Larry Williams Drive

Wellington City Council is looking to shake up rules for dogs in the Capital. An upcoming proposal could soon be up for public consultation on letting dogs off leads in nine more areas. On the less paw-sitive side- it would introduce a $300 fine for owners who don't carry waste bags. Councillor Teri O'Neill says they'll check out areas where people have been repeatedly offending. "We're going to send some dog control officers out to approach owners and see if they've got a bag." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An internal investigation has been launched by Spain's football federation after Luis Rubiales activated their sexual violence protocol. The federation president was suspended by FIFA after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's Women's World Cup win. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Luis Rubiales' actions have inspired protests and backlash- and the federation is taking this investigation quite seriously. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, current affairs commentator Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National's Chris Luxon still won't say whether or not he'll collaborate with NZ First and Winston Peters- and claimed he wasn't thinking about the party at all in an earlier interview. Why hasn't Luxon completely ruled the party out yet? Chris Hipkins raised a few eyebrows after going after National, ACT and NZ First in an earlier speech, leading to other parties accusing him of trying to stoke fear and divide voters. Is this a last-ditch attempt to get ahead following Labour's ongoing descent in the polls? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert is warning about the dangers of a Trump comeback following his recent arrest. The former president was lined up for a mugshot in Georgia after he surrendered on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn election results. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says strategic shifts implemented during his administration influence current policy- and New Zealand needs to be alert to geopolitical changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has found rising corporate profits have contributed to over half of current domestic inflation. This information conflicts with earlier reports that increased wages and supply costs were the bigger driving forces behind inflation. Council of Trade Unions economist Craig Renney says research shows that corporate profits have been boosting inflation all over the world- not just New Zealand. "That's because companies can change prices far more quickly than workers can change their wage arrangements." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says spending cuts announced today are responsible savings, as they balance delivering services New Zealanders need. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has unveiled a push to slash contractors, trim back programmes and limit future budget allowances. He forecasts they'll save almost $4 billion dollars over the next four years. Robertson says Government spending has gone up significantly over the last six years because of Covid-19. "We've had to deal with a massive global economic shock, and we've had to protect and support New Zealanders through that. I think that spending was needed, I think most political parties wanted us to spend that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new social media trend is helping consumers justify any purchase- no matter how big or impulsive. #GirlMaths originated on ZM's Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley, when the trio justified the purchase of an expensive dress as 'basically free' if it got worn at least four times. RMIT University researcher Janneke Blijlevens has expressed concern about this phenomenon, and claims the trend has 'dangerous' aspects. "What we know from other opportunities out there where we can use #GirlMaths - for example, buy now, pay later - it actually does get people into trouble. They're not thinking about the consequences." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's police spokesperson says the Government's approach to crime is putting the public at risk. New information reveals nearly 50 people are on EM bail for 'homicide and related offences', alongside a further 70 accused of kidnapping and abduction. This comes as a leaked report shows people are taking advantage of the limitations of ankle bracelets and wrapping them with tinfoil to re-offend. Mark Mitchell says Labour's goal of reducing prison populations and repealing of the 'three strikes law' has lead to an increase of criminals on EM bail. "What you've had now is a follow-on of a 370 percent increase of people on electronic bail, a 140 percent increase of police opposition to bail being ignored, a 33 percent increase in violent crime, a 41 percent increase in victimisation- and a 500 percent increase in ram raids and aggravated robberies." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors to own a precious piece of New Zealand art. Bill Hammond's Melting Moments I goes under the hammer tonight for the first time- and it's expected to get about $2.5 million.  It was painted during Hammond's three-year green and gold period. Webb's Director of Art Charles Ninow says a lot of interest is expected tonight. "These works are really sought after- there are hardly any of them, even though they are so iconic. Most people haven't even seen one in the flesh before, I've only seen a handful. It's a very, very exciting painting." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has told public service organisations to cut spending. Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced a push to slash spending on contractors and consultants, trim programmes and limit future budget allowances. Robertson says it'll save almost $4 billion over the next four years. New Zealand Initiative executive director Oliver Hartwich says the Government's trying to make the books look a bit better before their pre-election fiscal and economic update. "It's too little and too late, because just shaving 1 or 2 percent off spending is nothing in the grand scheme of things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson's unveiled a push to slash contractors, trim back programmes and limit future budget allowances. Almost $4 billion is forecast in savings over the next four years, with a keen eye on limiting contractors and tacking back under-spends. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this doesn't paint a good picture of the state of the Government's books. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multiple investigations are currently underway following yesterday's deadly military aircraft crash in Darwin. Three US marines were killed and another five were hospitalised after the MV-22B Osprey crashed on the Tiwi Islands during a military exercise.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this vehicle has been involved in three crashes over the last 18 months- and engineering failure may be a common factor. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do the All Blacks have enough time to get their act together ahead of the Rugby World Cup? New Zealand have been given a wake-up call a fortnight out from the major tournament, suffering a record test defeat by the Springboks at Twickenham. Sportstalk host Jason Pine says this is a 'brutal' reality check ahead of the Rugby World Cup. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 73-year-old Hawke's Bay chauffeur has revealed he flew to the Philippines for hip surgery, rather than sit on New Zealand's waiting list. Rex Jones was referred in March for a specialist appointment in six months to go on a surgery waitlist. But he found he could fly overseas, have the procedure, and be fully recovered before the date of his first appointment here. Jones stayed with family, and estimates it cost about $20,000, excluding accommodation. "I wouldn't hesitate to come again if I've got to do the other one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight is the Warriors’ final regular season home game, facing the Dragons at Mt Smart Stadium. A win would guarantee a top four finish and another home game in the playoffs. Warriors CEO Cameron George said that while it won’t be easy, they’ve prepared well. He said that there’s a really positive mind-set around the organisation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than two year's absence Donald Trump has returned with a vengeance to X, formerly known as Twitter. He's made U.S history becoming the first former president to have a mug shot taken, and he's posted it onto his page. After 3 hours the post had been seen more than 40 million times. Social Media Commentator Vaughn Davis told Heather du Plessis Allan that there's several likely reasons he's made a comeback, including wanting to get public opinion going his way. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT leader David Seymour maintains fees-free tertiary education is on the scrap heap if his party gets sway after October's election. It comes after National this week reserved its position on the policy, saying it won't abolish the promise despite campaigning for that in 2020. Seymour says this is about taking a principled position. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's be brutal about what we all suspect is going on with Air NZ. And that is that Air NZ managed to turn its business around yesterday and post a profit for the first time in three years.  By milking kiwis.  Not the rest of the world, just us.  We're all aware by now that they’ve jacked up the price on their domestic routes. It might surprise you though to know that they’re pretty competitive on some the international routes where there’s lots of competition. For example, try flying next week, let’s say Auckland to Wellington. Their cheapest flights on Thursday are double what Jetstar is charging.  But try booking an international flight on that day, direct flight to Singapore. Air NZ is the cheapest ticket.  Auckland Uni economics professor Robert MacCuloch’s on this. He wanted to know how much of their billion dollar turn around yesterday was off the back off domestic routes compared to international routes.  He couldn’t find it anywhere in the end of year accounts.   For Qantas he found it pretty easily 

The Supreme Court has ruled that the former Mainzeal directors are liable to pay $39.8million plus interest and costs as compensation after the collapse of the company a decade ago. The directors’ cross-appeal was dismissed as the Supreme Court found that they were aware of the company’s precarious position. Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley was one of Mainzeal’s directors and has been ordered to pay up to $6.6million. DLA Piper Litigation and Regulatory Partner Alicia Murray told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this brings directors’ duties into focus. She said that it shows what they should do if they company is looking unstable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's turning his latest personal loss into a money making venture. He became the first US President to have a mug shot taken earlier today. Trump handed himself into Georgia's Fulton County Jail, facing charges alleging that he headed a scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Trump's begun selling t-shirts with the image —captioned 'no surrender'— on his website. Trump continues to maintain his innocence. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.