/on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/rss 九一星空无限 Fri, 31 Jan 2025 07:46:57 Z en /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/sir-peter-beck-rocket-lab-founder-on-the-strength-of-the-company-his-career-history/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/sir-peter-beck-rocket-lab-founder-on-the-strength-of-the-company-his-career-history/ Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck is trying not to compare himself too much to his mega-wealthy rivals.  Jeff Bezos' Blue Origins has successfully launched its first rocket into orbit overnight, while Elon Musk's SpaceX has been launching a pair of landers towards the moon.  Rocket Lab, meanwhile, has been launching a second Varda Pioneer Spacecraft into orbit.  Beck told Tim Beveridge he's never had the capital of his two main competitors, owned by the two wealthiest people on the planet, and he probably never will.  He says the lack of money has forced Rocket Lab to innovate, which has become its strength.  In other space developments, India has docked two spacecraft for the first time, while stranded NASA astronaut Suni Williams has made her first spacewalk on the ISS.  She and her colleague Butch Wilmore aren't expected back on Earth until late March at the earliest.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 21:11:19 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/gerry-brownlee-speaker-of-the-house-reflects-on-the-behaviour-in-parliament-in-2024/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/gerry-brownlee-speaker-of-the-house-reflects-on-the-behaviour-in-parliament-in-2024/ Have the standards in New Zealand’s Parliament been slipping?  Between constant interruptions and heckling, name calling, and a haka towards the end of last year, 2024 was filled with events that drew concern about the behaviour of our MPs.  Speaker of the House, Gerry Brownlee, told Tim Beveridge that since there is now a party of reasonable size that wants to make cultural expressions that recognise their voters, they need to ask how that fits in.  He says there’s a lot of tension surrounding it, and they’re looking at ways in which they might formalise some aspects so that there isn’t the element of surprise or ambush.  Brownlee says that in the end, New Zealand has a very safe Parliament, and people shouldn’t lose sight of that.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:57:18 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/nat-fortier-sailgp-global-director-of-communications-ahead-of-the-auckland-regatta/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/nat-fortier-sailgp-global-director-of-communications-ahead-of-the-auckland-regatta/ There’s multiple debuts happening at this weekend’s SailGP regatta.   Not only is it Auckland’s hosting debut, but it’s also the first time the new high-speed titanium T-Foils will be seen in action, having been trialled for the last two years.   Nat Fortier, SailGP’s Global Director of Communications, told Tim Beveridge that the last speed record was under 100kph an hour, but now they’re seeing the boats hit just over 100kph.  She says they’re all hoping they’ll see that kind of speed out on the water this weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:27:32 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/thomas-harre-fire-and-emergency-new-zealand-responder-on-the-wildfires-in-california/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/thomas-harre-fire-and-emergency-new-zealand-responder-on-the-wildfires-in-california/ Winds have briefly eased in LA but the battle continues for firefighters trying to contain deadly wildfires.   Whole neighbourhoods have burned to the ground and many evacuated families don't know when they can return home.   Meanwhile, local authorities warn the gusts could pick up again next week.   Fire and Emergency New Zealand's Thomas Harre has worked in California.   He told Tim Beveridge the environment's very complex in terms of its terrain, fuel types, and vegetation types, as well as the number of communities affected.   Harre says that makes it very difficult to extinguish, especially combined with the current weather conditions.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:50:01 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/hordur-thordarson-metservice-forecaster-on-the-forecast-for-aucklands-weekend-of-events/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/hordur-thordarson-metservice-forecaster-on-the-forecast-for-aucklands-weekend-of-events/ The forecast isn't looking too bad for what's arguably Auckland's biggest events weekend of the summer.  Thousands are expected to descend on Eden Park over the next two nights, to see country music star Luke Combs.  The city's also placing host to Sail GP over the next two days and Auckland FC is taking on Melbourne FC at Mount Smart Stadium tomorrow night.  MetService forecaster Hordur Thordarson told Tim Beveridge it should be a mostly settled weekend for most parts of the country, including Auckland.  He says there'll be an easterly flow, reasonably warm temperatures and the odd shower, but lots of fine spells as well.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:39:17 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-banks-cutting-their-home-loan-rates/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-banks-cutting-their-home-loan-rates/ The banks are at it again.  ASB is slashing its rates this morning following a move by Westpac yesterday afternoon.  Many borrowers have been moving to floating or short-term fixed rates, anticipating further OCR cuts.  But latest forecasts show bank economists now expect the Reserve Bank to start hiking the OCR again next year.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Tim Beveridge the latest changes to advertised rates are driven more by bank competition, than by the Reserve Bank.  