Podcasts about auckland cbd

Cops will stay on the beat in the Auckland CBD. The government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund. The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 enables New Zealand Police to seize money and assets that have been obtained directly or indirectly from the proceeds of crime. Once all legal matters are addressed, the recovered money is placed in the Proceeds of Crime Fund. This latest move was announced by Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee an it's been greeted wholeheartedly by retailers and residents It will see the new federal street station open 24/7. That station will open in the middle of the year. And of course, this is a good thing. My question was always why did we stop doing this in the first place? The cop on the beat is a sign to one and all, citizens and criminals, that the police are in control of the streets, not the ratbags. For me, it's the first thing the police would fund not the last. And that perception that it's important has been reinforced by the new funding coming from the Proceeds of Crime Fund and not the general budget. My question is who thought no cops on the beat was a good idea in the first place? It's tempting to blame Andrew Coster and the last government who were soft on crime. But it' been going on far longer than that. It's another example of public service being told to cut budgets and then cutting good stuff instead of bad. And another thing about the funding. This is not just a problem for the Auckland CBD. It's nationwide in cities and towns and suburban shopping centres. What about them? We'll wait to see if the budget shows a changed emphasis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been six months since Auckland Council increased street patrols as part of a safety plan for the city, and those on the front line say it's making a difference. Auckland Council's Compliance Manager Adrian Wilson spoke to Alexa Cook.

The LA wildfires are among the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, with 12,000 structures lost, 200,000 people displaced, and $275 billion in economic damage. This episode explores the financial toll, from $20 billion in insurance claims to the ripple effects on housing and the global economy. We also provide actionable tips - auditing insurance, building emergency funds, and investing in climate-conscious companies - to help you prepare for an uncertain future. It’s a stark reminder of the cost of climate inaction and a call to build a more sustainable world. If you’re moved to help, below are some links to trusted organisations providing relief and support for those affected by the fires: 211 LA | California Community Foundation Fund | Direct Relief | Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation | Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles | Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation | Musicares | Pasadena Educational Foundation Eaton Fire Response Fund The Curve is BACK IN NZ! Join us for unforgettable night in Auckland CBD as we celebrate the launch of our new Investing Club. Join Soph and Vic (along with some very special guests) for an inspiring conversation packed with investment insights for 2025, practical financial tips, and lessons from 2024 to help you reset and make this year your most financially empowered yet. Date: Tuesday, 4th February Location: Alberts, Auckland NZ Expect exclusive goodie bags featuring some of your favourite brands and champagne on arrival. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to connect with the Curve community. Seats are very limited—grab your tickets now! Ready to level up your investing game? Join our Investing Club today and start building your financial future - sign up here! Podcast recordings mentioned in this episode: RTC60: How to negotiate a pay rise with Meggie Palmer. RTC63: A guide to adulting - Getting your Plan B sorted before it’s too late. For more from The Curve:InstagramYouTubeWebsiteTikTokNewsletter Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

New year, new budget. In this episode, we chat about ditching outdated money habits, setting up a foolproof 3-bucket budget system (essentials, non-essentials, and surplus), and why jumping ship from your childhood bank could save you big bucks. Dani shares exactly how she splits her pay and explains why budgeting is less about penny-pinching and more about feeling financially light. Whether you're starting fresh, trying to fix a blowout, or just want to stop skipping dinner for dessert, this episode is packed with super helpful insights and actionable tips. Also… Paris? That’s a whole budgeting lesson in itself. Episode mentioned in this podcast: How financial literacy can change your life, with Norma Cassius. Want to invest but aren’t sure where to start? We have just created The Ultimate Money + Investing Course which is exactly what you need to get going. Imagine Netflix, Masterclass and every money self help book had a baby… it’s short, easy to follow with actionable steps designed to fast track you to not just thinking about investing, but actually doing it. We recommend all beginners do this course before joining the club. Find out more here: https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/universalmoneycourse The Curve is BACK IN NZ! Join us for unforgettable night in Auckland CBD as we celebrate the launch of our new Investing Club. Join Soph and Vic (along with some very special guests) for an inspiring conversation packed with investment insights for 2025, practical financial tips, and lessons from 2024 to help you reset and make this year your most financially empowered yet. Date: Tuesday, 4th February Location: Alberts, Auckland NZ Expect exclusive goodie bags featuring some of your favourite brands and champagne on arrival. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to connect with the Curve community. Seats are very limited—grab your tickets now! For more from The Curve:InstagramYouTubeWebsiteTikTokNewsletter Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

