Podcasts about newstalk zb

The head of NZME says the company has delivered a positive half year result, returning to profit. The media firm, owner of outlets including Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald, has posted a net-profit after tax of $6.6 million dollars. Net debt reduced by nearly $14 million - to $19.4 million dollars. Chief executive Michael Boggs says it's still a volatile environment. "The market indicators still say that - well, consumer confidence is increasing, business confidence is increasing. Everyone's doing it tough." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks pulled off the near-impossible at Ellis Park, beating the Springboks 33-16. They next face the Springboks on Sunday, but have to clear the Lions before they head to Cape Town. Newstalk ZB's Rugby Editor Elliott Smith says it'll be a tricky match, but the All Blacks can't be breezy about the game, if they want a second victory over the Springboks this weekend. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast, Mike Hosking takes you through the big events, issues and stories that Newstalk ZB covered from 1987 through to today. It covers times of national tragedy, times of intense national interest and the international events that defined the country and the world. Mike also dives into our coverage into something the station is famous for - politics. You'll also hear the moments of global joy - and how Newstalk ZB was there to bring the audience 100 Years of ZB - Celebrating a century of New Zealand's conversation. Archival audio from the collections at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. New episodes every Sunday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts - powered by Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVE Note: This podcast contains audio of tragic events such as the February 22nd Christchurch Earthquake, the Pike River tragedy and the September 11 terror attacks. Some of the audio may be confronting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This should be it for coup gate questioning of the Prime Minister. Bruce Cotterill's piece over the weekend in the NZ Herald I hope, and more importantly actually I think, represents a growing feeling in this country among middle New Zealand that the superficiality of what the media obsess in is not really what counts. And what counts is the record and, as Bruce very clearly lays out, the record is not a bad one - from crime, to education, to exports there is a very good story to be told. Perhaps, and the Government might want to work a bit harder on this, the only story this election outside the record of achievement is tax. One side want to tax us more. The side in Government doesn't. It's that simple. In a country that has been through what we have for the past seven or so years, we are fed up with tax and the constant raiding of our pockets by people who have no other ideas than having you and I pay for everything. Anyway Luxon was at our Newstalk ZB 100th party on Friday night and everyone commented on his speech, which was kind, self deprecating and funny. "Why couldn't we see more of that," they asked. My answer is the country is not a party and when you see the Prime Minister he isn't giving birthday speeches. It's the old issue they have argued all along; meet the bloke and you like him but watch him in a 20 second news clip and he can look troubled. My guess from the mood in the room on Friday is it was the opposite of what you probably read over the weekend, which was "Luxon is done for", "National are mortally wounded". I think last Wednesday enhanced Luxon. It showed balls, it showed self-belief and it showed courage. Most of us like that stuff. In a caucus of 48 does he have some self-absorbed dickheads? Yes, but that's not his fault. It's not a reason to be derailed. The big picture should never be interrupted .by the trials and tribulations of the small-thinker. By the time we vote this will be yet another non-event in a campaign full of things we thought were a big deal, until they weren't. If you're bullish, and I am, last Wednesday could be the making of him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast, Mike Hosking examines the change 1ZB made in 1987 to Newstalk 1ZB. The episode explains why the station was at a crossroads. It was faced with falling ratings, falling revenue and a defection from an iconic Breakfast hosts. Mike Hosking will explain how the station became a news and talk station - and how it attracted the iconic Sir Paul Holmes to the breakfast slot. You'll also hear the other hosts and voices that helped launch Newstalk 1ZB. 100 Years of ZB - Celebrating a century of New Zealand's conversation. Archival audio from the collections at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. New episodes every Sunday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts - powered by Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVE OR BELOW IF YOU'RE OUTSIDE OF NEW ZEALAND See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon doesn't believe voters will punish his party in the polls after he survived another confidence vote. Chris Penk has been sacked from Cabinet after Luxon claimed he was behind yesterday's leadership challenge. Penk's since announced he won't seek re-election in November. Senior Ministers Chris Bishop and Erica Stanford deny involvement in the coup attempt, and are pledging support to Luxon. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Luxon claimed the party dealt with the issue in-house, and they'll be moving on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon is in a hell of a bind. Because he is dreaming if he thinks sacking Defence Minister Chris Penk is going to be enough to get National back on track. But if he did what I think he should do after that shambles of a leadership challenge yesterday, things would come to a complete standstill. Because he's not just running a party. He's also running the government and there's stuff the government has to keep on doing. And you need ministers, capable ministers, to do that. But if Christopher Luxon wants us to come anywhere close to believing that he has a caucus capable of holding itself together and not falling apart at the next hurdle, then he needs to go further than just sacking the Defence Minister. If he wants us to believe that, after what happened yesterday, he's anything more than a lame duck leader, he has to sack Chris Bishop and Erica Stanford too. Because with those two still lurking around, he's talking out of his backside telling us that they're all happy and united and stable. He's also talking out of his backside saying that Chris Penk has been given the heave-ho because he was the one who wanted to be party leader and prime minister. It's nonsense. Chris Bishop and Erica Stanford were the ones who wanted Luxon gone. But they were so pig-headed about it and were fighting against each other as much as they were fighting against Christopher Luxon. Stanford wanted to be boss. And so did Bishop. The person who has come out of this looking like the good guy is Mark Mitchell. There was talk that he was another one wanting Christopher Luxon gone. But he told Newstalk ZB this morning that that was nonsense. He also said he was 110 percent certain we won't see this happening again and seems very confident that National will recover from this, saying the party isn't “mortally wounded”. Obviously, he isn't going to say anything otherwise. But there's no way we can look at National now and think they're anything close to stable, with Chris Bishop and Erica Stanford still sitting around the Cabinet table. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the celebration of 100 years of broadcasting from 1ZB, we have devoted Podcast 341 to three interviews with the station's past and present management: Bill Francis, Dallas Gurney & Jason Winstanley. Over the years there have been many moments of drama, humour… and sometimes chaos. Find out how a successful radio station ticks behind the scenes. There's input into today's political drama from our once National Party MP. As usual, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. File your comments and complaints at Leighton@newstalkzb.co.nz OR Carolyn@newstalkzb.co.nz Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio Leighton Smith's podcast also available on iTunes:To subscribe via iTunes click here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's suggestions heads will roll over Chris Luxon's latest leadership challenge, but not straight away. The Prime Minister's survived a confidence vote of his caucus - the second in four months. Luxon called an urgent meeting to address recent reports of discontent among National MPs, and he confirmed today that he had full backing from the party. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's clear Bishop and Stanford were angling for the top job - but they couldn't strike a deal. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Chris Luxon's now faced with the knowledge there's several detractors in his caucus. The Prime Minister's survived a second vote of confidence in a matter of months, following an urgent caucus meeting which lasted close to three hours. He says the Prime Minister has to avoid wreaking havoc on the party and not immediately penalise those who plotted against him. "He's got to live with that, that's the nature of politics. Between now and the election, at least - after the election, all bets are off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is refusing to say if he has caucus support before an urgent meeting tomorrow morning. Chris Luxon has summoned National MPs to the capital, after renewed speculation about his leadership. He says division and disunity need to be resolved quickly. Luxon had no answer for journalists when he touched down in Wellington this afternoon, but senior MPs Nicola Willis and Mark Mitchell have both expressed confidence in the PM. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says potential leadership challengers would go into the meeting believing they have the numbers. "People are too afraid to say - no, I wouldn't support them, because what happens when they become leader?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think there's a real risk that the city council is drunk on the Kool Aid with its ongoing involvement in this bid for a second NRL rugby league team, based in Christchurch. Because, if it's such a good idea, shouldn't the people campaigning for a team front-up with the money to see if it's even possible? You would think so. But no, it's ratepayers, paying for a consultant to do the leg work. Yesterday, it was announced that the group behind the Southern Orcas proposal have got their eyes on former Crusaders and All Blacks coach Scott “Razor” Robertson to be coach. League legend Sir Graham Lowe and former rugby league administrator Andrew Chalmers have offered him a four-year contract, apparently. Today, we're finding out that the city council has hired and paid for a consultant to work through the nuts and bolts with league bosses on establishing a Christchurch-based team. Our newsroom has asked the council for details of this consultant's work. How much, how far down the track things are. So far, no response. And I know why that is. Because the council knows, like me, that hiring a consultant to do this donkey work with the NRL won't go down well with ratepayers. Because it is not the council's job. More to the point, does the council really know all the ins-and-outs? For example, does the council know that the NRL is desperate to get another team in the competition? There's one starting in Perth next year and one in Papua New Guinea the year after that. Which will take them to 19 teams. But the Sydney Morning Herald says they have to have a 20th team up and running by 2029, or they will start losing $20 million a year from the big $5.3 billion broadcasting deal signed earlier this year. Sir Graham Lowe, when he was on Newstalk ZB this morning, was full of gusto about what a great meeting they had with NRL bosses when they were in Christchurch earlier this year for the Warriors game. He went on about the Warriors match against the Panthers at the weekend showing why another NRL team in New Zealand would work. But, with respect to Sir Graham, it was an unconvincing sell job. Which the city council seems to have fallen for. Because, if a second team here in Christchurch is such a great idea, the people behind it should be fronting up with the money to see if it's even possible. Not ratepayers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a fork in the road of the National Party, as speculation looms around the Prime Minister's leadership. Christopher Luxon's called an urgent in-person caucus meeting tomorrow morning to resolve the issue quickly. In a post online, Luxon says it's a major distraction 90 days out from an election - and unfair to the New Zealand people and National's supporters. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says a change at the top could increase the public's perception of disunity. "And if you're a disunified party, then rarely will the public say - we want to vote for you. So it's a big play, whichever way you look at it." Parliament's in recess this week - meaning MPs will travel from around the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Full Show Podcast for the 11th of August 2026, a fork in the road for the National Party as speculation looms around the Prime Minister's leadership. Christopher Luxon's called an urgent in-person caucus meeting tomorrow morning to resolve the issue quickly. Tyler Adams fielded the calls and was joined for a time by Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper. Get the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Podcast every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I hope if you read it or caught it over the weekend you enjoyed the coverage of Newstalk ZB's 100th birthday. I can tell you for nothing it is an honour and a joy to be a small part of what