banking sector. She says they hope the inquiry can address what needs to change and restore that confidence. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment is hitting the UK hard. It’s unexpectedly risen to its highest level for two and a half years, climbing to 4.4% in the three months to April. On the other hand, wage growth has remained strong and is outstripping inflation, having increased at an annual rate of 2.9%. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the other striking figure is the inactivity rate, which is the number of people of working age who are not actively looking for work. He said that it’s standing at one in five, the highest level in nearly a decade. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have already received tips on the back of the $80 thousand reward offered in the case of the Phillips children. The now eight, nine, and ten year olds, along with their father Tom Phillips, have been missing since 2021. They're believed to be in western Waikato, near or in Marokopa. Police have given two weeks for the reward to be claimed and say information has been coming in since yesterday's announcement. Private Investigator Chris Budge told Mike Hosking that it's the best path forward for Police. He says it's much more economical than using spending money on helicopters and manpower to search. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's decision to work with farmers to price their emissions by 2030 is being welcomed by the industry. A law change will stop farming being charged through the Emissions Trading Scheme, which offsets credits against emitting. It was a fallback option if partnership group He Waka Eka Noa didn't find an alternative for agriculture. Meat Industry Association advocacy manager Jason Krupp told Mike Hosking that the previous Government wasn't fully committed to finding a solution. He says a solution was handed to them by the end of 2022, which they sat on for nine months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fuel retailer's applauding the Commerce Commission for raising awareness about prices at the pump ahead of the removal of Auckland's fuel tax. The commission's calling out retailers who lag in dropping prices at the pump, saying it's costing motorists millions each year. It says it's a timely reminder, with the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax being removed at the end of this month. Waitomo Group Chief Executive Simon Parham told Mike Hosking that they can't wait for it to be scrapped. He says it was poorly thought-out tax and it's created complexity for both customers and themselves. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A council in Australia’s New South Wales is displeased after being ordered to repay millions of dollars. The NSW Government has ordered the Hornsby Shire council to repay $36 million as after six years, it still has yet to develop and build a park. Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock, a former federal minister, has accused the government of looking to save money ahead of the state budget coming next week. Australian Correspondent Lesley Yeomans told Mike Hosking that the NSW Government said that the council has not been able to prove that they’re on track to have anything developed, so it’s time to pay the money back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of building a new home's starting to stabilise. Figures from QV CostBuilder show the average cost to build a three-bedroom home in main centres has risen by 1.8% for the year, and 0.3% this quarter. It compares to an annual average increase of nearly 5% last December, and nearly 10% last June. Newstalk ZB’s Resident Builder Pete Wolfkamp told Mike Hosking that the main difficulty builders were facing over the last years were prices rising after they’d been locked into a fixed term contract. He said that it puts enormous pressure on projects to keep their costs to a reasonable level, which was incredibly difficult. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political scientist says the allegations that Census data has been misused by a political party would be very concerning if true. The Prime Minister's announced the Public Service Commission will undertake an independent investigation amid allegations surrounding Te Pāti Māori and Manurewa Marae. It relates to the misuse of Census data and Covid-19 vaccination information. Political commentator Grant Duncan told Mike Hosking that the alleged mixing of Census and Covid related functions with election campaigning would be inappropriate. He says all of those choices should be private to the individuals concerned. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's expected China will try to sweeten the pot for New Zealand. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will arrive in Wellington this week, the first such visit since 2017. International relations expert Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking that expects he'll want to cover business, education, and likely New Zealand's position on AUKUS. He says tempting offers will likely be made to the Prime Minister. Miller says an upgraded free trade agreement or wider visa access for Kiwis are potentially on the table. Christopher Luxon will then lead a delegation to Japan on Sunday. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government will remove the 2018 ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki. The decision's being labelled a 'backwards step' by environmentalist groups. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive, John Carnegie, told Mike Hosking “In New Zealand, the ironic thing is coal has been a balancing energy fuel.” Carnegie said “There’s plenty of gas here, it’s just a matter of getting more explorers down here and having more wells drilled to find it.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British TV presenter Michael Mosley has been found dead on the Greek Island of Symi after disappearing while on holiday last week. The 67-year-old healthy living advocate, had been a prominent face on TV in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. His body was found as teams were searching the coastline with cameras, and searchers were approaching a cave. UK and Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking “He appeared to take the wrong route home – there are no suspicious circumstances.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals are kicking off this weekend. The Hurricanes are still sitting at the top of the table, just ahead of the Blues on a points differential. The Chiefs are starting the action, facing off against the Reds tonight at 7pm. Sports Commentator Tony Johnson told Mike Hosking that the season is heading towards a pretty good climax. He said that they’ve seen some good footie, and the game has grown as its gone on as well as the crowds getting better. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a much-needed record funding boost in pothole prevention. The Transport Agency's confirmed it'll put just over $2 billion into prevention on state highways, and nearly $2 billion for local roads. It'll cover resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance, with more than 62,000 holes recorded last year. Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett told Mike Hosking that the funding won't cover as much as it would've a few years ago because costs have risen. He says larger investments and more consistency will result in better efficiency. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A concerning healthcare trend finds more Kiwis unable to access specialist care, leaving GPs to manage cases without extra resources. Otago University has found between 2018 and 2022, the risk of being declined referred specialist services increased significantly, by 5.2%. General Practice New Zealand chair Bryan Betty told Mike Hosking that the threshold seems to be changing. He says the bar to get in to see a specialist seems to be rising, based on the fact there's not enough capacity in the hospital to see patients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Third time’s a charm for Boeing as its first manned ship takes off to space. Previous launch attempts had been called off due to system and machinery failures. Two veteran NASA astronauts are riding aboard the Starliner capsule, on a journey to the International Space Station. US correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that it's a much-needed win for Boeing. She says the manufacturer had lots of bad press recently including a door blowing out of an Alaskan airlines plane. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Early Childhood Sector is welcoming the Ministry of Regulation review. Regulation Minister David Seymour's saying affordability, access, and regulation will be tackled in the review. In six months, a report will be sent back with recommendations for Cabinet on rules that could be removed or changed. Early Childhood New Zealand Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe told Mike Hosking that the amount of regulation is a big problem in the sector. She says new rules were brought in to fix issues and it's morphed out of control. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The allegations against Te Pāti Māori need to be handled with sensitivity. It's been alleged information collected at Auckland's Manurewa Marae was used to help the party's election campaign, something Te Pāti Māori denies. Stats NZ has appointed an investigator, Police have received a complaint, and the Privacy Commissioner's considering what to do next. Political commentator Peter Dunne told Mike Hosking that it will turn into Te Pāti Māori tikanga versus the tikanga of the rest of the country. He says it needs to be dealt with in a way that can't be spun as colonisers attacking the party. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes the holiday law changes will benefit Kiwi businesses. The Government's drafting legislation and will put it out for consultation in September. It includes proposing moving annual leave from an entitlement system to an accrual system and linking sick leave to hours worked. Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Mike Hosking that the system hasn't kept up with modern day work practices. She says it's not fit for purpose and changes are needed, so this is a step in the right direction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christchurch Council is being urged to back the bid for a South Island NRL team. It’s said the team could bring in $50 million in revenue for the city each year. The call’s come from South Island NRL Bid ltd, led by Canterbury Rugby League Chairman Tony Kidd, and is a rival bid to David Moffett’s South Island Kea. Adam Blair, former Warriors player and commentator, told Mike Hosking that there’s always been conversation about the need for another New Zealand team. He said that the important thing is having people in the know that have done it before, and he’s not sure if there’s anyone in the South Island who has been in that position and knows how to get it across the line. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK police are still unable to find the parents they say abandoned three babies across East London across seven years. DNA testing shows newborn Baby Elsa —found in a park earlier this year— is the sibling of two others found similarly in 2017 and 2019. UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that a judge has made allowances because of the case's public interest. He says the public can know the babies are black, and its believed they share the same parents. Elsa was just one hour old when she was found. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More people are getting mental health support in primary care, but not as many are accessing specialist services. A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report shows more people are receiving community-based care. But access to specialist services dropped from 3.8% of people in 2018 and 19 to 3.4% in 2022 and 23. Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson told Mike Hosking that new services at GP level have drawn resources from specialist services. He says we keep putting money into one piece of it, but ignoring the whole system, therefore creating a hole elsewhere. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The T20 World Cup is coming up soon, and New Zealand has been put out in the back paddock with no games in the United States. The Super Rugby quarterfinals have been set after a tense weekend of matches. The Blues are on top of the board, and the final looks to be between them, the Hurricanes, or the Chiefs. Andrew Alderson wrapped the long weekend of sports. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says there’s been a drop in respect for police over the past six to seven years and they have become “punching bags” - and he wants to fix it. Speaking to Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking about a large boy racer event in Levin on the weekend - in which two police officers were hurt - Mitchell said police had been overwhelmed by the number of people at the meet. More than 200 cars were at the gathering, with around 30 police staff deployed to the centre of Levin pre-emptively. Manawatū area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said police were put at serious risk due to “aggressive behaviour”, with two officers hurt when they were pelted with rocks and bottles when they tried to intervene. Six cars were impounded and two people arrested, and Mitchell told Hosking more people would be arrested. Skid marks from cars doing burnouts during a car meet in Levin. Photo / Supplied The Police Minister said he planned to talk to Transport Minister Simeon Brown about the legislation regarding impounding cars - which he believed meant people’s cars were seized but then given back after a period of time. ”I want to seize the vehicles and keep them. I think that would be a real deterrent if these boy racers realise that [if] they come out, they’re actually going to lose their vehicles.” He was uncertain whether there were greater penalties for attacking a police officer than a member of the public, but said it “feels like” when people became officers they became “punching bags” without the rights other people had. “I want to get our police back to a point where these idiots that come out and break the law - whether gang members or boy racers that terrorise communities - understand that they can’t behave like that towards our police.” Police Minister Mark Mitchell says police have lost respect in society and are treated as "punching bags". Photo / Marty Melville Mitchell said there were “handwringers [and] academics” claiming that police couldn’t enforce laws because gangs were too strong. ”I completely reject that. We just have to get back to a point where the gangs understand that our police are controlling the streets, that they do respect them - because they know that if they take on the two police officers…the cavalry is coming over the hill and we’re just not going to put up with that any more as a society.