Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A Wellington day care centre says its frustrated parents will have to park 50 meters away to drop off their kids while a cycleway is installed. CoKids Daycare Centre on Thorndon Quay claims they've been given less than a week's notice to prepare for a year of disruption. The centre looks after around 100 children and is concerned they may have to close. CoKids' Steve Piper told Jason Pine the lack of communication has been stressful. He says he would've appreciated some notice so he could inform the parents and his staff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission wants good safety assurance processes in the stevedoring industry. The watchdog has identified serious safety concerns in the sector after investigating two fatal accidents at ports in April 2022. It recommends Maritime NZ work with the sector on minimum training standards and a code of practice. Chief Accidents Investigator Naveen Kozhuppakalam told Jason Pine organisations have largely been left to understand their own risks and put mitigations in place. “There is regulatory oversight, but it only happens after an accident has occurred. What we want to see is more proactive leadership.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are eyeing up a fifth Rugby World Cup final, as they look to take on Argentina tomorrow morning. Coach Ian Foster says they aren’t looking past Los Pumas in any way, shape, or form to get there though. Since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks have lost twice to Argentina. Former All Black and 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Mils Muliaina joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Candidates for the Port Waikato by-election have closed, but Labour has chosen to sit this one out. Labour Party President Jill Day says it's an "unwinnable" contest for them, and the party is focusing on its transition to opposition. The by-election was triggered by the death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen just before the election. Meanwhile, negotiations continue between Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. It's expected that any policy announcements between the two parties won't be announced until after the special votes. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have a chance to make their fifth Rugby World Cup final, but they have to get past Argentina first. However, with two wins over the All Blacks in the past World Cup cycle, the All Blacks certainly won’t be taking this one lightly. The Black Caps remain unbeaten at the Cricket World Cup, but their win streak could be under threat. They have a top of the group clash against hosts India in Dharamshala, where the Black Caps are ahead of India on run rate. Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Jason Pine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to reduced charges on Thursday over efforts to overturn former US President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia, becoming the second defendant in the sprawling case to reach a deal with prosecutors. Powell, who was charged alongside Trump and 17 others with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law, entered the plea just a day before jury selection was set to start in her trial. She pleaded guilty to six misdemeanours accusing her of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties. As part of the deal, she will serve six years of probation, will be fined $6000 and will have to write an apology letter to Georgia and its residents. She also agreed to testify truthfully against her co-defendants at future trials. Powell, 68, was initially charged with racketeering and six other counts as part of a wide-ranging scheme to keep the Republican president in power after he lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Prosecutors say she also participated in an unauthorised breach of elections equipment in a rural Georgia county elections office. The plea deal makes Powell the most prominent known person to be working with prosecutors investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the election. Her cooperation in the case and participation in strategy talks threaten to expose the former president and offer insight on what he was saying and doing in the critical period after the election. Above all, the guilty plea is a remarkable about-face for a lawyer who, perhaps more than anyone else, strenuously pushed baseless conspiracy theories about a stolen election in the face of extensive evidence to the contrary. She also has important knowledge about high-profile events, including a news conference she participated in on behalf of Trump and his campaign shortly after the election and on a White House meeting she attended in mid-December of 2020 in which prosecutors say ways to influence the outcome of the election were discussed. John Fishwick, a former US attorney for the Western District of Virginia, called Powell’s plea a “significant win” for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. “This is somebody who was at ground zero of these allegations and a lawyer who is pleading guilty,” he said. “This is very significant.” In this frame grab from video, Sidney Powell, former attorney for Donald Trump, attends a hearing with her attorney Brian Rafferty before Judge Scott McAfee on October 19 in Atlanta. Photo / AP Fishwick also said Powell’s plea is helpful to Jack Smith, the Justice Department’s special counsel. Powell is referenced, though not by name, as one of six unindicted co-conspirators in Smith’s federal case charging Trump with plotting to overturn the election. That indictment notes how Trump had