has become this country's greatest radio success story. Although it has taken various iterations over the years, from a fledgling operation limited in hours by the Government through to the publicly listed operation it is today, there are very, very few companies in this country that have stood the test of time and been as successful as we have for that whole period. One of the ironies of the success is that many companies that haven't made it got overtaken in some way by progress; technology, AI, change of customer habits, and yet radio despite having been written off so many times, has not just survived but boomed. The radio industry in general in this country is in remarkable health. Yes there have been changes and re-shapings, expansions and retreats, start-ups and close-downs. But the industry has broadly consolidated into what it is today; profitable and used in some way by the vast, vast majority of New Zealanders each and every day. And at the top of the pile is us. As far as I know it remains an industry that has more stations per head of population than anywhere on Earth. We de-regulated the industry and for a while you could buy a frequency for about three cents and start your own station. Many did because why wouldn't you? Have a crack. However talk radio is expensive and that's why, comparatively, not as many had a go and as history shows us those who did venture into the area ran into trouble. Part of the issue was Newstalk ZB. ZB has been so good for so long the truism is that to make a mark you have to find a weakness. They couldn't find one, or at least not a big enough one. Critics often argue the ZB audience is rusted on. That is to insult the audience and show an ignorance for quality. Part of ZB's success is never taking the audience for granted and you do that by forever looking to improve, never resting and always pushing a little harder. The audience isn't rusted. It just hasn't had a good enough reason to dabble elsewhere. Longevity is the other trick. Well, longevity and consistency. The Newstalk ZB breakfast show has had two hosts in 40 years. No one comes close to matching that. It has produced some of the greatest names the industry has ever known. It's covered the news and told our stories. It's reflected this country and its journey better than anything and anyone. The good news is I honestly feel not only are these its best days so far, but there are, at 100, more and better ones to come. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's definitively ruled out a coalition deal with New Zealand First post-election. Leader Chris Hipkins says his MPs have unanimously decided they won't work with Winston Peters' party, after comments made by Peters and Deputy Shane Jones were labelled 'racist'. Hipkins says a pattern of behaviour's escalated and he won't put up with the overt racism NZ First indulges in. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says new polling data shows the left-leaning parties are seeing a drop in the polls and the coalition is in a good position to get a second term. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch City Council's push for an NRL league team has moved beyond talk. The council is working with the governing body on details for a potential 20th club. New documents show eight key areas are being worked through, including governance, funding, infrastructure, high-performance facilities and building a fanbase. A call on whether to make a formal bid remains undecided. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sports Commentator Nick Bewley told Ryan Bridge there's encouraging signs for people in the South who want a NRL team, but there's certainly a lot to do. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dame Lisa Carrington has made New Zealand sporting history as an eight-time gold medallist, but she's acknowledged the journey that led to her sporting success. She's still got her heart set on continuing her canoeing hot streak at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, even with a baby on the way due for September. She joined Piney to look back on her athletic career and sporting legacy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Saints will take on the Southland Sharks at ILT Stadium in Invercargill. Newstalk ZB sports commentator Nick Bewley joined Piney to discuss the grand final. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Newstalk ZB host Kerre Woodham and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Newstalk ZB celebrates 100 years today. What are our favourite memories of the station? What stories do we remember? What role does radio serve in a changing market. So Chris Luxon hasn't been having a good week - with new polls and the MMP announcement raising some concerns. There's growing calls for some new leadership in the National Party - do we see Luxon bouncing back? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB celebrates 100 years today, and veteran sports broadcaster Murray Deaker's been a key part of that history for decades. For more than 30 years, Murray Deaker's been inspiring debate and discussion, breaking big sports stories, and been interacting with some of the biggest names in Kiwi sport. He joined Piney to look back on some career highlights to mark the occasion. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast, Mike Hosking takes you through the birth of the iconic 1ZB in 1926. The episode takes you through the history of the station from 1926 until the beginning of 1987. You'll hear snippets from the iconic names - like Phil Shone, Aunt Daisy, Selwyn Toogood, Merv Smith and Marina (Jocelyn Parr). Mike Hosking will also take you back in time to the famous moments from the 1ZB Theatre in Auckland - and the radio dramas that made the station an unmissable listen. You'll also hear how 1ZB covered the big stories over that time - including the World War Two, the Wahine Disaster and the 1981 Springbok Tour. 100 Years of ZB - Celebrating a century of New Zealand's conversation. Archival audio from the collections at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. New episodes every Sunday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts - powered by Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVE OR BELOW IF YOU'RE LISTENING OUTSIDE OF NEW ZEALAND See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast, Mike Hosking takes you through the birth of the iconic 1ZB in 1926. The episode takes you through the history of the station from 1926 until the beginning of 1987. You'll hear snippets from the iconic names - like Phil Shone, Aunt Daisy, Selwyn Toogood, Merv Smith and Marina (Jocelyn Parr). Mike Hosking will also take you back in time to the famous moments from the 1ZB Theatre in Auckland - and the radio dramas that made the station an unmissable listen. You'll also hear how 1ZB covered the big stories over that time - including the World War Two, the Wahine Disaster and the 1981 Springbok Tour. 100 Years of ZB - Celebrating a century of New Zealand's conversation. Archival