Matt Heath & Tyler Adams Afternoons

Gareth Abdinor is an employment lawyer and partner with Malley & Co solicitors. We have him on regularly to answering your employment related questions. His employment law knowledge is second to none, and always a great insight into the variety of issues we all come across in our jobs. Questions today included posting personal views on social media if they could backfire on your employer, and being forced to take annual leave over sick leave. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assurances an election campaign promise to tackle high merchant service fees has been in the works for some time.Labour is pledging to regulate fees banks charge businesses for contactless payments like payWave.Small business spokesperson Stuart Nash says a discussion document was being prepared before COVID-19 hit - but the pandemic put the kibosh on the ability to consult New Zealanders.He told Newstalk ZB's Simon and Phil how much Kiwis could save.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks ten years since the magnitude 7.1 earthquake first struck the region. Simon was in the region on that day, and the devastating February earthquake 5 months later. He looked back on that incredibly tough time in Christchurch's history. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best-selling author Tom Scott joins Si and Phil for this weeks Six and a Song and to talk about his new book on legendary New Zealand soldier Charles Upham 'Chasing Charlie'LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you don't mention this epic radio phone call on Father's Day, are you even celebrating Father's Day?The infamous phone call happened more than 10 years ago but it still does the rounds on social media every year around this time.The clip is originally from "Reverse Trial" show, when host Gareth Lischner tried for nearly two minutes to get caller Solly to say the question which was, in fact, the answer: "What day is Father's Day?"Now a radio manager with NZME, Gareth told Simon and Phil it's still surreal how viral the clip went, and he still gets a bit of stick when it does the rounds every Father's Day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sought-after houseplant has sold on Trade Me for a whopping $6700, making it the second most expensive indoor plant to be sold on the site.The philodendron erubescens plant was listed for just $1 reserve, but the seller found themselves thousands of dollars richer after two would-be buyers went head to head in a last-minute bidding war.Also known as "white princess", the plant was described by the seller as "super rare". The auction closed last night with a total of 235 bids."The most expensive houseplant ever sold on Trade Me was a variegated minima which sold for $8150 last month, beating the previous record-holder by $1650," said Trade Me spokeswoman Ruby Topzand."The record was previously held by a reverse variegated hoya that sold for $6500 in August."The third most expensive houseplant purchased onsite was a variegated monstera which sold for $4930 in January."Since 2015, indoor plant sales have grown by 2543 per cent onsite as more and more Kiwis look to bring greenery into their homes," Topzand said."Even in the last year alone, we've seen a 213 per cent jump in the number of indoor plants sold onsite."Hoyas are the most popular houseplants onsite right now, seeing over 65,000 searches in the past week. The next most popular houseplants are monsteras, succulents, and snake plants."Stunned plant enthusiasts have shared news of the sale on indoor plant Facebook pages."One hundred per cent would buy that if I had a spare $7k. Without a bat of an eyelid even," said one commenter.Others said the plant prices were "crazy" and that it was "stupid money".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the original therapists matching contestants on Married at First Sight Australia has quit, saying that the role of experts has become less important as the show grew in popularity. Dr Trisha Stratford joined the Australian version of the hit reality show when it launched in 2015, but today confirmed her departure from the show, writing in an official statement that she was'taking a step back from the series to focus on her writing, research and neuropsychotherapy'. However, in an exclusive interview with Newstalk ZB’s Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford, Dr Stratford says that she has a number of concerns about the direction the show is going in.The show has pegged itself as a social experiment. The premise sees single people matched together by a team of experts, who then meet each other for the first time at the altar. The new couples take part in a commitment ceremony, and then see how long they last in their new guise as a couple.Dr Stratford says that she still believes in the social experiment, but that the show, which is a ratings juggernaut in Australia, has taken a different path to what she signed up for.“It became really clear to me over the last two seasons, but particularly the last season, that the type of people applying for the show were just becoming more and more outrageous.“And it became very difficult to match people who were on the show for the wrong reasons.”She says another concern was that the role of the experts in matching has become less important as the series has grown in popularity. Stratford says that her and her fellow experts had a big role in the bigger, but that their role has become “less and less” as the show progressed.“I’m in my integrity and it’s just not working for me anymore. I don’t feel I have enough involvement in the matching, cause it kind of moved from matching to casting.“I understand the network and the production company need to make a show that’s going to rate. There has to be a happy medium in there, and for me, it just swung too much the other way.”Stratford says as the show became more outrageous, it attracted more outrageous people, and those type of peoples don’t cope well in situations like MAFS.“Once the participants start doing really ridiculous things, everyone tries to up them, and it just gets out of control. And it damages them.”She is also concerned that people applying are more focused on becoming influencers or stars then actually taking part in the show.Stratford says that the network is aware of this issue around a lack of authentic contestants. Her hope is that they focus more on finding those genuine contestants, and that they put the mental health of contestants at the forefront of production.A sex expert has been announced to replace Stratford on the show, but she does not know herself what sort of role that new expert will have.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toby Skilton has developed a new app, Mutu, which he says in the current climate is a simple and cost-effective way to connect and acquire items you need.Mutu is short for the Latin word Mutuari, meaning 'to lend or to borrow'.He told Simon and Phil the app will operate similarly to online auction site Trade Me, but instead of buying secondhand items, such as outdoor equipment, clothing or tools, people pay a fee to hire them from others.Toby says Mutu will launch early September, and they've already had a huge amount of people expressing interest on their website. