The Front Page

Military style semi-automatics and assault rifles will be banned under stronger new gun laws announced today.The country's rules around guns have been in the spotlight since last Friday's mosque shootings in Christchurch, where 50 people died and many more were wounded.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has just revealed the changes in a press conference.And a security expert says New Zealand's strong show of solidarity and support for its Muslim community following Friday's attacks is key to keeping the country safe from any revenge attacks.A high-ranking member of ISIS called for revenge after the Christhurch terror attack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There'll be a two-minute silence on Friday, to remember the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks. Jacinda Ardern made the announcement in Christchurch today, following a meeting with St John first responders and addressing an assembly at Cashmere High School this morning. Ardern also met with Muslim community leaders, and acknowledged their "resolve" to support those who are grieving. Ardern discussed with them and with local authorities a national memorial service.She said it would be held in Christchurch, but was looking at how to involve the rest of the country too. She acknowledged that many people wanted to support Muslims to return to their mosques, and to mark a week since the massacre. There will be a two-minute silence on Friday, and a call to prayer, broadcast on RNZ and TVNZ. Also today, a court appearance for another person who shared the gunman's video, a woman's arrested for hate speech, and a teenager is jailed for killing a security guard with a single punch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The families of the fallen will have justice.That's the vow of our Prime Minister in the wake of the mosque massacre.In delivering her message of condolence in the House, Jacinda Ardern says the man at the centre of this attack will face the full force of the law.She says he sought notoriety - but New Zealand will give him nothing, not even his name.Ardern says she will never mention his name.And she's imploring others to speak the names of those who were lost - rather than the name of the man who took them.In other news, the incoming director of Auckland's Art Gallery steps down over allegations of harassment, Wellington Central Library to close indefinitely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced there will be reform of gun laws. She says Cabinet has made "in principal" decisions about the changes, and there will be change within 10 days. She did not say what those changes would be, but said media would be told within a week. A total of 50 victims have been confirmed dead after Friday's terror attack on two Christchurch mosques, with the dead ranging in age from 2 to older than 60Many more were wounded, with 33 still in hospital.Ardern says there will also be an inquiry, to find out what government agencies knew, or should have known, and whether the attack could have been prevented. It will focus on the GCSB, SIS, police, and customs. NZers have also come together to prove the terror attacks will not divide the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gunmen have opened fire at mosques in Christchurch, with reports of between nine and 27 people killed and police urging residents to stay indoors. One man is in custody.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it "one of New Zealand's darkest days".One of the gunmen broadcast live as he shot victims.Ardern described the event as "extreme and unprecedented violence".Police were "actively managing the situation" and confirmed multiple fatalities. The multiple fatalities were at two locations - a mosque at Deans Ave and one at Linwood Ave.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greens co-leader James Shaw is "shaken" after being injured in a violent attack on his way to Parliament this morning.Shaw was punched in the face in an apparently unprovoked attack as he walked to work through central Wellington.A party spokesperson says Shaw was confronted by a man who stepped out, spoke to him and identified him then hit him in the head.Shaw suffered a black eye in the attack. Thankfully two passers-by came to Shaw's aid. And there are fears support for the disabled is being quietly cut person by person after the Ministry of Health backed down on sector-wide funding changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elderly lives are on the line as overworked rest home workers are resulting in residents not even bothering to ask for help.A shocking new report, In Safe Hands, has been released by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and E tū, after surveying over a thousand people working in aged care. It's revealed some rest home residents are dying as a result of just six minutes of care an hour. Patients are even trying to ration their own care to help overworked staff - including one case of a man dying from an infected wound.It was reported the man saw how over-worked the staff were and didn't want to be a burden by reporting his infected wound.Further information about the tragic death is not being made publicly available as it was collected through an anonymous survey and is still being looked into.Also today, a new development in the investigation into allegations Kiwi soldiers covered up the killing of Afghan civilians, and breast cancer patients deliver an impassioned plea to Parliament.Hosted by Juliette Sivertsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have referred Jami-Lee Ross' complaint about National's election donations to the Serious Fraud Office.Ross was kicked out of the National Party last year. In October he went to police with details of alleged donation fraud in which he claimed leader Simon Bridges was a "corrupt politician with no moral compass".The Botany MP claims Bridges had asked him to collect a $100,000 donation from businessman Yikun Zhang in May which was then split into smaller amounts to hide it. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Zhang.A police statement today says the complaint was referred to the SFO as they hold the appropriate mandate to look into the matters raised by the investigation to date.And Eric Watson faces a a monster tax bill, after losing one of the biggest IRD cases in NZ history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first signs of a thaw in the relationship between New Zealand and China, with China-New Zealand Year of Tourism back on. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has just announced at her post-Cabinet press conference that the new opening ceremony be held on the 29 of March.When the delay to the launch of the New Zealand/China year of tourism was revealed by The Herald last month, Ardern said it was because of "scheduling issues".It was meant to be launched in mid-February but was postponed by the Chinese.The delay raised eyebrows considering it was at the same time as New Zealand security officials raised questions about Huawei providing 5G services in New Zealand. And a restructure of Vodafone could see hundreds of jobs going offshore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's International Women's Day - but as many of us know, there's still a lot of work to be done. And that sentiment's been echoed today by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Speaking at an event in Parliament this morning, she says the work will be done, when gender doesn't feature in the minds of girls and young women. She says as long as we have a country where women are over-represented in intimate partner violence, over-represented in low-paid work, as long as there is a gender pay gap, then all of us will only celebrate to a certain degree, knowing there is plenty more work to be done. Ardern says New Zealand's a trail blazer in giving women the vote, but we need to keep progressing. Also today: a horror crash near tourist hotspot Tekapo has claimed three lives, and the heartbreaking sudden death of an Auckland photographer who was nine months pregnant.Hosted by Juliette Sivertsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

District health boards have anti-vaxxers in their sights, saying diseases almost eradicated in New Zealand are being seen again.DHB members went to Parliament to answer health select committee questions, including why increasing numbers of parents are refusing to have their children immunised.Bay of Plenty DHB chief executive Helen Mason says they have achieved five of the six health targets set by the previous government, but "immunisation hasn't moved and has actually deteriorated. [she says] It really, really worries us."The DHB has tried things including reconfiguring its immunisation service and adopting methods used by successful DHBs but it was at the point where it needed to do something completely different, she said.Board chairwoman Sally Webb says the issue of anti-vaxxers and their negative effects is something that needs to be looked at nationally. The warning comes amidst a measles outbreak in Canterbury.There's been an outbreak of influenza-like symptoms among the Otago student population.Also in today's Front Page, shots fired at a New Zealand school, Queenstown wants a visitor levy, and a viral video shows we've all been eating pineapple wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Medical Association is the latest to join the chorus of voices pleading for more affordable dental care.The association represents doctors including GPs and specialists.On Monday the Herald revealed Waitematā DHB wants a "comprehensive dental service for all New Zealanders", after concern about desperate Kiwis queuing at hospital pain clinics, showing up at ED, or even performing gruesome "DIY dentistry".Medical Association chairwoman Dr Kate Baddock says dental decay is "the most prevalent chronic, yet irreversible, disease in New Zealand".And New Zealand's demand for hard drugs has been laid bare in a new report from the United Nations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kiwi jihadi Mark Taylor has sparked a political backlash, with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters particularly going on the offensive.Taylor, a former New Zealand soldier who only has New Zealand citizenship, is being held in a Syrian prison.He surrendered to Kurdish forces because life under Isis had become unbearable.Taylor previously earned notoriety and was dubbed the 'bumbling jihadi', after accidentally giving away the location of Isis fighters on Twitter.Now politicians across the spectrum are making it clear he won't get much help from New Zealand. And a teenager admits bludgeoning a sleeping friend to death, after earlier suggested to others, "shall we kill Oliver?"