Today marks the beginning of road side drug testing - starting exclusively in the Wellington District.

The scheme's pilot will see police conducting random roadside saliva tests - screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.

The initiative begins in the capital before scaling up from April until coverage is nationwide by mid next-year.

Any drivers whose tests come back positive, will need to do a lab test which also checks for 25 other substances.

Positive tests can result in 12 hour disqualifications from driving and possible infringement notices.

Police Association President Steve Watt shares his thoughts. 

Today marks the beginning of road side drug testing - starting exclusively in the Wellington District.
The scheme's pilot will see police conducting random roadside saliva tests - screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.
The initiative begins in the capital before scaling up from April until coverage is nationwide by mid next-year.
Any drivers whose tests come back positive, will need to do a lab test which also checks for 25 other substances.
Positive tests can result in 12 hour disqualifications from driving and possible infringement notices.
Police Association President Steve Watt shares his thoughts.&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

Steve Watt: Police Association President on the roadside drug testing roll out begins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/26b2dd44-ccc0-4640-8c1b-b3b3011fbf58/transcript

Lawyers say they can't pinpoint the reason there's been an increase in complaints. 

The Law Society's annual report reveals more clients are raising their concerns, particularly around incompetence.  

New Zealand Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Andrew Dickens with more people using AI to research their legal issues, they're needing to manage expectations. 

She welcomes clients doing their own research but it's important people remember lawyers are the experts. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Lawyers say they can't pinpoint the reason there's been an increase in complaints.&nbsp;
The Law Society's annual report reveals more clients are raising their concerns, particularly around incompetence. &nbsp;
New Zealand Law Association Vice President Julie-Anne Kincade told Andrew Dickens with more people using AI to research their legal issues, they're needing to manage expectations.&nbsp;
She welcomes clients doing their own research but it's important people remember lawyers are the experts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Julie-Anne Kincade: NZ Law Association Vice President on the increase in complaints against lawyers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/42081740-4c8b-471f-ba4d-b3b4016830c0/transcript

We’ll get a clearer picture of the Government’s spending plans heading into an election year this afternoon. 

Treasury’s releasing the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update at 1pm, alongside the Budget Policy Statement, setting out the economic outlook and spending priorities. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen Andrew Dickens governments are often expected to loosen the purse strings in an election year. 

He says the Government might spend less than they hoped if the books aren't looking too flash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

We’ll get a clearer picture of the Government’s spending plans heading into an election year this afternoon.&nbsp;
Treasury’s releasing the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update at 1pm, alongside the Budget Policy Statement, setting out the economic outlook and spending priorities.&nbsp;
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen Andrew Dickens governments are often expected to loosen the purse strings in an election year.&nbsp;
He says the Government might spend less than they hoped if the books aren't looking too flash.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist ahead of the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6d7c6eab-a3e0-4f78-8ea7-b3b4016349b2/transcript

A deadly terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach is feeding speculation of potential intelligence errors. 

Two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday evening, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more. 

A 24-year-old suspect remains in hospital under police guard, while his 50-year-old father, the other alleged offender, was shot dead. 

The younger man, who's suspected of orchestrating the attack, had previously been investigated by the country's security agency and hadn't been considered a threat. 

But Massey University Defence Studies Professor John Battersby says we shouldn't jump to conclusions until more details emerge. 

He told Andrew Dickens intelligence capabilities are always limited by the resources put into them. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A deadly terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach is feeding speculation of potential intelligence errors.&nbsp;
Two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday evening, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more.&nbsp;
A 24-year-old suspect remains in hospital under police guard, while his 50-year-old father, the other alleged offender, was shot dead.&nbsp;
The younger man, who's suspected of orchestrating the attack, had previously been investigated by the country's security agency and hadn't been considered a threat.&nbsp;
But Massey University Defence Studies Professor John Battersby says we shouldn't jump to conclusions until more details emerge.&nbsp;
He told Andrew Dickens intelligence capabilities are always limited by the resources put into them.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

John Battersby: Massey University Defence Studies Professor on the Bondi beach terror attack

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fc3d586b-bc87-4410-841f-b3b4011d3d79/transcript

Steve Watt: Police Association President on the roadside drug testing roll out begins

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips