Snippets leaked to the British press about royal couple Harry and Meghan's plans in the UK may have spurred King Charles to take a firm stance, according to new reports.

The King released a letter clarifying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain private citizens and won't resume royal duties.

They can't use the titles His or Her Royal Highness.

Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says there'd been talk the pair wanted to ramp up their charity work. 

"The King has made it very clear that no, they are there furthering their own interests, they do not represent the monarchy or the Sovereign himself."  

LISTEN ABOVE

Snippets leaked to the British press about royal couple Harry and Meghan's plans in the UK may have spurred King Charles to take a firm stance, according to new reports.
The King released a letter clarifying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain private citizens and won't resume royal duties.
They can't use the titles His or Her Royal Highness.
Royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says there'd been talk the pair wanted to ramp up their charity work.&nbsp;
"The King has made it very clear that no, they are there furthering their own interests, they do not represent the monarchy or the Sovereign himself."&nbsp;&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

Victoria Arbiter: royal correspondent on King Charles clarifying Harry and Meghan remain non-working royals

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4a05f747-dc51-4d09-953d-b4bf006da64c/transcript

Tell you what, if you think Wellington doesn't have enough problems already, let me tell you about a new one: Wellington Zoo.

Wellington Zoo needs $14 million for its lion enclosure. It's urgent. It's not something that can be deferred. Wellington City Council needs to cough up the money.

What's more, Wellington Zoo may not be a going concern as early as the middle of next year, which means Wellington City Council will have to cough up again. The zoo will probably run a deficit of around a quarter of a million dollars next year, then another deficit the following year and another the year after that. After that, who knows?

The problem is Wellington City Council doesn't have money. It doesn't even have money for essential infrastructure, like wastewater pipes.

Meanwhile, Wellington homeowners are already paying some of the highest rates in the country, to the extent that some pensioners are considering selling their homes because they can no longer afford them. Depending on who you talk to, those rates are also hurting business. Commercial rates are placing significant pressure on some of Wellington's businesses.

So Wellington City Council does not have money for the lions.

And there's something really strange going on with the way Wellington Zoo is run.

Despite having the highest revenue for each visitor in the country, even outperforming Auckland Zoo, the council subsidy for each visitor is four times higher. Auckland Council contributes about $5 a visitor; Wellington City Council contributes about $21.

The cost per species is also considerably higher than at Auckland Zoo, Hamilton Zoo or Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park.

Now, the problem, of course, is that Wellington Zoo can't close. That's not really an option, is it?

Modern cities have zoos and for good reason kids love them. I personally hate them, but the kids love them.

I took my kids to Auckland Zoo on Saturday to see the Tasmanian devil and the ostrich and apparently it was the highlight of their weekend.

But I think Wellington City Council, because it can't simply shut the zoo down, needs to be brutal. It will always have to provide some level of funding because most zoos in New Zealand require subsidies. However, it should demand, in a way it clearly hasn't until now, that the zoo turns its finances around and explores every possible commercial opportunity.

That lion enclosure won't be the last major expense. And it's hard to justify spending money on discretionary attractions such as zoos when you're not spending enough on wastewater infrastructure and untreated sewage is flowing into the sea.