We’re kicking off 2025 with a deep dive into what lies ahead - and taking a moment to look back at the year that was. First, we reflect on 2024’s incredible market performance, from the S&P 500’s stellar 25% return to the tech sector’s role as the ultimate overachiever. Then, it’s all about the future: Soph shares her New Year productivity hacks (spoiler: vision boards make an appearance), and Vic talks financial transparency and how her emergency fund came to the rescue when she needed it most. We also put our crystal balls to work, predicting whether AI will keep driving the stock market, which companies will dominate the S&P 500, and if Bitcoin will hit $200K. Oh, and don’t forget about the wildcards - we’re throwing out some seriously rogue guesses (Netflix merging with Spotify, anyone?). But we want to hear from you too! What are your predictions for 2025? Which companies will crush it, and what trends do you think we’ll see? Drop your thoughts in the Spotify comments or send us a DM - we might feature your ideas in an upcoming episode. The Curve is BACK IN NZ! Join us for unforgettable night in Auckland CBD as we celebrate the launch of our new Investing Club. Join Soph and Vic (along with some very special guests) for an inspiring conversation packed with investment insights for 2025, practical financial tips, and lessons from 2024 to help you reset and make this year your most financially empowered yet. Date: Tuesday, 4th February Location: Alberts, Auckland NZ Expect exclusive goodie bags featuring some of your favourite brands and champagne on arrival. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to connect with the Curve community. Seats are very limited—grab your tickets now! For more from The Curve:InstagramYouTubeWebsiteTikTokNewsletter Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

New Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says there's a priority to increase public safety and boost visibility in communities.

Auckland Police say a new 24/7 station in the city centre will help to ramp up crime response in the area. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The government has announced plans to relocate the current 24/7 station from College Hill which is approximately two kilometres away from the city centre to a more central spot on Federal Street, promising better service to the community. Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The new top cop says Aucklanders will be feeling better about a police station in the city's centre. Police plan to have the new Federal Street base open to the public by the middle of next year. It will sit close to Aotea Square and the new CRL station, making it easier to deploy officers right across the central city. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Mike Hosking that soon we'll have 51 beats working 24/7 around the community, increasing visibility and safety. He says it's back to basics policing, with officers walking the beat and getting to know the people around town. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's chosen a strategically good location for its new Auckland CBD police station. The Federal Street facility should be completed mid-2025, and will have 51 beat officers. The College Hill station will continue its operations - and the old Vincent Street premises are still up for sale. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says centralised police stations in the past were great. "I think the Federal Street option is just such a good option - it's centralised, our beat officers are covering the entire CBD, the feedback and anecdotal feedback has been just fantastic." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't get me wrong, a new police station in central Auckland is good news, as were recent stats showing crime in the city is way down, but where are all the wackos and the nut jobs going to go next? That's my question. You know the ones I'm talking about – they strut around holding their pants up with one hand, a menacing look in their eye, shouting and ranting and raving and lunging at people. They're pissing in the middle of the street during the day or fighting each other. Once the city is secured, where do these people go next? Parnell, Ponsonby, on a bus to Westfield New Market? If the idea is to make a city feel safer for people, then more cops will help do that. What they won't do is make these intimidating people disappear altogether like some Houdini act. One of the biggest problems we have is a lack of community drug and alcohol rehab centers in this country, affordable or free ones. And our corrections system doesn't correct people – last year it spent $400 million of our money on rehab programs. Guess how much they reduced reoffending by: less than 2% on most programs. So, yes, we should celebrate the fact that we're getting more cop shops, gang patch bans, and supposedly harsher sentences for violence because the last lot went a bit soft on that. But we shouldn't kid ourselves that it'll magically solve all of our problems or those of the whack jobs on Queen Street. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses say the new Central Auckland Police base is a positive step towards improving the city's safety. The new Federal Street station will be close to Aotea Square, making it easier to deploy officers right across the central city. Police plan to have it open to the public 24/7 by the middle of next year. Heart of the City's Viv Beck told Ryan Bridge that businesses have been after more police - especially with the City Rail Link opening soon. She says we want a vibrant, safe, international city, so there needs to be enough police. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has announced a new Police Base will be opened in the Auckland CBD. The base will be at 210 Federal Street, and will see the 24/7 public counter relocate there from its current College Hill location. It is expected to be ready to open in mid-2025. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown also spoke at the press conference.

