Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on being recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours

One of Newstalk ZB's most familiar voices has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours, two decades after first being sounded out. Barry Soper's been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism, recognising 43 years in the parliamentary press gallery. He sa…

Chris Bullen: Auckland University Public Health Professor on the increase in people wanting to quit vaping

More people are wanting to give up vaping, for a variety of reasons.  Almost 16,000 people reached out to Quitline last year, with a quarter enrolled in the Quit Vaping programme.  Māori make up 23 percent of those seeking support. Auckland University Public Health Professor Chris Bullen says va…

Suzie Bates: former White Fern on being awarded a New Zealand Order of Merit

Suzie Bates intends to distance herself from the White Ferns once she retires from the international game following the upcoming women's T20 Cricket World Cup in England. Bates has been awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to cricket and basketball, following a tw…

Paul Spain: Gorilla Technology futurist on the Government looking to allow the Ministry of Social Development to use AI

Caution's being urged as automated decision-making moves a step closer to use in welfare services. A bill aimed at improving efficiencies passed its third reading under urgency in Parliament on Friday.  Social Development Minister Louise Upston says it will modernise the system and reduce unneces…

Elizabeth Rata: University of Auckland professor on making the King’s Birthday Honours list

Some of the key architects of our education system are being recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours. Elizabeth Rata has been made a Dame for her services to education, including her work on the senior English curriculum over a career spanning five decades. She's among three education lead…

Wayne Mapp: former Defence Minister on US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth accusing New Zealand of freeloading

A former Defence Minister says our geographical separation should negate the need to up our defence spending. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's accused New Zealand of freeloading off the US military by spending 2 percent of GDP on defence.  He's revealed expectations that US allies spend 3.5 per…

Richard Arnold: US correspondent on the number of artists dropping out of the 'Freedom 250' concert series

A star-studded musical celebration is in the works for the United States' 250th birthday, but more big acts have been backing away. Trump's administration had publicised multiple headliners for a 'Freedom 250' concert series between 25 June and 10 July, but Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, Young MC…

Murray Olds: Australian correspondent on One Nation overtaking Labor in new poll

New polling data shows One Nation is gaining more of a political foothold in Australia. The latest The Australian Financial Review/Redbridge Group/Accent Research poll says that support for One Nation has jumped four percentage points to 31, while Labor's vote is on 28 percent. Australian corresp…

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on oil prices dropping amid Iran deal negotiations

Oil prices fell significantly throughout last week as discussions regarding an Iran deal continued to take place. Prices are down around 8 percent for the week with Brent crude around $91 a barrel. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold says rumours regarding an imminent Hormuz opening agreement c…

Murray Olds: Australia Correspondent talks ISIS brides and neo-Nazis heckling at ANZAC ceremony

A group of four women and nine children have secured flights to Australia from Damascus over the weekend, re-sparking conversations about ISIS brides returning to their home countries.  Additionally, associates of a recently disbanded neo-Nazi group were removed from an ANZAC ceremony for booing a…