audio from the collections at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. New episodes every Sunday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts - powered by Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVE OR BELOW IF YOU'RE LISTENING OUTSIDE OF NEW ZEALAND See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man who stood at the helm of Newstalk ZB for 17 years has weighed in on its 100-year anniversary. Today marks a century since the radio station's first broadcast. Bill Francis joined ZB in the early 80's and became station manager in 1993. He says it was a tough start, with the station dropping from number one in the market to number six - forcing it to change its format. "Once it got back in front, you know it's just never really stopped, it continues to be Auckland's radio station - a first choice. Which is wonderful. So yeah, I'm delighted that ZB rolls on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks 100 years of ZB. There have been numerous different versions of the station over that time, different station names, frequencies, and formats. There have been many memorable hosts, a change in accents from British to casual modern Kiwi and, of course, an almost incomprehensible amount of coverage of all the major - and minor - domestic and global events of the last 100 years. Given the media has always been a challenging, competitive and changeable industry, that ZB is still here, healthier and stronger than ever, 100 years after its first broadcast, tells us that the community, comfort, entertainment, discussion and analysis it works hard to provide means something to our listeners. And the listeners are the point of it all. We're only here because of our wonderfully diverse, interested and curious listeners from all around the country who text and call to agree or disagree agreeably with us, our interviewees, or each other. You will all have your own memories or moments of ZB - and I would love to hear them throughout the show today. You can text on 9292. I started listening to Newstalk ZB properly when I had my two children. I was working part time - mostly nights and weekends, and was fortunate enough to spend my days with the kids. As amazing as it was being in a bubble with my baby and a toddler, by 4pm I was pretty desperate for some adult company, so I'd listen to Larry Williams' drive show. Unknown to Larry, I chatted to him, nodded furiously in agreement, and probably blew raspberries when I begged to differ. He made me feel connected to the world and reminded me there were more things to think about than toilet training, mushed up food and the chaotic state of my house. Larry helped get me through those pre-school years, and I will always be grateful. And that's where I think, in my humble opinion, Newstalk ZB really gets it right. For thousands of New Zealanders, the voice coming through the speakers isn't just information. It's company on a sleepless night, a familiar voice during the morning commute, or someone to share a joke or raspberry with while making dinner. In a world increasingly shaped by personalised algorithms and endless scrolling tailored just for us, radio brings people together. It lets us share our stories with each other, learn more by debating issues together, and connects us with others who feel the same way. Coming from a television background, I was a bit snobby about radio -TV people tend to believe television is the superior format. But all it took was one show back in 2018 and I was hooked on the immediacy of radio. What I've learnt over the last 9 years is that while radio might be one of the oldest forms of media it is still one of the most human. Here's to another hundy! However that looks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Agenda podcast, ACC Head G Lane and Tony Lyall kick things off with a brand new movie review segment... so is 'Greenland 2' any good (00.00)? Next, the fellas are joined by Newstalk ZB's Elliott Smith from South Africa to find out what is making the players sick (07:30), then there's the Mandatory NPC Update (18:10)... PLUS we announce who is coming with us on the Export Ultra Grand Final Beer Garden Tour (32:50), and the latest on Joseph Parker's cocaine ban (37:00)... Finally, it's 'Yours Please' where we find out what actually is in a "Southland Lunch Box" (43.05)... Did you know that we've launched a new Facebook Group called 'The Caravan' JOIN HERE! Brought to you by Export Ultra! Follow The ACC on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to The Agenda Podcast now on iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! iHeartRadio Apple Spotify YouTube THANKS MATE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon has caught his caucus off-guard with an off-the-cuff campaign promise today, telling talkback radio that he'll hold an referendum on MMP if re-elected. The Prime Minister made the captain's call on NewstalkZB this morning, after being asked whether he would test public's appetite on the country's electoral system next term. Deputy political editor, Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The All Blacks begin their first tour of South Africa for 30 years in Cape Town against the Stormers, a team they have never played in their modern form. Dave Rennie named an experimental side for the test, with Patrick Tuipulotu as the captain and Siale Lauaki and Josh Jacomb scheduled to debut off the bench. And an illness has forced a late change to the team, Anton Segner replacing Wallace Sititi as openside flanker while Peter Lakai moves to number eight. Newstalk ZB's Voice of Rugby Elliott Smith told Mike Hosking that Rennie has pretty much locked in his team for the first clash against the Springboks, but has been open that there's room to move. He says a handful of players such as Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, and potentially Peter Lakai and Anton Segner could be in conversation for that team. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters believes the Prime Minister's suggesting an MMP referendum will backfire. Chris Luxon says if re-elected, he'll support revisiting that, and discussing a four-year Parliamentary term. Peters has suggested Luxon's poor polling is what's making him want another look at MMP. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the reactions to Luxon's statements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major milestone for ZB, as the station celebrates its centenary on Sunday. It's grown from fragile beginnings filled with government regulations and restrictions on broadcasting hours into the commercial juggernaut of today. Leighton Smith spent 33 years behind the ZB mic, hosting the weekday morning programme until his retirement in 2018. He joined Mike Hosking to reminisce on the years he spent on the station and watching it grow from 1ZB into Newstalk ZB. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 6th of August, we look at the unemployment rate – is 5.6% the peak? Paul Goldsmith is reviewing the Justice Department after another four employees were found to be on paid leave while facing criminal charges or misconduct investigations – one for more than 25 weeks. Newstalk ZB legend Leighton Smith reminisces on the past with ZB set to turn 100 over the weekend. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says a late night meeting was why he recently used a military aircraft, but it's now been revealed it was a National Party fundraiser dinner. That was a flight in July, when Chris Luxon flew from Whanganui. He initially said he had a late night meeting, now his office says former National MP Bill Birch's funeral required a last-minute travel change. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the backlash further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi has made a major positional switch for the Wellington NPC team. The flanker will play in the backs - at second-five - against Auckland at Western Springs this Saturday. The eight-test All Blacks loosie was a surprise omission from Dave Rennie's 44-strong squad touring South Africa. Newstalk ZB sports commentator Jason Pine explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plan's been halted to roll out Rongoa Māori health services to all prisons, including traditional massages. Newstalk ZB can reveal the expected $9 million programme would have offered the traditional Māori health services to prisoners across the country. It included spiritual work and the holistic healing mirimiri massage. ACT's Todd Stephenson told Mike Hosking it shows how woke and out of touch some parts of our public service are, and Corrections should've known better. He says victims of crime would be outraged to know that this kind of money is being spent on these kinds of services for prisoners. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is not apologising for comments labelled racist by MPs - including the Prime Minister. Peters last week responded to heckling about vaccination from Green MP Laurence Xu Nan by telling him to go back to his country, saying people there lie like a flatfish. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Finance Minister Nicola Willis has voiced disappointment with Winston Peters' stance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's says he believed he had a good robust chat with the Rotorua Business Chamber last week, but that doesn't minimise his apology for comments he made. Chris Luxon responded to a question over the city's struggles, saying businesses had a 'parent child mentality' and need to be more adult. Today he's apologised, saying he got it wrong, and he's sorry if he caused offence. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says this apology has raised questions from Labour, who claimed it wasn't 'convincing'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon's standing by his comments telling struggling business owners to take more responsibility for themselves. The National Party leader told a Rotorua business function on Friday to not rely on the government and "be adult, be adult, be adult", responding to a question about the city's struggling economy. He says the previous Labour government had treated business with a "parent-child mentality" - and that he didn't wait for the Government when he was a business leader. Luxon told Mike Hosking that his government's trying to empower businesses. He says they've partnered with businesses through the fuel crisis, which is different to Labour's approach of dictating to businesses through Covid. LISTEN ABOVE Below is the transcript of the prime minister's full response to the question at the event, provided to Newstalk ZB by his office. "I think that's a negative view, to be honest. Like we're entrepreneurs and business people, and I get it. You know, if you're not retooling and radically disrupting your business, you ain't doing the job. "You know, you have to disrupt yourself aggressively before you get disrupted by global events, and if you keep thinking you want the same business model, the same customer mix, the same margin structure, you know you've got to be retooling and refinancing and rehoming, and that's just the reality of business people all around the world. "So, my job is to make sure I'm setting up the conditions for you to be able to go create that growth. And I think some of the subtext and assumption in your question is that...I think in New Zealand I'll be honest with you as a business person who was... I sat in Illinois for six years in Chicago, and the last person I wanted to ever talk to as a CEO was the government. I didn't sit there in Chicago saying I wonder what the government thinks and I wonder what they're doing to help me for my business? Can I get some grant money to do something? No, no, I'm a business person. "I'm building a kick-ass company that actually has commercially superior returns, great customer experience, and awesome internal culture. That is the job of what makes a great company, not a good one, a great one. And so that was my mentality. "Come home to New Zealand, and there's a parent-child mentality. I have literally sat in boardrooms across New Zealand, and the conversation goes: 'I wonder what the government's going to do? I wonder what the government's going to think?' "Who cares what the government thinks or does? Our job is to be adult, adult, adult. The business leaders, the political leaders, and the community leaders working together, doing things differently. I set up the operating system. You go out there and smack it and go create the road, and the community leaders see the pain, the hurt, the need, and the frustration, and the three actors do different things but complementary things to deal with the challenges and the opportunities. "So I still think there's a little bit of.... okay, so in this chamber, how many of you are actually using Claude or Claude code? Okay great. How many sessions has the chamber run to help you understand that? Is that your number one focus right here, right now? Because that is going to disrupt your businesses, and it's a huge opportunity for you to do exceptionally well off the back of it. "So how do we collectively lift our SME literacy on something like AI as a result? So I'm just pushing back to say my job is to set the conditions up. We're getting spending under control. We're getting inflation back into the band. We're at 2.9 percent, strip out the fuel pieces. We've got growth coming in. And that creates opportunity."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley and Newstalk ZB host Roman Travers joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A new MSD report has confirmed that child poverty has gotten worse over the last few years. How can we fix these alarming statistics? What can we do? Winston Peters has prompted backlash over his controversial comments targeting a Green MP. Does there need to be more accountability? Particularly given Winston is Foreign Minister and this made global headlines? Phone etiquette - do we need a warning every time someone tries to call us? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Rotorua business leader told Prime Minister Christopher Luxon about the city's struggling economy at a function, prompting the PM to tell business owners to 'be adult'. Luxon was in Rotorua last week with appointments including the recent Business Chamber Westpac Smarts Breakfast. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Luxon's comments have prompted outrage, with Labour condemning him for 'lecturing' business owners about the state of the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters is defending his comments, which coalition partners Chris Luxon and David Seymour have labelled 'attention-seeking'. The New Zealand First leader yesterday responded to Chinese-born Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan heckling over vaccinations, by telling him to go back to his own country. Luxon says Peters has a long track record of inappropriate comments designed to get people talking about him. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Labour has also condemned Peters' comments and called for his resignation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another border biometrics bombshell, as the Minister confirms the botched project spent more money than first thought. Immigration's border IT upgrade was cancelled last year, with $33 million spent. Minister Erica Stanford says she and ministers before her were misled by officials - and that an additional $6 million was sunk into the project. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says there's a number of investigations and reviews confirmed for this, and Erica Stanford has voiced concerns. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Stanford says she can't give out a copy of National's draft social media ban bill, but Labour MPs will get a briefing this week. It's understood National needs Labour support to pass it. Labour's Reuben Davidson says he's seen the draft in Stanford's office, but wasn't allowed a copy to show colleagues to discuss. Newstalk ZB's Azaria Howell says it's expected that more Labour MPs will see this bill on Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says the expanded Family Boost scheme's paying off. Almost 100,000 families have now received at least one payment to help with early childhood education costs. The Government lifted the ECE fee rebate, raised the maximum weekly payment and widened eligibility last year. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s show: (00:00) The show gets roasted in a listener's review... (01:30) Ben gets completely confused by an email and spends a day thinking a Six60 manager sent a very strange brag (03:45) Megan’s three-day birthday extravaganza continues... and there’s still more celebrating to come (07:00) Jono’s new role as Auckland’s potential Town Crier gains unexpected support from Mayor Wayne Brown (15:30) Forgotten jobs, featuring a human bowling pin-setter and the chaos behind the lanes (18:40) The Great NZ Pie Awards update takes a sleepy turn when baker Jason answers the phone half asleep (21:10) Megan’s birthday burns from the kids: “That’s too many claps” and “You look like a poo” (23:10) Ben discovers his mother-in-law sleeps with Newstalk ZB blasting all night long (31:00) Jono’s disastrous first impression on the new staff member after all his quirks get listed in one go! (32:50) Christopher Nolan has never had an email address and refuses to use a smartphone, sparking a debate on technology people avoid... Join the Itty Bitty Hitty Committee HERE!Instagram: @THEHITSBREAKFASTFacebook: The Hits Breakfast with Jono, Ben & MeganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Touted as one of the most beautiful places in the world, there really is something special about Banff. Combining the striking stature of the Rockies with the snug, quaint charms of small-town Canada, it's the sheer splendour of accessible and abundant wilderness that casts you under its spell. Just as visitors to Sedona routinely talk about “the healing energy” that seeps from its stones, Banff also brags about its revitalising powers. It's widely considered as a sacred place, ever since indigenous people were drawn to the region thousands of years ago, taking to the healing waters of the natural hot springs and gathering various plants for medicinal purposes. It was First Nations guides who introduced Europeans to the area in the 1800s, and by the 1880s the natural hot springs on Sulphur Mountain were a wildly popular Victorian tourist attraction. It was the railway that opened Banff's treasures to the world. Mercifully, the Canadian government had the vision and wisdom to safeguard nature's riches by creating Canada's first national park in 1885, Banff National Park. They run a very tight ship in this town. To live in Banff, you must be an eligible resident. This generally means your primary daily employment must be located within the Banff National Park boundaries. The permanent population is only 9000. There are no vacation homes. Buying property for holiday use or weekend getaways is strictly prohibited. Even if you own property, you must actively work in the park or rent it to someone who does. Similarly, residential property cannot be used for short-term rentals (like Airbnb) unless the property is owner-occupied and licensed specifically as a Bed and Breakfast. Perhaps some over-crowded but underpopulated New Zealand tourist towns should consider this model, like Tekapo. The main artery of Banff Ave is a swanky tourist mecca, lined with lodge-like hotels, many built in Rocky Mountain style, with the accent on lodgepole pines, limestone, and steeply pitched roofs. I love how all the side streets are named after local animals. I even saw roaming elk prancing down Elk Street. The best time to visit Banff depends on whether you snow-dappled vistas, wildflowers or larch season. I suggest the spring months are best, with show-mopped peaks and thinner crowds. Wildflower season runs from July to August, but it's chocka with visitors taking advantage of the warm weather for high-alpine hiking. “Larch madness” is a short, specific window from mid-September to early October, when the larch tree needles turn a brilliant gold. The beautiful natural display draws dense crowds to popular trails like Larch Valley. After alighting from two ravishing days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver, it fast became apparent that my short time in this mountain oasis would not be enough to do full justice to its surrounding wonders. But here's a round-up on some tried-and-true must dos. For the view of views, do not leave town before you have taken a ride to the rooftop of Sulphur Mountain, on the Banff Gondola. The eight-minute ride to the summit of 7,486-foot mountain delivers a horizon-wide alpine panorama. Six distinct mountain ranges unfurl their grandeur before you, along with the Bow River Valley and the town of Banff itself. Beyond the top station, the boardwalk trail climbs even higher, leading you to Sanson Peak. Alongside savouring