Podcasts about Lisa Owen

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about a suspected mass poisoning at a hostel in Bali that has left one tourist dead, and a number of others hospitalised.

The head of the Principal's Federation is calling for the government to pay for asbestos testing and clean-ups in schools after a contamination scare with kids play sand. Retail giant Kmart has sold 67,000 units of the potentially asbestos laced sand. It's being recalled along with 4000 unites of other similar products. President of the New Zealand Principals' Federation Leanne Otene spoke to Lisa Owen.

How would you feel if that little voice in your head went completely quiet? You know the one that stresses about all the mistakes you've made just as you're trying to get to sleep or replays that same pesky ear worm over and over again. Well for some people that's a reality and it's called anauralia. Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about one person's experience living with a silent mind.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK Covid-19 Inquiry pubishing a damning report on how political leaders responded during the pandemic, as well as the UK Home Secretary unveiling another policy cracking down on migrants.

Competition is picking up between the banks as they fight for home loan customers. But it looks different these days - where once we saw them slashing rates aggressively, now they use cash back offers to get new customers in the door. So who actually benefits here?Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been checking this out and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Wellington Phoenix women have suffered a double blow with two players out for the remainder of the A-League season with an increasingly common injury. Female footballers are more at risk of ACL injuries than their male counterparts, a phenomenon that is now so prolific it is part a FIFA study. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's hoped rams brains may help researchers better understand the long term consequences of repeated head blows on sports people. Rams, which frequently butt heads, will provide Auckland University's centre for brain research a model population to study. Repeated blows to the head often experienced in contact sport have been found to increase the risk of brain diseases, like CTE and forms of dementia. Auckland University senior research fellow Dr Helen Murray spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has quietly rejected advice to set a much more ambitious long-term target for New Zealand's carbon emissions. The Climate Change Commission wanted the country to aim for net-negative carbon emissions by 2050 - but the government has decided to stick with the current net-zero target. It's hot off the back of another decision last month to weaken New Zealand's methane target. Climate change reporter Kate Newton spoke to Lisa Owen.

One of the most highly anticipated series on the cricket calendar has finally got underway in Perth. The build up to the opening test of the Ashes between England and Australia has been on another level. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

A gruelling all terrain ultra race where you dont find out the exact course until just hours before you launch yourself in the literal wilderness is back after a two year hiatus and a falling out with DOC. This time a new charitable trust is running the infamous Godzone event. Teams of four, with minimal gear, trek, mountain bike, kayak, canoe and packraft up to 650 kilometres, with a maximum of eight days to finish. Former All Black Captain Richie McCaw, is part of the group responsible for ressurecting the race, and he spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a number of US military officials visiting Ukraine to discuss bringing an end to the war with Russia, as well as more twists and turns in the trial of former FBI director James Comey.

The coalition is in the throes of internal warfare - with Winston Peters and David Seymour slinging barbs over the Regulatory Standards Bill. In a stunning about-face today, Mr Peters has pledged to revoke that law - ACT's brainchild - next term - despite voting it through last week. It has prompted an extraordinary rebuke from David Seymour - who says Mr Peters looks like he's gearing up to jump ship to a Labour coalition. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Polling has closed in Tonga's national general election which is being conducted amid a massive fuel shortage in the capital. There are 71 candidates vying for a seat in parliament including eight women. More than 64,000 voters are on the electoral roll but the kingdom has struggled with low voter turnout since democratic reforms in 2010. RNZ Pacific senior reporter Teuila Fuatai is in Nuku'alofa and spoke to Lisa Owen.

It has been revealed Kmart has sold tens of thousands of potentially asbestos laced children's play things. The retail giant confirmed it has sold 67,000 units of coloured children's sand that are now part of massive recall that was expanded even further today. That number doesn't include suspect products sold through different retailers. Some councils have now set up drop-off sites for the recalled products. MBIE's Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin spoke to Lisa Owen.

