Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

After all the speculation and scandal, the Princess of Wales has reportedly been spotted out and about again. Reports claim Kate Middleton was seen visiting an upscale farm shop by her family home in Windsor. UK correspondent says speculation indicates Kate could return to her royal duties as soon as Easter. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government is taking a harder line on Kāinga Ora renters- and urging the organisation to kick out unruly tenants. Is this the right course of action? Will this curb bad behaviour? It's been revealed the Defence Force was ill-prepared when they were sent to help Cyclone Gabrielle-affected areas. They weren't licensed to hand out drinking water, and didn't have PPE so were told not to help people dig up silt. What do we think of this? Winston Peters raised some eyebrows over the weekend by comparing co-governance with Nazi Germany in his State of the Nation speech. Was this a bridge too far? A pitch invader clad in an Auckland FC jersey storming through Eden Park captured plenty of attention. Was it a dumb stunt or a clever marketing pitch? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters has welcomed his Chinese counterpart to the Beehive, in a meeting building on many previous talks. The meeting comes as the Chinese Government's expressed concerns over New Zealand signalling interest in joining the AUKUS intelligence sharing pact. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says the AUKUS issue will be brought up, as China has their concerns about New Zealand getting involved. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister says the purpose of a crackdown on social housing tenants is to send a message. The Government's taking a harder line on Kainga Ora renters, with the Prime Minister ordering the provider to axe its Sustaining Tenancies Framework. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains the likelihood of these restrictions curbing bad behaviour. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents in Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland are bracing themselves for a tropical cyclone. Cyclone Megan is now rated a category three storm, and is expected to touch down between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says experts are predicting half a year's worth of rain will batter the affected areas. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's calls for a complete ban on the deadly engineered stone, primarily used in bench tops. The Australasian College of Physicians is urging the New Zealand Government to follow Australia's lead on the stone, which can give stonemasons the incurable lung disease, silicosis. RACP spokesperson Dr Alexandra Muthu says the organisation is calling for an outright ban on the material being imported into New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister insists that the Government's proposed tax cuts will be delivered by the end of the year. This follows an earlier interview that had experts concerned the Government planned to delay the scheme. Minister Nicola Willis says the cuts will need to pass through Cabinet- but Kiwis will still benefit from tax reduction soon. "I can assure you, tax reduction for working New Zealanders will be the centrepiece of our budget." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's crackdown on poorly-behaved social housing tenants is being welcomed by many. The Government's taking a harder line on Kāinga Ora renters, with the Prime Minister ordering the provider to axe its Sustaining Tenancies Framework. Lawyer Adina Thorn says this is a big step in the right direction for victims. "I get emails, unsolicited emails, from people talking about their neighbours having machetes, shouting at them 24/7." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's A-League team hasn't played a match yet, but they've found themselves in the public eye. During Saturday's Phoenix game at Eden Park, a pitch invader sporting an Auckland FC jersey dashed onto the field. Rumours are swirling, but Eden Park boss Nick Sautner is denying involvement with this stunt. "Encouraging that sort of activity has the ability to compromise their future aspirations for their team- and we're all about family-friendly environments and ensuring the safety of the players." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some strong words are expected behind closed doors from China's Foreign Minister. Wang Yi has been in talks with counterpart Winston Peters in Wellington today, ahead of an official dinner. Geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller says they'll be all smiles for the cameras. But he says behind the scenes, there may be harsh words about New Zealand's AUKUS moves. "Because this new Government that New Zealand has really came out strongly, they came out with a hiss and a roar wanting to align New Zealand closer with the US and wanting to get into AUKUS. And that's not gone down well with Beijing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister claims social housing tenants misbehave because they know there won't be consequences. The Government's taking a harder line on Kāinga Ora tenants, instructing the provider to axe its Sustaining Tenancies Framework, saying this allows tenants to remain in a state house regardless of bad behaviour or unpaid rent. Chris Bishop says the cost of living crisis probably has affected tenants' ability to pay rent. "However, if you know that, basically, it is almost impossible to be booted out of a Kāinga Ora property, then people's behaviour is set based on those expectations." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports fans are investigating the curious case of an Auckland FC jersey-clad pitch invader. As the Phoenix defeated Sydney FC 2-1 in their final home match in Auckland, an individual clad in Auckland FC gear ran onto the field. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains the theories surrounding this incident. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whakarongorau's chief executive is correcting perceptions that the organisation is biased towards one particular group. The telehealth organisation has an option for Māori callers to be redirected to a separate queue with the touch of a button. Chief executive Glynis Sandland says this measure is designed to put callers in touch with a Māori clinician- and they get moved to the regular queue if none are available. "The way to look at this is- people have different needs. And we do this in a number of different ways, it's not only Māori. We have a disability line, we have a line set up for new people coming into the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National is making noises that sound an awful lot like they might not deliver the full tax cuts in July like they promised. Finance Minster Nicola Willis was on the radio this morning, she was asked about it and she replied that she still intended to roll out the tax cuts in July- but it was subject to Cabinet discussions, so she could not give a cast-iron guarantee it would happen. Ooh, she's playing with fire. Look, I hope this is one those weird little technicalities where politicians don’t want to get ahead of an announcement or leave themselves exposed, so they don’t answer the question properly. But there’s actually nothing to worry about, and the tax cuts will be delivered as expected. Because boy oh boy, there will be hell to pay if those tax cuts don’t come through. Because they made such a big song and dance about them, and people expect them. The economy is as stuffed as we thought it was going to be. We can split hairs about a percentage point here or there, but broadly, we knew this was coming. National cannot be surprised by any of this. We are probably in a double dip recession, that was predicted months before the election. There are significant policies Labour left unfunded, for example school lunches and the Pharmac budget. We knew this before the election, cause it was in the pre-election fiscal update. And we said to National- there is not enough money for your tax cuts. We could see it, commentators lined up to say that - including me. And Nicola Willis said it was fine, there would be enough money for tax cuts. We said- no there isn't. She said there was, and then she said she would quit as Finance Minister if she couldn't deliver her tax cuts. So there is no room to move here. Nothing much has changed from when they made the promise to now- when they need to deliver it. If they promise something, they need to deliver. Otherwise, what’s to stop these politicians promising new highways for every town, 2000 new police, and free ice cream for everyone? The reason we extract promises from politicians is because these things are tough to deliver. If we don't hold them to this promise, what is the point of any promise made before an election? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit New Zealand in the first meeting between the two countries since last year’s election. Winston Peters says the visit would be an opportunity to discuss the full breadth of New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with China. Wang will also visit Australia, where the two have a frosty relationship, after Australia banned Huawei from operating in its telecom networks in 2018, and Australia calling for an investigation during the outbreak of Covid in 2020 - but it has been getting better between the two countries. Asia business commentator Peter Lewis joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plane carrying British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps had its satellite signal jammed as it flew near Russian territory, the government said Thursday. The government said the Royal Air Force jet carrying Shapps, officials and journalists “temporarily experienced GPS jamming when they flew close to Kaliningrad” on a flight from Poland to the U.K. The Times of London, whose reporter was onboard, said that for about 30 minutes mobile phones couldn’t connect to the internet and the aircraft was forced to use alternative methods to determine its location. Shapps visited Poland on Wednesday to see U.K. troops participating in a large NATO exercise, Steadfast Defender. Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave bordered by Poland and Lithuania, home to the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman, Dave Pares, said “the jamming didn’t threaten the safety of the aircraft at any point.” He said it was not unusual for aircraft to experience electronic jamming near Kaliningrad. Western officials say Russia has significant electronic warfare capabilities based in Kaliningrad. Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has engaged in GPS jamming in areas from Finland to the Black Sea. A regional Finnish carrier had to cancel flights on one route for a week as a result. - by Jill Lawless, APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington councillors have voted to increase housing density in the city. It will also strip some housing character protections, and increase the amount of housing near rail lines, as part of amendments to its District Plan. Business commentator Rod Oram joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details continue to emerge about Green MP Darleen Tana’s husband and his bike business. The Employment Relations Authority had already filed against Christian Hoff-Nielsen in a case in December – but it turns out it was actually two cases. Employment lawyer Alex Kersjes joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s second A-League team has officially been unveiled. Auckland FC will join the league from next season and will sport a black and blue striped kit. Talks are underway for expanding