The vice presidential candidates in the US election clashed in their first and only debate ahead of the 2024 US election.

Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance faced off over the economy, abortion, immigration, the conflict in the Middle East and energy.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the pair raised some interesting arguments over the future of energy and natural gas - a message some Kiwi politicians should really listen to. 

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The vice presidential candidates in the US election clashed in their first and only debate ahead of the 2024 US election.
Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance faced off over the economy, abortion, immigration, the conflict in the Middle East and energy.
ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the pair raised some interesting arguments over the future of energy and natural gas - a message some Kiwi politicians should really listen to.&nbsp;
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: ZB senior political correspondent recaps the Tim Walz-JD Vance debate

The message is clear as heavy rain pelts the lower South - be prepared.

A red-level heavy rain warning is in force for North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha.

NIWA reports Dunedin has already had 75 percent of its normal monthly rainfall for October.

Otago Civil Defence group controller Matt Alley said they were continuing to monitor rain as it was falling.

"We have our emergency operation centre in Dunedin city and Clutha and a coordination centre in Dunedin as well, fully activated."

Residents and visitors to Central Otago's Omakau and Ophir are under a Boil Water Notice for the time being and drinking water tankers are at the Omakau Domain and Swindon Street.

Conserve water notices remain in place for Ranfurly, Naseby and Patearoa.

LISTEN ABOVE

The message is clear as heavy rain pelts the lower South - be prepared.
A red-level heavy rain warning is in force for North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha.
NIWA reports Dunedin has already had 75 percent of its normal monthly rainfall for October.
Otago Civil Defence group controller Matt Alley said they were continuing to monitor rain as it was falling.
"We have our emergency operation centre in Dunedin city and Clutha and a coordination centre in Dunedin as well, fully activated."
Residents and visitors to Central Otago's Omakau and Ophir are under a Boil Water Notice for the time being and drinking water tankers are at the Omakau Domain and Swindon Street.
Conserve water notices remain in place for Ranfurly, Naseby and Patearoa.
LISTEN ABOVE

Matt Alley: Otago Civil Defence group controller issues warning as heavy rain hits the South Island

The latest Census data is out, with numbers for all sorts of data points from ethnicity, home ownership and income to gender and sexual identity. But the number that most interested me today is buried in the housing stats.

In 2018, when we last did the numbers, about one in every six New Zealand homes recorded mould bigger than an A4 piece of paper. More than 21 percent of households recorded dampness at home.

But despite our famously crappy housing stock, the numbers have meaningfully improved. Today, 18 percent of houses have dampness: a 3.4 percent improvement. And from one-in-six homes previously, one-in-seven households now records mould at home.

In real numbers, that's roughly 70,000 fewer damp homes and 50,000 fewer mouldy homes than we would have had if our housing was at the same standard as it was in 2018. That's a real success. 

So what's changed in that time? Obviously newer homes are more likely to be built to a better, warmer standard. But I also think you can credit some of that improvement to the healthy homes standards. And while, of course, bringing rental stock up to standard has come at an expense, it's surely nothing compared to the cost of healthcare for those who'd otherwise be getting sick in cold, damp homes. 

There's isn't all that much the previous Government can hang its hat on in terms of enduring change - but I reckon that policy is a winner.

LISTEN ABOVE

The latest Census data is out, with numbers for all sorts of data points from ethnicity, home ownership and income to gender and sexual identity.&nbsp;But the number that most interested me today is buried in the housing stats.
In 2018, when we last did the numbers, about one in every six New Zealand homes recorded mould bigger than an A4 piece of paper. More than 21 percent of households recorded dampness at home.
But despite our famously crappy housing stock, the numbers have meaningfully improved. Today, 18 percent of houses have dampness: a 3.4 percent improvement. And from one-in-six homes previously, one-in-seven households now records mould at home.
In real numbers, that's roughly 70,000 fewer damp homes and 50,000 fewer mouldy homes than we would have had if our housing was at the same standard as it was in 2018. That's a real success.&nbsp;
So what's changed in that time? Obviously newer homes are more likely to be built to a better, warmer standard. But I also think you can credit some of that improvement to the healthy homes standards. And while, of course, bringing rental stock up to standard has come at an expense, it's surely nothing compared to the cost of healthcare for those who'd otherwise be getting sick in cold, damp homes.&nbsp;
There's isn't all that much the previous Government can hang its hat on in terms of enduring change - but I reckon that policy is a winner.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Jack Tame: Here's one interesting takeaway from the Census data

Prime Minister Chris Luxon's feeling 'stoked' with today's Mood of the Boardroom survey results.

The nation's business heavy-weights have ranked Government ministers in the Herald's annual survey - and they're feeling pretty optimistic with the state of the current Government.

NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says the nation's business community always feels more positive when they get a centre-right Government aligned with their needs.

LISTEN ABOVE

Prime Minister Chris Luxon's feeling 'stoked' with today's Mood of the Boardroom survey results.
The nation's business heavy-weights have ranked Government ministers in the Herald's annual survey - and they're feeling pretty optimistic with the state of the current Government.
NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says the nation's business community always feels more positive when they get a centre-right Government aligned with their needs.
LISTEN ABOVE

Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent recaps the Tim Walz-JD Vance debate

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