Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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.

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.