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyber hackers might be holding New Zealand's stock exchange hostage.NZX has had to halt trading for the third day in a row after its website crashed because of offshore cyber attacks.A tech commentator predicts someone's holding it to ransom - by denying access to the website.Paul Brislen told Phil Gifford and Simon Barnett this is a common sort of attack worldwide.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you talk big names in New Zealand motorsport racing there is none bigger than Hayden Paddon, the only Kiwi to win a World Rally Championship event. His career has brought him global acclaim in a sport that’s viewed by more than 800 million people each year. Competing in his first motorsport rally race in 2002 at the young age of 15, he quickly climbed the ranks and won the New Zealand Rally Championship in 2008 at age 21 becoming the event’s youngest champion. He went on to win the Production World Rally Championship, a feeder into the WRC, before hitting the very top tier of the sport competing in the WRC at the age of 26. A great pleasure to have Hayden Paddon on for this weeks Six and a Song.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant has been sentenced to life imprisonment - with no possibility of parole.It means he will never be free.The 29-year-old Australian has just been sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch on 51 murder charges, 40 attempted murder charges and one terrorism charge.Tarrant made a submission via standby counsel, saying he did not oppose life imprisonment with no parole.When asked if he wanted to address the court, he said no thank you.It’s the first time in New Zealand history this sentence has been imposed.Newstalk ZB's Chelsea Daniels was in court all four days. She told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford Justice Cameron Mander told the gunman he has caused terrible grief and lasting pain to so many."He said his hatred has no place here, no place anywhere. His crimes were met with public outpouring of love for the Muslim community. People stood with those affected, their fellow New Zealanders."He looked at the gunman and said 'You failed'." She says that there were no signs of any emotion from Tarrant when the sentencing was read out, maintaining his "nonchalant" attitude that he had during the week. The trial was marked by a number of moving victim impact statements from family and loved ones of the victims. Daniels says that in the court trials she has covered, every victim impact statement has been different, and normal there are only a small handful. "This is over 90 people that got the chance to stand up in court and tell him how he changed their lives, the loved ones they lost, the memories they still hold onto that day."As each one ended and you tried to process what they were saying, another one stood up. It was one after another, each so deserving and so powerful in their own right."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Michael Baker says he is optimistic there will be a Covid-19 vaccine within a year.However, the epidemiologist says the vaccine might only be short-lived and people could be required to get a new shot every year, like the flu vaccine.Speaking to Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford Afternoons on Newstalk ZB, Baker also took aim at people saying Covid-19 isn't as bad as the flu.LISTEN ABOVE"Influenza typically kills about 500 people every winter in New Zealand, this [Covid-19] would be 15,000 dying in one year," he said."And that's how it's playing out around the globe at the moment. It still has the potential to kill 20 million across the globe in the next two years."It really is a very severe threat; the people who survive, many of them actually have severe long-term effects, so this is not a minor pandemic at all."However, there is currently evidence a vaccine will work for most people for "at least some time" which Baker is excited about."The vaccine is still very encouraging and I'd be fairly optimistic that within a year we have a vaccine that at least helps somewhat," he said.It comes after five new cases of Covid-19 were announced in New Zealand today, as well as a potential "mini-cluster".There are three new community cases, one of which is under investigation.Auckland is in alert level 3 until 11.59pm on Sunday, when it will move to a tighter level 2 alongside the rest of the country.QR codes will be mandatory on most forms of public transport from Monday, the same day it will be compulsory to wear face masks on public transport.Health Minister Chris Hipkins said today the actions will provide an extra layer of assurance and speed for contact tracing in the future.Elsewhere, Baker said if everyone wore face masks on flights, then airlines could sell every seat and social distancing wouldn't be required."I think at level 2 it's a very reasonable approach to fill up those empty seats and that is one of the benefits of wearing masks," he said."Social distancing is still very important but the reason we have it is to avoid sharing our respiratory droplets … that's how the virus gets from one person to another."If everyone is wearing masks the whole time, I think the evidence is pretty strong that you can fill up buses and planes and so on."Asked whether homemade masks were safe, Baker said something is better than nothing and recommended people use fabric masks.He encouraged people to use reusable fabric masks because they were cheaper in the long run and they don't produce the same amount of waste as single-use masks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A young man filmed showering naked at a car wash on the Sunshine Coast left the owner thinking: "He's going to be in bed or in hospital."Geoff Bowen, from Parkland's Car and Dog Wash in Meridan Plains, arrived at work earlier this month to find a water gun left on the ground."I just quickly looked at it (the CCTV) to see if anything needs attention and I saw that and I backtracked from there," he told news.com.au on Tuesday.In the footage, the man – holding his hand over his crotch – grabs a hose from the wall then hands it to his companion filming on their phone.He ducks, dives and jumps repeatedly as he is blasted with the chemicals and chased by the other man who later throws the water gun down.The moment of truth. Photo / Parkland's Car & Dog WashBowen said the nude dude was captured moving to the self-serve bay "because he needed to rinse off"."The first one it comes out is a high pH, that dissolves grime and bird droppings," he said."The next one is a neutraliser, a low pH. He was in the machine and he kept moving so the sensor detected 'there's something wrong here' and shut the machine off."When he realised it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Photo / Parkland's Car & Dog WashAsked if it would have been burning, Bowen said: "Yeah, I would reckon.""To do that you have to be young and have young skin," he said."He'd be on fire."