LISTEN ABOVE

Tell you what, if you think Wellington doesn't have enough problems already, let me tell you about a new one: Wellington Zoo.
Wellington Zoo needs $14 million for its lion enclosure. It's urgent. It's not something that can be deferred. Wellington City Council needs to cough up the money.
What's more, Wellington Zoo may not be a going concern as early as the middle of next year, which means Wellington City Council will have to cough up again. The zoo will probably run a deficit of around a quarter of a million dollars next year, then another deficit the following year and another the year after that. After that, who knows?
The problem is Wellington City Council doesn't have money. It doesn't even have money for essential infrastructure, like wastewater pipes.
Meanwhile, Wellington homeowners are already paying some of the highest rates in the country, to the extent that some pensioners are considering selling their homes because they can no longer afford them. Depending on who you talk to, those rates are also hurting business. Commercial rates are placing significant pressure on some of Wellington's businesses.
So Wellington City Council does not have money for the lions.
And there's something really strange going on with the way Wellington Zoo is run.
Despite having the highest revenue for each visitor in the country, even outperforming Auckland Zoo, the council subsidy for each visitor is four times higher. Auckland Council contributes about $5 a visitor; Wellington City Council contributes about $21.
The cost per species is also considerably higher than at Auckland Zoo, Hamilton Zoo or Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park.
Now, the problem, of course, is that Wellington Zoo can't close. That's not really an option, is it?
Modern cities have zoos and for good reason kids love them. I personally hate them, but the kids love them.
I took my kids to Auckland Zoo on Saturday to see the Tasmanian devil and the ostrich and apparently it was the highlight of their weekend.
But I think Wellington City Council, because it can't simply shut the zoo down, needs to be brutal. It will always have to provide some level of funding because most zoos in New Zealand require subsidies. However, it should demand, in a way it clearly hasn't until now, that the zoo turns its finances around and explores every possible commercial opportunity.
That lion enclosure won't be the last major expense. And it's hard to justify spending money on discretionary attractions such as zoos when you're not spending enough on wastewater infrastructure and untreated sewage is flowing into the sea.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Wellington Council's got another thing to worry about funding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/af5090b9-fb03-482b-a484-b4bf0074c0c0/transcript

Buller residents are rallying behind the district’s biggest employer - Bathurst Resources.

The mine company is seeking fast-track approval to expand the Stockton site, warning operations could otherwise stop by March - gutting over 200 jobs. 

An open letter in support has attracted 3,000 signatures - about a quarter of the district's adults.

Organiser of the petition, Jessie Creedmore, says without strong local support, there’s a risk the application could be declined.

"As I understand, the fast-track process is very rigorous  - I think that people that think that a fast track is a rubber-stamping exercise, that's not correct."

LISTEN ABOVE

Buller residents are rallying behind the district’s biggest employer - Bathurst Resources.
The mine company is seeking fast-track approval to expand the Stockton site, warning operations could otherwise stop by March - gutting over 200 jobs.&nbsp;
An open letter in support has attracted 3,000 signatures - about a quarter of the district's adults.
Organiser of the petition, Jessie Creedmore, says without strong local support, there’s a risk the application could be declined.
"As I understand, the fast-track process is very rigorous&nbsp; - I think that people that think that a fast track is a rubber-stamping exercise, that's not correct."
LISTEN ABOVE

Jessie Creedmore: Buller petition organiser on the growing support to expand Bathurst Resources' Stockton site

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7a71054d-f57f-4627-9ce3-b4bf00728dd9/transcript

Locals can only watch and wait as Rotorua police investigate a triple homicide after a woman and two children died last night. 

Emergency services arrived to find the children's bodies in a Glenholme property, and the woman died soon after.

A man's appeared in the District Court charged with assault in a family relationship - to reappear next month.

Rotorua Daily Post reporter Annabel Reid says neighbours who saw police arrive have been looking on today. 

"They were discussing it on the street with one another and watching as police carried out their duties - they had tape measures and markers and drones." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Locals can only watch and wait as Rotorua police investigate a triple homicide after a woman and two children died last night.&nbsp;
Emergency services arrived to find the children's bodies in a Glenholme property, and the woman died soon after.
A man's appeared in the District Court charged with assault in a family relationship - to reappear next month.
Rotorua Daily Post reporter Annabel Reid says neighbours who saw police arrive have been looking on today.&nbsp;
"They were discussing it on the street with one another and watching as police carried out their duties - they had tape measures and markers and drones."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Annabel Reid: Rotorua Daily Post reporter on the ongoing investigations into Rotorua triple homicide

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/45f8e9b0-c3f3-4cd4-9a0e-b4bf00641e8f/transcript

Victoria Arbiter: royal correspondent on King Charles clarifying Harry and Meghan remain non-working royals

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