the snow-flecked scenery in the heart of the Rockies, I was also intrigued by the remnants of the Cosmic Ray Station, perched on top of Sulphur Mountain. This throwback to the 1950s became Canada's most important cosmic ray observatory, contributing to our understanding of how the sun effects the earth's environment. Needless to say, even in summer the mountaintop temps can be chilly. If you need a warm-up, just below the gondola base station, Banff Upper Hot Springs will put some pep in your step. Discovered by Canada's First Nations people, they've been regarded as sacred waters for centuries, rich in minerals like sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and sodium. Give yourself a therapeutic soak in the toasty waters, that average 39C, gazing at the sprawling heft of Mount Rundle. Savour some solitude on an easy, in-town hike, just off the downtown thoroughfare of Banff Ave. The Bow River Trail follows the north shore, while the Bow Falls Trail hugs the south side. The south shore is particularly scenic if you head east to the Bow Falls Viewpoint. It's also a dreamy spot for a photo of the waterfall and the “Castle in the Rockies”, the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Waterfall hikes top the list of things to do in Banff any time of year. Johnston Canyon is a cracker, close to town and easy. The walkway is attached directly to the canyon walls. It takes you right to the thunderously noisy Lower Falls and then up to the taller Upper Falls. In winter, the canyon completely transforms as the waterfalls freeze into massive blue ice pillars. You'll need ice cleats to strike out on the ice walk. Good eats? In the heart of Banff town, in Bear St, Bison is the go-to for "Rocky Mountain comfort food," with an emphasis on slow cooking. As the name suggests, it's a great place to try bison dishes—bison tartar and slow-cooked braised bison short rib are signature dishes—but there's also Wild British Columbia halibut, wood-fired duck, and Alberta beef striploin. Sunday brunch buffet is a celebrated pastime at the Fairmont Banff Springs, the iconic “Castle in the Rockies.” The setting is postcard perfect - exactly why the Banff Springs Hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company in 1888 to woo the world to the rugged Rockies. Make a brunch booking at The Vermillion Room to nosh on signature dishes like smoked Wild Pacific salmon and slow-roasted Alberta beef. Be sure to add a side of maple brownies.Banff has a soft-spot for fondue, a hangover from the hordes of Swiss guides who were recruited over a century ago to spirit visitors through the Rockies. If you're up for fondue with a difference, head to the Grizzly House. Nearly 60 years old, it's a dining experience that's hands-on, unconventional, and uniquely Banff. Hot rock meat is served raw and cooked at your table. Alongside prime cuts of Alberta beef and fresh seafood, you'll find wild game and exotic meats including ostrich, elk, bison, frogs legs, alligator and rattlesnake. Like the classic Swiss cheese and chocolate fondues, they're all designed for sharing. Across the Banff area, a sequence of jewel-like lakes are the stars of the show, tinted a dazzling turquoise hue due to the presence of glacial flour (ground up rock particles). The dazzling Moraine Lake, Abraham Lake, Lake Minnewanka and Lake Louise are the best in show. Hike the Lake Agnes Tea House trail through gorgeous old-growth forest which does indeed bring you to a quaint old tea house on top of a mountain, just north of Lake Louise. Built as a refuge for hikers, it started serving tea in 1905, and still does today. Their hearty homemade soups, will hit the spot, too! Just off the Trans-Canada Highway close to the town of Banff, soak up the tranquil Vermilion Lakes, a network of marshlands and lakes. The lakes have wonderful views of jagged Mount Rundle, the town's signature peak. It's an awesome spot for picnicking, paddling, relaxing, and reflection photography. Grab a rental bike from town and pedal your way around this soothing slice of solitude. I didn't have time to explore the Icefields Parkway on this trip, but I will be back to do it. Many fellow travellers in Banff were raving about this 230km-long drive, connecting Banff National Park with Jasper National Park. Powerfully rugged mountain scenery, glaciers galore, and a gob full of wildlife including moose, wolves, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears: the Icefields Parkway comes highly recommended. A hotel guest remarked to me that it felt like the road had been carved inside the earth, with massive mountains clinging to the Continental Divide. If you're up for some cultural dabbling, check out the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Founded by the late Peter and Catharine Whyte, two Banff artists, the museum exhibits artworks and artifacts relating to the cultural heritage of the Rockies. Many of the earliest photos of Banff National Park can be found here, and the gallery of prized landscape paintings are sublime. Where to stay? One of the newest offerings in Banff is the Otter Hotel, delivering a winning blend of comfort and nature. This four-star mountain luxury hideaway is in the uptown district, on Banff Avenue. It's conveniently close to the bustle of downtown – just a ten minute walk away, but you're also blissfully removed from the tourist throb, tucked away in a calming forest setting. That's what Otter Hotel really excels in providing, a calmer escape, wrapped in nature's splendour. It's nailed the sweet spot, basking in the charm of Banff at a relaxed pace. You'll definitely want to dine on-site at one of Banff's newest upscale culinary destinations, Good Folk. Refined Canadian flavours and an intimate ambiance are to the fore, with exquisitely prepared dishes like bison burgers, Alberta wild boar chop, King Cole duck breast and Icelandic Arctic char. Their creative cocktails are a masterclass in wizardly mixology. The hotel's thoughtfully designed rooms feature contemporary comforts, elevated finishes, and inviting spaces to relax after an intrepid day out exploring. Surrounded by towering lodgepole pines and framed by sweeping Rocky Mountain views, nothing beats unwinding in the rooftop hot pools or lounging around the outdoor fire pits, drinking in the dreamy views of Cascade Mountain right in front of you. It's an elevated oasis of hospitality. All hotel guests also receive a complimentary ROAM transit pass, which is like a hop-on, hop-off bus, zipping you around all of Banff's top sites, with a high frequency schedule. otterhotel.com After soaking up the best of Banff, Calgary Airport is just a 90 minute ride away and Banff Airporter is the trusted ground transportation provider, with a comprehensive shuttle schedule. Highly-rated for their convenience, comfort and reliability, Banff Airporter operates a year-round, stress-free shuttle service to and from Calgary Airport and the mountains. For over 28 years, this locally owned and operated company has provided a dependable link, between