Larry Williams Drive

Netflix is losing subscribers for the first time in more than a decade.  The streaming company lost 200,000 members in the first three months of this year.  It had raised prices in key markets – including the US and UK, and pulled out of Russia.  Tech commentator Bill Bennett told Andrew Dickens the company's considering running adverts, as a fair trade off for cheaper subscriptions.  Netflix also hinted it'll start to crack down on account sharing, as it pushes to sign up new members. “If you’re still paying the full price and you’ve gotta have ads as well then that’s not on, you can go back to watching old-fashioned television.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National continues its upward trajectory, overtaking Labour in the latest Taxpayer Union/Curia poll.  National sits on 37.8%, one point ahead of Labour. Both ACT and the Greens fell in the poll. And both National and Labour would now need the support of the Māori party to govern.  David Farrar, principal at Curia Market Research, joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are claims our health industry's understaffed because people are getting better pay at places like Bunnings and KFC. 10,000 health workers have voted to strike next month – after 18 months of failed pay negotiations with DHBs. Sterile services technician, Steve, is one of them – and told Andrew Dickens he works a second job to support his family.  The PSA allied, scientific and technical workers will strike for 24-hours on May 16 – and work to rule between May 9 to 20. “I get paid more at my second job than I do at my first job; I work security at a bar so it’s not exactly safe.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM is heading to Japan today. The latest Taxpayer Union/Curia poll has Labour trailing National for the first time. Any comment on the deal between China and the Solomon Islands that's officially been signed? Newstalk ZB chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny Depp takes the stand in his defamation trial against Amber Heard. Joe Biden has reportedly told Barack Obama he's going to run again in 2024. Netflix has opened its books and the stock's down as much as 25% as a result. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tyson Fury denies he has any links to an alleged Irish mobster. Tonight, D'Arcy will be speaking to a netballer who has suited up for three separate ANZ premiership teams this season, so far. Host of Sportstalk D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cameras along a 160-metre length of bus lane in Auckland's Newmarket generated $4.3 million in fines last year. RNZ reports almost $29,150 fines were issued to people driving more than 50m in the Khyber Pass Road bus lane. That's almost $12,000 worth of fines per day. AA policy director, Martin Glynn told Andrew Dickens it must be a poorly designed bus lane. “I’ve had a look at AT’s annual report and that is almost 10% of all revenue they collect across all their investment activity, including parking.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I went to my little Japanese cafe in the suburbs for a Teppanyaki Beef Rice Bowl. I've been going once a week ever since I started this gig 2 months ago. When I first went, I was the only customer. I wore my mask, showed my vax passport and ate outside. It was delicious. Today the place was buzzing. The street it was on was buzzing. Masks were sporadic. It was still delicious and still the same price. It showed me how much had changed in a few short weeks. It shows that barring a new variant, our war footing against the variant has passed. Which brings me to the great MIQ memo debate. The secret document that has mysteriously come to light. It shows top health officials agreed in November last year that MIQ was "no longer justified" for most returnees.   It took another three-and-a-half months, almost 40,000 MIQ stays and seven voucher lotteries before most incoming travellers could enter freely. The criticism of the government has been pointed. ACT says the Prime Minister needs to apologise to the thou

Russia parades two captured Brits on state TV. The PM's mobile phone analysed after cyber-attack on no. 10 Downing Street. What did the Queen do after Philip's funeral? UK correspondent Enda Brady joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rates are on the rise – here and across the ditch.  The Reserve Bank hiked the official cash rate by half a percent to 1.5% last week causing most retail banks to increase mortgage rates too.  In Australia, the Reserve Bank hasn't moved yet but warned the cash rate will increase earlier than thought because of inflation pressures. Paul Bloxham, HSBC's chief economist in Sydney, joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of restaurants and bars on Waiheke Island have joined forces to help each other survive the pandemic. Through a WhatsApp group, the venues are sharing staff, patrons and they are alternating their opening hours so as not to compete with each other. One of the restaurants in the group is The Heke, home of Waiheke Craft Beer and the award-winning Waiheke Whisky.   Owner of The Heke, Ro Izzard joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra used the eve of the long weekend to share some quite important information. Host of the Country, Jamie Mackay joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you seeing signs that things might be on the improve when it comes to power prices? Adrian Orr issued a warning to the government.Pattrick Smellie from Businessdesk joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has rejected any suggestion the governments to blame for high inflation.  He was standing in for the Prime Minister at post-cab today and said Covid, supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine have been the big drivers. But in an interview yesterday, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr did point out the need for the government to tighten the fiscal belt.  National’s finance spokesperson, Nicola Willis joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council reckons 3/4 of heritage homes will lose that status as a result of a new Government law that will allow for much more property development. Should the Government have acted sooner and ditched MIQ – given that even health officials didn't think it was needed? Adrian Orr has warned that the Government needs to do its bit to help fight inflation. The Arise Church revelations raise the question... do we need to do more to make sure people don't get exploited at church? Ali Jones, Christchurch Community Board member and PR consultant at Red PR, and Tim Beveridge, Newstalk ZB host, joined Andrew Dickens on the Huddle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disappointment over Auckland Council's proposals for housing intensification.  It's released plans for implementing Government requirements for higher-density housing.  It could see up to 5000 houses currently in Auckland's special character areas ... rezoned for intensification.  Character Homes Trust chair Sally Hughes told Andrew Dickens it's not necessary.   “We already have an extensive amount of ability to intensify in Auckland, 900,000 properties that are available to be intensified.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the first full day of diplomatic meetings for the prime minister in Singapore.  Jacinda Ardern has just wrapped up her first bilateral meeting with her Singaporean counterpart. Newstalk ZB’s chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has begun.  Ukraine has reported that the Russian army has launched its long-expected offensive in the country's east. Civilian casualties have already been reported, and people living in the region have told international media their homes have been destroyed. ReliefAid executive director, Mike Seawright joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls for a national inquiry into port safety, after another death at Ports of Auckland. A worker died this morning after falling from a height while working on the Singapore flagged container ship, Capitaine Tasman. The Maritime Union's Craig Harrison told Andrew Dickens there should be a countrywide audit into deaths and injuries in New Zealand ports in recent years. “And it’s not a big industry, it’s not like the size of construction or anywhere near it, yet we feature highly in serious harm and deaths.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Robertson was grilled on inflation at the post-cabinet presser. There are reports that health officials told the government back in November that MIQ is no longer needed. Political reporter Aaron Dahmen joined Andrew Dickens. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.