(It would be) like chilli juice on your skin."The incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday, August 16.On Facebook the next day, Bowen said they had a great weekend of washing with the new "touchless Storm automatic"."We even had a man vs machine incident," he said."Thank you for your patronage and hope you make a speedy recovery."Front and back. Photo / Parkland's Car & Dog WashHe shared the vision of the "golden moments, by popular demand" on Friday.The car wash has only been open for a few weeks.The owner said the naked appearance was a "rare event" however the response on social media had been "great"."It's made it a very pleasant atmosphere, a very jovial workplace," Bowen told news.com.au."The word is that he's fine, his health is fine but he's not enjoying his new-found fame."Business has been so good so I think we'll give him a few."But this time the washes are for his car, not his backside.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an employment lawyer and partner with Malley & Co solicitors. We have him on regularly to answering your employment related questions.This week we had questions on employees who ended up stuck overseas, how to prove loss of earnings for a recently established business, and more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A struggling mother of two found out she had just one day to get her things packed when her property manager left a harsh eviction notice.The 33-year-old US woman, Sonja Lee, 33, was living in an apartment in Houston, Texas, when she found a life-changing note on the front door."Guess who's moving? You!!!" the note read.The letter also featured a large, smiley face emoji waving, appearing to make light of Lee's situation.The note featured an emoji smiley face as if that would lessen the blow. Photo / Facebook"Pay your outstanding balance, or release your apartment and turn in your keys to the leasing office by 60pm today," it read."Eviction will be filed promptly Tuesday morning, 8/18/2020."The mother posted the letter online, writing, "So y'all think it's funny to antagonise the person that's going through financial hardship with putting an emoji stating, 'Guess who's moving today?' There was nothing funny about that."But Ms Lee had the last laugh. She has now landed a new job and home.When she found the note, "I was mad, I ain't going to lie," Lee told People magazine."I felt like they were antagonising the tenants through the situation and it was heartless, especially during a pandemic."A lot of people have lost their jobs. A lot of people aren't able to get the resources."I'm a single mother with two boys. I do the best that I can and am a very hardworking woman," she added.Ms Lee lost her job at a local food chain at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March.However, she was unable to receive unemployment benefits.After failing to pay rent in June and July, she told her property manager about her situation, expecting sympathy.Karya Property Management, who owns the complex, has since apologised for the notice and said the manager who left it has been disciplined."I am apologising personally in case it was insensitive, and if she was really trying to work out a payment program with the property or that she was in communication with the manager, then I accept it's truly our fault," said Swapnil Agarwal, the CEO, in a statement.Ms Lee's plight soon made national news, with the American Broadcasting Corporation picking up her story.More than US$34,000 was raised to support her and her family."It's been so overwhelming, and I am so grateful. I have never experienced anything like this," Lee said.She has been able to afford two months of rent, had her electricity bills paid for by strangers, and received new school supplies for her two sons.Lee also landed a new job that she begins today."I have to pay this forward 10 times fold," she said.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

welcome to Si and Phi’s best of the week podcast.It’s an amalgamation of the laughs, the great chats, and the top interviews of the week that’s been.This week we had some great discussions around Judith Collins, pillows, the Warriors, and problem children!LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 112 caps for the All Blacks, Dan Carter is the highest scorer ever in test match rugby. He is considered by many experts as the greatest ever first five-eighth in the history of the game and returned recently to New Zealand to join on with The Blues. He was Simon and Phil's guest for this weeks Six and a Song. We discussed his early rugby days, All Blacks selection, being a dad, and of course his favourite song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Tokyo's most popular districts has recently added some unusual new attractions: transparent public toilets.Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, the two new sets of see-through restrooms have been installed in Shibuya, the bustling city centre famous for its busy pedestrian crossing.Though the restrooms sound risqué, they're actually part of an innovative project aimed at changing people's perceptions of public toilets.Designed by Shigeru Ban Architects, a Pritzker Prize-winning architecture firm, the two new sets of transparent toilets have been installed in two Shibuya parks -- Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park and Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park."There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those located at a park," says a statement on the project's official website, Tokyotoilet.jp. "The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside."Shigeru Ban Architects' design tackles these two concerns by offering a toilet with glass walls that -- at first -- allows the public to see through from the outside. But once a user enters the toilet and locks the door, the walls turn opaque to provide privacy."This allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside," says the statement. "At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern."What's it like to use one?During CNN Travel's visit to the Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park this week, a steady stream of visitors came to take photos of the new attraction.The toilet facilities were impressively clean, a mix of gleaming white and chrome.Part of the thrill is that once inside, you can't tell if the glass is frosted or not. The walls between the compartments have mirrors installed, adding to the weird feeling of being on display.This means it's incredibly important remember to secure the door lock, which is located well below the handle.During our visit, one person presumably did indeed forget to lock it, stirring laughter among those outside.Both park facilities include a women's toilet, a men's toilet and a multi-use toilet.More designer toilets comingThese two transparent toilet sets are a part of the newly launched Tokyo Toilet Project, a series of re-invented public toilet facilities.Founded by the Nippon Foundation, a private, non-profit charity that focuses on social innovation, the Tokyo Toilet Project has partnered with some of the biggest names in the architecture and creative industries including Tadao Ando and Toyo Ito to create 17 new public toilet facilities around Shibuya.The foundation will work with the Shibuya City government and the Shibuya City Tourism Association to maintain these new toilets."The use of public toilets in Japan is limited because of stereotypes that they are dark, dirty, smelly and scary. To dispel these misconceptions regarding public toilets, The Nippon Foundation has decided to renovate 17 public toilets located in Shibuya, Tokyo, in cooperation with the Shibuya City government," the Nippon Foundation says in a news release."These public toilets are being designed by 16 leading creators, and will use advanced design to make them accessible for everyone regardless of gender, age, or disability, to demonstrate the possibilities of an inclusive society."Five facilities have been opened to the public so far, including the two see-through toilets.The other three facilities include a "Modern Kawaya (river hut)" by FRAME Award-winning Masamichi Katayama and his interior design studio Wonderwall Inc. The design comprises 15 randomly placed concrete walls, inspired by the traditional design of a river-side toilet hut.Fumihiko Maki, another Pritzker Prize-winning architect, created a "Squid Toilet" that sits inside a children's playground known as the "Octopus Park."Designer Nao Tamura created an Origata (traditional...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the demise of Bauer Media NZ, a resurgence in the local magazine industry has begun with four new brands ready for launch. School Road Publishing, New Zealand’s newest independent media company, has announced Haven, Thrive, Scout, and Woman as the new local titles with the first issues due out in October. School Road Publishing Group Editor Sido Kitchin told Simon and Phil it's incredibly exciting to have the new titles almost ready for a hungry New Zealand readership. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Determined to curb the spread of Covid-19, authorities in the South Korean capital of Seoul have installed a series of glass-paneled bus shelters that scan the temperature of commuters and refuse entry to anyone detected to have a fever.Ten solar-powered shelters have been set up along major bus routes in the Seongdong district of the city's center, the district government said in a statement.These so-called "smart shelters" have several features to stop people infected with the coronavirus from spreading it to others, including external thermal cameras and internal UV sterilizers. They also have air conditioning, free WiFi, charging stations and play therapeutic music.While the virus does spread easier indoors than outdoors, summers in Seoul can be brutal. Jeong Mi-rang, a Seongdong district official, said authorities wanted to create "an environment where people can escape scorching weather and pouring rain while preventing virus infections.""It is ideal for people to avoid a closed small space in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic," Jeong said. "However, it's inevitable that we'll have to live with it for a while so we need to find a way to live a better life coping with the current situation."The 10 shelters cost about $1.01 million -- and the district plans to install more, Jeong said.The South Korean government has waged one of the world's most successful fights against Covid-19. To date, the country of more than 50 million people has confirmed fewer than 15,000 cases and 305 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University's global tally.Public health experts have praised South Korean's significant investment in widespread testing and contact tracing, while also encouraging people to wear masks and practice good hygiene.The country has also been quick to embrace innovative solutions to many of the problems brought on by the pandemic. The city of Goyang was one of the first places in the world to roll out drive-through coronavirus testing.By Yoonjung Seo and Joshua Berlinger, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a game we play every Friday. You Da Man, the guys pick their favourite songs of the week and the audience picks their favourite. First to 3 votes takes it out.Against a supergroup, and a unique choice from Si, Phil claimed victory again with a ripper of a kiwi classic.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby League Legend The Warriors' new pathway consultant told us he would be surprised if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is trying to leave the club. Reports in Australia suggested the club skipper was approached by the Blues on a deal. Phil Gould is yet to start his role as a club-wide consultant but told Si and Phil he hasn't heard a thing. He also discussed his successful career both on and off the field, the best players he's ever come across, and of course his favourite song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countdown has temporarily changed its opening hours nationwide and introduced limits on products that are in high demand, to help ease pressure on its store teams as the country responds to changes in Covid-19 Alert Levels.It comes as Kiwis started panic buying after the Government announced community transmission, putting Auckland in alert level 3 and the rest of the country in alert level 2 until midnight Friday, August 12.Earlier, Countdown's corporate affairs manager Kiri Hannifin told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford flour shelves at her local supermarket are already bare."We have heaps in our supply chain, we've got a lot of stock, but what we don't want to is is someone take a whole trolley of pasta at our shops, so when you finish your shift tonight, you go in and you can't get it."Countdown stores throughout New Zealand will close at 9pm tonight and re-open at 8am tomorrow, with these new hours (8am - 9pm) in place until further notice.The company's Priority Assistance online shopping service for vulnerable customers has also been reinstated today.Product limits include:Flour• Rice• Dry Pasta• Canned Baked Beans and Spaghetti• UHT Milk• Frozen Vegetables• Toilet Paper• Paper Towel• Personal Wash• Hand Sanitiser• Paracetamol• Household Cleaner• Period Products• Baby FormulaA limit of six has been put on wine and beer and a limit of one pack per customer has been put on all mask products.Countdown's General Manager Corporate Affairs, Safety and Sustainability, Kiri Hannifin, says Countdown is in a very good position to navigate the alert level changes and customers should feel safe in its stores."Our previous lockdown experience has stood us in good stead. We know that our processes are robust, our supply chain is strong, we can keep Kiwis safe, and we have plenty of food for everyone. We hope this provides Kiwis with reassurance that together, we can deal with different lockdown scenarios again."We'd urge customers to consider others when they are shopping in our stores. Whether that's physically distancing themselves from other shoppers, making sure they're only buying what they need, and of course being kind to our team and fellow customers," says Kiri Hannfin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The popular Kiwi brand Ecostore has been torn to shreds online by customers angry over a stunt which saw them "recall" all their bottled products, although their CEO says there is "no need to worry" after the announcement.The marketing fail led to hundreds of angry comments and their social media team scrambling to repair the damage.It all went wrong yesterday, when Ecostore took to social media to announce a "permanent bottle recall".Using a graphic that came complete with red text and an exclamation mark, the brand told customers: "Ecostore advises its customers that all bottles have been permanently recalled. More details to be announced soon at recall.ecostore.com".The original post that caused uproar. Photo / FacebookThe replies came thick and fast, with customers urgently seeking more information."Recall? I'm using the laundry liquid for my newborn's clothing!!" wrote one person, asking: "Why are the products being recalled???!!"In response to the flood of messages, Ecostore sought to clarify the situation by responding to comments to let customers know that the "recall" was a change to the brand's recycling strategy and that all products were safe."All ecostore products are completely safe, but we know there are always ways we can improve the impact our packaging has on the environment, which is why we are launching the Permanent Bottle Recall," they wrote."Simply finish the product and hold on to your bottle. All information will be revealed this Wednesday."Outraged customers slammed the popular brand for the stunt, with one describing it as "terrible scare tactic marketing"."Wow, how to lose a customer!!" another wrote. "Very poor way to get attention unless there is actually something wrong with your product, and no amount of explaining or back pedalling can undo bad communication in the first instance.""If your intention is to create uncertainty about the safety of your products you've succeeded; as a marketing strategy it's a fail folks. Especially in these uncertain times. I'm off to find another brand to purchase. You've compromised your brand Ecostore," a comment said.In responses to customers, Ecostore admitted the "recall" had been done simply to get attention."The Permanent Bottle Recall is designed to grab attention and provides an opportunity for New Zealanders to work together to take pressure off Aotearoa's overwhelmed recycling system," they wrote.The brand eventually relented by changing the original post and updating their website to customers could see the full details of the "recall".The site revealed that Ecostore is moving to a "closed loop recycling system" that will see customers return bottles to locations nationwide and the bottles recycled directly back into Ecostore products.Customers were angry at Ecostore's plastic bottle stunt. Photo / fileThey also went back on to Facebook with a new post that better explained the change, but the brand's communication left some customers cold."If you have to explain yourself dozens of times to your lost loyal customers - you have failed at basic communication," wrote one disgruntled customer, who also questioned whether the move could send customers heading to less eco-friendly products."Your marketing head should be questioned about their abilities to make quality decisions here," they added."This could do severe brand damage - which is a worry for the environment as some people will look elsewhere for products, and could quite easily resort to less eco-friendly options. Which is a huge disappointment."Ecostore Group CEO Pablo Kraus told the Herald that customers had "no need to worry" and the products were "completely safe"."The Permanent Bottle Recall campaign highlights an opportunity for New Zealanders to work together to take the pressure off our overwhelmed recycling system and present...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a game we play every Friday.You Da Man, the guys pick their favourite songs of the week and the audience picks their favourite. First to 3 votes takes it out.Poor old Simon thought he had it with a Rocky Horror Picture favourite, but Producer Tyler sneaked in again with a country feel good classic. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taiwan continues to cater to the needs of its travel-starved population by offering yet another aviation experience that doesn't actually take you anywhere.Following up on an offer in July, in which the public was able to check in and board a grounded airplane in Taiwan's Songshan Airport, one airline has just upgraded the faux travel experience by offering an actual flight -- to nowhere.EVA Air, one of the biggest carriers in Taiwan, is offering the special journey on August 8 (Father's Day in Taiwan) to help satisfy its customers' travel itch.The trip will take around three hours, with the flight taking off from Taipei Taoyuan Airport, then circling the skies before returning to the same airport."The international travel market has been suspended for more than half a year," states a news release (in Chinese) on EVA Air's website. "Citizens' cries for going abroad is getting stronger. To satisfy travelers' wishes, EVA Air has decided to introduce an 'alternative travel experience' on August 8, Father's Day."If it's a clear day, passengers will be able to take in views of several Taiwan attractions including Guishan Island and the scenic Huadong coastline, as well as other nearby islands.Passengers will be flying on the "super popular" Hello Kitty Dream jet.The plane bears EVA Air's special Sanrio-themed livery. An A330, it features many Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, My Melody (Hello Kitty's BFF), as well as Little Twin Stars' Kiki and Lala.Passengers can expect themed Hello Kitty in-flight amenities, free WiFi for texting and an inflight entertainment system that is usually reserved for long-haul flights.Michelin-starred inflight mealInflight dining is another highlight of the trip.The main courses are a choice of chirashi don (assorted sashimi over rice) created by three-Michelin-star chef Motokazu Nakamura, or a classic braised beef noodle dish.The flight, departing at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, will be operated under flight number BR5288. Why the number 5288? When spoken, it sounds like "I love dad" in Chinese.An economy class ticket is TWD5,288 ($180). Passengers can choose to upgrade their seats to business class for an additional TWD1,000 ($34).International tourism has been effectively stopped in much of the world as countries shut their borders to stem outbreaks of Covid-19 and Taiwan is no exception. The island locked down its borders in March amid the growing coronavirus pandemic.Foreign nationals are still banned from visiting the island but Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on June 24 that it would gradually adjust entry regulations in response to worldwide efforts to resume economic activity. text by Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40 years ago Split Enz released their fifth album, True Colours. It featured songs that would become hits before ascending to true classic status; we're talking Shark Attack, Poor Boy, I Hope I Never and, of course, their globe-conquering breakthrough, I