Larry Williams Drive

A Restore Passenger Rail spokesperson says it's a bit extreme for a judge to decline bail for a protester. Rosemary Penwarden appeared in Wellington District Court yesterday - accused of endangering transport on State Highway One in Kilbirnie. She's been remanded in custody, but is appealing to the High Court to instead be given electronically monitored bail. Protest group spokesperson James Cockle says it's a big call. "As far as I know, it's the first time in our history that a climate protestor has been remanded in custody for protesting." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unused face masks will end up costing the Ministry of Education thousands of dollars. The Ministry's spending $26,000 a month on storage fees for millions of masks likely to go unused, now that mandates have ended. The storage cost is so high, the Ministry is now considering spending $120,000 to destroy them. The Secondary Principals Association's Vaughn Couillaut says he can understand the Ministry's thinking when they stocked up. "Plentiful supply was delivered to schools, we could get them whenever we wanted. We still can now, if we needed to order some. They certainly bought a ton, not knowing when those mandates would finish." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global investment giant BlackRock warns central banks won't start cutting interest rates anytime soon. Their strategists believe western central banks are committed to stamping inflation out for good- despite the economic troubles weighing China down. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says BlackRock is convinced central banks will overlook China's economic climate to focus on inflation in order to avoid future rate hikes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Securing the future of test cricket will be front of mind for New Zealand Cricket's new chief executive, Scott Weenink. The 50-year-old lawyer and former Wellington first-class player has replaced David White, who's spent the last 12 years at the helm. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The speed and risk from Hurricane Idalia is growing as it approaches Florida's West Coast. It's expected to wreak havoc on the US state, touching down early tomorrow morning. Unsurvivable storm surge is predicted to hit parts of the island city of Cedar Key. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says coastal areas are frantically preparing. "Classes have been cancelled, businesses boarded up, whole towns have just been told to get out of there while you can." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is going to sound really harsh, but that Restore Passenger Rail protestor who was put in jail for two weeks yesterday deserved exactly what she got. I bear no ill will whatsoever to Rosemary Penwarden. She's a mum and grandmother, she seems like a nice lady, she's been nothing but lovely and polite every time she's been on the show and I admire her conviction, in a weird way. But she and everyone else in that group have been incredibly selfish every single time they glue their hands to the road in rush hour and deliberately stop Wellingtonians from being able to get to work or to medical appointments or to get their kids to school. What happened yesterday is significant, because the courts have been very tolerant with these protestors and constantly given them another chance. Suddenly, they’ve had enough. And as far as we can tell, it is the first time a climate protestor has ever been sent to jail in New Zealand. But these guys have been warned. When they pulled the hand-gluing stunt back in April, one

Rotorua's mayor has expressed concern over recent attacks, and says at least one incident could have been gang-related. A 15-year-old girl was assaulted by three other girls outside Rotorua Library in the CBD on Monday afternoon. This follows a 13-year-old girl being beaten and left bloodied in an unprovoked attack last week. Mayor Tania Tapsell says she's working alongside the police to devise solutions and prevent similar acts of violence. "Regardless of this, we should not be having to worry about community safety in our public spaces." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop star Elton John has returned to full health after a slip at his villa in Nice. The singer was rushed to the Princess Grace Hospital’s centre in Monaco after the fall, where he was checked as a precautionary measure. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the 'I'm Still Standing' singer has returned to good spirits after the accident.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills and Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! TOP leader Raf Manji is confident he can win the Ilam seat, but the latest Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has National's Hamish Campbell leading at 33 percent and Manji on 14. Does Manji really have a hope here? The National Party is set to release their tax policy tomorrow- what can we expect? ACT MP Mark Cameron is apologising for calling Jacinda Ardern a 'feckless wench'. Does he deserve the backlash?  Wellington City Council has imposed some new rules for pet owners. All cats must be de-sexed and dog walkers can expect a $300 fine for not carrying poop bags. Is this realistic? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourism Holdings appears to be on the road to recovery, post-pandemic. It's reported a near $50-million dollar profit in the year to June's end, a change reversing years of losses because of Covid. It was bolstered by merging with Apollo Tourism and Leisure. Chief Executive Grant Webster says this recovery has been faster than the company predicted, but they needed the extra boost. "We need it, for the New Zealand economy at the moment. Tourism is a good thing, and it's great that it's coming back faster." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Groundswell's co-founders are gearing up to drive their tractors through the country to protest 'unworkable' Government regulations. Bryce McKenzie and Laurie Paterson will travel from Invercargill to Auckland on September 22, and speak at Ellerslie Racecourse on October 1. The Country's Jamie Mackay says the pair plan to rally farmers to get out and vote against a third term of Labour. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy faces another year of tepid growth- and the recession could drag on if Government spending isn't reined in, according to the IMF. In their latest report, they recommended the Government stop funding cost-of-living handouts, press ahead with fair pay agreements and prioritise climate change-focused infrastructure spending. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says targeted, means-tested spending presents a huge challenge for the Government in an election year. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A supermarket giant says crime has surged in its North Island stores. Foodstuffs recorded 3900 separate incidents from the start of May to the end of July, a 59 percent year-on-year increase. Serious incidents including assault, robbery and burglary have more than doubled in the past year and are up 13 percent on the last quarter. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says the biggest issue is organised theft, with people stealing products to make money. "Secondly, it's sadly people with addictions, and they're trying to support that addiction through theft. And then our social media driver, where people are trying to make a hero of themselves by doing some of this stuff." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treble Cone skifield is rejecting claims it planned to can a skier's pass because he was coaching friends. A visitor says he was was approached by staff as he shared tips with two friends last weekend. He claims the worker said if he came with anyone else, and was seen teaching, they'd explore options with his pass. Treble Cone Experience General Manager Laura Hedley says a staff member did approach them. "But no, we weren't going to cancel someone's pass for teaching their friend to ski." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence from The Opportunities Party front-man, Raf Manji- who's in the running for Christchurch's Ilam seat. He's TOP's only chance of getting into Parliament. A new Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has National's Hamish Campbell leading at 33 percent, Labour incumbent Sarah Pallett on 15, and Manji on 14. Manji says it's just the start of the campaign. "I've been here for the last 10 years, working hard for the people of Ilam and Christchurch. I think I've got a better offering- we'll see what the next 5 weeks brings." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stark warning over our economy. A new International Monetary Fund report says our economy will grow about one percent next year, and inflation won't return to the target band until 2025. It's also warned the Government it should cut back on spending and raising interest rates. Infometrics chief economist Brad Olsen say the risk factors aren't good if inflation and wages challenges linger. "The Reserve Bank might well be forced to do more. And if that's the case, if they have to raise interest rates further, that could well see a much tougher economic environment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tax expert says he's puzzled by what National's promises of new revenue could include. The party plans to release its tax policy tomorrow morning, alongside four new sources of cash for the Government to splash. Its' finance spokeswoman promises it won't pressure inflation and needs no additional borrowing. Dentons Kensington Swan partner Bruce Bernacci says he's looking forward to hearing it. "The National Party's ruled out wealth taxes, capital gains taxes, inheritance taxes, etc. So in terms of big policy changes, it doesn't leave a lot to work with." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi has been handed one of Parliament's most serious punishments. Speaker Adrian Rurawhe has 'named' Waititi and suspended him from the House for 24 hours after he appeared to break a court ordered suppression last week. Waititi wasn't in the House as the ruling was made- he was in Auckland for his Fashion Week appearance. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this suspension doesn't reflect the seriousness of his actions- and won't mean much to him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has found himself in front of Australia's Senate to defend accusations of profiteering and 'misleading the Australian public'. The company is under fire for allegedly not disclosing the true value of unredeemed flight credits. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the airline owes customers an extra $100 in flight credits on top of the $370 million Qantas already owes. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks lock Scott Barrett has got off scot-free, at least from here. A judicial committee has decided his sending off in the warm-up defeat against South Africa on the weekend is sufficient and no further sanction is necessary. The red card was awarded following the receipt of two yellows- the first being for a technical offence and and the second for coming into contact with Springbok Malcolm Marx's head. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.