Portia Woodham Wickliffe: Black Fern's player on becoming an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Black Fern's player Portia Woodham Wickliffe has become an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to rugby.  She entered the record books last week as the Black Fern's all-time leading try scorer when she scored seven try's in a row against the United States.  She joins the sh…

Suzy Cato: TV host on becoming an officer of the New Zealand order of Merit

Known for her bright smile, catchy songs, and helping Kiwi kids socialise, speak and count, TV host Suzy Cato is now an officer of the New Zealand order of Merit.  She has been a central figure in children's programming for more than 35 years.  Cato talks to Andrew Dickens about the honour.  LIS…

Dai Henwood: Comedian on becoming an officer of the New Zealand order of merit

Comedian Dai Henwood has been honoured as an officer of the New Zealand order of merit.  It comes as he's battling stage-four bowel cancer.  He talks to Andrew Dickens about what the honour means to him.  LISTEN ABOVE. 

David Seymour: Deputy Prime Minister on stepping into his new role

New Zealand has a new Deputy Prime Minister.  ACT Leader David Seymour has officially been sworn in, taking over from New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters.  He is the first ACT Party member to take on the role.  David Seymour joins the show for his first official interview with Newstalk ZB as…

Brendan Lindsay: Sistema founder on being appointed a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

The founder of plastics storage container business Sistema Plastics Brendan Lindsay has been appointed a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Lindsay received the honour for his services to business and philanthropy, noting his work at Sistema …

Bernie Smith: Former Monte Cecilia Housing Trust CEO on Kāinga Ora's 63 tenancy terminations in the past 10 months

The Government's celebrating Kāinga Ora seeing a 600 percent rise in warnings under a new tenant crackdown.  Sixty-three Kāinga Ora tenancies have been terminated in the past 10 months.  Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says it's a result of tenants exhibiting abusive, threatening, or persi…

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the United States' measles cases and a remarkable rescue

The United States is battling a measles outbreak as the disease surges across the country.  Experts are saying a post-covid anti-vaccine movement is contributing to the rising numbers.  So far the disease has been confirmed in 30 states.  US Correspondent Richard Arnold joins the show to discuss…

Murray Olds: Australia Correspondent on Washington's call for Australia to boost its defence spending and Trump's new steel tariff

The US is trying to convince Australia to lift its defence spending “as soon as possible.” US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing for a rise of 3.5 percent. He says it's a protection measure against the threat of China. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his country will determineits o…

Lisa Crawley: Indie-pop artist on portraying vulnerability in song writing, silver scroll nominations, new EP and more

Indie-pop artist Lisa Crawley makes portraying vulnerability in song writing seem effortless.  She's built a career as a multi-instrumentalist, in demand session player and songwriter spanning multiple contents.  Lisa has a new EP out today called 'New Girl Syndrome'.  LISTEN ABOVE. 

Kevin Jenkins: Cheese Wheel founder on cottage cheese social media craze

Social media's latest obsession is ... cottage cheese!  High protein, low calorie recipes with the ingredient at its centre are going viral.  Sales are now through the roof, with Woolworths up 50 percent in the past three months.  Owner of organic cheese maker, the Cheese Wheel, Kevin Jenkins ta…