Larry Williams Drive

Air New Zealand has announced its long awaited recapitalisation strategy.The strategy is a $2.2 billion equity and debt package.The aim is to repay its existing Crown loan, strengthen its balance sheet, improve liquidity and help position the airline for recovery post-Covid. Business commentator Rod Oram joined Andrew Dickens.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China and the Solomon Islands have signed a draft version of a security pact that could see Chinese police and other forces take up duties in the Pacific Island nation, drawing concerns from traditional partners New Zealand, Australia and the United States.The Solomon Islands government on Thursday said the draft agreement had been initialled by representatives of the two sides and will now “be cleaned up and await signatures of the two countries' foreign ministers.”The agreement aims to “respond to Solomon Islands’ soft and hard domestic threats. Solomon Islands will continue to roll out the implementation of its national security strategy and uphold its foreign policy of ‘Friends to all and enemies to none,’” a government news release said.Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Tuesday rejected concerns that regional safety would be jeopardized by the treaty. Sogavare called such concerns "utter nonsense,” adding that “I find it very insulting ... to be branded as unfit to manage our sovereign

Team NZ will be defending the America’s Cup abroad.The next edition of the America’s Cup will be held in Barcelona in September and October 2024 after Team NZ rejected a $99 million bid from the Government and Auckland Council to host the competition.Barcelona was selected as the next host over fellow Spanish city Malaga, Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and Ireland’s Cork.Warriors CEO Cameron George wants all Warriors games next year to be held entirely in New Zealand.It comes after the Warriors have spent the last three seasons based entirely in Australia.The Crusaders and the Highlanders kick off this weekend’s Super Rugby.The Highlanders go into this match in Christchurch having won the previous encounter last year.Another Super Rugby derby will take place this weekend with Moana Pasifika taking on the Blues on Saturday.There are fears within the Blues camp over Beauden Barrett’s fitness after he was removed from last week’s game against the Highlanders over concussion fears.Phil Gifford and Matt Brown joined Andrew