Got You.This powerhouse tracklist made True Colours the band's most commercially successful album. It spent two weeks in our No 1 spot before ping-ponging up and down the Top 20 for a whopping 54 weeks and becoming the global breakthrough that had, until that point, been one step ahead of them.To celebrate the anniversary, singer/songwriter Tim Finn joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to discuss the album's incredible success.WATCH ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An "SOS" message written on the beach of a tiny Pacific island pointed rescuers to three missing mariners, United States and Australian authorities said Tuesday.The three men had set out in a 23-foot (7 meter) boat last Thursday to make a 26-mile (42 kilometer) journey from Pulawat to Pulap atolls in the Federated States of Micronesia.They went off course and ran out of fuel, landing on tiny, uninhabited Pikelot Island, 118 miles (190 kilometers) from their intended destination, according to US and Australian authorities.The islands are about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of Guam, and when the men didn't arrive in Pulap, a search was requested through the US Coast Guard's Joint Rescue Sub Center in Guam, which enlisted help from units in the region.The three Micronesian men were first spotted by a US Air Force KC-135 tanker operating out of Andersen Air Force Base on Guam after searching for three hours, according to a posting on the base's Facebook page."We were toward the end of our search pattern," the KC-135 pilot, Lt. Col. Jason Palmeira-Yen, said in the post. "We turned to avoid some rain showers and that's when we looked down and saw an island, so we decide to check it out and that's when we saw SOS and a boat right next to it on the beach. From there we called in the Australian Navy because they had two helicopters nearby that could assist and land on the island."A helicopter from the Australian amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra landed on the beach dropping off food and water for the stranded trio while Australian troops confirmed the men's identities and checked they had no major injuries.Meanwhile, a US Coast Guard C-130 from Hawaii dropped a radio to the stranded men so they could communicate with a Micronesian patrol vessel dispatched from Yap.A US Coast Guard statement said rescuers and the mariners kept their distance because of the coronavirus."After discussions between the responding partners it was decided the safest course of action for both the response agencies' crews and the mariners was to limit exposure to one another due to the COVID-19 Pandemic," a Coast Guard statement said.The patrol vessel reached the men around 8 p.m. local time Monday evening, according to the Andersen AFB Facebook post."Partnerships," US Coast Guard Capt. Christopher Chase, commander of US Coast Guard Sector Guam, said the post. "This is what made this search and rescue case successful. Through coordination with multiple response organizations, we were able to save three members of our community and bring them back home to their families."Capt. Terry Morrison, commander of the Canberra, praised his crew."I am proud of the response and professionalism of all on board as we fulfill our obligation to contribute to the safety of life at sea wherever we are in the world," he said.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Lebanon reels from a major explosion that has killed dozens and injured thousands, the nation's Prime Minister has revealed a disturbing fact about the warehouse at the centre of the blast.The explosion erupted in the Beirut's port area late afternoon on Tuesday, with videos showing a fire burning in a building in the area before an enormous blast. Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored in a warehouse for years. He said this was "unacceptable". "I will not rest until we find the person responsible for what happened so we can hold them to account and impose the most severe punishment," Diab was quoted as saying by an official Twitter account."It is unacceptable that a shipment of 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate has been present for six years in a warehouse, without taking preventive measures and endangering the safety of citizens."People evacuate wounded after of a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo / AP Author and former spy Aimen Dean took to Twitter and said that, given his knowledge and experience with ammonium nitrates explosives, the warehouse was a "massive time bomb". "What happened in Beirut port today was nothing short of criminal negligence," he said. "You can't store ammonium bitrates in hot and damp conditions for four years, it was a massive time bomb." Local media reports indicate the chemicals were seized from a sinking ship more than a decade ago. At least 73 people — including one Australian — have been killed and thousands have been injured, and the number of fatalities is expected to skyrocket. The blast tore down buildings, flattened houses, ripped balconies from apartments, tossed cars from the nearby motorway, and sent a huge plume of smoke billowing across the city. The disaster comes amid a difficult period for Lebanon, which was already suffering under a number of major crises.Tensions are so high in the Middle East that Israel immediately issued a statement saying it was not involved in the blast.Iranian-backed Hezbollah also quickly shot down theories that the explosion was related to a weapons facility or an Israeli strike. "This tragic catastrophe and the unprecedented damage it has created ... require solidarity and unity from all Lebanese people, political forces and national actors," a statement from Hezbollah said. Residents in Lebanon were suffering under massive inflation and struggled to buy basic goods in some areas — and that was before the pandemic hit. The government was limiting daily electricity to just two to four hours a day and the nation's currency plunged 80 per cent. Tensions are also high ahead of Friday's verdict in a trial over the killing of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist says falling unemployment rates should be taken with a grain of salt.Stats NZ figures show unemployment stands at four percent for the June quarter - down from 4.2 per cent in the previous quarter.The June quarter includes all four levels of the country's Covid-19 lockdown.Economist Cameron Bagrie told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford one parameter to be considered unemployed is that you're actively seeking work for at least four weeks.