Fans of the reggae and pop scenes will be very familiar with the works of UB40.

The English band was formed in the late 1970’s, going through a few iterations as their music finds international success.

Robin Campbell is a founding member of the band, having stuck with it for 45 years, throughout the drama, court cases, and a revolt.

They’re popping over to New Zealand with the release of their 21st album ‘UB45’ stopping by Auckland and Christchurch in October on their ‘Red Red Wine Tour’.

Campell told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that they have a few extra members in the band and a couple of new guys.

“We’re firing on all cylinders, having a ball.”

45 years is quite a significant amount of time for a band to be running, and Campbell said it’s always kind of a ‘pinch me’ moment.

“You know, how the, how the heck are we still doing this after 45 years? Why are we so popular? How did we get so lucky?”

The secret for them is doing what they love and hoping their fans and friends come along with them.

“It’s just the way it’s always been for us, it’s always worked.”

“It’s a wonderful position to be in.”

UB45 releases Friday, 19th of April.

The Red Red Wine Tour will be coming to Christchurch on October 8th and Auckland on October 10th.

LISTEN ABOVE

Fans of the reggae and pop scenes will be very familiar with the works of UB40. 
The English band was formed in the late 1970’s, going through a few iterations as their music finds international success. 
Robin Campbell is a founding member of the band, having stuck with it for 45 years, throughout the drama, court cases, and a revolt. 
They’re popping over to New Zealand with the release of their 21st album ‘UB45’ stopping by Auckland and Christchurch in October on their ‘Red Red Wine Tour’. 
Campell told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that they have a few extra members in the band and a couple of new guys. 
“We’re firing on all cylinders, having a ball.” 
45 years is quite a significant amount of time for a band to be running, and Campbell said it’s always kind of a ‘pinch me’ moment. 
“You know, how the, how the heck are we still doing this after 45 years? Why are we so popular? How did we get so lucky?” 
The secret for them is doing what they love and hoping their fans and friends come along with them. 
“It’s just the way it’s always been for us, it’s always worked.” 
“It’s a wonderful position to be in.” 
UB45 releases Friday, 19th of April.
The Red Red Wine Tour will be coming to Christchurch on October 8th and Auckland on October 10th.
LISTEN ABOVE

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, 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

Robin Campbell: Founding member of UB40 on their newest album and their 'Red Red Wine Tour'

Even our sports are being impacted by the rising costs and turbulent economy.

South Canterbury Rugby Union have had to pull out of the Ranfurly Shield as they can’t afford to play.

CEO Tim Hyde-Smith told Mike Hosking that it would cost them about $50,000 to get up to Hawke’s Bay to challenge the Magpies for the shield, of which they only managed to raise 30%.

He said that they’d been very privileged to challenge the last two years, but sponsorship and grant money wasn’t forthcoming this year.

LISTEN ABOVE

Even our sports are being impacted by the rising costs and turbulent economy. 
South Canterbury Rugby Union have had to pull out of the Ranfurly Shield as they can’t afford to play. 
CEO Tim Hyde-Smith told Mike Hosking that it would cost them about $50,000 to get up to Hawke’s Bay to challenge the Magpies for the shield, of which they only managed to raise 30%. 
He said that they’d been very privileged to challenge the last two years, but sponsorship and grant money wasn’t forthcoming this year. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Tim Hyde-Smith: South Canterbury Rugby CEO on the club pulling out of the Ranfurly Shield due to costs

One NZ’s earnings are up, but it’s outlook for 2025 isn't as positive.

The teleco’s operating earnings jumped 13% to $600 million in the year to March 31st, 2024.

However, they’ve predicted flat earnings for 2025, somewhere between $580 million and $620 million.

One NZ CEO Jason Paris told Mike Hosking that they’re calling it flat for next year as they think the economy will continue to be a bit challenging.

He said they’re lucky that they’re an essential service, but they will be tightening their own belts and ensuring they’re running as efficiently as possible to mitigate the impact of any future economic strain.

