Larry Williams Drive

New Zealanders are staying in paid work longer in an effort to transition into retirement, according to a new study.  The average age Kiwi’s are choosing to retire has risen to 67 from 61, since the mandatory retirement age was eliminated in 2000.  Co-director of the Retirement Policy and Research Centre Michael Littlewood tells Jack Tame that New Zealand’s state pension is generous, but not enough to live on for some. But, the real reason people choose to transition from full-time work to full-time retirement is not known.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park is reportedly set to win the battle of Auckland’s stadiums. The Sports Huddle discuss whether the stadium remains fit for purpose.  Plus, are the Crusaders underperforming or were expectations too high? Is it time to panic for Warriors fans? And, could NZ hold a second Supercars round?  Newshub Sport Presenter Andrew Gourdie and Newstalk ZB Deputy Sport News Director Elliott Smith join Jack Tame.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park is reportedly about to win the battle of Auckland’s stadiums.  On Monday, a working committee will make a recommendation to Auckland Council on whether to invest in Eden Park or one of the rival waterfront stadium bids.  NZ Herald Sports Columnist Trevor Mckewen tells Jack Tame as an existing location, Eden Park could be a cheaper option than others starting from scratch.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A unique re-homing program has been set up for actual lab rats across New Zealand.   The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) are working with the scientific community to find former lab rats their forever homes, while pushing the Government to stop animal testing.  Executive Director of NZAVS Tara Jackson tells Jack Tame NZ has nearly half a million animals who are bred for science, not used, and subsequently killed.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has had his 2020 rape conviction overturned. The New York Court of Appeal found that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial, due to witness testimony including accusations that were not part of the case.   Los Angeles KNX News Presenter Charles Feldman tells Jack Tame the next step will be for the New York District Attorney to decide whether to retry the case.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After hours clinics around the country are on the verge of collapse.   New Official Information Act data shows that 24 practices and clinics had to reduce hours or close due to critical staff shortages and cost pressures in the first eight months of 2023.  In Porirua, health officials are considering replacing overnight doctors with a telehealth service, which the local iwi says is unacceptable.  Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists tells Jack Tame that deliberately casualised medical staffing is exaggerating the issue.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministers have a big weekend in store ahead of Monday’s Cabinet meeting, which will be one of the last major steps in signing off the 2024 budget.   Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls tells Jack Tame this budget is one of the most significant in recent years as the Government tries to balance the country’s fiscal position and balance between three coalition partners.  And, Winston Peters used his speech at yesterday’s ANZAC Dawn Service in Turkey to reflect while taking a jab at the Russians.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court has weighed whether former presidents are immune from prosecution and what exactly it means if they are.  The answer will determine whether former President Donald Trump can be tried on charges of trying to subvert the 2020 election. Trump believes he is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal charges for actions committed while in office.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson tells Jack Tame the Supreme Court appeared ready to reject Trump’s claims, but that a clear answer may not be given. The decision will shape US democracy for years to come.  Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction has been overturned, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era. New York’s highest court found the trial judge made a critical mistake allowing testimony based on allegations that were not part of the case.   And, Madonna has been sued by fans again. A group of fans in Washington D.C. say the singer made them wait hours in a “hot, uncomfortable arena” before lip syncing her performance.  LISTEN