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a game we play every Friday.You Da Man, the guys pick their favourite songs of the week and the audience picks their favourite. First to 3 votes takes it out.We've never had an instrumental take it out... until now, and what an instrumental at that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By popular demand, welcome to Si and Phi’s best of the week podcast.It’s an amalgamation of the laughs, the great chats, and the top interviews of the week that’s been.This week we had some great discussions around The Dark Destroyer, William Wood, Soap use, and had the great Pene Pati from SOLE MIO on for Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalists David Fisher and Mike Scott are on a nationwide road trip to ask New Zealanders: What matters to you?They're seeking kiwi's answers to the toughest of questions as a pandemic presses at our borders and politicians seek to convince us they know best how to navigate the road ahead.Simon and Phil will be catching up with David as he measures the pulse of NZ. We caught up with him from beautiful central Otago this afternoon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an employment lawyer and partner with Malley & Co solicitors. We have him on regularly to answering your employment related questions.This week we had great questions on your rights in a restructure, the wage subsidy continuation, and redundancy clauses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Michael Jones is known to NZ rugby fans as an all time great All Black playing 55 tests between 1987 and 1998, and was knighted in 2017 for services to the Pacific community and youth.He joined Simon and Phil for this weeks Six and a Song where they discussed his playing career, favourite memories, his faith, Jonah Lomu, and of course his favourite song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Māori woman in Christchurch says a prospective landlord told her he didn't want "her sort" in his house.Iwi Kemp has applied for 10 private rentals over Trade Me in the past two weeks - but was told the properties were no longer available.After a friend joked it could be because of her name, she decided to reapply as Maria.Three of them got back to her - and one even called to set up a viewing the next day."The first thing I asked him was whether the house was still available. He said it was ... Then I said that's funny, because when I texted you from my other phone with my real name you said it was gone."Iwi Kemp told Simon and Phil the landlord laughed, and then became abusive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a bit of a hiatus during the lockdown, brilliant to have Inspector Hirone Waretini back in studio for The Beat. We caught up on how the NZ Police have been going post-lockdown, crime trends, the new Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster, and more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Minister and United Future leader Peter Dunne says the rise of social media adds fuel to the fire of recent political scandals. Rangitata National MP Andrew Falloon has quit politics after sending a pornographic image to a female university student - and other women have since made similar allegations.It comes on top of months of turmoil for the National Party ahead of the election. Peter Dunne told Simon and Phil while politics isn't getting dirtier, social media and access to news 24/7 means the scandals are more widely known and spread prolonging the headlines. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were plenty of acorns this spring, and now the chipmunks are driving people nuts.Their frenetic activities can be entertaining. But this summer in New England the varmints are making a nuisance of themselves, darting to and fro, digging holes in gardens, and tunneling under lawns.Plentiful acorns last fall meant there was still plenty of food on the ground when the chipmunks emerged from winter and got busy breeding this spring, said Shevenell Webb, a small mammal biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.The result is a bumper crop of the critters."They're cute. They're fun to watch in the forest as they duck in and out of the holes and play peekaboo," Webb said. When their cheeks aren't bulging with nuts, chipmunks make a distinctive "chip" sound, she said.But they're also destructive. They can destroy lawns and gardens with their burrowing, and can even get into homes, Webb said."We can't grow a tulip without them digging it up," Steven Parren, wildlife program diversity manager for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, said of the chipmunks in his yard. "They don't even pause."There were so many acorns in one of the areas that he monitors that the rodents that rely on them couldn't stash them all away for the winter. Plenty remained on the ground this spring. In addition to chipmunks, he said, he's seeing more squirrels, rabbits and a variety of different kinds of mice.People needn't get too alarmed over an overpopulation. Small mammal populations tend to explode, then crash and burn.Such is life near the bottom of the food chain, where food supply ebbs and flows and chipmunks are easy prey for owls, hawks, snakes, foxes and raccoons. Even if their lives aren't cut short, individual chipmunks tend to live only for three years, Webb said.Many New Englanders recall a similar spike in squirrel populations in 2018 in New England. The boom-and-bust cycle was punctuated by a memorable number of road kills."We've never seen anything like that. That was a once in a lifetime event," Webb said.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a game we play every Friday. You Da Man, the guys pick their favourite songs of the week and the audience picks their favourite. First to 3 votes takes it out.After a 2 week holiday, Phil was chuffed to be crowed You Da Man with a classic rock tune from the legendary Joe Cocker. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By popular demand, welcome to Si and Phi’s best of the week podcast.It’s an amalgamation of the laughs, the great chats, and the top interviews of the week that’s been.This week we had some great discussions around Judith Collins, pillows, the Warriors, and problem children!LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several National MPs have announced their departure - but their new deputy leader plans on sticking around. Gerry Brownlee became National's Deputy Leader after Todd Muller's shock resignation on Tuesday, prompting a caucus reshuffle that saw Judith Collins take over as leader.The new leadership only enjoyed Amy Adams has decided for a second time she'll retire from politics this year, alongside Nikki Kaye - who was rolled as the party's second-in-charge this week.National's new deputy leader Gerry Brownlee told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford he wishes Kaye and Adams well."In-cue: You know when you wake up in the morning and you no longer have the position for doing a job like this, if you conclude 'I've done as much as I can or want to in this particular job', then it is the right thing to move on."It's not good being in a position where you're unhappy."Asked why he still sticks with politics after entering Parliament in 1996, Brownlee says it is a huge privilege to be part of legislature. "As an electorate MP, you get a hands on and tangible feel of the problems people have in their lives."You can't fix everyone, that's one of the things that's hardest, but you can become aware of problems." When it comes to their competition, Brownlee says that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is very personable, and she has done well at emphasising with people.However, the Government is very good