Chris Pugsley: Historian slams culture ministry for axing Heritage Trails website for Gallipoli

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is removing the Ngā Tapuwae Heritage Trails website for Gallipoli and the Western Front in what Historian Chris Pugsley believes is a cost cutting measure and a result of firing historians.  Pugsley spoke to Kerre Woodham, slamming the move.  LISTEN…

Kerre Woodham: The entire fuel situation is a mess

How about that petrol, eh? I filled up on Thursday, as usual, that's my usual day. Just the car, no jerry cans, no oil drums, thanks very much, and I thought to myself, $2.95 - she's getting up there. Bargain now, looking at the pumps. Our colleague Kylie, who has to travel north most weekends, re…

Hera Eruera: Certified Plumber at Auckland Plumbers Group on the job and lack of women in trades

Women are still underrepresented in the trades.  Despite employing more than 300,000 people, women only make up around 16% of those working in the construction sector.   Chair of construction firm Naylor Love, Jackie Lloyd is interested in seeing more women enter the industry and play a role in l…

Kerre Woodham: Are you feeling fuel anxiety?

Today we thought it would be Fuel Friday because we haven't really touched on the oil crisis so far, have we? I filled up at my local on the way to work and it was certainly more expensive than it was last week, but nowhere near the heights we've reached previously. Back in the day I had to give up…

Kerre Woodham: Is the primary teachers' union causing friction?

For nine months now, the Public Service Commission has been negotiating with the primary school teachers union over pay and conditions. Every other union in the education sector has settled, but not the NZEI Te Riu Roa. There have been strikes, there have been rejected pay offers, in some cases off…

Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist on New Zealand's economic response to the Covid pandemic

New Zealand’s economic response to the Covid pandemic is under scrutiny.  The second phase of the Covid Inquiry found New Zealand’s overall pandemic response effective, but some restrictions went too far, and the Government moved too slowly in some areas.  It highlights our Covid increase on heal…

Johan Norberg: Cato Institute Senior Fellow on Sweden's Covid response compared to New Zealand's

Comparisons are being drawn between New Zealand’s approach to Covid, and Sweden’s.   The findings of the second phase of the Covid Inquiry were released yesterday, and the response was found to be broadly effective, but slow to adapt and poorly communicated.  It also found some mandates to be ove…

Kerre Woodham: Do you feel our Covid response was successful?

We all seem to be suffering from Long Covid. It's lingering as the findings of the second phase of the Covid-19 response inquiry were released yesterday. And what its findings were pretty much depends on what media you read. According to RNZ, it found the Government's response was effective but lat…

Kerre Woodham: Are parents restricting their kids' online access?

The Government is doing its bit to protect children from themselves by banning the use of smartphones during the school day and by moving to bring in legislation restricting social media use for children under 16. The schools are doing their bit, although it's more mopping up than prevention, by br…

Casey Costello: Customs Minister on the changing fees and levies for small parcels entering New Zealand

Shipping prices could soon be rising for cheap online stores like Shein and Temu.  Changes from next month will add fees and levies to small parcels crossing the border, making them fairer and helping cover Customs costs.  It should save taxpayers $70 million in parcel subsidies.  Customs Minist…