Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis spoke to Heather du Plessis-Allan on whether China's economy may slowly be turning around and if North Korea has finally agreed to supply Russia with weapons. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Central Bank has raised interest rates for the 10th meeting in a row to counter stubborn inflation but signalled it is likely done tightening policy. The central bank for the 20 countries that use the euro lifted its deposit rate to 4.0 per cent from 3.75 per cent, taking it to an all-time-high. UK correspondent Gavin Grey joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to talk about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, sports journalist Lavina Good and One News sports editor Abby Wilson discuss the only two topics on every Kiwi sports fans mind: Will Shaun Johnson start for the Warriors tomorrow night, and how will the All Blacks respond against Namibia in their second world cup game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The banking industry has promised to crack down on scams. The retail banks have announced plans for an anti-scam centre, an account name-checking service and some other initiatives, but can't provide any details of how long it'll take to implement them. Earlier this week there were calls for the Ombudsman to investigate whether banks are failing to do everything they should to prevent scams. Banking Association chief executive, Roger Beaumont spoke to Heather du Plessis-Allan about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Sport Producer Andy McDonnell talks with Heather du Plessis-Allan about what the All Blacks need to do to get out of their Rugby World Cup pool, and whether Shaun Johnson will make the Warriors side for the Knights game. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan on new poll results about co-governance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former work and income boss is calling part of Act's welfare policy incredibly brave. Deputy leader Brooke van Velden spoke over the weekend, about electronic management of people on income support. It means issuing money cards to people who've been on benefits for a long time which can only be used to buy essentials. Former WINZ CEO, Christine Rankin says that's reasonable and sensible. She says no politician ever seems to have the courage to take such steps. She says trapping people on the benefit is disgusting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National says it will review its policy to lure international tech talent to New Zealand after a year to see if it's working. If elected, it would introduce a three-year visa targeting the world's top graduates and a separate visa to give residency to those at the top of the field. Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford says they wanted to think outside the square. She says New Zealand really struggles to attract top talent. She says looking at how many have come here on the Green list, only 51 were on tech-visas. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nation is holding its breath hoping that Shaun Johnson will be fit enough to play against the Newcastle Knights in tomorrow night’s semi-final in Auckland. He missed out on last week’s game against the Panthers which resulted in the Warriors losing 32-6. Heather du Plessis-Allan asked Warriors Assistant Coach Stacey Jones for an update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior doctors and dentists are escalating their strike action. They have announced they will stop work for two full days in October as negotiations with Health NZ have stalled. There will be a 12 hour strike on October 2 and a 24 hour strike on October 24. Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Sarah Dalton spoke with Heather about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the latest new from stateside. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland businessman who tried to perform a citizen’s arrest was told by police to let the crook go. Todd Scott tackled a guy who was abusing supermarket staff and then tried to leave without paying. Todd held him down, told staff to call police, but police told him to let the guy go and that he was in fact committing an offence himself. Heather du Plessis-Allan spoke to Scott about what happened. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don’t think that banks should have to refund people who've lost money in scams. But come on... they really need to step it up on the security stuff. The banks announced today that they are going to take a look at doing something pretty basic. Which is to make sure that when you think you are sending money to someone and you type … a... I don’t know…let’s say the Labour Party into the payee field. That the account it’s going into is actually an account held by the labour party, not by... I don’t know... a Nigerian prince. Come on. They don’t need waste time investigating whether they need to do this; they just need to do it. It's basic. Banks in other countries do it. Consumer NZ reckons when the UK did it they noticed a 10% drop off in fraudulent bank transfers. In the Netherlands, it was 81%. That's massive. Even the fact that the banks are saying they are going look at it, it’s an admission that they know on some level it will make a difference. Frankly some of our banks are so sloppy with their security it would make the IT team in our office tear their hair out. BNZ last time I checked didn’t even do multifactor authentication. Which is when you try to transfer a large amount of money, they send you a text with a code you have to enter to make sure it’s you. I was really shocked to hear that because I bank with ASB who does it all the time. The banks also today said they are going to stop sending texts to people with internet links in them. I mean honestly... that’s security 101. That is basically inviting a scammer to do the same thing pretending to be the bank and then rip people off. As I say I don’t think banks should pay people back if they lose their own money. But just step the security up to at least not be embarrassing.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Labour leader Keir Starmer is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The meeting is expected to take place next week, and it's being regarded as a 'change in protocol' for the leaders. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this meeting could be proof Macron has given up on maintaining relations with the current UK Government, as Starmer is a favourite to take over as Prime Minister. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Chief of Staff and current director at Mike Munro communications, Mike Munro, and ZB's Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Multiple economists have teamed up to scrutinise aspects of National's tax plan and it's been made clear the numbers don't add up. Will voters care? Will National have to find ways to cut more spending? Restore Passenger Rail protestors spray-painted Wellington's Gazley Motor Group building on Cambridge Terrace earlier today. The trio behind the vandalism have since been arrested. Is this getting out of hand? An Australian property developer has copped backlash after calling for more unemployment to remind workers of their value. Is this a fair statement? Should employees be more grateful to have jobs? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Initial public offerings, or IPOs, have been regarded as a crucial, yet risky source of funding for companies around the world. After a weak 2022 for IPO investments, demand is starting to pick up again, with four prominent companies - Arm, Birkenstock, Instacart, and Klaviyo- selling shares to the public. Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager explains the rise in IPOs- and how some Kiwi businesses can utilise them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministers from several major parties are expected to go head to head at tonight's Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek. Damien O’Connor (Labour), Eugenie Sage (Green Party), Todd McClay (National), Andrew Hoggard (Act), and Mark Patterson (New Zealand First) will discuss the issues impacting the region's rural community. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains what can be expected. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are braced for a small bounce-back ahead of next week's GDP numbers. The last set of GDP figures released in June 2023 put New Zealand in a recession. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says China's downturn could still drag New Zealand down further into recession. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi farmers may be expected to do more than their fair share to meet methane reduction targets. A new scientific report from the Universities of Oxford and Cranfield has raised questions about the ambition of New Zealand’s methane reduction targets- and the responsibility falling on farmers. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says farmers have been told they're responsible for half of New Zealand's overall emissions, but the report says otherwise. "The current targets that are in place- our farmers just aren't going to accept. We don't mind doing our part and playing our role in what we have to do, but we can't do it with unrealistic targets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Restore Passenger Rail protestor is standing by the group's decision to spray-paint a luxury Wellington car dealership. Three protestors threw paint at the Gazley Motor Group building on Cambridge Terrace and glued themselves to the footpath. The trio were subsequently arrested and charges are being considered. Spokesperson James Cockle claims the luxury cars sold by the dealership are a symbol of excess and wealth inequality impacting this country. "It correlates directly to the damage that's being done to our planet. We're sending a strong message to the New Zealand people- let's stand up against luxury emissions and reign in the excesses of the mega-rich." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian multimillionaire property developer is being slammed for his views on unemployment. Tim Gurner has told the Financial Review Property Summit a sharp rise in unemployment is the only way to lift productivity. He says there needs to be pain in the economy to remind employees they work for the employer, not the other way around. Sydney University Business School associate professor Chris Wright says it's an insensitive thing to say. "Unemployment is a bad thing. There's been a lot of research showing the huge consequences it can have for people in terms of well-being- it contributes to suicide rates." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council may need to slash tens of millions of dollars off its budget. City Councillor Diane Calvert says they've had a behind closed doors meeting on the state of the council's finances. She sought legal advice to reveal the financial details and says capital expenditure needs to be cut by tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, in the coming years. She says these financial problems were a long time in the making. "We really had a spending program that we couldn't afford, because it was clear even two years ago that economic conditions were going to change." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three economists have teamed up to scrutinise part of National's tax plan. The party's proposed ending the ban on foreign buyers - for homes worth more than $2 million- and taxing them 15 percent. It expects foreigners will buy 1700 houses valued on average at around $2.9 million. But economist Michael Reddell says it'll be more like 700 in that price range. "That $2 million threshold really does matter, because average house prices - even in Auckland - are well below $2 million. And there just aren't that many really expensive houses in New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters won't close the door on sitting with ACT leader David Seymour around the Cabinet table. Depending where the chips fall at next month's election - both parties could be in the Beehive as part of a National-led government. But Peters and Seymour don't see eye to eye, with the latter categorically ruling out working with New Zealand First. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Winston Peters is insistent on both parties putting their differences aside to solve the economic and social issues in this country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian High Court has revealed every single one of their current judges is a member of Qantas' exclusive Chairman's Lounge. Described as the 'most exclusive' club in the country, the invitation-only club offers their hand-picked members extra perks on demand. This comes as Qantas is facing legal action for sacking 1700 staff members during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this is another mark against the airline, following the other controversies impacting the company. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaun Johnson has sat out Thursday's Warriors training due to his calf injury- but coach Andrew Webster is still holding out hope. Webster insists the halfback's likely to play in Saturday's do-or-die NRL finals clash with the Knights at Mt Smart. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what this could mean for the events of Saturday's match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's three biggest education unions have joined forces to put education funding on the political agenda this election campaign. A new BERL report has found public spending per student in 2019 was nearly 25 percent lower than the OECD average. Tertiary Education Union National President Julie Douglas says more investment would allow better decisions about the sort of system we want. "I think that we would make sure that the programs are secure and staff are secure, so we can be delivering to a wide range of passions of students." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK GDP figures are in- and the economy shrunk more than expected in July. The 0.5 percent contraction was worse than economists had predicted, and sparked concerns of recession. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says industrial action from healthcare workers and teachers and terrible weather are being blamed for the downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A weighed in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Yesterday's PREFU was eye-opening, and it raised the questions: Should National revise their plan for tax cuts? Can we actually afford them? US News' Best Countries list has concluded New Zealand has amazing scenery and friendly people- but the nation isn't sexy. What do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economic outlook and Government books were in better shape than predicted, but Treasury has issued a warning following PREFU. According to one expert, Treasury claimed Government spending had exceeded the signalled Budget allowance in recent times- creating a grim outlook for the future. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen warned further decisions around additional spending will have to be made in the context of raising more revenue or cutting spending elsewhere. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Returns on low-risk managed funds, including Kiwisaver's Conservative and Moderate funds have been underperforming in recent years. Kiwisaver's Conservative fund has delivered users 0.8 per annum over the last 5 years, as the financial climate gets more turbulent. Milford Asset Management's Mark Riggall explains the dip in returns for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Higher-than-expected net migration is promised to prop up economic growth and fuel the property market- but Treasury has other ideas. Treasury doesn't believe the influx of new people will improve the nation's productivity- rather, it believes the demand generated will outweigh the boost to the labour market and keep inflation high. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explores potential solutions here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julian Savea says he's nowhere close to retirement. The barnstorming outside back is on the move from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika for next year's Super Rugby campaign. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did I have a debate on my hands when I got home last night about the country’s debt levels. The husband gave me a huge telling off for saying yesterday that the Government had taken on too much debt. So I feel like I need to clear this up: I don’t mind the level of debt New Zealand has. We've heard this a thousand times, but it’s worth saying again- we have very little debt in contrast to other countries in the OECD. Actually, debt is good. If you borrow money to invest in things which make your country richer, like building roads for productivity or new schools for education, it’s a good thing. Case in point- how else did you buy your house if not with a mortgage, AKA, debt? And same with infrastructure- if you need to take on debt to build roads and schools in New Zealand, that’s fine, it’s actually a smart way to spread the cost over generations. My problem is what we did with that debt. What have we got to show for it? Absolutely nothing. In 2019, we had the tiniest, tiniest amount of debt. $5 billion in debt, that’s nothing. By the time all of Grant’s promises have rinsed out our books in 2027, we will have $102 billion in debt. And what we have got to show for it? Grant keeps saying- oh, we needed to support businesses and people through the pandemic. Absolutely, he’s right. I will never begrudge smart spending that helped Kiwis out when they needed it. But by far and away, the biggest cost was the wage subsidy. That cost us $19 billion. But what about the rest of it? That leaves $78 billion spent on - what? Nurses’ pay can’t account for all of it. The truth is - and we know it - the pandemic gave Labour permission to spend. Some of the spending was fine, but then they didn't stop spending. And they blew a lot of our money on rubbish. $1 billion for the Greens Jobs for Nature scheme. $3 billion for NZ First. $50 million on consultants for the bike bridge that never got built. $33 million to buy the Bacon building in Kingsland for Auckland Light Rail, even though it’s going to get cancelled. I could go on, but you get the picture. Debt, not bad. This debt, what a waste. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another slide for Labour in tonight's One News-Verian poll, with the National Party up two points to 39 percent, and Labour down one to 28. The Greens and ACT are both down, on 10 percent. Winston Peters' New Zealand First is back in the game, up one to poll 5 percent. The Battle of the Chrises is neck and neck with both on 23 percent as preferred Prime Minister- Hipkins is up 2 percent, and Luxon up 3. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Labour's fighting a losing battle as National retains their strong lead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour says the pandemic showed a need for more local healthcare worker training. The party's announced it'll train another 335 doctors every year from 2027- and increase medical school places from next year. Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says they've already increased the workforce by 2,000 people. "So I think the National Party's attack line - that this should've happened earlier - is negated by the fact that we already grew our workforce. We're now choosing a different way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts are hoping to get to the bottom of mysterious banging noises coming from below an Auckland home. For months, noises have reverberated from beneath the Forrest Hill house, on the North Shore - with council officials yet to figure out its origins. Neighbour Lizzie Oakes hopes a new development may help solve the puzzle. "I think an engineer has made contact with the homeowner, they seem to think it might be a sound they've heard somewhere, so I think they're having a meeting with the homeowner tomorrow." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Qantas staff will be chasing compensation, after Australia's High Court has upheld a decision against the airline. It's agreed the airline illegally sacked more than 1700 workers during Covid. It breached the Fair Work Act by outsourcing baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff. The Australian Transport Workers' Union's Nick McIntosh says the next step is going back to the federal court. "These workers will have their compensation hearing held and then after that, there will be a penalty hearing about exactly how much money Qantas has to pay." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT thinks more people should be in jail. The party's law and order policy would invest $1 billion into 500 more prison beds, and toughen sentences for offending against vulnerable workers. Leader David Seymour says the Government has tried letting criminals out of prison. He says a Ministry of Justice survey shows the result. "Victimisations are up by about 30 percent in 5 years, but the human price of that is that people feel it's not safe to run a dairy- and for some people, it's been absolutely tragic." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's pledging to lift medical school places by 95 a year from 2025, in New Zealand's largest boost ever. Chris Hipkins says if re-elected, they'll lift training 62 percent over the coming decade. Labour's extra places amount to 874 doctors trained each year by 2027- beating out National's promised 759 by 2030. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this scheme is the latest strategy Labour's borrowed from National, following on from their roading outline and pledge cards. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Division among Republicans, over a push to impeach democratic President Joe Biden. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's asking for a formal investigation, calling the President's dealings corruption. He alleges Biden used his power to facilitate his son's business deals - and benefited. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Kevin McCarthy's under pressure from fellow Republicans to push this investigation forward- but it's unlikely anything will be brought forward. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions over divisions within New Zealand. An Essential Research poll shows 77 percent of Kiwis believe the country is either a little more - or much more - divided, depending on their political stance. Labour and Green voters think there's less division, and National and ACT supporters say we are more so. Those aged 55-plus are the most concerned. Victoria University's Max Rashbrooke says he's unsure he agrees. He says the poll doesn't clarify what people mean by division. "But particularly with older people- they may just be expressing concern about the pace of change, about social change, about things they find destabilising." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost one third of female NHS surgeons have been sexually assaulted at work, according to a new survey. A study published in the British Journal of Surgery found 30 percent of female surgeons had been sexually assaulted, and 29 percent had experienced unwanted physical advances in the workplace. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the first-person stories shared exposed a pattern of senior consultants and surgeons taking advantage of younger graduates and trainees. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and current affairs commentator Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! This year's deficit is expected to be $10 billion, next year's expected to go up to $11.4 billion - Treasury reckons we've come out of recession but the next Government will have a tough battle on its hands to pay down debt and return to a surplus. Is this a nail in the coffin for Labour or is there an inkling of good news in there that's enough to calm some nerves? Is it game over for Labour? Last night's Newshub-Reid Research poll had Labour down to 26.8 percent support, while National is up to 40.9 percent. Will the gap only get bigger? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts are warning of a potential power shortage risk ahead of winter 2024. The closure of one of Contact Energy's 100 megawatt peaking plants after a turbine blade broke and caused extensive internal damage to the machine has sparked concerns for future power supply. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie explains the extent of the damage- and why the plant won't be up and running until 2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Troubling news for our national carrier, with a global engine problem affecting hundreds of planes worldwide. Engine maker Pratt and Whitney says up to 700 engines will be impacted over the next three years. It'll affect 16 A320 and 321 NEO aircraft in Air New Zealand's fleet - mostly serving Australia and the Pacific Islands. Aviation commentator Geoff Thomas says this disruption has been caused by parts of the engine prematurely wearing out. "Over about 20 years, you'll replace every part of an engine. They all have different design lives within the engine, all different parts. What they've found is one particular area wearing a bit sooner than they thought." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rumours are circulating about a new famer-led movement set to challenge the current drive for taxing on-farm emissions. Rural News claims this campaign will promote a a 'methane accord', designed to fight against 'unscientific' emissions taxes. The Country's Jamie Mackay says farmers are growing sick of 'political games' being played with their livelihood- even by their own industry organisations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's Chris Luxon has been quick to slam Labour's 'economic mismanagement' after the PREFU revealed Government debt has blown out further. Treasury's latest update is forecasting no recession, but shows the Government will be in deficit longer than expected and take on billions more debt. Luxon says Kiwis are worried about losing their homes and taking on second jobs as the Government continues to spend. "What's obvious is that Hipkins and Robertson have no idea how to run the economy, they're running it into the ground. And that's just saddling up a bad set of circumstances for future generations of Kiwis, and that's not on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health advocates are celebrating the release of a new DIY cervical screening test kit for women. This test, available from today, will allow women to use a swab to detect the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes more than 95 percent of cervical cancers. Te Whatu Ora National Screening Unit clinical lead Dr Jane O’Hallahan says this 'game-changing' test kit will encourage more people to screen themselves. "At this point, you will need to seek out your provider- but the test is so much easier to do. You can do it yourself, it's a simple swab that you place 4 or 5 centimetres up- and move it around, take it out and put in a container. This will be a game changer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of Mount Ruapehu's skifields remain up in the air. The Tuwharetoa iwi group has abandoned its bid to take over the liquidated Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton says there are reports the iwi now plans to take legal action, if the sale isn't stopped. He says it's a sad situation. "They thought they were going to be bidding- then they come in out of left field and say that they're not going to support a new bidder to actually go ahead with this negotiation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.