privately acknowledged to others that Powell’s unfounded claims of election fraud were “crazy”, yet nonetheless he promoted and embraced a lawsuit that Powell filed against the state of Georgia that included what prosecutors said were “far-fetched” and baseless assertions. Barry Coburn, a Washington-based lawyer for Powell, declined to comment on Thursday. Powell gained notoriety for threatening in a Fox Business interview in November 2020 to “release the Kraken”, invoking a mythical sea monster when talking about a lawsuit she planned to file to challenge the results of the presidential election. Similar suits she filed in several states were promptly dismissed. She was about to go on trial with lawyer Kenneth Chesebro after each filed a demand for a speedy trial. Jury selection was still set to begin Friday for Chesebro to go on trial by himself, though prosecutors said earlier that they also planned to look into the possibility of offering him a plea deal. Chesebro’s attorneys didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment on whether he would also accept a plea deal. A lower-profile defendant in the case, bail bondsman Scott Graham Hall, last month pleaded guilty to five misdemeanour charges. He was sentenced to five years of probation and agreed to testify in further proceedings. Steve Sadow, the lead attorney for Trump in the Georgia case, expressed confidence that Powell’s plea wouldn’t hurt his own client’s case. “Assuming truthful testimony in the Fulton County case, it will be favourable to my overall defence strategy,” he said. Prosecutors allege that Powell conspired with Hall and others to access election equipment without authorization and hired computer forensics firm SullivanStrickler to send a team to Coffee County, in south Georgia, to copy software and data from voting machines and computers there. The indictment says a person who is not named sent an email to a top SullivanStrickler executive and instructed him to send all data copied from Dominion Voting Systems equipment in Coffee County to an unidentified lawyer associated with Powell and the Trump campaign. Trial dates have not been set for the 16 remaining

A White House correspondent says US President Joe Biden will likely ask for roughly $100 billion dollars to boost aid to Israel and Ukraine. Biden spoke from the Oval Office, outlining why the US should provide further aid and why they can't sit by and watch the violence inflicted by Putin and Hamas. Reuters' Jeff Mason told Jason Pine the main objective of the speech was to rally Americans' support for the funding. “60 of which is likely to go to Ukraine, 10 of which is likely to go to Israel, and the rest to other regions as well. So it’s a massive package.” The speech comes hours after the US shot down a number of missiles and drones fired from Yemen over the Red Sea possibly heading toward Israel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has touched down to meet with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other leaders. Sunak is also expected to visit other regional capitals, which have not been released for security reasons, as the situation intensifies. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Rishi Sunak's visit will re-iterate Britain's commitment to standing with Israel. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Ben Thomas from Capital joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Is it outrageous that Wellington Council wants to buy the land below Reading Cinema, so that the company can use it to renovate the cinema? Couldn't this listed company pay its own costs, especially as plenty of other Wellington issues need the funding? Napier Council is being accused of dictatorship for proposing a lower fence height limit (1.2 metres). Is this reasonable? Auckland Light Rail settled a deal to buy the old Kiwi Bacon building 11 days before the election, knowing that National, ACT and NZ First wanted to do away with the Light Rail project. Are they right to progress the project while it's still alive, or should they have waited for political direction? The Mongrel Mob has expressed concern about the incoming National-led Government, fearing it'll make things harder for gangs- can we be sympathetic? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has surprised economists by reporting more rapid economic growth. The net worth of the typical US household grew at the fastest pace in more than three decades from 2020 through 2022, and interest rates have stayed low. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains why the US economy has managed to stay so resilient. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 160th annual Hawke's Bay A & P Show is underway at the Tomoana Showgrounds in Hastings. The event has undergone several key changes, including a recent focus on the horticulture sector and active rural sports. The Country's Rowena Duncum says Great Raihania Shears shearing and woolhandling is expected to happen tomorrow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation hints that the post-pandemic imbalances in the economy could be working themselves out. Since mid-September, the economic numbers have started to beat the expectations of economists and markets. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says inflation is still running rampant- but unless something bad happens, the economy is moving in a positive direction. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon has confirmed his National-led government isn't keen on Auckland's Light Rail project. The incoming Prime Minister labelled the project a 'white elephant' and said the billions spent could be better put towards other transport priorities. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Luxon has been consistent about scrapping Light Rail from the beginning of the campaign. "If he had turned around and said- we're going to go ahead with this, he would have had a mutiny on his hands led by Simeon Brown." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's High Court has struck down Victoria's tax on electric vehicles, in a move labelled 'contentious'. Victoria had previously established a distance-based charge for electric and hydrogen vehicle owners for each kilometre they travel. Two EV drivers filed a challenge in the High Court, arguing that it was 'unconstitutional' for individual states to impose these taxes. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says establishing more taxes would be a controversial decision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have welcomed protocol-breacher Mark Telea back into the fold ahead of their World Cup semi-final. Coach Ian Foster unveiled two key changes to his starting line-up, and record-breaking Sam Whitelock will be part of the new first fifteen. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A word of caution from the Five Eyes leaders, as they detail fears of cyber espionage. The head of MI5 revealed more than 20,000 Brits have been approached covertly online by Chinese spies. Australia also recently deported a Chinese national recruited to spy on a research institution. Massey University security expert John Battersby says New Zealand has reason to be concerned, as the nation can be naïve about potential threats. "The Chinese are definitely doing it, among a range of others. And a number of countries are doing it in order to get security secrets- but they're also looking for R&D tech secrets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor is defending his comments on a commercially-sensitive Council deal. The Post reports Council is looking to buy the site where Reading Cinema stands, for $32 million dollars. The boarded up Courtenay Place complex has been closed for years. Councillor Ray Chung is one of five people under a code of conduct investigation, around alleged breaches of confidentiality. He's reiterating his feelings about the deal. "I don't believe that this is a good thing for the city council to be getting into, getting a commercial proposal. Because we don't have any money to even fix our own buildings." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversy over a proposal to restrict residential fence heights in Napier. The City Council's proposed District Plan includes suggesting limits as low as 1.2 metres - for fencing new properties. Fences would be allowed up to 1.8 metres if at least half is visually open, or half of it is only 1.2 metres tall. Mayor Kirsten Wise says there's evidence shorter fences make people feel safer. "People on the street or in neighbouring properties can see what's happening, as opposed to these big fences which totally block off a property- and anybody could be jumping over that fence and doing who knows what." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international relations expert warns 20 trucks of humanitarian aid won't be much help for stricken Palestinians. The US President has helped secure an agreement from Egypt to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. More will follow - if Hamas doesn't confiscate the food and medical supplies from civilians. Auckland University's Stephen Hoadley says the aid's going to help more than two million people. "Imagine if they only have one litre of water a day- imagine how many trucks the UN is estimating. 100 trucks a day have gone in to Gaza previous to this conflict." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The father of one of five teens killed in a crash near Timaru, at Washdyke, has spoken about the driver responsible. Tyreese Fleming, now 21, was on a restricted licence and had been drinking. Although sentenced in June last year to two-and-a-half years in prison, he walked free yesterday. He'll live in Christchurch, with conditions including not entering Timaru and Temuka. Stephen Drummond, whose son Javarney, died in the crash, says there's nothing he can do about it. "It's the police system, it's the way it is. He only served less than three months for each kid, basically." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could National's approach to gangs bring needed change? A Mongrel Mob president has claimed the party's gang policy would breach human rights. It includes banning patches in public spaces, and making membership an aggravating factor in sentencing. Black Power member Denis O'Reilly says he welcomes potential benefits of the harsher regime. "As long as stuff is done within the law and within the Bill of Rights, why not have some upside-down thinking?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You want an example of bizarre stuff happening at council level? Take a look at the Reading Cinema deal Wellington City Council is trying to stitch together The context here is that Reading Cinema is on Wellington’s Courtenay Place party strip, but it is closed and has been since 2019 because it is a quake risk- and now it’s becoming an eyesore. But apparently, the council is trying to help the owners pay for the strengthening. What it is reportedly offering to do is buy the land under the building for $32 million, which the owners can then use to strengthen the building. And then, those owners can buy the land back in ten years for $32 million. How nuts is that? That land will undoubtedly value up in ten years, and yet, the Council wants to sell it back for exactly the same amount. So basically, it’s just a complicated