There's new insights into New Zealand's ancient fauna from a 20-year dig.

An international team of palaeontologists researching the St Bathans fossil site in Central Otago have concluded kakapo, small wrens, bats and freshwater limpets arrived well before other well known species - like kiwi and moa.

Canterbury Museum Senior Natural History Curator Paul Scofield says they also uncovered signs of other surprising animals living here.

"We had two species of crocodile - and we believe that they most likely became extinct at the beginning of the ice age about two or three years ago."

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There's new insights into New Zealand's ancient fauna from a 20-year dig.
An international team of palaeontologists researching the St Bathans fossil site in Central Otago have concluded kakapo, small wrens, bats and freshwater limpets arrived well before other well known species - like kiwi and moa.
Canterbury Museum Senior Natural History Curator Paul Scofield says they also uncovered signs of other surprising animals living here.
"We had two species of crocodile - and we believe that they most likely became extinct at the beginning of the ice age about two or three years ago."
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

Paul Scofield: Canterbury Museum Senior Natural History Curator on the shocking insights about New Zealand's native fauna

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/28443a48-6314-4d1c-a1ca-b1e1006f32cf/transcript

Nicola Willis is hinting National could introduce more income tax cuts if the party's re-elected, but Kiwis may have to wait for them.

Speaking on a panel at BusinessNZ’s election conference in Wellington, Willis said the party has been monitoring 'bracket creep' and adjustments could be made after a return to surplus. 

OliverShaw Tax Partner Robin Oliver says there's a case for indexing the tax rates, and the Government should be transparent if they need to make changes. 

"We should legislate that each year, the Government should be transparent, it should go to the public and say - actually, we need to increase the tax rates on middle-income New Zealanders because we're going to spend it on healthcare, ED, what have you."

LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis is hinting National could introduce more income tax cuts if the party's re-elected, but Kiwis may have to wait for them.
Speaking on a panel at BusinessNZ’s election conference in Wellington, Willis said the party has been monitoring 'bracket creep' and adjustments could be made after a return to surplus.&nbsp;
OliverShaw Tax Partner Robin Oliver says there's a case for indexing the tax rates, and the Government should be transparent if they need to make changes.&nbsp;
"We should legislate that each year, the Government should be transparent, it should go to the public and say - actually, we need to increase the tax rates on middle-income New Zealanders because we're going to spend it on healthcare, ED, what have you."
LISTEN ABOVE

Robin Oliver: OliverShaw Tax Partner on Nicola Willis hinting income tax cuts could come if National re-elected

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/53fe0f27-8ce9-4d13-9762-b4c6007b2534/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15 September.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 15 September. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 15 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/29372ae9-51ea-4d60-af3c-b4c60076b3b6/transcript

The Local Government Minister says he makes no apology, after a recent spat with Auckland mayor Wayne Brown.

The Government announced it's moving to ban voting rights for non-elected members of council committees.

Brown's now threatened to pull out of the Auckland Deal, and sent a terse message to Simon Watts - telling him to 'butt out' of the council’s democratic processes.

Watts says democracy is non-negotiable.

"Elected representatives are accountable to their communities, and voting rights should reflect that." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Local Government Minister says he makes no apology, after a recent spat with Auckland mayor Wayne Brown.
The Government announced it's moving to ban voting rights for non-elected members of council committees.
Brown's now threatened to pull out of the Auckland Deal, and sent a terse message to Simon Watts - telling him to 'butt out' of the council’s democratic processes.
Watts says democracy is non-negotiable.
"Elected representatives are accountable to their communities, and voting rights should reflect that."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Simon Watts: Local Government Minister stands by comments directed at Auckland mayor Wayne Brown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3999dc66-c018-436f-80a1-b4c600753c3a/transcript

Paul Scofield: Canterbury Museum Senior Natural History Curator on the shocking insights about New Zealand's native fauna

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