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kiwi who joined Islamic State has surrendered to Kurdish forces and is being held in a Syrian prison.Mark Taylor, a former New Zealand soldier, says he was a border guard for Isis after joining the terror group in 2014.The former Hamilton resident was infamously dubbed the "bumbling jihadi", after mistakenly revealing his location in the Middle East on social media.Now there are questions over whether he will return to NZ, and how our government will handle his case. Auckland houses have hit a ten year low, with realtor Barfoot & Thompson having its quietest month in the last 10 years to February, and sales down 28 per cent from a year earlier.It comes as a OneRoof Property Report shows just a third of NZ homes are mortgage-free, despite the current low interest rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A police officer has been charged with indecently assaulting a fellow cop.The 28-year-old accused appeared this afternoon in the Auckland District Court before Judge David Burns.The policeman was arrested this morning and charged with indecent assault and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.He pleaded not guilty to both charges.The alleged offences occurred on February 5 in Northland, according to court documents viewed by the Herald.The man's lawyer, Paul Borich QC, sought interim name suppression for his client.Further details about the case were also suppressed.Also today, dramatic scenes unfolded on the Auckland waterfront as a seaplane crashed into the harbour, and the city's Lime scooters are set to return this weekend. Hosted by Juliette SivertsenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have charged almost five people a day with strangling or suffocating their partners since a new family violence law came into force criminalising such acts in December.New Zealand has the worst rate of family and intimate-partner violence in the developed world and police are called to an incident every four minutes.The new legislation criminalising strangulation and suffocation was brought in in a bid to curb the problem. Previously there was no separate offence for strangulation as it was treated as assault.The first person was charged the day it came into force on December 3.Since then 416 people in total have been charged, around 33 per week and almost five each day.And major Kiwi building company Arrow Construction has gone into voluntary administration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents have been told to evacuate immediately as a new fire spreads rapidly in the Tasman region.The new fire near the Moutere Highway is north of Pigeon Valley where huge wildfires began three weeks ago.Earlier today, Mayor Richard Kempthorne confirmed a decision has been made to allow the state of emergency to expire.Pictures posted on social media show a section of forest engulfed in large flames right next to the highway.Also today, a new funding package for gifted children, details of a police shootout in Christchurch, and the whanau of three workers killed in a horror truck accident in Matata prepare for the tangi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley has been found liable for millions in damages by the High Court, along with other Mainzeal directorsThe failed building giant had been trading while insolvent despite its high profile - and creditors would have been better off if the company had been put into liquidation earlier, according to the High Court.The four directors have been found liable for a combined $36 million in damages.And Labour goes on the defensive over capital gains tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opinions are divided on the Government's new healthy home standards, with landlords saying they need exemptions or will go elsewhere, while renters and advocacy groups applaud it.New Government rules will require every rental home in New Zealand to have a heater in the living room and an extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom.The standards set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, as well as rules to stop draughts, in all residential rental properties across the country.They'll apply from mid-2021.And the Prime Minister goes on the defensive over capital gains tax, in the process giving a clue about her Government's announcement on it, due in April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malcolm Rewa, after an almost unprecedented third trial, has been found guilty of murdering Susan Burdett in her South Auckland home in 1992.The jury took just under four hours to return their unanimous verdict today after hearing two weeks of evidence and arguments in the High Court at Auckland.Rewa will now be sentenced on March 26.Burdett was raped and bludgeoned to death in her Papatoetoe house.After some 27 years, 12 New Zealanders today said her killer was Rewa.Infamously, the Crown had also prosecuted Teina Pora for the accounts clerk's murder.When just 17 years old, Pora was arrested and later twice wrongly convicted for murdering Burdett.Also today, a rugby coach has been jailed on 95 charges of sexually abusing young boys. And, we remember the Christchurch earthquake, eight years on.Hosted by Juliette SivertsenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tax Working Group has recommended the Government implement a capital gains tax - and use the money gained to lower the personal tax rate.The suggested capital gains tax (CGT) would cover assets such as land, shares, investment properties, business assets and intellectual property.Any profit on the sale of these assets would be