New data highlights ongoing struggles in the construction sector.  

An Infometrics report shows building activity fell 3.5% in the March quarter to its lowest level in 10 years.  

Non-residential building is down 13.5% on the same time last year.  

NZ Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming told Francesca Rudkin the biggest drop's been in commercial construction.  

He says a lot of jobs are coming to an end, and there are no big projects to replace them. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

New data highlights ongoing struggles in the construction sector. &nbsp;
An Infometrics report shows building activity fell 3.5% in the March quarter to its lowest level in 10 years. &nbsp;
Non-residential building is down 13.5% on the same time last year. &nbsp;
NZ Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming told Francesca Rudkin the biggest drop's been in commercial construction. &nbsp;
He says a lot of jobs are coming to an end, and there are no big projects to replace them.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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

Malcolm Fleming: NZ Certified Builders CEO on construction activity hitting a ten year low

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/45b79a65-cf53-42d6-a226-b45f018afdc9/transcript

The Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers have arrived.  

Four Kiwi teams will be fighting to stay in the game, battling for spots in the semi-final. 

The Hurricanes are taking on the Brumbies tonight, before the Crusaders go head to head with the Blues at a sold out One NZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Following on from that, the Chiefs will be aiming to take down the Reds.  

Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman joined Francesca Rudkin to preview the weekend’s matches. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers have arrived. &nbsp;
Four Kiwi teams will be fighting to stay in the game, battling for spots in the semi-final.&nbsp;
The Hurricanes are taking on the Brumbies tonight, before the Crusaders go head to head with the Blues at a sold out One NZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;
Following on from that, the Chiefs will be aiming to take down the Reds. &nbsp;
Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman joined Francesca Rudkin to preview the weekend’s matches.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sam Ackerman: Sports Commentator previews the Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2cea0107-7c0a-42bf-93a0-b460000456a2/transcript

Recent moves by Congress suggest some Republicans are acting more independently from the White House.  

The House has passed a measure to stop US President Trump ordering more strikes on Iran.  

Four Republicans broke ranks to secure the vote. 

Foreign Policy Institute Senior Fellow Jeffrey Pryce told Francesca Rudkin it could now pass in the Senate, which would be significant, even if Trump doesn't sign it into law. 

He says some chickens are coming home to roost for the President, particularly those in the Republican Party who have previously incurred his wrath.  

Pryce says impending elections will also be on people's minds. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Recent moves by Congress suggest some Republicans are acting more independently from the White House. &nbsp;
The House has passed a measure to stop US President Trump ordering more strikes on Iran. &nbsp;
Four Republicans broke ranks to secure the vote.&nbsp;
Foreign Policy Institute Senior Fellow Jeffrey Pryce told Francesca Rudkin it could now pass in the Senate, which would be significant, even if Trump doesn't sign it into law.&nbsp;
He says some chickens are coming home to roost for the President, particularly those in the Republican Party who have previously incurred his wrath. &nbsp;
Pryce says impending elections will also be on people's minds.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jeffrey Pryce: Foreign Policy Institute Senior Fellow on House Republicans moving to prevent Donald Trump from ordering more strikes on Iran

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b20d9643-3d66-4d40-8a94-b45f0185ad32/transcript

New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner is right to argue that the law should be changed to allow agencies to be fined when they fail to protect people’s sensitive personal information.  

In an increasingly digital society, we’re being encouraged to trust organisations with highly confidential data, including medical records, financial details, and personal identification information. With that trust must come accountability.  

The recent cyberattack involving Manage My Health highlights why stronger enforcement powers are necessary. The platform stores sensitive health information for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders and is widely used by patients and healthcare providers. When a system like this is compromised the consequences can be severe, including identity theft, privacy violations, and loss of confidence in digital healthcare services.   

While an investigation followed the breach, many New Zealanders were left wondering whether anyone would face meaningful consequences. Too often, organisations can have a data breach without being held directly accountable for inadequate security practices.   

These concerns become increasingly significant as New Zealand moves towards digital driver licenses and other forms of digital identity. While digital licenses offer convenience, efficiency and are the way of the future, they also create a centralised repository of highly valuable personal information.   

If we’re expected to carry our identity in digital form, we need to be confident the systems protecting our information meet the highest security standards.  

Where negligence or failure to meet these standards contributes to a breach, substantial financial penalties should be an available option. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says that when it comes to accountability for failing to protect an individual’s privacy, New Zealand's laws are "somewhat out of step" with those overseas.   

The possibility of significant fines would create a strong incentive for organisations to invest in prevention rather than simply managing the fallout after a breach.  

It would send a clear message that protecting personal data is a fundamental responsibility.   

If organisations and government agencies expect the public’s trust, they must also accept meaningful consequences when that trust is broken. 

New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner is right to argue that the law should be changed to allow agencies to be fined when they fail to protect people’s sensitive personal information. &nbsp;
In an increasingly digital society, we’re being encouraged to trust organisations with highly confidential data, including medical records, financial details, and personal identification information. With that trust must come accountability. &nbsp;
The recent cyberattack involving Manage My Health highlights why stronger enforcement powers are necessary. The platform stores sensitive health information for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders and is widely used by patients and healthcare providers. When a system like this is compromised the consequences can be severe, including identity theft, privacy violations, and loss of confidence in digital healthcare services. &nbsp;&nbsp;
While an investigation followed the breach, many New Zealanders were left wondering whether anyone would face meaningful consequences. Too often, organisations can have a data breach without being held directly accountable for inadequate security practices. &nbsp;&nbsp;
These concerns become increasingly significant as New Zealand moves towards digital driver licenses and other forms of digital identity. While digital licenses offer convenience, efficiency and are the way of the future, they also create a centralised repository of highly valuable personal information. &nbsp;&nbsp;
If we’re expected to carry our identity in digital form, we need to be confident the systems protecting our information meet the highest security standards. &nbsp;
Where negligence or failure to meet these standards contributes to a breach, substantial financial penalties should be an available option. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says that when it comes to accountability for failing to protect an individual’s privacy, New Zealand's laws are "somewhat out of step" with those overseas. &nbsp;&nbsp;
The possibility of significant fines would create a strong incentive for organisations to invest in prevention rather than simply managing the fallout after a breach. &nbsp;
It would send a clear message that protecting personal data is a fundamental responsibility. &nbsp;&nbsp;
If organisations and government agencies expect the public’s trust, they must also accept meaningful consequences when that trust is broken.&nbsp;

Francesca Rudkin: If you want trust, you must accept consequences

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ea8fb050-efc8-4adb-a39e-b45f017a5128/transcript

Malcolm Fleming: NZ Certified Builders CEO on construction activity hitting a ten year low

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