way of providing a loan of $32 million to the owners of Reading Cinema. Now, ratepayers are going to have some opinions on this, because they are struggling to fund the earthquake strengthening of buildings like Town Hall, which they own and the repair of water pipes, which they own. And that’s without helping pay for the renovation of a cinema owned by a company listed on the NASDAQ. But here’s the really wacky thing- ratepayers are not supposed to know about this. The details of this were supposed to be kept confidential, the deal was supposed to be struck without their knowledge, because it’s ‘commercially sensitive’, apparently. And that is why the mayor has called in lawyer Linda Clark, to try to shut up the councillors who opposed this, because someone leaked the details to the media. How outrageous is this? To (A), stitch up a deal that uses what little debt allowance Wellington City Council has left to subsidise an US listed company. To (B), try to keep it a secret from the ratepayers who just got hit with a 12 percent rates rise. And then (C), try to shut down any public dissent. Find me something more bizarre at council level this week and I'll buy you a ticket to the cinema, once Wellingtonians subsidise its reopening. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of MI5 has warned Chinese espionage is on an 'epic scale' in the UK. Director General Ken McCallum has claimed over 20,000 people have been approached covertly online by Chinese spies. This warning comes amid a new warning to thousands of British businesses of the risk of having their innovation stolen. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says more Chinese companies are working to get access to small companies, start-ups and universities, who were largely unaware of security risks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! A hospital in Gaza is the latest to have been hit by bombs, with about 500 feared dead. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has turned from bad to catastrophic - has Israel gone too far now, is the situation in Gaza too dire? Winston Peters has touched down in Wellington, and has refused to answer questions from the media. Should Christopher Luxon do the same, rather than defend each day why he's not talking about the negotiations? An investigation into the Ranfurly Shield accident has found that it really was dropped, but NZ Rugby couldn't confirm what the white substance was. Do we believe any of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders will get extra insight into the cost of living, as Stats NZ promises to release more up-to-date inflation data. Stats NZ will now publish monthly price changes for alcohol, fuel, tobacco, air and travel costs, in addition to regular data for food and rent prices. The CPI data will continue to be published every three months. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says this will allow people to see 44 percent of the CPI on a monthly basis and keep better track of that data. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 is a big year for organised labour action. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have walked off their jobs at a rate not seen in decades, with new data claiming over 18 million days have been lost to strikes so far this year. Back on New Zealand shores, 850,000 workdays have been lost to strikes between January and May, according to MBIE reports. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie says unionised workers receive pay reviews less frequently, and low unemployment gives these workers extra leverage in negotiations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insurance premiums are going through the roof, and Kiwis are feeling the pinch. All types of insurance costs rose by 9.6 per cent between the September 2022 and 2023 quarters, according to new data. Dwelling insurance costs led the jump, rising 21.2 percent, and contents and car insurance premiums went up by 18.8 and 10.2 percent, respectively. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the factors driving these hikes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plumbers, drain layers and gas fitters have expressed disappointment with the training their apprentices are getting from Te Pūkenga. Reports have surfaced of poor training facilities, students' work getting lost, and apprentices taking longer than expected to finish their programs as they wait for block courses to open up. Dave Strong from Morrinsville Plumbing and Gas says one of his apprentices will have to wait an extra 8 months to finish their program, because key block courses weren't available. "If you don't make some available, then it's smoke and mirrors. If you don't put courses on because you can't run them, then you don't have to cancel them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiri Allan is being criticised for jumping from the Beehive into a consultancy firm, a manoeuvre the ex-Justice Minister once launched a review on. Justice officials were asked to look into lobbying in April, over controversy sparked by former MP Kris Faafoi starting a firm less than three months after resigning. Allan registered her new consultancy business two weeks after losing the justice portfolio, while she was still an MP. Victoria University political analyst Bryce Edwards says Allan is clearing trying to leverage her time in the public service, for money. "She's talking about being a Cabinet minister, and her extensive networks from Government, and so forth. That's her marketing pitch." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamas and Israel are pointing fingers at each other, following a deadly airstrike at a Gaza hospital. It's killed at least 500 people and Israel is blaming a misfire by militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad - which it denies. Meanwhile, an Israeli blockade has trapped people in Gaza as food, water, fuel and electricity becomes more scarce. Simon Eccleshall from Doctors Without Borders says International Humanitarian Law clearly condemns attacking medical facilities. "It's very unclear still as to what exactly has happened at the hospital overnight, but what we do know is that there are massive numbers of casualties of Palestinians who were seeking refuge." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study shows a majority of adults hit the snooze button in the morning. The study of 1500 people found young people were more likely to sleep after their alarms go off. Dr Alex Bartle from the SleepWell Clinic says people should set alarms for when they need to get up. "Give yourself five or ten minutes just to come through- not so you go back to sleep again." He says it's easy to get up when you feel you have to, but if you have extra time, you'll go back to sleep. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Rugby have concluded their investigation into the treatment of the Ranfurly Shield after images surfaced on social media in September. The organisation has confirmed that the Shield was accidentally dropped on the floor- but drug testing still hasn't identified the white substance from the photos. Hawke's Bay Rugby CEO Jay Campbell says NZ Rugby tested the Shield thoroughly, and the report only identified plaster. "The release was quite clear- they said it was inconclusive. The report says the only substance they were able to pick up was the plaster from the back of the shield." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ First leader Winston Peters has touched down in Wellington, ahead of negotiation talks with National and ACT. There were cheers from onlookers outside the airport as he arrived- but Peters stayed quiet, despite being peppered with questions by journalists. ZB political editor Jason Walls says it's unlikely Winston Peters will directly address media as coalition discussions get started- and journalists will have to get creative in sourcing explanations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finger pointing has begun over an airstrike on a Gaza hospital that killed at least 500 people. Israel is blaming a misfire by militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad - which it denies. US President Joe Biden is en route to Israel, although his summit with Egypt, Palestine and Jordan has been cancelled. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Biden and his staff will likely be working on a plan that allows humanitarian aid to get into Gaza. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawke's Bay officials are keeping tight-lipped about the mysterious white powder pictured on the Ranfurly Shield after it was broken. An investigation which included interviews with players and management has determined the Shield was accidentally dropped- but it's unknown what the white substance was. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The election result looks to have lit a fire under the property market. Real estate agents in Wellington say business has picked up since the 'blue wave' crashed through. National and ACT have both promised to phase in interest deductibility for landlords and make it easier for banks to lend money. City Sales sales manager Scott Dunn says people saw a change of Government coming. He says Auckland's market picked up about three weeks ago. "Our change happened about two or three weeks ago, we've had to double our auction offerings from the demand. From here until the end of the year, it's very, very busy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks managed to score a win against Ireland and advance to the World Cup semi-finals, but the victory wasn't without controversy. The Irish Times reported that midfielder Rieko Ioane performed a 'classless' gesture in the direction of Ireland's supporters in a taunting fashion. UK correspondent Enda Brady offers his take on the controversy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and current affairs commentator Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the issues of the day- and more! Andrew Little announced his decision to bow out of politics- will any other big Labour names join him? Chris Hipkins says he's going to hang on and keep leading Labour for the time being- how long will he last? Who else could take over? Does Labour understand what went wrong on Saturday? Chris Luxon has faced a barrage of questions about his coalition negotiations- are we being impatient? Christchurch's mayor has warned his council is 'up a creek' financially and may have to face massive rate rises- or make hard choices. Do councils need to find new ways to raise more money some other way? What role does Government have? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's signs inflation in New Zealand may have passed its peak. New figures show inflation rose 5.6 percent in the year to September, down from six percent in the year to June. It's better than expected by banks and economists. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says these figures are encouraging- but inflation is still running very high, so caution should be applied. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's farming community are feeling hopeful about the new changes in Government. While the nation's 54th Parliament won't be finalised until November, several prospective MPs from National and ACT have backgrounds in the primary sector. Grant McCallum, Suze Redmayne, Miles Anderson, Mike Butterick, Andrew Hoggard and Cameron Luxton are among the new faces bringing their rural backgrounds and insight into the Beehive. The Country's Rowena Duncum says Kiwi farmers will be feeling a weight lift off their shoulders as more rural voices step in. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon has been batting off questions about National's ongoing coalition discussions. The incoming Prime Minister has confirmed he'll remain tight-lipped as National negotiates with ACT and NZ First as the special votes are still tallied. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says Luxon's trying to establish a style of leadership where his team gets things done- as opposed to discussing plans. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says he's still the leader of the Labour Party. He delivered the impassioned message after a marathon caucus meeting with new and current MPs. He's confirmed there was no leadership challenge, but the team will hold a vote within three months of the election. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Labour doesn't know the makeup of their future caucus yet- and there's still time for the Party and Hipkins to reassess their options. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Government is back to the drawing board after the failed Voice Referendum. All but one state voted No to changing the constitution to allow an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, with a nationwide support of around 40 percent. Australia's former ambassador to the United States, John McCarthy, has claimed this rejection will be viewed negatively by the wider Asia-Pacific region. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explains what this means for the future of Australia's Government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch City Council is warning cutbacks and hard decisions will have to be made to avoid significant increases to rates. Mayor Phil Mauger says the council's 'up a creek' financially, and cuts to libraries and swimming pools are on the cards in order to avoid an 18 percent rate rise. Christchurch City Councillor Jake McLellan says the situation is a challenging one. "We're obviously subject to the same pressures that every organisation is, but I certainly don't want to see libraries or swimming pools closed and I'm going to be working hard to make sure that doesn't happen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington woman is trying to hunt down her wedding dress that accidentally got donated to an op shop. Donna McQuaid lent her wedding dress to a friend who was recently engaged. But that friend accidentally donated the designer dress to a Lower Hutt charity shop. McQuaid has called every charity shop in Wellington to no avail. She says if you saw it in an op-shop, you would know you've stumbled upon something special. "It's really got some sentimental value to me, and I would love to get it back." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mount Albert's Greens candidate says the narrow margin in the seat shows elections are no longer two-horse races. Labour's Helen White has won on early numbers by just over 100 votes. It's traditionally a Labour stronghold, previously held by Jacinda Ardern, David Shearer, Helen Clark - and Michael Savage. White's blaming her slim-win on the Greens splitting the vote. Ricardo Menendez-March says his Party's proud of its record result. "No one, not the Greens, not National or Labour, can take any electorate for granted." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belief New Zealand's winning the war on inflation. Figures out today show annual inflation rose 5.6 percent in the year to September, down from 6 percent in the year to June. Kiwibank Senior Economist, Jarrod Kerr, says it's great some pressures are finally easing. "There's some frustrations in there, with petrol and a few other bits and pieces, but when we look at the broad basket of goods and services that we consume- prices are coming off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Labour Leader Andrew Little says he's thinking of the Party and its future as he quits politics. He says it's important those who'll form the next Labour Government get the chance to be nurtured and developed. Little says he doesn't believe people should hang on too long. "I feel very privileged to have been in the roles that I've been in and to have done what I've done, but I'm also at an age where I could do some other things outside of Parliament- and I'm very keen to explore that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eddie Jones has admitted regret at his explosive press conference at the airport before leaving for the Rugby World Cup. The Wallabies coach told Australian media to give themselves an uppercut after fielding questions about their losing streak and leaving Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper out of the squad. Jones has denied talks with Japan's rugby union and has reaffirmed his intention to lead the Wallabies to the next World Cup. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence could give some medical professionals a run for their money. A recent study has found ChatGPT outperformed GPs in matching guidelines for recommending treatment for patients with depression. It found the AI also avoided gender or socio-economic bias. Umbrella Wellbeing Psychologist Dougal Sutherland says the tech may have a role in the sector in future. "Especially early on when people are going to see their GP or somebody else around their mental health to help sort people into the right place." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.