Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Early childhood education providers are hopeful ending pay parity for relievers will allow more permanent roles. From October, only permanent part-time or full-time certified teachers will be paid according to the pay parity policy. The Early Childhood Council says 74 percent of its members support the exclusion. Chief executive Simon Laube approves of removing this educational 'red tape'. "You just create an inducement for them to leave teaching and become relievers if you do - so there's some real common sense today." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's new insights into New Zealand's ancient fauna from a 20-year dig. An international team of palaeontologists researching the St Bathans fossil site in Central Otago have concluded kakapo, small wrens, bats and freshwater limpets arrived well before other well known species - like kiwi and moa. Canterbury Museum Senior Natural History Curator Paul Scofield says they also uncovered signs of other surprising animals living here. "We had two species of crocodile - and we believe that they most likely became extinct at the beginning of the ice age about two or three years ago." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a very big call on the supermarkets today - the Grocery Commissioner has accused them of ripping us off. Now, a lot of people will probably agree with that and think - what of it? But there's a difference between you or I feeling ripped off when you’re standing in front of the olive oil looking at a price of $30 and someone like the Grocery Commissioner saying it out loud on the radio. It's a very big call - and for someone like him to do that, he's got to have the proof. And he reckons he does. It's been two years since the last Government starting cracking down on supermarkets, but instead of things getting better, they're getting worse. The margins that supermarkets are making off of us are going up, they're not paying their suppliers a hell of a lot more, but they're charging you and I a hell of a lot more. That's the opposite of what's supposed to happen. Which is to say - that crackdown didn't work. And that is no surprise to anyone with half a brain who was watching what the last Government did. The minister was David Clark - yes, the mountain-biker himself - and what he did to fix the grocery system was to set up the Grocery Commissioner, bring in a mandatory code of conduct, put in compulsory unit pricing and forced more transparent loyalty schemes. Who thought that was going to make a difference? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you that wasn't going to change anything. We said on this very show that that ain't gonna change nothing. And here we are - it didn't work. Now I'm not pessimistic about this. Because out of all the things that David the bike rider did that might make a difference - he did set up the Grocery Commissioner. And there is nothing like personal ambition and reputation to motivate someone. And I get the feeling Pierre van Heerden might realise he needs to get this right for his own sake and his own reputation. So I suspect that what comes next might be a bit more promising. And I'm taking heart from the strong language he’s used today. But as always... time will tell. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner says the returns our big supermarkets get on assets is about double what overseas equivalents make. The Commerce Commission's first annual report into the grocery market shows competition hasn't meaningfully improved. It flags increasing margins and high profitability. Pierre van Heerden says overseas grocers make less because they have more competition. "The return on assets is about 11 percent vs 5.5-6 percent overseas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roy Morgan’s New Zealand Poll for August 2024 shows support for the coalition Government has gone up in August. National's approval rating has jumped 3.5 points to 36 percent and support for NZ First increased 1 point to 7.5 percent - but support for ACT dropped 1.5 points to 9.5 percent. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the poll shows the coalition has generated more support by male voters than female voters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, universities are trying to clamp down on student protests as the new academic year starts up. University leaders are expecting a new wave of protests as the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on in Gaza. US correspondent Logan Church says security has tightened up at New York universities - with police guarding the campuses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new touring proposal between New Zealand and South Africa has been reached, according to new reports. New Zealand will tour South Africa in 2026 with eight-games proposed - including three tests between the All Blacks and Springboks, before New Zealand hosts South Africa in 2030. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finders keepers may not apply, as a young Christchurch couple fight to keep $230,000 they found in their roof. Open Justice reported that an electrician found five sealed plastic bags of cash, which the couple reported to authorities. Police took out a civil court case under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act, believing the cash is the product of crime - from previous gang links to the property. AUT law expert Warren Brookbanks says normally in these kind of cases, the couple would be the rightful owners. "But this is in a different league, because this is a significant sum of money - which is clearly up there for no good purpose." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is committed to cracking down on mobile phone thefts, after a significant spike in incidents. New data shows at least 80,000 people have had their phones snatched out of their hands - with only one percent of these cases resulting in arrest. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the police can't arrest their way out of this epidemic, so manufacturers have been enlisted to build on anti-theft technology. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's GDP data is set to be released tomorrow - and experts are outlining their predictions. This follows last week's inflation data, which is currently at 3.8 percent for the year to July. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham is predicting weak economic growth, but rate cuts aren't looking very likely. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing global demand for dairy products and a flat milk supply could be setting the stage for a near-record farm gate milk price this season. With nine months left in the 2024-2025 season, Jarden and ANZ have outlined their predictions ahead of the latest GDT austion. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's chief financial officers have revealed their thoughts in a first of its kind survey. Hunter Campbell's report reveals 42 percent expect challenging conditions with positive opportunities over the next year. The survey also revealed 41 percent of CFOs met or exceeded their revenue growth target in 2024. Infometrics Brad Olsen says they provided a range of concerns including costs, regulation, infrastructure and crime. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra is set to invest $150 million to build a new plant at its Edendale site in Southland to meet growing demand from Asia. The plant will produce UHT cream - a product that expected to experience growing demand over the next decade. Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says this venture will open up at least 70 new jobs in the area. "We've got a strong pipeline of people coming through right across the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New Zealand's spy agency has issued a warning about potential foreign interference in the country. Are we too relaxed about potential threats? The Government has pushed up the tourism levy - it'll go up from $35 to $100 by October. Is this a good call - or will it hurt the economy? New data shows that more couples over 50 are getting divorced - why do we think this is? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 September 2024, the Government is hiking the tourism levy to $100 - against advice from the industry. But Tourism Minister Matt Doocey tells Heather it's not going to lead to fewer visitors. The boss of NZ's spy agency tells Heather there's a "realistic possibility" of a terrorist attack in New Zealand... and who's the most likely person to attempt such an attack. The number of liquidations is up almost 20% year on year. Auckland Chamber of Business boss Simon Bridges says an IRD crackdown might be to blame. Plus, the Huddle debates why more and more people in their 50s are getting divorced ... is menopause to blame or men not emptying the dishwasher? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's pleas from the Security Intelligence Service to report threats to national security. Their annual Insights report warns a small number of people subscribe to a range of violent extremist ideologies. The report reveals it's increasingly assessing individuals supporting violence as having a mixed, unstable or unclear ideological outlook. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton says people mostly don't act. But he warns sometimes they might. "The key message we want to get across is - if, within your community or your family, you're concerned about someone because they may be engaging in extremist material, that you do raise that with us of the police." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inland Revenue is being asked not to seesaw on its stance, with rising liquidations across the country. Centrix's July figures reveal business liquidations are up 19 percent overall year-on-year. They sparked spiked sharply in Auckland in the second quarter, up 33 percent annually. Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Bridges says he thinks IR's hard-line approach is behind a majority of closures. "I think it's probably a movement from Covid settings, where, like the RBNZ, they realised they overdid it one way and they came back in hard on the other way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the Government has done the thing that the tourism industry was hoping they wouldn't do and increased the visitor levy - the amount that tourists pay to come here - from $35 bucks to $100.That is the high end of what they were considering. The Government could have gone with $50, or $70, or just left it at $35. But they went full noise to $100. Now in principle, I'm on board with this. I've long thought tourists need to pay more for what they use here, because if they're not paying for it, we're subsidising them. How long have we talked about the poor punters in Queenstown who have to pay for the roads the tourists jam up, the water infrastructure that tourists get to use to have a nice time, the public toilets the tourists use - it's not fair for ratepayers to have to subsidise an industry.But I don't think now is the time to be doing this. For some reason, tourists just aren't coming back here like we thought they would. Five years on from Covid really starting, our tourism numbers are only back to about 80 percent, and we don't know when they'll get back to 100 percent. Meanwhile over in Australia, they reckon they’ll be back to 100 percent in three months. But for some reason, we're still lagging.Our attractiveness as a tourism destination has deteriorated, and it's perplexing. Even the experts can't work this out. Part of the problem is that China isn't flying like it used to - and another reason is that this isn't the only extra cost the Government has lumped on tourists. Just last month, it increased the cost of tourists getting a visa to come here. Now people in places like China, if they were to bring a family of five - it would now cost them $2200 just for the paperwork before they arrive. I don't think making New Zealand more expensive right now, while we’re struggling to recover, is a smart idea. Especially because we need to recover - we’re in our third recession in two years, we need the money. Frankly, this feels like a short-sighted money grab to try to balance the Government's books. It's short-sighted because it will help make the books look better today - but won’t help bring in the tourists tomorrow.So yes on principle, but the timing is way off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Zealand entrepreneur and former Waitakere City Mayor are getting behind a waka-shaped museum on Auckland's waterfront. Sirs Ian Taylor and Bob Harvey say a mega attraction on Wynyard Point could be Auckland's answer to the Sydney Opera House. Sir Ian says he wants to explore its commercial viability. He says he wouldn't want the Government to have to fork out for it. "It could be an iwi, it could be a fully commercial operation - there are examples all over the place where that works." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tourism Minister says the extra money from increased overseas visitor fees will be funnelled back into the industry. The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy rises next month from $35 to $100 next month. Matt Doocey says $100 is less than three percent of a visitor's total spend. "Ultimately, this levy will be reinvested into both tourism pressures - but also, the conservation estates, which a large part of people travel to New Zealand for. So we'll be delivering a better product." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pushing ahead with plans to triple the tourism tax in a bid to make overseas visitors pay for regional infrastructure upkeep. The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will go from the current $35 to $100 per visit from next month. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper theorises why the Government has implemented these changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Government is looking to ban gambling advertising under new reforms set to hit Cabinet. Online advertising would be banned immediately - and TV promotions would be banned within two years. Australian correspondent Sam Emery isn't sure if a blanket ban is the way to go - given how many sectors rely on the money generated by the gambling industry. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa Rugby has offered a mea culpa for the haka being drowned out by music, fireworks and a plane on Sunday morning. They have conceded the cacophony shouldn’t have happened, writing an apology and explaining the gaffe was a result of human error and a failure to observe scheduling. Sportstalk's D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the statement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data has revealed a number of Kiwi couples are ending their marriages later in life. Stats NZ shows the amount of divorces that involved people aged 50+ last year was 39.9 percent - up 7.1 percent in 10 years. Bastion Chambers lawyer Jeremy Sutton says children growing up and leaving home can put stressors on a marriage. "Once the last child has left home, that's often the catalyst to see if they've got the same interests or not. One party is often wanting to continue working in some way, while the other party is happy to do other things - maybe travel, maybe spend time with family." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Germany's far-right has secured its first state parliament win since the second World War. The anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany won a third of the vote in the eastern state of Thuringia - but may not be able to form a Government. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this news has sent shockwaves across the EU. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare is raising prices and slowing down construction efforts to repair its financial holes. The company has raised its deferred management fee (DMF) and made three senior executives redundant in order to get profits back up. Ryman Healthcare executive chair Dean Hamilton says people are living longer and staying longer - and they need to restructure to address that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets around the world are pricing in potential cuts to interest rates. Last Friday saw PCE inflation in the US rise 0.2 percent over the month to be up 2.6 percent on a year ago, bolstering federal rate cut expectations. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains why this has been happening. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayer's Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we need tighter regulations around 'dynamic pricing'? The UK Government has announced investigation after Oasis tickets went on sale. Do we agree with this move? The Government's new transport plan cuts funding for speed bumps - do we need to cut corners here? There's outrage as one Wellington hospital stops offering new mothers toast after they've given birth. How bad does this look? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she's determined to ensure the health system is as efficient and effective as possible. A survey by the General Practice Owners Association says 83 percent of respondents are worried about their long-term viability - with 89 percent of them planning to increase patient fees Willis has promised the health system will look significantly different by the end of this year. "I think it's going to be a big turnaround job.. but I think by the end of this term of Parliament, you will be seeing significant improvements." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 2 September, the College of Midwives defended giving new mothers tea and toast after one Wellington hospital stopped offering it. Transport Minister Simeon Brown unveiled the National Land Transport Plan - and explained why funding for speed bumps had to be cut. More GPs have voiced concerns about their long-term viability, according to new data. The All Blacks' clash against South Africa was marred by noises above the stadium disruprting the haka. Former All Black Steve Gordon explained why this was 'disrespectful' to the team. Later, the Huddle debates whether 'dynamic pricing' needs to be regulated. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm going to be fascinated to see what comes of the Oasis ticketing fiasco in the UK - but I imagine it would be nothing. What's happened is that Oasis tickets went on sale this weekend for as low as $280, but after spending hours in the online queues to get the tickets, they were $710 by the time people got to buy them - plus fees on top of that. And people are furious. Because what a lot of people don’t realise is that Ticketmaster uses what's called 'dynamic pricing'. It works like Uber's surge pricing - when no one wants to buy the tickets, they're cheap. When everyone wants to buy them from around the world, they jack up the price.It's just basic supply and demand.The Government over in the UK heard how upset people got and have now promised a review of it - and this is where I think it’ll get interesting.What are they going to find, that Ticketmaster's done something wrong here?Plenty of businesses do this. I just named Uber, the price for hotels goes up on the weekends, prices for resorts in Fiji go up in the school holidays, airlines raise their prices the fewer and fewer seats they have left on a flight - the more people want, the fewer things are available, so they jack up the prices.So you probably can’t argue they’re doing anything wrong in jacking up the Oasis ticket pricesThere may be an argument that they're doing something wrong by not being transparent about it. They're not telling you they’re doing it, they're not telling you how they're doing it - and maybe you can argue there. But is forcing them to be transparent going to bring the price down? Probably not.The fact is, people from around the world tried to buy Oasis tickets on Saturday night - it was in demand.As much as I hate being ripped off, can we really argue Ticketmaster did anything wrong here? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer New Zealand says Ticketmaster's 'dynamic pricing' for the Oasis tour tickets is likely to be following the law. People have complained after wildly different rates were charged on the same tickets. Consumer New Zealand CEO Jon Duffy says as long as Ticketmaster is transparent prices can change, it's not breaking the law. He says transparency could be improved. "For example, if you had a running tally of how many tickets had sold and you disclosed that - at which point, the next tier of pricing would kick in." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were a few raised eyebrows as the All Blacks' pre-match haka was drowned out at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. The team's rendition of Kapa O Pango was interrupted by chanting - and music, pyrotechnics and a flyover from an Emirates Airlines A380 jet. Former All Black Steve Gordon says this felt disrespectful to the All Blacks. "I think they really overstepped the mark. Rugby's built on tradition and the culture - the game's bigger than any team or individual. I think they overstepped it there." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a real likelihood GP clinics will close, as the financial squeeze goes on. A survey by the General Practice Owners Association has found 83 percent of respondents are worried about their long-term viability. College of General Practitioners President Samantha Murton says practices with several branches will have to reduce sites. "There will be practices that do close because people who have been putting out the best that they can for service will say - we can't afford to do this extra. So we're retrenching back and just doing the minimum that we can possibly do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Minister says today's National Land Transport Plan shouldn't surprise councils. Simeon Brown's unveiled the new $32.9 billion scheme, which includes $5.5 billion for pothole prevention, and $7 billion for state highway improvements. Brown says this is the end of funding for speed-bumps, a change councils were already told about in the Government Policy Statement published in July. He says Kiwis are sick of councils slowing drivers down. "Councils are the road-controlling authorities, they can still go and do other things on their roads - they just won't be receiving a subsidy from the Government for that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's earmarked an extra $32.9 billion as part of its new National Land Transport Plan for the next three years. The plan includes $5.5 billion for pothole prevention and $7 billion for state highway improvements. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Auckland motorists will see the full benefits of this scheme - but there's less funding for walkers and cyclers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian animal handler has been hospitalised after a tiger mauled her at the Gold Coast theme park, Dreamworld. The woman was transported to hospital on Monday morning in a stable condition, with injuries to her arm. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says investigations have started up, with park staff conducting a thorough review. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks accept they need to be better in the closing stages of test matches as they move to Cape Town for the second test against the Springboks. The team failed to score in the final quarter of their three Rugby Championship tests - including the 31-27 loss in Johannesburg. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains what comes next. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The College of Midwives wants new mums given toast. The Minister Shane Reti has asked for a re-think of not offering toast at Wellington Hospital to those who've just given birth. Health NZ had been advised it was nutritionally sub-optimal. College of Midwives chief executive, Alison Eddy, says toast is long-standing offering at such a time. "There's lot of reasons for that - women often don't feel like a full meal, just like marathon runners don't feel like sitting down to a nutritious meal." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All birds founder and former All Whites footballer Tim Brown has bought into the new Auckland FC league franchise. Brown has taken a 1.56% stake in the club.. alongside fellow former All Whites Winston Reid and Noah Hickey. Tim brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan he sees nothing but good coming from this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 30 August 2024, Philip Polkinghorne's defence has begun in his murder trial today. Herald reporter Craig Kapitan tells Heather who the surprising first witness was, and why Polkinghorne's mistress won't take the stand. TVNZ's chief executive Jodi O'Donnell joins Heather in studio to talk about having to find $30 million dollars in savings next year after a huge financial loss this year. Former All Whites star and All Birds founder Tim Brown on why he's bought into the Auckland FC game ... and whether there's any hope for All Birds. On the Huddle, Elliot Smith and Nicky Styris on the All Blacks taking on South Africa, security in Johannesburg and terrible refs in league. Plus, huge change for workers in the UK who will soon be able to demand a 4-day work week. But should they? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Sports Huddlle, Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliot Smith and sports journalist Nicky Styris joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Our America's Cup boats is broken - are we stuffed? Ellis park All Blacks vs Springboks - are we stuffed? Is Lydia Ko New Zealand's greatest ever golfer? how many more major wins before she retires, do you think? Does this latest Crichton thing prove the bunker has utterly failed to reduce poor reffing calls? do the refs just have it in for the Warriors? Who is going to be New Zealand's Paralympics hero - and in this day and age would the games benefit from getting underway a bit sooner? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mental Health Minister is confident about moving emergency responses to people in acute mental distress to health experts, rather than Police. Police say they'll be phasing rollout - of stepping back from mental-health callouts, over a year, starting in November. They'll lift the risk threshold for turning up - and start reducing how long officers stay with a patient they've transported to hospital. Matt Doocey told Heather du Plessis Allan mechanisms are being worked through for managing the transition. He says it's clear someone having a mental health crisis should get a health response, not a criminal one. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior political correspondent Barry Soper discusses the following topics with Heather du Plessis-Allan. The Greens taken to court...Fuel tax to be scrapped but will it be any cheaper to drive?..Did Māori cede sovereignty? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tributes have flowed for the Maori King on his death, including from King Charles. Kīngi Tuheitia died peacefully this morning after he had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery. Political Commentator, Shane Te Pou, told Heather du Plessis-Allan the Tainui waka council, and Maori leaders around Aotearoa, will decide who takes on the Te Kiingi's mantle. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tributes have flowed for the Maori King on his death, including from King Charles. Kīngi Tuheitia died peacefully this morning after he had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery. Political Commentator, Shane Te Pou, told Heather du Plessis-Allan the Tainui waka council, and Maori leaders around Aotearoa, will decide who takes on the Te Kiingi's mantle. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The defence has kicked off their case in the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial. The Auckland eye surgeon's accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, in their home in 2021. The defence says Hanna took her own life. It called its first witness, Pauline's sister Tracey, who believes Hanna took her own life. The Herald's Craig Kapitan told Heather du Plessis-Allan Polkinghorne's defence lawyer has argued if it's murder he would have had to do it with no mistakes. He says the lawyer's argued there's no forensic evidence to back up the crown's case. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yeah, it looks like the trouble is not nearly close to being over for TVNZ, the news out today is that they've made the loss that we were expecting about 29,000,000 bucks and it is not ending there. They now have to find another $30 million worth of savings to make another 30 million, which basically what they've just done and they need to do that fast. So I would say brace yourself. Because it's almost certain shows are going to be cut again and staff are going to be fired again already the rumours are that breakfast is in the boss's sights and the reason that everybody's worried about breakfast, is because the contracts for that show run out in December. And to be honest they’ve pretty much made this rumor worse because they've put up an advert looking for a foreign producer for breakfast and in bold in the ad it says this is a fixed term contract until the end of the year. I mean, why would you be hiring somebody? What is it August just through to the end of the year, right, it started. To raise the questions all over again, now TVNZ said this is there's nothing to see here, but you know $30 million worth of savings says there is something to see here and pretty much almost everywhere. The reason that we can say with confidence that shows have to be cut is because that is the only way that you're gonna come anywhere close to finding $30 million worth of savings. And even then, you're not gonna come close by cutting shows. That's that gets you the closest, but it's still way away. Remember all that cutting that they did with fair go and Sunday and the staff and reducing Shorty St and just everything else. Doing that only saved them $10 million, that's all. So, as you can see, they're going to have to cut pretty deep this time around and they can't be rescued all that much by trying to find new and income off the Internet streaming service, TVNZ Plus. Because from what I've been told today, sticking anything behind a pay wall there to make money is years away. They haven't got the digital ability to do that yet. So that's years away. They have to find money this year. So this is my prediction. They will cut shows and the shows that they will cut will be local shows because local shows are way more expensive than foreign content. Maybe they will even cut some of their expensive stars because as I say, $30 million is a lot of money to find all over again. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is reportedly planning to ban smoking in outdoor public areas amid health concerns. Leaked documents claim smoking in beer gardens, outside restaurants and hospitals, and football stadiums could soon be made illegal. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Nigel Farage has already voiced opposition to the moves to ban outdoor smoking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing market interest in humanoids - robots and robotic technology designed to mimic humans. New improvements in technology have opened up room for more developments in the world of robotics, and it's caught the eyes of investors. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.