https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/rss NZME Fri, 01 May 2026 15:33:25 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/marcus-lush-nights/audio/its-a-perfect-season-1-may-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/marcus-lush-nights/audio/its-a-perfect-season-1-may-2026/ Marcus talks sleep aids (and sleep paralysis), and why people have gone back to hoarding cash... LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 01 May 2026 12:12:15 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 1 May, 2026, former Defence Minister Ron Mark explains why he wouldn't  be rushing to help the US open the Strait of Hormuz. An Australian reading expert tells us why New Zealand can be world leading in literacy. One New Zealand chief executive Jason Paris outlines what went wrong with an internet outage. And on the Sports Huddle, Nathan Limm and Clay Wilson debate whether Papua New Guinea's got an unfair advantage in recruiting NRL players. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 07:10:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principal-economist-on-an-extra-1bn-physical-cash-in-kiwi-wallets/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principal-economist-on-an-extra-1bn-physical-cash-in-kiwi-wallets/ One billion dollars in cash has appeared in Kiwi wallets since last year.  The Reserve Bank said that in March of 2025, there was $8.59 billion worth of physical cash in circulation. Now, that number has risen to $9.57billion.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the cause of this is likely due to global instability.  "I wouldn't be surprised if the Iran war through the month of March, cause some people to think that, you know, there was some pretty big issues out there and maybe they wanted to have a little bit more physical cash with them." He likened the jump in the amount of cash to a similar increase that happened at the start of the COVID pandemic.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 07:10:36 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-its-a-matter-of-time-before-we-head-to-the-strait/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-its-a-matter-of-time-before-we-head-to-the-strait/ I’m inclined to think that at some stage and in some way we will be helping the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It’s been revealed by American media that Trump has told US embassies around the world to pressure governments to help. Australia is considering assistance and so are we. It’s early days at the moment. It appears both we and Australia are simply asking for more information at this point, probably along the lines of what help is actually required and under what circumstances. Those circumstances are important because I would imagine New Zealand would not want to agree to help if there were a hot war underway — meaning shots being fired. I’d expect we would only be willing to help if there were an active and sustained ceasefire in place. That said, I think that in the end we will still say yes because we’ve already indicated this is what we plan to do. We’ve already signed a joint statement with countries including the UK, France, Germany and Japan, saying we are ready to provide appropriate help to reopen the strait. Now, I don’t think this is going to be popular when the time comes. I don’t think it will be popular in this country. There are now multiple polls and surveys showing consistently that Kiwis want nothing to do with a war started by the US. However, I think we can — and should — separate the war from the oil. Helping in the war is one thing but helping to reopen and keep the strait open is also helping ourselves because we need that oil to flow. We need diesel to keep food on our supermarket shelves. Of course, we do have another option: we could simply leave it to other countries to do the hard work for us. But that would be a bad call because if there’s one thing we know about Donald Trump, it’s that he is transactional — and if we don’t help, he will remember. So I would say that now the request has come in, it’s only a matter of time. And if the strait stays closed, I’d almost guarantee  New Zealand will be heading there. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 06:38:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tony-kemp-former-warriors-coach-shares-worries-over-papua-new-guineas-involvement-in-nrl/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tony-kemp-former-warriors-coach-shares-worries-over-papua-new-guineas-involvement-in-nrl/ NRL teams, including the Warriors, have voiced their concerns on the fine print of Papua New Guinea's first team joining the league.  The Papua New Guinea Chiefs’ are set to join the league in 2028, but they have a significant leg-up over the competition when it comes to recruitment.  An agreement between the Australian and PNG governments over the Chiefs’ admission into the NRL allows the club to offer tax-free contracts to players willing to relocate for 10 years.  Former Warriors Coach Tony Kemp told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this was a 'politically-based' decision between Governments, not clubs. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 06:21:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jason-paris-one-new-zealand-chief-executive-explains-widespread-internet-outage/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jason-paris-one-new-zealand-chief-executive-explains-widespread-internet-outage/ One New Zealand says a widespread internet outage this morning was caused by one of its technology partners.  Ninety cell towers were taken down by technical problems - leaving some customers in the South Island and lower North without service or internet. The company says the outage began about 1:30 this morning and it took hours to be fully resolved.  One NZ Chief Executive Jason Paris told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the issue was caused by a bug in one of their vendor's software.   He says it tried to roll back the update it had made, but the bug didn't go away.  The outage also affected 2 Degrees customers. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 06:04:41 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/antonia-watson-anz-chief-executive-discusses-economic-uncertainty-as-middle-east-war-continues/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/antonia-watson-anz-chief-executive-discusses-economic-uncertainty-as-middle-east-war-continues/ ANZ is bracing itself for more variability - on the back of a lift in economic activity.  The bank's posted a $1.2billion half year net profit - a 2% increase on the 6 months prior.  It also saw a 2% rise in loans, and a 4% rise in deposits.  But Chief Executive Antonia Watson says there's a lot of uncertainty ahead, with conflict in the Middle East tanking business and consumer confidence.  