Newstalk ZB पॉडकास्टस

Taylor Swift says being named Time Magazine's Person of the Year is the proudest and happiest she's ever felt. The 33-year-old beat finalists including Barbie, King Charles and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman. It caps off Swift's stellar year, which includes her record-breaking 'Eras Tour', two album re-recordings, and becoming Spotify's most mos…

True story, abbreviated for time. San Francisco, about 15 years back now, coming out of the subway following my two teenage daughters. A group of tatty half-drunk, half-baked beggars hanging around with their paws out for money. And I hear some leering, grubby, smutty comments being directed at my children. I sense danger, move a little closer to t…

There’s a pressing need to strengthen hundreds of Wellington buildings that are quake-prone. Experts are warning deadlines are closing in for the work, with more than 500 buildings needing strengthening, including residential apartments. AUT Professor of construction, John Tookey, told Tim Dower that building owners need to start, or hundreds could…

Good news for kiwis as the price at the pump is dropping just in time for Christmas. Oil prices have dropped four cents since Friday and now sit at $77 USD, almost 30 cents down from September. AA Principal Policy Advisor Terry Collins told Tim Dower that the recession may be acting in our favour, combined with a lack of demand coming out of China …

Police Minister Mark Mitchell's predecessor says his letter to the Police Commissioner seems a bit redundant. He's made his letter to Andrew Coster public. It focuses on things like tackling youth and gang offending, supporting frontline officers, and strengthening policing in communities. Ginny Andersen told Tim Dower that it's important that poli…

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Wednesday on Newstalk ZB) Police Expectations/Auckland Has Always Been Rubbish/School Has Always Been Rubbish/Christmas Chocolate Confusion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.द्वारा Newstalk ZB

$27-28,000 a year. That's about the going rate for private secondary education in New Zealand right now. And you'd pay it gladly wouldn't you, if you could afford it. I hope the kids whose parents are working or on their way at five in the morning to help pay for it recognise what a privilege it is. I referred to that St Andrew College prizegiving …

Te Pati Māori's challenge to the incoming Government has been heard loud and clear, likely foreshadowing what is to come. Thousands answered the party's call to protest the Government's incoming Treaty and Te Reo reforms yesterday, while MPs swore allegiance to both their mokopuna and Te Tiriti, as well as King Charles III. ZB Political Editor Jaso…

More stability in education is being floated as an idea to reverse declining test scores. New Zealand's 2022 PISA reading, maths, and science scores have all dipped since 2018, and they show longer term decline. New Zealand is still above the OECD average in all three standards. PPTA Acting President Chris Abercrombie says all countries have seen a…

Where shoppers are seeing food prices rise, Woolworths New Zealand is seeing profits fall, but is still walking away with $76 million in its pockets. The latest annual figures show a 52% drop from last year, the source of which one business consultant says is ‘very opaque.’ Ernie Newman told Tim Dower that he believes the recent $400 million rebran…

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So, a Day of Action called by Te Pati Māori. Organisers promise they'll target busy roads and even try to jam the motorways. They're talking about gridlock on roads into central Auckland, and gleefully suggesting this will cause millions in lost productivity. Wow. What a useful and worthwhile objective that is. Now, this is supposedly about an assa…

Screen time may be making young children more prone to mental health problems. A new study measured the link between screen time and mental health in 16,000 children in China, across the ages of three to six. Neuroscience educator and child development expert Nathan Wallis told Tim Dower that flashing lights from screens affect the part of the brai…

The new government's increasing the Working for Families rates. The tax credits will rise $8 to $144 after tax for their first child, and by $6 for subsequent children. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says there'll be a mini budget December 20th. ANZ senior economist Miles Workman told Tim Dower that further spending cuts could be in line to maintai…

A prediction that this morning's Te Pati Māori-organised protests could be just the beginning. They're rallying people from one end of the North Island to the other, against policies perceived to negatively affect Māori. Political Commentator Grant Duncan says the Prime Minister will have to make a decision on how to handle them. He told Tim Dower …

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Couple of canaries going off in the coal mines over the past few days. Ominous warnings actually, of how tight things are getting out there in the real world. First off...the Centrix figures showing how many people are doing Christmas on credit this year. It is normal for people to borrow a bit here and there to...smooth out if you like...the house…

