Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

There's concerns some enrolment requirements could be preventing children from accessing their local school. Last month, the Ministry of Education had to intervene after an Auckland school told a woman who lived within zone that she couldn't enrol her child without a 12-month tenancy agreement. Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O'Connor says a short-term tenancy agreement is worth monitoring- to ensure nobody cheats the system. "The problem is- we have so many people making choices about the school that they want to go to that's not their local school. In our instance for example, we had 752 out-of-school enrolments in form 3 this year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A storied 16-year professional basketball career will soon come to an end for Breakers forward Tom Abercrombie. The club's all-time leader in games and points will retire at the conclusion of the NBL season, after winning four championships with the side. Abercrombie made his debut in 2008, and has racked up a record 425 appearances during his long-running athletic career. He says he's 'extremely grateful' for the time he's spent on the team, but he's ready for his next adventure. "It's time for me to experience new challenges and adventures, and pass that baton over to someone else." Abercrombie's final home game for the Breakers will likely be this Friday against Brisbane at Spark Arena. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is facing pressure from more than 9,000 doctors to urgently re-consider repeals to the Smokefree Amendment Act. Some of New Zealand's leading health organisations have banded together to issue a formal request. It asks that, rather than being scrapped in the first 100 days as planned, a new bill is sent to the health select committee. Council of Medical Colleges chair Samantha Murton says there are parts of the law that should remain. "There's a lot of evidence around the measures that are really helpful for reducing cigarette smoking and getting hooked on it, and we need to make sure we're focused on those." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a push for a shake up of the Fletcher Building board. The construction company is in a trading halt ahead of the release of its half-year results tomorrow. CEO Ross Taylor is also 'considering his position'. Shareholders Association Chief Executive Oliver Mander says whatever woes the company has, they're down to more than just Taylor. "We do think this is a wider conversation than the CEO, and certainly we've been critical of the board in the past in terms of how it has approached certain issues." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asbestos has been detected in at least three parks in Sydney's city centre, and an investigation is under way. Authorities confirmed traces of asbestos were discovered in Harmony Park, Victoria Park, and Belmore Park- three popular public parks. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the friable asbestos identified is particularly dangerous, and the city council is 'apoplectic'. "It's very easily crushed, it can form dust and that releases little fibres that can get into your lungs and ultimately kill you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spinner Rachin Ravindra continues to dominate with the ball for New Zealand against South Africa in the final session on the opening day of the second cricket test at Hamilton. Moments ago the Proteas were 161 for six - the left-arm orthodox has figures of three for 24 from an unbroken 16-over spell at the southern end. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concern Auckland's rail issues are a 'bit muddy' with a lack of clarity around the sudden drove of cancellations. Auckland Transport has limited services yesterday and today due to 'heat' affecting track steel. The Public Transport Users Association's Jon Reeves says he's heard claims some work KiwiRail was meant to do over Christmas to prepare trains for heat wasn't done. He says coincidentally, the issues have emerged after the holiday closures. "I don't think everyone's been clear to the media or the public what the issue is, but the end result is- Auckland train users are really having a bad summer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looks almost certain that the CEO of Fletcher Building is gone. The company put the shares in a trading halt yesterday, and announced that Ross Taylor would be reconsidering his position. Which says to me- he’s resigning tomorrow. I can’t see a way for him to come out and say he’s not resigning after that statement’s been made. And if he does go, which seems more likely than not, I doubt very much he’ll be alone. I suspect there will be other members of the executive - and maybe even the board - walking out that door with him. And I don’t think anyone's gonna cry any tears over this. Fletcher Building is not a business that you can argue is doing right by its shareholders. There have been calls for the board and the CEO to resign for at least two years, because the company just keeps lurching from one problem to the other. There was the high rise disaster, then the convention centre disaster, then the GIB board disaster, then the pipes problem over in Australia, and then just last week- the $180 million cost blow out on the Convention Centre and the Wellington parking building. As Sam Stubbs from Simplicity pointed out when he was on our show calling for the resignations last week- in the last two years, the NZX has gone up 7.5 percent and Fletcher Building’s shares have gone down 16.5 percent. That’s not average performance, that’s a very bad performance. Meanwhile, the directors asked for a 25 percent pay increase last year, until they got told that was a bad idea and withdrew it. And Taylor, if you listen to the analysts, gets paid about three times what other CEOs of similar sized listed companies get paid. There are significant shareholders who are pretty cross, and I don’t reckon they’ll settle for just Ross Taylor’s scalp tomorrow. I would expect not just one resignation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles says it's heartening to hear how his cancer diagnosis has helped promote public understanding of the disease. He's released his first statement following the announcement, thanking everyone for messages of support. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Charles could be moving to a Sandringham farmhouse for the time being- the same one Prince Philip spent his final days in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and broadcaster Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Auckland Transport has voiced disapproval with KiwiRail for shutting the trains down over today's heat level. Is this fair? Is this the sign of a bigger problem. ACT and David Seymour have shot up in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll to 13.7 percent. What does this mean- do voters want the Treaty debate after all? Some lobbyists have been given back swipe-card access to Parliament, and a draft of a voluntary code of conduct for lobbyists has been leaked. Should we demand more transparency from lobbyists? Do we need a cooldown period? Heather recently took her two-year-old to the hairdresser for a haircut that cost $40. Is that unreasonable? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis are planning to make some changes to public sector agencies. Speculation indicates they could shoulder-tap people with a certain level of business experience to take on leadership roles. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis out to buy their first home may soon find that process a lot harder. Under the Reserve Bank's proposed new debt-to-income lending rules, it has been estimated an Auckland family would need $172,000 a year to buy an average-priced home. These rules could come into effect by June 2024, in order to stop first home buyers and owner occupiers borrowing more than six times their annual income. CoreLogic economist Kelvin Davidson says these changes could have a positive impact in the long run and tie house prices closer to incomes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis out to buy their first home may soon find that process a lot harder. Under the Reserve Bank's proposed new debt-to-income lending rules, it has been estimated an Auckland family would need $172,000 a year to buy an average-priced home. These rules could come into effect by June 2024, in order to stop first home buyers and owner occupiers borrowing more than six times their annual income. CoreLogic economist Kelvin Davidson says these changes could have a positive impact in the long run and tie house prices closer to incomes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis out to buy their first home may soon find that process a lot harder. Under the Reserve Bank's proposed new debt-to-income lending rules, it has been estimated an Auckland family would need $172,000 a year to buy an average-priced home. These rules could come into effect by June 2024, in order to stop first home buyers and owner occupiers borrowing more than six times their annual income. CoreLogic economist Kelvin Davidson says these changes could have a positive impact in the long run and tie house prices closer to incomes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SkyCity could be forced to cough up millions for alleged breaches of legislation on money laundering. The Department of Internal Affairs is accusing SkyCity of violating the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act, after a company review. NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson says SkyCity will be more concerned about the hits to their reputation, over a prospective fine. "This is quite damaging to them, it's not so much about the fine- if there is one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister plans to implement a 39 percent trustee tax rate by April 1. This increase follows on from Labour's proposed plan for trustee tax rates from Budget 2023. Nicola Willis says the Government is looking to fix up Labour's legislation to ensure rates are properly aligned. "We're concerned that when Labour lifted the top tax rate, that misaligning it with the trust rate would lead to some avoidance activity. The evidence suggests that is what's happened, so we want those rates to stay in alignment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled their own legislation designed to replace Three Waters. Prime Minster Chris Luxon confirmed Three Waters will be scrapped by February 23, as part of the Government's 100-day plan. It will be replaced by two new bills by mid-2025 in order to phase in the alternative: Local Water Done Well. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says the new legislation will allow local council-controlled organisations to have more input. "We'll be enabling that through legislation throughout this year, and that will ensure that councils are able to have their long-term investment in water infrastructure over the long term to get the infrastructure New Zealanders need." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a surprising turnaround, the Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22, capturing their third title in five years. Grammy-winning R&B icon Usher also performed at half-time- with surprise collaborators Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Lil Jon and H.E.R. SiriusXM Ben Harlum said plenty of celebrities turned up to watch the game, including Taylor Swift, who flew halfway around the world to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. "The Chiefs fans were loving it, she seemed to have a great time in the suite and on the field as part of a victory celebration for her boyfriend, Travis." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Transport's not impressed by heat causing train cancellations. Some services were canned on the Eastern, Western and Southern line today, after track steel reached 48 degrees in parts. AT's Stacey van der Putten says people deserve better than a network that can't run at capacity on a mildly warm summer day. "What we're seeing over recent weeks is what I'd call a reliability failure- that's been pretty consistent. Of course it's when everybody's coming back to work, coming back to school, it does have a huge impact on trust and confidence in our network." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commissioner says demand for police to respond to social harm is displacing their ability to attend other jobs.The briefing to the new minister included proposing going less to family harm callouts, which have risen 80 percent in the past 10 years. Commissioner Andrew Coster says officers would like to be doing more work only police can do. He says a managed withdrawal from harm callouts is the only way to free them up. "The ideal situation here would be that others step up to deal with this demand, because arguably- help should be available in some of these situations." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has revealed their replacement for Three Waters. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the existing legislation will be scrapped by the end of next week, as part of the 100-day plan. It will be replaced by two new bills within the next 18 months, with guidance from a Technical Advisory Group to help shape water plans. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says dismantling this system and setting up a new one will put extra strain on taxpayers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barnaby Joyce has admitted to making 'a mistake', after a compromising video of him on a Canberra street surfaced. In the video, Joyce had fallen on the ground off a planter box and was swearing into his phone after a long parliamentary sitting day. The former deputy prime minister has blamed the mix of alcohol and prescription medication for his actions last Friday. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says several people have spoken up to defend Joyce after the incident. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kansas City Chiefs have beaten the San Francisco 49ers 25 to 22 to win Super Bowl LVIII in an overtime thriller in Las Vegas. The Chiefs are the ninth team to go back to back and defend their title. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga residents were asked to work from home today to avoid traffic congestion. A failed stormwater drain caused a cavity underneath State Highway 29A, forcing the road to close near Oropi. NTZA acting Bay of Plenty maintenance and operations manager, Roger Brady, says he's hoping the road will open tomorrow morning. "We're hugely fortunate in that that piece of road wasn't constrained by services, there were no water pipes running down the side of it, there were no gas pipelines, there were no streets in the way." A lane of Totara St was also closed, and should reopen tomorrow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin South's Countdown has now closed for 48 hours - after more rats have been found. The supermarket made headlines last month when staff told the Otago Daily Times about a rat infestation. Employees said they feared the public could have bought contaminated food. Woolworth's stores director Jason Stockill told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've pro-actively closed - to let pest-control workers thoroughly check the store. He says MPI and Rentokil have confirmed they're not nesting in the store and it's not a food safety issue. Stockill says the rats are coming from outside - and Rentokil will be figuring out how they're getting in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says he's keen to help Auckland Council bring in tolls and time of use charging, what many of us would consider congestion charging. Councillor Richard Hills is the chair of the Planning Committee and he told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that the they hope a congestion charge is not a revenue tool it is a 'behaviour change tool'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists at our biggest bank expect the Reserve Bank will increase the Official Cash Rate. ANZ's changed its forecast, now predicting 25 basis point hikes in February and in April. That would take the OCR to six percent -- from its current 5.5. ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner told Heather du Plessis Allan that the Reserve Bank said it was very close to hiking it again in November. She says since then, a series of small but consistent surprises suggest inflation will take long to get back to target. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top end charity executives are taking home on average half a million dollars a year. The Herald business investigations reporter Matt Nippert has been crunching the numbers. Waipareira's John Tamihere is up there - followed by the Vice Chancellors from Auckland and Victoria Universities. Childfund chief executive, Josie Pagani, didn't make the list. She told Heather du-Plessis Allan that a bit of a double standard applies. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look, I don't want to be that guy that comes out and declares that Biden's re-election chances are stuffed. Just in case there’s a tiny chance I get proven wrong, But I think Biden's re-election chances are stuffed. Not only because of the report that landed today, but then because of the press conference he called where he tried to defend himself and made it worse Let me get you across this. The report landed about 7 hours ago and it’s written by a neutral official who was tasked with getting to the bottom of whether Biden did anything wrong by keeping those classified documents in his garage. He found that Biden did do something wrong. He "wilfully retained and disclosed classified materials" But then decided against prosecuting Biden because no jury would find him guilty Because they would feel sorry for a "well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." And the reason he thought that was because in his conversations with Biden Biden couldn't’ even remember what years he was vice president under Obama And couldn't’ remember when his son had died That report alone was probably enough to kill off his re election chances given the level of worry among voters in the US over his senility ... about ¾ told an NBC poll this week that they're worried. But then Biden calls a surprise press conference to defend himself. And makes it worse. By answering a question about the war in Gaza and then confusing the president of Egypt with the president of Mexico There is completely separate report today about a fundraising dinner in New York on Wednesday at which he recounted talking about the 2020 election with the German chancellor Helmut Kohl but Kohl died in 2017. Truth is these concerns about Biden's marbles aren’t new.. .and they were already significant enough to make it very hard for him to be re-elected anyway But if you want to, in future, look back and find the moment that it became a certainty... i think this is it This is the death knell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Harry Potter cast member has made an unfortunate parking blunder after a night out. Actress Emma Watson accidentally left her Audi A3 in an illegal parking spot, blocking a pizza restaurant manager in for over 3 hours. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Beveridge from ZB's Weekend Collective and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax will be no more after July 1. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has since released a long list of projects that he'll have to cancel as a result. Will this be better or worse for Aucklanders? How do we feel about facial recognition software in supermarkets? Will this reduce retail crime? The Law Society has come out against the Government's plan to scrap funding for cultural reports, claiming it will lead to limited access to justice. Is this fair? What do we think? The average recipient of the main Jobseeker payment is expected to spend 13 years on the benefit. What do we do about this? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US quarterly results season is well underway, with 60 percent of companies reporting their results. The marker has been bullish overall- but there are some clear winners and losers. Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager Sam Dickie says big tech is still dominating, but Tesla has been struggling. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's speculation higher farmgate milk prices are on the way following a strong GDT auction result. All of Fonterra’s main reference products rallied strongly at this week's auction, driven by demand from the Middle East and improved interest from China. The Country's Jamie Mackay says customers should get their dairy products quickly, before the change kicks in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the incoming Year of the Dragon bring more luck for China's struggling economy? Ahead of Chinese New Year, the nation's economy is still feeling the negative impact left over from the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese GDP grew by 5.2 percent last year, according to official statistics- a reflection that confidence hasn't yet returned. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this downturn means for New Zealand's economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax will end on June 30, as part of the Government's 100-day action plan. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says Aucklanders have been paying an extra $11.5 cents per litre since mid-2018- and this will save drivers money. Mayor Wayne Brown has criticised this decision, saying this will leave a billion-dollar funding hole for transport projects over the next four years. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government will either have to contribute more to Auckland- or ratepayers will have to cover the difference. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workers in Australia could be given the legal right to refuse unreasonable contact from their employers outside of work hours. The Greens' push for a legislated right to disconnect is gaining support with the Australian federal Government. The law would give employees legal backup in handling conversations with employers who they feel are asking too much of them. South Australia Greens Senator Barbara Pocock says they're simply looking at giving workers a chance to say no. "If you're not paid to be available and it's a big intrusion, not an emergency or essential, you should have the chance to turn off when you clock off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is reassuring Auckland motorists they will soon reap the benefits without a regional fuel tax. Mayor Wayne Brown says the end of the fuel tax on June 30th will leave a shortfall in transport funding of $1.2 billion over the next four years. But Transport Minister Simeon Brown is intent on making that back through other projects they've agreed to help fund like congestion charging. He says it's about ensuring a benefit from what they're paying for. "There's a lot of other things there, which I think are of low priority to me and the mayor- such as speed bumps, reducing speed limits, cycleways, more bus lanes. Those are what he has been against, what I have been campaigning against, they won't receive funding." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Opposition party is backing Anthony Albanese's proposed changes to stage three tax cuts. This follows on from weeks of leader Peter Dutton criticising the new policy. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the party eventually had no choice but to vote for the changes. "If they hadn't backed the changes, it would have been a drawn out fight with the Opposition standing in the way of cost of living support for those on the bottom end." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor is hitting back at the Government over the scrapping of the Auckland fuel tax. It will be gone on June 30. Wayne Brown says the decision will leave a $1.2 billion dollar shortfall in transport funding over the next four years. He says it could lead to the pausing of bus upgrades, cycleways, the freight network and ferry charging infrastructure. He says he wants to be making decisions about what projects go ahead. "We've got to decide, and we want to decide what goes in Auckland. This is my city, not theirs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good news for Kiwi rugby and league fans, as Sky promises a new dose of free-to-air sport. Friday Night Footy will see 25 NRL games shown for free- plus 19 Super Rugby Pacific matches, all available through Sky Open. Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee is 'surprised' by this decision, considering how much Sky pays for rugby. "To put a decent amount of content on free-to-air is quite a change, quite a shift. It's fantastic, great for Super Rugby fans." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A human element will be key factor during Foodstuffs North Island's facial recognition technology trial. Up to 25 New World and Pak'nSave stores will have the technology trialled over the next six months, to potentially reduce retail crime. The technology analyses facial features and matches them against the store's record of offenders and accomplices. Foodstuffs North Island general counsel, Julian Benefield, says they have a minimum accuracy threshold of 90 percent before staff intervene. "Two highly trained store team members then need to look at the image and confirm that for themselves that it is the repeat offender before they take any action." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi sports fans are set to benefit from Sky's latest free-to-air lineup. Friday Night Footy for NRL and Super Saturday rugby matches will launch on Sky Open from February 24. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scrapping of funding by the Government for pre-sentencing cultural reports has been criticised. The reports consider how an offender's personal, family or cultural background may have contributed to their crime. Convenor of the Criminal Law Committee Chris Macklin says the process has evolved from Judges asking for more information. "These reports are not just full of excuses, they often have within them a whole ambit of things- running from very poor decision-making, through to some very tortured -and difficult to hear - background stories." Those before the court who wish to provide a cultural report will have to fund it themselves. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's official, the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax is gone-burger from 1 July. Aucklanders will not have to pay $11.5 cents a litre more everyone else in the country every time they fill up their cars. Toyota Hilux drivers will save $9.20 a fill and Toyota Corolla drivers will save $5.75 a fill. Good riddance to bad rubbish. That was a rort, wasn’t it? Remember what Auckland was supposed to get for that? We were supposed to get upgrades to Mill Road, the road I'm obsessed with because of how desperately the city needs it- running from Manukau down to Drury as an alternative to the jam-packed Southern Motorway. Did we get it? We paid for it for six years. Did we get it? No, of course we didn't. Did we get the Lake Road upgrade we’ve been talking about since at least 2017? No, we didn't get that. Did we get the Glenvar Road upgrade we’ve been talking about since at 2016? No, we didn't get that. And the list goes on. Instead, the money got used for cycle lanes and speed humps. And do I need to remind you about those speed humps? How about the one got laid in Three Kings, then got ripped up two years later and laid again because AT stuffed up- and it cost us $600k? How about that one? Mayor Wayne Brown is not happy about the loss of funding. He's released a list of projects at the end of a press release, with no explanation for the list. The inference, I'm thinking, is that these are the projects that are going to get cut, because they haven't got the funding. Let me list some: Mangere West cycleway. Road safety programme, including high-risk intersections. The safe speeds programme, aimed at reducing vehicle speeds near schools. Small scale projects to improve local cycling connections. New low cost cycle ways to improve safety and travel options. Upgrades to multi-modes roads, paths, and intersections to support Kainga Ora. I doubt very much that many Aucklanders are going to cry tears over this because of one reason. We have paid this under the mistaken belief that we were paying for better roads. What we got instead was AT squandering money on their own inability to just construct a basic pedestrian crossing. But more importantly, what we got was a city that is now more congested and harder to drive around. So as far as I can see, very little has improved for what we've paid, and much of what we're seeing is worse. I'm happy to defund Auckland Transport. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry returned to the UK shortly after his father's diagnosis was revealed. King Charles is being treated for cancer, which was discovered during a separate procedure for benign prostate enlargement. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says reports claim Harry spent a half-hour with the King- and has no plans to meet with William or other family members. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! How do we feel this week's Waitangi event went for the Government? Was it better than predicted- or worse? King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer- what will this mean for the royal family? Who else can step in to fill in for the King? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Increased unemployment figures are a sign of a stronger overall economy, claims one expert. Stats NZ figures show unemployment has crept up to 4 percent- the highest level since June 2021. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says the number of employed people in the country has also increased over this quarter. "When we looked through the numbers, we saw that the labour force in December was about 15,000 people larger than it had been back in September. Of those 15,000 who were looking for work, 12,000 got it and 3,000 didn't." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building can expect a significant financial hit, after revealing they put another $180 million aside for repairs. Costs have blown out on two big projects- Auckland's International Convention Centre and the Wellington International Airport Car Park. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton says this cost blowout is putting a strain on Fletcher's balance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has requested more money from the Government to cover the cost of their vault refurbishments. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains that these underground vaults are quite old and need 'significant' repair. "The Reserve Bank has warned the new Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, that it's going to need quite a bit of money to upgrade the vaults." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simplicity are calling for Fletcher Building's board and management to be scrutinised further. Fletcher's stock has dropped following a multi-million dollar cost blowout on two big projects in Auckland and Wellington. Managing director Sam Stubbs says they called for the chair's resignation two years ago- and action hasn't been taken. "In those two years, the directors paid themselves $4 million in fees- and then they had the absolute cheek last year to ask for a 25 percent pay increase, which they were ultimately talked down from." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.