Larry Williams Drive

A Christchurch school's uniform costs has hit families in the back pocket. A new gender-neutral uniform has been introduced for Burnside High School’s incoming year 9 students. But the compulsory items, including a PE kit, will cost parents up to $540 dollars with extra items bringing the final cost to $700. There's also no second-hand option. Burnside High School acting principal Andrea Griffin says the prices sit in the middle compared to other schools in the decile group and there have been teething problems with introducing new items. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first week of term one has been delayed until the Tuesday after Waitangi Day for schools across Auckland due to extreme weather. Schools, early learning services and tertiary institutions have been instructed to close for on site learning, but can offer distance learning. 20 Auckland schools have been severely impacted by widespread flooding destruction and will need repairs. Former Principals' Federation President Cherie Taylor-Patel says it's a complex situation for schools and not an encouraging start to 2023. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland is in line for another deluge of rain tomorrow after 5pm, with concerns it could have even worse impacts on the region after Friday's damage. Educational facilities will be closed on Tuesday for the next week, businesses have been advised against opening, and the army may be called upon to help with sand-bagging. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says this weather is concerning and that he's ensuring Auckland will be properly prepared for the extreme rain and flooding. "We've got all the emergency services prepped and ready, and in addition to that, I've asked Minister Henare to keep the army alert in case we need them as well for sand-bagging. The next two days look quite challenging." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has been the subject of criticism following his response to the recent burst of extreme weather in the region. The rain and subsequent flooding tore through Auckland mid Friday afternoon, but Wayne Brown didn't declare a state of emergency until after 9:30 pm. Wayne Brown has since apologised for his initial response to the crisis and acknowledged his communications were “not good enough”. ZB's senior political correspondent, Barry Soper, says the backlash comes back to Wayne Brown's relationship to the media and his tendency to avoid them. LISTEN ABOVE      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian authorities have warned the public that a small radioactive capsule has been lost in Western Australia. The pea-sized capsule is believed to have fallen off the back of a truck between the Gudai-Darri Airstrip and the Perth suburb of Malaga. Teams of people deployed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services are currently searching for the missing capsule, which could have fallen off anywhere on the 1400-kilometre journey. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the circumstances surrounding the lost capsule are still unknown, as the capsules are generally locked in a box on the truck. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Novak Djokovic has claimed his 10th Australian Open championship and record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title over the weekend. This gives him the same amount of wins as Rafael Nadal and two more than Roger Federer. This has led to tennis enthusiasts debating on whether Novak Djokovic is the next GOAT, but Weekend Sport host Jason Pine isn't convinced. Jason Pine says there's more to being the GOAT than performance, and Djokovic's off-field actions impact the discussion. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The State Highway network around Coromandel has taken a battering from the rain, and more is on the way within the next 48 hours. The road at the summit of State Highway 25A has completely collapsed. Workers trying to repair State Highway 25 have faced setbacks because of constant slips. Thames-Coromandel Defence Controller Garry Towler says MetService have issued a red-level heavy rain warning. "The whole Coromandel Peninsula is absolutely drenched through, and the Waikato Regional Council believe that if we don't go to red warning, we may not make people aware that sections of the hillside or the rivers may give way and cause a lot of damage." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly nine-thousand locals have signed a petition calling for a massive overhaul of forestry across Tairāwhiti. Beaches, farms, waterways, and homes have been covered in woody debris from ex-Tropical cyclone Hale this month. A boy died on Wednesday after falling from a log on Waikanae Beach and hitting his head. Petition organiser Manu Caddie says that most of the region is feeling great frustration. He says many local councillors agree that an inquiry is needed. Caddie says it would offer an opportunity for locals to have a say, to find out the root causes, and what can be done about it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Transport has apologised to Elton John fans after a fiasco triggered by closures of the rail network. It posted on Facebook last night, recommending driving to the concerts tonight and tomorrow. The agency has now revoked the advice, saying it has a full transport plan in place, including special event buses. Metro Services group manager Darek Koper told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they’ve sourced 80 special-events buses from outside Auckland. He says that due to driver shortages there are limited resources available in the supply chain, but they have buses which will be driving every ten minutes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The owner of a section that's become a makeshift camp for homeless people in Christchurch has defended letting them stay. About six homeless men have taken over the vacant plot opposite the luxurious George Hotel and iconic Hagley Park. The property is owned by renowned