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister will be doing what he can to steer clear of Fiji's domestic political issues while there. Christopher Luxon's visiting Fiji and Niue this week, his first visit to the region as PM. The Fiji trip will have a significant trade and economic focus and includes a meeting with the country's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Mike Hosking that there's a slight tension between New Zealand establishing itself as a close partner and discussions around AUKUS. He says many Pacific Island countries aren't keen on that, and don't see themselves as a pawn in a US-China dominance showdown. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is defending the time it's going to take to get the Government's books back in the black. Nicola Willis says a surplus is expected in 2027-28. Labour's Finance Spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, told Mike Hosking that Willis isn't delivering the direction she promised. She said that they’re borrowing way more than Labour would’ve at the end of the forecast period, and running larger deficits than Grant Robertson did, except for at the peak of Covid. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cancer Society says some patients won't have a year to wait for National to make good on their promise. Over the next four years the government is spending $6.5 billion to boost hospital and primary care. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's disappointed it couldn't include funding for 13 new cancer drugs, despite promising it pre-election. Cancer Society Chief Executive Rachel Hart told Mike Hosking that she's also disappointed for the cancer patients who voted for National thinking it would keep its promise. Health Minister Shane Reti says the funding should come in one year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A civil war has been sparked after a vote at NZ Rugby’s headquarters saw Proposal Two passed. It passed with a majority, 69 votes for and 21 against. New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association CEO Rob Nichols claims the game could now be in an even worse position than before. He said that Proposal One, which adopted more of the recommendations from the Pilkington report, was a great opportunity for the game to make the changes required. ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that while it is a democracy, this is not the end of the saga by any stretch. He said that eyes are now on the provincial unions to implement their ideas, board, and get on with it. It’s time to see whether they can put their money where their mouth is and whether they can govern the game, Smith said. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today sees a crucial vote take place for New Zealand Rugby. A Special General Meeting is taking place, in which the union will vote on the new governance structure. The proposed changes follow the review last year that found the current model not fit for purpose. ZB’s Rugby Commentator Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that he doesn’t think they’ll reach the two-thirds needed to pass either model. He thinks a stalemate is more likely, but Proposal Two, backed by the Provincial Unions, might get closer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns that another rise in power bills could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. The Commerce Commission is proposing increased revenue limits for Transpower and 16 local lines companies to help cover rising demands of the national grid. Electric bills would increase by an average $15 a month from April and $5 a month over the following four years to cover maintenance. Consumer Advocacy Council Chair Deborah Hart says all alternatives need to be weighed up before a decision is made. She says costs are already too much for some with rising inflation and the phased removal of the low fixed user fees. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will unveil the final shape of the tax cuts promised to New Zealanders in the Budget today as well as how the Government will pay for them. The contents of the Budget will be revealed by Willis in Parliament at 2pm. Deloitte Tax Partner Robyn Walker says there won't be any major tax shocks in today's Budget. She told Mike Hosking Walker she’s expecting to see some modest increases in just the thresholds at which tax rates apply. Walker said it will be a Budget of "adjustments". LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's hush money trial is nearing its end, with jurors retiring to deliberate. The former US president is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records relating to a hush money payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's a win-win situation for Trump. He told Mike Hosking that if he's found not guilty, the jurors will be labelled heroes and the justice system will be deemed great again. But if he's found guilty, Mitchinson says Trump will become a martyr and his supporters will be convinced that this was a political attack. The jury must be unanimous in its decision. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rate sentiment might have turned, but people are uncertain about the future of house prices and whether it's a good time to buy. A new ASB survey's found more people expect interest rates to fall rather than lift in the coming year. Senior Economist Kim Mundy says uncertainty is still high, and the economic outlook isn't very strong. She says consumers are still going to be cautious around the housing market, even if the interest rates story is likely to improve. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has apologised after he was quoted using a derogatory term about gay men. It's alleged the Pope made the remark during a closed-door meeting with bishops in Rome last week. They were reportedly discussing whether gay men should be admitted to Catholic seminaries, where priests are trained. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the Pope apparently said gay men shouldn't be allowed to train for the priesthood. He says there's been shock at this, as the Pope has spoken publicly in the past about being respectful towards gay people. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.