the heart of the Rockies and the airport. Just sit back, relax and gorge on the scenery, as you pass by the serrated peaks spanning south of Banff, like the gorgeous Three Sisters, before the mountains give way to the rolling prairies surrounding Calgary. banffairporter.com Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB's resident traveller and can be heard each week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite attracting its biggest television audience in years, the ANZ Premiership is set to record a significant loss of around $3.7 million in 2026, casting further doubt over the future of New Zealand's domestic netball competition. Netball New Zealand board chair Alastair Carruthers said the shortfall would be covered by the organisation's cash reserves, but warned that approach could not continue. Speaking on Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast, Carruthers admitted the loss would be hard to cover, adding that the overall deficit for Netball New Zealand would be far greater. “It's going to be hard to cover,” Carruthers said. “We do have reserves sufficient to deal with it this year. “The board last year, when committing to the third year of this this premiership, knew that it had reserves that that would cover the loss, but [the loss] is bigger than we expected. “I think it's important to note that also this year Netball New Zealand in total is likely to run up a loss greater than $3.7m. It's going to be close to $6m. Reserves will cover this year. “I don't think next year is going to be easy to cover at that level from our reserves position, so we need to start redesigning our business and redesigning the way that this competition is played.” The loss is part of the fallout after it was revealed Netball New Zealand emailed coaches and staff at the Northern Stars, Mainland Tactix and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic telling them their contracts cannot be extended at this stage. The three franchises are all run by Netball New Zealand, while the Northern Mystics, Central Pulse and Southern Steel are run by their respective netball zones. Carruthers is adamant the governing body remained committed to maintaining a strong domestic competition while ensuring the long-term health of the sport. With that in mind, Netball New Zealand has agreed to change the eligibility requirements for Silver Ferns selection, following discussions with the Players Association with an eye on the 2027 Netball World Cup. Players who choose to sign with overseas clubs will now remain eligible for Silver Ferns selection. The change takes effect immediately for the current selection cycle and will continue for the duration of any multi-year overseas contract. Netball NZ Board Chair Alastair Carruthers. Photo / Photosport “Any player is welcome to play anywhere in the world if they wish to and will still be eligible for selection for the for the Silver Ferns,” Carruthers said. “We did that because while there is uncertainty about what form of domestic competition we can offer at home, people need freedom of choice and the opportunity to keep working and the opportunity to keep playing at an elite level.” He said any future model would continue to prioritise a high-quality domestic competition, alongside supporting community netball. The big financial loss comes despite the ANZ Premiership attracting 1.05 million unique television viewers on TVNZ this season, excluding audiences who watched live or on demand via TVNZ. Figures obtained by the Herald show that represents a 16% increase on 2025 and a 64% increase since 2024. The average live television audience for an ANZ Premiership fixture was 51,800, a 32% increase on 2025 for the average number of people watching a game live on TV2. The grand final between the Northern Mystics and Southern Steel saw a 60% increase in viewership, with more than 120,000 New Zealanders watching live – the most ever. Before that, 82,159 viewers had tuned in for the elimination final, 25,742 more than last year. The overall average attendance for the ANZ Premiership is up 3.2%, following a 15% jump in 2024. In total, 70,236 fans attended games, including the finals. Social media presence has also increased with the official ANZ Premiership pages (not including teams) having seen a 33% increase in followers, totalling 166,500. Carruthers expects discussions to continue with broadcasters for at least a few more months. Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand First has swiftly picked a new candidate for Napier after the resignation of Stuart Nash. Te Kira Lawrence, who was previously announced as the Party's East Cape candidate, will now stand in Nash's place. Stuart Nash resigned from New Zealand First last night, after a text was revealed where he called Napier MP Katie Nimon the laziest MP he'd ever come across, for taking leave after having a baby. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says politics is a 'rough-and-tumble' game, but it's surprising National stepped in over this matter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuart Nash has blasted National MP Katie Nimon, claiming she took nine months leave after giving birth - and is the 'laziest MP' he's ever come across. Nash made the claim in a text to former MP Chris Finlayson, who shared it on his podcast. Nimon, who's facing Nash in the Napier electorate this election, says she only took six months away from Parliament, and continued working full time in her electorate. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Nash's comments have sparked backlash, with Prime Minister Chris Luxon labelling the comments 'sexist'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National says Labour must take a clear stance on rates caps, with the Government planning to introduce legislation before the election. Labour's Chris Hipkins has told Newstalk ZB his party's yet to decide on a position. He says the policy is "good retail politics" but adds councils will need ways to fund core services. Local Government Minister Simon Watts told Mike Hosking they want to make sure that when they implement a policy, it's enduring and there is certainty for businesses and households. He says the problem is that Labour has previously indicated that they would vote against the legislation, but are now saying they don't have a position. Watts says he just wants to know where they stand on this. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's more evidence the mass exodus to Australia appears to be turning a corner. Latest Stats NZ figures show net migration from New Zealand to Australia last year was down 8.4% compared to the year before. Newstalk ZB analysis of official Australian data has revealed a similar trend. Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking there's a feeling the tide is turning, which can in turn prompt more people not to go. He says the perception, feeling, and media coverage all play into whether people choose to move to Australia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.