The hīkoi we were discussing last week has gone down the country through the weekend, rolls into Wellington City, and should arrive at Parliament around midday. Police say they don't expect any problems, certainly nothing like the descent into chaos we saw at the end of the last demonstration at Parliament. We'll see. So far, it seems hīkoi participants have abided by the organisers' requests. There's all sorts of rules and regulations before you can join the hīkoi, and participants are following them thus far, adhering to the principles of peaceful protest. The police have been working with the organisers, and they told Mike Hosking this morning: so far so good. It does mean, of course, that a lot of police will be tied up at the hīkoi, and if they're there they're not out investigating crime. And they need to be nabbing criminals and hauling them before court and engaging in crime prevention if police Minister Mark Mitchell is to keep his job. Back in August of 2023, Mark Mitchell told us that if New Zealanders hadn't started to see a change in public safety within a year of his appointment as Police Minister he would resign – so how's he doing? Well, ram raids are down 61%. Foot patrols are up 30%, so that's got to be good news - a visible police presence does an awful lot to help prevent crime. Aggravated robbery is down 11%. Robbery, extortion and the like are down 6%. Serious assaults are down 3%. However, counting against him, common assaults didn't go down, and theft had increased 12%. So how does he think he's doing? “I just thought it was coming up 12 months and it was important for me, I did that to hold myself to account because we were in such a bad place as a country that the expectation is that whoever took over as Police Minister, it's a huge responsibility, you've got to show that your things are changing. Otherwise, I wasn't the right guy for the job or the right person for the job. So we are starting to see change. “Like I said, we've got a long way to go, but we're starting to see some trends moving in the right direction. And I want to say that's not attributable to me. I mean it's, it's the fact that, yes, I've got the, the privileged position of Minister so I can bring everyone together ... the Auckland CBD is a good example. We brought the Residence and Ratepayers groups together, the business associations, our social service providers, Māori Wardens, CPNZ, KO, MSD, police, St. John's, we've all come together, we've been aligned. I had my latest meeting on Friday and we're seeing real success. So I've been going around the country trying to pull that together and trying to get some real change and it's happening.” So how do you think he's doing? You know, just based on your community, your neighbourhood, your retail area, how do you think the Police Minister is doing? I think the stats speak for themselves. Of course, as he also said in the interview with Mike, you're never going to get rid of crime altogether. There is never going to be a day where the police wake up and log no crime, ever. That's just not the way human beings are. But in terms of your community, your neighbourhood, your shopping precinct, do you feel safer? I mean, certainly I no longer have a low-level sense of alert when I'm going into a mall and walking past a Michael Hill Jewellers store. You know, there had been so many and a number in our area had been hit, so when I was taking the kids to the mall – I wouldn't say I was fearful. I certainly didn't stop going. I wasn't fearful, but I was on alert. Anything that looked a little bit out of the ordinary and I was going to get out of there with those children before hell broke loose. So, I'm more relaxed I think. There isn't the posturing and the advertising and the visibility of gangs in my hood. A few red sneakers, but hey, they might just like the colour. There aren't the same sort of video footage from doorbells and street cameras of families taking little ones out to go robbing in the early hours of the morning. I haven't seen that being posted for quite some time. So yeah, I feel as though things are getting better and the stats would seem to indicate they are. Is that because a line has been drawn in the sand? Is that because the focus of the police has shifted slightly? I would certainly say the foot patrols would have helped. Is it an indication from police and indeed from the community? It was voters who said up with this we will not put. We could have gone one way, we went this way when it came to the polling booths. We don't want to see any more softly, softly. We would like to see a line in the sand when it comes to crime. There's a lot more to do. There's a lot more work to do around addictions, there's a lot more work to do around mental health because a lot of those are precursors to crime. The crime is not actually the problem, it's the addictions that are. But so far, if you were to mark Mark Mitchell, what would you give him a B plus? A minus? A very good start? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's outrage among taxpayers over the projected cost of downtown Auckland's Christmas tree. The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance has raised concern about the 18 metre Komititanga Square tree, which reportedly costs $1.3 million. The council is stumping up $800,000 for it, with Heart of the City and Precinct Properties covering the rest. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck says it's not being paid for out of general rates. "The council is putting in a contribution of the city centre-targeted rate, which is paid for by city centre property owners, businesses and residents." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 11 November, the Government's decision to ban journalist Aaron Smale from Tuesday's Abuse in Care apology - and then reverse the ban - raised a few eyebrows. Newsroom's Mark Jennings joined Heather to discuss. On the subject of Tuesday's apology, Minister-in-charge Erica Stanford unpacked the new measures the Government would be taking to ensure future abuse cases don't happen. A million-dollar Christmas tree set to be built in Auckland's CBD has sparked concern and outrage from Auckland CBD's ratepayers. Heart of the City's Viv Beck explained why this move is good for the city. Plus, the Huddle takes a look at president-elect Donald Trump's first set of announcements following his return to power. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's understandable Auckland CBD's retail and hospitality businesses' initial reaction was one of concern after learning Auckland's train network will close for 96 days in the final push to get the City Rail Link open in 2026. Devastated even. In years to come, we will take the CRL for granted as a valuable, normal part of a functioning, modern city. But almost a decade of disruption has taken a toll. This latest news will be triggering for those impacted. Yes, the rail network upgrades have to be done. Yes, better to bite the bullet now than drag this out for even longer. We are all desperate to cut the ribbon on the CRL and get on with life. But this news came out of the blue. It's only 7 weeks until the first shut down - from 27th December to 28th January. This is very short notice for businesses preparing for what they hope will be a busy summer season. It's frustrating. What helps manage the pain is how you consult, communicate information, and prepare for the inconvenience. AT said there will be extra buses to accommodate passengers during the rail closures, but acknowledges special events will be challenging. New Year's Eve, Sail GP, and the ASB Classic are all held over summer period when there will be train stoppages. Honestly, and I know it's hard for some of you to believe, but Auckland is a great place to be over summer. As long as you can get around. It's not like a sold out concert at Eden Park isn't challenging enough now for public transport. Which is something the CRL will improve. And this is the issue at the heart of it all - new infrastructure can breathe life into a city or region, we just don't want to live through the nightmare of building it. This is not just an Auckland problem. The Government has announced its preferred plan for Wellington is to build two new tunnels to funnel large numbers of cars into the central city. Thats going to be disruptive. I was in Christchurch this week, where there is real excitement about the stadium and the growth of the city - but what a ordeal the last 13 years have been. This week, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop released a discussion document which outlines the Infrastructure Commission's thinking for developing a 30 year National Infrastructure Plan. The idea is to create a bipartisan approach to infrastructure, to plan, fund and deliver what the country needs - but also what it can afford. It's a good, forward thinking, organised approach to infrastructure - the plan should be delivered by the end of 2025. It will provide a pipeline, which gives us a much clearer view of upcoming projects and an understanding of what's involved for those impacted. So, bring on the upgrades and improvements to our infrastructure, but bring the people along with you. It's not that hard, the Government must consult, communicate and - this is a really important bit- compensate those adversely impacted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses and residents on a central Auckland street with few options for parking are being stung by fines after new CCTV cameras were installed - and mobility pass holders are being particularly hard hit. Maia Ingoe has the story.

