Murray Olds: Australia Correspondent on the new hate speech laws hitting political opposition

Australia’s new hate speech laws have hit a speedbump.   Parliament was recalled early to pass reform that would create serious offences for hate in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.   However, the Opposition and the Greens are refusing to accept the laws in their current form.   Australia Co…

Matiu Walters: Six60 Frontman on the new album coming in February

For many, Six60 is an undeniable part of the New Zealand summer soundscape.   Their classics such as ‘Don’t Forget Your Roots’, ‘The Greatest’, and ‘Please Don’t Go’ are a staple of every backyard barbeque summer get together, and soon a few new songs will be joining the playlists.   Their fifth …

Chris Sturgeon: Destination Kaikoura Chair on the high number of tourists visiting the town

A tourism leader in Kaikoura says they're having their busiest summer season since a major earthquake almost a decade ago.   Visitor numbers reached about 220 thousand in November, up nearly 30 thousand on the year before.  Destination Kaikoura Chair Chris Sturgeon told Andrew Dickens tourism and…

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the protests in Minneapolis after ICE shot a woman dead

President Donald Trump is threatening to deploy troops to Minnesota, with heated clashes on the streets over the presence of ICE.  US Homeland Security says a federal officer has shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis after being attacked with a shovel as he tried to make an arrest.  Protests have …

Sean Lyons: Netsafe Chief Online Safety Officer on the rise in targeted online hate speech

Online hate speech in New Zealand is becoming more targeted and our system can't keep pace.  Netsafe's latest survey shows since 2018, the proportion of ethnicity-based hate speech has risen from 18% to 36%, becoming the most common reason people are targeted.  Political-based hate has also incre…

Irene Gardiner: Screen Producers' Association President on the call to force streaming giants to invest in New Zealand content and productions

Calls for the Government to force streaming giants to invest in New Zealand content as local productions struggle.   The Screen Producers' Association says Netflix, Disney, Apple and Amazon should be forced to commission local programmes or pay into a fund from their local revenue   President Ire…

David Moffett: Former New Zealand Rugby CEO on the sacking of Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach

Questions continue to swirl over Scott Robertson’s departure as All Blacks coach.  He's left halfway through his four-year deal after player frustration simmered and boiled over in a scathing internal review late last year.  NZ Rugby Chair David Kirk denies a player revolt forced Robertson out.  …

Miles Hurrell: Fonterra CEO on the volatility of dairy prices

Fonterra's boss says farmers are used to volatility in prices and payouts.  Its midpoint forecast farmgate milk price for this season now sits at $9 after a string of falls in global dairy prices.  That's more than 10% lower than last season's final payout.  Chief Executive Miles Hurrell told An…

Louise Upston: Tourism Minister on the second part of the Regional Tourism Boost plan

Another tourism announcement is set to come – another round in the Regional Tourism Boost plan.   The goal is to get international travellers out of the main centres to explore all that New Zealand has to offer.  Round two will focus on the April to June season, when there’s typically fewer trave…

Gianmarco Soresi: American stand up comedian on pushing boundaries, performing in New Zealand

If you haven’t heard the name Gianmarco Soresi, you may have seen his clips.  The American stand up comedian is a staple of shortform video platforms, with over two million follows across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.  He’s become known for his crowd work and his distinctive physicality, clamb…