He's expecting a lot of competitive pressure between the banks this year as they jockey for market position.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:28:51 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-only-70-of-students-passing-ncea-level-1/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/erica-stanford-education-minister-on-only-70-of-students-passing-ncea-level-1/ There's determination from the Education Minister to continue focusing on literacy and numeracy in schools.  New data shows 70% of Level 1 students passed NCEA last year, down from 82% the previous year.  It's partly due to the new 20-credit foundational literacy and numeracy requirement.  Erica Stanford told Tim Beveridge there was a cohort of students who were getting enough credits but couldn't pass the requirements throughout the year.  She says it's why more investment was announced to target young people in 169 schools in term four.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:56:35 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/chloee-swarbrick-green-party-co-leader-reflects-on-the-scandals-tragedy-and-more-from-2024/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/chloee-swarbrick-green-party-co-leader-reflects-on-the-scandals-tragedy-and-more-from-2024/ The Green Party had a rough time in 2024, dealing with their fair share of scandals and tragedies.   From Darleen Tana’s dramatic exit and Golriz Ghahraman’s shoplifting scandal, to the death of Efeso Collins and Marama Davidson’s cancer diagnosis.   Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick told Tim Beveridge that it’s been tough.  “I do spend a lot of time reflecting on the actions that I take, and whether I’m the best person to be doing this job,” she said.  “I can tell you that I feel confident that we’ve done the best that we possibly could with those circumstances, with our values being the guiding star.”  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:46:16 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/chris-cahill-police-association-president-on-lyn-flemings-funeral-the-public-support/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/chris-cahill-police-association-president-on-lyn-flemings-funeral-the-public-support/ Police officer Lyn Fleming's life will be remembered at a full police funeral today in Nelson.   She died after she was run over while carrying out patrols in the city on New Year's Day.   The funeral will be held at the Trafalgar Centre and livestreamed on the Police website and Facebook page.   Police Association President Chris Cahill says there are unique features to a police funeral, including the police flag draped over the coffin, the police guard, and the performance of a haka.  He told Tim Beveridge that the public support from across New Zealand have been felt both in Nelson, but also in stations across the country.  Cahill says the support is always welcomed, even if it's come from incredibly tragic circumstances.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:24:09 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/mark-cameron-act-defence-spokesperson-on-the-need-to-increase-new-zealands-defence-spend/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/mark-cameron-act-defence-spokesperson-on-the-need-to-increase-new-zealands-defence-spend/ The ACT Party argues the re-election of Donald Trump is another reason for New Zealand to ramp up its Defence spend.   It's proposing an investment of at least 2% of GDP, with the current spend sitting at 0.9%.  ACT's defence spokesperson Mark Cameron says the world is becoming a less safe and predictable place, and New Zealand needs to pull its weight in traditional alliances.   He told Tim Beveridge that its incumbent on our crown to spend a bit more on investing in the men and women who wear our national colours every day to protect our national interests.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 15 Jan 2025 19:45:54 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/rinki-murphy-endocrinologist-on-the-recommendations-regarding-the-diagnosis-of-obesity/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/rinki-murphy-endocrinologist-on-the-recommendations-regarding-the-diagnosis-of-obesity/ An overhaul of how obesity is diagnosed could be on the way.  The Global Commission on Clinical Obesity has made recommendations that diagnosis is focused on measures of total body fat, not just BMI.  The paper says current practices rely too heavily on body-mass indexes.  Endocrinologist Rinki Murphy told Tim Beveridge it won't mean people can just diagnose obesity by standing in front of the mirror.  She says it becomes unhealthy when fat goes into organs, and it's not able to be seen by the bare eye.   The Global Commission on Clinical Obesity also recommends recognising two categories of obesity.  Clinical obesity would be used for cases where excess body fat is negatively affecting body functions, while pre-obesity is where a patient has excess fat but it's not having consequences yet.  Murphy says BMI will still need to be used for population data.  She says it's required for monitoring, while the two categories can be used on an individual level.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 15 Jan 2025 19:29:30 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-rising-employment-confidence-index/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-rising-employment-confidence-index/ Another sign of hope on the horizon for jobseekers.  The latest quarterly Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index has risen for the first time in over two years, off the back of a three-and-a-half-year low.  Public sector workers are more pessimistic than private sector workers about their earning prospects.  