Podcasts about Lisa Owen

"Almost as bad as it gets", said the Immigration Minister after a blistering report into a multi-million dollar failed tech upgrade. Erica Stanford has accused officials of misleading ministers over years, and indulging in creative accounting to stay under the radar. After a tortured seven-year saga the tech project has been scrapped with more than $30 million lost. An investigation has now been launched. Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

A rise in unmet need and an on-going lack of investment in Māorimental health services could compromise outcomes for tangata whenua. That is according to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, which is calling for an urgent Maori-specific plan by mid-next year. Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission CEO Karen Osborn spoke to Lisa Owen.

The latest shark attack on a swimmer in Australian waters has sent a ripple of terror through beach-goers there and triggered fresh debate over whether the ocean predators should be culled. Our correspondent Nick Grimm joins Lisa Owen.

There are accusations immigration officials misled ministers, deliberately withheld information and used creative accounting to avoid scrutiny of a failed technology upgrade that blew through tens millions of dollars before being mothballed. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford today launched a scathing take down of her Ministry off the back of a report detailing a litany of expensive mistakes in the biometric project. MBIE is the Ministry responsible, and chief executive Nic Blakeley spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch charity growing and selling veges on a pay what you can afford model is hoping to break even this year. Te Waerenga Trust has gardens in several peoples' backyards and also land in Addington Park. General manager, Wilby Le Heux spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Whites sent fans on a rollercoaster ride in their opening game of the Football World Cup against Iran. After leading twice, New Zealand ended with a 2-all draw in Los Angeles today. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health and Safety campaigners are launching a last ditch effort to stop law changes they say will make workplaces more dangerous and cost lives. The Health and Safety at Work Amendment bill would exempt businesses with fewer than 20 workers from legally having to manage non-critical safety risks. Mike Cosman from the Institute of Safety Management spoke to Lisa Owen.

Football fans had barely sat down before the All Whites had them up celebrating their opening goal of the Football World Cup against Iran. Against the odds the New Zealanders put two goals past the world number 20 side but had to settle for a 2-all draw. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thousands of animals are needing foster homes this winter, and it's not just cats and dogs. There are plenty of the farmyard variety. Viv Moore, SPCA's National Foster and Volunteer Manager spoke to Lisa Owen.

US Correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest on the US Iran deal.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about new social media restrictions for the UK, as well as British Armed Forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel.

Another international streaming service launches in New Zealand this week, raising questions about the future of the local screen industry. The government is investigating charging international streamers a levy, having a local content quota, or requiring direct investment into New Zealand production. Screen Producers NZ president, Irene Gardiner, spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent, Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US and Iran reaching an agreement to end the war, that they say will be signed and take effect later this week. But while President Donald Trump has enthused "Let the Oil Flow!", there's still plenty of questions about the deal, with the full text of the agreement not yet released.

A 'dogter' at Dunedin Hospital has been named Dog of the Year, in the annual contest run by Southern Cross Pet Insurance. Nancy, a three year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier was picked out of 800 entrants. She volunteers at the hospital, offering comfort and companionship to patients and their families. Nancy's owner, Dianne Angell spoke to Lisa Owen.

A leading New Zealand research institute believes it is on track to deliver a cutting edge immunotherapy for blood cancer patients in the public system next year. But only if it can get government funding. Researchers at the Malaghan Institute are well into clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy with 60 patients. The institute's Clinical Director, Doctor Robert Weinkove spoke to Lisa Owen.

The NBR rich list, out today, estimates the collective value of the countries 150 wealthist people is about $129 billion, up from $102 billion the year before. The Green Party say Aotearoa's economy is bigger than it has ever been but welath is being "hoovered up", while food insecurity and homelessness rises. Co-leader Chloe Swarbrick spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Whites have brushed aside the political backdrop to tomorrow's Football World Cup opener against Iran. The All Whites can't afford to have too many distractions as they'll be the underdogs when they step on the pitch in California against a side ranked 65 places higher than them. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Finance Minister says petrol prices will fall if the US-Iran peace deal holds, but it is a big if, and it will take time. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

A group of Taranaki mayors want urgent changes to a proposed disability support law they believe will put a disproportionate and unfair burden on their district. Taranaki has a higher than average numbers of people living with disability and unpaid informal caregivers. Taranaki Mayoral forum chairman Craig Williamson spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the UK a panel of vets believes commonly used over the counter flea treatments should be banned because of concern over environmental damage. New Zealand vet Siobhan Graham spoke to Lisa Owen about the situation.

