Podcasts about Guyon Espiner

Five months on from floods that swept through Wellington, there are still residents who haven't been able to get back into their homes. Jennifer Andrewes had about 200 millimetres of water through her Island Bay home, but will finally be moving back in tomorrow. She spoke to Guyon Espiner.

KiwiSaver members are generally told the earlier you start, the better. National and NZ First want to get babies going from birth with kickstart payments in their accounts. But there are concerns about a forgotten cohort. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Guyon Espiner.

King Charles has added his voice to a wave of warnings about AI, saying there are "existential dangers" with the technology. He made the comment while speaking at an AI summit in Scotland, where leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, and chip-making company Nvidia were gathered. Correspondent John Bevir spoke to Guyon Espiner.

New Zealand's gross domestic product figures released yesterday show one industry is bucking the trend. Construction was up 2.7 percent in the last quarter and is the largest contributor to the overall increase in GDP. It's also the largest increase in construction activity since the June 2023 quarter. Chief Executive of New Zealand Certified Builders Malcolm Fleming spoke to Guyon Espiner.

For years, firefighters and their union have been sounding the alarm about Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Now, a select committee report backs that up, finding that FENZ leadership misled select committee and has mismanaged the purchase of new fire trucks. National MP Tim Costley, deputy chair of the Governance and Administration Committee spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Since July, Australia's competition regulator has had the power to examine the big supermarkets' books to see how much they are paying suppliers, and what they're charging customers. From there, it can assess whether a supermarket has excessive profit margins...if so, they could face a fine of up to A$10 million dollars. To explain how it's working in Australia, and what New Zealand can learn from it, Dr Meg Elkins spoke to Guyon Espiner. She's a cultural and behavioural economist, and an associate professor at Melbourne's R.M.I.T. University.

A New Zealander delivering aid in Ukraine says their vehicles have been directly targeted by Russian drones, with multiple destroyed, and team members injured. Tenby Powell is Chair of Kiwi K.A.R.E a humanitarian organisation that has been operating on the ground in Ukraine since 2022. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

National wants to pursue the structural separation of Foodstuffs, which would see New World and Four Square as one nationwide chain, and PAK'nSAVE as another. Dean Waddell, owner of Pak'nSave Tauranga, and chairperson of Foodstuffs North Island spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A bill to repeal references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in laws has been introduced to Parliament this week. The clock is ticking as the house prepares to rise for the election campaign, putting pressure on the government to get its remaining legislative agenda across the line. Treaty law expert and professor at Te Wananga o Raukawa, Carwyn Jones spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A convenience store trying to position itself as a competitor to New Zealand's two big supermarket groups is questioning the impact of political parties' pledges to take on the supermarket duopoly. Matthew Lane, general manager of Night 'n Day Foodstores spoke to Guyon Espiner.

An online charter school that started the year with 200 students is on track to become one of the country's biggest schools next year. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrew Williams, Guyon Espiner and Jenna Lynch. The discuss the harrowing inquiry into police and Oranga Tamariki's handling of the Tom Phillips case, two new political polls that make the major parties look more like minors, the latest pitches to bring supermarket prices down, and the historic opening of Auckland's City Rail Link.

Thousands of American sailors caught up in the Iran War finally have a chance to stretch their legs, after a record 286 days at sea. The USS Abraham Lincoln was last docked in November, and since then there have been claims of deteriorating mental health and food shortages aboard. It's now tied up near Pattya, in Thailand. Thailand-based journalist, Mike Firn spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A dedicated crew of volunteers who have spent thousands of hours helping families in need by mending curtains are now turning to the public in an appeal for help. With their shelves looking bare, the Rotorua Curtainbank's are calling for donations to replace their dwindling supply of curtains. Co-ordinator Judy Gregor spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Rugby League has been on the agenda as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with leaders in Papua New Guinea. In two years time PNG will join the NRL and Luxon expects Warriors fans will add Port Moresby to the away game destinations. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Guyon Espiner.

As the countdown to the election ticks on, politicians arriving at Turangawaewae Marae for the annual Koroneihana celebrations have received a loud and clear message - respect the Treaty and treaty settlements. Political parties, alongside chiefs from across the Pacific, gathered in Ngaruawahia today for the third day of the annual celebrations, with some notable exceptions. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A native seaweed that can cut the methane belched out by cows by around 80 percent is being grown right here in New Zealand, but our regulations mean no local farmer can actually use it. Executive director of Asparagopsis Technologies, Nigel Little spoke to Guyon Espiner. 