added to the seller's overall yearly income, and then be taxed under existing thresholds. Other personal assets – such as the family home, cars, boats and art – would be exempt from a CGT.And in other housing news, new figures show Auckland's first-home buyers need to fork out up to $950 in weekly mortgage repayments for the next 30 years, based on what they're paying to get a foothold in the market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's announced a new builder for KiwiBuild - and another 100 homes in West Auckland and Christchurch Home builder and developer Mike Greer has been given the contract to build 104 homes, including the first in Canterbury, which are also the cheapest KiwiBuild announced so far. That will include 11 two-bedroom standalone homes in Kaiapoi, for $360,000 dollars each. Other homes will be built in Huapai, Whenuapai, Pukekohe, Kaiapoi, Rolleston, Pegasus, Woodend, Rangiora, Halswell, Marshland and Spreydon.They'll be completed between now and mid-2020 and will be a mix of two and three-bedroom, standalone and terraced homes, ranging from $360,000 to $650,000.Also today, David Bain is 'shocked to the core' on hearing his groomsman Paul Tainui has admitted murdering a woman - Tainui's second murder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An acknowledgement from the Prime Minister today that there are issues with China.The Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Madam Wu XI said in Wellington last night both countries needed to build a more resilient relationship and handle differences properly to avoid the rocks.Madam Wu Xi alluded to news headlines about strained relations while speaking at a reception hosted by the New Zealand – China Council at Te Papa.She says as our two countries differ in history, culture and social systems, it's only natural for us to have differences.Jacinda Ardern says the relationship's healthy, while recognising the challenges.At last night's reception, neither the Chinese ambassador nor Ardern raised issues that have strained relations most, a preliminary decision in late November by New Zealand's foreign intelligence agency the GCSB to ban Huawei from Spark's 5G plans.Also today, New Zealand's Miniature Horse Association is hoping the perpetrator of a vicious attack is brought to justice, after a horse died after being stabbed 41 times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google and Facebook are among the internet giants facing a surprise tax.That's news that has just been broken by the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB, and confirmed by the Prime Minister. The issue is multinational companies selling good or services online, and then running profits through low-tax countries.It's been a looming issue in New Zealand for several years.The Herald tax gap investigation into corporate tax avoidance in 2016 found 20 of the most aggressive multinational companies recorded $10b in annual revenues but collectively paid less than $1.8m in corporate income taxes.And a report set to be released later this week could see the rest of us paying a capital gains tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's biggest seafood exporter Sanford is having issues getting salmon through Chinese ports.It comes as suspicions grow that China is turning up the heat on this country because of the Huawei saga.Sanford is not attributing its recent administrative issues getting shipments cleared to the deteriorating New Zealand-China relationship, but chief customer officer Andre Gargiulo says no reason has been given for the issues which have impacted several shipments of fresh salmon since the end of last month.China is the biggest export market for many New Zealand primary products, including dairy, seafood and kiwifruit.The tourism industry is also concerned. The English version of the People's Daily newspaper says New Zealand has fallen out of favour with some Chinese travellers.The paper is regarded as the mouthpiece of the Chinese government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is warning the Government's flagship KiwiBuild policy could "crowd out" the private sector.But Finance Minister Grant Robertson disagrees, saying Orr's forecast was "certainly challengeable".This morning, the Reserve Bank published a discussion document. It says KiwiBuild could contribute 100,000 affordable houses over 10 years, but it's unlikely that will be achieved without crowding out a "significant amount of other residential construction activity". And Auckland house sale prices have hit their lowest levels in three years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's 16 polytechnics are set to become one, under a radical shake-up of the tertiary sector.Education Minister Chris Hipkins has released a wide-ranging plan, aimed at getting more school leavers into good jobs.It will see a single national body to take over all polytechnics, apprentices and industry trainees.The institutes will merge to form the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.That new body will take over all of New Zealand's 110-000 polytechnic students and 140,000 apprentices and industry trainees.The institute will also take over programme design and administration for all campuses of what are now 16 separate polytechnics, as well as enrolling and managing apprentices and trainees from the now 11 industry training organisations. Also today, a sterilisation botch-up in Hawke's Bay has left 55 surgical patients potentially being exposed to serious diseases including HIV and hepatitis, and the Salvation Army reveals its annual State of the National report, showing a huge gap between the wealthy and the poor.Hosted by Juliette Sivertsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand-China relationship continues to come under the microscope as it's thought diplomatic links have plummeted to a new low. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was scheduled to visit China early this year, but the invitation has been put on hold. And this morning, the Herald revealed the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism was meant to be launched with great fanfare at Wellington's Te Papa museum next week, but that has been postponed by China.That initiative was announced by the Key Government almost two years ago when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was in Wellington.The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment says China has advised that this event has had to be postponed due to change of schedule on the Chinese side. Officials are now working with China to reschedule the opening.But it's thought that China sees New Zealand as taking sides with the United States, after the Government's chief spy agency, the GCSB, axed the Chinese telco giant Huawei from the Spark 5G broadband rollout. The Trump Administration publicly asked its Five Eyes partners not to do business with Huawei.Philip Burdon, a former National Government Trade Minister and recently chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, says New Zealand can't afford to take sides.He believes China feels slighted by New Zealand over the decision to block Huawei.Also today, junior doctors go on strike, two men are charged over the December murder of Shannon Baker and Cocksy's last laugh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malcolm Rewa has gone on trial today - charged for the third time with killing Auckland woman Susan Burdett 27 years ago.Chief High Court judge, Justice Geoffrey Venning, acknowledged many in the jury would have heard parts of the case before, particularly because of the high-profile connection to Teina Pora. The case found infamy when Teina Pora was twice wrongly convicted for murdering Burdett.He spent 22 years in prison before the Privy Council quashed his conviction in 2015 and has since received an apology from the Government and $3.5 million in compensation.A stay of proceedings for a murder prosecution against Rewa was applied by the Solicitor-General in 1998, but in 2017 the Deputy Solicitor-General, on behalf of the Attorney-General, reversed the stay.A stay had never before been lifted in New Zealand's legal history.And new hope on day seven of the Nelson fires, as Wakefield residents are allowed back into their homes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's polytechnics are in for a shake-up. Jacinda Ardern gave her 'State of the Nation' speech to a business audience this morning, outlining the economic challenges facing New Zealand, and foreshadowing a major restructure of polytechnics and institutes of technology. The restructure is to be released next week. It's expected to recommend turning the vocational education sector into a flexible network, which focuses on greater cooperation between institutions to meet the needs of business. Polytechnics and institutes have cost the Government 100 million dollars in recent bailouts.Ardern told the business audience the reforms would be far reaching. She said the system was struggling, and had been left to drift and muddle through. She questioned why at a time when they're facing critical skill shortages, polytechs and institutes are going broke. Also today, more evacuations have taken place as the Tasman wildfire continues to rage out of control. The town of Wakefield has been evacuated, and now more families have been forced from their homes in Nelson City, after a new fire broke out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says as she flew into Nelson she could see the true scale of the massive Tasman bush fire. Jacinda Ardern has met emergency services battling the blaze in Pigeon Valley today.Ardern says trying to control the fire is a massive undertaking. Incident controller John Sutton says it's almost certain the fire was the result of agricultural machinery. He says it was a highly accidental event with a totally unintended consequence. While yesterday had been a good day, making progress in containing the fire, the firefighters had a lot of work ahead of them. Sutton said some firefighters were experiencing fatigue and they were trying to fly in more firefighters.Also today: unemployment figures have risen higher than expected, and the Grace Millane murder-accused continues to fight to keep his name secret.