Larry Williams Drive

The crucial part of the campaign has started with Television interviews and appearances occurring. Italy looks to be in trouble again with it's Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigning but PresidentSergio Mattarella not accepting the resignation. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey joined Andrew Dickens to discuss these issues. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A surprise intervention by US Vice-President Kamala Harris, the China-Solomon Island's security pact, and the Sri Lanka President fleeing to Singapore. Asian business correspondent Peter Lewis joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the Pacific Island's forum and other business news. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solving job shortages might not be as easy as it seems. Bringing immigrants into the country means government will have to invest more into infrastructure but training up kiwis might not be as easy either. Business commentator Rod Oram joined Andrew Dickens  to discuss empty jobs and how to fill them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's harder to figure out who comes out worse after Leo Molloy's performance on late night TV and Wayne Brown's public complaint about it.Mr Brown's surprise at the earthy nature of Mr Molloy’s character, particularly when he's playing up for the cameras, suggests he's a ‘wowser’.After all we've seen plenty of politicians playing up on late night telly to show they're not buttoned up bores.  Simon Bridges has a long history and who can forget Kieran McAnulty dropping a c-bomb on 7 days. And McAnulty has been recently promoted to a minister outside of cabinet.Meanwhile, suggesting that Mr Molloy needs professional help is just a massive step too far.On the other hand Mr Molloy's claim that this was comedy is a bit rich.  This was an attempt at outrage humour. Guy Williams does it all the time and many people seen no laughs in it.Now outrage humour only works if it's actually outrageous. But Mr Molloy's behaviour last night was not outrageous.  It was just Leo being Leo.  We know that side of him but what we do

Coverage of women's sport is increasing but parity is still a while away, NZ women's sports coverage is at 20% of all sport and global its at four. All Blacks and Ireland are taking to Sky Stadium this weekend for their last match and tension is in the air. Sports Broadcasters Elliott Smith and Andrew Alderson join Andrew Dickens for the Sports Huddle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christchurch Cathedral restoration project is planned to be finished by the end of 2027.Inside clear up of the cathedral done by a robot digger has finished ahead of schedule. Project Director Keith Paterson joined  Andrew Dickens to discuss the progress thus far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: This interview discusses suicide. Helplines can be found at the bottom of the pageCurrently New Zealand does not have any alcohol related interventions in our national suicide prevention strategy.International evidence suggests that taking action of alcohol, reducing alcohol availability and  strengthening alcohol regulations results in a reduced suicide rate for a population.University of Otago Study Author and Lecturer Dr Rose Crossin joins Andrew dickens to discussher research on alcohol. LISTEN ABOVEWHERE TO GET HELP:If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111.For counselling and supportLifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP)Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)Need to talk? Call or text 1737Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202For children and young peopleYouthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)The Lowdown: Text 5626 or webchatFor help with specific issuesAlco

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge said Thursday that the criminal contempt trial of Steve Bannon can start as scheduled next week and that the extensive media coverage of the onetime adviser to former President Donald Trump should not be a barrier to selecting an unbiased jury to hear the case.U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols had earlier in the week rejected a bid by Bannon's lawyers to delay his trial, which is scheduled to start Monday with jury selection. He made a similar ruling Thursday, turning aside concerns from Bannon's lawyers about a CNN report set to air on the eve of trial and what they said were prejudicial comments made during a hearing this week hosted by the House committee investigating the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021."I am cognizant of current concerns about publicity and bias and whether we can seat a jury that is going to be appropriate and fair, but as I said before, I believe the appropriate course is to go through the voir dire process," Nichols said, referring to the questioni

99% of education professionals say funding for disabled students does not deliver what students need. Disability advocacy group IHC is taking the case to the Human Rights Tribunal on the grounds that the complicated funding system is discriminatory against disabled students. IHC Inclusive Education Consultant, Trish Grant joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the action their taking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Euro has lost ground against the united states dollar for the first time in twenty years.Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative Oliver Hartwich joined Andrew Dickens to explain how this happened. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the stuff of fast food nightmares, but for one country, running out of McDonald's has become a reality.McDonald's restaurants across Fiji have announced on social media that due to global shipping issues, some of the fan favourites will be off the menu.From the Big Mac to the cheeseburger, Quarter Pounder and even McFeast — "valued customers" may be forced to dine on a Filet-O-Fish instead during their next visit to the golden arches."Please note the unavailability of beef patty products at our restaurants till further notice," the post read."We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused."McDonald's restaurants across Fiji have announced on social media that due to global shipping issues, some of the fan favourites will be off the menu. Photo / McDonald's FijiIn an interview with local media FBC News, McDonald's Fiji operations manager Damon Gregg said there was no clarity in when held-up stock would arrive in store."The container ships have been late loading and late leaving so that's the key issu

So the big Covid story today is that the NZ Radio Awards have been cancelled.Now this isn't because I'm a broadcaster full of self-importance but because of what it says about the current environment.Organisers say the severity of the second wave and the risk of infection means it will now be a virtual event.The awards were to be held next Thursday at the Sky City Theatre with NZ’s top broadcasters all gathering together in one room. Management from NZME, Mediaworks and Radio New Zealand decided that the risk was too great.This was not due to people dying but because of the risk to business practice. Radio stations run on low staff numbers anyway so it makes no sense to throw a bit of an indoor hooley and have a complete staffing nightmare a week later.A firm I know of accepted an invitation to a client’s corporate box at Eden Park, which their 10 senior staff members attended.  5 days later after hurrahing and handshaking and yelling, all 10 staff members were off work with Covid.If 50,000 people are falling

Ayesha Verrall said earlier on in the show that only a small number of people have an objection to masks. Retail NZ CEO Greg Harford disagrees and believes the government needs to make a rule so there are no loopholes for those not wanting to wear masks. Greg Harford joined Andrew Dickens to discuss  the problem of customers not wearing masks in store.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures from Stats NZ show that as a country New Zealanders had $54 billion of disposable income from January to March this year, yet only saved 0.004%.Financial Advice NZ CEO Katrina Shanks Joined Andrew Dickens to discuss Kiwis financial habits. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle tackles vaping in schools, New Zealanders savings, the Christchurch Stadium, and the All Blacks game this weekend. Cas Carter of Cas Carter Communications and CEO of Transporting New Zealand Nick Leggett join Andrew Dickens to debate the issues of today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch's Mayor is welcoming the decision to continue its city stadium project.Councillors today voted to sign a fixed-price $683 million contract to build the multi-use Te Kaha arena.Thirteen voted for, and three against.Mayor Lianne Dalziel joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the background behind the decision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unemployment dropped to the lowest level since 1974, 3.5% last month as job vacancies  hit 480,000 in may. This works out to be one job for every unemployed person in Australia, however Australian's don't want the jobs on offer. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds joined Andrew Dickens to talk on employment, inflation and all things occurring over the ditch. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students at Westlake Boys High School have said teachers have hid in the toilets to catch students vaping. Full details around these events are not clear. Youth Law General Manager, Neil Shaw joined Andrew Dickens to discuss this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks team has been named ahead of the final match against Ireland in Wellington this weekend. D'Arcy Waldegrave debriefs the announcement with Andrew Dickens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kiwi recruiter says she hopes to get 100 new nurses into New Zealand within the next year, reversing some of the Covid shortages hammering the workforce. Accent Health recruitment director Prudence Thomson is in Singapore enticing young nurses to work in New Zealand. She joined Andrew Dickens to talk about recruiting new talent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.