Podcasts about 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about Indian authorities continuing to investigate a car explosion that killed eight people in the capital Delhi, as well as so-called "tea bag drugs" washing up on a South Korean Island.

Lotto has hit a record $55 million this weekend - but how long might you have to wait for your money if you win? Turns out you might have to exercise a bit of patience before you dash out to buy yourself a new Ferrari or a round-the-world trip, with one woman told she had won too much to be paid straight away. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

The brand value of India's top women cricketers has gone through the roof - following their fairytale World Cup triumph on home soil. Top sports marketing experts are calling it a "watershed moment" for women's cricket. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Be careful what you wish for" - a warning from an Australian mayor who has been talking to local body leaders about capping rates. Local Government Minister Simon Watts is working on a rates cap model with the policy details to be announced before Christmas. New South Wales has had a rates capping system in place for 40 years and councils have to apply to go above the cap. This year the Northern Beaches Council asked for a 40% rate rise, and ended up being allowed to charge ratepayers 25%. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Hein 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 group of residents at an Auckland retirement village are trying to put the brakes on a policy which could see electric vehicles banned within its gates. Fairview Lifestyle Village in Albany says they're concerned about the risk an EV fire would pose to the busy community's residents and homes. The policy is still in mediation, and residents who already own electric vehicles are allowed to keep them, but they're not letting any new EVs into the gated North Shore community. Retirement Village Residents Association chief executive Nigel Matthews spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Black Ferns will have a new coach by Christmas. Outgoing coach Allan Bunting says he wasn't pushed but he is not seeking reappointment after the Black Ferns finished third at the Rugby World Cup this year. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Scheming, a liar, and a cover up. That is some of the language used to describe the behaviour of a disgraced top cop Jevon McSkimming, and the way his colleagues handled allegations against him. An IPCA report has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police after they failed to properly investigate alleged sexual offending by McSkimming. A transparency watchdog says that scathing IPCA report could see New Zealand's transparency ratings take a hit. Julie Haggie of Transparency International New Zealand spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the longest ever US government shut down coming to an end after 43 days, after the House of Representatives narrowly approved a bill that will provide the necessary funding to re-open government.

The Black Caps' T20 series against the West Indies has concluded in Dunedin today and an Otago fast bowler was one of the stars. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

"I've been trying so long to shine light on the fact that this person is dangerous". That from a woman who survived sustained abuse by a man who stalked and kidnapped her, almost 15 years ago. Today that same man, Nathan Boulter admitted murdering a Christchurch woman earlier this year. Nortessa Montgomerie, the woman he kidnapped, was distressed to hear Boulter had struck again. She spoke to Lisa Owen. 

"Way below the line". That's how ousted Te Pāti Māori MP Takuta Ferris has described how the political party has treated him and fellow MP Mariameno Kapa Kingi. The pair was expelled from the political party on Monday. But it's been revealed they've held a discreet meeting with their former colleague Oriini Kaipara and a representative for Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen. 

The All Blacks face a big test this weekend at Twickenham. Scott Robertson names his side tonight to face England, which is expected to have a few changes to the one that beat Scotland last weekend. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

A scathing IPCA report into the way police handled sexual assault allegations against one of their own recommends a raft of changes around the management of integrity and conduct issues in the force. But do the suggestions go far enough to restore and protect confidence and trust in the organisation that's supposed to protect us? Co-chair of Te Matakahi, the Defence Lawyers Association, Elizabeth Hall spoke to Lisa Owen.

What used to be a quick, cheap and cheeky take-away has turned into a whopper of a bill. Between September 2005 and September 2025, the consumer price index had risen 66 percent, the food price index 84 percent, ready-to-eat food 103 percent and a Big Mac 93 percent. Fish and chips had lifted 154 percent. Eamon Joe the owner of Fresco Fisheries has been in the fish and chip business for 45 years and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Drones with thermal imaging equipment have been checking the flanks of the big burn at Tongariro National Park for hotspots, and Department of Conservation fire crews remain on duty today. At the height of the blaze, FENZ firefighters and DOC crews have been supported by local volunteer who opened marae up to evacuees, helped feed workers and co-ordinate operations. Bubs Smith from Ngati Hikairo ki Tongariro, the guardian hapu, is one of them and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Wellington Phoenix women lost more than half of their attending fans last season. On average the Phoenix had 739 people at their home games at Porirua Park in the 2024/25 A-League Women competition. According to a Professional Footballers Australia report this was 61 percent fewer fans than the previous season and the biggest decline in the 12-team competition. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

US based mega store Costco is branching out with a second store in the Auckland region. A 6.5-hectare site in Drury south of Auckland city has been ear marked for the big box store that sells everything from cut price groceries to designer denim. Retired Costco vice president country manager for Australia and New Zealand, Patrick Noone spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about a suspected suicide bomber killing at least a dozen people in Pakistan's capital, as well as Japan's bear troubles continuing with a surge in vehicle collisions.

