Larry Williams Drive

Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter, Jason Walls, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss whether our businesses can expect any new help from the Government, the Prime Minister's photo with youth MPs in which just one person can be seen wearing and mask and Ardern's stand up with media today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB sports reporter Elliott Smith, who was one of the journalists that turned up for the cancelled All Blacks media briefing on Sunday, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan and was asked whether he feels Ian Foster will be at the helm when the All Blacks head to South Africa.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Coromandel school that rejected a $2500 scholarship tied to a game fishing tournament says it made the decision in order to avoid embroiling students in controversy.But that decision has turned into a public spat over the merits of the sport - and how much influence teachers with strong views should have when a school makes decisions.Teacher at Mercury Bay school, Thomas Everth, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A disability advocate wheeled herself to hospital after waiting 12 hours for an ambulance, because she was told they couldn't take wheelchairs.The Health Ministry has announced it will begin now only report the deaths of people who died because of Covid or as a contributor.Simon Wilson and Kerre Woodham joined Andrew Dickens on The Huddle.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An innovative new play and learning space is coming to New Plymouth's Kāwaroa Park.Destination Play at Kāwaroa will feature water play, climbing platforms and a pump track, and many more things for all ages to enjoy.It is being led by the Taranaki Foundation in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti, New Plymouth District Council and NP Partners.Destination Play will be created next year and is designed as a legacy for future generations.A range of interactive experiences as well as new learning and public facilities will be included in 12 conceptually themed zones.Woven into the ground-breaking layout are the rich stories of the area, hapū and communities as well as our city's culture, heritage, and ecology.With work set to begin early next year, the $5.5 million project to replace the ageing playground and transform Kāwaroa into a regional destination has already secured 65 per cent of the funding, and the rest is being raised through public and philanthropic donations, sponsorship and other channels.Taranaki Foun

Toy company Zuru appears to have won a US legal battle to force review site Glassdoor to reveal the identities of aggrieved former workers who posted scathing reviews of the company.It intends to sue for defamation here.Barrister Chris Patterson says it's not often a company runs to an American judge seeking an order for a potential defendant to hand over information, so they can be sued here.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims it's past time New Zealand begins recording Covid-19 deaths accurately.The Health Ministry has announced it will begin now only report the deaths of people who died because of Covid or as a contributor.Until now, anyone who died within 28 days of having an infection has been recorded as a Covid death, similar to other countries.Act Party leader David Seymour told Andrew Dickens it will help build trust.He says the Government has an obligation to collect accurate information and share it in real time, shutting down the fear factory.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A disability advocate wheeled herself to hospital after waiting 12 hours for an ambulance - because she was told they couldn't take wheelchairs.Advocate and lawyer Dr Huhana Hickey, who advises a number of regional health boards, told Andrew Dickens she alerted the Ministry of Health of the issue years ago.She says they advised in 2019 a way was needed to get wheelchair users to the hospital during the pandemic - and nobody did it.St John's Stuart Cockburn apologised for the delay, but says ambulances are designed for stretchers and can't safely stow wheelchairs.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter Jason Walls joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the update from the Government about their Covid-19 deaths reportage, as well as the announcement councils will be receiving a payment in order to implement the Three Waters reform.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB Sport reporter Kate Wells joined Andrew Dickens to discuss a potential move for newly-minted Open Championship winner Cameron Smith to the Saudi-backed LIV golf league, with a number of other top players reportedly eyeing a move.The Black Caps have defeated Ireland in the opening match of their T20 series and of course, more chat surrounds the All Blacks and particularly, Ian Fosters job as head coach.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are being told to consider putting off their travel to the Cook Islands this week due to extreme weather.The Rarotongan beach resort says they've been calling the 300 guests that are set to arrive this week, to let them know the island won't be fully operational.General Manager of that resort is Bob Taylor and he joined Andrew Dickens from the Cook Islands.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So inflation is at a 3 decade high and the Reserve Bank is scrambling to kill demand by raising interest rates.We've all heard that it's the fault of the Government for spraying around money during the lockdowns.  This is money that was either borrowed or created by the Reserve Bank through money printing.Money we then spent willy nilly because there was nothing else to do.  I've lost track of the number of people who said "buy property, buy anything, money's never been cheaper".And with the demand and a supply chain crisis caused by the virus and the war and a broken system we had a perfect petri dish for inflation to grow.  And it did.And now every time we hear that inflation has risen, Nicola Willis comes out and slams the Labour Government saying that if it restrained it's spending we wouldn't be in this position.Now all that is true to a point except that it is ignoring two thirds of the rest of economy.So the Australia Institute, which is an independent think tank across the Tasman, has found a fascinat