She says some customers will be impacted more than others depending on fuel usage.  Watson says we're already seeing some customers cutting back on discretionary spending due to prices at the pump, which isn't good for businesses like retail.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 05:48:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/ron-mark-former-defence-minister-says-theres-too-much-uncertainty-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/ron-mark-former-defence-minister-says-theres-too-much-uncertainty-in-the-strait-of-hormuz/ Former Defence Minister Ron Mark says its not clear how New Zealand could meaningfully support reopening the Strait of Hormuz.  The US has formally provided an initial plan to New Zealand for the Government to consider - but Foreign Minister Winston Peters says more detail's needed.  Mark told Heather du Plessis Allan that our defence forces have reduced capability - and he could only see us helping with aerial surveying.  He says we are strategically irrelevant right now - and there's no way he could see us deploying a frigate.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 05:37:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/prof-pamela-snow-australian-language-expert-praises-nzs-literacy-teaching/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/prof-pamela-snow-australian-language-expert-praises-nzs-literacy-teaching/ An Australian Language expert is praising New Zealand's new approach to teaching literacy.  The Government mandated state schools to teach a specific structured literacy curriculum to new entrants from the beginning of last year.  Education data showed increasing improvement in learning outcomes across the four school terms in 2025.   Professor Pamela Snow told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the new approach used the best possible techniques -- and calls the direction 'world leading'.  Fri, 01 May 2026 04:48:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/matt-heath-tyler-adams-afternoons/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/matt-heath-tyler-adams-afternoons/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ On the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Full Show Podcast for the 1st of May 2026 - Consumer confidence slumps – are we a jittery no guts nation these days? Then some good conversation around the cost of school balls hitting some parents hard. Plus a chat about subscriptions overload. Get the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Podcast every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 04:43:43 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/matt-heath-tyler-adams-afternoons/audio/greg-johnson-kiwi-music-artist-celebrates-60th-birthday-with-career-spanning-tour/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/matt-heath-tyler-adams-afternoons/audio/greg-johnson-kiwi-music-artist-celebrates-60th-birthday-with-career-spanning-tour/ LA-based New Zealand singer-songwriter Greg Johnson has announced a six-date, career-spanning tour to celebrate his 60th birthday.  He caught up with Matt and Tyler to chat about the tour, and what performing in front of a home crowd means to him.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 04:29:17 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-with-justin-lester-and-nicola-young/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-faceoff-with-justin-lester-and-nicola-young/ It's Friday Faceoff, and Nick is joined in the studio by former Wellington Mayor and Director of Dot Loves Data Justin Lester and Wellington City Councillor Nicola Young. The hot issues of the week - like the release of emails between the Foreign Minister and Prime Minister through NZ First. Is this a political move or a genuine mistake? And who is in charge in this coalition? Then onto the cost of social housing to the council, rates, our local economy and the pains of being a Wellingtonian. And when will we see the light. Maiki Sherman, TVNZ and the politicians - what should be done, and what is the standard of professionalism that we should expect from those in the Beehive. Then our guests take a deeper dive into the alcohol culture in parliament, and in workplaces.  As the Prime Minister has pulled out of his weekly breakfast slot, Lester and Young faceoff over whether this is acceptable, and does this alter the public's perception of Luxon? And with our panel's council expertise we hear what they think of the "frivolous" spending of council. Young says this is due to the officials, how do we align the councillors and officials spending? Plus, what do Young and Lester think of the bill the Green Party are trying to get through which stops prosecutions for low level drug crimes when people call for support during an overdose. And the panel give their hots and nots. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 00:52:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sports-kick-off-with-adam-cooper-and-jason-pine-hurricanes-and-phoenix-women/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/friday-sports-kick-off-with-adam-cooper-and-jason-pine-hurricanes-and-phoenix-women/ To kick off the sports weekend Nick is joined by Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Starting with the Hurricanes. Ruben Love celebrates his 50th game. Jason says this is the best Hurricanes team since 2015, do our panel agree? Do we expect them to do well now instead of hope? We will see, when they play the Crusaders tonight at Hnry Stadium.  The first leg of the semis for the Phoenix Women is on tomorrow, it is the furthest they have ever gone - could they do what no other Phoenix men OR women's team have done and take out the competition? Plus, the crew chat the two wins for the Wellington Saints and the progress the Pulse are making this season. LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 00:37:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/finance-minister-nicola-willis-on-the-tvnz-political-editor-drama/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/finance-minister-nicola-willis-on-the-tvnz-political-editor-drama/ Nick is joined in the studio today by Finance Minister Nicola Willis for her monthly catch-up. This week news broke over a verbal dispute between journalists at Nicola Willis's pre-budget office drinks. Nick gets to the bottom of what happened, and why it took nearly a year to reveal to the public. Then with the public spats between the Prime Minister, Willis and Winston Peters - is the coalition collapsing, coming up to election time. And who is making the decisions - Peters or Luxon? Willis also discusses the mood in the country with fuel hikes and global uncertainty. When will we see improvement, and how is the budget looking?  