The actions of some of our biggest polluters are set to be thrust into the spotlight.

Climate activist Mike Smith has won the right to sue seven companies —including Fonterra, Genesis, and Z Energy— for their role in contributing to climate change.

Environmental law specialist Rob Enright told Mike Hosking that the companies argued managing carbon footprints for corporates should be left to Parliament, not the courts.

He says from one angle there's a degree of judicial activism, but on the other hand, Smith and his lawyers are relying on ancient causes of action related to property and torte law.

LISTEN ABOVE

The actions of some of our biggest polluters are set to be thrust into the spotlight. 
Climate activist Mike Smith has won the right to sue seven companies —including Fonterra, Genesis, and Z Energy— for their role in contributing to climate change. 
Environmental law specialist Rob Enright told Mike Hosking that the companies argued managing carbon footprints for corporates should be left to Parliament, not the courts. 
He says from one angle there's a degree of judicial activism, but on the other hand, Smith and his lawyers are relying on ancient causes of action related to property and torte law. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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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

Rob Enright: Environmental law specialist on Mike Smith having won the right to sue companies for their role in climate change

Prince Andrew seems to be standing on increasingly thin ice. 

The UK has upheld a ban of an alleged Chinese spy who formed an "unusual degree of trust" with Prince Andrew. 

The British Home Office banned the man on national security grounds in March 2023, believing the relationship could be used for political interference. 

UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he keeps getting himself into trouble. 

He thinks it's inevitable that King Charles will cut his brother out of royal proceedings altogether. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Prince Andrew seems to be standing on increasingly thin ice.&nbsp;
The UK has upheld a ban of an alleged Chinese spy who formed an "unusual degree of trust" with Prince Andrew.&nbsp;
The British Home Office banned the man on national security grounds in March 2023, believing the relationship could be used for political interference.&nbsp;
UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he keeps getting himself into trouble.&nbsp;
He thinks it's inevitable that King Charles will cut his brother out of royal proceedings altogether.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Rod Liddle: UK Correspondent on Prince Andrew's latest scandal with the alleged Chinese spy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/52d387e0-3f6d-4b54-8386-b2480165a8a5/transcript

Even people who think councils do a fantastic job must by now understand why the Government is going to have to pass law to get councils to focus on doing their jobs. 

It has been clear to councils for about four months now that the Government wanted them to drop the distractions and just do their work. 

Yet, councils just can’t help themselves. 

Even last week Tauranga City Council voted to install unelected Māori representatives on the council, who will not improve ratepayers lives at all but will cost them money. 

Hastings Council did the same thing three months ago with the youth councillors. No extra benefit for ratepayers, but extra cost. 

Wellington City Council is today going to debate whether they should submit their feels to the Government on the Treaty Principles Bill. 

That's not their job. 

A bunch of other councils have done that too. 

These guys up and down the country show no sign that they understand they are supposed to be cutting out unnecessary spending and focusing their minds on doing their actual jobs. 

So it’s come to this – the Government announcing yesterday it will pass legalisation to force them to do their jobs. 

The four wellbeing pillars that task councils with looking after economic wellbeing, social wellbeing, cultural wellbeing, and environmental wellbeing will be scrapped. 

That was a bad idea from the last Labour Government anyway, which was so broad and meaningless it gave councils an excuse to expand their meddling into pretty much anything, because everything is a wellbeing. 

Councils will be forced to report clearly and simply, and publicly, on what they’re spending money on and what they’re charging ratepayers. 

Hopefully getting out the big stick will mean the excuses are cut, distractions are dropped, and these guys focus their minds on doing more work for less cost to ratepayers. 

Because hoping they get the message and do it voluntarily hasn’t worked. 

Even people who think councils do a fantastic job must by now understand why the Government is going to have to pass law to get councils to focus on doing their jobs.&nbsp;
It has been clear to councils for about four months now that the Government wanted them to drop the distractions and just do their work.&nbsp;
Yet, councils just can’t help themselves.&nbsp;
Even last week Tauranga City Council voted to install unelected Māori representatives on the council, who will not improve ratepayers lives at all but will cost them money.&nbsp;
Hastings Council did the same thing three months ago with the youth councillors. No extra benefit for ratepayers, but extra cost.&nbsp;
Wellington City Council is today going to debate whether they should submit their feels to the Government on the Treaty Principles Bill.&nbsp;
That's not their job.&nbsp;
A bunch of other councils have done that too.&nbsp;
These guys up and down the country show no sign that they understand they are supposed to be cutting out unnecessary spending and focusing their minds on doing their actual jobs.&nbsp;
So it’s come to this – the Government announcing yesterday it will pass legalisation to force them to do their jobs.&nbsp;
The four wellbeing pillars that task councils with looking after economic wellbeing, social wellbeing, cultural wellbeing, and environmental wellbeing will be scrapped.&nbsp;
That was a bad idea from the last Labour Government anyway, which was so broad and meaningless it gave councils an excuse to expand their meddling into pretty much anything, because everything is a wellbeing.&nbsp;
Councils will be forced to report clearly and simply, and publicly, on what they’re spending money on and what they’re charging ratepayers.&nbsp;
Hopefully getting out the big stick will mean the excuses are cut, distractions are dropped, and these guys focus their minds on doing more work for less cost to ratepayers.&nbsp;
Because hoping they get the message and do it voluntarily hasn’t worked.&nbsp;

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Councils forced the Govt to bring out the big stick

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/72ff0c41-9390-417e-b47b-b248015a05b3/transcript

The hospitality sector is optimistic about the coming season. 

On average, restaurant revenue was down 6% in the second quarter, improving markedly in quarter 3 to only 1%. 

Although Christmas started late, trading has picked up lately.  

Chef Josh Emett told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they had although September and October were down, they had a really positive August and the last six weeks have been really solid. 

He says they’re hoping for one of those lovely, bumper summers with no cyclones. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The hospitality sector is optimistic about the coming season.&nbsp;
On average, restaurant revenue was down 6% in the second quarter, improving markedly in quarter 3 to only 1%.&nbsp;
Although Christmas started late, trading has picked up lately. &nbsp;
Chef Josh Emett told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they had although September and October were down, they had a really positive August and the last six weeks have been really solid.&nbsp;
He says they’re hoping for one of those lovely, bumper summers with no cyclones.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Josh Emett: Chef on the call for hospitality workers, upcoming summer season

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/52e99ab9-194c-48f3-b6d8-b2480157f595/transcript

Rob Enright: Environmental law specialist on Mike Smith having won the right to sue companies for their role in climate change

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