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive blaze in Tasman continues to ravage the district. And, authorities are scrambling after a second fire has broken out in the region, at Rabbit Island.The fire in Pigeon Valley started yesterday afternoon but doubled in size overnight, spreading to cover 1870 hectares within a perimeter of 20kms by 3am.A Civil Defence state of emergency has been declared. Sources have told the Herald the fire's thought to have been sparked by a farmer ploughing his field. The Nelson District Council says 170 homes have been evacuated near Pigeon Valley Further evacuations are now taking place near Rabbit Island. There have been no reports of injury.However, there have been some animal welfare issues and at least 13 animals have had to be euthanised.Also today, hundreds have gathered at Waitangi today to mark the 179th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians from all parties were greeted with a rousing powhiri as they were welcomed onto Waitangi's Upper Marae this morning.For the first time all MPs, including Jacinda Ardern and National's Simon Bridges, arrived in one group.Last year, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told those gathered to hold her and the Government to account. Today she has acknowledged there’s still more work to do. She says she doubts anyone expected the Government to turn around decades of issues in 12 months.But she says they have made progress, as Maori unemployment, and prison numbers, and young people not in education, jobs or training - have all come down.And New Zealand First MP and Cabinet Minister Tracey Martin says she personally witnessed a National Party MP instructing online "trolls" to attack former Labour leader Andrew Little.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is ploughing more than $100 million into regional employment, focused on Māori and Pasifika people.It's one of a series of announcements made in the lead-up to Waitangi Day.The lion's share of the funding will go to five regions the Government says need extra help. They are Northland, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay and Manawatū-Whanganui.Those regions face issues including high unemployment, low wages and lower productivity compared with the rest of New Zealand. And some Tauranga families are turning to foodbanks for school lunches, as back-to-school costs mount.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wage and salary earners paid out $1.7bn in what's been called "stealth" tax last year. According to advice to the Tax Working Group, it was after inflation increases pushed workers and their pay packets into higher tax brackets. Officials have warned the public could see the money as having come through a stealth tax and Government may want to change it as a "value judgement".They've also said if the Government did change tax rates, it would increase transparency and account for inflation but money would need to be found to pay for public services.The extra tax was scooped up after the former government left tax brackets largely unchanged during its time in office, with the highest tax bracket fixed to kick in at $70,000.Since 2008, inflation combined with pay rises has doubled the number of workers paying the full 33 per cent tax rate on earnings over $70,000. Those in the highest tax bracket increased in 10 years from 335,000 people to 665,000 people. In some countries, tax brackets are automatically tied to inflation, but in New Zealand they are not.Also today, disappointment from the CTV families on learning the building designer Alan Reay is appealing a court ruling, and new data suggesting NZ might not need to build as many houses as we thought.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report on how to address fair pay is out, but it's led to division; with Labour versus National, and employers versus unions. The working group was led by former National Prime Minister Jim Bolger, and has come back with 46 recommendations, including that fair pay agreements cover all employers and that workers should be able to initiate a Fair Pay Agreement if they have a minimum group of 1000 people, or 10 per cent of workers in the sector, whichever was lower. Bolger says it will be most useful in work where competition is driving a ‘race to the bottom’ in wages and conditions. He says the changes would not only tackle inequality, but also boost productivity. As much as $14 billion worth of council infrastructure is threatened by rising seas, thanks to climate change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's boss is vowing to be directly involved in looking at the airline's books. The national carrier has cut its pre-tax earnings guidance to a range of $340 million to $400 million for the June year, due to slower-than-expected revenue growth. The previously announced guidance was for underlying earnings before tax of $425m to $525m.Air New Zealand's share price took a tumble in the opening minutes of trade this morning. In an internal email to staff, Christopher Luxon said the revised guidance reflects updated revenue forecasts based on recent forward booking trends but that "difficult decisions" lay ahead. Luxon did not specifically mention job cuts. He said markets showing signs of slower growth include domestic leisure travel and softening inbound tourism traffic. Luxon says he's committed to turning things around. Also today: National's proposed tax plan is set to give the average worker an extra $430 a year, the Housing Minister plans to "re-calibrate" the KiwiBuild policy, and Hellers has been fined $40,000 after three children suffered allergic reactions due to mislabelled Sizzlers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is reassessing its targets for the troubled KiwiBuild scheme. It now looks like they could not only miss targets for this year, but the next ten. As well as targeting 1000 KiwiBuild homes by July 2019, Twyford had previously committed to building 10,000 in 2020/21 and 12,000 every year after that until 2028. Addressing media at the post-Cabinet press conference this afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern would not re-commit to those previous KiwiBuild goals.And the heatwave starts to bite, with farmers worried about the impact on their crops, and workers sweltering.