And how did the caucus meeting and vote of confidence go? LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 01 May 2026 00:34:07 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-the-road-toll-still-needs-reducing/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/kerre-woodham-the-road-toll-still-needs-reducing/ You'll have heard it in our news, since Monday the 20th of April, 18 people have been killed in 14 separate crashes on our roads. As of this morning, 12 more lives have been lost on New Zealand roads so far this year compared to the same point last year. To give some context though, our road tolls today are nothing like the bad old days. Back in 1973, long before many of you were born, when we had a much smaller population and fewer cars on the road, the road toll was around 850 deaths. And you can only imagine the injuries involved in those as well. In 1975 seatbelts in cars became compulsory and the road toll began to decline. It was around about 625 in 1975 – that was considered cause for celebration. And over time, it's come down to fewer than 300 deaths on the road thanks to seatbelts, thanks to better engineering of cars, thanks to improved medical outcomes and rigorous enforcement of traffic rules.   But the fact that things are better than they used to be will be cold comfort to the families of those killed, to the first responders and to the poor bloody truckies who are travelling along the highway, minding their own business, doing the speed limit, big heavy load on the back, and then watching as inevitable disaster unfolds right in front of them as a car veers across the centre line and heads towards them at 100km/h. There is nowhere for them to go. They cannot stop in time. They just have to wait for the inevitable, which would be horrific. Preliminary findings found 16 of the 18 deaths over these past 10 days occurred on open roads with 100km/h speed limits and no traffic safety barriers. Of those 18 deaths, six of them weren't wearing seatbelts. So there's an obvious fix – buckle up.   The other must be looking at wire median barriers. There's a barrier stretching around three and a half kilometres on the Kapiti Coast along Centennial Highway. That used to be a dreadful section of road – there was nowhere to go. There was a sheer rock face on one side and the sea on the other. A very narrow stretch of road around the coast. In the decade before the first part of the wire median barrier went up in 2005, 16 people were killed, 14 seriously injured in 15 major crashes. So the $15 million barrier was extended in 2007, and between 2007 and 2015, there were no deaths or serious injuries on that part of the highway. The barrier had been struck 122 times since it was installed, but no deaths or serious injuries. Goodness knows what that number would be today in 2026, 11 years later.   I know motorcyclists are wary of the cheese cutters. There are all sorts of dreadful stories about decapitations from the wire barriers, but the numbers don't lie. They save far more lives than they take. Even so, you cannot put a barrier down the length of New Zealand. I mean, even if we had the money, would it be advisable to do so? You just have to look at the numbers I suppose and see where the most fatals occur, and put the wire barriers there. And in the meantime, as a road user, you just have to rely on people doing the right thing. You have to rely on them driving roadworthy cars, not driving while they're tired, not driving under the influence of drugs and or alcohol, and paying attention to the conditions. That doesn't seem too much to ask.   But in the meantime, what are your fixes? You know, the police are tearing their hair out and I just feel for the truckies. You more than anyone must see the near misses, must know how bad those figures could really be, were it not for divine providence. What would you like to see as the people most on the road, most at risk of being an unwilling and faultless participant in fatal crashes? I mean, buckling your seatbelt, I thought as a generation we all did. We all grew up where you buckled your seatbelt and you told your parents because they hadn't grown up with that. Everybody knew. The boss was reminding me of the olden, olden days, and I can vaguely remember wh... Fri, 01 May 2026 00:22:05 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/michael-glading-nz-open-tournament-director-on-saudi-arabias-pif-pulling-funding-from-the-liv-golf-tournament/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/michael-glading-nz-open-tournament-director-on-saudi-arabias-pif-pulling-funding-from-the-liv-golf-tournament/ LIV Golf’s financial backer is pulling its funding after the current season.   Plays and staff will reportedly find out the decision today to axe the funding by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.  It’s reportedly cost PIF over US$5 billion to operate the series so far.  NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading told Ryan Bridge that the model was flawed from the get-go – you can’t just create teams out of nowhere.  He says if something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.   LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:50:45 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/pooja-sundar-immigration-lawyer-on-the-number-of-visa-rejections-dropping-to-a-post-covid-low/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/pooja-sundar-immigration-lawyer-on-the-number-of-visa-rejections-dropping-to-a-post-covid-low/ There's a suggestion better quality visa applications are coming through, with more than nine in ten applicants being approved.  Data released to Newstalk ZB shows just over 65 thousand applications were declined in 2025 – down from over 83 thousand in 2024.  Last year's rejection rate was about 6.3%, compared to 7.3% for the two years before.  Immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar told Ryan Bridge there've been several changes in visa settings in the last few years.  She says people are also starting to understand how Immigration New Zealand's approaching decisions and are more prepared.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:40:01 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-king-charles-visit-was-a-tour-de-force-by-any-standard/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mark-the-week-king-charles-visit-was-a-tour-de-force-by-any-standard/ At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    Christchurch: 9/10  The stadium, the opening, the spend, the party, and the vibe. That is what all of New Zealand should be.    The Washington Hilton: 1/10  Between yet more violence and yet more conspiracy from all sides, too much of America is irreparably sick.    