The energy sector is pointing to international evidence to back axing the Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme. Energy Minister Simeon Brown says the 16-billion-dollar project, was pouring money down the drain, at a time when we need to be reining in spending. He says axing the scheme will increase confidence to invest in more energy production. Energy …

Another ceasefire in Gaza seems unlikely - as fighting resumes on both sides. It comes after a pause in fighting, which saw the release of some hostages kidnapped by Hamas, in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners. Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Tim Dower both Hamas and Israel are saying there's no pros…

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from the weekend on Newstalk ZB) We'll Never Need It/Go, the Nix!/How Many Tames Can You Do?/Old School Publishing/Footwear Fashion Crimes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.द्वारा Newstalk ZB

Really interested in this Medical Journal piece about emergency departments. The impression we often get is they're horribly overcrowded, patients lying in corridors for hours in agony, constant panic stations. Friday and Saturday nights are bedlam, we're told: drunks staggering around the place, people unleashing their stress and anger at the staf…

Tensions are heightened in the Middle East as the truce in Gaza enters a seventh day. The UK is sending a second warship —the destroyer ship HMS Diamond— to the Gulf to join the frigate HMS Lancaster. It comes after Israel and Hamas reached a final-hour agreement last night to extend the ceasefire to the end of today. Correspondent Vincent McAviney…

Wellington's housing market is ending the year on an upwards trajectory. Latest One Roof-Valocity figures show the nationwide average property value has jumped 2% in the past three months, to reach $968 thousand. Wellington prices are up 2%, while Auckland's are up 2.5% and Canterbury's are up 1.7%. OneRoof Editor Owen Vaughan says interest rates a…

Some former ministers have taken top positions in Labour's front bench while others have lost out. Carmel Sepuloni has social development, Grant Robertson has finance, Ayesha Verrall has health, and Ginny Andersen keeps police. Damien O'Connor's been taken off agriculture, with Jo Luxton taking up the spokesperson role. Former senior Labour staffer…

A fresh plea for a helping hand for primary care, to ease the pressure on hospital emergency departments. An opinion piece in today's New Zealand Medical Journal suggests ED overcrowding may not be caused by unnecessary visits, but an increase in more urgent cases. But Northcare Accident and Medical's Peter Boot says primary care is more efficient …

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Thursday on Newstalk ZB) A Man with a Plan/Another Man with a Plan/Fascinating Nickname Story/Jibbitz Wars/To Early for Dog Vom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.द्वारा Newstalk ZB

Dogs eh... jeez do they get to you. It's 12 years this Christmas, Luka and me. 12 brilliant years for me, and what a mate he's been. A great, great mate. We had a long talk last night, cos I wanted say things while he's still with me. Kinda with a warm heart and not a broken one, cos I know the day will come. He truly scared me last night; I though…

It's thought New Zealand's achievement of water quality targets hinges on every Kiwi getting behind efforts. A new report has evaluated four contaminants —nitrogen, phosphorus, E. coli, and sediment— in rivers, lakes, and estuaries nationwide. Every region needs a substantial reduction in at least one to meet freshwater standards. 75% of land is co…

A push back from the Reserve Bank against the financial markets. The central bank kept the Official Cash Rate at 5.5% and signalled that no cuts are on the immediate horizon. It's also kept the door open for another rise if inflation pressures are stronger than anticipated. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Tim Dower that markets had …

The incoming Government isn't wasting any time in getting down to business. Chris Luxon has unveiled a 100-day plan that will include scrapping Auckland's fuel tax and the clean car discount, repealing Three Waters, and passing new RMA laws. Political Editor Jason Walls told Tim Dower that many laws will be changed by early next year. He says it so…

Search and rescue operations are underway after a US Air Force osprey crashed while performing a routine training mission off the coast of Yakushima Island. US correspondent Mitch McCann told Tim Dower that this is not the first time this type of aircraft has fatally crashed. He says that so far, one crew member is confirmed dead while the other fi…

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So here's the low-down on the Public Interest Journalism Fund. 55 million bucks dished out over a series of funding rounds, and all gone now. The fund's been wound up. The company that owns this station won nearly $7 million in round one, another $3 million in round two, and a couple of top-ups after that. In fact, all the major players, including …

Don't expect any major change to interest rates before Christmas. The Reserve Bank is tipped to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5% at its next review at 2pm today. Economists and commentators remain divided on whether there will be further hikes in the current cycle. NZIER's Christina Leung told Tim Dower that, for now, previous hikes ap…

