Podcasts about Lisa Owen

The age for New Zealand's working holiday visas should be raised fifty to help hike international visitor numbers, according to a tourism operator. At the moment working holiday visa are available to people up to 35 years old. The number of working holiday visa's has been steadily declining with an 11% drop in the year ending in February. Managing director of the LyLo hostel in central Auckland, Tim Alpe believes extending the age for the visa would make Aotearoa more attractive, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Compulsory home warranties for all builds is the only way to properly protect homeowners against defective work according to a building industry group. The government revealed its refurb of consent rules today. It plans to spread liability for defective buildings away from just councils with each party involved in the build responsible for their share of the work on. Industry group Certified Builders is backing the move to proportional liability but wants the government to go further. Chief executive, Malcolm Fleming spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK Prime Minister and European leaders preparing to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in Washington. There were no committments toward ending the war at the summit between the Russian and US presidents in Alaska over the weekend. However, the White house says Vladimir Putin did agree to a proposal which could see the US offer security guarantees to Ukraine if a peace deal is struck.

Should all Māori born overseas automatically be New Zealand citizens? Currently, that is not how things work, and a father of three is fighting to change that. John Bryers Ruddock, who is Ngāpuhi, recently returned to Aotearoa with his three children. Currently his children are illegal overstayers here, meaning they can't even go to school. He is now navigating an expensive and bureaucratic process to get his tamariki Māori recognised as New Zealand citizens, complicated by the fact they were born in Hawaii, and John, a New Zealand citizen was born in Australia. John Bryers Ruddock spoke to Lisa Owen.

A soldier with links to far-right groups has admitted handing over and attempting to hand over sensitive military information to a person he thought was a foreign agent. But the soldier was actually caught in an undercover sting. He also possessed a video of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and the mosque attacker's manifesto. He appeared for a court martial at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North today. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham was there and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Nearly a year after winning her first WTA 1000 doubles title, New Zealand tennis player Erin Routliffe has once again lifted the Cincinnati Open trophy in straight sets. Routliffe and her regular doubles partner Gaby Dabrowski have won titles on outdoor hard courts, indoor hard courts, grass and clay, but this is their first title at this level together. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has announced it is changing building consent rules and regulations by spreading the liability for defective buildings, away from just councils. Under the new rules each party involved in the build will be responsible for their share of the work. The government hopes it will stop building owners coming after council's that issued consents or carried out inspection for compensation when something goes wrong and the builder or other contractors have gone bust. Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Blacks are on top of the world after the team came out on top in Argentina yesterday despite facing a resurgent Pumas side in the second half. The All Blacks are now number one in the World Rugby Rankings, but that's due to another result from Johannesburg over the weekend. Sport reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

The humble mince pie, might not be that humble anymore with the price of a key ingredient sky rocketing in the past 12 months. Beef mince has gone up more than 19% in a year, according to Stats NZ figures. Other potential pie ingredients have also jumped in price. On average a 500 gram block of butter has gone up more than 42%, while 1kg of cheese has gone up almost 30% in price. John Willams from Auckland's world famous Muzza's Pies says for now they are trying to make savings else where, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about large protests across Israel, demanding an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release the hostages, as well as another bombing on a crucial energy facility in Yemen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about special commemorations taking place today to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, as well as female police officers in the UK getting creative to combat harrasment.

You may have heard of quiet quitting, people who do the absolute bare minimum and collect their paycheque at the end of the month, But what about quiet cracking? Quiet cracking, refers to who people remain in their jobs even if they're desperately unhappy in the role. It's a phenomenon that poses a big threat to employee productivity and morale in workplaces throughout the world. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at the issue here in New Zealand and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about the trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong has facing further delays, as well as South Korea's top court has handed a big win to the company behind the mega viral 'Baby Shark' YouTube video.

Exploiting workers and paying them under the minimum wage has cost a bakery owner more than $330,000. The owner of Murupara's Bakehouse cafe has been convicted of four charges of making false or misleading statements to immigraiton officials, along with six exploitaiton charges..including knowingly paying employees below the minimum wage. General Manager for Immigration Compliance, Steve Watson spoke to Lisa Owen.

