Larry Williams Drive

Western nations everywhere have widely condemned Vladimir Putin's latest threats.   Putin hinted strongly in yesterday's speech that when Russia annexes the territory it's occupying in Ukraine, nuclear weapons may be used to defend it.  The aforementioned speech mentioned that is wasn't a bluff, either. Former New Zealand ambassador to Russia, Ian Hill, joins us today to comment. "Any threat to use nuclear weapons is to be taken very seriously. It's not the first time he's done this, remember? He said much the same thing in February, when he launched the invasion, threatening consequences of the type you've never known before." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, has fired back at Putin's remarks.  She described his earlier comments about war escalation as "unthinkable" and "completely irresponsible". She's also made it clear that Australia will continue to supply military equipment to Ukraine. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sportstalk's D'Arcy Waldegrave joins us now to tell us what's going on with The Blues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools in Northland are expecting a boost in funding following the scrapping of the decile system going forward. The Government has unveiled more information about the new Equity Index, which is set to replace the decile system next year. 90 percent of schools will see a boost in funding, and Northland schools are set to benefit greatly.  Pat Newman is school principal of Hora Hora school and president of the Principal's Association in Northland, and he joins us now to explain further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some are suggesting there is a likelihood that inflation is going to be a problem for longer than we expect. Mark Riggall from Milford Asset Management joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the day after Queen Elizabeth II's much-anticipated funeral, and our UK correspondent, Edna Brady, is here to tell us about the aftermath of the spectacular send off here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's Dairy Industry Leaders have been attending the International Dairy Foundation's World Dairy Summit in India last week. The Country Producer, Rowena Duncum explains it all here. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pattrick Smellie from BusinessDesk has just read the two hundred and 51 submissions on the Government's proposed income insurance scheme so you don't have to. He's with us now to explain what it means. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Munroe, former Labour Chief of Staff, and current director at Mike Munroe Communications and Ben Thomas of Capital PR join us here to talk about: The new report from NZ Initiative about the lack of evidence that modern learning works. Waka Kotahi telling a Greymouth councillor that he was letting his emotions get the better of him when asked to lower speed limits outside a school. The business community in South Canterbury is not happy with the public holiday being moved. All of these and more will be discussed on The Huddle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that the borders have opened up again, New Zealand's migration statistics are up for discussion. Our immigration statistics have been described as a "slow moving disaster" with more people leaving the country than arriving.  Here to discuss these statistics is Stuart Williams, Nikko Asset Management Head of Equities. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rural Land Management is reaching out to overseas investors. This is due to a lack of local interest in their products. Despite a strong increase in share value, News Zealanders aren't interested. Chair of New Zealand Rural Land Management, Rob Campbell, joins us now. "We set this up because a lot of New Zealand farm land was going to foreigners. But if we can't get the support from local owners capital, again, I come back to those Kiwisaver funds. If we can't get the support, what choice do we have?" LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Initiative released a report this morning about the ineffectiveness of modern learning environments.  According to the report, there's no proof that modern learning environments accomplish anything.  This report has generated a lot of discussion, and here to contribute is St Clair Primary Tumuaki (principal), Jen Rodgers. St Clair primary uses a teaching method referred to as "flexible learning".  "It gives us flexibility, it's in that name. It enables teachers to teach in a way that suits the moment. It enables children to have autonomy or agency over where they work, who they work with, when they work, whether it's alone or with other people. It gives everyone flexibility." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Canterbury has opted to push their anniversary day forward to November 11th this year.  This is because the new memorial holiday set aside for Queen Elizabeth II's passing fell on the same date as the original anniversary date.  Waimate District Mayor, Craig Rowley, is pleased with the outcome. "We took the public feedback into account before making the decision, about 83 percent of the feedback we got was in favour of shifting it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kainga Ora is now the third Government agency to review the process where it engaged the consultancy owned by Minister Nanaia Mahuta's husband. That follows Kainga Ora admitting that it followed no formal conflict of interest process when hiring her husband, Gannin Ormsby. With us now is Simeon Brown, National's Spokesperson for Public Service. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate Change Commission Chair Rod Carr has issues with the new Emissions Trading Scheme. According to Rod Carr, the ETS as it is allows companies to plant and pollute, and needs reform. “We need to reduce our growth submissions from all sources and we need to do it fairly quickly.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, New South Wales has established a new law for convicted murderers- no body, no parole.  The law states that convicted murders will be confined to jail forever, unless they reveal where they disposed of any bodies in question. The new law was established in New South Wales as a response to the Chris Dawson murder case. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The way things are headed, Sam Cane may be swapped out from the All Blacks ahead of the next Wallabies rematch. D'Arcy Waldegrave, our sports contributor, has more! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karoro School in Greymouth is pleading for authorities to conduct a road safety review. The speed limit on the state highway around the school is 70 kilometres per hour. The school board chair says she's wondering whether a tragedy needs to happen before change is made. With us now is Peter Haddock, a West Coast Regional Councillor who has been fighting for change on behalf of the school. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The queues to see the now-deceased Queen Elizabeth II are historically long, with wait times sitting at 30- 35 hours. However, MP's and their families seem to be an exception to the wait times, and this is drawing some backlash. UK correspondent Enda Brady explains it all here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Jamie Mackay is confident that a solution to fixing the environment and water quality is here, based on research and information coming out of Otago. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.