Christchurch surgeon Frank Frizelle, who is letting the homeless men remain. He says he didn't invite them, but he has no problem with it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multiple criminal cases against police officers in the UK are expected to go to court within the next few weeks. New information from the Metropolitan Police commissioner says that two or three cases per week for the next few months will appear in court. These charges range from sexual abuse to domestic violence. UK correspondent Enda Brady said that this will likely be a difficult time for Met police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and that he believes Rowley is getting ahead of the damage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stocks have risen this Monday, as investors have observed that interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve may be slowing down. This newly released round of quarterly financial results have indicated that figures are surging, especially following China's reopening.  Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds says that these rises are linked to interest rates potentially slowing down and China reopening following the Covid-19 shutdown. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's food and fibre sectors hope to find out what they can expect from new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Leaders from those sectors are unaware about what the new PM can offer them, with Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard saying that Hipkins wasn't part of the ministerial team meeting with them. The Country's Jamie Mackay says that farmers have a lot of pressing issues Chris Hipkins needs to clear up with them, such as the labour shortage and He Waka Eke Noa. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand-based company Laybuy has announced they will be de-listing from the ASX. 2022 was a difficult year for the buy now, pay later company and their plummeting shares led to them removing themselves from the exchange because the costs were outweighing the benefits. NZ Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander said this is the right decision for them at this stage. Mander says this is important for investors, because they will still be able to trade their shares while being protected. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges is confident Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will make positive changes to our business sector. The two of them met in Auckland after Bridges organised a roundtable meeting with business leaders across the region. NZ Herald business editor Liam Dann is less confident about what Chris Hipkins can do for the economy. Liam Dann says Chris Hipkins could make changes to immigration standards, but the tide is turning for unemployment figures. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's edition of the Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following pressing issues: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins spent his first full day on the job meeting with key members of the Auckland business community in order to address their concerns. Will anything come of this roundtable discussion, or will he walk his promises back? Donald Trump returns to Facebook and Instagram after his two-year ban from the platforms. Did anyone miss him? Taryn Brumfitt is the new Australian of the Year, and she wants young men to have a better relationship with their bodies. Does this cause need more awareness? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse Group has announced they will be cutting 190 jobs in order to respond to challenging market conditions ahead. This comes a day after Mediaworks informed staff they would cut 90 jobs in an email. Mark Hampton, an investment adviser at Hamilton Hindin Greene says these job cuts are the start of companies preparing to tighten their belts and recession-proof themselves. "They've got to do something, they've got to respond. As unfortunate as it is for those 190 people, I can't stress that enough, it is kind of what Adrian Orr and the economy needs, unfortunately." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Quad Series final between the Silver Ferns and Australia was tarnished by a bizarre moment from the umpires. Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio scored a goal, but both umpires were distracted by separate events on the court and missed it. The umpires then conferred and said the goal couldn't be counted. Netball commentator Jenny Woods was "lost for words" as she watched the events unfold live. Jenny Woods said that it seemed like both umpires were the only ones there who didn't see the goal, making the viewing experience "bonkers". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Waikato wetland sanctuary is reintroducing rats to try to stop birds pooing in a prized lake. It's a last resort to try to scare off half a million sparrows and starlings roosting at Lake Rotopiko. The birds defecate so much, it's changing the ecosystem and affecting the water quality. National Wetlands Trust spokesperson, John Innes says they've released 30 rats to try and deter the birds in a first for the nation. "This is experimental, that's the first thing, and this is all being closely monitored to see if it works. It's only one species of the twelve or thirteen mammals that were taken out and everybody's very keen that the others don't go in." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A twist in the case of the young boy tasered by police in Rotorua. Police say the 10-year-old came at an officer with a knife as they attempted to arrest another person during a family harm incident. Police Association President Chris Cahill says officers have to do a risk assessment in these situations. "When officers are confronted with these situations, they've got to go through a full risk assessment. And that involves looking at the threat and saying- what's this and what's the situation? What's the danger?" LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.