The Government has continued its push to increase the use of remote building inspections to speed up the construction and consenting process. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has voiced disapproval with the current process - and claimed that remote inspections will make the building process more efficient and affordable. NZ Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming says this process works well in remote parts of the country - or high-congestion areas like Auckland CBD. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown aims to disestablish the city's tourism and economic development agency. The mayor is progressing plans to fold Tātaki Auckland Unlimited back into council control and reduce its functions. He says the agency spent more than $700,000 on a campaign promoting Auckland to Aucklanders. He says these things need to stop happening with ratepayer money. Hospitality New Zealand CEO Steve Armitage Tātaki says is essential - and plays a pivotal role for the city's tourism. "There are a lot of ancillary benefits, there are jobs created - particularly off the strength of Auckland's visitor economy in recent years." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heart of the City is urging Auckland Council to follow the Wellington's lead on cracking down on people working from home. Public Service bosses are being told to manage staff working out of office as an agreement - not an entitlement. Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck says council workers are only required to come to the office three days a week. She says getting them back in the city is what the CBD needs. "There's no point waiting for the CRL and expecting 54,000 people to pop out every hour. We've actually got to keep the place alive and vibrant - and this is one way that would make a difference." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Green Party is set to meet to discuss Darleen Tana's fate on October 17th. Why has it taken this long to reach a possible solution? Is this hurting their political numbers? Should Auckland Council follow Wellington's lead and require workers to get back to the office? Heart of the City head Viv Beck is urging people to get out and boost the city's businesses - does Auckland CBD need the help? It's been a day since Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of murdering Pauline Hanna - would things have been different if Madison Ashton had turned up to testify? Andrew Coster is set to lead the Government's new Social Investment Agency after he steps down as Police Commissioner- what do we make of this? Is this a good idea?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour spokesperson for Police, Ginny Andersen, on Auckland CBD crime rates, banning gang patches, and the Minister for Firearms not ruling out re-introducing the type of firearms that were banned after March 15th.