The ACT Party wants to get rid of the Maori and Pacific Admissions Scheme because it says it's racist. The scheme is a targeted entry and support programme at Auckland University's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences designed to increase the number of Maori and Pacific health professionals. ACT leader David Seymour pushed for a review of the scheme, which has now been completed and recommends it remain. But Seymour isn't happy with that. Dean of Medical and Health Sciences, Professor Warwick Bagg spoke to Guyon Espiner. 

The atmosphere is sizzling in South Africa ahead of the All Blacks and Springboks third test in Johannesburg. The sides are deadlocked at 1-all. But meanwhile, there's drama brewing around the Black Ferns and Springbok Women's upcoming game. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Guyon Espiner.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Guyon Espiner about UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosting his first foreign leader at Downing Street, as well as the British Army being under strict instruction to cut back on training exercises in an attempt to save money.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Guyon Espiner about a man who had a toe-to-thumb transplant.

Join Emile Donovan for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Holly Bennett and Tracey Martin. They discuss the latest with rising star Opportunity, including National's supposed plan to rule out working with them. Then, the Greens came out swinging at their AGM, calling for a moratorium on new consents for AI data centres. And the story that mystified a nation: an arrest of a man in Russia, accused of spying for New Zealand.

New Zealand swimmer Lewis Clareburt has won gold in the men's 400m individual medley at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Reporter Leonard Powell is in Glasgow. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

An early morning sports news update with Nathan Rarere. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Russian security services have arrested a 55-year-old Khabarovsk resident over accusations he spied for New Zealand. Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp finds the Russian narrative "inconceivable". He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

National's Erica Stanford has failed to get support from either ACT or NZ First for legislation banning under 16s from social media. She's sounding out Labour, much to her coalition partners' consternation. RNZ's deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Restaurant chain Burger Burger went into liquidation, after the company announced it owed $1.8 million. Its director Mimi Gilmour spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Auckland's Western Springs is being transformed into a dedicated outdoor venue for summer concerts and festivals. Rugby and other sport will be hosted there in the winter. Music promoter Campbell Smith spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease. Liz Garton meets the team at the Institute of Biomedical Technologies is developing new products to help monitor heart health in the home to try to change those terrible statistics.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:The Detail recently looked into the deadly heart disease that creeps up on you.In March, Guyon Espiner spoke with Dr Philip Shirely about how an annual flu vaccine can reduce the risk of heart issues.Kate Green's investigation into health insurance in May, showed heart disease is one of the biggest drivers of claims.Dr Claire Concannon visited the CoRE Pūtahi Manawa to find out what they're doing to address heart health inequities, in 2022.Guests:Professor Andrew Lowe, Dr Tet Chuan Lee, Matin Khalili, Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Auckland University of Technology.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Lillian Hanly and Tracey Martin. First, Labour's first big election policy is out - a weekly cap on public transport fares. Then they look at the controversy surrounding the newly announced Labour candidate who's a top police staffer. And 30 years on, has MMP served New Zealand well?

Labour has announced it's first election promise of 2026, capping public transport costs nationwide in a bid to ease the cost of living for everyday people.Qiulae Wong, leader of the Opportunity Party sits down with Guy Espiner to break down some of the party's policies, including full tax system overhaul, citizens income and wanting to be the new 'Kingmaker' and overthrow Winston Peters from his throne.David Seymour's truancy fines for parents whose children are not attending school has affected the parents of children who are disables, unwell and in some cases dying, as reported by the blog 'Emily Writes'.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Submissions on the Modern Slavery Bill are underway at Parliament's Education and Workforce Committee. World Vision's Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong spoke to Guyon Espiner.

All eyes will be on Parliament this afternoon as Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers the Budget. At 2pm we'll pass the mic to Guyon Espiner for RNZ's one-hour Budget Special. But before then we wanted to look at where today's announcement sits in the history of Government Budgets. Historian Dr Grant Morris is with Jesse.

An RNZ investigation has revealed one-million dollars in political donations from people and entities linked to fast track applications since 2022. The bulk of this - almost ninety percent - has gone to National and NZ First. RNZ In Depth's Farah Hancock spoke with Guyon Espiner.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Jacqui van Der Kay and Wayne Mapp. On this week's show: Christopher Luxon survives a vote of confidence in his own caucus, but will he survive the sideline sniping from his coalition partner Winston Peters?; the politics of the India FTA and the "butter chicken tsunami"; Trump extends the Iran War indefinitely, what does that mean and back home does the government need to face reality about the fuel crisis?; and the so-called Parody Bil, a bill to protect parody and satire gets the tick from the free Speech Union.