But there's growing confidence, across the board, about the availability of jobs.  Infometrics’ Brad Olsen told Tim Beveridge that it’s another sign that we’re maybe starting to reach the end of the really difficult periods people are facing.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 15 Jan 2025 19:05:14 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/paul-wood-foreign-affairs-correspondent-on-the-ceasefire-reached-between-israel-and-hamas/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/paul-wood-foreign-affairs-correspondent-on-the-ceasefire-reached-between-israel-and-hamas/ Celebrations in the streets of Israel and Gaza, with reports of ceasefire being reached.  More than 46-thousand people have been killed in the region and nearly two million people have been displaced since the conflict began in October.  BBC reports the first phase of the deal will see a six-week ceasefire and 33 of the hostages held by Hamas exchanged for hundreds Palestinian prisoners.  Foreign Affairs Correspondent Paul Wood told Tim Beveridge it's essentially the same deal that's been offered since May.  He says both sides are to blame to some extent for extending the deal, but it was largely Israel's Prime Minister prioritising destroying Hamas over getting the hostages home.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 15 Jan 2025 19:00:11 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-the-increased-optimism-from-businesses/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-the-increased-optimism-from-businesses/ Businesses are feeling optimistic they could be in for a better 2025.   The latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion from the Institute of Economic Research reveals a net 9% of firms are expecting general economic conditions to improve.   This is a jump from a net 4% feeling downbeat three months prior.  Infometrics’ Brad Olsen told Tim Beveridge that it’s definitely a good sign, however at the same time, around 26% of businesses said they had less business activity in the December quarter.  He says this could indicate the recession continued through until the end of the year.  Olsen says there’s quite a clear feeling that while last year was tough, there are better things to come.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 20:56:31 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/ziggy-alberts-australian-singer-songwriter-on-his-success-and-upcoming-album-new-love/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/ziggy-alberts-australian-singer-songwriter-on-his-success-and-upcoming-album-new-love/ Ziggy Alberts is as dedicated to song-writing as they come.  The Australian musician picked up the guitar when he was 17, releasing his first EP the following year in 2012.   He’s best known for his studio album ‘Laps Around the Sun’, which peaked at number 2 on the ARIA charts.   Alberts told Tim Beveridge that when it comes to creating his music, the first step is relative insanity, the second is all the voices in his head.  “[Songs are] so mysterious to me,” he revealed.  “Writing a story that is actually cohesive or comprehendible, that part I’m quite particular about, but I guess that the inspiration of songs, whether it be playing the guitar or a melody, they’re so spontaneous.”  “They’re such a mystery to me, and have been my whole career.”   Alberts recently released a new single, ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ - the debut of his next album, ‘New Love’, which releases February.  ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ discusses self-love and awareness, caring for ourselves so that we can care for each other.  “I read a lot of Buddhism, and it talks a lot about being responsible for that... not seeing the Buddha outside you, and you’ve gotta be, you’ve gotta be the Buddha,” Albert explained.  “I think we have to be the change we want to see in the world.”  “It’s so hard to be that kind of loving embodiment of, you know, conducting yourself and communicating in a way that is useful and hopefully breaks down barriers,” he said.  “I think that’s the challenge of humanity, really.”   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 20:36:19 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/simon-eccleshall-doctors-without-borders-head-of-programmes-on-the-need-for-aid-and-a-ceasefire-in-gaza/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/simon-eccleshall-doctors-without-borders-head-of-programmes-on-the-need-for-aid-and-a-ceasefire-in-gaza/ A humanitarian worker says a ceasefire in Gaza is desperately needed, with negotiations reaching the final stages.  The conflict has killed more than 46-thousand people in the region since the wars began with the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.  CNN reports the agreement would see a phased release of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.  Doctors Without Borders Head of Programmes Simon Eccleshall told Tim Beveridge it'd mean aid can reach those who desperately need it.  He says before the crisis 500 trucks and supplies flowed into the area every day, but now there's a fraction of that.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:37:29 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brooke-van-velden-internal-affairs-minister-on-the-changes-barring-under-18s-from-purchasing-all-lotto-products/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brooke-van-velden-internal-affairs-minister-on-the-changes-barring-under-18s-from-purchasing-all-lotto-products/ It's thought consistency is key as the Government moves to ban all under 18s from buying all Lotto products.  Currently, only Instant Kiwi products have an age limit.  Internal Affairs Minister Brooke Van Velden says neither Lotto nor retailers want to sell its products to children, but it's a legally grey area right now.  