Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Kevin McCarthy has become the first US House Speaker ousted from the role. Representatives have voted 216 to 210 to remove him- after Republican ire over McCarthy compromising with Democrats on a stopgap deal to avoid a Government shutdown. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says it's unclear who will replace McCarthy in the role, as the Republicans haven't lined anyone else up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have their eye fixed on the quarterfinals ahead of Friday's match. All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made nine starting changes for the team's final World Cup pool match against Uruguay. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recaps the choices made ahead of this week's key match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The retail sector wants changes to the justice system, after a concerning report. The latest Retail NZ report shows the sector has suffered just under $2.6 billion in losses from crime in the year to June. It also found 92 percent of retailers have suffered a crime in the past year. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says more businesses are expecting to incorporate AI facial recognition to identify offenders, with Foodstuffs running a trial next month. "Technology is going to be a tool that's part of the next wave of protection businesses are going to look to combat crime. Some businesses are undertaking use of number plate recognition and using that to solve crime." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's some good news, we've finally got some new rules around forestry slash that might actually make a difference to places like Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay, which have been absolutely pounded by logs in Cyclone Gabrielle. The rules are kicking in very soon- just 4 weeks’ time. And they will require forestry owners to remove their slash if it’s over a certain size, and it’s not particularly large. Anything with a diameter of more than 10 centimetres and a length of more than 2 meters has gotta go. It can't be left behind to wash down and smash up bridges and houses. Removing it will be expensive though; there is no doubt about that. It will be so expensive that it will make it too expensive to plant some of that steep land. Which is great, it’s what we want, because that land shouldn’t be planted in pine anyway. I cry absolutely no tears for the forestry owners who are whingeing about this today, because they have not done their bit for their communities. You take a look at that photo of Waikare beach halfway between Napier and Wairoa which popped up a couple of days ago. That beach is covered in logs. None of the forestry guys have cleaned it up, it’s been that way since February 14. The logs destroyed the DoC campsite, and none of the forestry guys have cleaned it up. These guys have made huge bucks off New Zealand- and broken our stuff as they made their money. Now, I'm not naïve. I know that these rules will probably create as many problems as they solve. But we needed to start somewhere. And here’s another bonus, just the threat of these rules has already stopped the sale of land for forestry. How good is that? It’s shocked that industry so badly that the sales have come to a shuddering halt. Which is good, because fewer pines means less slash for us to clean up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speculation claims UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may axe part of the High Speed 2 rail project. Sunak is set to deliver a speech as part of the Conservative Party conference, and a rumour that he'll scrap the Manchester leg of the rail link. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the project costs have ballooned to $200 billion, and Sunak will be feeling the pressure to cut costs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Chris Luxon says he'll be active in Christchurch next Tuesday, but there's no room in his itinerary for a rescheduled Press debate. The event due to happen tonight was called off after Chris Hipkins got Covid. Is this cowardice on Luxon's part- or a clever strategy from National? Sanitarium says it will reinstate supplies of Weet-Bix to The Warehouse after last week's controversy. Did they make this choice because of the mass backlash? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the OCR on hold for the fourth month in a row. The decision to keep the cash rate at 4.1 percent is the first one made by the RBA's new governor, Michele Bullock. However, Bullock warned that Australia isn't out of the woods yet when it comes to inflation, and warned of future hikes to come. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham thinks the RBA could hike interest rates as soon as next month, depending on the next CPI outlook. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another key GDT auction is set to take place tonight, and experts have an optimistic outlook. This auction is off the back of two positive lifts in September, with a 2.7 percent and 4.6 percent increase improving moods within the sector. The Country's Jamie Mackay says he consulted rural economists from Westpac, Jarden and Rabobank- and they're feeling positive about tonight's predicted results. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until Monday, no-one knew the name of the reclusive Pennsylvanian millionaire regularly visiting Hawke's Bay. Sean Colgan found himself in the spotlight after it was revealed he'd been lending his private plane to ACT's David Seymour. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie's been digging into his background- and earlier investments during the Covid-19 pandemic. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon says he'll be in Christchurch next Tuesday - but still has no time for the Press debate. Hipkins is unable to make the Press leaders debate, which was due to be held tonight, as he's tested positive for Covid-19. Luxon has been accused of chickening out of the debate by Labour. ZB political editor Jason Walls accuses Labour of being 'churlish', allowing Luxon to take the high road. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor believes the Council will have to borrow money to fund the quake-prone Town Hall. It faces yet another cost increase, which would add between $70 million to $147 million to the $182 million budget. Council will vote on approving the budget in a matter of weeks. Councillor Ray Chung says it's annoying council's continuing with business as usual. "We're going to have a real shortfall. It could be $1 billion dollars- the valuations of all our assets have gone up, but we haven't got the money to pay for the insurance for it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An alternative theory about the mysterious origins of the white powder on the Ranfurly Shield has been proposed. The iconic log o' wood was split in two after the Hawke's Bay Magpies dropped the Shield at an after-party celebrating Saturday's win. Ranfurly Shield restorer James Dwan says the white powder seen in photos is likely plaster from earlier repairs of the famous taonga. "I put some plaster into the centre part of the shield a couple of years ago to try and reinforce it, because it's a pretty weak area in the metal work itself. I've got a funny feeling that's what's happened. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A booking system is being set up for the Tongariro Crossing. The Department of Conservation says it's a plan to manage visitor numbers- it'll be free to book and not compulsory. Tour company Adrift Tongariro co-owner Stewart Barclay says it's a trial for now. "And it will be compulsory in a wee while, maybe next summer. It's a bit of a dry run test, really." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political commentator says he doubts an incorrect email sent by the Council of Trade Unions was a genuine mistake. The CTU's email sent on Sunday night incorrectly claimed National would remove policies like 10 days sick leave and the Winter Energy Payment. It has now clarified it meant to say they are things National has opposed in the past.Commentator Peter Dunne says the CTU economist previously gave advice to Grant Robertson. He says they'd know what was supported by whom. "And I think the fact that they can get so much of it so wrong suggests that he's either not done his job, or more likely, it was a deliberate attempt to deceive." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weet-Bix will soon be back in trolleys at the Warehouse. Sanitarium has reversed a decision announced last week to withhold supply - although still stocking supermarkets. The Warehouse's $6 charge for Weet-Bix is lower than other outlets. Chief Product Officer Tania Benyon says despite Sanitarium's change of heart, they still want the issue looked into. "What led Sanitarium to this decision, and just to make sure that the new grocery commissioner and the Commerce Commission are able to ensure that there is fairness." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief - with interest rates on hold for the 4th month in a row. The Reserve Bank Governor has today handed down a decision to keep the Official Cash Rate at 4.1 percent. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Reserve Bank will be looking to bring inflation down, but stubbornly high fuel prices threaten to disrupt the downswing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mystery surrounding the damage to the Ranfurly Shield has compounded. The Shield's craftsman has cast doubt over Hawke's Bay's explanation that the rugby taonga split in two when dropped on a concrete floor. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave shares his theory here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data paints a 'dire' picture of our children's academic abilities, sparking concern from experts. Results from the 2023 NCEA Literacy and Numeracy assessments show that 2 out of 3 Year 10 students passed the reading component and only half passed writing and numeracy. The writing results are a step up from last year's pilot, but reading and mathematics skills are down. Secondary Principals' Association President Vaughan Couillault says these results are worrying, but primary schools haven't equipped students with the foundational skills needed. "That's not to portion blame to our primary colleagues, but the prep work hasn't been done. And then you throw over the last 2-3 years of disruption- we're weighing and measuring students who were very disadvantaged." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Chris Luxon chickening out of the press debate tonight? Of course he is chickening out. Sure, his campaign diary will be full and it’ll be a pain in the butt to rearrange things to fit in an afternoon and evening in Christchurch, because it is a several hours long operation to get ready for a debate and then do the debate. But if he really wanted to do it, he would. He just doesn’t. Fair enough- he's leading in the polls, and there’s no reason to do that debate because Luxon's not great in long debates and interviews. I mean he holds his own, but he gets tripped up on detail. The TV3 Paddy Gower debate- he got himself tied up in knots over whether kids who take MDMA at festivals are criminals or not. The 2 hour long interview with Mike Hosking yesterday- he said it was up to the Police Minister to fire the Police Commissioner. But actually it’s not, it's up to the Prime Minister… which would be him. Those don’t matter too much because they’re not big missteps- yet. So doing the debate would just help Chippy. And remember, it was that TV3 debate where Chippy came out firing that actually breathed life into his campaign again. Chippy wants it badly, because he needs the audience. Luxon doesn’t. So yeah, Luxon’s chickening out. But he’s also making what is - for him - a smart strategic decision. And the best of all is that we don’t have to sit through another debate in this boring campaign. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NHS bosses are warning are warning patients to expect extreme disruption in hospitals ahead of a planned walkout. Junior doctors and consultants have staged a three-day joint walkout in England amid ongoing disputes over pay. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says one million appointments have had to be put on hold or rescheduled as a result of these strikes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week's Mood of the Boardroom survey ranked National's Chris Luxon over his Labour counterpart. The survey compiled responses from more than 100 chief executives and leaders- with Luxon scoring 3.24 out of 5 compared to Hipkins' 2.95. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says voters are still sceptical of National's tax package, with experts criticising the party's priorities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cash-strapped GPs are being forced to fund an important medical tool out of pocket. The Point of Care Ultrasound (Pocus), a handheld device widely used by general practitioners overseas, is not publicly funded by Te Whatu Ora. Pinnacle Health Clinical Director Jo Scott-Jones says the tool allows doctors to get a physical view into a patient's body in order to detect conditions. "With a stethoscope, you can hear the heart murmur. With the Pocus device, you can see what's causing the heart murmur and you can determine whether it's something significant or not- you can see a lot of detail." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's bushfire season has kicked off, with extreme fire danger warnings and total fire bans across the Tasman. Firefighters battled 85 active fires in New South Wales alone last night, with 39 still not being contained. Victoria is also being hit with soaring temperatures and strong winds, and authorities have told residents of Briagolong, Culloden, Moornapa, Stockdale and surrounding areas to evacuate. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says several communities are on alert and the next 24 hours will be difficult for firefighters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour may need to change gear for the next week of election campaigning. Party leader and incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid and will isolate for five days, or until he tests negative. Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson says these circumstances aren't ideal, but Labour has a big team of candidates and volunteers raising support on the campaign trail. "There's not a lot we can do about it now, it is what it is. Chris is going to be doing some virtual campaigning, some phone calling, he's going to be continuing to do what he can over the next few days." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yet another thread to the situation surrounding Hawke's Bay Rugby and the Ranfurly Shield. Following the after-party celebrating the Magpies' win, images surfaced of a broken Shield with white powder on it- and a player was charged for drink-driving. Sportstalk's Jason Pine recaps a tumultuous weekend in the history of Hawke's Bay rugby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are breath testing people at levels not seen for a decade. They've done 2.6 million tests in the past year, more than a million up on the previous 12 months. The police target is 3 million per year. AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen says numbers have been low since before the pandemic. "The AA, for a number of years has been beating the drum and saying 'we've got to get these numbers back up'- because this is one of the key tools to catching drunk drivers and deterring drunk drivers, meaning we see less people lose their lives." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cabinet's approved another Crown loan to keep Mount Ruapehu's skifields operational. The $7 million Crown funding includes a $4.3 million loan to the under-liquidation RAL. The rest goes into an in-principle agreement of support to the preferred bidder, subject to being granted a concession. Pure Turoa has been trying to take over skifield operations in a joint bid with Whakapapa Holdings. PwC Liquidator John Fisk says this support will get them to March next year. "And that will hopefully give us time, once a new Government has formed, to have further discussions about getting through to the start of the 2024 season- and hopefully to finding a more permanent solution." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Hawke's Bay rugby player has been charged by the police after Saturday night's Shield celebration. An image has surfaced on social media of white powder on the broken Ranfurly Shield, which Hawke's Bay Rugby say was accidentally dropped on a concrete floor. TVNZ rugby commentator Scotty Stevenson says it's obvious that the Hawke's Bay players and associates have no respect for the history of the game. "What we're left with is a picture of carnage and contempt, as people are taking videos laughing about it. And by the looks of it, possibly much worse." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National has disclosed allegations of violence and intimidation threatening to disrupt their election campaign. Allegations claim a gang threat has forced a candidate to move house, a volunteer's faced death threats, and another's been the victim of a dog attack. Labour's Angela Roberts has reported being slapped at a debate, and Te Pati Maori's Hana Maipi-Clarke says she's had a politically-motivated home invasion. National Campaign Chair Chris Bishop says the gangs are campaigning for a third Labour term and aim to keep National out of Government. "The behaviour our candidates have experienced on the campaign trail has been disgraceful. There's been death threats, there's been people having to move house, one of our candidates has had a Head Hunters member threaten them when they're out at dinner." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. This week, the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper. Our expert panel discusses the call that this election campaign is being marred by violence and attacks across the political spectrum. They also chat about Chris Hipkins’ Covid diagnosis and the implications that will have on the final fortnight of campaigning. The experts dissect that interview with Winston Peters – and if that means National should re-think its stance to work with NZ First. Heather asks the panel whether the rise in early voting will continue – and what that might mean for the result on October 14th. Plus, they take a deep dive into the latest policy announcements – including the Greens’ universal student allowance and Labour’s supermarket pledge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday in northern England in connection with what authorities described as the “deliberate” felling of a famous tree that had stood for nearly 200 years next to the Roman landmark Hadrian's Wall. Thousands of visitors each year walk along Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that guarded the Roman Empire's northwestern frontier. Many have paused to admire and photograph the tree at Sycamore Gap, a beloved icon of the landscape that was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.” Photographs from the scene on early Thursday showed that the tree was cut down near the base of its trunk, with the rest of it lying on its side. Northumbria Police said the teen was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. He was in police custody and assisting officers with their inquiries, the force said. “The tree is a world-renowned landmark and the vandalism has caused understandable shock and anger throughout the local community and beyond,” police said in a statement. “This is an incredibly sad day," police superintendent Kevin Waring said. “The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region.” The Northumberland National Park authority asked the public not to visit the felled tree, which was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016. Alison Hawkins, who was walking on the Hadrian's Wall path, was one of the first people who saw the damage early Thursday. “It was a proper shock. It’s basically the iconic picture that everyone wants to see," she said. “You can forgive nature doing it but you can’t forgive that."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trading in shares of heavily indebted Chinese property developer China Evergrande Group was suspended in Hong Kong on Thursday, according to a notice on the Hong Kong stock exchange. China Evergrande said in a notice on Thursday night that authorities had informed the firm that its chairman, Hui Ka Yan, had been subjected to “mandatory measures in accordance with the law due to suspicion of illegal crimes" and said that trading in the firm's shares was suspended until further notice. The company didn't elaborate on the crimes that Hui was suspected of. Evergrande is the world’s most heavily indebted real estate developer and is at the center of a property market crisis that is dragging on China’s economic growth. The group is undergoing a restructuring plan, including offloading assets, to avoid defaulting on $340 billion in debt. Shares of Evergrande closed at 32 Hong Kong cents on Wednesday. The company had resumed trading on Aug. 28 after a 17-month hiatus. Trading in two other units, China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group and Evergrande Property Services Group, was also halted Thursday. Last week, Evergrande said in a filing that it had to delay a proposed debt restructuring meeting with creditors as “sales of the group have not been as expected by the company.” On Friday, China’s national financial regulator announced it had approved the takeover of the group’s life insurance arm by a new state-owned entity. Earlier in September, police in Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city, said they had detained some staff at China Evergrande Group’s wealth management unit. Evergrande ran short of cash after Beijing tightened controls in 2020 on corporate debt that the ruling Communist Party worries is dangerously high. Evergrande said it had more assets than debt but had trouble turning slow-selling real estate into cash to repay creditors. A series of debt defaults in China’s sprawling property sector since 2021 has left behind half-finished apartment buildings and disgruntled homebuyers. Observers fear the real estate crisis may further slow the world’s second-largest economy and spill over globally. In August, Evergrande applied for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection filing in New York, which allows a U.S. court to halt litigation and other collection efforts in the U.S. in cross-border insolvency cases. - by Zen Soo, APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No surprise at all, this year's Mood of the Boardroom survey has shown that businesses are extremely disappointed in the Labour government. But it also shows nervousness over whether National will be decisive enough to turn the economy. In the CEO’s ranking, Christopher Luxon beat Chris Hipkins, but with an average of 3.5 points out of 5, Luxon looks far from a candidate that has the business team excited. Dentons chair Hayden Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are back in Rugby World Cup action in a do-or-die clash with