at announcing things but not at delivering on them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A cache of preserved newspapers from 1966 has emerged from a melting glacier in France, the latest in a string of objects that have been revealed as the glacier retreats.Café-owner Timothée Mottin found about a dozen newspapers dating from January 20 and 21, 1966 near the Bossons Glacier, southeastern France, he told CNN.The newspapers are "in a very good state, you can read them, unfold them," he said. "Well, they are a bit torn, but in a very good state nonetheless."The Bossons Glacier is the largest ice fall in Europe, according to the French government, and descends from the summit of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe.Mottin has owned the Cabane du Cerro café-restaurant, about an hour outside the ski town of Chamonix, for the past five years.The business is right next to the glacier at an altitude of over 4,400 feet, and Mottin often finds objects in the ice."As the glacier is advancing, it brings with it objects from the top of the Mont Blanc," he said.Timothée Mottin found the newspapers on the Bossons Glacier. (Photo / AFP via Getty/CNN)However, Mottin added, it's quite rare to find newspapers, especially this many at once."For now, the newspapers will be displayed in the restaurant/cabin that is just by the glacier, and then, we will see, maybe I'll give it to a museum," he said.One of the newspapers is the January 20 edition of India's National Herald, announcing the election of Indira Gandhi as the country's first female prime minister.The newspapers may have been on board an Air India Boeing 707 named "Kanchenjunga" that crashed on Mont Blanc on January 24, 1966, killing 117.Another Indian plane, the Malabar Princess, crashed in the area in 1950, killing all 48 people on board.Debris from the wrecks routinely emerges from the bottom of the glacier, including metal, wire and even a piece of landing gear discovered in 1986, according to a Mont Blanc tourist site.However, one of the most eye-catching discoveries was made in 2013, when a climber found a box of emeralds, rubies and sapphires marked "Made in India" on the mountain.It is not clear which plane had carried the gems.text by Jack Guy and Barbara Wojazer, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an employment lawyer and partner with Malley & Co solicitors. We have him on regularly to answering your employment related questions.This week he tackled more questions on the complications of the wage subsidy, being an employee vs contractor, and restraint of trade clauses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

text by Rob Picheta, CNNWalkers are relieving themselves in the grounds of Queen Elizabeth's Scottish residence, staff have said.Employees at Balmoral Castle, which the Queen frequently visits for holidays throughout the year, have complained about wet wipes being left on the estate and urged people not to use the spot as an outdoor toilet.Most public facilities are closed in the United Kingdom due to the country's lockdown, but people are allowed to exercise and socialize outside, leading many to seek quiet public places if nature calls during a day out."Disappointed to see so many wipes discarded on the Estate today. Next to paths and monuments. Please remember there are no public toilets open for miles around at the moment," staff at Balmoral wrote."Part of the problem is that we are seeing a lot of non biodegradable wipes being discarded in the countryside," they added. "Also, people are choosing to relieve themselves right next to busy paths or monuments rather than move a little bit further away to avoid contamination."But the castle acknowledged that people may need to relieve themselves while walking around the royal estate."If you need to pee, please do so at least 30 metres from lochs or streams," they added in a tweet on Sunday. "If you need to defecate, do so as far away as possible from buildings, paths, water courses and farm animals. Bury faeces in a shallow hole and replace the turf."Hot weather in recent days has prompted many Britons to visit beaches, parks and patches of countryside around the country. A "major incident" was declared on Thursday in Bournemouth on England's south coast, where thousands flocked to the beach.The Queen and members of the family spend several weeks each year at the 50,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands.She has spent most of Britain's lockdown in another royal estate at Windsor, near London.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By popular demand, welcome to Si and Phi’s best of the week podcast.It’s an amalgamation of the laughs, the great chats, and the top interviews of the week that’s been.This week we had some great discussions around bras, pillows, news readers, and Ashley Bloomfield.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football fans rejoice - the best women players in the game are coming to our shores.New Zealand and Australia will host the FIFA Womens World Cup in 2023.The FIFA Council has voted in favour of the trans-Tasman bid over Colombia.Newstalk ZB football reporter Jason Pine told Simon and Phil the number of games played here will be significant.He says this will be one of, if not the largest, world competition we've ever held. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five time World Champion and 2 times Olympic Gold Medal winner Mahé Drysdale is. doing all he can to claim history at the Tokyo Olympics. Drysdale has committed to competing in Tokyo, which is scheduled to begin in July 2021, having been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The two-time defending gold medal single sculls champion would be 42 at next year's Olympics.He was Simon and Phil's guest for this weeks Six and a Song. Mahé says while originally he struggled to find the motivation, he's now seeing the benefits of having a year's delay to prepare to claim another gold. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin is extremely disappointed in her coalition partners for blocking her plans to restrict access to online pornography. The New Zealand First MP failed to get agreement from the Labour and Green parties to advance a proposal which would have introduced pornography filters on home internet connections.Labour said it was not completely against the idea, but that it needed more work.Tracey Martin told Simon and Phil she was surprised at the lack of support from Labour and the Greens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis love a good cheese scone and 80 year old Christchurch grandmother Anne Malcolm’s recipe might just be one of the best. She first started making it when she was 10 years old and hasn’t changed it in 70 years.As a volunteer baker for Good Bitches Baking, Anne delivers her scones to organisations like Home and Trauma and Dementia New Zealand for care-givers mornings teas.As part of Volunteer Week, she joined Simon and Phil to chat about the immense benefits of volunteering. She says it’s an amazingly productive thing to do because it helps other people but most of all it helps you. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.