A nurse is calling for improvements to a fatal intersection on a popular holiday highway between Auckland and the Coromandel. There have been a number of fatal and serious injury accidents at the intersection of SH25 and Hauraki Road, known as Orongo corner. Local nurse Fiona Lagae is pushing for a review and remodel of the blackspot and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about a peace agreement with Iran that could be reached this weekend accord to Donald Trump after calling off a fresh round of planned US strikes. 

Conservations are calling for the Selwyn District Council to consider a by-law to stop people feeding Kea at Arthur's Pass, something they say can be fatal. It encourages Kea to hang around roads and built up areas, and that is where accidents happen. The Kea Conservation Trust's Renee Habluetzel spoke to Lisa Owen.

The final whistle has blown on day one of the Football World Cup - and the opening of the 23rd edition of the tournament will be remembered for discipline issues on and off the field. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand researchers are warning climate change may mean an increase in bacteria infected seafood and the water itself. The group of waterborne bacteria called Vibrio can cause stomach bugs, infect cuts if you're swimming in it, and seafood containing the bacteria can also make you sick. The bacteria flourish in a warm environment. Science Leader at the NZ Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, Nicola King, spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer grappling with another political setback after defence secretary John Healey's shock resignation over armed forces funding. 

It is an all Aotearoa showdown in the Super Rugby semis this weekend. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Children's Commissioner is calling for young people's voices to be heard in discussions around banning social media for under-16s. The government has promised an update this month on a proposal to block under 16s from using social media. In a new report mokopuna largely agree more needs to be done to improve online safety, and tech companies should be the ones held to account. Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad spoke to Lisa Owen.

Three countries, 16 cities, more teams and more matches. A University of Auckland researcher says it all means the FIFA World Cup is predicted to be history's most environmentally damaging sports event, while also suffering itself from hotter temperatures. Sociologist Chris McMillan says it's frightening, and spoke with Lisa Owen.

More malicious fake social media posts are targeting sportspeople. The latest victim of the phenomenon is Warriors coach Andrew Webster a false post announcing the death of his wife Emma. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Bad music is literally driving customers away according to new research. The study by One Music NZ, the agency that collects royalties and licenses music for commercial use surveyed more than 1200 people. It found 38 percent of people walk out of a store or venue if they don't like the music playing, and almost 50 percent will stay longer is the music vibe is right. OneMusic New Zealand director Greer Davies spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about tensions erupting again in the Middle East with the United States launching more strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran "very hard" after the US carried out so called "self-defence" strikes. Meanwhile, Iran said it has shut the Strait of Hormuz

It is estimated more than 1000 young people in Gisborne don't have a home to go to. The area is one of the worst for severe housing deprivation according to a study by the Coalition to End Women's Homelessness. It said there were almost 33,200 people under the age of 17 experiencing some form of homelessness at the 2023 census, and homeless children were three times more likely to live in Gisborne. Shelley Hannah-Kingi from the Tairawhiti Beneficiary advocacy trust spoke to Lisa Owen

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia's major political parties continuing to grapple with a surge in support for One Nation, after a recent survey put the party polling ahead of the governing Labor Party. 

A determined Otago school principal is not one to run from a problem, instead he is literally running towards a solution. Rob Taylor from Dunedin's Musselburgh Primary was reluctant to pass extra costs for school camp onto parents so decided to raise the money himself by convincing people to sponsor him for two half marathons. Musselburgh Primary Principal, Rob Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Expense records show a government minister spent almost $17,000 in airport parking fees over two years. Credit card records show between February 2024 and February 2026 Karen Chhour parked her vehicle at Auckland airport for a combined eight and a half months. That cost taxpayers $16,686. The figures were revealed alongside other MPs spending habits. Former Minister Peter Dunne spoke to Lisa Owen to give more context.

A New Zealand blood cancer patient who was forced to leave his children behind and make a last chance dash to Australia to access funded drugs has now been given a cutting edge transplant that is not publicly available here. Tawhai Reti, who has myeloma, had exhausted all treatment options in NZ. Earlier this year he moved to Australia without his family to access the lifesaving drug Daratumamab, which isn't funded here. It worked so well he has now been given CAR-T cell therapy, which could put him into remission indefinitely. Tawhai and Lani Reti spoke to Lisa Owen.

One of New Zealand's most enduring sporting careers is set to reach another remarkable milestone. Twenty years on from making his Commonwealth Games debut, artistic gymnast Misha Koudinov has been named in the NZ team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It puts him on track become just the third Kiwi athlete to compete at six Commonwealth games. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

It was a bottle of wine sure to get people talking. A group of friends indulging in a bottle worth $400,000 over dinner a few nights ago. The 1996 bottle was bought by one of the friends in 1999 for $2000. Since then, friends have bought shares in the bottle. It was finally consumed after more than two decades at Wellington's Noble Rot wine bar. Bar operations manager, Jessica Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about a fresh wave of back and forth strikes between the United States and Iran. The latest flare up follows the downing of a US Apache helicopter which was reportedly hit by an Iranian drone.

A thousand new homes in Queenstown are being targeted at "high quality, long term" renterns, with seasonal workers warned not to apply. Housing developer Simplicity living has the project on the fast-track pathway, and if it gets the green light the first 200 homes should be available within 18 months. Chief executive Sam Stubbs spoke to Lisa Owen.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has made more history as the first New Zealander named in Time magazine's inaugural 100 most influential people in sport. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about anti-immigration protests in Northern Ireland after a vicious knife attack in Belfast. As well as Albania's Prime Minister defending Donald Trump's daughter and son-in-law's plan to build a luxury resort despite public outrage.

Aotearoa lacks a coherant complete approach to reducing the risk of natural hazards, according to a new report commissioned by on the country's largest insurers. AIG estimates that over the past 15 years the direct cost of natural hazards has been $4.2 billion a year. With 95 percent of that going directly to response and recovery, and just 5 percent to reducing future risk. Tasman mayor Tim King spoke to Lisa Owen.

Living in poor conditions shouldn't be seen as a rite of passage for university students, according to the boss of MBIE's tenancy investigations team. The team inspected 14 rentals in North Dunedin last month and found several breaches of healthy homes standards. National Manager of MBIE's tenancy and compliance team, Brett Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is proposing to raise the penalty for power companies if they come up short in supply, from $2 million to $10 million. It is also investigating a new Winter Energy Reliability Obligation, meaning large electricity buyers have to lock in back up supply well ahead of forecast dry winters. Chair of the Major Electricity Users Group, John Harbord spoke to Lisa Owen.

US Correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a dramatic six-figure price jump on a popular work visa which has been blocked. Last year Donald Trump signed an executive order raising the fee for an H1-B visa, designed for high-skilled foreign workers - from a few thousand to over $17,000. Today a federal judge ruled that fee increase unlawful

A cup of coffee and a chat at a local cafe could be the key to combatting loneliness. The Chatty Cafe scheme aims to reduce social isolation but creating spaces in local cafes where strangers can come together for a conversation. The concept, which is already popular in the US and UK, is now making its way to NZ. Jo Hayes from Chatty Cafes NZ spoke to Lisa Owen.

Former world number one doubles player Erin Routliffe will face off against tennis royalty in the early hours of tomorrow morning. The New Zealander and her new American doubles partner will be Serena William's first opponent on her return to tennis at the Queens Club Championships in London. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

An advocacy group is hoping to swamp the Disability Minister's electorate office with complaints about cuts to a transport subsidy. The Total Mobility Scheme provides subsidies for taxis for people with disabilities who are unable to use public transport, but the government's fare subsidy is being reduced from 75 percent to 65 percent next month. Blind Low Vision NZ's head of policy and advocacy Bronwyn Larkins spoke to Lisa Owen.