Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and current affairs commentator Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National have proposed a $24 billion transport plan that includes funding 13 new Roads of National Significance including Whangarei to Tauranga and Mill Road in Auckland. Let's Get Wellington Moving is also expected to be axed. Does this look like a sound plan? Do we think National only needs $24 billion to pay for this? Labour MP Tāmati Coffey has come out of his retirement from politics to stand for the East Coast electorate. The seat opened up after former Minister Kiri Allan announced she would not be standing for re-election. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $567 million push to make cyclone and flood-affected roads safer and more resilient. The Government's announced funding for immediate works on state highways in Tairāwhiti, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, Coromandel and Northland. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson has a lot landing on his shoulders, and it's unclear how much will get done before the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour unveiled their Party list for the upcoming election- with bad news for several MPs. Leader Chris Hipkins is number one on the list, followed by Kelvin Davis, Carmel Sepuloni and Grant Robertson. Former Ministers Phil Twyford and Michael Wood have taken a nosedive and dropped to 49th and 45th, respectively. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this list makes for a destabilised caucus- another worry for Chris Hipkins between now and October. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US economists are predicting the region will be able to get inflation under control while avoiding recession. The US Federal Reserve is no longer projecting a recession in the near term, and employment and the economy are holding strong. One Nashville-based markets analyst, Scott Shellady, still believes the region is at risk of entering a recession. "The consumer is starting to falter here in the country. We've got foreclosures spiking, auto loan delinquencies are also rising quickly, corporate bankruptcies have spiked. There are a lot of negative signs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's staying tight lipped on how much the Government will fork out for managed retreat in Hawke's Bay. The region's councils are being asked to consider and consult on a cost-sharing agreement to buy-out cyclone-stricken homes. The package also includes Government contributions for flood protection projects - to protect houses which can still be lived in. Minister Grant Robertson says the details on the cost-sharing are for the councils to discuss first. "Within the next few days, a week or so I hope, we should be in a position to be able to announce all the details." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National today confirmed they'll scrap Let's Get Wellington Moving- and the Prime Minister hasn't voiced support for the project. The Opposition intends to gut most of the controversial transit plan, including light rail and the removal of cars from several central Wellington streets in order to fund a second Mt Vic tunnel. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter is disappointed both Labour and National have rejected Let's Get Wellington Moving. "Once you've invested a significant amount of money, you simply can't throw the baby out with the bathwater without pouring the same amount of money back into it to start again." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FENZ have issued a warning regarding the dangers of lithium-ion batteries days after a harmful explosion. On Saturday, an e-scooter charging in a central Wellington apartment exploded- leaving a person critically injured. Fire and Emergency NZ risk reduction and investigations manager Pete Gallagher says it's important to be careful when charging lithium-ion batteries- and avoid doing it overnight. "One of the problems with lithium-ion batteries is they don't like being over-charged as much as they like being run totally flat and recharged from 0. Once the battery's full of charge, that's when you take it off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The secondary schools union says a proposed pay rise would be satisfactory - but not everything they'd wanted. An arbitration panel has recommended a 14.5 percent pay rise, over three instalments. It would shift most secondary teachers' starting rates from $55,000 to about $64,000 by the start of 2025. The Post Primary Teachers Association's Chris Abercrombie says it's more than the Education Ministry is offering. "The Ministry's offer, the 30th of May one, was roughly about $3,000 less a year on top of the scale once this is all finished." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National are defending the cost of their newly announced $24 billion transport policy. Labour's already poked holes in it, saying the four-lane highways between Whangarei and Tauranga plan alone is out by billions. But Opposition transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says this funding covers the first four stages - of what will be a multi-generational project. "This is just like the Waikato Expressway when that was started, it was done in a number of stages over many years." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four missing Australian Defence Force members have been confirmed dead. Significant wreckage has been found from a helicopter that crashed in Queensland. It was conducting joint Australian and US military training off Lindeman Island on Friday night. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the search continues for the bodies. He says the type of helicopter used in the exercise has been grounded as a result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National’s transport policy is my favourite policy of this election campaign so far. Because we are taking the mickey with the state of our roads, and we need to get smart about this fast. We have a $210 billion dollar infrastructure deficit in this country, and if we want to keep our young people here, we need to get back to looking and feeling like a first world country, and no first world country would put up with the state of our infrastructure. You shouldn’t hit two lane roads only 1.5 hours out of our biggest cities. Depending on where you live, you will have your views on the most important roads announced by the Nats today. But for me, the big ones that are incredibly important to our efficiency and productivity are: Turning Mill Road into a highway so motorists heading south of Auckland have an alternative to State Highway 1. Adding the Warkworth to Wellsford chunk onto the new highway heading north of Auckland. Building a second Mt Vic tunnel to relieve the gridlocked traffic in Wellington. I do not care what these roads cost. Labour’s trying to throw shade, saying National’s got its numbers wrong. For example, saying Warkworth to Wellsford will cost $4 billion instead of National’s $2.2 billion. I don’t care. Frankly, they’re probably both wrong National’s incentivised to price low so it doesn’t look extravagant and Labour's incentivised to price high so it can justify not building the road. As far as I'm concerned, we need the roads, so build them. I don’t care what it costs. We will never regret it. And how to pay for it seems pretty simple to me: Cancel the Light Rail stupidity. Just getting rid of the Auckland project saves $28 billion, and I'm not even counting the cost from the Wellington project. I don’t about you, but I've had absolutely enough of dropping speed limits, of being told to walk, of dodging potholes and of driving windy backroads when we should be and could be on world class highways. This is ambitious and it’s building New Zealand for future generations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Football Ferns are out of the World Cup after drawing nil-all with round-of-16-bound Switzerland in Group A. Norway's 6-nil victory over the Philippines boosted goal difference in their favour after they finished level on 4 points with New Zealand. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains the factors behind the loss here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tāmati Coffey says he's ready to fight for the East Coast. He's taken back his political resignation, and has been selected to contest the electorate seat, replacing Kiri Allan. She's not standing, after her mental health struggles culminated in a car crash last Sunday. Coffey says he previously thought he didn't have enough gas in the tank, but that's changed. "The people of the East Coast want some leadership, they started this year with two senior Labour MPs- they've now got none. And I think that that's what the people of the East Coast need." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An online supermarket says removing GST from fruit and vegetables wouldn't be reflected at the checkout. National says Labour is poised to announce that as policy, and it's been leaked the information. The Prime Minister and his MP's will neither confirm nor deny the idea.Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that if it were to go ahead, consumers would see a one-time sugar hit. She says then the normal market pricing mechanisms of supply and demand would kick back, and then those involved would look to cover the costs of the extra administration. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suggestion that long workouts aren't essential for those looking to improve their health. Australian researchers have discovered three or four minutes of incidental high intensity movement a day is enough to reduce cancer risk. Sydney University Physical Activity Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it can be small every day activities that will help. He says that can be things like power walking, carrying groceries, and climbing the stairs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A psychiatric expert has told a jury Lauren Dickason was "out of touch with reality" when she killed her three daughters. Dickason is on trial at the High Court in Christchurch accused of murdering her three young children in Timaru. Doctor Susan Hatters-Friedman who focuses on why parents kill, has given evidence in support of Dickason's defence of insanity and infanticide. The Herald's Anna Leask told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the court heard Dickason killed her children 'out of love.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A climate change professor says we should focus more on physics than on feelings. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the era of global boiling has arrived, after scientists confirmed July was on track to be the hottest month ever. New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute's Adrian Macey told Heather du Plessis-Allan that these statements stoke fear and guilt but often not action. He says we should focus on shifting to clean energy, which isn't up for debate because this would create some confidence in people, rather than simply despair. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First thing I thought when I saw the ad that Scott Robertson took out in the paper today thanking fans was that Razor is a bigger asset to the All Blacks next year than I think the rugby bosses realise. Simply because he understands something they don’t seem to, which is the importance of talking directly to the fans. When was the last time you can recall a departing coach doing that when he didn’t have to? Would’ve been much easier to post a short message on Instagram, but instead he took the time to write a long message and then get it printed in the paper. If you think about it, he's actually always taken a similar approach in communicating with fans. He actually tells fans what’s going on, sometimes he tells them too much and lands himself in trouble like he did with the AB's coaching drama. And that is the polar opposite of what we get from the Rugby Union, who definitely do not put fans anywhere close to the centre of what they’re doing. I mean, remember what happened after that awful loss to the Irish last year? They cancelled the press conference Sam Cane and Fozzie were supposed to hold, because they obviously didn’t think they needed to give fans an explanation of what went wrong. Same thing happened this year after the then dominant Chiefs lost the Super Rugby final to the Crusaders, Sam cane didn’t front up. Doesn't matter who was to blame for that, either Sam or the coach made the call that he didn’t need to turn up and talk to the fans. For the longest time the fans have been forgotten. Whether it’s putting on more rugby games than the fans can, or want to watch or putting them on in the evening when plenty of fans say they want to watch in the afternoon, or just not answering question. The word has been that the reason it took so long for the rugby bosses to hire Razor as the AB’s coach is that