A senior economist says even if inflation's peaked, that is little consolation for stretched households.Stats NZ figures show inflation has hit 7.3 percent in a three-decade high.Grant Robertson says economists think inflation may have reached its upper limit.But Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchod told Newstalk ZB's Drive that doesn't mean financial pressures will ease.He says a drop from rising seven percent still won't release pressure on household budgets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation has hit 7.3 percent, the highest in 32 years.It's driven mostly by rising rents and construction costs.Some good news though, yesterday the government announced an extension to the fuel tax cuts and half price public transport, until next year.Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson joined Andrew Dickens.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pointy and magical hat is being thrown into the ring for Christchurch's mayoralty.The Wizard, real name Ian Brackenbury Channell, is running for the Garden City's top job - aged 89.He told Andrew Dickens he's making no grand election pledges.“Basically, they have to judge me by what I’ve done and not by what I promise.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warnings of pain when petrol tax cuts end.The 25-cent reduction, alongside slashed road user charges and half priced public transport fares, have been extended until the end of January.Stats NZ data shows inflation to June sat at 7.3 percent.Waitomo Fuel's chief operating officer says when the Government stops fuel relief - suppliers and customers will need ample warning.Simon Parham told Andrew Dickens there was no heads up when the cuts first came in, which is hard on suppliers.He says fuel companies are storage constrained - and don't have the infrastructure to pump out a months worth of fuel in one or two days.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is hitting back at claims made in a new book about the National Party.Blue Blood, by former Stuff and TVNZ political reporter Andrea Vance, catalogues the transition from the Key years to the turmoil of the Party's time in Opposition.The book claims that in 2017 coalition negotiations, Peters was offered Deputy Prime Ministership in the 11th hour of negotiations.But, in a statement, Peters says the offer was on the table on the first day day Labour and NZ First sat down to discuss terms.Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter joined Andrew Dickens to discuss.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a letter to the editor this weekend to my local newspaper.  Rob was incensed about a reorganisation of an intersection which will mean the loss of a right turning lane to make way for a cycle lane that even the cyclists don't want.Rob finished his letter proclaiming his hate for the Council and how this might be the spur for him to leave the country.I hear that a lot these days.  Time to leave the countryThere's a lot of very dour news.  Inflation at 7.3 percent which means it was really near 8 if you add the Government's tax cuts and public transport subsidies.Crisis after crisis.  Staffing, Health services, Housing.Let's go somewhere better.But is elsewhere really better?  We hear today rents are out of control in Sydney. They've  jumped jump 19 percent since pandemic began.  It's a landlord's market and the supply is minimal.And then over the weekend we got a message from Helen's German family.Helen was an exchange student for a year just out of Bonn and we regularly keep in touch.Martin was very

Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Andrew Dickens to debrief the All Blacks series loss to Ireland in Wellington as well as Cameron Smith's historic first golf major victory at The Open.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party is urging rent controls and more support after a survey found two thirds of university students regularly struggle to buy food and other necessities.The People's Inquiry into Student Wellbeing is a self-selecting survey of more than 4500 students, commissioned by the Green Party, the national student associations union (NZUSA) and the Māori (Te Mana Ākonga), Pacific (Tauira Pasifika) and disabled students (National Disabled Students' Association) associations.It found:On average, students living in a shared flat put 54 per cent of their income towards rent.About two thirds regularly did not have enough money to buy food, clothing, pay bills, get health care, or other basics. Disabled, Māori or Pasifika students were most likely to be in that position.58 per cent of students felt supported by their education provider's response to Covid-19.69 per cent reported poorer mental wellbeing during the pandemic and said it negatively impacted their studies.Two thirds reported being unable to pay for tr