There was little in the way of surprises from the All Blacks team naming today. Scott Barrett returns from injury to lead the team into this Sunday's showdown with the Pumas in Argentina. Despite a somewhat predictable starting line up, coach Scott Robertson did make a few changes. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

The South Wairarapa District Council wants to block use of an unformed paper road between the Cape Palliser light house and several Māori owned blocks of land through to the Waitutumu stream because of vandalism and damage to sensitive areas. People, including four wheel driver, use the road, along with surfer and hikers. The hapu representing some owners of the land have said the whenua is deeply scarred and access needs to be closed indefinitely to allow it to heal. Spokesperson for Ngati Hine-waka Hapu, Haami Te Whaiti spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland council has stood firm with its plans to covert a chunk of Takapuna Golf course into flood storage and probably halving it to a nine hole course, despite strong opposition. 10,000 people signed a petition to keep the course, with supporters including Hall of Fame Golfer Dame Lydia Ko and Golf NZ. Both sides met today, as council delivered its final decision. Infrastructure Specialist and spokesperson for the Takapuna Golf course, Phil Jaddard spoke to Lisa Owen.

A crucial clash looms for the Warriors in Auckland tonight. The Warriors meet the Dragons at Mount Smart where they will look to snap a three game losing streak. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has forked out over $144 milliion dollars in a final payment for breaking the contract with the Korean shipbuilders that were signed-up to make the Cook Strait ferry replacements. That brings the total costs for the scrapped iReX Cook Strait ferry project to $671 million according to Kiwi Rail. Minister for Rail, Winston Peters spoke to Lisa Owen.

Napier Port has revealed its cruise ship revenue is down nearly 10%. Bookings for the upcoming season that starts in October are headed in the same direction. Cruise ship numbers in the Bay of Island have almost halved from the peak two years ago. Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line has confirmed it will only be sailing to to New Zealand up until February 2026. New Zealand Cruise Association chief executive Jacqui Lloyd spoke to Lisa Owen.

Plans to block road access to a remote stretch of the South Wairarapa coastline will deny sufers access to one country's most pristine surf breaks. South Wairarapa District Council wants to close access to a paper or unfinished road that leads to the Cape Palliser coast line. The council says native flora and fauna in the area been damaged by four wheel drives, quad bikes and campers. The area includes Wahi tapu sites, ancestrial burial grounds and historic pa sites. Michael Gunson first surfed White Rock along that part of the coast in 1976 and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch college is bringing back uniforms for its senior students after decades of them wearing their own clothes, despite its community and students strongly opposing the move. Some of the teenagers said wearing their own clothes in their final year helps prepare then for the workplace and it is also a reward for staying in school. A change.org petition's been launched to try and halt the change, Papanui High School Principal Robert Gilbert spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump warning thay there will be "very severe consequences" for Russia if the war in Ukraine doesn't stop after he meets with Vladimir Putin.

Kiwis are eating 10% fewer potatoes than we were just over a decade ago. New industry research shows a quarter of people eating fewer spuds are passing on them because they are worried about their carb content. Despite this, potatoes are still New Zealand's most eaten vegetable. CEO of Potatoes New Zealand, Kate Trufitt spoke to Lisa Owen.

The future of test cricket could be at threat, according to Cricket Australia's boss who believes the 5-day format could bankrupt cricketing baords. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nicole Johnston spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia's unemployment figures looking positive, as well as the average weekly salary for full-time workers hitting a record high. 

Some of the world's top darts players will be in Auckland this weekend for the New Zealand Darts Masters. The Auckland event is the seventh and final tournament of the World Series of Darts for this year and results here could be pivotal when it comes to the standings for next month's finals. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

New documents have shed more light on who knew what about a police complaint laid against the disgraced Beehive press secretary Michael Forbes last year. Mr Forbes quit his job in the Prime Minister's office in June, after revelations he had covertly recorded audio of multiple sessions with sex workers. Correspondence released to RNZ today shows an email was sent to police bosses on the day of the complaint - but then quickly recalled. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Kiwi woman and her six year old son could soon be released from a Texas immigration detention centre after being locked up there for weeks. Sarah Shaw and her son Isaac were detained three weeks ago, when she re-entered the States from Canada without a fully renewed visa. Sarah's friend Victoria Besancon has been campaigning for her release and raising money cover her expenses. Victoria Besancon spoke to Lisa Owen.

Residential building consents are still heading south with 11 out of 16 regions around the country rubber stamping fewer builds compared to last year. Labour has accused the government of effectively hammering a nail in the coffin of building industry by slashing the number of state houses Kainga Ora is building, contributing to a "huge slow down in construction". The Building Minister has said their maths is all wrong. Building industry analyst Mike Blackburn spoke to Lisa Owen.

The expected exodus of New Zealand's top netballers has begun. Silver Ferns star Kelly Jackson has announced she's headed to Australia next season, signing with the Queensland Firebirds. There's speculation several other of her national teammates could be about to follow her across the ditch. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A nine year old has become Waikato's youngest indoor bowls champ, as part of a trio. Pixie Blake's team mates are a few decades older than she is. The trio took out the title at the Champion of Champions tournament in Hamilton at the weekend. Pixie Blake spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about the wife of South Korea's jailed former president being arrested, as well as Nepal opening up Himalayan mountins for free to clear congestion on Mt Everest.