The Warriors have suffered their third loss in a row, losing at home to the Gold Coast Titans in yesterday’s ANZAC clash.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine tells Jack Tame the team’s roster remains as strong as it did at the start of the season and fans shouldn’t worry just yet.  Meanwhile, the Crusaders are at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table after just one victory in eight games. Piney places his bets that tonight’s match against the Melbourne Rebels may change the tide.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is set for a new player in the supermarket landscape.   Residents of Nawton, Hamilton will soon be walking through the doors of the biggest, independent supermarket in NZ, FIFO – Fresh In Fresh Out. The suburb has been without a supermarket for eight months after losing its Countdown due to persistent retail crime.   Owner Manish Thakkar tells Jack Tame the new supermarket will be financially viable in a way the location’s previous Countdown could not be due to its independence and ability to be stocked by a variety of suppliers, tailoring to residents specific needs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two days on, it’s fair to say Christopher Luxon’s swift and brutal demotion of Penny Simmonds and Melissa Lee hasn’t met much opposition. I appreciate these are early days for the new government and all Ministers are bedding in, but I don’t think I’ve heard a single person publicly argue that Lee or Simmonds was doing a sufficiently good job. Not one.  Of course, opposition MPs feel duty-bound to attack in these kinds of moments. Chris Hipkins said it showed the PM had terrible judgement in appointing his Ministers in the first place.   But the co-leader of Te Pāti Māori found a different reason to criticise it. It wasn’t that Melissa Lee simply wasn’t cut out for Cabinet and that Penny Simmonds was lost at sea. It wasn’t that facing pressures in their portfolios, the new Ministers hadn’t adapted quickly enough. Apparently, it was misogyny.  Based on what? Well, as Debbie Ngarewa-Packer noted, Luxon hasn’t been as forceful with male MPs in his Cabinet who’ve made public comments out of turn. But, of course, t

Rishi Sunak says UK military spending would rise to 2.5 percent of national income by 2030 in response to global threats. Sunak has also committed to giving the Ukraine £3 billion a year for as long as the current war goes on. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Sunak is committed to keeping the UK on a  "war footing". LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Business Mentors CEO Sarah Trotman joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds have been unexpectedly stripped of their portfolios today - what do we think of this? Is this good leadership from Luxon? Elon Musk has been clashing with the Australian Government over the Sydney church stabbing videos appearing on X. Can a Government tell a company what content it can display online? Why is Elon doubling down? People are protesting Auckland Council's removal of rubbish bins by leaving their dog poo bags at the park. Should the council just put the bins back? LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Netflix releases their results for first quarter, they've promised some new changes to the service. The company's shares have dropped by nine percent, and speculation indicates the company could introduce ads to the service. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been more light shined on the conflicting coverage of public sector job growth. Labour's Chris Hipkins has justified the growth of the public sector under the previous Government- does he have a point? NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains both sides of the issue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has revealed surprise tweaks to Cabinet. Melissa Lee's lost her Media and Communications portfolio and been booted from Cabinet and Penny Simmonds' Disability role has gone to Louise Upston. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper dissects Luxon's reasons for the reshuffle. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports show Tesla is experiencing a steep decline in profits and revenue - but the company's shares jumped 10 percent. The electric vehicle manufacturer posted a lower-than-expected $21.3 billion in revenue and 55 percent decline in profit from the first quarter of 2023. AJ Bell financial advisor Danni Hewson says investors believe CEO Elon Musk aims to focus more attention on Tesla, with more projects in the pipeline. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has achieved its first trading surplus since last May. Stats NZ trade data for March 2024 shows a monthly surplus of $588 million. Goods exports rose 3.8 percent in March on March 2023 - driven by fruit exports, which rose $170 million. ANZ economist Henry Russell says this is down to a post-pandemic bounce-back - and a weakening domestic economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Force is facing an unexpected challenge ahead of ANZAC commemorations in Gallipoli. About half the luggage of the 40-strong team is lost in transit at Dubai, including uniforms and instruments. RSA CEO Marty Donoghue says he expects the team will come up with a backup plan ahead of tomorrow's event. "I think the contingent will be really gutted it doesn't have its instruments and uniforms with them - but there is always a way you can solemnly remember and do a remembrance activity." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American comedian Arj Barker is on the defence after last weekend's incident Barker has sparked controversy across the Tasman after he asked a mother and baby to leave his Melbourne comedy show on Saturday, because the baby was disrupting his performance. He says he had no interest in shaming the woman or her child - but he wanted to create a quiet soundscape.  "I just wanted to create an uninterrupted soundscape so I could do my show. This was a very quiet theatre... it's a beautiful theatre, but you could hear a pin drop in there."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.