The equivalent of more than four and half million rubber car tyres have been collected in the first year of a recycle scheme. Tyrewise is governed by a charitable trust and funded by the fee that is charged on the sale of all new regulated tyres in Aotearoa. Tyrewise says a year into scheme illegal dumping of tyres has been slashed along with the number of tyres going to landfill. Adele Rose, CEO of 3R Group that manages the Tyrewise Scheme, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The last time the All Blacks lost to Wales there was no Harbour Bridge in Auckland, Elvis Presley hadn't released any music and Queen Elizabeth II was about to make her first visit to New Zealand. The Welsh will need to channel the spirit of 1953 - the year they beat the All Blacks 13-8 - if they want to taste victory once again. But do they have any shot at snapping this seven-decade streak? Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Stone cold killers". That's how Conservation Minister Tama Potaka describes feral cats, which he's just added to the Predator Free 2050's hitlist. It means that feral cats will join the likes of stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats and possums on the official list of pests targeted for total eradication from these shores. This is a sharp change of policy - revealed to exclusively to RNZ by the Minister today. He sat down with Farah Hancock who spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Silver Ferns overcame a stomach bug and the weariness of a long season to seal a series win over the England Roses this morning. The team now leaves Manchester to head in their own directions. When they come back together next year the team environment won't be the same. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia losing out the right to host a major world summit on climate change to Turkey, as well as META warning under 16's they have two weeks to download any data they want to keep before they are booted from the app.

Is the mobile phone becoming the dominate side dish during meals out? A top new resturant in London's Mayfair is banning phones in a bid to encourage diners to immerse themselves in the dining and social experience without device distraction. So is it a thing here? Auckland restaurant owner and chef Al Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland University Professor of Psychology Tony Lambert spoke to Lisa Owen about the science behind anauralia; a condition which means you cannot hear sound in your mind.

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the impact a diplomatic row between China and Japan is having on travel between the two nations.

A new Business NZ report estimates by 2045 Aotearoa will be 250,000 workers short. Without policy reform the rising cost of pensions and healthcare will consume all income tax. It concludes on our current trajectory we're under delivering on future prosperity. Business New Zealand director of advocacy Catherine Beard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Melbourne Storm star Eliesa Katoa will miss the 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery from brain surgery. The 25 year-old copped multiple head knocks while on test duty with Tonga during the Pacific Championships earlier this month. He suffered seizure activity on the sideline and was taken to hospital, where he had surgery on a brain bleed. After a two-week hospital stay in Auckland, the Storm has confirmed Katoa is now back home in Melbourne and under the care of the club's medical team. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A west Auckland primary school has told parents the coloured play sand it's been using is positive for asbestos. It's arranging decontamination and air quality tests. The sand is part of a major recall of mulltiple products. Meanwhile, 23 schools and 12 early learning services around the country are temporarily closed or planning to close. John O'Regan, the Principal of Enner Glynn school in Nelson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden said she doesn't believe the changes the government is making to Worksafe will lead to another Pike River disaster. Van Velden has been meeting with the families of some of the 29 men who were killed in an explosion at the mine 15 years ago. The Pike Families are calling for more health and safety inspectors, more education, more checks, and a corporate manslaughter law. Political Reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen about the Black Caps vs West Indies suffering another rain delay and the result of the All Whites match against Ecuador.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the response to a formal espionage alert issued by MI5 and a ban on plastic wet wipes on England shelves coming into force in 2027.

Some Pike River mine families are still fighting for a corporate manslaughter law 15 years after the diaster that killed 29 men. The deaths lead to the creation of WorkSafe and the 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act, which passed with cross-party support. A Royal Commission of Inquiry found New Zealand's old safety laws lacked the teeth, and there were catastrophic failings in the mine company's systems, despite numerous warnings of a potential catastrophe. Now the government is changing the Health and Safety at Work Act to quote "cut through unnecessary red tape" holding businesses back. Nigel Hampton KC spoke to Lisa Owen.

