The amalgamation of Wellington, Porirua and Lower Hutt is being put back on the table.

A pre-election Wellington Chamber of Commerce report, released exclusively to our newsroom, reveals business leaders would like the three cities to merge.

A previous merger proposal was axed by Wellington in 2015.

But Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, a supporter of amalgamation, told Kate Hawkesby it should be revisited.

She says with Transmission Gully, the whole region is now very connected, and becoming one city makes a lot of sense.

LISTEN ABOVE

The amalgamation of Wellington, Porirua and Lower Hutt is being put back on the table.
A pre-election Wellington Chamber of Commerce report, released exclusively to our newsroom, reveals business leaders would like the three cities to merge.
A previous merger proposal was axed by Wellington in 2015.
But Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, a supporter of amalgamation, told Kate Hawkesby it should be revisited.
She says with Transmission Gully, the whole region is now very connected, and becoming one city makes a lot of sense.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Anita Baker: Porirua Mayor says Wellington merger plan should be revisited

A clearer direction for the hospitality sector, with red tape set to be slashed. 

The Ministry for Regulation's completed a review into cumbersome rules hindering food and drink operators from doing business.  

It highlights several recommendations designed to make things easier for the sector.

Regulation Minister David Seymour told Ryan Bridge the changes would make life easier for people in the industry trying to make a buck. 

Ministers are now working on an Action Plan. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

A clearer direction for the hospitality sector, with red tape set to be slashed.&nbsp;
The Ministry for Regulation's completed a review into cumbersome rules hindering food and drink operators from doing business. &nbsp;
It highlights several recommendations designed to make things easier for the sector.
Regulation Minister David Seymour told Ryan Bridge the changes would make life easier for people in the industry trying to make a buck.&nbsp;
Ministers are now working on an Action Plan.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

David Seymour: Regulation Minister on the review into the hospitality sector

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e6aa6d16-a8f2-43fd-aa5c-b4c100040aeb/transcript

Tech New Zealand's hoping AI becomes a hot topic this election as Labour releases its policy on the new technology. 

If elected, the party wants stronger regulations on the use of copyright materials, private information, and the energy needed to power data centres.  

Labour also wants stronger oversight through an Office of AI and would establish an online safety regulator. 

Tech New Zealand chief executive Graeme Muller told Ryan Bridge they've been calling on politicians to focus on AI for the last two elections. 

He says this is a technology which will be more impactful than any that's come before, so it's good people are taking it seriously. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Tech New Zealand's hoping AI becomes a hot topic this election as Labour releases its policy on the new technology.&nbsp;
If elected, the party wants stronger regulations on the use of copyright materials, private information, and the energy needed to power data centres. &nbsp;
Labour also wants stronger oversight through an Office of AI and would establish an online safety regulator.&nbsp;
Tech New Zealand chief executive Graeme Muller told Ryan Bridge they've been calling on politicians to focus on AI for the last two elections.&nbsp;
He says this is a technology which will be more impactful than any that's come before, so it's good people are taking it seriously.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Graeme Muller: Tech New Zealand CEO on Labour's AI policy, data centres

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1dc0613d-9661-43a8-95df-b4c1000133a1/transcript

House prices could be on track for a much faster recovery than ASB expects.

The bank says national prices are still 15% below their late-2021 peak and won't fully recover until 2029.

But real estate agent Rawdon Christie thinks the market's about to pick up.

He told Ryan Bridge the sheer number of people he's talking to points to a strong start to 2027.

Christie says that's because people have accepted the fact we're in a stable market, with not much changing and not wanting to wait.

LISTEN ABOVE

House prices could be on track for a much faster recovery than ASB expects.
The bank says national prices are still 15% below their late-2021 peak and won't fully recover until 2029.
But real estate agent Rawdon Christie thinks the market's about to pick up.
He told Ryan Bridge the sheer number of people he's talking to points to a strong start to 2027.
Christie says that's because people have accepted the fact we're in a stable market, with not much changing and not wanting to wait.
LISTEN ABOVE

Rawdon Christie: Real estate agent on house prices could be on track for a faster recovery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/153979ae-4ded-4d6a-aa52-b4c0012c900c/transcript

Anita Baker: Porirua Mayor says Wellington merger plan should be revisited

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