the NRL further into New Zealand, with a Christchurch-based South Island Kea in the works. Former NZR boss David Moffett is helming the project, with hopes to enter the NRL in 2026. Australia and England cricket bosses are leading a push for setting minimum pay rates for each test appearance. They want the rate to be set at least NZ $22,000, in a push to compete with IPL salaries. Roosters prop Spencer Leniu has been banned for eight weeks after making a racist remark to Broncos half Ezra Mam. Elliott Smith and Andrew Gourdie joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the week’s sports news See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is facing the threat of a hole in its tax plan. Its promised relief on the back-pocket is meant to be partially paid for with a levy on online gambling - bringing in more than $730 million over four years. But the Inland Revenue Department has crunched the numbers... and figures it will only bring in $155 million. Revenue Minister Simon Watts told Heather du Plessis-Allan those calculations are correct. He says there are a number of mechanisms which will come into play - including the reduction of costs in the public sector which will help balance the books. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coin collectors and enthusiasts alike will have to wait a few years before they see King Charles lll on their legal tender coins. In the new design, the King faces left - keeping with conventions that each new sovereign changes directions. The Reserve Bank expects the 10 cent coin to be minted in 2025 - with the others following in 2027. Director of Money and Cash Ian Woolford told Heather du Plessis-Allan they still have a lot of coins with the Queen's effigy on hand. “Also it’ll be a couple of years before we do a new order, and it doesn’t make sense to destroy good coins.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An advocate for the worker accusing Green MP Darleen Tana's husband of migrant exploitation claims the MP knew what was happening. Tana's been stood down after the allegations emerged at E Cycles NZ, a business owned by her husband. Tana says she welcomes an investigation and intends to cooperate fully. Advocate Nathan Santesso told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's sure Tana was aware of the situation. “Because he approached her and asked her to try and help him. She just said ‘I’m not the director, I’m not involved in this, I’ve got nothing to do with this.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suspended Green MP Darleen Tana says she intends to cooperate fully with an investigation after allegations emerged of migrant exploitation at her husband’s company. “I welcome an investigation and intend to cooperate fully, and I will not be commenting further,” Tana, who held the party’s small business portfolio, told the Herald in a statement. Tana is the third Green MP in less than a year to run into trouble, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Kerekere, who quit the party last year amidst bullying allegations, and Golriz Ghahraman, who resigned after allegations emerged of her shoplifting. Green Party MP Darleen Tana has been suspended amid allegations she is linked to migrant exploitation at her husband’s company. A statement from Green Party leader Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick earlier today said Tana was suspended on Thursday afternoon because the allegations raised a conflict of interest with her small business portfolio. The claims first came to light on February 1 when Tana informed the party a complaint had been made to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) by a worker at her husband Christian Hoff-Neilsen’s business, E-Bikes NZ. Tana was suspended after it became apparent she may have previously been aware of the allegations. A spokesperson for the Green Party said they are conducting an internal investigation to determine what Tana knew about the allegations relating to her husband’s business. The party has appointed an independent expert workplace investigator and barrister to establish the facts. Christian Hoff-Nielsen, who founded the E-Bikes NZ chain, denied all allegations when speaking to the Herald this morning from his store in Auckland’s Newmarket. Hoff-Nielsen said he had not spoken to the worker “at all” and had worked for him for “mere months”. “He’s just pumping it up,” he said, insinuating the claims are a cash grab. Christian Hoff-Neilsen, husband of Darleen Tana, denied all allegations when speaking to the Herald this morning. Photo / Jason Oxenham. He said being stood down has been “really hard” on Tana. “She’s not here and she’s got nothing to do with this,” Hoff-Nielsen said. Hoff-Nielsen said Tana is now at home, but would not say whether that was in Auckland or Wellington. “When we go home, we talk about what families talk about … some employees present at work is not relevant.” He denied the worker was ever paid with cash, was owed any money, and that Tana oversaw him working for cash during a first day trial. Davidson and Swarbrick fronted morning media to respond to the allegations. Davidson acknowledged to RNZ that the incident showed the party was going through tough times. Swarbrick told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking they are “deeply serious allegations”. Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday he’s assembling a team of investors to make a bid to buy TikTok. This comes a day after the House passed a measure to ban the Chinese-owned social media giant or force a sale to a US-operated owner. “It’s a great business and I’m going to put together a group to buy TikTok,” Mnuchin said in an interview on CNBC Thursday morning. Even though TikTok is likely unprofitable, “it’s worth a lot of money,” he added. Mnuchin said he would give existing US investors the option to roll over their stakes in TikTok but stressed that no entity would have more than 10% control. But he declined to name any individuals on the team he’s putting together. “There’s no way that the Chinese would ever let a US company own something like this in China,” he said. From his time in the administration, he said he’s seen evidence that having TikTok on your phone gives it the ability to “collect an awful lot of data.” But ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, may never be allowed to be sold to any company outside of China because of measures the government began putting into place in 2020. The Chinese government deems TikTok a sensitive technology and officials have said they’d oppose any forced sale that would involve exporting it into the hands of a foreign owner. Mnuchin and TikTok didn’t immediately respond to CNN’s requests for comment. Dan Ives, senior equity analyst at Wedbush Securities, told CNN that ByteDance and China will “never” sell TikTok with the source code — the “special sauce” that makes the app so successful and valuable. “Without the source code, this would be like buying an F1 car without the engine. It would be illogical,” Ives said. Mnuchin, though, said he’s looking to find a solution where the Chinese government will allow TikTok to be sold without a technology transfer. Mnuchin, who now leads Liberty Strategic Capital, a private equity firm, was an early advocate for forcing a sale of TikTok to a US company. But he faced opposition from other members of former President Donald Trump’s cabinet when the sale was proposed in 2020. Trump supported a ban at the time. He’s since changed his stance, arguing that it would benefit Facebook. “Facebook has been very bad for our country,” he said in a separate interview on CNBC earlier in the week. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, didn’t immediately respond to CNN. “I believe he would support a sale,” Mnuchin said Thursday, referring to Trump. “I’ll call him up later and ask him.” He added that he’s been in touch with the former president in recent weeks regarding TikTok but has not discussed his nascent effort to acquire it. Thursday’s TikTok news comes just one week after Mnuchin led a $1 billion lifeline rescue of embattled regional lender New York Community Bank. The TikTok bill the House passed is now heading to the Senate, where it faces a much larger uphill battle in getting approved. President Joe Biden said he would sign the bill into law if the Senate passes it. Even if that happens, any kind of TikTok ban would likely be fought in courts. Already Montana was prevented from moving forward with a law to effectively ban the app after a federal judge blocked it last year. Ives, the tech analyst, said he sees a 25% chance that the TikTok legislation ultimately becomes law, forcing a sale of the company. He said countless parties are undoubtedly considering making an offer to buy TikTok should it go up for sale. “It’s sharks. They see blood in the water,” he said. However, the more likely buyer, according to Ives, would be a tech giant like Microsoft or Oracle, which already has a relationship with TikTok, and not a financial player like Mnuchin. - by Elisabeth Buchwald and Matt Egan, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Phoenix are set to play their final ever home game at Eden Park against Sydney FC this weekend. The Nix are unbeaten in 11 games at the Garden of Eden, having won 6 and drawn 5. Meanwhile, the Crusaders could see their worst-ever start to a Super Rugby season since 1996 if they lose to the Hurricanes. The defending champions continue to reel from a host of injuries - with Scott Barrett among the latest to join the treatment room. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says he backs Freyberg High School in any actions resulting from a student protest against him. The Associate Education Minister visited the Palmerston North school yesterday – and faced students performing a haka, before one spat the ground in front of him. Freyberg High School condemned the students’ behaviour, but Seymour told Heather du Plessis-Allan he can't say what sort of action is needed. “Basically, you had a group of kids, I think some of them had got the wrong information – for example, some of them apparently believed I was there to tell them to pay for their school lunches.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, Rishi Sunak is facing pressure to return a multi-million dollar donation from a controversial supporter. Businessman Frank Hester has gifted over £10 million pounds to Sunak's party, amid increased backlash over his racist and misogynistic comments. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Sunak is refusing to give the money back. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro and Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Auckland bakery Daily Bread is under fire after a video of the business seemingly poisoning sparrows surfaced. Is this evil and heartless- or a necessity? Air New Zealand is still at war with the airports- with the Airports Association saying domestic airfares keep increasing and ticket prices should be independently monitored. Do they have a point? Is the media coverage of Golriz Ghahraman going too far- or is this a natural response to her crimes? The Labour Party had their first caucus retreat in the opposition role- what did we think? How can the Party get election-ready within two and a half years? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New changes to native land laws have been welcomed by New Zealand's farming community. The Government has suspended requirements for councils to map and impose Significant Natural Areas, while Ministers overhaul environmental legislation. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains why the nation's rural community is in favour of this update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The immigration boom is showing no signs of abating. Latest figures from Stats NZ show 133,800 more people entered the country than left in the year to January. That's only just below the record net migration of 134,400 recorded in the year to October. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what these figures mean for New Zealand's future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relief in sight for Australian winemakers, as China proposes ending crippling tariffs in exchange for suspending a dispute lodged with the WTO. These tariffs were introduced in 2020, and contributed to a wine glut that created an oversupply of 2.8 billion bottles. NZ Wine Chief Executive Philip Gregan says winemakers on this side of the Tasman are relieved for their Australian counterparts. "We've been really feeling for our Australian colleagues, they've been enduring a very hard time. The actions taken by China have had a huge impact on their industry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Air New Zealand's higher-ups is in favour of establishing more transparency around airfares. The Airports Association is urging the Government to take action and set an independent monitoring system up. Air NZ's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Mat Bolland, says it'll be good to examine the extra costs that contribute to increased airfares. "We know customers are really feeling the pinch right now, and it does feel expensive to fly. I think our challenge is- if we're going to look into it, let's do it properly. Let's get right into what's behind the airfares." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One pest control expert is defending sparrow extermination in the name of 'health and safety'. Daily Bread's Point Chevalier branch in Auckland has faced backlash after members of the public spotted poisoned birds outside the establishment. Smash'd Em Pest Control Manager, Jonathan Simes, says it's a necessary move to prevent the spread of germs and disease. "We need to weigh up the pros and cons on whether we want germs and disease from the droppings in our food, or around us as we eat- or a clean environment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former New Zealand Rugby boss David Moffett is heading a second bid for a South Island NRL league team. Moffett - who is also an ex-NRL chief executive - is leading the charge for the team, dubbed the Kea, to enter as the competition's 18th team. He says he's 'excited' by the wide-reaching support for this venture. "We've had a lot of support for the logo, and also for the jersey and for the story. So I'm really excited about it, actually." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Too many of New Zealand’s breast cancer sufferers are having 'unnecessary' mastectomies, according to the Breast Cancer Foundation. New research from the Foundation claims breast conserving surgery and radiation can lead to a higher overall survival rate. Breast Cancer Foundation research manager Adele Gautier says guidelines suggest 70 percent of surgeries should be breast conserving surgery. "Right now, in New Zealand, that's more like 55 percent. About a third of the people who could be having breast conserving surgery are having a mastectomy instead." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, after we talked about Golriz Ghahraman's guilty plea, I got a text from someone listening which said something along the lines of- we should feel sorry for Golriz Ghahraman and the media need to back off. Now, the first part is fair to a point. I do feel sorry for Golriz, I feel sorry for her in the same way that I feel sorry for my two-year-old when he gets put in his bedroom for time-out and he cries about it. I feel sorry for him that he has to suffer the consequences of his actions and that it’s not nice for him. But he still has to suffer the consequences of his actions, and so does Golriz. And the consequences include media attention, as tough as that is for her. Because the thing is, Golriz courted the media as an MP, so she is the reason the media are interested in her. And she cannot turn that interest on and off when it suits her. She was the Justice Spokesperson for the Greens, taking the moral high ground on any number of issues. All the while, we find out, nicking a $650 Bao Bao Issey Miyake Lucent bag and a $4500 black Row Calanthe dress, amongst many other items. Her lawyer, Annabel Cresswell, told the court yesterday that Golriz's case has been subject to 'aggressive media reports'. Now, I asked Annabel today to give me a few examples- she still hasn’t. I didn't see these aggressive media reports. I saw media reports, I didn't see aggressive ones. That’s not to say they definitely don't exist, but I did not see them and I read a lot of news. So if they were that bad, surely we’d know about them. It feels like Golriz's lawyer is trying to make the media the bad guys here. The bad guy in this case is the one who stood in court yesterday and pleaded guilty. I feel sorry for Golriz, I genuinely do. I feel sorry that this is the turn her life has taken, it must be incredibly hard to deal with. But this is the consequence of her actions, tough as it is- unwelcome media attention included. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing calls for more oversight of airfares as the cost of living bites. The Airports Association has attacked Air New Zealand’s pricing, accusing it of exploiting its 86 percent share of the domestic market to push up fares. It wants the Government to take action by setting up an independent airfare monitoring system. Airports Association CEO Billie Moore says it's being done in many other countries. "Essentially, provide a public resource and consumer resource for people to see what's really going on with their routes- and have a bit more balance towards the consumer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins says his leadership is rock-solid, despite a series of bad polls for his party. The Labour leader and his MPs were in the Wairarapa today for their annual retreat. Hipkins says today marks a new era for the party, and he's confident he'll be leading Labour for some time to come. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighs in on Labour's next moves for the future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Workers Union wants industrial manslaughter laws used, after a man was killed during a mine collapse near Ballarat. A 37-year-old's body was recovered this morning after being pinned by fallen rocks, while another man is in serious condition in hospital. 28 other workers were also rescued. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Union wants to make sure an incident like this doesn't happen again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new dawn for the name of Auckland's A-League football team- and it's not the Black Knights. They'll be known as Auckland FC, with a primary colour of electric blue and a shield containing a tribute to Rangitoto and the city's skyline, as well as an ascending A for Auckland in its centre. Sportstalk's D'Arcy Waldegrave shares his thoughts on today's update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's second team in football's A-League will be known as Auckland FC. The team's playing kit features an electric blue colour way and a shield containing a graphic tribute to Rangitoto and the city's skyline, with an ascending ‘A’ for Auckland in its centre. Auckland FC will join the league with a men's team next season, with a women's side to follow in 2025-26. CEO Nick Becker says he wanted to chose a team name that united all the people of Auckland. "We wanted a name that was going to be representative of Auckland- it's an easy one, there's beauty in its simplicity. Auckland FC, it's a heritage football name." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harry and Meghan's team are facing accusations of hypocrisy amid Kate Middleton's ongoing photo controversy. The Sussex's camp claimed the pair would never release a doctored official photo. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Harry and Meghan have yet to officially comment on the matter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, David Farrar from Kiwiblog and Curia and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the interest deductibility for rental properties will be good for tenants as well as landlords. Does Luxon have a point? How does this look amid police funding concerns? The Police Association has reacted badly to the Government 'low-balling' police staff with their pay offer. Should the Government work a little harder to prevent them from heading overseas? Pharmacists will be able to give childhood vaccinations to increase the vax rates. Some GPs aren't happy with this- will this be good or bad for Kiwis? An Auckland real estate agent is under fire for posting a controversial video playing into Asian stereotypes. Does this normalise racism- or are people making a big stink over a joke? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's encouraging signs for food prices as the ongoing fight against inflation continues. Stats NZ data for February shows overall food price inflation is at 2.1 percent, the lowest it's been since May 2021. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says rental prices are still stubbornly high- and that's a big part of the inflation bucket. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation in the US is running hotter and faster than predicted, according to new data. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.2- a far cry from expectations. Milford Asset Management's Mark Riggall explains what this means for the US's economic future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank and Treasury are designing a new deposit insurance scheme. However, Credit unions, building societies and finance companies have voiced concern that these measures could impact their bottom lines. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the risks and benefits involved in this scheme. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's promising a further loan to Mount Ruapehu skifields, giving certainty to local operators and communities. Cabinet has agreed to provide just over $10 million to ensure this year's ski season can go ahead. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is great news for skiers- but the timing isn't great for the Government amid existing financial concerns. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A piece in the Sydney Morning Herald has theorised Australia's rugby prowess could make a change for the better. The removal of controversial coach Eddie Jones is leaving the team room to grow and change, according to some experts. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briscoes has managed to withstand strong economic headwinds and deliver a strong profit. The company announced a net profit after tax of $84.2 million for the year ending 28 January 2024- a 5 percent drop. However, the total sales during that period were $792.0 million, an all-time high for the company. Group Managing Director Rod Duke says it's clear the products the company offers clearly resonate with customers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not even a bout of long Covid could stop canoe slalom veteran Luuka Jones from being selected for her fifth Olympic Games. The 35-year-old is off to Paris, following an Olympic cycle that's seen her battle with health issues and injuries. Jones was diagnosed with long Covid in early 2022- but she's grateful to be back in the game this year. "By the end of last year, I was in full health again. It's been a bit of a ride, but I'm just grateful to be back and feeling how I am." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.