There's claims that merging four Wellington Councils into one is a practical way forward to solve the region's challenges.

The mayors of Upper Hutt, Hutt City, and Porirua are holding early talks about amalgamation.

But although they're keen to merge, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says now is not the time.

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says Whanau needs to come around to the idea of a super-city.

"It seems silly - we could be up for larger funding, we should be working together. We are a very small region."

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There's claims that merging four Wellington Councils into one is a practical way forward to solve the region's challenges.
The mayors of Upper Hutt, Hutt City, and Porirua are holding early talks about amalgamation.
But although they're keen to merge, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says now is not the time.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says Whanau needs to come around to the idea of a super-city.
"It seems silly - we could be up for larger funding, we should be working together. We are a very small region."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Anita Baker: Porirua Mayor questions why Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau hasn't joined super-city amalgamation discussion

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fda80810-aa62-4b92-bfe6-b1a000531e13/transcript

The Police Association says a new pay offer doesn't meet struggling officers' needs.

The union says they'd effectively get a 0.6 percent bump, with nothing for managers.

Police Association President Steve Watt says the impacted officers have found this offer 'tough' to accept, given the demands of the job. 

"We've asked for five percent, we understand that CPI is still to come out, but we understand that the CPI figure is going to be around that four to five percent. And the reality is, for our members, anything under CPI is essentially a pay cut." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Police Association says a new pay offer doesn't meet struggling officers' needs.
The union says they'd effectively get a 0.6 percent bump, with nothing for managers.
Police Association President Steve Watt says the impacted officers have found this offer 'tough' to accept, given the demands of the job.&nbsp;
"We've asked for five percent, we understand that CPI is still to come out, but we understand that the CPI figure is going to be around that four to five percent. And the reality is, for our members, anything under CPI is essentially a pay cut."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Steve Watt: Police Association President on the new pay bump being promised to officers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9483d8ac-96dc-4e09-99fc-b44800508915/transcript

The pressure on Sir Keir Starmer keeps ramping up in the UK.

Labour had a disastrous showing in local elections at the end of last week - a reflection of the Prime Minister's growing unpopularity.

The party lost a total 1500 councillors across England, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party picking up steam.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Starmer is set to give a speech addressing the situation, but there's growing calls to replace him as party leader. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The pressure on Sir Keir Starmer keeps ramping up in the UK.
Labour had a disastrous showing in local elections at the end of last week - a reflection of the Prime Minister's growing unpopularity.
The party lost a total 1500 councillors across England, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party picking up steam.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Starmer is set to give a speech addressing the situation, but there's growing calls to replace him as party leader.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Labour's poor showing at the local elections

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/46da396f-5227-406e-9e37-b4470088a85d/transcript

The Green Party's written to Government ministers asking them to use their majority owner status to pressure major gentailers to reduce power prices.

Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says shareholding ministers, Simeon Brown and Nicola Willis, can write to the gentailers and require them to do more on energy hardship programmes. 

She suggests they could also call for retail prices not to surpass inflation.

Energy economist Geoff Bertram says it's time action was taken to bring down the impact of the major gentailers.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Green Party's written to Government ministers asking them to use their majority owner status to pressure major gentailers to reduce power prices.
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says shareholding ministers, Simeon Brown and Nicola Willis, can write to the gentailers and require them to do more on energy hardship programmes.&nbsp;
She suggests they could also call for retail prices not to surpass inflation.
Energy economist Geoff Bertram says it's time action was taken to bring down the impact of the major gentailers.
LISTEN ABOVE

Geoff Bertram: energy economist on the Greens calling for the Government to bring down power prices

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/14d40bf5-369f-4b05-ad20-b44700876ba1/transcript

Anita Baker: Porirua Mayor questions why Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau hasn't joined super-city amalgamation discussion

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