Over in the US, both vice presidential candidates just had their first and only debate ahead of the November election.

Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over hot-button issues including the Middle East crisis, immigration, taxes, and climate change - to name a few.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this debate felt more civilised than the Trump-Harris clash from September - but Vance delivered the better performance.

"Vance was obviously much more polished, Walz came off as a little more nervous, especially off the top - but he has said before that he doesn't like speaking in front of crowds and gets a little nervous and flustered. But I'll tell you this - both seemed more respectful of one another than Trump and Harris did."

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Over in the US, both vice presidential candidates just had their first and only debate ahead of the November election.
Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over hot-button issues including the Middle East crisis, immigration, taxes, and climate change - to name a few.
US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this debate felt more civilised than the Trump-Harris clash from September - but Vance delivered the better performance.
"Vance was obviously much more polished, Walz came off as a little more nervous, especially off the top - but he has said before that he doesn't like speaking in front of crowds and gets a little nervous and flustered. But I'll tell you this - both seemed more respectful of one another than Trump and Harris did."
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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

Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent recaps the JD Vance - Tim Walz vice-presidential 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.

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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.
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Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent recaps the JD Vance - Tim Walz vice-presidential debate

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