Italy. They go in as overwhelming favourites, but a loss would see the All Blacks join Australia in the departure lounge. A suggestion that New Zealand netballers should be allowed to play overseas. An Australian netball commentator has made the call, for the good of keeping up the quality with the opposition. The Warriors endured mixed fortunes at the NRL end-of-season Dally M Awards. While Andrew Webster beat Ivan Cleary to Coach of the Year, Dally M favourite Shaun Johnson was pipped at the post by Kalyn Ponga. Andrew Alderson and Clay Wilson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the week’s sports newsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are back in action tomorrow morning at the Rugby World Cup. The near-full-strength team will go into their clash with Italy in Lyon as overwhelming favourites. But if they somehow find a way to lose, their Rugby World Cup campaign will be over. Sky Sport rugby commentator Tony Johnson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s official - El Nino has begun. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) announced the start of the weather cycle in its Season Climate Outlook for October to December today. It increases the likelihood of “dramatic” temperature swings in these months, the outlook says, bringing periods of unseasonably warm weather followed by sharp, cool southerly winds. There’s a higher chance rainfall will be lower than normal for many regions around the country, meaning drought conditions and a greater risk of fires than last year. Wind will be more powerful, with the outlook warning there could be periods of potentially damaging winds. Niwa said the weather pattern was likely to continue over the summer. Fire and Emergency NZ’s national wildfire manager Tim Mitchell said fire season “is going to be different. We’re going to see a see-sawing of fire risk”. “Now is the time to really prepare for the coming condition, clearing vegetation around structures, managing water supplies and forming a plan,” Mitchell said. ‘On track to be up there with some of the strongest El Ninos’ Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll said: “El Nino is finally here. We’ve been talking about it for a long time.” Projections show it could be one of “the stronger El Nino events in the last couple of decades. And that means some pretty big impacts,” he said. “[There will be a] temperature rollercoster. It could be 30C one day and then 15C the next. That’s typical for spring, but El Nino is going to elevate and enhance that level of variability,” he said. The eastern sides of both islands were likely to see above-average temperatures and the west and south of the South Island will get above-average rainfall. As Niwa’s principal scientist Chris Brandolino spoke of the low rainfall rates projected for some areas he was so taken aback by forecasts he exclaimed “holy smokes!” Throughout October, rainfall rates were likely to be at or below normal for most of the country, with the North Island and top of the South in line for the most dramatic anomaly. Moving into November, “we have to watch out”, Noll said. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research announced the start of the El Niño weather cycle in its Season Climate Outlook for October to December today. “We had that big flooding event in September - so inland Otago, around Queenstown Lakes, parts of Southland, the West Coast, Fiordland - there could be some very strong and impressive fronts that track through that region in the coming months,” he said. Brandolino said those fronts would “lose their oomph” as they moved north over the North Island: “That’s why the dryness risk is there.” However, there would be higher rainfall rates in other places, Noll said. The west of the South Island could see higher than normal rainfall. Wind strength will be greater than normal across most of the country because the difference between air pressures near New Zealand, the pressure gradient, will be higher than normal. “This will come with periods of potentially damaging winds,” Niwa’s outlook read. Noll said El Niño would “bring some really windy conditions”. More westerly winds from this pressure pattern will contribute to “prolonged dry spells” about the east and north of both islands. The risk of marine heatwaves, “like those that have occurred in recent years”, however, is low, Niwa said. Regional marine heatwaves could develop around the north and east of both islands, though. Noll and Brandolino pointed to sea surface temperature anomalies - “the engine room behind atmospheric patterns”, Noll said - where there was “a lot going on”. Measurements taken in a key region where El Nino is monitored in the equatorial Pacific Ocean in September showed temperatures had passed the threshold for a “strong” El Niño. “We’ve been watching the development of El Nino and what we’ve seen over the last month,” Noll said, “is that that key monitoring region in the central part of the Pacific known as Nino 3.4 has actually jumped over the threshold for a strong El Nino”. “[The threshold is] 1.5C and we’re actually at 1.6C above average in that area. “And that puts us on track, this year, to be right up there with some of the strongest El Ninos,” Noll said. El Niño increases the likelihood of “dramatic” temperature swings in these months, the outlook says, bringing periods of unseasonably warm weather followed by sharp, cool southerly winds. Brandolino said the high measurement readings were significant given they were from September - “this early in the El Nino arc”, he said. “Once we reach 2C above average,” Noll said, “we tend to ascribe that as ‘very strong’. That means big impacts.” Another climate pattern, the Indian Ocean Dipole, which leads to extremely dry conditions in Australia, will also be in play. “This pattern looks very similar to what happened in 2019 - and although 2019 didn’t have a fully-fledged El Nino, do you remember what happened?” The Indian Ocean Dipole threw parts of N

