Matt Heath & Tyler Adams Afternoons

This week on The Highlight Reel Si and James find out the reasons the banking market survey is overdue. The pair ask why our schools aren't turning out work ready young people. The guys disagree over the All Whites walking off the field in a protest. And what does James' daughter Stacey Morrison think is the best thing about her Dad? Join Newstalk ZB’s Simon Barnett and James Daniels for The Highlight Reel. This new, catch-up podcast gives you the best of each and every week of Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons. It has everything from the issues, to the chats, and the laughs. The Highlight Reel with Simon Barnett and James Daniels, every Saturday powered by Newstalk ZB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Morrison is an incredibly successful radio and TV broadcaster whose projects have spanned more than 30 years. She currently co-hosts the breakfast show on Flava, as well as having a myriad of other projects on the go. Stacey is a passionate and well known advocate and educator of Te Reo Māori and has co-written several Māori language books for learners She is also a māmā to three tamariki who have been brought up with te reo Māori as their mother tongue, and is of course the daughter of our mate James. Stacey was Simon Barnett and Daddy James Daniels' guest for this weeks Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is officially in liquidation, after creditors wouldn't agree to let other ski operators take over operations on the mountain. The company appeared at the High Court in Auckland a short time ago. Whakapapa Holdings Chief Executive Dave Mazey is still hopeful his equity partners can stitch up a deal post-liquidation. He spoke with Simon Barnett and James Daniels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he joined the show to answer a question from a Mum going into bat for her son, among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A high-powered microscope will be trained on New Zealand's banks. The Government has just confirmed a Commerce Commission probe into banking sector competition. Top of mind will be understanding competition issues and barriers new market competitors face, as well as looking into consumers' ability to switch banks. The Commission will also investigate banks’ profitability and other financial measures. A preliminary issues paper will be released in August, but the study isn't due back until the same time next year. Simplicity Managing Director and founder of KiwiSaver provider Simplicity Sam Stubbs told Stuff the enquiry is four years too late, but it's good it has finally arrived. Stubbs joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to discuss the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Highlight Reel Si and James talks Kāinga Ora evictions and hear one woman’s nightmare of living next to some housing agency tenants. The pair also give their thoughts on the gang troubles in Ōpōtiki. Plus the guys get up in arms over the vast differences in petrol prices from one station to another. And why don’t men say “I love you” to each other? Join Newstalk ZB’s Simon Barnett and James Daniels for The Highlight Reel. This new, catch-up podcast gives you the best of each and every week of Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons. It has everything from the issues, to the chats, and the laughs. The Highlight Reel with Simon Barnett and James Daniels, every Saturday powered by Newstalk ZB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Hoggard has been one of the most prominent voices within rural New Zealand in recent years. He’s been farming for almost 30 years and has been actively involved in Federated Farmers since 2005 before becoming in 2020 and leading the organisation through some very challenging years. He recently made the surprising decision to step down to throw his hat into the political ring, standing for ACT in the Rangitikei seat. Andrew Hoggard was Simon Barnett and James Daniels' guest for this weeks Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petrol prices across Auckland are varying drastically, with a 61 cent per litre difference between the cheapest and the priciest. With the fuel tax subsidy finishing at the end of June, the cost of filling up is set to rise for everyone. But why is there such a major disparity in Tāmaki Makaurau? Jimmy Ormsby is CEO of Waitomo Group and he joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels on the show. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katelyn Park has previously spoken to the NZ Herald about her concerns over what she describes as years living next to Kāinga Ora “neighbours from hell”. She called in to Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons frustrated at the lack of action from Kāinga Ora, saying she has had enough. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brewing gang tensions in Ōpōtiki have shut down the Bay of Plenty town's public services, and put locals on edge. There's been an influx of members, since the death of a Mongrel Mob president on Friday. Schools and the public library have closed out of safety fears - and bus services have been impacted. Police are investigating two house fires. National's Acting Police Spokesperson, Paul Goldsmith is asking if citizens are supported by police - or are gangs in charge. He says ultimately the Government has to take some responsibility for the lawlessness under its watch. Ōpōtiki District Councillor Barry Howe joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to discuss the gang presence in the area. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Highlight Reel Simon and James talk whether controversial influencer Andrew Tate’s material should be banned in schools. Plus the pair discuss the political scandal of the week, Michael Wood and the Auckland Airport shares. James gets very annoyed by Aviation Security and Simon gets riled up over the LIV/PGA golf merger. And who’s stealing shopping trolleys? Join Newstalk ZB’s Simon Barnett and James Daniels for The Highlight Reel. This new, catch-up podcast gives you the best of each and every week of Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons. It has everything from the issues, to the chats, and the laughs. The Highlight Reel with Simon Barnett and James Daniels, every Saturday powered by Newstalk ZB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper is no stranger to the Newstalk ZB audience. Until the end of last year he was our long serving Political Editor. On his retirement from the Parliamentary Political Gallery he took up the role of Newstalk ZB Senior Poliical Correspondent. He was born in Gore and after finishing high school he attended the Police College at Trentham for six months before he withdrew and returned to Gore, to work for The Southland Times. 44 years later at last week's NZ Radio Awards he was honoured with the award for Outstanding Contribution To Radio. Barry Soper joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels for this week's Six & A Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he joined the show to answer questions about asking for a payrise, the training wage and a workplace restructure, among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Highlight Reel Simon and James talk and take calls on the government’s latest moves to combat the rise in retail crime and ram raids. The boys also chat Air NZ’s request for the passengers to jump on the scales. We find out that car door dings are one of Simon’s biggest pet peeves, and find out why some of the team was feeling a little dusty on Friday afternoon. Join Newstalk ZB’s Simon Barnett and James Daniels for The Highlight Reel. This new, catch-up podcast gives you the best of each and every week of Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons. It has everything from the issues, to the chats, and the laughs. The Highlight Reel with Simon Barnett and James Daniels, every Saturday powered by Newstalk ZB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last eight years, Dave Letele has helped thousands of people lose weight and get fit through his Brown Buttabean motivation programme The programme was spun out of Dave's own journey in which he lost over 100 kilograms, became a boxer, and turned his life around after a tough life as the son of a Mongrel Mob ex-president and a youth spent in poverty. In addition to running free fitness programmes, his organisation runs education on how to cook healthy food on a budget, youth and employment programmes, and a food-share scheme. Dave Letele joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels for Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antidepressant medications dispensed to children and teenagers increased 53 per cent in the past five years, according to a report on the state of New Zealand’s public mental health sector published today. Antipsychotic medications have also increased sharply. The stark increase in prescribing is one of several issues identified by the watchdog in its latest assessment of the sector, which also includes a doubling of staff vacancies, a sudden fall in the number of people accessing government-funded telehealth services and websites, and fewer people accessing the specialist services that treat people with the most severe conditions. Youth Health Advocate Dame Sue Bagshaw joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graham Bell has achieved a reputation for straight talking and backing words with action as host of Police Ten 7 for 12 years. Prior to that he spent over 33 years in the NZ Police, most of it involved in investigating serious crime, and is one of New Zealand's most experienced and successful detectives. In 2001 Graham was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in the Birthday Honours List and was named as one of 15 New Zealanders who had 'made a difference' in North and South Magazine's New Zealander of the Year issue. Graham Bell joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels for this week's Six And A Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has today raised the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points - taking it to 5.5 per cent. RBNZ still sees 5.5 per cent as the peak for OCR and anticipates cuts from the third quarter of 2024. The Kiwi dollar dropped by half a cent against the US dollar following the announcement. NZ Herald Business Editor-at-Large, Liam Dann, joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons for to give his reaction to the announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he joined the show to answer questions about long service leave and casual employment contracts,among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concern increasing the trust tax rate will sting everyday New Zealanders. The rate will jump from 33 to 39 percent to align with the top personal tax rate from April - to clamp down on people dodging taxes through trusts. But Deloitte tax partner Robyn Walker says there's around 400-thousand trusts in New Zealand. She says there may be many New Zealanders with a marginal tax rate well below 39 percent, with assets held in trusts, now facing a higher rate. Revenue Minister David Parker says the top five percent of trusts with some taxable income in 2021 accounted for 78 percent of all trustee income. Robyn Walker joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels on the show. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has just unveiled the 'no-frills' 2023 Budget- Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls and Infometrics Economist Brad Olsen joined the show to discuss the highlights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Wallis is New Zealand's leading Neuroscience Educator, focusing on child development and how the brain works. Nathan explores how the brain works and how neuroscience can better inform our day to day interactions with children and young people. He joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels every second Tuesday – taking your calls and questions on everything to do with child behaviour, development, how to get through to teenagers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The transport watchdog wants regulation of all recreational boats and skippers in the wake of its probe into a fatal boat capsizing. In October 2021, the boat capsized on Auckland's Manukau Harbour bar, killing three of the four people on board. The report recommends the Ministry of Transport consider compulsory licensing and education of skippers. Chief Commissioner Jane Meares says that could look similar to the car licensing process. CEO of Water Safety NZ Daniel Gerrard joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob Campbell has been in the headlines a lot this year after his very public removal as chair of Te Whatu Ora. He has been described as a 'colossus of corporate New Zealand', but it was as a committed trade unionist that he first came to public prominence, frequently incurring the wrath of then Prime Minister Rob Muldoon. In the late 1980s, Rob Campbell resigned from his union roles and took on business directorships & consultancies; with virtually every company he has chaired seeing substantial growth in performance, shareholder returns and employee engagement levels. He holds a Masters in Economics, was named as Chairperson of the Year in the Deloitte Top 200 awards, and in 2019 was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business. Rob Campbell joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels for this week's Six And A Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he joined the show to answer questions about changing employment agreements, restraints of trade and on-call rates - among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Professional Boxer Mea Motu's name has grabbed the headlines in recent weeks as she prepared to claim the IBO super bantamweight world title on the Fight For Life card. She's won amateur bouts, professional bouts and more New Zealand titles then any other female boxer. It was a great pleasure to welcome World Champion Mea Motu onto the show for this week's Six And A Song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Wallis is New Zealand's leading Neuroscience Educator, focusing on child development and how the brain works. Nathan explores how the brain works and how neuroscience can better inform our day to day interactions with children and young people. He joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels every second Tuesday – taking your calls and questions on everything to do with child behaviour, development, how to get through to teenagers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we are heading into the winter flu season it was timely to invite Dr Anthony Jordan, the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre’s clinical director to join us on the show again. Dr Jordan is one of our leading immunologists and he joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners questions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People have just a few more days to get help from census collectors - before final notices are sent out. It applies to all areas except the Far North, Te Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay where the collection period was extended to June 1 because of Cyclone Gabrielle. Census collectors will be in the community until Wednesday. They'll also be at the Warriors game at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland this weekend where if you do your census at the game you'll get a ticket to the match and $25 food and beverage voucher to spend at the game. If you’ve done the census and bring a friend to do it you'll both get tickets to the game. People who take part will also go in the draw to win a trip for four to Australia to watch the Eels vs. Warriors game on July 8, 2023. From May 9, people who still haven't completed their forms will receive a final notice and risk being fined two-thousand-dollars if they don't complete the census. Stats NZ says 8.5 of 10 people have completed their forms. Census Deputy Census Chief Executive Simon Mason joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels on the show to discuss the tactic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcasting and Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson has had a colourful career in and outside of politics. Aged 21, Willie Jackson became the youngest ever freezing works