Green co-leader Chloe Swarbrick responds to the announcement, speaking with Guyon Espiner.

The government this morning said it would offer interest free loans of $52 million to two companies, ChargeNet and Meridian Energy, to add another 2500 new EV charge points. Energy Minister Simon Watts spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Lillian Hanly, and Heather Roy. They begin with the second report of the Covid-19 Response Inquiry - how well did the government of the day handle the pandemic? Then, just as the economy looked like it was making a correcting turn... the war in Iran began and oil prices started spiking. What does this mean in an election year? After that, they discuss how things are shaking out for Christopher Luxon the week after a devastating poll. And finally, a lookback on Shane Reti's legacy as he joins a string of Ministers bowing out from politics.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Lillian Hanly, Guyon Espiner and former labour MP Poto Williams. On the show today: Is it a levy or a tax? Has the Government got the messaging right about the plan to build a 1-billion-dollar LNG import facility? Then, the retail crime advisory group has had its plug pulled after three of its five members walked away. Was it a folly or did it get the job done? And finally, The Post journalist Andrea Vance has suggested MPs who use X are engaged in a form of tacit endorsement in the sharing of child sex abuse material. Is she right?

Kate de Goldi is a novelist and the Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador. This week she's talking Irish literature with Guyon Espiner.

Priscilla Presley tells Guyon Espiner what she lost and what she found when she walked away from Elvis Presley.

The fastest and best half hour of politics analysis is here and ready to go. Joining Wallace tonight is Guyon Espiner, Marian Hobbs and David Farrar. Up for discussion tonight is: Labour's Capital Gains Tax, they finally did it. Or did they? Is it really a tax and will the voters slurp up what they are offering? The New Zealand Initiative is suggesting that any serious government reform should include provisions for MORE MPs, not less. Christopher Luxon is at ASEAN, is there room for him in the Trump show? and Winston Peters claps back to a Luxon tweet: trouble in paradise?

The Public Service Association has said a rollback of Health NZ work programmes in the alcohol harm prevention space is the result of lobbying from the alcohol industry. Investigative reporter Guyon Espiner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Health Ministry's alcohol advisory group has been condemned by one of its own leaders, accusing it of diluting Maori voices and suggesting it be axed entirely. Guyon Espiner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss

David Seymour says changes to warning labels for tobacco, nicotine and alcohol products are on the table - despite pleas from public health groups. Guyon Espiner spoke to Ingris Hipkiss.

The parents of a 16-year-old boy who died drunk driving are pleading with the government to strengthen laws to stop sales to minors. Guyon Espiner reports.

Each week on a Monday we take a deep dive into an issue with the help of an expert. Today we're talking to Guyon Espiner about political interviews - what is considered a "good" one and how to get the most out of our politicians. Please send in any questions you have for Guyon - 2101.

Documents the Health Ministry tried to keep secret show alcohol lobbyists pushed policy makers to not raise tax on alcohol, restrict its availability or replace industry sponsorship of sport. Guyon Espiner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

New Zealand First should be stripped of the tobacco and vaping portfolio, according to an advocacy group set up to keep kids off nicotine. The call comes after RNZ published documents alleging close ties between tobacco giant Philip Morris and New Zealand First. Guyon Espiner broke the story, and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

If you don't want to face the unpalatable truth about your boozing, the alcohol lobby is on your sideOutdated alcohol guidelines put New Zealand out of step with modern research, but our health authorities are in no hurry to update themIn Canada, proposed guidelines for low-risk drinking set the weekly limit at two drinks.Here in New Zealand, the recommendation is to cap alcohol at 10 drinks weekly for women, and 15 for men, with two alcohol-free days per week.Despite these guidelines being nearly 15 years old, and documents from Health NZ showing that they consider a review of the guidelines to be 'necessary', for now, the guidelines are staying as they are."The complication is that the Ministry of Health has come in over the top of [Health NZ] and has said 'actually these are our guidelines ... we want to control this and we're putting a pause on that work'," says RNZ's Guyon Espiner."It certainly does show that they're listening to the alcohol industry, who are pretty exercised about this - because as you can imagine, this could have a significant effect on sales if people did take this advice and did drink significantly less."In a series of articles over the past few months, Espiner has reported on issues of alcohol harm and how the alcohol lobby has impacted policy in New Zealand…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details