The government is hailing a 22 percent drop in serious assaults in the Auckland CBD compared with last year. But the Labour Party says the closure of two emergency housing places has forced people with complex issues into the suburbs. Ginny Andersen spoke to Corin Dann.

The government is hailing a 22 percent drop in serious assaults in the Auckland CBD compared to the same period last year.

On today's episode, the government has released a draft list of 35 minerals it considers essential to the economy, the Police Minister is hailing a 22 percent drop in serious assaults in the Auckland CBD compared to the same period last year, new tests are on the way to define whether workers are employees or contractors, Bird of the Year has been announced, and we chatted to Canberra correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Auckland police believe the extra exposure in the city centre is making a difference. New data shows a 22 percent drop in in serious assaults in the CBD in the first seven months of the year, compared to the same time last year. Police Minister Mark Mitchell's putting it down to a collaborative approach between officers and agencies to get people the support they need. Police Association spokesperson Murray Fenton says the feedback from visitors and locals is refreshing. "It's really exciting, because our international visitors are coming up to us on the streets, our local people, our business people, our retailers - we're getting support from so many types of people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kamo Kid joins G Lane & Manaia Stewart live from the All Blacks Experience in the Auckland CBD to pull the curtain back on what it's like to play for the ABs (0:00), share some stories from his time playing the Springboks in South Africa (10:40) and his prediction for the match this weekend (20:14).Follow the All Blacks Experience on Instagram HERE!Brought to you by Export Ultra - The Beer For Here...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An e-scooter caused a fire in an Auckland CBD apartment on Thursday morning. Assistant fire commander Barry Thomas spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland CBD businesses said they're seeing progress in cracking down on crime and anti-social behaviour, following the government increasing police foot patrols in the central city. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Police minister Mark Mitchell took a tour through the city today, talking to businesses about whether the extra police on the beat have made a difference, Luka Forman reports. 

Businesses in the Auckland city centre said increased police foot patrols are already starting to make a difference to their desperate battle against retail crime and disorder. 21 new beat police hit the ground yesterday, bringing the total number now patrolling the Auckland CBD to 51, Finn Blackwell reports.

New Community Beat Teams have been announced - 63 additional police staff will be deployed across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.   It's alongside Operation Safer Streets, which will see an extra 21 officers redeployed in Auckland's CBD from July - to target anti-social behaviour.   Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking “We've had visibility as a key priority for a long time.”  Coster said recruitment has turned in a positive direction in the last few months.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Krukziener speaks to Lisa Owen about the Save Queen Street Society taking Auckland Council to the High Court over its decision to sell the Down Town Carpark building to developer Precinct Properties, they believe the loss of the car parks and significant contruction disruption will kill retail businesses and hollow out the CBD.

Confusion reigns over claims police foot patrols in Auckland CBD have increased 60 percent since National came to power. Police Minister Mark Mitchell's used the figure in the wake of a law and order meeting last night, where a number of central city Aucklanders told him they dont feel safe and want more officers on the beat. But Auckland central's top cop is unable to confirm the figure. Auckland Central Area Commander Inspector Grant Tetzlaff speaks to Lisa Owen.