union president. He was a union organiser, and a club bouncer in South Auckland, before becoming a record label executive and a band manager of Moana and the Moa Hunters, he was also a successful broadcaster, covering everything from politics to sports, along with a stint as a talkback host. As a politician, he was first elected to Parliament in 1999 with the Alliance. He returned to Parliament in 2017 with Labour, holding portfolios in employment, Maori development and now broadcasting. He was Simon Barnett and James Daniels' guest for this weeks Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wealthiest New Zealanders pay tax at half the rate of ordinary people, an IRD report has found. An IRD study into the tax rate paid by a sample of 311 New Zealanders found they paid a median effective tax rate of 9.4 per cent. Treasury reckons a comparable tax rate for a “middle wealth” Kiwi was 20.2 per cent - that rate includes GST they pay and any benefits someone might receive like Working for Families. If you leave those out, their tax rate is even higher. The median wealth of the families was $106 million - but a handful of extremely wealthy people meant the mean wealth of those families was $276m. Revenue Minister David Parker said the report showed “tradies, nurses, school teachers, hospitality workers, hairdressers, cleaners, engineers and small business owners all pay much higher effective tax rates than their wealthier fellow Kiwis. “We tax those who earn all their income from salaries at a much higher rate than the very wealthy,” he said. The culprit in all of this is capital gains, which are largely untaxed in New Zealand. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Simon Barnett and James Daniels there hasn't been an announcement on whether the Government will do about it. "We have an election right around the corner, so we wait with baited breath to see if they have anything up their sleeve." Walls says with an outright majority in he 2020 election, Labour could have easily passed a capital gains tax at any stage. "I think it's a bit disingenuous of the Government to have this report right at the end of the tenure, where they have an outright majority and say they're going to be putting it to the electorate and we're going to campaign on this one."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims have come more needs to be done against those convicted of coward punches. New Zealand First Leader, Winston Peters is renewing calls for a one-punch law. It comes after Regan Robson-Khan was sentenced to nine months of home detention after he assaulted Wynton King outside a Christchurch bar last October. King will never be able to drive, work or play rugby again. Peters told Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings judges are hamstrung by New Zealand laws He says there are some occasions where they aren't reading the room. Wynton's sister Amber told Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings they were shocked when the sentence was handed down. She says as a family and as a nation, we've all been let down by the justice system. Newstalk ZB caller Sally, who's son has been assaulted, says the punishments are too low. She says the person who punched her son originally was sentenced to five years in prison but it ended up being reduced to two. National's Penny Simmonds told Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings this is proof the Government is too soft on crime. She says people are suffering from the lack of punishments. Labour's Tracey McLellan says it could be time to re-start conversations about a new piece of legalisation. Former Northland MP Matt King joined Tyler Adams on Newstalk ZB to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stay-at-home Kiwi mum has gone viral on TikTok for sharing the true cost of going back to work after having children. Anna Catley, 31, from Napier, shares a 2-year-old son and 10-month-old twin daughters with her husband, 30, who works full-time. Catley worked as a sales and marketing manager for Cherri Global, which grows and exports cherries, before going on maternity leave. After her twins were born, she considered going back to work – but was shocked when she calculated what it would cost to put her three children in daycare. She’d need to earn $35 an hour over a 37.5-hour week, and pay for 40 hours of childcare, costing $26.70 an hour, leaving her with just $170 a week in hand. But she says that while the cost is shocking, it’s a struggle that countless mums will relate to. “It’s a real barrier to returning to work,” she tells the Herald. “It makes you think twice about ‘is it really worth it?’ Not only due to the cost, but also then having to juggle childcare drop-offs, pick-ups, manage meals and housework, all with the limited time you’d then have if you were working full-time as well.” At the time of writing, her TikTok video has had more than 70,000 views, 3500 likes and 266 comments, as countless other Kiwi mums chimed in to share their experiences. “Finally someone says it,” one commented. “I 100 per cent feel ya on this! Not to mention the amount of time your kids spend sick at home with bugs they caught in care,” another wrote. “I feel this! Plus add in all the sickness too. No thanks, I’ll stay at home and look after my babies and make memories with them while I can,” another mum shared. Catley notes that, in New Zealand, paid parental leave ends after six months, and childcare is not subsidised until a child turns 3. “So there’s a big