A former Trade Minister says he's very encouraged by National's election promise that it'll pursue trade talks with seven economies.

It says it would prioritise trade talks with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.

It's also promised to advance negotiations with a further six countries over the next decade.

Tim Groser says if you don't aim high, you achieve low. 

"It's possible - and even if they fall short, it's certainly going to set the direction of travel."

LISTEN ABOVE

A former Trade Minister says he's very encouraged by National's election promise that it'll pursue trade talks with seven economies.
It says it would prioritise trade talks with Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay and the European Free Trade Association.
It's also promised to advance negotiations with a further six countries over the next decade.
Tim Groser says if you don't aim high, you achieve low.&nbsp;
"It's possible - and even if they fall short, it's certainly going to set the direction of travel."
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

Tim Groser: former Trade Minister 'encouraged' by Government outlining future trade plan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/82a7a755-fe6f-4b4c-b5b2-b47f005ffe59/transcript

The Wellington Rugby Referees Association has opted not to appoint officials for this weekend’s fixtures amid ongoing abuse.

The move follows three instances of verbal abuse of referees during weekend games.

Wellington Rugby Referees Association president and chair Ben van Berkel says this follows an accumulation of incidents that took place over the past year. 

"Referees are a resilient bunch, but we've also said that the behaviour we walk past on is the behaviour we accept - so we want to make sure that we report all the incidents this year."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Wellington Rugby Referees Association has opted not to appoint officials for this weekend’s fixtures amid ongoing abuse.
The move follows three instances of verbal abuse of referees during weekend games.
Wellington Rugby Referees Association president and chair Ben van Berkel says this follows an accumulation of incidents that took place over the past year.&nbsp;
"Referees are a resilient bunch, but we've also said that the behaviour we walk past on is the behaviour we accept - so we want to make sure that we report all the incidents this year."
LISTEN ABOVE

Ben van Berkel: Wellington Rugby Referees Association president on the organisation not appointing officials this weekend amid abuse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/02ace218-881c-4824-a726-b47f006cdd8d/transcript

Genesis is calling on the Government to ban incandescent light bulbs as New Zealand lags behind many other countries. 

It says swapping them out for LED bulbs can save households about $300 a year. 

Genesis chief revenue officer Stephen England-Hall says he's backing a ban because they're not being taken off the shelves voluntarily yet. 

He says the difference between the two types is massive. 

"A dollar of electricity gives you about 250 hours of LED lighting and $1 of electricity gives you 25 hours or less on an incandescent bulb."

LISTEN ABOVE

Genesis is calling on the Government to ban incandescent light bulbs as New Zealand lags behind many other countries.&nbsp;
It says swapping them out for LED bulbs can save households about $300 a year.&nbsp;
Genesis chief revenue officer Stephen England-Hall says he's backing a ban because they're not being taken off the shelves voluntarily yet.&nbsp;
He says the difference between the two types is massive.&nbsp;
"A dollar of electricity gives you about 250 hours of LED lighting and $1 of electricity gives you 25 hours or less on an incandescent bulb."
LISTEN ABOVE

Stephen England-Hall: Genesis Energy chief revenue officer on the company calling for a ban on incandescent light bulbs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/283fc8b9-fede-4225-bc17-b47f00696256/transcript

There's a push to address potential issues with calls made by the child protection unit at Auckland's Starship hospital.

A Newsroom investigation's looked into the team responsible for providing a medical perspective on whether parents have abused their children.

International experts repeatedly found these doctors didn't consider other explanations, like severe vitamin D deficiencies, or injuries sustained during birth.

Newsroom investigative journalist Melanie Reid says these cases escalate quickly - so accountability's needed.

"There needs to be a big, wide ranging review of what is going on, because there's so many cases."

LISTEN ABOVE

There's a push to address potential issues with calls made by the child protection unit at Auckland's Starship hospital.
A Newsroom investigation's looked into the team responsible for providing a medical perspective on whether parents have abused their children.
International experts repeatedly found these doctors didn't consider other explanations, like severe vitamin D deficiencies, or injuries sustained during birth.
Newsroom investigative journalist Melanie Reid says these cases escalate quickly - so accountability's needed.
"There needs to be a big, wide ranging review of what is going on, because there's so many cases."
LISTEN ABOVE

Melanie Reid: Newsroom investigative journalist on the calls to investigate Starship hospital

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f97dfbac-d505-4f65-8d50-b47f0065e734/transcript

Tim Groser: former Trade Minister 'encouraged' by Government outlining future trade plan

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