Larry Williams Drive

After two years of COVID-19 restrictions and people readjusting to working from home, there is now a surge in people returning to office environments.  The number of vacant office buildings in New Zealand's three biggest cities is going down, highlighting that offices still hold an important role in workplace culture, despite concerns that the pandemic would eliminate them. JLL's Head of Research, Gavin Read, explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, all eyes are on the inflation announcement, which has confirmed the inflation numbers will hit double digits.  Previously, the inflation numbers were at 9.9 percent, which makes a jump to 10.1 percent predictable, but alarming. Rising inflation rates will have a negative effect on the region, as the UK is already having to deal with a severe cost of living crisis. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explained the inflation announcement further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home buyers could be paying $500 dollars per week more than they were in 2020 towards their mortgage. Two years ago, you could grab a two year interest rate for 2.49 per cent. They're now around 6 per cent. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explained further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Gaurav Sharma's abrupt resignation from Parliament, discussion surrounding a by-election has entered the public eye. Gaurav Sharma's resignation triggered a by-election, one in which he plans on running in as an independent candidate separate from Labour. The question of everyone's minds is- when is this by-election happening? Jacinda Ardern has declined to offer a real statement, but it's expected that a date will be announced. Deputy political editor Jason Walls offered further context, as well as insight into Labour's chances at claiming a victory. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in America, famed Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward is set to release a new audio book. The Trump Tapes is comprised of eight hours of interviews set to expose more information about the former president. Highlights include his relationship with Kim Jong-Un and North Korean strategy, and his working relationship with Vladimir Putin.  US correspondent explains what the audiobook has to offer and what it says about the former president's personality. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Constellation Cup season is still ongoing, with the next match in the season set to happen tonight. The Silver Ferns have being doing well at the home matches, but need to secure a win against Australia to clinch the cup. Ahead of tonight's upcoming match at the John Cain Arena, D'Arcy Waldegrave explained it all here tonight. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland GP accused of incorrectly prescribing ADHD drugs will be sanctioned. Ritalin and Concerta can only be prescribed with a recommendation from a psychiatrist or paediatrician. GP Tony Hanne has been found guilty of professional misconduct after prescribing without one, 5662 times. ADHD New Zealand Chair, Darrin Bull, says he hopes it'll lead to a better understanding of ADHD. Bull says they don't support GPs operating outside regulations, but the decision is sad because Hanne has been supporting ADHD patients for years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2022 has been an interesting, or rocky, year for our current share-markets, which contributes to a drop in investment prices. Central Banks all over the world are trying to combat inflation by raising interest rates, but this is more likely to create material recession risks and impact current share-markets.  Milford Asset Management equities analyst Jeremy Hutton is here to explain the concept of bear market fatigue and discuss investment fund opportunities for New Zealanders in this current market. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data from yesterday has confirmed that the CPI rose by 7.2 percent, which has unfortunate implications for the economy and job market. Despite this, Finance Minister Grant Robertson has ruled out additional support or inflation relief.  The Government is more committed to reaching their spending targets, according to Grant Robertson, and there are no plans in place to relieve fuel taxes, introduce more Cost of Living payments, or change income tax rates. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained what that meant for the nation going forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's unveiled a new plan for social investment, dusting off an idea from Bill English, re-imagined by current leaders. This is designed to combat crime and inequality.  Deputy Nicola Willis announced the initiative to replace what she terms Labour's "disempowered" social wellbeing agency with a more focused model. She says the new agency will give more resources to the front lines and be more efficient - constantly evaluating the success of policies, and diverting funds where needed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute and David Cormack, former Greens Communication and Policy Director joined us to talk about the following: Sunny Kaushal from the Dairy Owners Association has finally had his sit down meeting with Chris Hipkins. Sounds like the result was to agree to disagree, according to Sunny. Has Labour done enough here? Kiri Allan has stopped the extra payment to duty lawyers if they get a guilty verdict - how did that even make it through in the first place? Or was it a good way to reduce the backlog? The Human Rights Commission has decided today is the day to crack down on New Zealand's housing stock, and has apologised for not being strong enough previously. Was it a good admission / apology from them? Grant Robertson says there's no evidence banks are making excessive profits, but doesn't that come back to what you personally believe is an excessive profit for a bank to make?  Apparently New World is the BEST place to get sausages? At least, according to today's

A Tikanga Maori expert says some work by Pakeha artist Lester Hall  inappropriately uses Maori symbolism. Hall's calling it quits and closing his Kerikeri art studio and removing Maori influences from his work, saying there have been sustained and nasty attacks on him and an Auckland gallery that's now stopped featuring his work. Karaitiana Taiuru  says of forty-four prints Hall has listed on his website, eight are culturally offensive. "They used traditional Maori religious symbols, someone else's ancestor, the sexualisation of Maori women... there's genuine concerns for me with some of his art. Overall, I would suggest a little of it is provocative, but most of it's ok." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to new data, the best place in the country for the tastiest sausages is the upper North Island region. The 2022 Great New Zealand Sausage Competition has just wrapped up, with New World Te Rapa in Hamilton and Zaroa Meats in Auckland being declared joint winners. The judges couldn't decide between New World's pork sausage or Zaroa's Aoraki salami sausage, but were adamant that these two tied for the best among the 530 contenders. Porsche Davis of New World Te Rapa joined us to comment on the store's victory in the competition, and what it means for New World to beat out the various artisanal butcher competitors.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Crown appeal of teen rapist Jayden Meyer's nine-month home detention sentence has been dismissed. The now 18-year-old was convicted of raping four 15-year-old girls and sexually violating a fifth. But although the appeal's been denied -- High Court Justice Sally Fitzgerald says the sentencing process lacked transparency. But, criminal lawyer Steve Cullen says the appeal against the sentence came six weeks outside the statutory window. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government and small retailers have agreed on a couple of measures to combat youth offending, as ramraids and retail crime continue. Police Minister Chris Hipkins met the Dairy Owners and Business Group in Auckland this morning. Group Chair Sunny Kaushal says on top of a tough approach to crime - they want better cameras and a boost to funding. "Businesses across the country have been facing this wave of crime, and it's not stopping. We tabled eight point initiatives to reduce these attacks on businesses, from dairies to jewellery stores." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So we have more proof today that our country is spluttering along driving on fumes after 20 years of rampant growth and immigration and insufficient spending on infrastructure. Yesterday, an independent report found Middlemore Hospital's Emergency Department was unsafe and, dysfunctional and that stems from the hospital being overcrowded. Put simply, it’s not big enough for the population it serves. Meanwhile there are pay inequities and shortages of doctors and nurses, all because of a lack of long term planning on the staffing needed for a bigger population. So the facts are that our population grew by 1.4 percent a year in the 16 years to 1019. That’s an extra 1 million people to cope with. But our infrastructure spending was minimised to keep our taxes low. And before you start hollering that they’re not low. They have been. Especially when you factor in no long term capital gains tax. So the Infrastructure Commission believes we currently have a $100 billion dollar hole of infrastructure. Stuff missing o

Over in the UK, energy bills are expected to amp up, thanks to Liz Truss's controversial mini budget falling through. A key aspect of the bill involved sending financial support to UK families in order to help them keep energy costs down. This will fall through by April 2023, meaning those families will be paying within the range of $10,000 on gas and energy per household. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained how hard this would be for UK households to go through, especially when paired with rising costs in food and petrol prices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our inflation is at 7.2 percent, with ASB now saying the OCR should peak at 5.25 percent. Stats NZ say it's due to massive price increases for construction, rentals and diesel. HSBC's Chief Economist, Paul Bloxham put this information into context for us. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Huddle- We had David Farrar, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster, and Mike Munroe, former Labour Chief of Staff and current director at Mike Munroe Communications discuss the following topics: Gaurav Sharma has resigned, triggering a by-election and he says watch this space regarding a new party. Middlemore staff seem to be getting sick of the Government saying hospital short staffing is Covid related, these issues have been consistent for years. ASB now picking OCR will hit 5.25 percent - Grant Robertson quick to put out a press release saying inflation is easing - he's not wrong, but still a rough number to hear. How were the Reserve Bank's numbers so far off?  The final decision has been made made - AUT is closing its childcare centre. Couple of parents and the Tertiary union are pretty devastated but the uni says its not their priority. The Transport Minister seems very over the Restore Passenger Rail protestors closing down motorways every morning. 13 percent of people were flying to Perth, H

He Waka Eke Noa, the methane emissions tax scheme established by Jacinda Ardern and Labour, has been public knowledge for a week, and the farming community is still divided on it. The Country's Jamie Mackay confirms that many farmers still aren't impressed with the scheme, and agrees that this tax plan is harmful for the economy. Jamie Mackay has some questions for the Government on this matter, as he fails to see how a 20 percent reduction in sheep and beef production and a 24 percent drop in revenue is good for the economy.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.