Product safety rules for kids toys and craft materials are not fit for purpose, with the rise in giant e-commerce retailers according to Consumer NZ. The safety of children's play things is centre stage after a recall of several coloured sand products due to an asbestos scare. Several schools that use the products closed while they worked out what cleanup is required. Meanwhile Consumer NZ says the changing way people shop and the sheer volume of products is making safety tough to police. Head of research and advocacy Gemma Rasmussen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Supreme Court ruling yesterday has confirmed four Uber drivers who first took a case against the ride share company in 2022 are actually employees rather than contracters. The ride share is one of thousands of digital platforms that are fueling a gig economy where workers tend to have multiple jobs, work temporary or short term stints and freelance. The World Bank estimates 400 million people earn money from these kind of platforms. But who is benefitting and is there a hidden cost to a cheaper ride to the airport? Employment relations researcher Alex Veen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Canterbury looks likely to get the country's first rubber road. The Selwyn Council confirmed it considering a trial of the technology on State Highway 77 at Glentunnel early in the new year. The rubber roading is made from end of life tyres that are turned into granules. Treadlite NZ is the only company in New Zealand that makes the stuff, and executive director Brad Pierce spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Whites play for the final time in 2025 tomorrow. The New Zealanders kicked off the year with a 7-nil win over Fiji in March and will close it out against Ecuador who have developed a reputation as one of football's best defensive sides. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The clean-up requirements for the potentially asbestos contaminated colourful kids play sand are a bit of a grey area according to professionals doing the job. Chris Saunders is the president of the New Zealand Asbestos Removal Association and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health New Zealand has stepped up precautions after two confirmed separate outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant super bugs at Christchurch Hospital. It says there are fewer than 10 patients with the infection known as VRE but many are asymptomatic carriers. The bacteria is difficult to treat due to its resistance and in some case can be potentially life threatening. Associate Professor Mark Thomas, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Auckland, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Black Caps can seal another ODI series win - and with a game to spare - when they play the West Indies in Napier tomorrow. Sports reporter Daniel Gilhooly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the conservative side of politics facing turmoil amid leadership wrangles at the state and federal level.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a US drafted Gaza peace plan receiving the backing of the UN Security Council, as well as Donald Trump changing his stance on tomorrow's vote to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

More than 20 schools and childcare centres have closed, or plan to close, due to concerns about asbestos in contaminated coloured play sand that is sold in K-mart and a number of other stores. The scare has raised serious questions about safety checks for toys. The recall began last week - but escalated over the weekend; with a warning about four other products; a 14 piece sand castle building set and containers of blue, green and pink magic sand. MBIE's Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK's plans to overhaul its asylum policy, as well as the Shadow Home Secretary weighing in on a settlement option between the BBC and US President Donald Trump.

After two games in two days the Silver Ferns and England Roses can't be separated and the series will be on the line in Manchester on Thursday. New Zealand had the upper-hand in game one, with a 61-58 win, but this morning the hosts won with an identical score-line. Game three will be the Silver Ferns' final act in a tumultuous season. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Displaced Gaza families have been hit with a winter storm that's flooded 13,000 shift homes, according to the UN. In its most recent situation report it said due to food parcel shortages in the North it was having instead to hand out high energy biscuits and flour. It has also been reported that the UN will start discussions this week on the shape of a transitional governance body for Gaza and an international stabilisation force as part of President's Trumps peace plan. Medical team leader at one of Medicines San Frontieres field hospitals in central Gaza, Dr Thienminh Dinh spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Iran hitting the panic button on its severe drought, as well as a mysterious plane load of Palestinians from Gaza who ended up stranded on a South African tarmac.

The government is tinkering with the Clean Car Standard again, saying most importers are unable to meet the targets under the scheme as it currently stands. Last year it watered down the standard to align CO2 emissions standards with Australia - saying that change would strike the right balance between reducing transport emissions and ensuring vehicles would be affordable. But it now says the market has changed and the scheme as a whole will be reviewed. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Big questions are now being asked about the direction of the All Blacks under coach Scott Robertson and his staff after a big defeat to England over the weekend. It is the All Black's third loss this season. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that Uber drivers are employees. The company argued it simply provides a digital platform for drivers and riders to connect. Four drivers took the case to court, but it paves the way for thousands of workers to pursue full employment rights. Workers First Union believes the Uber model is a method of exploitation. Deputy secretary of Workers First Union, Anita Rosentreter spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealanders have lost $3 billion to scams in the last year according to a new report. 72% of adults encountered a scam in the past year. The average amount of money lost was $3,352, and shopping scams are the most common. But 26% of people surveyed admitted they had committed fraudulent acts in the past year too. Chief Online Safety Officer Sean Lyons spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police say a special multi-agency group that's goal is to prevent family violence and protect victims never did a threat assessment of a violent serial stalker who went on to kill weeks after being released from prison. That's despite Canterbury police knowing the man's criminal history and that he was in their District. Nathan Boulter stabbed the woman 55 times as she returned to her Christchurch home with her two children in July. Canterbury police, District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill spoke to Lisa Owen.

A warning to parents about young children out smarting locks and blocks that are supposed to stop them get onto certain website. In a newsletter to parents a Waikato school says its aware of some children using their own gmail accounts and VPN's to access the school wifi to play online games. Tamahere Model Country School says its also notice a rise in the children coming to school tired, and its because they've been up in the night online gaming. Principal Waveney Parker spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the BBC apologising to Donald Trump but refusing to go further.