Secondary school teachers around the motu have announced they will strike for the day next Wednesday, after pay talk with the govenrment stalled. They will double down in September if there's no progress with negotiations. The union said its members have overwhelmingly voted in favour of rostering students home, and not teaching certain year levels on specific days, in the week beginning September 15. Post Primary Teachers' Association president Chris Abercrombie spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about migrant crossings to the UK reaching a new high, as well as millions of dollars worth of luxury cars being seized in central London.

The Black Ferns side has just departed for their Rugby World Cup defence in England. Sports reporter Jonty Dine was there, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Critical staff shortages, an unsafe work environment and failures of leadership are among the findings of a review into Canterbury's mental health service. Director of Mental Health, Doctor John Crawshaw carried out the investigation and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Over 100,000 people around the country are on the radiology wait list, in the queue in the public health system for MRIs, X-rays, CT scans and other diagnostic tests.  APEX, the union representing  medical imaging technologists and sonographers, said radiology services are unravelling. Meanwhile, 45% of the health workers who answered the APEX survey said they are working with broken, outdated or unsafe equipment. APEX Advocate, Omar Hamed spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A cardio test that heart patients in some regions can wait up to six months for can be delivered in days, according to a private provider. Half of all heart attack patients are not being treated within accepted timeframes in New Zealand according to a new Otago University report. CardioScan Aotearoa is contracted by Tairawhiti and Taranaki hospitals to offer cardiac tests and it said more people are paying out of their own pockets rather than waiting. Jez Morris from CardioScan Aotearoa spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some mixed news on the injury front for the All Blacks ahead of their Rugby Championship opener. A couple of key forwards remain sidelined for the first test in Argentina, however all three Barrett brothers are back. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Major changes are coming for the future of the America's Cup on and off the water. After months of toing and froing the protocol for the next event, to be held in Naples in mid-2027, has finally been signed by the defender Team New Zealand and the challenger of record Athena Racing. The changes are being promoted as being "more inclusive, compelling, and financially sustainable". Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country announcing it will join the 147 out of 193 UN member states who will recognise a Palestinian state in September. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the move calling it "shameful" while Australia's opposition leader said her coalition will revoke recognition if it wins the next election. Foreign minister Winston Peters said New Zealand will decide whether to follow suit in the next month.

Kaipara motorists are demanding compensation after their car tyres were ripped up by razor sharp road metal. They said the metal was wrongly laid and has left them with big bills. Since fresh metal was laid on Arapaoa, Hamlin and Neems Road south of Dargaville last month a number of residents have had punctures, some suffering multiple flat tyres and wheel damage. Local resident Rachael Gedye spoke to Lisa Owen.

Washington DC correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump ordering hundreds of National Guard troops into Washington DC to tackle what he called a 'public safety emergency'. The president said crime is 'out of control' and that 'violent gangs' have taken over the capital. But the stats on crime rates show quite a different story.

What makes you happy and rich in life? Is it more money and stuff, or the complete opposite; consumming less and embracing a simplier existence. Researchers from the University of Otago have been studying exactly that, and the study found less might be more when comes to happiness. Lead researcher and Associate Professor at the University of Otago, Leah Watkins spoke to Lisa Owen.

An "unprecedented" spate of violent crimes coupled with a significant police shortage in Northland means dozens of officers are being sent to the region on rotations to help out. The special staff operation has been running for three months, with about 30 police from other districts being re-deployed to Northland for five weeks at a time to plug the gaps, with no end date in sight. District Commander for Northland, Superintendent Matt Srjoj spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent, Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about dozens of London Underground staff facing deportation, as well as a heatwave that's set to hit the UK.

It's the kind of price tag that might even make strongman Popeye cry. A 300g bag of spinach was $8.29 at one Auckland supermarket last week; or more than $27 per kg. This week it's worse with some packaged spinach is going for more than $33 a kilo. The Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index indicates there was an average 2.2% increase in what suppliers charged grocers in July, over the year earlier. United Fresh President, Jerry Prendergast spoke to Lisa Owen .

The government has announced it is 'considering' recognising Palestinian statehood, and will deliberate over the next month before taking its decision to the United Nations General Assembly. Australia has gone a step further, at almost exactly the same time Winston Peters set out New Zealand's intentions, Anthony Albanese held a press conference, confirming Australia will recognise Palestine at UNGA. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

It is the news netball fans have been waiting for, star shooter Grace Nweke has been given an exemption to play for the Silver Ferns, despite playing in Australia. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.