Official police data shows foot patrols in Auckland are down, not up. On Wednesday, the police minister, Mark Mitchell, lauded a 60 percent increase in foot patrols in the Auckland CBD in the six months since the election. Ben Strang spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Central Auckland shopkeepers aren't considering dropping their own security patrols despite an increased police presence in the area. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Precinct Properties plans to funnel over $300 million into housing in Auckland CBD. The company has announced it'll build student accommodation of 500 units on Queen Street, to boost housing in the city centre. CEO Scott Pritchard says moving toward residential property is a natural next step. "For a long time now, we've been developing commercial office - and in the last few years, we've sort of moved into mixed-use development where you add retail and other uses to offices." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A business owner in Auckland's CBD says locals need to back the police. Police Minister Mark Mitchell led a public meeting to address increased crime rates last night, which grew strained at points. Queens Arcade property manager Ian Wright says crime has been on the rise across the nation - but he's confident things are headed in the right direction. "The whole system's gone too soft, the justice system needs a good look at - and all of those things are not going to change overnight." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man alive. There is a family in Dunedin doing it tough today. I mean, these guys sent their 16-year-old boy to school yesterday and he didn't come home. He was stabbed at a notoriously dangerous bus stop by a 13-year-old. What the hell, by the way, as a 13-year-old doing with a knife?  Now, that stabbing at the bus stop will have sent chills through parents up and down this country. Because the thing is: that is not just a Dunedin problem, it's an every part of the country problem. And we have for a few years now been warning that kids are beating each other up at bus stops at places like Rotorua, Tauranga, New Lynn, Pukekohe, Albany, Dunedin....And now the worst thing that could possibly happen has happened.   The warnings have clearly just not been taken seriously enough by authorities. Even that bus stop, by the way, there have been assaults on kids by kids since at least 2021, right? That's the last three years and we've been aware of that. And there have been calls for police to do something about it. And according to locals, they haven't.  But today, the area commanders said that they were there within a minute, apparently, and now they've further increased our patrolling in the area. Well, it's too late. I mean, the thing is, the kid is dead. The patrols are not going to help him now, are they?  Now, I'm not blaming police for what happened here. They do have their hands full, but they are the solution. And this is why they need to step up and help us here. Every place in this country that is struggling with crime at the moment is calling for the same thing: more police on the beat. Auckland CBD, with a handbags getting nicked from people who are just sitting down for something to eat. Malls, where masked men are breaking into Michael Hill Jewellers. Point Chev in Auckland, where they're dealing with some really bad behaviour from people.   Every single place that's got a problem at the moment is saying that the solution is more police patrols. They need greater visibility. The Police Minister actually already knows this. I mean, just yesterday in an interview, he said that he wants more cops on the beat as well. Then he needs to make it happen. He needs to sit down with his mate Andy Coster and say: “I don't care what you do to sort this out, but your priority is the boys in blue hitting the streets.” People need to see them. They need to be there when some ruckus breaks out at a bus stop. They need to be sorting it out. In fact, they need to be there so the kids know that they are there, and no ruckus breaks out.  I hate to make something like this political, but National has got the goodwill of this country at the moment, because they have told us time and time again, they're gonna sort out the crime. And at least, good for them, they acknowledge that there is this kind of crime.  But they will run out of time. They need to get on to it, or they're gonna go exactly the same way as Labour in our estimations on this particular subject. A kid is dead. There is brazen crime all over the show. It's not my job, it's not your job to try to figure out how to get more police on the beat. It's their job and they need to get on with it.  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Dean Hall & Penny Ashton discuss Stats NZ pulling out of the "dangerous: Auckland CBD. Plus David MacLeod's failure to declare $178,000 in candidate donations to the Electoral Commission. Dean Hall is CEO and Founder of video games studio RocketWerkz Penny Ashton is an actor, writer, improviser, podcaster, celebrant and director.

After facing criticism from businesses and the council, Auckland Transport has decided to pump the brakes on introducing overnight parking charges until October. Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Steve Armitage spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Kathryn Graham and Simon Wilson discuss the removal of free evening and weekend parking in the Auckland CBD, and the impact of the solar storm on our power grid. Kathryn Graham is a Development Executive at the New Zealand Film Commission. Simon Wilson is a Senior writer for the NZ Herald.