She told Tim Beveridge she expects little resistance to the change.  Van Velden says Lotto estimates just 0.2% of all tickets are bought by kids.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 19:19:34 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/char-miller-pomona-college-professor-of-environmental-analysis-on-the-wildfires-raging-in-la/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/char-miller-pomona-college-professor-of-environmental-analysis-on-the-wildfires-raging-in-la/ LA officials say the destruction caused by the deadly wildfires is "massive", "unimaginable" and unprecedented.  Firefighters are a long way off containing the largest Palisades blaze, with 86% of it thought to be burning out of control.  The death toll remains at 24, while another 23 people are still missing.  Char Miller —a Professor of Environmental Analysis at LA's Pomona College— told Tim Beveridge the firestorm has been unrelenting.  He says while they're used to fires in California, this one is different, and it feels like they're constantly under siege.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:59:32 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/chris-abercrombie-ppta-president-on-the-ncea-exam-results-releasing-today/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/chris-abercrombie-ppta-president-on-the-ncea-exam-results-releasing-today/ It's likely to be an anxious morning for 160-thousand secondary school students, who soon receive their NCEA exam results.  NZQA will upload the outcomes online, with students able to check if they've passed and if they've received Course and Certificate Endorsements or University Entrance.   PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Tim Beveridge for those disappointed with their results, it's not the end of the world.  He says one bad result won't shape someone's entire future, and there are always options available.  NZQA doesn’t reveal the exact time results will be released, but it's usually early in the day.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:45:59 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-the-intensifying-emergency-response-to-the-california-wildfires/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-us-correspondent-on-the-intensifying-emergency-response-to-the-california-wildfires/ Intense winds are once again fanning the flames of the LA wildfires.  九一星空无限talk ZB's California correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Beveridge it comes as officials are ramping up the emergency response.  He says there's an "army" of about 15 thousand firefighters on the frontline and he's never seen anything quite like it.  Arnold says it’s hard to stop embers from spreading in the blustery conditions.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:30:38 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/catherine-field-europe-correspondent-on-ryanairs-request-to-enforce-a-two-drink-maximum-before-flights/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/catherine-field-europe-correspondent-on-ryanairs-request-to-enforce-a-two-drink-maximum-before-flights/ There’s a push to limit the amount of alcohol international passengers can drink before flights.  Budget airline Ryanair is asking European aviation authorities to enforce a two drink maximum.  Europe correspondent Catherine Field says passengers are limited in the amount of duty-free alcohol they can buy.  The airline argues that should apply to bars too.  Ryanair says changing the rules would create a safer experience for passengers, with improvements to behaviour.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:04:37 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/david-seymour-act-leader-on-the-treaty-principles-bill/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/david-seymour-act-leader-on-the-treaty-principles-bill/ David Seymour’s controversial Treaty Principles Bill has faced a fair bit of opposition since its introduction.  The ACT Leader says it comes from two main camps, and in his opinion, it reinforces the need for a debate around the Treaty of Waitangi and its application.  He told Tim Beveridge that the debate has shifted to the point where it’s not about race or the Treaty, but rather about whether New Zealand is a society that gives respect and dignity to each person, or whether it’s some “backwards-looking tribal place” where people have to say their race before their ideas are heard.   Seymour believes the presentation of the bill by the media is “pretty hopeless”.  He says there was one interview on TV1 where they gave more time to the protestors that interrupted his interview, than they did him.  “It’s pretty difficult not to despair with the standards of media coverage.”  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:23:04 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/ladan-hashemi-lead-author-on-the-report-into-the-prevalence-of-childhood-trauma-in-new-zealand/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/ladan-hashemi-lead-author-on-the-report-into-the-prevalence-of-childhood-trauma-in-new-zealand/ Almost all Kiwi children experience significant trauma before the age of 10.  That's the finding of new Auckland University research, published in the European Journal of Public Health.  The study's also found children who experienced at least one traumatic event were twice as likely to be obese by the age of eight.  Lead author Ladan Hashemi told Tim Beveridge that they were looking to see if children had been exposed to things such as domestic violence, mental health issues, and alcohol misuse, which have a high prevalence in New Zealand.  She says that when all of the categories are combined, the prevalence of trauma is quite high and unsurprising.