The Government has made its first move in its Local Water Done Well reforms – the replacement for Three Waters.

A deal has been brokered with Auckland Council which will allow Watercare to borrow 1.9 billion over the next ten years for long-term infrastructure. The deal will stop the proposed 25.8 percent water rates increase this year, bringing it down to 7.2 percent.

Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe tells Mike Hosking that ultimately, the challenge comes down to balancing local accountability with affordability. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government has made its first move in its Local Water Done Well reforms – the replacement for Three Waters. 
A deal has been brokered with Auckland Council which will allow Watercare to borrow 1.9 billion over the next ten years for long-term infrastructure. The deal will stop the proposed 25.8 percent water rates increase this year, bringing it down to 7.2 percent. 
Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe tells Mike Hosking that ultimately, the challenge comes down to balancing local accountability with affordability.  
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition, hosted by Kate Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Gillian Blythe: Water NZ CEO on deal brokered between Government and Auckland Council in Local Water Done Well reforms

New Zealand First has invoked the Agree-to-Disagree Coalition clause.

Winston Peters says his Party doesn't support the Government continuing the Covid Commission of Inquiry in its current form. 

The clause is nestled within New Zealand First's Governance agreement with National, allowing Peters and his MPs to speak publicly about a Cabinet decision. 

He's used it voice opposition to the Government splitting the inquiry into two phases, saying the first phase was nothing more than a Labour Party political tool.

Peters agrees with Phase Two, focusing on vaccine efficacy and safety, and the extended lockdowns in Auckland and Northland.

Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking that as Christopher Luxon said, this is a mature way to go about it.

He said that this is exactly how it’s supposed to work between the two parties, which is why the clause was written into the coalition agreement in the first place.

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand First has invoked the Agree-to-Disagree Coalition clause. 
Winston Peters says his Party doesn't support the Government continuing the Covid Commission of Inquiry in its current form.  
The clause is nestled within New Zealand First's Governance agreement with National, allowing Peters and his MPs to speak publicly about a Cabinet decision.  
He's used it voice opposition to the Government splitting the inquiry into two phases, saying the first phase was nothing more than a Labour Party political tool. 
Peters agrees with Phase Two, focusing on vaccine efficacy and safety, and the extended lockdowns in Auckland and Northland. 
Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking that as Christopher Luxon said, this is a mature way to go about it. 
He said that this is exactly how it’s supposed to work between the two parties, which is why the clause was written into the coalition agreement in the first place. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Jason Walls: Political Editor on Winston Peters invoking the Agree to Disagree clause

A gambling scandal is causing a rocky run up to next week's UK election. 

Six police officers, including a member of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's protection team, are in hot water after allegedly placing bets on the election date. 

UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that it's an extraordinary saga, with two Conservative MPs now suspended after also facing accusations. 

But he says because they're already on the ticket, they can still be voted on and will have to stand as independents if they win a seat. 

The Gambling Commission has also launched an investigation into a now suspended Labour candidate.

LISTEN ABOVE

A gambling scandal is causing a rocky run up to next week's UK election.  
Six police officers, including a member of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's protection team, are in hot water after allegedly placing bets on the election date.  
UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that it's an extraordinary saga, with two Conservative MPs now suspended after also facing accusations.  
But he says because they're already on the ticket, they can still be voted on and will have to stand as independents if they win a seat.  
The Gambling Commission has also launched an investigation into a now suspended Labour candidate. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the gambling scandals in the lead up to the election

There’s hopes a spike in global shipping prices won't stay around for long.

Conflict in the Red Sea has caused shipping costs to jump three times higher than the rates seen at end of last year.

But, ASB Senior economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking, the impact on inflation will depend on how long prices remain high.

He says the prices have spiked quickly, but it's still early days.

LISTEN ABOVE

There’s hopes a spike in global shipping prices won't stay around for long. 
Conflict in the Red Sea has caused shipping costs to jump three times higher than the rates seen at end of last year. 
But, ASB Senior economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking, the impact on inflation will depend on how long prices remain high. 
He says the prices have spiked quickly, but it's still early days. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Gillian Blythe: Water NZ CEO on deal brokered between Government and Auckland Council in Local Water Done Well reforms

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