Auckland Transport's Chief Executive says changes to parking in the CBD are to give ratepayers relief. From July, motorists will have to pay 24/7 for parking, much of which was previously free on Sundays and outside 8am and 6pm. Dean Kimpton says the move was made to create the $74 million in savings that the Council has requested of it. He says that's alongside improving public transport. "This is what growing cities do. This is what we will do with any income we receive. We will look to make that transport safe and more frequent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Transport is moving forward with its plan for overnight parking fees in the city centre, despite opposition from the council and businesses. Auckland Transport Chief Executive Dean Kimpton spoke to Corin Dann.

On today's episode, the Education Review Office says too many newly graduated teachers are not prepared for the job, we hear from the ERO'S Education Evaluation Centre Ruth Shinoda, as well as the PPTA president Chris Abercrombie, Auckland Transport has announced it will charge for overnight parking in the Auckland CBD, chief executive Dean Kimpton joins us, and equestrian rider Caroline Powell has won the Badminton Horse Trials, and we cross the Tasman to get the latest from Kerry-Anne Walsh.

From July 1, Auckland CBD residents and visitors will be stung with new 24-hour parking charges covering overnight, weekends and public holidays.   Mayor Wayne Brown has expressed dissatisfaction about the change, and CBD workers are residents say they were blindsided.  Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Steve Armitage tells Mike Hosking this is not a helpful time for Auckland Transport to find revenue streams, as a huge amount of effort is being put into city centre recovery.  Having the ability to get to and from the city in a private car is also important for many workers, operating outside of standard public transport hours.  The overnight parking charges are ironic as Hospitality NZ has been actively working with other council agencies on a night-time economy strategy to boost the appeal of the city.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a young producer working on this show called Jack, who's recently moved over from London. He asked us today why we're all so worked up about this one shooting on Ponsonby Road - and why if you open any of the local newspapers' websites today, it's right there at the top of the front page.As Jack says, this happens all the time in London, it's no big deal. He even watched a guy get knifed in a park in front of him while he was out having a durry not long before he moved here. He then went back inside to work at the radio station - and the knifing wasn't even worth putting in the bulletin.I can answer that question for Jack - the reason we are so worked up about this is because this is still new to us. We can all remember a time when this kind of thing didn't happen in nice places like Ponsonby. And it wasn't that long ago - five years ago, maybe?But then in the last few years, there was the shooting in Dr Rudi's on the Viaduct in Auckland, and the shooting in the Sofitel lobby in Wynyard Quarter, and there was the guy on the scooter who shot the other guy on Queen Street, and then the guy who took a gun to work and shot his co-workers on the construction site in Auckland CBD.And it's still rare enough that the significant shootings in Auckland can still be recalled and counted on a hand - but I think we suspect that those, by contrast, innocent days are over. We now have guys going out for a drink on a Sunday night with a firearm in a Guess manbag draped over their shoulder.And I think we know why this has happened - because the Australians have deported hundreds, if not thousands of criminals, that are way harder and way more trigger happy than the ones we've gotten used to. And unfortunately for us, they like going to the bars we go to. Nice people go to those bars - and so do these guys with the guns in their manbags. It's a bit freaky, isn't it? And the most honest amongst us will admit it's probably only a matter of years before we have the same reaction as Jack - and don't find it scary or interesting anymore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's city centre has outpaced New Zealand in both GDP and employment growth for the second year in a row.  According to an Infometrics report, GDP in the city centre grew by 9.2 percent in the year to March 2023, reaching $30.4 billion. Employment was up 7.3 percent in the same period, compared to the equivalent increase of 2.5 percent for the rest of New Zealand. Patrick Reynolds, the Council's City Centre Advisory Panel deputy chair says this growth is more than a post-pandemic bounce. "There's been a heap of investment - in both private investment and especially streetscape renewals and upgrades and the shift away from just black tarmacs of cars." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's city centre has outpaced New Zealand's national economic growth for the second year in a row. That's according to just-released data for the year ended March 2023, indicating the city centre's GDP grew by 9.2% to 30.4 billion dollars, which compared with 2.8% growth for the whole of New Zealand. Rayssa Almeida has the story. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6346718872112

Aucklanders hopping to and from Waiheke Island are celebrating a new competitor offering trips on the route, with Island Direct setting sail for the first time today. Its 50-seater vessel is scheduled to complete 18 crossings between Auckland CBD and Waiheke most days, and some of its tickets are going for nearly half the price of the long-running ferry operator Fullers360. Reporter Louise Ternouth and Camera Operator Marika Khabazi were up early to catch the very first Island Direct ferry [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6341026381112