LISTEN ABOVE

One NZ’s earnings are up, but it’s outlook for 2025 isn't as positive. 
The teleco’s operating earnings jumped 13% to $600 million in the year to March 31st, 2024. 
However, they’ve predicted flat earnings for 2025, somewhere between $580 million and $620 million. 
One NZ CEO Jason Paris told Mike Hosking that they’re calling it flat for next year as they think the economy will continue to be a bit challenging. 
He said they’re lucky that they’re an essential service, but they will be tightening their own belts and ensuring they’re running as efficiently as possible to mitigate the impact of any future economic strain. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Jason Paris: One NZ CEO on the teleco's operating earnings and their outlook for next year

Here are a couple of things I know about education.

The first is that we aren't that good at it and our results, whether PISA scores, or kids leaving school without proper qualifications, or even turning up in the first place, speak loud and clear on this.

The second is that although the unions argue more money is the answer, it is, and it isn't.

In New South Wales at the moment, they are handing out $30,000 dollar bonuses for teachers in tricky-to-fill subjects. They still aren't filling them.

I think teachers should earn more, in some cases a lot more. But not just for the sake of it. In a way, they are two different subjects. Does paying a teacher more make a kid show up more? No.

And that's where charter schools fit in.

We had a crack at them a while back and, generally, they seemed to make a difference. But Labour got picked by New Zealand First in 2017 and ideology ruled the day and that was that.

Ideology is one of the greatest problems of all. It should not rule education.

The same way we need a long-term pipeline for major infrastructure that transcends governments, we need the same for education.

But when charter schools are raised the unions don’t like them because charter schools aren't necessarily pro-union. We also have Cabinet papers released Friday that suggest funding might be an issue, depending on the size of the school. In other words, each pupil is allocated a base level of money and that funding travels with the student.

The long-argued point by critics is charter schools get better funded.

What charter schools do is offer choice, and choice in education, as in life, is no bad thing.

The idea that a broad-based, state-funded mass model that results, stats and observations show without a shadow of a doubt doesn’t work, is somehow the only way to do things is short sighted to say the least.

For many of us it worked fine. We went to the local, hated a lot of it, put up with the rest, the odd one had fun and we passed our exams and moved on.

But life isn't like that anymore. We know we are failing, it's indisputable. So instead of embracing change or something new, we want to spend more time bitching over ideology.

If you hate the charter school idea, show me the one you love. Finding a paper, or a critic, or a unionist isn't hard.

Getting kids well educated apparently is.

So how about we change it up a bit?

Here are a couple of things I know about education. 
The first is that we aren't that good at it and our results, whether PISA scores, or kids leaving school without proper qualifications, or even turning up in the first place, speak loud and clear on this. 
The second is that although the unions argue more money is the answer, it is, and it isn't. 
In New South Wales at the moment, they are handing out $30,000 dollar bonuses for teachers in tricky-to-fill subjects. They still aren't filling them. 
I think teachers should earn more, in some cases a lot more. But not just for the sake of it. In a way, they are two different subjects. Does paying a teacher more make a kid show up more? No. 
And that's where charter schools fit in. 
We had a crack at them a while back and, generally, they seemed to make a difference. But Labour got picked by New Zealand First in 2017 and ideology ruled the day and that was that. 
Ideology is one of the greatest problems of all. It should not rule education. 
The same way we need a long-term pipeline for major infrastructure that transcends governments, we need the same for education. 
But when charter schools are raised the unions don’t like them because charter schools aren't necessarily pro-union. We also have Cabinet papers released Friday that suggest funding might be an issue, depending on the size of the school. In other words, each pupil is allocated a base level of money and that funding travels with the student. 
The long-argued point by critics is charter schools get better funded. 
What charter schools do is offer choice, and choice in education, as in life, is no bad thing. 
The idea that a broad-based, state-funded mass model that results, stats and observations show without a shadow of a doubt doesn’t work, is somehow the only way to do things is short sighted to say the least. 
For many of us it worked fine. We went to the local, hated a lot of it, put up with the rest, the odd one had fun and we passed our exams and moved on. 
But life isn't like that anymore. We know we are failing, it's indisputable. So instead of embracing change or something new, we want to spend more time bitching over ideology. 
If you hate the charter school idea, show me the one you love. Finding a paper, or a critic, or a unionist isn't hard. 
Getting kids well educated apparently is. 
So how about we change it up a bit?

Robin Campbell: Founding member of UB40 on their newest album and their 'Red Red Wine Tour'

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