“Other things I know about” – Seymour suggests Air NZ issues beyond reported financial downturn

The debate over asset sales has reared its head again, this time after a very grim result for our national carrier. Air New Zealand has reported an after tax $40 million loss for the six months to December. We’ve had a controversial and complicated history when it comes to selling off state asset…

Why are young women less likely to own the home they live in?

New figures show New Zealand women are significantly under-represented in property ownership.  More than half (53%) of Gen Z men and two-thirds (66%) of Millennial men own the home they live in.  That’s compared to the female figures of about a third and under half, respectively.  Today on The F…

Is cash still king, or should New Zealand go cashless?

Is cash really still King? For years, more stores are no longer accepting cash as payment and it’s easy to see why, with 94% of transactions in 2024 being digital. They’re also not obligated to either. In 2023, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand found cash usage for everyday purchases had decreased …

What will it take for dog laws to change in wake of another fatal attack?

There are calls for urgent action – after yet another fatal dog attack. The death of a 62-year-old woman in Northland marks the fourth fatal dog attack in four years. It’s while dog-related injuries and hospitalisations rise every year. ACC statistics show more than 29,200 dog-related injuries i…

Do move-on orders fix homelessness, or just push people out of sight?

Move-on orders are being pitched as a way to “reclaim” town and city centres. The Government is proposing a law which would allow Police to order someone rough sleeping or begging to leave a public space for up to 24 hours. They could be fined up to $2000 or three months in jail if they don't. C…

Royal reckoning: Inside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s public humiliation after arrest

UK police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of committing misconduct in public office. It comes after allegations the former prince shared confidential information with former financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy, a role he held from 2001 to 2…

Auckland's housing plan is changing again. What will happen over your fence now?

A step forward for housing capacity in our largest city – or a step back on housing affordability?  Auckland’s explosive debate over density planning has come to a head, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop making a U-turn on capacity limits.  It’s all got to do with the controversial “PC120” plan.…

How a Kiwi TV producer made a Hollywood escape amid fraud charges

What does New Zealand and David Hasselhoff have in common? The answer, is TV producer Alex Breingan. He has been hit with a raft of Serious Fraud Office charges... and is the same guy whose production company, Stripe Studios, owed the Baywatch star money. Turns out, he might owe a lot more peopl…

National infrastructure plan: Too much new, not enough maintenance

Fixing the leaks, not just buying bigger mops. That’s the theme of the National Infrastructure Plan released today. It looks at 17 sectors covering central government, local authorities, and commercially regulated utilities. The 30-year outline sets out how New Zealand can improve the way it pla…

More concerts, Origin coming: What Eden Park’s big shift means for Auckland

Eden Park’s gearing up for more gigs, more goals, and more growth. The number of concerts allowed each year at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium will almost triple under new rules announced today by the Government. Under the new settings, the stadium will be allowed to host up to 12 large and 20 mediu…