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former KiwiBuild boss Stephen Barclay says he is pursuing a case of constructive dismissal against Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. This comes after the Ministry revealed earlier today that Barclay resigned amid an employment investigation that revealed complaints from employees, contractors and stakeholders regarding his "leadership behaviour". In a statement, again through a private public relations company, Barclay said he was extremely disappointed that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) had divulged details of an employment matter. He said he considered this a breach of privacy and felt he had no choice but to respond.Also today, New Zealanders are sweltering in a heatwave, with record temperatures breaking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are keeping quiet on the investigation into a text allegedly sent from the phone of National MP Sarah Dowie to Jami-Lee Ross. The investigation was apparently sparked by a call to the Crimestoppers hotline. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Barry Soper says the text contains the words "you deserve to die". There was no immediate show of support for the Invercargill MP.Anne McCracken, who is regarded as one of Dowie's strongest organisers in the electorate, said: "There will be no comment today." Others who were involved in Dowie's 2017 campaign - lawyer Sean Woodward and businessman Jon Turnbull - said they were no longer involved in her party support network. The only current member of her electorate committee to be identified, Murray Halstead, refused to make any comment.Also today, a New Zealand university professor has been sentenced to home detention, for indecently assaulted an 82-year-old dementia patient in a rest home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Racism, sexism, and severe threats of violence have all been uncovered as part of a bullying culture in Fire and Emergency New Zealand. A new report into the organisation says bullying and harassment often came from the very highest levels of the service, including from fire chiefs who called people racial names. The report made 33 recommendations for change. And PM Jacinda Ardern continues making waves overseas, including talking to Google about the Grace Millane case, and pushing the case for the world-first wellbeing budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man jailed for the Ashburton Work and Income double-slaying is appealing his conviction and sentence. Russell John Tully's appeal will be heard at the Court of Appeal in Wellington in March. Tully was found guilty in 2016 of being the masked gunman who stormed the Ashburton centre in 2014 and shot dead 67-year-old receptionist Peggy Noble, from point-blank range and shot 55-year-old case manager Susan Leigh Cleveland three times as she pleaded for her life.The 52-year-old was also found guilty of attempting to murder case manager Kim Adams.He was found not guilty of attempting to murder case manager Lindy Curtis who was shot in the leg and badly injured while hiding under a desk.In 2016, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 27 years - the second highest non-parole period ever handed down in New Zealand history. Throughout the court process, Tully always indicated he would appeal its outcome.Also today, Tensions are rising as residents in a Takapuna townhouse complex grow accustomed to life next to a nine-level apartment block.They've raised a number of concerns including views of a naked man in "full visibility for young children", parking and vehicle issues, light pollution spilling into homes at night, bedrooms and bathrooms without blinds and altercations between the neighbours.Hosted by Juliette Sivertsen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could it be true? Members of the family of British tourists that have caused a storm up and down New Zealand were at Auckland International Airport with luggage this morning. A source has told the Herald that at least four of the group were expected on an international flight due to leave this afternoon. The true identities of the group also came to light today. And New Zealand and Britain have signed an agreement which gives certainty to New Zealand businesses, whatever happens with Brexit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga has been named the eighth most expensive housing market in the world, heading off cities like London and San Francisco. That's according to a global study out today, the 15th annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Study, which measures average house prices against average income. The world's most expensive city is Hong Kong, followed by Vancouver, Sydney, Melbourne, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Los Angeles - and then Tauranga.And a new report from Oxfam is warning wealth inequality is "out of control" and doing particular harm to women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two English children will spend their Christmas stranded in New Zealand after a crash that killed one of their mothers and left the other with critical injuries. Six-year-old Ben Sargent and his nine-year-old sister Olivia were holidaying with their mothers Kerry and Jules Sargent in October, when the family were involved in a head-on collision. 