Questions are being raised about why Weet-Bix is no longer being supplied to The Warehouse. The Commerce Commission's looking into Sanitarium's decision after it cited a ‘shortage’ for pulling the product from the red shed’s shelves. Woolworths and Foodstuffs say they haven't had any conversations with Sanitarium about the move. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's unusual behaviour, and he would've expected adequate supply. “I don’t see that overall suddenly by not supplying The Warehouse, there’s going to be lower demand. We’re still going to sell the same Weet-Bix within the country.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis says saving taxpayers' money isn't her party's primary motivation for a plan to index benefits to inflation. She recommitted to the pledge in National's fiscal policy today, which promises less Government spending and less debt. Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan the benefit moves are a point of principal for National. “That what we owe all New Zealanders is a social safety net – that’s what benefits are there for.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National has released its fiscal plan ahead of the election. But the operating allowance is the biggest difference between it and Labour’s – with Labour having $3.5 billion to National’s $3.2 billion. National has also allowed a $9.9 billion buffer for anything extraordinary like a natural disaster. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has also said they will do a mini-budget ahead of Christmas if elected. But National’s potential coalition partner NZ First could throw a potential spanner in the works, particularly with tax cuts. Meanwhile, Labour candidate Angela Roberts has taken to social media to say she was slapped by a member of the public. The event happened at a campaign debate at her local Rotary Club at Inglewood in Taranaki. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House Republicans launched a formal impeachment hearing Thursday against President Joe Biden, promising to “provide accountability” as they probe the family finances and lucrative business dealings of his son Hunter and make their case to the public, colleagues and a skeptical Senate. The chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees used the opening hearing to review the constitutional and legal questions involved with impeachment. They are trying to show what they say are links to Biden's son Hunter’s overseas businesses, though key witnesses said they do not yet see hard evidence of impeachable offenses. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky, the Oversight chairman, said the lawmakers have “a mountain of evidence” that will show that the elder Biden “abused his public office for his family's financial gain.” Hours after the hearing wrapped, Comer issued subpoenas for additional banking records from the personal and business accounts of Hunter Biden and the president's brother, James Biden. He said the panel will continue to “follow the money and the evidence to provide accountability.” It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans, taking place just before a potential federal government shutdown, as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president, dismissal from office for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The White House pushed back with statements throughout the hearing saying nothing can distract from the Republicans’ inability to govern as the shutdown loomed. Spokesperson Sharon Yang called the hearing a “baseless stunt” and said, “President Biden will always stay focused on the priorities of the American people — not these political games.” The more than six-hour hearing came as House Republicans face scattered resistance to an impeachment inquiry from their own ranks and deep reluctance in the Senate from Republicans who worry about political ramifications and say Biden’s conviction and removal from office are unlikely. As the hearing began, Democrats displayed a screen showing the days, hours and minutes left until the government shuts down as Congress struggles to fund the government before Saturday’s deadline. “We’re 62 hours away from shutting down the government of the United States of America and Republicans are launching an impeachment drive, based on a long debunked and discredited lie,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel. Raskin questioned the legitimacy of the hearing since the House has not voted to formally launch the impeachment inquiry. He said Republicans are rehashing five-year-old allegations raised by Donald Trump, who is Biden’s chief rival in 2024, during the former president's 2019 impeachment over Ukraine. “They don’t have a shred of evidence against President Biden for an impeachable offense,” he said. The hearing Thursday did not feature witnesses with information about the Bidens or Hunter Biden's business. Instead, the panel heard from outside experts in tax law, criminal investigations and constitutional legal theory. A top Republican-called witness, Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor who is an expert in impeachment issues, said he believed the House had passed the threshold for an inquiry but the current evidence was not enough for charges. “I do not believe that the current evidence would support articles of impeachment,” Turley said. Democrats, who decry the investigation as a political ploy aimed at hurting Biden and helping Trump as he runs again for president, brought in Michael Gerhardt, a law professor who has also appeared as an expert in previous impeachment proceedings. In detailing the reasons Republicans say they have to impeach Biden, Gerhardt concluded: “If that’s what exists, as