A big step for sustainability within the aviation sector The first transatlantic flight by a large passenger plane powered only by alternative fuels has taken off, flying from London's Heathrow to New York's JFK airport. The Virgin Atlantic flight is a one-off flight at this stage and isn't carrying passengers. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Tim …

It’s believed that more thought needs to go into the Auckland Mayor's plans to sell the long-term lease of the Ports of Auckland. Wayne Brown is putting forward two options for the port in his proposed 10-year budget, which also includes a rates rise of 7.5%. He proposes either keeping the business and gradually releasing land for public use or sel…

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has headache to deal with after his Government's first Cabinet meeting. Winston Peters called a $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund provided during Covid a "bribe". He told reporters to "tell the public what they had to sign to get the money". Media commentator Vaughan Davis told Tim Dower that Luxon handled the s…

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Tuesday on Newstalk ZB) Ah Well, It Was Nice While It Lasted/Patches Must Go/Auckland Was Never That Good/Scam Alert/Sandwich Talk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.द्वारा Newstalk ZB

I'm wondering if people in Auckland will, in a few years, look more kindly on their current Mayor. Fair to say that Wayne Brown didn't exactly get off to a flying start, especially with the media, and let's face it, no one's happy when the rates go up. On that score, you've seen nothing yet. I've been reading Mr Brown's proposals to build long-term…

Covid lockdowns may have played a part in the increase in learning and behavioural issues being picked up at early childhood education. The Educational Institute says the increase has meant waiting lists for specialist support are far too long. Clinical psychologist Dougal Sutherland told Tim Dower that the main thing kids that age do is play and i…

It's thought the new Government will start with some of the 'easy wins' in its 100-day plan. Ministers from our first three-party coalition of National, ACT, and New Zealand First meet for their first Cabinet meeting today. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says today's meeting will lay out expectations, and at tomorrow's meeting they'll discuss items lik…

New Zealand's egg shortage may be over, according to producers who say prices have levelled out. Shelves were left bare at times last summer after supermarkets pledged to only sell cage-free eggs. Egg Producers' Federation executive director Michael Brooks told Tim Dower that the new restrictions have been difficult for the industry, but prices are…

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Monday on Newstalk ZB) Rewriting the History of Smoking/Three Years Not Long Enough/Is it Christmas Yet? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.द्वारा Newstalk ZB

Calm's been restored in Ireland's capital after a stabbing last week led to unrest. Three young children were among five people taken to hospital after a knife attack in Dublin, which sparked riots in the city centre. Thirty-four people have been arrested. Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Tim Dower that officials are blaming far-right agitators…

The incoming Attorney-General says it's a big job but she thinks she has the experience for it. Judith Collins has picked up the portfolio alongside seven others including Minister Responsible for responding to the Christchurch mosque inquiry. She says it will be a challenge, but the roles are quite closely aligned. Collins says told Tim Dower that…

Backlash to the incoming government scrapping smokefree laws to fund tax cuts. Advocacy groups say removing regulations on levels of nicotine and the age of who can buy cigarettes is irresponsible. Action for Smokefree Director Ben Youdan told Tim Dower that the Government is putting the interests of the cigarette industry before the health of the …

Nicola Willis is blaming ACT and NZ First for the momentous dismantling of Smokefree laws. That's what she said over the weekend, telling Newshub the minor parties were insistent on reversing the amendments, not even a year after they were passed. ACT says tobacco taxes bring in about 1.8 billion all up, and we're given to believe taking those new …

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from the weekend on Newstalk ZB) Gunning for the Public Service/From ODIs to Tests/Not Being American/Creating a Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.द्वारा Newstalk ZB

So, this is my last day – not just for the year but for good. It’s time for me to turn off the early alarm. I’ve been so conflicted about making this decision, purely because I love the job so much, it’s the most fun and best time I’ve ever had in my broadcasting career. Radio is addictive. It’s dynamic and instant and an intimate connection with y…

Shoppers hunting for a bargain will be hitting the malls over the weekend for Black Friday sales. Tens of thousands of shoppers are expected to swarm the shops. But Wellington Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Simon Arcus told Kate Hawkesby that consumers should be careful to ensure they are getting a fair deal. He says shoppers should look onlin…