There's concerns the economic powerhouse of the South Island will fail if the Government continues to under-invest in its transport network.

New research commissioned by southern regional councils shows the South Island accounts for 22 percent of the economy.

Despite having nearly a quarter of the population, it gets just 11 percent of transport funding.

Otago Regional Councillor Kate Wilson says the economic drive of the country is at risk. 

"Our challenge is, now, to ask the Government to provide for the funding in a much fairer way. Because if we fail in the South Island, it won't be great for the North Island either." 

LISTEN ABOVE

There's concerns the economic powerhouse of the South Island will fail if the Government continues to under-invest in its transport network.
New research commissioned by southern regional councils shows the South Island accounts for 22 percent of the economy.
Despite having nearly a quarter of the population, it gets just 11 percent of transport funding.
Otago Regional Councillor Kate Wilson says the economic drive of the country is at risk.&nbsp;
"Our challenge is, now, to ask the Government to provide for the funding in a much fairer way. Because if we fail in the South Island, it won't be great for the North Island either."&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

Kate Wilson: Otago Regional Councillor voices concerns with current South Island transport spending

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e65f48ce-5b02-4ecf-b395-b4a5004df642/transcript

A tourism leader says a National about-turn on bed taxes is a massive blow to the sector. 

The party has promised no new taxes if returned to Government, just weeks after pondering tourist and banking levies. 

Leader Chris Luxon says accommodation surcharges would hurt Kiwis wanting a weekend away in Queenstown or Auckland. 

The mayors of both cities have expressed dismay.

Destination Queenstown Chief Executive, Mat Woods, says it's a massive missed opportunity - and it could have cost Queenstown about $30 million dollars a year. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A tourism leader says a National about-turn on bed taxes is a massive blow to the sector.&nbsp;
The party has promised no new taxes if returned to Government, just weeks after pondering tourist and banking levies.&nbsp;
Leader Chris Luxon says accommodation surcharges would hurt Kiwis wanting a weekend away in Queenstown or Auckland.&nbsp;
The mayors of both cities have expressed dismay.
Destination Queenstown Chief Executive, Mat Woods, says it's a massive missed opportunity - and it could have cost Queenstown about $30 million dollars a year.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Mat Woods: Destination Queenstown CEO voices disappointment with National's u-turn on bed taxes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c7270201-ee3a-4340-984c-b4b00062ba28/transcript

Instagram and Tiktok could soon become off-limits for under-16s.

A new Online Safety Bill introduced to Parliament today requires a range of social media platforms to block teen accounts. 

It establishes a regulator to monitor compliance, and fines for companies not following the law. 

Education Minister Erica Stanford says it builds on lessons from Australia's ban. 

She says our legislation will be different in explicitly ruling out check-box age verification to make accounts.

"Lots of children were using that to get around it, so that's why you saw in the beginning that it wasn't having the same level of effectiveness." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Instagram and Tiktok could soon become off-limits for under-16s.
A new Online Safety Bill introduced to Parliament today requires a range of social media platforms to block teen accounts.&nbsp;
It establishes a regulator to monitor compliance, and fines for companies not following the law.&nbsp;
Education Minister Erica Stanford says it builds on lessons from Australia's ban.&nbsp;
She says our legislation will be different in explicitly ruling out check-box age verification to make accounts.
"Lots of children were using that to get around it, so that's why you saw in the beginning that it wasn't having the same level of effectiveness."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Erica Stanford: Education Minister on the Government moving ahead with social media ban for under-16s

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2a22ed90-03c7-43d9-a5bc-b4b0005c4494/transcript

A teen social media ban, resembling one pioneered by Australia, is being introduced to Parliament today.

The Online Safety Bill requires platforms like Instagram and TikTok to block accounts for under-16s, and set up stronger age verification. 

Failing to do so could bring penalties worth up to 10 percent of global revenue.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's important to find a solution - as social media usage is a concern impacting all parents.  

LISTEN ABOVE

A teen social media ban, resembling one pioneered by Australia, is being introduced to Parliament today.
The Online Safety Bill requires platforms like Instagram and TikTok to block accounts for under-16s, and set up stronger age verification.&nbsp;
Failing to do so could bring penalties worth up to 10 percent of global revenue.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's important to find a solution - as social media usage is a concern impacting all parents.&nbsp;&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Government introducing their own teen social media ban

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/19c42fca-deed-4552-a23c-b4b000547a6c/transcript

Kate Wilson: Otago Regional Councillor voices concerns with current South Island transport spending

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