they were worried about his unconventional antics: saying too much, breakdancing, all that kind of stuff. I think they’ve got it wrong. I think that’s what they need. I think they need someone who does consider the fans, and Razor is clearly is that guy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acclaimed Irish singer and activist Sinéad O'Connor has died at the age of 56. She released 10 studio albums across her career, but she's best known for her 1990 cover of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U. UK correspondent Enda Brady says tributes have been flooding in, with Irish President Michael D Higgins praising O'Connor's 'authenticity' and 'unique voice'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas PR and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National's Nicola Willis revealed Labour may be planning to take GST off fruit and vegetables and Te Pati Maori plans to create a tax-free threshold of $30,000. Will these new policies make it even harder for Labour to win? New developments surrounding the circumstances of Kiri Allan's arrest- today, it was revealed she was found by police dogs 500 metres from the site of the crashed car. Do we need more insight into this case, or should it rest? Kevin Spacey has been acquitted- should he get the chance to make a comeback? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruapehu-based attraction Blue Duck Station is begging people to take their wool- free of charge. The company took to social media to explain their 'wool woes', claiming production was no longer sustainable. The Country's Jamie Mackay says wool was once the driving force behind the biggest economic boom in New Zealand's history. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Mathieson, ex-partner of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, has plead guilty to sexual assault charges. Mathieson was charged with sexual assault by Victoria Police earlier this year, and is scheduled to face court again in August. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Mathieson agreed to plead guilty in exchange for two other charges being dropped- and details are still coming to light. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's staying tight-lipped on its tax policy- despite the Opposition claiming they've figured it out. National's Nicola Willis claims Labour's planning to dump GST from fruit and vegetables. Hipkins hit back, saying Willis will have to wait for Labour's tax proposals like everybody else. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says he remembers this issue being discussed 12 years ago- and still believes it's a ridiculous solution. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been nothing to separate the USA and the Netherlands, with their Football World Cup group game in Wellington ending in a 1-all draw. In what was a rematch of the 2019 final, the Dutch took a surprising 1-nil lead into halftime- until the US levelled off a corner kick in the 62nd minute. Both teams remain tied atop group E. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cautious optimism prevails throughout small and medium businesses, a new report finds. My HR data reveals almost two thirds of companies expect revenue to improve in next year and 60 percent of businesses expect to raise salaries in the coming months. My HR chief executive Jason Ennor says many of these businesses feel that they've reached rock bottom- and it's all up from here. "We have seen an alarmingly high number of businesses go to the wall, but those that have survived, those that are still there, those that we surveyed and spoke to- they're quite optimistic." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori has unveiled their 'radical' new tax policy ahead of the upcoming election. These reforms include a net wealth tax, the removal of GST from food prices, a levy on empty homes and a $30,000 tax-free threshold. Glenn Barclay from the Fair Tax Coalition says this plan is comprehensive and bold with 'innovative' taxes. "Having said, these are really good ideas, they need to be fully explored and tested. That's the way it should be." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders hit by extreme weather events are in for some financial relief. The Council has voted to completely remove rates for property owners whose homes are 'uninhabitable' after this year's flooding events. West Auckland is Flooding chairman Lyall Carter says this is something that several community groups and residents throughout the region have been advocating for. "Real victory for common sense and for advocacy and people democracy. So yeah, great news." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oranga Tamariki have sought legal resolution over a dispute about who should care for a 3-year-old girl. The organisation believes the child should be placed with Māori caregivers within her wider family, but the girl's father identifies her as NZ European and Aboriginal- not Māori. ACT spokesperson for Children and Social Development Karen Chhour says children deserve stable loving homes, and identity shouldn't be the ultimate factor. "The best interests of the child should be first and foremost, and this looks like just another case of having to go to court over heritage- it seems absolutely insane to me." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tears rolled down Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey's face as he was handed a NOT guilty verdict. The 64-year-old was acquitted of charges against four men in London. KTLA entertainment reporter, Sam Rubin, says the big question is- can Spacey go back to work? "I think it is an open question. And I don't know, I think it's less likely in America than it might be elsewhere." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National is picking apart a policy it's predicting Labour is about to announce. The Opposition claims Labour will remove GST from fruit and vegetables. Deputy Leader Nicola Willis says Labour is good at promising things that sound good on the tin. But she says it's terrible at delivering, especially anything complicated. "Inevitably, the problem is if you don't do it right, none of the money actually ends up in the back pocket of the people we all want to help." Chris Hipkins says Willis will have to wait for Labour's proposals to be announced, like everyone else. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could your FIFA office sweepstake be illegal? The Department of Internal Affairs says prize money can't exceed $500 and sweepstake organisers shouldn't profit from entries. Illegal gambling operations could land a person an up-to-$20,000 fine. Regulatory Services Manager, John Sneyd says it's taken seriously. "Office sweepstakes can be fun, but we've just got to make sure we keep it within the boundaries that keep it as a fun activity." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s hard to believe it’s possible, but Labour’s week just got even worse- because their tax policy just got leaked. National's Nicola Willis says she’s got a source who told her Labour is planning to announce it’ll take the GST off fresh fruit and veges, which immediately got headlines because her sources have proved pretty solid. Remember, she got the tip-off that Labour was working on a wealth tax-tax switch, and it turned out they were. The Prime Minister was asked about the GST plan today and didn’t deny it. So I'd say there’s a pretty good chance it’s on. This is actually a rubbish policy. I mean, if you’re having a hard time paying the bills, this is a massive step down from the tax switch Labour was working on, because that would've given you $1050 extra a year. You're not gonna get that much back from the GST scrap unless you’re spending $7000 a year on fresh fruit and veges, which most of us would not. This is hardy going to convince punters that Labour really is dealing with the bread and butter issues of the cost of living crisis. And it’s old. This is a reheated policy from 2011. We debated it then, we shot it down then. 12 years between then and now hasn’t made it a better idea. Labour will be gutted that National leaked the news, because they’ve lost the chance to announce it on their terms and try to sell this idea to us as something better than it is. That opportunity’s gone. And I don’t think they had all their ducks in a row to be ready to announce this. We were told they would have announced their tax policy by now- so the fact they haven’t suggests there was more work to do. Or they were hoping to announce at a time when they weren’t bogged down with a man who shot and killed his workers in Auckland Central and a minster who got behind the wheel after drinking, crashed the car and then left the scene. Remember, just a couple of months ago, we were talking about Labour’s tax policy as being one of the last things they had up their sleeve to try to win the election. But now we probably know what it is, and it’s a bit of a damp squib. So, they’ll be gutted. Just like a whole bunch of Labour voters will be gutted that that’s the best the bread and butter party can do. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The resumption of train services between Auckland and Hamilton is being marked as an 'excellent outcome'. Waka Kotahi has lifted its ban on Te Huia trains entering metro Auckland, accepting Kiwirail's alternative safety proposals. Trains will again be able to continue into The Strand in Parnell from August 7. Waikato Regional Councillor Angela Strange says there'll be free fares for a week when it returns. She says it's to acknowledge the disruption to passengers. "So we've costed that investment at around $12,000 for the whole week, which is pretty small given the total running costs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 40 people have been killed in the wildfires threatening villages and holiday resorts across the Mediterranean. Greece is preparing for more evacuation flights from Rhodes, as fires also rage on the islands of Corfu and Evia. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says temperatures are expected to rise above 44C in parts of Greece and the heatwave shows no signs of letting up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, STILL Director of Projects Sam Johnson 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! The Post is reporting one first-term MP allegedly told colleagues they had been bullied and yelled at by Kiri Allan. Meanwhile, David Parker says he didn't want to be Revenue Minister anymore because he didn't want to ditch the Wealth Tax. Are Labour MPs starting to turn against each other? James Shaw has increased the price of carbon by 44 percent, despite the Government earlier stating they didn't want to do that because it would add to cost of living pressures. What do we make of this move? 65 percent of shoppers prefer homebrand products- or at least agree that they're just as good as branded products according to a new EY survey. Do we agree? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will explore ways to simplify travel across the ditch. The two leaders met in Wellington today, and they agreed to put together a joint expert group to make the journey across the Tasman more seamless. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says his concern is that New Zealand isn't taking their connection with Australia seriously and trans-Tasman travel needs to be improved. "We should aspire, at some point, to have a dual trans-Tasman visa. If you're coming for FIFA, for example, you don't have to flap around with two different bits of paperwork." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash believes the RBNZ should be empowered to lift fuel taxes to fight inflation. He stated in a blog post that increased fuel taxes would encourage people to to reduce their spending elsewhere- meaning inflation would fall. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says Don Brash's proposed solution is 'messy', and it would impact people differently. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows consumers are gravitating towards home brand products due to the rising cost of living. EY data indicates that 65 percent of people believe these home brand products satisfy their needs as much as branded products. The data also shows Gen Z are less willing to buy private label products than Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials. Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang says the cost of living is definitely a factor- but notes that retailer marketing has gotten more sophisticated. "They're segmenting the market, they're targeting different groups of consumers. They've learned a lot of tricks from the established brands." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has boosted the Emissions Trading Scheme’s auction reserve price- and increased the overall price of carbon by 44 percent. It's also raising trigger prices for the cost containment reserve in the scheme, meaning there will be 17.6 million fewer units to be auctioned. ACT Environment spokesperson Simon Court says this change is a sign James Shaw is failing to take what's important to New Zealanders into account. "By adopting the Climate Change Commission's recommendations to jack up the carbon price from $50 to $80 to $100 to even $200 a ton in a short space of time- that's going to add a significant weight to the cost of living." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Dickason’s mother has taken the stand to give evidence at her triple murder trial. She's accused of murdering her three young daughters in Timaru in 2021. Her defence opened its case today - painting Dickason as a mentally disturbed woman in the depths of postpartum depression. The Herald's Anna Leask says her mother Wendy Fawkes told the court Dickason loved her kids, but she was concerned she'd have a 'breakdown'. "Well, her mum has spoken today about what Lauren was like as a parent. She said she was paranoid and over-protective, but there's no doubt in her mind that she loved those children." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A combination of factors are being blamed for increasing rents. Trade Me data for June shows the median weekly rent has increased by $50 since last year. That means the average renter is paying is paying $2600 more. Economist Cameron Bagrie says landlord costs including interest rates and insurance are rising. He says there are other factors contributing- an inflow of migrants, foreign students and workers will be helping drive the market. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Searchers have been scouring areas of interest for missing Christchurch woman Yanfei Bao. The real estate agent was last seen in Wigram last Wednesday, and police are now treating the disappearance as a homicide investigation. Efforts are focused on the Halswell River, Greenpark, Lake Terrace Road and near New Brighton and Palmers Road intersection. NZ Herald senior crime reporter Sam Sherwood says the duration of the investigation and new discoveries coming to light have caused police to launch a homicide investigation. "As the week has progressed, and in particular, the last couple of days, more information has come to light- which is now why they've launched a homicide investigation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University course completion rates are at their lowest since 2014. Ministry of Education figures show completion rates dropped from a high of 89 percent in 2020, to 86 percent last year. Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Whelan says it's been a difficult period with Covid-19. "There are student who have spent- in some cases- three years at university with their studies disrupted, and a good number as well that have had their studies disrupted before university at school." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs of a divided Labour Caucus, with confidential information leaked to the media. The Post reports remarks made by a first-term MP in a caucus discussion, in the wake of Kiri Allan's arrest and resignation. They allegedly told colleagues they'd been aware of allegations against Allan for years and they themselves had been bullied. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says this is a sign of bigger issues going on within the Labour Party. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has touched down for his first official visit to New Zealand. He's one of several foreign politicians travelling to New Zealand as part of the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson suspects Blinken plans to use this visit to shore up international relations between the regions following Hipkins' relations with China. "The US has its own agenda, I think all three countries don't necessarily see eye to eye on policies, but also trade and security and human rights, which is something that can often get swept under the rug." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Football Ferns are desperate to keep their World Cup future in their own hands. The surprise 1-0 loss to the Philippines leaves them needing to beat Switzerland in their final Group match on Sunday to progress into the play-off stage. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says the Football Ferns have a slim chance of making it through. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big changes could be on the cards for New Zealand's weather forecasting system. The Government's commissioned a review to begin in September, with a final report due in February. It follows increased bad blood between the two agencies- most recently, MetService alleging NIWA's forecasts may be harmful to public safety when used by DOC. State Owned Enterprises Minister, Duncan Webb says they have different but overlapping roles, and the goal is to get the best from both. "So that not only can we kind of predict and forecast weather, we can get that climate change stuff, which is NIWA's speciality." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relentless wildfires are forcing more travellers to abandon their Greek holidays and evacuate. Thousands of British tourists are struggling to depart from the region, with the emergency conditions stranding people at airports and makeshift shelters. UK correspondent Enda Brady says thousands more prospective travellers can expect to have their bookings cancelled as the wildfires damage hotels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, independent journalist Clare de Lore and Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster joined in on a discussion about the issues of the day- and more! David Parker has given up his tax portfolio because he didn't get his way on the wealth tax. How bad does this look? Kiri Allan has confirmed she won't be seeking re-election. Is this the right call? Where does her political career go now? A motorist had guns pointed at him while driving down the motorway over the weekend. Should we be used to this kind of brazen stuff these days, or is it just a one off example we shouldn't be too worried about? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rampant inflation and rising interest rates may create difficult times for dairy farmers in the coming months. Higher farming costs, fast-rising interest rates, and lower prices mean some farmers could struggle to break even- or wind up in debt. The Country's Jamie Mackay says the debt servicing has gone up from $0.50/kgMS to $1.20/kgMS, creating extra struggle for dairy farmers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.