a basis for this inquiry, it is not sufficient. I say that with all respect.” Still, questions remain as Republicans dig into the Biden family finances and the overseas business dealings of Hunter Biden, who has acknowledged being a drug user during much of the time under scrutiny. The president's brother, James, was also involved in some work with Hunter. Republicans have been investigating Hunter Biden for years, since his father was vice president. And while there have been questions raised about the ethics around the family’s international business, none of the evidence so far has proven that the president, in his current or previous office, abused his role, accepted bribes or both. One former business partner of Hunter Biden has told House investigators the son was selling the “illusion of access” to his father. Turley told the lawmakers the question remains, “Was the president involved?” In the run-up to the hearing, Republicans unveiled a tranche of new documents and bank records that detail wire transfers from a Chinese businessman to Hunter Biden in 2019. Hunter Biden had listed his father’s address on the wire transfer form, which Republicans say pr

It’s do-or-die time for the All Blacks, if they want to keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive. Despite bringing out a largely full-strength team, a loss to Italy would all but spell an end to their campaign. Breakers captain Tom Abercrombie is set to make his 400th appearance for the Breakers. Last year’s NBL runners-up are set to get their campaign underway this weekend, with the 36-year-old Abercrombie leading them out against the Cairns Taipans on Saturday. Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Australian netball commentator reckons we need to change the rules and let New Zealand netballers play in teams across the ditch if they want to. The hope is to try and help the Silver Ferns keep up with international-level netball, considering how the national team is doing - losing the first match of their Taini Jamison series to England’s development team. Netball commentator Sue Gaudion joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A British Airways pilot was sacked from his job after allegedly snorting cocaine before he was due to fly a plane back to London. An air hostess raised the alarm after the pilot, Mike Beaton, texted her to brag about his night of partying. UK correspondent says the air hostess clearly felt the need to alert authorities about possible risks to the passengers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Luxon and Hipkins went head to head in their second leaders debate last night - who do you think won? Do you think debates convince any voters or are they for entertainment only? Winston Peters is gaining momentum in the polls- will National need to rely on the extra boost from NZ First? Protesters flooded Parliament grounds today to protest a bunch of Brian Tamaki affiliated issues. Police were geared up for a big event and closed loads of roads around the place and workers were told to stay home. The protest was a peaceful event - so did the police overreact? E-scooters are here to stay after Waka Kotahi gave them the green light for 5 more years- is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington protest has wrapped up peacefully. Around 2000 people marched from Civic Square to Parliament today as part of Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition demonstration. Police say 100 officers were on duty, with no reported issues. Roads around Parliament had been shut off due to the protest, with office workers warned to work from home today. Tamaki says the police and media overreacted. "I always said that it was going to be peaceful and respectful to these people in Wellington's central business district- and it was." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB's latest rural report warns New Zealand's farming community is set to keep having their resilience tested. The report says farmers are in for another challenging 12-18 months, as commodity prices drop and China's economic downturn carries risks for several Kiwi rural sectors. The Country's Jamie Mackay says New Zealand's dairy, lamb and forestry sectors have already taken a hit from China's economic decline. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The uptick in strikes across the world has generated awareness about the impact of organised labour. This week has been a big one for unions, after the Writers Guild of America reached a deal with entertainment studios to bring an end to the Hollywood writers' strike. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains why more workers are coming together to address concerns- and what that means for investors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac has hiked their mortgage rates up again, joining Kiwibank and BNZ. From tomorrow, Westpac is lifting its standard rates for its two-year and four-year mortgages to 7.59 percent and 7.19 per cent respectively, up 10 basis points. The 18-month and five-year standard home loan rates have been bumped up 14bp to 7.69 percent and 6.99 percent respectively. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says the local markets are predicting future hikes to the OCR following last week's GDP result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A parliamentary committee is investigating the Australian Government's decision to block extra Qatar Airways flights. The committee aims to compel Transport Minister Catherine King to give evidence, and chair Bridget McKenzie has threatened jail time if former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce doesn't appear. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it has emerged that Qantas lobbied hard to stop Qatar Airways from increasing their flights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.