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 13 Jan 2025 19:28:19 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/max-gnojczak-food-envy-head-chef-on-the-marmite-and-chip-sandwich-coming-17th-on-the-worst-foods-list/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/max-gnojczak-food-envy-head-chef-on-the-marmite-and-chip-sandwich-coming-17th-on-the-worst-foods-list/ A Kiwi classic has been scorned.  The Marmite and chip sandwich has been named the 17th worst food in the world in Taste Atlas’ annual ranking.   Although the sandwich only scored a 2.3, the top three spots were claimed by Sweden’s Blodpalt, Spain’s Bocadillo de Sardinas, and Calskrove, also from Sweden.   Food Envy Head Chef and critic Max Gnojczak told Tim Beveridge that he was kind of confused by some of the choices, as they looked pretty decent to him.   LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 13 Jan 2025 19:08:36 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/michael-gordon-westpac-senior-economist-on-the-increasing-number-of-filled-jobs/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/michael-gordon-westpac-senior-economist-on-the-increasing-number-of-filled-jobs/ The economy may be starting to turn a corner, but it could be a slow turn.  Stats NZ figures show the number of filled jobs increased 0.3% in November – the first monthly increase in eight months.  Service sector jobs increased, but the number of primary sector and goods industries jobs declined.  Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Tim Beveridge he still expects unemployment to surpass 5% this year.  He says it does tend to lag a bit, so there's still some GDP weakness to be reflected.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:43:33 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/reid-butler-nine-news-us-correspondent-on-the-strong-wind-forecast-impacting-the-la-wildfires/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/reid-butler-nine-news-us-correspondent-on-the-strong-wind-forecast-impacting-the-la-wildfires/ There are fears fire crews will see setbacks in the efforts to contain the LA wildfires, with strong winds forecast in the hours ahead.  Thousands of firefighters are battling the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires, which have now burnt through an area larger than Hamilton.  At least 24 people have died and dozens are missing, with the death toll expected to rise.  Nine 九一星空无限 correspondent Reid Butler told Tim Beveridge fire crews have made significant gains, but that could easily be undone by the winds.  He says it'll be especially bad if the helicopters can't fly, as existing fires could spread and new fires could start.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:39:05 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-the-increase-in-job-numbers/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/brad-olsen-infometrics-principle-economist-on-the-increase-in-job-numbers/ Job numbers have picked up slightly, but not everyone's benefiting.  Latest figures from Stats NZ show the number of filled jobs rose slightly in November, for the first time in eight months.  Service sector jobs rose but primary industries and goods industry jobs declined.  Infometrics’ Brad Olsen told Tim Beveridge that it’s a bit early for it to be fully sustainable, but there is a definite shift.  He says it’s early signs of better thing to come for the economy in 2025.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:30:13 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/josh-wolf-american-actor-and-comedian-on-bringing-his-show-high-life-on-tour-to-new-zealand/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/josh-wolf-american-actor-and-comedian-on-bringing-his-show-high-life-on-tour-to-new-zealand/ One of the best storytellers in the comedy world is gracing New Zealand's shores in February. American comedian and actor Josh Wolf has been performing live for over 25 years and is now bringing his show 'High Life on Tour' down under.  Josh joins the show to talk about his long career and what Kiwis can expect from him next month.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 12 Jan 2025 22:27:43 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/hugh-devereux-mack-spokesperson-for-the-council-of-licensed-firearm-owners-on-the-public-consultation-of-the-arms-act/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/hugh-devereux-mack-spokesperson-for-the-council-of-licensed-firearm-owners-on-the-public-consultation-of-the-arms-act/ Public consultation on the rewrite of the Arms Act opens today. It has been more than 40 years since the Act was enacted, with lobby groups calling the legal firearm system fractured and confused. What are firearms owners hoping to achieve with the public consultation?  Spokesperson for The Council of Licensed Firearm Owners Hugh Devereux Mack joins the show to discuss what the government needs to consider, and how this compares to the previous consultation of the Act.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 12 Jan 2025 22:13:14 Z /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/weston-kirton-ruapehu-mayor-on-the-desert-road-closure-what-it-means-for-regional-businesses/ /on-air/holiday-breakfast/audio/weston-kirton-ruapehu-mayor-on-the-desert-road-closure-what-it-means-for-regional-businesses/ Starting today the Desert Road will be closed for two months.  Up to 20,000 vehicles could be diverted to regional roads and it will take motorist through towns like Ohakune and National Park. It is a welcome boost to Ruapehu businesses, but does this disruption mean people could give the region a miss all together? Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton joins the show to discuss what the diversion will mean.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 12 Jan 2025 21:57:06 Z