42-year-old Kerry, from Gloucester in England, was killed in the crash when the family were travelling near Whangarei. She had been a front seat passenger in one of the two vehicles that rolled. Her partner Jules was rushed to hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. While the children were not seriously injured in the crash, Jules' injuries were deemed too serious for her to travel - and faces a lengthy rehabilitation period here in New Zealand. Also today: New Zealand has joined an international chorus, condemning China for cyber intellectual property theft. The US has charged two Chinese nationals with conducting a massive state-sponsored cyber theft, targeting companies and government agencies in at least a dozen countries. The GCSB says some of the thefts target New Zealand organisations.And the Kiwi Christmas tradition, that's news to Kiwis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A damning IPCA report into police deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha has called his behaviour inappropriate and unprofessional. But it's not quite bullying. It's led to calls from National for Haumaha to be fired, but that looks unlikely to happen. And a new report finds increasing the price of tobacco works to reduce smoking, but it can result in low income families going without food, or not paying rent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A woman who sold her teenage daughter to strangers for sex will now serve more time in prison. In March, Kasmeer Lata was jailed for six years and 11 months for dealing in slaves, dealing in a person under 18 for sexual exploitation, and receiving earnings from commercial sexual services from an underage person. The 36-year-old had first forced her daughter to have sex for money with a man on her 15th birthday. She would go on to sell the girl at least 1000 times for sex.At Lata's sentencing - where she was described as "the most despised woman in New Zealand" - Crown prosecutor Natalie Walker called for the offending to be denounced in the most explicit terms. In October, her sentence was appealed by the Solicitor-General. Today, the Court of Appeal released its decision - the appeal was allowed and Lata will serve more time.Also today, former Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox has admitting drink driving, telling police she had 'only' had six glasses of wine earlier in the evening. And, details of the hilarious - and embarrassing - newspaper dating advertisement that's making headlines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A damning report confirms Government agencies used private investigators for spying on New Zealand citizens. It's being called an affront to democracy, and could lead to police action. The report comes from State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes, who details a list of breaches of the State Service Code of Conduct, including potentially illegal recordings of insurance claimants, public sector employees accessing the New Zealand Transport Agency database for private investigation firm Thompson and Clark, paying for informants, and spying on the Green Party and iwi.And voters are going to be asked to pick a side on recreational cannabis use at the 2020 election, in a binding referendum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration officials and police have arrested a man for what they're calling modern-day slavery. A 64-year-old Samoan New Zealander has been arrested and charged after allegedly bringing Samoans to New Zealand to work illegally in the horticultural industry since the 1990s. Allegations made by the victims include not being paid for work completed, having their passports taken, and being subjected to physical assaults and threats. The victims also allege that their movements were closely monitored and controlled by the man, and there were restrictions on both where they went and who they had contact with. Immigration NZ assistant general manager Peter Devoy says some of the victims were under the man's control for some years. And a review on sexual harassment and bullying in the legal profession has found female lawyers have been subjected to "sexual objectification" for decades and new rules are needed to address unacceptable behaviour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A close family friend of Grace Millane is so concerned ongoing suppression breaches could jeopardise a trial she's written to UK media asking them to stop naming the accused killer. And the papers have explained why they defied the Auckland judge's order. The Telegraph and the Daily Mail were two of several British media organisations to name the 26-year-old man charged with Millane's murder, days after she arrived in Auckland as part of a one-year solo OE.The Telegraph's editorial compliance executive Sian White responded to concerns about suppression breaches saying, "the law in New Zealand does not apply". The Justice Minister plans to tell Google breaching suppression orders is unacceptable.Top Google executives from the UK and US will meet Justice Minister Andrew Little in New Zealand next week after Google ran the murder accused's name in a mass hot topics email to subscribers.Also today: An Auckland teenager has been sentenced to home detention after killing a 15-year-old in a drunken hit-and-run - and later posting an insensitive social media post of herself in an orange prison jumpsuit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.