Labour's calling for caution, while agreeing with National that Auckland needs a new harbour crossing. 

The Infrastructure Commission last week suggested a toll as high as $9 to fund the new crossing - and also tolling the existing bridge. 

But Chris Hipkins ruled out tolling Auckland Harbour Bridge at his State of the Nation speech yesterday. 

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why this position doesn't quite match Labour's earlier stance on extra costs for road users.

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Labour's calling for caution, while agreeing with National that Auckland needs a new harbour crossing.&nbsp;
The Infrastructure Commission last week suggested a toll as high as $9 to fund the new crossing - and also tolling the existing bridge.&nbsp;
But Chris Hipkins ruled out tolling Auckland Harbour Bridge at his State of the Nation speech yesterday.&nbsp;
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained why this position doesn't quite match Labour's earlier stance on extra costs for road users.
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

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Labour's Chris Hipkins calling for caution on tolling

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2e8e5ce8-187e-4153-ba0c-b3fb004687a0/transcript

More early childhood education centres are expected to fold under rising costs.

The Household Economic Survey shows the average weekly ECE fee has jumped from $25 in 2007, to $90 in 2023.

Early Childhood Council CEO Simon Laube says pay parity rules have driven 443 centres to shut in the past three years.

He says it drives up teacher salaries.

"But the funding from the Government doesn't follow suit, so as the salaries increase, the providers are paying more and more to pay the teachers - but the funding stays the same."

LISTEN ABOVE

More early childhood education centres are expected to fold under rising costs.
The Household Economic Survey shows the average weekly ECE fee has jumped from $25 in 2007, to $90 in 2023.
Early Childhood Council CEO Simon Laube says pay parity rules have driven 443 centres to shut in the past three years.
He says it drives up teacher salaries.
"But the funding from the Government doesn't follow suit, so as the salaries increase, the providers are paying more and more to pay the teachers - but the funding stays the same."
LISTEN ABOVE

Simon Laube: Early Childhood Council CEO on the number of ECE centres set to fold due to rising costs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2b2a3a6c-6eed-4ae7-a531-b3fb005eab89/transcript

The cost of living is hitting Kiwis hard, with new data showing Aucklanders are more likely to be worse off.

More than a third of New Zealanders have a savings balance of less than $500, according to new data from Westpac.

Westpac's Financial Wellbeing programme manager, Warren Ngan Woo, says Auckland is a big city where things cost more, which eats into people's ability to save money.

"This is just a snapshot in relation to savings, but it certainly doesn't take into account what other people have in options with their savings."

LISTEN ABOVE

The cost of living is hitting Kiwis hard, with new data showing Aucklanders are more likely to be worse off.
More than a third of New Zealanders have a savings balance of less than $500, according to new data from Westpac.
Westpac's Financial Wellbeing programme manager, Warren Ngan Woo, says Auckland is a big city where things cost more, which eats into people's ability to save money.
"This is just a snapshot in relation to savings, but it certainly doesn't take into account what other people have in options with their savings."
LISTEN ABOVE

Warren Ngan Woo: Westpac's Financial Wellbeing programme manager on the reports revealing less Kiwis have emergency savings

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/516dbc6a-a0be-46d1-93fa-b3fb005b01a7/transcript

Mercury's achieved a strong return to profit. 

BusinessDesk says the energy company's half year earnings before interest to December 31- reached $537 million.

It recorded a net $20 million dollar profit - up from a $67 million loss last year. 

Chief executive Stew Hamilton says they're doing well and don't need to raise capital. 

"We've been disciplined in how we manage our money, how we earn our money and spend it, so we're investing wisely, performing strongly - and I think that gives us options."

LISTEN ABOVE

Mercury's achieved a strong return to profit.&nbsp;
BusinessDesk says the energy company's half year earnings before interest to December 31- reached $537 million.
It recorded a net $20 million dollar profit - up from a $67 million loss last year.&nbsp;
Chief executive Stew Hamilton says they're doing well and don't need to raise capital.&nbsp;
"We've been disciplined in how we manage our money, how we earn our money and spend it, so we're investing wisely, performing strongly - and I think that gives us options."
LISTEN ABOVE

Stew Hamilton: Mercury Energy CEO on the company returning to profit

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7e46881f-4c78-4029-b481-b3fb005258c6/transcript

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on Labour's Chris Hipkins calling for caution on tolling

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