King Charles: 8/10  By any standards or count, a tour de force. Solid, statesman-like, witty, clever and brilliantly executed. It is soft power, awesome diplomacy, brilliant engagement, all wrapped up in a flash royal bow.    Winston vs the National Party: 4/10  I get it's election year. I get National are bleeding support to NZ First. But if they're not careful someone is going to say one thing or do one thing a bit edgier than they might have been expected, and it will all hit the fan.     The diesel deal: 8/10  Another reminder that when Peters isn't stirring, the Coalition has actually handled the real issues pretty damn well.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW  Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:22:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-i-like-the-cut-of-anna-bremans-gib/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mikes-minute-i-like-the-cut-of-anna-bremans-gib/ We can thank the new Reserve Bank Governor for ending the week on a high note.  New charter details were announced yesterday.  Charters and Reserve Banks were once as dry as old dust but these days I think we have a new understanding of the importance of their role.  Out of Covid and economic shambles has come more talk than ever about cash rates and inflation and debt and wasteful expenditure.  The main change for me is the Monetary Policy votes will be made public, and not a moment too soon.  They are already starting to hold press conferences after each decision. Some decisions are statements, some are reviews and, as such, carry different amounts of detail and information. But the idea that they front after each decision shouldn't be new.  It should have always happened. Just what was it about the thinking at the lower end of the terrace in the capital that had them believing that simply putting out a statement was plenty.  Why wouldn’t they want questions? Why wouldn’t they want to be held to account?  Given everything is streamed these days you can watch it all. There's no need for a journalist to cut and paste a few so-called highlights to skew the narrative. Free and open and complete accountability should be welcomed, and this is overdue.  But as for the vote, the same thinking applies. If you hold the power of a committee member and if you get a say in a mechanism as important as the country's cash rate, once again, what's your argument for remaining quiet? To keep it a secret?  If the vote is 5-1, who is the one and why? What's wrong with an explanation? For example, there were four dissenting votes yesterday at the Fed. Let's hear about it.  Knowledge is power and the fact we are only at this place in 2026 is a crime of sorts. A condescending attitude where they clearly thought we didn’t need to know.  So far new Governor Dr Anna Breman has introduced pressers, changed the charter and promised to at least partially look through the immediate inflationary impact of the war.  So far, so impressive. I like the cut of her gib. Orr vs Breman? No contest.  Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:01:19 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-matt-doocey-and-duncan-webb-on-school-lunches-red-zone-building-and-coalition-in-fighting/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/audio/politics-friday-with-matt-doocey-and-duncan-webb-on-school-lunches-red-zone-building-and-coalition-in-fighting/ National's Matt Doocey and Labour's Duncan Webb joined John MacDonald for Politics Friday this week.  They covered some of the biggest topics from the week from Coalition dramas, the medias behaviour in Parliament, and if the Residential Red Zone should be built on again. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:46:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bob-mcmurray-motorsport-expert-previews-the-miami-grand-prix-discusses-the-regulation-tweaks/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/bob-mcmurray-motorsport-expert-previews-the-miami-grand-prix-discusses-the-regulation-tweaks/ Formula 1 is back in business this weekend.  The Miami Grand Prix follows a month-long break due to the conflict in the Middle East – both the Bahrain and Saudi races getting shelved.   Tweaks to the controversial new regulations and car upgrades will also be in play at the race.  Motorsport Expert Bob McMurray told Mike Hosking Miami is pivotal for the very future of Formula 1.  He says that if everything works well, they’ll continue quite happily, but if things continue as they have in previous Grands Prix, the organisation has a real problem as they can’t keep tweaking these regulations.   LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:25:12 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-hipkins-needs-to-deliver-on-pension-talk/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-john-macdonald/opinion/john-macdonald-hipkins-needs-to-deliver-on-pension-talk/ Is it a flip flop? Is it a sign of things to come? Or is it just something Labour leader Chris Hipkins said off the top of his head when he was asked about it yesterday? Means testing the NZ Super pension. Because, back in 2023 - when he was Prime Minister - Hipkins completely ruled out the idea of means testing the pension. Now, though, he’s saying he’s open to the idea. And thank goodness he is. Because we can’t go on the way we are - dishing out the pension to anyone and everyone, whether they need it or not. I will never see the pension as an entitlement. As some sort of reward for reaching the retirement age. And it seems Hipkins is finally coming around to that way of thinking too. Now he says he wouldn’t want to see means testing across-the-board and he doesn’t want to change the retirement age. His thinking there is that some people just can’t physically keep working beyond 65. And I get that. He says, generally speaking, they tend to be people who have been in lower-paid jobs and they are the people who should be getting the NZ Super pension. But he says questions have to be asked whether someone who is still working full-time and being paid a six-figure salary should be entitled to the pension. And my answer to that is no. It always has been. Tell that to some people, though, who think the pension is unlike any other benefit and everyone should get it. No questions asked. No questions, such as: are you working or are you retired? Basic questions such as: if you didn’t get the pension, would you be out on the street? Here’s another one: do you need the pension to buy groceries or do you want it to buy beers at the pub with your mates? We don’t ask those questions. But Chris Hipkins is saying that he’s open to the idea. Which is somewhat surprising for a Labour leader. Especially, a Labour leader who, so far, has unveiled next to no pre-election policies or promises. He claims he’s holding off because he wants to wait until the Budget in a few weeks time. So he knows how much is in the Government books for him to play with. But you don’t need to wait for that detail to know we’re in a mess with our pension commitments and something has to be done about it. It is also a bit rich of Hipkins to be talking about means testing the pension on one hand but, on  the other hand, wanting to give anyone and everyone free doctor’s visits. Whether they need it or not. That’s just about the only policy he has released - the capital gains tax to pay for you and I to go to the doctor three times a year free of charge, whether we can afford it or not. Nevertheless, despite the contradiction, it’s brilliant to hear some commonsense coming through. The argument some people put up against means testing, is that people who still work after 65 pay secondary tax on their pension. The inference there is that they don’t get the full amount, so what’s the problem? But that doesn’t sway me. Because we have an ageing problem - meaning our NZ Super bill is only going to go in one direction. That’s why we can’t keep paying it out to people just because they’ve made it to 65. And, rather than just talk about it, Chris Hipkins and all our other politicians need to have the fortitude to do something about it. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:05:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-kate-hawkesby-and-tim-wilson-talk-work-drinking-cultures-fountains-colour-runs/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/wrapping-the-week-kate-hawkesby-and-tim-wilson-talk-work-drinking-cultures-fountains-colour-runs/ It’s Friday which means Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson are back to Wrap the Week that Was.  They indulged Mike’s desire to build a fountain in his “lake” and delved into work drinking cultures, school colour runs, and their weekend plans.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:50:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-becker-auckland-fc-ceo-on-the-upcoming-elimination-final-against-melbourne-city/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/nick-becker-auckland-fc-ceo-on-the-upcoming-elimination-final-against-melbourne-city/ Auckland FC’s playoff fate has been sealed.   The side is looking to avoid second-season syndrome after a record-breaking entry into the A-League.  It comes down to a do-or-die elimination final against reigning champions Melbourne City, kicking off Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium.  CEO Nick Becker told Mike Hosking they have good form against the Australian team, but he doesn’t want to jinx anything.  He says it’s been a tougher season than the last, but these sorts of things build resilience within a side, and the players are in the right mindset.   LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:37:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of May, Marcus Beveridge discusses some interesting immigration stats as our visa rejection rate falls to a post-Covid low.  David Seymour provides some context around the school lunch situation and for all the news articles, there's been a minuscule number of issues compared to the millions of lunches delivered.  Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson indulge Mike's want of a fountain in his lake, and discuss drinking cultures at work as they Wrap the Week.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:23:15 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-this-was-a-long-time-coming/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/the-re-wrap/the-re-wrap-this-was-a-long-time-coming/ THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Making the RBNZ Less Weird/Nelson Suddenly Away from it All/Mark the Week/Making Money Out of Misery/Where Did That Come From? Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:18:46 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/geof-mortlock-former-reserve-bank-special-advisor-on-the-shift-to-make-ocr-votes-public/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/geof-mortlock-former-reserve-bank-special-advisor-on-the-shift-to-make-ocr-votes-public/ Major changes are set to make future Official Cash Rate decisions far more transparent.  The RBNZ's Monetary Policy Committee will release details of who voted which way to the public if they're unable to come to consensus.   Committee members are also encouraged to speak openly about monetary policy.  Former Reserve Bank Special Advisor Geof Mortlock told Mike Hosking that he and other economists have been advising Treasury and the Minister to move in this direction for some time.  He says it’ll strengthen the accountability and transparency of the Committee.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:08:08 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/marcus-beveridge-queen-city-law-managing-director-on-visa-rejection-rates-falling-to-a-post-covid-low/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/marcus-beveridge-queen-city-law-managing-director-on-visa-rejection-rates-falling-to-a-post-covid-low/ There’s praise for the 'tight ship' Immigration New Zealand's running.  Data released to Newstalk ZB reveals just over 65 thousand visa applications were turned down in 2025, plunging from more than 83 thousand in 2024.  The rejection rate last year sat at around 6.3% – while the two years before both sat at 7.3%.  Queen City Law Managing Director Marcus Beveridge told Mike Hosking Immigration New Zealand's making efficient decisions to keep the bad guys out.  He says they've had computer and personnel issues in the past, but it now seems they've got things humming pretty well.  There’s also little surprise at the countries making up rejections – India made up almost a third of them, followed by China and Pakistan.  Beveridge told Hosking India’s seen similar numbers for years, as it’s always been considered a high-risk country, but Fiji often sees quite a bad rejection rate as well.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:42:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/billie-moore-airports-association-ceo-on-air-nz-cutting-more-flights/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/billie-moore-airports-association-ceo-on-air-nz-cutting-more-flights/ Air New Zealand's cutting another set of flights on top of its already stretched network.  On top of cancellations across May and June announced last month, the airline's now axing further flights across July, citing rising jet fuel costs.  It says this will impact around 2% of passengers travelling nationwide.  Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore told Mike Hosking when you break down this number regionally, it could be up to 20% of seats being cut in some places.  She says it'll be broader than just Nelson and Tauranga and will be a case of piecing all the cuts together.  