Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Defence Minister's not shying away from the criticisms that his new forward-looking military focus is too aggressive. Andrew Little's released the Government's updated strategic defence policy — a document which takes a more critical look at China's role in the Pacific. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that New Zealand's not willing to sit on the sidelines if areas of strategic importance, such as the South China Sea, are under threat. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doesn't the shooting in Auckland overnight illustrate to you that the Police Ministers’ idea of getting volunteers to do patrols in Auckland CBD so police don’t have to is not only cooked, but also dangerous. The latest from police is that these guys didn’t know each other and got into a verbal altercation on Fort Street. Next minute, got into a physical altercation, and next minute one chap pulls out a gun and shoots one bloke in the abdomen, another in the head, and then takes off on a Lime scooter. For a start, do they really think that people that are prepared to shoot at each other are gonna be put off by a couple of volunteers patrolling the street? But even to the point... do we really want to those volunteers walking into a situation like that? Imagine just for a second, that a couple of Maori wardens came across those men rumbling last night. What if they tried to break up the fight where one of those guys had a concealed gun? I don’t want to send Maori grandmas and granddads into that, that's nuts. It’s crazy that the Police Minister even thought this was feasible. Police are doing a valiant job of trying to tell Aucklanders that there’s nothing to worry about today. But you’d have to be living under a rock not to notice the increase in violent crime in that part of the city lately; this is the second shooting in two weeks. It comes after a mass brawl of multiple people laying into one guy on the waterfront in May, and it comes after kids with hammers held up a jewellery store on Queen Street. Police Minister Ginny needs to get with the page. We need more cops. Remember those 1800 extra police were recruited to fill a gap that existed in 2017 already. That was before Labour emptied the prisons. That was before hundreds more 501s arrived here. It was before the Comancheros even set up a chapter in NZ. Six years on and a heck of a lot more crime, we need more police patrolling Auckland’s CBD, and everywhere else. We do not need grannies and grandads trying to break up fights, and I’d bet you that even Ginny realised that after last night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the UK, interest rates are expected to rise a 14th time as the Bank of England struggles to bring down inflation. Economists have predicted the Bank will lift rates from 5 percent to 5.25 percent. UK correspondent Enda Brady says interest rates will continue to rise in the coming months, with at least 3 predicted before Christmas. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Radio Hauraki's Matt Heath and Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! ACT leader David Seymour has ruled out a partnership with NZ First and Winston Peters. Should Chris Luxon and National follow suit- or do they need to form a coalition? Police Minister Ginny Andersen has suggested wardens for Maori and other ethnicities could patrol more in the Auckland city centre to help the police. Is this proof Labour's running out of ideas? Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says new data released today shows the Government’s targeted approach to waitlists is making a positive difference- can we trust that things are getting back on track? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US markets plummeted overnight following Fitch downgrading the US credit rating from AAA to AA+. The agency cited fiscal deterioration over the next three years and drawn-out debt ceiling negotiations. Fisher Funds senior portfolio manager Sam Dickie says the fiscal situation in the US Government has been heavily publicised, meaning Fitch mulled over their decision to downgrade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International milk prices took a fall in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, concerning exporters and analysts. The GDT Price Index was down 4.3 percent across the board, with an average selling price of $3,100 per metric ton. The Country's Jamie Mackay says analysts will be reaching for the red pens to cut milk price forecasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robertson and Hipkins have admitted Government's books are in a more challenging position than expected- but deny claims of a fiscal hole. The Finance Minister confirmed he met with public service chiefs for a meeting about monetary restraint. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann explained that as the economy goes further south and diverges from Treasury forecasts, the gap in the Crown accounts grows- but it's unlikely to be $20 billion. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions over whether a bold makeover for Auckland's waterfront is good for the harbour facilities. Mayor Wayne Brown's put up plans for an open air saltwater pool, an exhibition centre, a water amphitheatre - and aquaculture. Maritime Union National Secretary Craig Harrison says it's unclear where Auckland Council is going to get the money to fund this project with. "Someone else could develop it, but then it's a loss to the Auckland ratepayers and becomes a private playground for someone else." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bad news for brunch lovers, with some food joints claiming egg supplies are dwindling.Bakeries and restaurants are apparently having to lower their usage. Bakehouse on Bond owner, Tom Bullock, says it's been a frustrating six months. "Egg powder's playing a part in the actual baking in some products, mostly bread-based products like brioche, etc." The Poultry Industry Association's Michael Brooks says there was a low point in February, but that's bouncing back. "I'm really keen to talk to the wholesalers and to the Bakery Association and see what we can do to address this." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police believe a ute being driven by missing Marokopa dad Tom Phillips was involved in an altercation in the Waikato area last night. Phillips was spotted yesterday in Te Awamutu, Te Rapa and Kawhia in three separate sightings. He disappeared more than 18 months ago with children Jayda, Maverick and Ember. Police inspector Will Loughrin says the stolen bronze 2003 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute forms part of the ongoing investigation. "What we can say is that ute we've had three sightings of was stolen, and it was stolen from an address in that surrounding area." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Yorkers are being encouraged to escape to a new city- our very own Capital. For the Escape to Wellington campaign, a computer was set up on the streets of the Big Apple for a day. Passers-by could click on a button for a glimpse of Wellington's lifestyle benefits on offer. Wellington NZ Chief Executive John Allen says the region needs talent and tourists, and a campaign set up in New York could draw attention from all over the US. "We've got so many US eyeballs on New Zealand, on Wellington, as a consequence of the Women's World Cup. We've got improved air networks from the US, so we're getting more and more connections to them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Progress on reducing waitlists in our health system - despite winter pressures. Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says total planned care treatments, including minor operations, are increasing nationwide. She says staff are moving through the waitlists in stages - starting by treating those who've waited more than three years. "Then we're moving down through that, potentially, with the goal of getting to no-one waiting more than one year anywhere in the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A private investigator trying to find missing Marokopa man Tom Phillips says he'll likely hide again, after being spotted. Phillips disappeared 18 months ago with his children Jayda, Maverick and Ember. He was seen yesterday in Te Awamutu, Te Rapa and Kawhia in Waikato - driving a stolen bronze Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute. Police still haven't found him or his children. Investigator Chris Budge says he says he's afraid Phillips will now do something silly. "Because he's feeling caged, and I know that that is well and truly at the police's front of mind. That has been at the police's front mind for some time, of the unknown actions that could occur." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human remains have been found in the search for four army crew, after a helicopter crash off Queensland's coast. The chopper hit the water off Hamilton Island during a joint Australian US military training exercise on Friday. Australian correspondent Murray Olds explained that positive identification will not be possible at this stage- until more wreckage is brought to the surface. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT's drawn a line in the sand- saying its MPs won't sit around the cabinet table with Winston Peters or his MPs. NZ First scored 4.1 percent in the latest Newshub/ Reid Research poll, edging up to the 5 percent threshold. But David Seymour confirmed he won't be in a Government where Peters is in Cabinet. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says he's not surprised David Seymour ruled out working with Peters- but Luxon shouldn't turn down NZ First. "I don't think Chris Luxon should rule out Winston Peters, because in this business of MMP, you need all the political parties you can get." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster today revealed his picks for for the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin. 12 starting changes have been made for Saturday's test against Australia. That includes test debuts for Shaun Stevenson on the right wing and Chiefs team-mate Samipeni Finau at blindside flanker. ZB sport news director Clay Wilson explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister has suggested volunteer wardens could supplement police in central Auckland. Ginny Andersen says wardens for Maori and other ethnicities could do more patrols. Former mayoral candidate, Leo Molloy, says it's a dumb idea. He says crime has progressively reduced in downtown Auckland - and there are more visible police. "They're around a lot more. You know, they started to listen because people down here- they were rattling the cage. I was rattling the cage through the mayoral campaign." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reasonably significant political news today- ACT’s David Seymour has absolutely ruled out working with Winston Peters in Government after the election. Saying: “It's impossible to see us sitting around the Cabinet table.” And: "There's no way that you're going to solve the problems that New Zealand needs to solve when you've got someone who's had so many chances and screwed it up so many times before.” Amen. I like Winston Peters, I like him a lot. But David Seymour’s bang on here. How many more chances are we gonna give this guy? The thought of Winston being able to choose or influence the next Government actually terrifies me. I don’t care how many times and in how many ways he tells me- like he did on air on Tuesday- that he will not support a Labour Government into power. I do not believe him, as far as I’m concerned, Winston Peters cannot be trusted. In 1996, he told voters to: “put Jim Bolger in Opposition where he belongs”. After the election, he put Jim Bolger back into power. Lesson learned. Even if he was true to his word and didn’t go with Labour, can you imagine the disaster a National Government would be with him in it? This country is headed in completely the wrong direction. We need some serious change, but Winston’s not a change guy. Winston's a handbrake guy. He's spent the last 35+ years complaining about the reforms of the 1980s which saved this country’s bacon. We need reforms again, to save us once again, can you imagine him allowing that to happen? Plus, we are broke. We are out of cash. Grant Robertson’s holding meetings demanding Government agency bosses slash their budgets to plug a probably multi billion dollar fiscal hole as our economy slows and tax revenue drops. Winston's a spending guy. He’s the guy who forced Labour to give him $3 billion in provincial growth fund money, which his party splashed around the provinces trying to win votes. And which the auditor general looked into and found was so sloppy officials weren’t keeping proper notes So no, I'm with David Seymour. I don’t mind a bit of Winston in Parliament to spice things up, but I’d prefer if he stayed the hell away from Government. Especially now, when we do not have the time or the money for his game playing and expensive pet projects. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poland has rushed troops to its eastern border after accusing Belarus of violating their airspace with military helicopters. The Belarusian military denied these violations, but had earlier taunted Poland over the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries near their joint border. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says tensions are being ratcheted up between both countries, which may lead to further conflict. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Business Mentors NZ chief executive Sarah Trotman joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Finance Minister Grant Robertson has met with public sector leaders to discuss spending restraint amid a rumoured hole in the Government books. National says the Government's financial situation's much worse than forecast in the Budget. What kind of shape must the Government books be in? How will this look in the polls? Chris Luxon has voiced enthusiasm at the prospect of accepting money from China to pay for our road rebuilds- is this a good idea? Donald Trump is scheduled to appear in a a Washington DC courthouse on charges to do with alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Will this help or hinder his chances in 2024?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One educational expert suggests children are growing more narcissistic- and it's creating problems for teachers. Columnist and former teaching academic Jenna Price wrote a piece in the Sydney Morning Herald claiming children have gotten more rude and entitled in recent years. She says children being brought up in Western cultures are being taught to be aggressive and disagreeable by parents enabling bad behaviour. "We've either got to pull ourselves together and get our kids to be a bit more empathetic, a bit more understanding, a bit more able to see the other person's point of view, or we are going to have a nation run by a bunch of narcissists." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two major players in the tech world are reporting strong results this US earnings season. Meta and Alphabet are seeing digital advertising revenue bounce back from the doldrums of of late 2022 and early 2023. Milford Asset Management's Felix Fok says advertising spending is sensitive to economic conditions, and Alphabet and Meta are performing better than predicted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment is rising - but remains historically low - as the election approaches.New Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate reached 3.6 percent for the three months to June. That's up 0.2 percent, from 3.4 percent in the preceding quarter. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says these figures indicate that the start of recession-influenced unemployment is upon us. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Justice Department's indicted Donald Trump, alleging dishonesty, fraud and deceit. The former US President's scheduled to appear in a Washington DC courthouse on charges to do with alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Counts include conspiracy to defraud the US, obstruct an official proceeding, and infringe citizen's rights. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump has fired back on Truth Social ahead of the trial, accusing the jury of interfering with his election campaign. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims the Government's top chief executives have been asked to tighten their belts. Our newsroom confirmed the heads of major Government departments met the Finance Minister, and it's understood spending restraint was discussed. Grant Robertson warned the Government had hard choices ahead. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says those choices need to start with wasteful spending. "The public sector spending has been a big worry for this Government. Not just because they've bloated the public services in terms of numbers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gap between Labour and National could be starting to widen, as election day gets closer. The latest Newshub-Reid Research poll shows National and Act both up with enough support to see them form a Government Labour has dropped 3.6 points to 32.3 percent, but the Greens are up to 9.6 percent. Former MP turned political commentator Peter Dunne says Labour's dip is reflective of other polls. He says over the last few months, there's been a wider gap between the right and left. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former pupil in the care of a Catholic order in Christchurch has described it as 'Hell on Earth'. The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry has published a report on the treatment of children at three Brothers of St John of God institutions in Christchurch, over decades. They were Marylands School, Hebron Trust and St Joseph’s Orphanage. Marylands survivor and former pupil, Darryl Smith, says it's good the extent of abuse is public knowledge. But he wants more than compensation. "I want every member of that order chastised and sentenced to imprisonment for life." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been indicted on four counts in the investigation into the interference of the 2020 US election. The former President is scheduled to appear in a Washington DC courthouse on charges of conspiracy to defraud the US, obstruct an official proceeding, and infringe citizen's rights. Former adviser to George W Bush, Scott Jennings, says Trump will still be able to run for President, but these indictments put his campaign in 'uncharted waters. "If this doesn't go to trial and the charges are still pending, if he were to get re-elected President, he could simply order the Justice Department to drop the cases. In some ways, winning the election is his best legal strategy." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secondary teachers will vote on a new pay offer next week. The Government's agreed to offer the 14.5 percent increase recommended by an Arbitration Panel. $374 million worth of savings have been found within the education budget. Education Minister Jan Tinetti says that includes deferring projects at Te Ao Marama and Hobsonville Point Secondary School. They are part of a Public Private Partnership Schools Expansion. "We are not cutting them, we are deferring them. We are still working through the design process with those schools, but we're just giving ourselves some time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National claims the Government's finances are teetering on the edge. Our newsroom has confirmed the Finance Minister met heads of major Government departments today. It's understood spending restraint was discussed. Grant Robertson today warned the Government had hard choices ahead. National's Nicola Willis says they believe things are much worse than forecast in the Budget. "Grant Robertson has instructed public service leaders to batten down the hatches, desperately dig up some savings- because he's got an almighty gap in the Government books." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could be too little, too late for some All Blacks players, with the naming of the 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup looming. Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies in Dunedin is the final hit-out for those looking to book their ticket to France. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave weighs in on what to expect for the upcoming announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials deny a potential freeze on hiring back-office police staff is about tight finances. That's despite one of the country's top cops warning staff of a more 'fiscally constrained' environment, in an email seen by our newsroom. It includes cuts to contractors and consultants and a pause on hiring fulltime non-constabulary staff. But Police Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming says it's about looking forward. "Making sure that police are prepared for what's in front of us and making sure we're focused on delivering services in our districts and being a really good steward of the money that we've got." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do not fall into the trap of thinking these latest charges against Donald Trump, just because they’re the most serious yet, are going to change his fortunes in next year’s American election. He is still on track to become the Republican nominee for President. In fact, if anything, we should assume right now that this is going to only make him more popular. Because if you look back, you will see that his popularity in the run up to this upcoming election didn't really take off until he was slapped with the first set of Stormy Daniels charges. Back in February before he was charged, he and Ron DeSantis were virtually neck and neck in polling. Trump on 41 percent, DeSantis on 39 percent. But then the Stormy Daniels charges landed in April and he was arrested- suddenly his popularity took off and he’s been in the lead ever since. So if anything, charging him actually makes him more popular. Who knows why? It could be that Republican voters really do believe that he is the subject of a witch-hunt and so charging him elicits sympathy. It could just be that the charges give him publicity and he has a remarkable talent capitalising on any publicity, good or bad. And take a look at the timeline ahead- this has the potential to play into his hands publicity wise even more. The E Jean Carroll defamation case goes to court on 15 Jan next year, the same day as the Iowa caucuses. The Stormy Daniels trial starts March 25, and he has to attend that. And then the classified files trial starts May 20 and he has to attend that. Those dates are just weeks before the Republican Convention, where the party will pick their nominee on 15 July. And just months before Election Day on November 5. Most normal people would expect that arrests and charges and court appearances and even guilty verdicts would make a presidential candidate less popular, if not unelectable. Everything we’ve seen so far says it doesn’t work like that with Donald Trump. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A handful of UK-based retailers are incorporating facial recognition technology to crack down on shoplifting. UK police are employing pre-existing live facial recognition (LFR) technology to create a database of offenders with the aim of reducing retail crime. UK correspondent Enda Brady says between 340,000 to 8 million shoplifting incidents occurred in 2022, and this is costing companies at least $2 billion per year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! New research reveals a third of Kiwis are thinking of moving overseas to Australia for more opportunities and better wages after recent changes gave Kiwis an easier pathway to Aussie citizenship. Is this concerning for New Zealand's future? A new Roy Morgan poll has National up to 33.5 percent, Labour down to 26 percent, and New Zealand First reaching the 5 percent threshold. Is this the first sign of a bigger trend heading into the election? Auckland's rolling out new green-topped bins for organic waste to mixed reactions. Is a separate food scraps bin a waste of time? Economists are scratching their heads over BNZ's decision to lift home loan rates again, despite the OCR holding steady. Do we have to trust banks aren't ripping us off? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of veteran public servants who were appointed to set up four water entities are collecting high salaries for work that no longer exists. Jon Lamonte, Vaughan Payne, Colin Crampton and Michael Brewster were commissioned to run the Government's proposed water super-entities- until they were scrapped for 10 entities in April. NZ Herald business journalist Kate McNamara says their salaries were conceived in 2022, before Three Waters was cut down. "There'll be employment contract fish hooks in there. What it would cost to diminish the pay, I don't know, but it wouldn't be nothing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Analysts are feeling less than optimistic about tonight's GDT auction amid low Chinese demand for dairy. According to the SGX-NZX futures market, whole milk powder prices are expected to fall a further 3 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay says it's a grim market for dairy farmers following on from environmental disasters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson remains under pressure, as he bats off questions about Labour's tax policy. Robertson is still refusing to confirm whether Labour will remove the GST from fruit and vegetables, amid allegations from National. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says Labour's been caught flat-footed, as Robertson would have said so directly if the party weren't considering this policy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows over a third of New Zealand's workforce are thinking of quitting their jobs and moving to Australia. A joint university study highlights those workers are 2.6 times more likely to jump the ditch - after recent changes gave Kiwis an easier pathway to Australian citizenship. Massey Business School Professor Jarrod Haar says Kiwis are struggling financially and more opportunities paired with an easy path to citizenship makes a move to Australia more appealing. "We still have a tight labour market, we can't afford to lose anybody. And the biggest driver for them wanting to leave is financial stress." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ First leader Winston Peters is sticking to his guns in refusing to form a coalition Government with Labour. Peters launched his comeback last week, lambasting both the left and right sides of the aisle on the campaign trail. He says NZ First is aiming to form a 'better Government' without aid from Labour. "Having said, we're ruling out Labour, no question about that. I said we've got to form a better Government. In the future, New Zealand needs a far better Government." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Privacy Commissioner is frustrated by the New Zealand Police’s recent serious privacy breach. Police inadvertently disclosed the email addresses of 147 firearms owners by Te Tari Pūreke on Wednesday, 26 July. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says that these firearms owners are in a situation where their personal information has been inadvertently released- again. "If you think about the people involved here- firearm owners- you've got to think about them first." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcaster and commentator Paddy Gower says the horse has already bolted on the Government's attempt to crack down on vaping. All vapes will need to have removable or replaceable batteries, there will be a ban on new vape shops near schools, and new restrictions on 'enticing' flavours. He says these new regulations won't solve the 'gigantic' problem of youth nicotine addiction- an issue he explores in his latest documentary instalment. "This Government has stuffed up and left an entire generation of Kiwis with a massive problem, which is nicotine addiction." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists are baffled over BNZ's decision to bump up the interest rates on three home loan terms. The bank will lift their six-month rate from 7.85 percent to 7.99 percent. Their four- and five-year rates will increase from 6.89 percent to 7.09 percent. Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan says the six-month rate increase is at odds with BNZ's own economic forecast. "The six-month rate is out of line with all the other banks, it's higher than the other banks are offering. So it's hard to see, unless they're trying to funnel more of the lending out towards the longer end." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don’t think it’s going to surprise you to hear the huge numbers of Kiwi workers thinking about moving to Australia- it's a third of us. Researchers from Massey and Otago Universities asked workers if they would consider moving to Australia. 10 percent said yes, and 26 percent said maybe. Now, thinking about it and doing it are two different things. But I’ve never had this many conversations personally with people wanting to leave. A woman in my family said she’s considering leaving when she retires; she’s in her late 60s. That’s a big call for someone in their 60s. I met a couple while I was on holiday in Fiji last month, he was an investment banker living in Herne Bay in Auckland, so good life here- he’s thinking of leaving, I think to Australia. Another couple I met on holiday who have a baby are leaving to go to Australia once he finishes his medical studies. One of my producers just left on Friday, going to Canada. Another staff member here quit today, going to Canada. And my sister just told me she and her husband and baby are off to Australia, they’ve signed all the documents. It's one thing if the young, single ones are leaving. We expect that, it’s a rite of passage. It's quite another thing to hear this many married couples with kids or even near retirees who own homes and have successful careers uprooting their families and their established lives to go somewhere else And often, not always, but often they will give you the same reason for leaving: They don’t like what’s happening to the country, and they can’t bear the thought of another three years of New Zealand going backwards under Labour. Today’s Roy Morgan poll tells you the same story. 60 percent of respondents say the country’s going in the wrong direction. Only 29 percent say the right direction. That’s a record low for Roy Morgan. This election’s important. We need a change of Government to stop the tide of people packing up and leaving. But we also need the next Government to truly change the country's fortunes. National, if they get in, cannot tinker. They cannot fool themselves that a bit of change is enough and they can otherwise hold the status quo. If they do that, voters will see through it and the number of people leaving will pick up again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An expert claims Lauren Dickason showed no evidence of insanity just after killing her children. She's on trial at the High Court in Christchurch, accused of murdering her three daughters in Timaru in 2021. The Crown's first expert, forensic psychiatrist Dr Erik Monasterio, carried out nine hours of interviews with Dickason after the deaths. The Herald's Anna Leask says Monasterio agrees Dickason was unwell, but claims she doesn't reach the threshold of insanity. "He said there was no psychosis, there was no cognitive impairment and there were no delusions." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Roy Morgan NZ poll shows a National/ACT coalition has a clear lead over the current Government. The right-leaning coalition is up by 2.5 points to 47.5 percent, surging ahead of Labour's 26 percent and the Greens' 9 percent- a historic low for both parties. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this is the beginning of the gap between the right and the left- with this poll representing a significant drop for Labour and the Greens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is holding the OCR at 4.1 percent, to assess the impact of prior hikes. The RBA warns that more increases may be needed to ensure inflation drops to their target in a reasonable timeframe. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Australian homeowners and renters will appreciate this pause, however temporary. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States are hours away from their pivotal football World Cup group clash against Portugal at Eden Park tonight. The US needs at least a draw to advance to the round of 16, with a loss putting the four-time world champions in danger of being bundled out early. Kick-off is at 7pm. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what viewers can expect tonight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An email containing graphic content has been sent to students at an Auckland high school on their school accounts. Parents of Rosehill College students received a message warning of the disturbing email - sent from an external source. It's been removed from all student accounts and the ability for outside agencies to contact students has been turned off. Secondary Principals' Association President Vaughan Couillault says the school's response indicates it was serious. "It feels like a one-off, abhorrent piece of information that's been sent- as opposed to a massive systemic risk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stern warning to Russia following a recent drone attack. Zelenskyy's remarks came during his visit to Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine, as he asserted that the region was growing stronger in the face of Russian aggression. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this marks a major sea change in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and Zelenskyy is clearly infuriated after over 500 days of war. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.