The health of iconic Australian singer John Farnham has deteriorated, and he recently missed a concert event performed in his honour.

A tribute concert at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena went ahead over the weekend to raise funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, but Farnham was unable to attend. 

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the sold-out event was only broadcasted at Hoyts cinemas - meaning plenty of fans missed out on the experience. 

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The health of iconic Australian singer John Farnham has deteriorated, and he recently missed a concert event performed in his honour.
A tribute concert at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena went ahead over the weekend to raise funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, but Farnham was unable to attend.&nbsp;
Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the sold-out event was only broadcasted at Hoyts cinemas - meaning plenty of fans missed out on the experience.&nbsp;
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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

Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on Aussie singer John Farnham missing his own tribute concert amid health issues

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0e0ab846-6268-4aff-b76f-b4cc0056d471/transcript

The Trade Minister says business with India could grow more over time.

Parliament passed our Free Trade Agreement last week and it's being ratified today, with Royal Assent from the Governor-General.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon says since starting speaking positively about trade with India - it's gone up 72 percent.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's a lot of support for the FTA - and Luxon says the nation will start feeling the impacts in a month.

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The Trade Minister says business with India could grow more over time.
Parliament passed our Free Trade Agreement last week and it's being ratified today, with Royal Assent from the Governor-General.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon says since starting speaking positively about trade with India - it's gone up 72 percent.
Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's a lot of support for the FTA - and Luxon says the nation will start feeling the impacts in a month.
LISTEN ABOVE

Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the India FTA getting ratified

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c062b814-aa74-42fd-81c0-b4cc0059882d/transcript

There's disappointment among Kiwi fans today, after the Warriors lost to the Knights and ended their 2026 season.

Contentious late decisions saw Te Maire Martin called for a strip of the ball originally seen as a knock-on, and there's growing calls for an investigation.

Sportstalk host Nick Bewley unpacked what went wrong, and outlined the factors that saw the Warriors lose the match. 

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There's disappointment among Kiwi fans today, after the Warriors lost to the Knights and ended their 2026 season.
Contentious late decisions saw Te Maire Martin called for a strip of the ball originally seen as a knock-on, and there's growing calls for an investigation.
Sportstalk host Nick Bewley unpacked what went wrong, and outlined the factors that saw the Warriors lose the match.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Bewley: Sportstalk host on the Warriors losing to the Knights and ending their NRL season

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/13c3f28a-06ca-472e-a4db-b4cc0053f24e/transcript

There's a view National's plan to curb young children's screen use is fixing a phantom problem.

The party wants to ban screens and devices in early childhood centres, and limit use in the first years of primary school.

It also wants a School Start Check to identify children needing extra support.

Kindy teacher and NZEI member Sally Griffin says it might sound good to parents, but ECEs have more important things to focus on.

"Research indicates that children benefit from nature-based learning environments, with qualified teachers and great teacher-to-child ratios."

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There's a view National's plan to curb young children's screen use is fixing a phantom problem.
The party wants to ban screens and devices in early childhood centres, and limit use in the first years of primary school.
It also wants a School Start Check to identify children needing extra support.
Kindy teacher and NZEI member Sally Griffin says it might sound good to parents, but ECEs have more important things to focus on.
"Research indicates that children benefit from nature-based learning environments, with qualified teachers and great teacher-to-child ratios."
LISTEN ABOVE

Sally Griffin: NZEI member and kindergarten teacher on National's plan to limit screen time in early childhood education

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/87575ecc-db90-4206-81ad-b4cc0050d409/transcript

Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on Aussie singer John Farnham missing his own tribute concert amid health issues

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