Illegal dumping teams and street sweepers are busy in North Dunedin with students allegedly tossing a vast array of junk roadside, as they abandon flats and head home for the Summer. Discarded items include old couches, mattresses, desks and countless bags of rubbish. The Dunedin City Council it's the worst it's seen in recent years and extremely disappointing. Otago University Student's Association Vice President Amy Martin has been out helping with the clean-up and spoke to Lisa Owen.

First there was the "Bomb Squad", now there's the "Pom Squad". The English rugby team has taken inspiration from the Springboks ahead of this weekend's clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham. England has replicated South Africa's infamous tactic of stacking its bench with forwards - a ploy the British media are dubbing as the "Pom Squad". Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Watercare has agreed a compensation deal with oyster farmers left without an income after tens of thousands of litres of sewage spilled into the Mahurangi Harbour contaminating their oyster beds. A fault at Watercare's new Warkworth Wastewater Treatment plant caused the massive sewage overflow. Testing then revealed the harbour's oysters were contaminated, Forcing the oyster farms to shut down for a minimum 28 days. Mahurangi Oyster Association chairperson Lynette Dunn spoke to Lisa Owen.

The IPCA report that has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police has revealed a long police roll of dishonour; staff and senior officers identified only by their ranks, each hidden behind a single letter of the alphabet. The current Commissioner believes collectively their actions amount to a cover up; atrocious behaviour that shows a complete lack of integrity. Yet some of those heavily criticised are still employed, while others have been able to quietly resign. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about MPs debating the situation around the BBC in the House of Commons, as well as the so-called "Cryptoqueen" who has been jailed in London over a Bitcoin laundering scheme.

A scathing report by the police watchdog has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police including former Commissioner Andrew Coster over how police responded to accusations of sexual assault by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. The allegations arose from an affair between McSkimming and a woman who was a non-sworn police employee at the time. National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood spoke to Lisa Owen.

The minister responsible for gun law reform is kicking police out of Firearms Safety Authority, in a move she says will help rebuild the trust of law abiding firearms owners. The authority is in charge of licencing gun owners and overseeing the firearms registry. Nicole McKee announced the change as part of re-write of the Arms Act. No sworn officers will be employed within the authority and that includes the CEO. ACT's Nicole McKee spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australians observing the 50th anniversary of the country's most serious political crisis when an elected Prime Minister was sacked by the the nation's Governor General.

New Zealand's most successful female doubles tennis player's winning combination has come to an end. Erin Routliffe and her Canadian partner Gaby Dabrowski are breaking up after two and half years together and a couple of grand slam titles. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's a charged issue, electric to be exact and it is catching some riders out. Electric dirt bikes are featuring in a growing number of crashes and cases of illegal riding, according to the police. Western Bay of Plenty police are dealing with about four incidents a week involving electric dirt bikes. The district's road policing manager Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the Senate being on track to end the longest ever government shutdown, as well as the US President has pardoned a number of his allies, including Rudy Giuliani in relation to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

It was a big day for racegoers at the New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting at Addington in Christchurch. The Cup, with a purse of $1 million is one of New Zealand racing's pinnacle events. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

New figures from ACC show 11 claims for babies or toddlers with carrier related injuries in 2024, more than twice the number the year before. It's prompted renewed calls for the government to introduce official safety standards for baby carriers, wraps and slings. It also follows a rise in social media videos often showing babies snuggly strapped to an adults front, in some cases with their faces and airways obscured. Louise Tanguay, founder of Auckland-based The Sleep Store, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Black Caps went into the penultimate T20 against the West Indies in Nelson this afternoon with the upper-hand in the five match series. The first three games were all decided in the final over of the game. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Traffic control and a shortage of volunteers have officially grounded Santa's sleigh in the small town of Piopio in the Waitomo District. At the Christmas eve parade Santa would normally float in via SH3, however the rising cost of closing the highway and managing traffic means Santa will instead park-up on a side street near the village with other floats. Chair of the Project Pio Pio Trust Melanie Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about more information emerging on the atrocities unfolding in Sudan, as well as the fragile ceasfire largely holding in Gaza, bringing more signs of a return to normality.

Blanket bans on pets in rental properties won't be allowed from next month, but there are concerns that landlords will find a work around. Tenants will still need to get their landlords consent to keep a pet at the property, but new rental rules mean from December there has to be a reasonable justification to say no. Andrew Nicol from property investment firm Opes Partners spoke to Lisa Owen.

A second-half slump wasn't enough to break the All Black's century-long unbeaten streak against Scotland. Despite a strong start, several yellow cards and a Scottish comeback threatened the All Blacks who scraped their way to victory thanks to a match-winning try from super-sub Damian McKenzie. With Scotland in the rear-view, the team's focus turns to this weekend's test against England in Twickenham. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Crews fighting the fire at Tongariro National Park are reinforcing containment lines after the blaze burned through more than 2800 hectares. Rain has helped their efforts, along with helicopters and planes water bombing the area. FENZ says the focus is now on hard physical work on the ground. Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Nigel Dravitzki spoke to Lisa Owen. 

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness resigning over a Donald Trump documentary edit.