gap there of two and a half years where families are having to fork out a lot of their earnings on childcare. “Spending $26.70 an hour on childcare is more than the living wage.” It’s no secret that the rising cost of living and inflation increases have made life even more difficult for parents, whether they’re working or not. “I think there will be a lot of mums out there who didn’t plan on going back to work, or who wanted to have a longer time off work, but have been forced back into work because costs are so high and it’s harder to make ends meet these days,” Catley points out. She says it’s unlikely she’ll go back to work until her kids are old enough to go to school – unless she can find a “mum-friendly” job. “After doing the maths and seeing the ridiculousness of how much I’d work and how little money I’d have left over at the end of the week after paying for childcare, I’ve realised that I need to think outside the box to come up with a way of getting income outside of the usual 8am-5pm working in an office situation,” she says. Since Covid, many businesses have realised that employees can still work effectively from home. Ideally, Catley would be able to use her marketing skills to take on a few clients from home. “As mothers, we are naturally great at time management, project management, juggling many things at once, and working to deadlines because we have to be,” she notes. “I still have so much to offer an employer, but like everyone I need something that works for my whole family.” - Bethany Reitsma, NZ Herald For more parenting news and advice, listen to One Day You’ll Thank Me, the Herald’s parenting podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday’s 50 point lift in the Official Cash Rate means far more pain for New Zealand families, National’s Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says. “Mortgage-holders up and down the country were holding their breath and hoping for some relief. Instead, they’ve been given another punch in the guts. Nicola Willis joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels on the showw. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has today lifted the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points to 5.25 per cent. The 11th successive hike, it takes the rate to its highest level since December 2008. The bank says inflation is still too high and persistent, and employment is beyond its maximum sustainable level. The recent severe weather events in the North Island have led to higher prices for some goods and services, the RBNZ said. The New Zealand dollar rallied sharply on the higher-than-expected hike. In the minutes following the release, the kiwi was trading at US63.6c, up about half a US cent from US63.08 before the release. Infometrics Principal Economist, Brad Olsen, joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to break down the announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll have heard this name a bit of late: Kai Kara-France is one of New Zealand’s most successful sports stars on the MMA world stage. He started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 10, and started training in mixed martial arts as a whole in high school. In November 2010, Kara-France began his professional MMA career with a first-round TKO win over Ray Kaitiana. Now there’s a brilliant doco-series on TVNZ+ called Caged: Kai Kara-France. He’s scheduled to face Amir Albazi on June 3 at UFC Fight Night 226. It’s a great pleasure to welcome Kai Kara France to this week’s Six And A Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction on a second Waitematā harbour crossing will begin in 2029, the Government announced this morning as it unveiled five options: tunnels, bridges or a combination of both. The Government also confirmed that for the first time, there will be a regular walking and cycling connection across the harbour. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told media at the announcement this morning that “the second harbour crossing has just become real” And he says the massive infrastructure mission would “become the backbone of a modern, integrated transport system that can compare with the best city transport networks anywhere in the world”. Transport Minister Michael Wood announced how the new crossing will plug into the Government’s light rail line, which is also in train. “Aucklanders and businesses have made it clear that the biggest barriers to the success of Auckland is persistent congestion and after years of inaction by the previous government we are on track to fix it,” Wood said. John Reeves from the Public Transport Users' Association and Professor John Tookey, professor of Construction Management at AUT, joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to discuss the five proposed options. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he joined the show to answer questions about redundancy, misconduct and disclosing criminal convictions, among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geoff Ross is a proud and passionate kiwi. He was born and raised on a Dairy and Deer Farm south of Auckland. He attended Lincoln University where he graduated with a B Com (Agricultural). He’s a serial entrepreneur, best known for founding the globally successful vodka brand 42 Below with his wife Justine. But Geoff Ross was always going to be a farmer – he just got there via a long and winding road. His is an inspirational story, so it was a great pleasure to have Geoff Ross as this week’s guest on Six & A Song. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Wallis is New Zealand's leading Neuroscience Educator, focusing on child development and how the brain works. Nathan explores how the brain works and how neuroscience can better inform our day to day interactions with children and young people. He joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels fortnightly taking your calls and questions on everything to do with child behaviour, development, how to get through to teenagers LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Directly off the back of Stuart Nash's demotion, Jason Walls joined Simon and James to take a look at everything that has gone down.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a very successful international career in banking, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell had a challenging entry to politics after bullying claims arose just a week after his maiden speech in Parliament. The dust has well and truly settled now as he prepares to hold the seat in this year’s election. So who is he and why did he want to get into politics? A great pleasure to welcome Sam Uffindell on for Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuart Nash has given up his police portfolio after the backlash over his revelation he'd once phoned the Police Commissioner over a court decision. Nash made the admission on Newstalk ZB this morning, saying he'd asked the Commissioner if a particular court judgment would be appealed. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says contacting the Police Commissioner was inappropriate, as was Nash's defence of his actions today. He says it's important to safeguard the independence of the police, and the courts, and not criticise individual decisions. Political Editor, Jason Walls told Simon Barnett and James Daniels Hipkins made it clear that if Nash hadn't resigned, he would've been sacked. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer all listeners' employment related questions. Today, he joined the show to answer questions about a physical assault at work, bullying, and asking an employee about their health, among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quiet evening on the deck shooting the breeze and listening to music ended with a midnight dash for medical help and fears for the safety of children in a remote Central Otago village. Steve Easton and his mate Mike Mitchell, both of Oamaru, were on the deck of Easton’s St Bathans holiday cottage on Tuesday night when they heard a noise in the garden. Looking down, they saw a sow with six piglets. Easton went to chase them off and close the gate. What he did not see was the boar with them. He chased the little family across the road and was about 30m from his cottage when he heard a noise in the gravel nearby. The boar was flying at him and hit him head on. Steve Easton told his story to Simon Barnett & James Daniels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matty McLean is a familiar friendly face on New Zealand television screens and has virtually grown up on camera. Earlier this month he was revealed as the winner of Treasure Island Fans vs Faves. Matty McLean joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels for Six And A Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Operator of Innovative Education Consultants and former rugby player, Alwyn Poole, has penned an opinion-piece in the NZ Herald making the case for an age limit of 17 to be put in place for First XV rugby. Poole joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to explain the rationale behind his piece. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 'miracle' weight loss drug called Ozempic has set TikTok on fire with celebrities including Jeremy Clarkson & Kim Kardashian taking it. It is given as an injection straight into the stomach, thigh or upper arm. It suppresses hunger by mimicking an appetite-regulating hormone, leaving users feeling fuller for longer. But obesitry experts warn it is not a magic bullet and may trigger unpleasant side effects, from nausea and diarrhoea to pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. Simon Barnett and James Daniels spoke with Bariatric Surgeon Richard Babor about the drug and it's place in the weight loss puzzle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Wallis is New Zealand's leading Neuroscience Educator, focusing on child development and how the brain works. Nathan explores how the brain works and how neuroscience can better inform our day to day interactions with children and young people. He joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels every second Tuesday – taking your calls and questions on everything to do with child behaviour, development, how to get through to teenagers LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outrage after the police watchdog declared Police weren't in the wrong when they didn't respond to a 111 call over Mongrel Mob members at Christchurch Hospital. Anne-Maree Thomas was in hospital for her 15-year-old's cancer treatment when she called Police four times over gang members threatening staff and guarding hospital entrances. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has written to Thomas saying Police didn't respond because no offences were committed -- and there weren't any officers available to attend. Anne-Maree Thomas joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels on the show. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.