Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital PR and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a first of its kind climate infrastructure fund in New Zealand to support 100 percent renewable electricity, including solar, wind, green hydrogen and battery storage to fuel a low emissions economy. Is this a realistic goal for New Zealand? How will this impact future power bills? ACT MP Simon Court has revealed he had been shot in a drug deal gone wrong as a teenager, pre-parliament. Court reportedly wasn't involved with the deal, but was involved with a group violently threaten by the drug sellers. What do we think of this? Wellington mayor Tory Whanau's dog, Teddy, has being evicted from the mayoral office after the landlord put his foot down. The dog has been sent to live with the mayor's family, so he's not left home alone. Should dogs in the office be a rite of passage- or should dog owners leave them at home? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economies are slowing down all over the world- with many poised to enter technical recessions. Australia's economy has stalled and unemployment rates are set to rise, leading experts to believe the region will follow New Zealand into a technical recession. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham says there are lots of ways to think about whether an economy has tipped into a recession. "Is it really a recession if there's a lot of job creation still going on? There are lots of ways to think about whether an economy's tipped into recession or not- we don't have a precise definition." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms continues to grow at a rapid pace. An updated Orme & Associates report on land-use change from pastoral farming to large-scale forestry shows the amount of land sold in 2021 soared 66 percent compared to the previous year. The Country's Jamie Mackay says sheep and beef farms being replaced by carbon farms is bad for the country in the long-term. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a climate infrastructure fund to support 100 percent renewable electricity generation. The fund is designed to provide access to greater pools of capital for New Zealand, create jobs, and accelerate green energy options, including solar, wind, and hydrogen. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says BlackRock are essentially offering the nation a broking service where all sides will get good PR. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Victorian woman who cooked up a mushroom lunch which killed three and put another in hospital says she meant no harm. The woman, a daughter-in-law of some of the victims, is being investigated. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are baffled by this case, as no-one can identify what type of mushrooms were cooked and served to the victims. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister is putting pressure on National to confirm they plan to keep the firearms registry if they enter Government. A survey conducted by Horizon Research and Gun Control NZ shows 71 percent support the registry, while 14 percent oppose it. Minister Ginny Andersen fears that ACT, who have criticised the registry, may bully National into scrapping it if they enter a coalition. "We know it's a bottom line for ACT, and so National needs to be clear as to what their position is on a gun registry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori wants to introduce a 'culture pass'- giving young people money to spend on the arts sector. The idea stems from overseas, where people who turn 18 get 200 Euros to spend on museums, theatre or concerts. Point Chev Social Enterprise Trust spokesperson Chris Casey says it could start off with $200 a year. "It's not a novel idea overseas, it's been going for years and years. It's a wonderful expression of visibility of youth, and saying to a young person- we see you." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has been quizzed on why it's not putting money into a renewable electricity scheme. It has partnered with worldwide asset management company BlackRock to launch a $2 billion infrastructure fund. It'll have a particular focus on the path to 100 percent renewable energy, such as solar, wind and green hydro. Energy Minister Megan Woods says they're acting in New Zealand's interests. "One of the jobs of Government and of ministers is to work actively to bring overseas investments to New Zealand, and that's exactly what we've been doing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor is criticising headlines about the mayor's dog. Tory Whanau has been bringing her two-year-old staffy to the City Council offices since being elected. But the landlord's put his foot down- so Teddy's being sent to live with the mayor's family, so he's not left home alone. Councillor Diane Calvert says she has sympathy for Tory, and any impacted staff. "Personally, I think this is just being an unnecessary distraction on our city. Especially when rates notices of 13 percent have just gone out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gang tensions are at a high in Palmerston North, with a man fatally shot in Highbury on Sunday. A source tells our newsroom it follows unrest between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs. Manawatu Area Police Commander Ross Grantham says he believes the situation's under control. "We have a high presence within the community, we've brought in additional staffing and we're stopping people from doing door-knocking- we have inquiries to follow up and we'll take whatever actions are required." It's understood a shooting on Saturday in Auckland's Point England is also being treated as gang-related, and one man has been arrested for a breach of electronic bail. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT MP Simon Court has revealed he was shot in a drug deal gone wrong in his pre-parliament life. Senior political correspondent Barry Soper says, aged 17, Court went camping with friends - who got some marijuana. Court reportedly wasn't involved with the deal, but that evening, the group were violently threatened by the drug sellers. Soper says Court was seriously injured. "The gunman, in fact, shot him in the foot. The foot apparently needed reconstructive surgery, he was in hospital for six weeks." Speaking exclusively to Newstalk ZB, Court says he was left stranded. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A moment of madness has marred England's World Cup round of 16 penalty shootout win over Nigeria in Brisbane. Lauren James was red-carded in the 87th minute for stomping on a Nigerian player. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A small percentage of Aucklanders have been caught using phones while driving. A six month Waka Kotahi safety camera trial across the city picked up 2.4 percent of drivers holding cell phones. There were 242,000 potential offences, including not wearing seatbelts. Fines won't be issued as police weren't involved. Road safety campaigner Greg Murphy says that was with only three cameras, picking up activity at a given moment. "So what's to say that someone that drove past that camera- 2 seconds later, picked up their phone? That person's never going to be registered by them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first wave of asylum seekers will be moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge to await the outcome of their applications. Under the controversial scheme, beset by delays, up to 500 men aged 18-65 will be housed on the barge to await decisions on their visa. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the barge will be docked off the Dorset coast, and the residents will be able to step off their accommodation. LISTEN ABOVESee 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! Labour have announced plans for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing, with two three-lane tunnels for vehicles and a separate Light Rail tunnel. Is this plan credible coming from Labour? The Green Party have pitched a a New Zealand Dental Service offering free basic and specialist care to be paid for by a wealth tax. Is this a pipe dream? Tobacco companies are financially supporting the Save Our Stores campaign, which includes a petition to "save" dairies from smokefree initiatives. What do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meat exporters have been watching the global spat between the US and China, and some worry New Zealand may be caught in the crossfire. New Zealand's leading trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis has warned the golden weather for trade policy is over and the region has to be careful going forward. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says tensions are high between the US and China and New Zealand won't want to get drawn into either security camp. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three gunmen are on the run following separate shootings in the past week. Police are hunting 24-year-old Dariush Talagi, after two people were shot on Queen Street in Central Auckland on Thursday night. Auckland police have also launched a homicide investigation, after a man was shot at Taurima Reserve in Point England on Saturday. Another person later showed up at Middlemore Hospital with a gunshot wound, and police are looking at whether the cases are linked. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the uptick in shootings is unbelievable, and more Kiwis have good reason to be worried. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

West Auckland social services charity the Waipareira Trust and chief executive John Tamihere have reached their deadline to settle an outstanding loan. $385,307 was taken from the Trust to pay for John Tamihere's mayoral campaign and Te Pāti Māori's general election campaign- in breach of the law. NZ Herald reporter Matt Nippert says this investigation has been ongoing since the end of 2019- and Tamihere is running out of options. "It's got the nuclear option- deregistration. Which effectively strips an entity of its charitable status and it has to pay tax again. They also get levied a tax across their net assets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is denying there's a fiscal hole in the Government's books. Treasury is expected to open their accounts ahead of the election, giving an accurate picture of the Crown's finances. Grant Robertson says the Government's debt levels had been published in the budget- and they're not $20 billion in the hole. "We have ongoing conversations, but nothing has been firmed up at all, and that's the nature of this. The economy is in better shape than it was, say, a year ago." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love the Auckland harbour transport plan, don’t you? Who doesn’t want to get across the harbour more easily and doesn’t want some more roads for cars? But surely no one believes Labour’s going to do this. Not only because they can’t deliver jack- do I need to mention KiwiBuild or Light Rail or Let’s Get Wellington Moving- but mainly because no one rational believes Labour actually wants to build expensive roads for cars. Come on. Labour's spent the last six years cancelling roads and trying to convince New Zealand to build a bike-only bridge across the harbour and trying to convince us to get out of our cars. Does anyone actually believe that they’ve suddenly changed their minds and they're all in on roads for cars? Not a chance. So what’s going on here? This is straight out populist politics. They're just announcing what they think we want to hear. Their heart is not in it. Their heart is in trains and bikes and cycleways. Which means it’s not worth the paper it’s written on. And you’re a sucker if you fall for this. Because they pulled this trick once already. January 2020- before most of us had even heard of Covid- Labour was on track to lose the election later that year. They wheeled Grant Robertson out to announce the big New Zealand upgrade programme in which he announced a whole bunch of roads we desperately need. But then they won the election. And what happened? By July of the next year, two of the big projects were cancelled, two more have been slow walked so we don’t actually know if they’re going ahead of or not, and only one was started. One out of five. These guys are like the online Nigerian princes of transport projects. They asked you for money in 2020 to unlock your inheritance, you sent it and didn’t get your inheritance, and now they’ve come back three years later promising that this time you will get your inheritance. Good luck if you think voting for them will unlock that tunnel for cars under the Harbour Bridge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Revelations the Government didn't follow advice to shut down a South Auckland youth justice residence, Korowai Manaaki. Former police commissioner Mike Bush's probe last year claims it was a 'near-miracle' no-one's been killed or seriously hurt. Stuff reports it also mentions the 'under-qualified' workforce can't deal with the teens there. A roof stand-off with youngsters in June was ended with KFC handouts. Youth worker Aaron Hendry says their needs should be prioritised. "The Government has a parental responsibility over the children they take into their care, and it needs to ensure that it is providing the right and adequate support to look after those young people. And time and time again, that is just not happening." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's choice for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing is being called 'comical'. It includes two three-lane tunnels for vehicles and a 21 kilometre light rail tunnel between Albany and the CBD. It'll take decades to finish and cost tens of billions of dollars. Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie disapproves of the high cost and projected emissions, and says there are better uses for $40 billion. "Proper public transport to the Northwest, out East, to the airport and Botany, round Upper Harbour- there are plenty of places where we could spend $40 billion to vastly improve transport all around Auckland." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are no bolters in the All Blacks squad heading to the Rugby World Cup starting in France next month. Selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named the 33-strong All Blacks squad in Napier this afternoon, in front of almost 2000 locals. The squad features 18 forwards and 15 backs, with three hookers, six props, four locks, five loose forwards, three halfbacks, three first five-eighths, four midfielders and five outside backs. ZB rugby editor Elliot Smith says the squad's newest pick, Cam Roigard, was an obvious choice, as he had made a strong debut. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia, three people are dead and a fourth is in a critical condition after eating a meal containing toxic wild mushrooms. Victorian Police have questioned and released one person without charge. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says it's a small community in Leongatha, South Gippsland. "This is an awful set of circumstances. Could you just think- having that family gathering and having a meal with some friends, you'd be going home at the end of the day. What was in these mushrooms, where did they get these mushrooms?" LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Foster is set to unveil the 33 players to contest the William Webb Ellis Cup come November. There's speculation that some unconventional picks could be made, with Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Emoni Narawa, and Shaun Stevenson in ply for the outside backs. Sportstalk host Jason Pine shares his predictions here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A campaign to save local businesses from the Smokefree 2025 Act may not be the work of concerned dairy owners. A new report shows tobacco companies are supporting a campaign called Save Our Stores, which includes a petition to "save" dairies from smokefree initiatives. Health Coalition Aotearoa Smokefree panel expert Andrew Waa isn't surprised the tobacco industry is behind this initiative, but he's concerned for the dairy owners themselves. "I'd be concerned about the dairy owners, a lot of them who don't want to sell this stuff are being misrepresented. I'm pretty sure the dairies near where I live don't want to sell this stuff. So I think they're being exploited." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are rising over whether Alberta's withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games is another nail in the coffin for the multi-sport event. Rising costs have seen the Canadian province cancel its support for a bid to host the games in 2030. This comes weeks after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Games. Global News Journalist Kareem Gouda told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it always comes down to dollars and cents. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop singer Lizzo has broken her silence over allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Three former back up dancers have accused her of weight shaming and sexual harassment. The Grammy winner says the claims are false and unbelievable and the dancers who are making the allegations have their noses out of joint after being told off for poor behaviour. LA Entertainment Correspondent Sean Mandell told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it’s too early to say that this is the end of her career, or that she’s been cancelled. He said that if the allegations were proven to be true, it would significantly damage her image and ability to continue her career with the body positive identity she has cultivated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers were trudging around a little deeper in the mud today after a fall in Fonterra's expected payout to dairy farmers. Fonterra has drastically cut its forecast Farmgate Milk Price, with the midpoint falling from eight-dollars-per-kilogram of milk solids to just seven-dollars. It's blaming reduced demand for whole milk powder from China. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it’s a challenging time for farmers. He says they've got high interest rates, high input costs, and now a milk price well below the breakeven price. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for more police in Auckland's CBD after another shooting. Police were called to reports of fighting between two groups on Lower Queen Street around 11.30 last night. One person fired up to four shots, leaving two people critically injured. Police are now hunting for the offenders. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck told Heather du Plessis Allan that they'd like a police station back in the central city. She says they want to send the message that there's no tolerance for violence and crime, and having police presence would give people the comfort they're looking for. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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