There's serious concerns political bickering is ballooning the cost of New Zealand's major construction projects.

The cost of Auckland's City Rail Link has risen over the past decade from $3.4 billion dollars to almost $5.5 billion.

Outgoing chief executive Sean Sweeney told TVNZ the lack of a clear and consistent pipe line, due to political uncertainly, is the biggest factor driving up costs.

Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett says we're really bad at pushing go on these projects, and that's driving up efficiencies.

"We don't have the guarantee across political cycles and funding cycles to lock them in and get the efficiency that a small country like New Zealand desperately needs." 

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There's serious concerns political bickering is ballooning the cost of New Zealand's major construction projects.
The cost of Auckland's City Rail Link has risen over the past decade from $3.4 billion dollars to almost $5.5 billion.
Outgoing chief executive Sean Sweeney told TVNZ the lack of a clear and consistent pipe line, due to political uncertainly, is the biggest factor driving up costs.
Infrastructure New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett says we're really bad at pushing go on these projects, and that's driving up efficiencies.
"We don't have the guarantee across political cycles and funding cycles to lock them in and get the efficiency that a small country like New Zealand desperately needs." 
LISTEN ABOVE

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Nick Leggett: Infrastructure New Zealand CEO voices concerns as City Rail Link costs blow out

The grand dreams of using the Seine in the Paris Olympics may have been better left as a dream.

A massive effort was made to clean up the river, which had bacteria levels above what could safely be swum in, so it could be used in the triathlons as well as the mixed team relay.

France Correspondent Catherine Field said that it’s already being seen as a mistake, simply because people now know what it takes to get the Seine clean.

She said that France likely wanted the shots of swimmers in the Seine, but are now regretting it.

LISTEN ABOVE

The grand dreams of using the Seine in the Paris Olympics may have been better left as a dream. 
A massive effort was made to clean up the river, which had bacteria levels above what could safely be swum in, so it could be used in the triathlons as well as the mixed team relay. 
France Correspondent Catherine Field said that it’s already being seen as a mistake, simply because people now know what it takes to get the Seine clean. 
She said that France likely wanted the shots of swimmers in the Seine, but are now regretting it. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Catherine Field: France Correspondent on whether the use of the Seine in the Paris Olympics will be seen as a mistake

Kiwi Charlie Wallace wanted to be successful playing the guitar one way or another and has succeeded in more than one way.

Wallace dropped out of school in favour of creating an online guitar lesson website, ‘Guitar Mastery Method’, which kicked off in 2014 and has taught over 1.7 million guitarists over the last decade.

The success of GMM allowed Wallace to work towards his other dream: becoming the lead guitarist of a successful rock band.

In 2018 Black Smoke Trigger was formed, releasing their first EP in 2019, which grabbed the attention of some major names in the industry.

This has all lead to the release of their first album ‘Horizons’, which Wallace told Mike Hosking is putting a stamp into the world of who they are as a band.

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Kiwi Charlie Wallace wanted to be successful playing the guitar one way or another and has succeeded in more than one way. 
Wallace dropped out of school in favour of creating an online guitar lesson website, ‘Guitar Mastery Method’, which kicked off in 2014 and has taught over 1.7 million guitarists over the last decade. 
The success of GMM allowed Wallace to work towards his other dream: becoming the lead guitarist of a successful rock band. 
In 2018 Black Smoke Trigger was formed, releasing their first EP in 2019, which grabbed the attention of some major names in the industry. 
This has all lead to the release of their first album ‘Horizons’, which Wallace told Mike Hosking is putting a stamp into the world of who they are as a band. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Charlie Wallace: Black Smoke Trigger Lead Guitarist talks Guitar Mastery Method, the band's success, and their debut album 'Horizons'

How can the Warriors build the depth to fill the void left by the retiring Shaun Johnson?

The 33-year-old halfback will finish at the end of this NRL season. 

Johnson has been an integral part of the club since debuting in 2011, helping the side to a grand final appearance that same year.

Chief executive Cameron George says they've been preparing for this moment.

He told Mike Hosking Johnson’s been thinking about it for a while now, and prefers to make these kinds of decisions while out on the field instead of while he’s off injured.

George said that when the phone rang after Saturday’s game, he felt in his stomach that Johnson wasn’t going to press on. 

LISTEN ABOVE

How can the Warriors build the depth to fill the void left by the retiring Shaun Johnson? 
The 33-year-old halfback will finish at the end of this NRL season.  
Johnson has been an integral part of the club since debuting in 2011, helping the side to a grand final appearance that same year. 
Chief executive Cameron George says they've been preparing for this moment. 
He told Mike Hosking Johnson’s been thinking about it for a while now, and prefers to make these kinds of decisions while out on the field instead of while he’s off injured. 
George said that when the phone rang after Saturday’s game, he felt in his stomach that Johnson wasn’t going to press on.  
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Leggett: Infrastructure New Zealand CEO voices concerns as City Rail Link costs blow out

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