Moore told Hosking it's hurting a bit more over here as the network had been shrinking already.  She says most countries have been growing their networks while ours has been declining, so it's cuts on top of cuts.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:26:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/david-seymour-associate-education-minister-on-the-food-safety-complaints-around-school-lunches/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/david-seymour-associate-education-minister-on-the-food-safety-complaints-around-school-lunches/ The Associate Education Minister's defending the school lunches programme despite dozens of early safety complaints.  There were 21 food safety probes into the lunches from May 2024 to mid-November 2025.  Some investigations came after reports of metal wire, fragments, or glass were discovered in food.  David Seymour told Mike Hosking it's 21 lunches out of around 13 million.   He says the issues are from when Government overtook Labour's scheme or the first term of their new scheme, which faced some teething issues.   LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:15:41 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/full-show-podcast-01-may-2026/ On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 1st of May 2026, still no answers for Mount Maunganui businesses following a council meeting on when the Mount will reopen, Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig tells Ryan what happened during the meeting.  Saudi Arabia's pulling funding for the Liv Golf tour from next season, New Zealand open tournament Director Michael Glading shares his thoughts.  New Zealand's rejecting fewer Visa applications with the number now at a post-covid low, immigration lawyer Pooja Sundar tells Ryan what impact this is having.  Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest King Charles and Camilla's state trip wrapping up and Keir Starmer's address following the Golders Green attack on the Jewish community.  Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:10:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/michelle-craig-mount-maunganui-beach-hut-cafe-owner-on-community-council-meeting/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/audio/michelle-craig-mount-maunganui-beach-hut-cafe-owner-on-community-council-meeting/ Mount Maunganui businesses are frustrated at a perceived lack of progress in reopening the mount.   Hundreds of residents went to a community meeting last night with council and local MPs.   Mauao's been closed to the public since the landslide which killed six holiday makers nearly 100 days ago.   Mount Maunganui Beach Hut Cafe Owner Michelle Craig told Ryan Bridge reduced tourist numbers are really tough for businesses.  She says many are worried they won't be able to survive the winter months.  LISTEN ABOVE   Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:08:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/ryan-bridge-we-need-less-fighting-more-long-term-thinking-in-wellington/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/ryan-bridge-we-need-less-fighting-more-long-term-thinking-in-wellington/ There's no reason parties on left and right in New Zealand politics can't work together to get stuff done.  This week we've seen it with the India FTA. It's essentially just deal-making.  It'll pass because a party not in government joined forces with two in government to make it happen.  We've seen it with a member's bill, put forward to Labour's Arena Williams, on international money transfers.  When you transfer money to somebody overseas, the banks and transfer companies can basically say what they like about fees and commissions then charge you what they like. They don't need to up front about it.  The bill would force them to tell you what they going to charge before you're charged, rather than find out once the money's left your account. It seems like pretty sensible law-making to me.  It passed its first reading this week. A Labour MP's bill.  National didn't support it. But that didn't matter, because ever other party in the House —including ACT and New Zealand First— did. The modern slavery bill had similar bi-partisan support.  Imagine if we could get that same sort of love-in on energy and infrastructure? The fact our politicians are trained like pit bulls to attack each other —the Opposition is literally called the Opposition— is an advantage to a single party state like China, don't get me wrong.  But where the Chinese, and others who don't have to worry about that pesky wee thing we call democracy, benefit is that they have one plan. One team. One dream.  They build roads and trading routes with the next 50 to 100 years in mind, rather than the next three.  Business and industry —and therefore jobs— depend on and plan around things they know to be true.  Getting Beijing-style plans without resorting to dictatorship requires a few grown-ups, a little less mongrel, and little more long-term thinking in Wellington.  Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:04:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/marcus-lush-nights/audio/it-kind-of-screams-canny-pensioner/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/marcus-lush-nights/audio/it-kind-of-screams-canny-pensioner/ Marcus talks tech that should be better by now, pushing buttons, and honouring the greatness of Timaru. LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:08:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/sportstalk/audio/anna-grimaldi-three-time-paralympic-gold-medallist-on-being-named-for-the-commonwealth-games-squad/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/sportstalk/audio/anna-grimaldi-three-time-paralympic-gold-medallist-on-being-named-for-the-commonwealth-games-squad/ The first athletics competitor has been named for the Commonwealth Games squad this year, and it is none other than Anna Grimaldi. She is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist but is making her Commonwealth Games debut as it is the first time one of her disciplines has been competed for at the Games - in this case, the 100m T47. She joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:35:09 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/sportstalk/audio/tim-horan-former-wallabies-midfielder-on-the-possibility-of-a-2027-anzac-test/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/sportstalk/audio/tim-horan-former-wallabies-midfielder-on-the-possibility-of-a-2027-anzac-test/ It was reported today that New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia are close to agreeing on a historic ANZAC day test match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies next year as part of preparation for the Rugby World Cup. RA originally floated the idea in 2024 but were shut down by NZR, but with a different leadership group the organisation looks to have had a change of heart on the issue. Former Wallabies midfielder Tim Horan joined the Afternoons team to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:29:17 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-israel-condemning-stabbing-attack-on-two-jewish-men/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-israel-condemning-stabbing-attack-on-two-jewish-men/ British police are treating the stabbing of two men on Wednesday in north London as a 'terrorist incident', following arson attacks targeting Jewish sites. Police have arrested a 45-year-old man - the 76 and 34-year-old victims are in a stable condition. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Israel has condemned the attack, and says the UK Government needs to start cracking down on anti-Semitism. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:13:20 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-dickie-fisher-funds-expert-on-microsoft-amazon-alphabet-and-meta-reporting-their-earnings/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-dickie-fisher-funds-expert-on-microsoft-amazon-alphabet-and-meta-reporting-their-earnings/ The world's leading tech giants - Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta - all recently reported their latest earnings. All of these companies surpassed investor expectations, but one clearly came out on top. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explained further. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:03:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jamie-mackay-the-country-host-on-halter-offering-high-tech-help-to-farmers/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jamie-mackay-the-country-host-on-halter-offering-high-tech-help-to-farmers/ Halter has launched a world first direct-to-satellite service for its smart collars to enable beef cattle farmed in remote areas to access its virtual fencing technology. The new technology will provide the tech to beef farms that were previously out of reach due to connectivity limitations, particularly for regions like central Otago, Gisborne and Southland’s high country. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:59:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-is-this-coalition-saga-just-winston-being-winston/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/the-huddle-is-this-coalition-saga-just-winston-being-winston/ Tonight on The Huddle, artist and local Government politician Oscar Kightley and Tim Wilson from the Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! There's been some infighting between National and NZ First over the last few days - what do we think of this? Is this a sign the coalition will fall apart, or is this just Winston being Winston?  More people are turning to AI to help with their relationship problems - what do we think of this? Do we think this is the way to go? LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:53:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tim-robinson-northchamber-chair-on-the-proposed-450-northland-expressway-toll/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/tim-robinson-northchamber-chair-on-the-proposed-450-northland-expressway-toll/ The NZ Transport Agency has proposed a $4.50 toll on the proposed new highway between Warkworth and Te Hana, and it's proven controversial. AA has called on the Government to lower the proposed toll price for the first stage of the Northland Expressway. NorthChamber chair Tim Robinson says this is going to bring a significant benefit to the region economically, and the toll is fair. "Those of us here in Northland, we've been crying out for the opportunity to grow our economy and create the right environment for our kids and our grandkids - to be able to choose to live and work and play here."  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:39:13 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-is-the-coalition-really-in-crisis/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-heather-du-plessis-allan-is-the-coalition-really-in-crisis/ Look, I’m not as excited about the Winston Peters-Chris Luxon emails meeting as clearly some people are. I mean, there are people predicting the collapse of the coalition as a result of this and others describing it as a coalition in crisis. Honestly, though, to me this just feels like a bit of flexing by the National Party, a bit of flexing by New Zealand First and a little steam being let off. That’s not to downplay what Winston has done. This is out-and-out bad behaviour from him. By releasing those emails - showing Chris Luxon wanted to support the US strikes on Iran in a more full-throated way than Winston Peters did - he knew exactly what he was doing. Winston has been around long enough to know that this would embarrass Luxon, given that opinion polls suggest the vast majority of the country does not support those strikes. It would also embarrass him to have it revealed that he was overruled by his Foreign Minister. On top of that, releasing those emails without first checking with Luxon’s office is a no-no, and not redacting Luxon’s comments is extremely unusual. Undermining your Prime Minister like that warrants a telling-off and Winston deserved the one he got when Chris Luxon marched down to his office. But do I think this is the beginning of the end for the coalition? Not at all - at least not yet. And I say “not yet” only because it’s Winston and anything can happen. Up to now - including this - it just looks like trademark Winston politics. He’s been poking National all term and he knows it wins him votes if he makes it look like he’s the one calling the shots. I also suspect he’s getting a little annoyed that National has started attacking him more openly, especially in the past week. As recently as yesterday, Nicola Willis publicly told off Shane Jones over the butter chicken remark I think the release of those emails was, in part, a warning shot to National to pull its head in. But I don’t think it’s anything more than that. Winston knows instability loses votes and he can only push things so far. If he’s serious about sticking with the coalition through to the election in November, then he also knows he needs to make it look stable right now. So no - this isn’t a crisis. It’s just a game. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:19:24 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-30-april-2026/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/full-show-podcast-30-april-2026/ On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 30 April, 2026, we talk to former Prime Minister Helen Clark about the spat between Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters. We hear from activist Samuel Leason after Israeli forces intercept a flotilla on its way to Gaza. A therapist tells us if using AI for advice on relationships is a good thing. And on The Huddle, we ask Tim Wilson and Oscar Kightley if the coalition government is in crisis. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:10:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-leason-activist-on-the-kiwi-activists-caught-up-in-idf-interception-of-flotilla-bound-for-gaza/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/sam-leason-activist-on-the-kiwi-activists-caught-up-in-idf-interception-of-flotilla-bound-for-gaza/ A New Zealander involved in the latest Gaza-bound flotilla attempt says four other Kiwi activists have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.  About 19 ships were reportedly intercepted near Greece. MFAT says up to six New Zealanders were onboard - and Consular officials are trying to find out if any have been detained. Activist Samuel Leason, who remains with the flotilla, says there are still dozens of boats loaded with aid, so the mission will continue. He explained they want to break the illegal siege on Gaza and create a humanitarian corridor so aid can be taken in.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:05:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jo-robertson-therapist-on-the-rise-in-gen-z-utilising-ai-to-get-them-through-relational-conflicts/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/jo-robertson-therapist-on-the-rise-in-gen-z-utilising-ai-to-get-them-through-relational-conflicts/ Sometimes in relationships, conversations can be difficult to carry out, and more young people are outsourcing their issues to AI. New reports show a significant chunk of Gen Z are turning to AI to fix their interpersonal conflicts, and experts are concerned it could be stunting their emotional growth. Therapist Jo Robertson says this technology could be useful - but it's important to also discuss these issues with an actual human being too. "There's a touch of me that's a bit impressed, because I like that they're thinking about it, they're not just going willy-nilly, what should I say to this person? They're getting advice, they're getting input."  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:48:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/michael-reddell-former-reserve-bank-economist-on-the-reserve-bank-disclosing-individual-monetary-policy-committee-members-views-on-ocr-decisions/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/michael-reddell-former-reserve-bank-economist-on-the-reserve-bank-disclosing-individual-monetary-policy-committee-members-views-on-ocr-decisions/ A former senior economist at the Reserve Bank is calling releasing details of who voted which way on the Official Cash Rate a 'baby step'. It's been agreed by the Minister of Finance and the Monetary Policy Committee that vote details will be released publicly if committee members are unable to come to consensus on the OCR. The charter comes into effect today.  Michael Reddell says it's fairly rare for the committee not to come to a consensus, but it's a good step.  "So I'm not criticising it, it's just that it's not a particularly bold move." LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:29:43 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/helen-clark-former-prime-minister-on-the-coalition-disagreements-between-national-and-nz-first/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/helen-clark-former-prime-minister-on-the-coalition-disagreements-between-national-and-nz-first/ Helen Clark reckons political polling's behind disagreements in the coalition. Winston Peters' office released emails showing Prime Minister Chris Luxon was advised against supporting the US and Israel's strikes on Iran. National's Nicola Willis believes Peters is playing politics - and should have informed them before releasing the emails. Willis separately accused NZ First of race-baiting in their opposition to the India free trade deal. Clark says Willis is not holding back. "New Zealand First is eating fairly deeply into National's support, and that is starting, I think, to become somewhat more corrosive in the coalition."  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:06:19 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/barry-soper-newstalk-zb-senior-political-correspondent-on-tvnzs-political-editor-maiki-sherman-being-suspended-for-5-days/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/barry-soper-newstalk-zb-senior-political-correspondent-on-tvnzs-political-editor-maiki-sherman-being-suspended-for-5-days/ TVNZ's Maiki Sherman's had her access to Parliament suspended for five days, after an altercation with an MP.  The decision comes after National complained to TVNZ, alleging Sherman aggressively banged on party whip Stuart Smith's office door for several minutes.  TVNZ says it has a different view of events.  Newstalk ZB's senior political correspondent Barry Soper the issue could lead to tighter rules for all reporters.  "I think what you'll find as a result of all this is that Speaker Gerry Brownlee, he'll be tightening the rules yet again and just explaining to the journalists that you don't chase MPs around Parliament."  The suspension's unrelated to claims Sherman lobbed a homophobic slur at another journalist at drinks in Nicola Willis' office last year.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:33:03 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-the-royal-commission-into-the-deadly-bondi-beach-shooting/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/murray-olds-australian-correspondent-on-the-royal-commission-into-the-deadly-bondi-beach-shooting/ An interim report from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has made some recommendations in order to strengthen strengthen counterterrorism responses. The commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the December 14 attack in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says some of the recommendations haven't been made public, but there's calls for a gun buyback in response to the attack.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:26:11 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-saudi-arabia-pulling-funding-from-liv-golf/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/darcy-waldegrave-sportstalk-host-on-saudi-arabia-pulling-funding-from-liv-golf/ LIV Golf's future could finally come to a head overnight. The Wall Street Journal report that LIV will tell players in the coming hours that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will stop backing the circuit after this season. Reports first emerged a fortnight ago, but LIV pushed back on those claims at the time. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further. LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:08:33 Z