/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/rss ¾ÅÒ»ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ Sat, 22 Feb 2025 03:26:28 Z en /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-talks-charities-infrastructure-nursing-shortage/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-talks-charities-infrastructure-nursing-shortage/ Hints from the Prime Minister around upcoming changes to charities and taxes.  Christopher Luxon told Kerre Woodham the Goverment's speaking about whether people are "rorting the system" and taking advantage of charities registration.  He says he spoke with Finance and Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis, about the matter just yesterday.  Luxon told Woodham some organisations present as a charity but maybe aren't doing charitable work.  He's telling people to keep their eyes on the Budget - around taxation and charity status.  The Prime Minister's also calling for some nurses to take on roles outside hospitals to ease burden on the system.  Christopher Luxon admitted we've got a lot of nurses coming through the system, but don't always have places for them in hospitals.  Luxon told Kerre Woodham we desperately need them in primary and aged care, and in some cases, it takes weeks to get a GP appointment.  He says there's an opportunity to think about how we use our nurses - like nurse practitioners who can increasingly do the work a GP does.  The Prime Minister's also keen to reach across the political aisle in a bid to secure a bipartisan approach to infrastructure.   Luxon revealed he's been in conversation with Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds, who's supportive of elements of the Government's infrastructure pipeline plan.   Luxon told Woodham that for the Government to actually get things done when it comes to the country's infrastructure problems, a bipartisan solution must be found.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:00:57 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/greg-sayers-rodney-councillor-on-auckland-councils-plans-to-mitigate-flooding-in-kume%C5%AB-moving-the-town-centre/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/greg-sayers-rodney-councillor-on-auckland-councils-plans-to-mitigate-flooding-in-kume%C5%AB-moving-the-town-centre/ Kumeū wants to move.  Auckland Council's laid out its plan for Kumeū to try to mitigate the impacts of flooding.   Although they had three ideas for mitigation, the council's found no viable solution to the town's history of floods, as none of the options would drop the flood levels by 1 meter as needed.  About 200 people attended a public meeting in Auckland's northwest last night to discuss the issue.  Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers says those attending want a plan to move the town's centre.  He says they also committed to creating stronger rules to prevent people building houses in flood zones.  LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 17 Feb 2025 23:39:07 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/dame-jools-topp-topp-twins-member-on-destiny-churchs-anti-lgbtq-protestors/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/dame-jools-topp-topp-twins-member-on-destiny-churchs-anti-lgbtq-protestors/ The Prime Minister says anti-LGBTQ protestors linked to Destiny Church, went too far in disruptions yesterday. Members of the church's Man Up and Legacy groups, stormed a children's drag event at a west Auckland library - where about 30 people had to be barricaded inside. Later, police intervened, when the the same group also disrupted Pride Parade festivities, on Ponsonby Road, with a haka. The Topp Twins also made a statement on their social media saying “We will not be intimidated. We will not stand for violence. We are vibrant, strong, beautiful and loving. We will not go away."  Dame Jools Topp joins the show. LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 16 Feb 2025 21:52:40 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/lachlan-mcnamee-lecturer-of-politics-at-monash-university-on-the-situation-between-new-zealand-and-the-cook-islands/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/lachlan-mcnamee-lecturer-of-politics-at-monash-university-on-the-situation-between-new-zealand-and-the-cook-islands/ Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he's aware there's strong interest in the outcomes of his China visit, and will share details in the coming days.   Foreign Minister Winston Peters has expressed concern the Cook Islands didn't properly consult New Zealand on its proposed agreements with China.    Brown says he's engaged in critical discussions over the past days, opening the door to such collaboration as expanding marine research, and improving climate resilience.    He says every conversation is guided by what's best for the Cook Islands.  Dr Lachlan McNamee, Lecturer of Politics at Monash University, told Kerre Woodham that since the agreement is likely be focusing on things like fishing and deep sea mining, you can see why Brown may not have thought it was necessary to consult New Zealand.  However, he says, it’s still a bit impolite, and is probably a legacy of the bad blood that was created last year when the proposal to create a separate Cook Islands passport was vetoed.  McNamee says the situation is certainly not something you would expect between close diplomatic partners like New Zealand and the Cook Islands.  LISTEN ABOVE  Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:12:49 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/alan-thomsen-anz-head-of-customer-protection-on-romance-scams/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/alan-thomsen-anz-head-of-customer-protection-on-romance-scams/ It may be Valentine's Day but not everything in love is chocolates and roses.  Romance scams are affecting an increasing number of Kiwis, fraudsters crafting elaborate fake relationships and emotional connections in order to convince their victims to send money.   Last week the Herald reported on a woman who wasted two years and more than $375,000 on what turned out to be a romance scam with an impersonation of actor Martin Henderson.  ANZ’s Head of Customer Protection Alan Thomsen told Kerre Woodham that there’s a misconception that those who fall victim to romance scams are all over the age of 60, but a third of their victims are under the age of 45.   He says that many victims are in a vulnerable state, and it’s important for people to stop and pause before committing to anything.  ANZ is also making an effort to educate and raise awareness around romance scams, creating a unique rose. The “Scammers Bloom”, is a beautiful long-stemmed rose - the ultimate symbol of love - and while it looks beautiful, once you get closer you realise it smells fishy. The special blooms will be available at their pop-up shop 'Love Stinks' in Ponsonby, Auckland.  The bouquets come with a charming collection of Valentine’s Day cards which help normalise talking about romance scams, and give people the tips to help look out for and avoid romance scams. LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:28:27 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/chris-quin-foodstuffs-north-island-ceo-on-the-governments-plans-to-tackle-the-supermarket-duopoly/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/chris-quin-foodstuffs-north-island-ceo-on-the-governments-plans-to-tackle-the-supermarket-duopoly/ The Government this morning laid out it's intentions to tackle New Zealand's two-horse supermarket race.  Economic Growth and Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government has the power to make the market more attractive and encourage a third player.  They’re planning to remove regulations discouraging other supermarkets competing.  Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin told Kerre Woodham that it’s not a surprise.  He says competition is good for the supermarket sector, and the actions they took were always with the assumption that new competition could come at any time.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:58:28 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/nicola-willis-economic-growth-and-finance-minister-on-the-governments-intentions-to-tackle-the-supermarket-duopoly/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/nicola-willis-economic-growth-and-finance-minister-on-the-governments-intentions-to-tackle-the-supermarket-duopoly/ There’s growing potential for a new player to tackle New Zealand's two-horse supermarket race.  The Government's laying out intentions to encourage a third player to challenge the two incumbents of Foodstuffs and Woolworths.  It's planning to remove regulations discouraging other supermarkets competing.  Economic Growth and Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Kerre Woodham the Government has the power to make the market more attractive.  She confirms there's interest, and says she’s been informed there has been a proposal.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 12 Feb 2025 21:49:05 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/andrew-geddis-university-of-otago-law-professor-on-david-seymours-recent-scandals-and-the-possibility-of-executive-orders/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/andrew-geddis-university-of-otago-law-professor-on-david-seymours-recent-scandals-and-the-possibility-of-executive-orders/ A belief economic pain is driving a dip in the polls for the right, rather than Coalition dynamics.  Two polls out yesterday showed support dropping for Christopher Luxon as preferred Prime Minister, and the figures would let the left bloc form a Government.  Luxon told reporters his team is focused on the job at hand, prioritising economic growth.  He has rejected calls to act more like Donald Trump in signing executive orders, saying we have a different political system.  University of Otago Law Professor Andrew Geddis told Kerre Woodham the US President is elected on a separate basis and has powers specific to the role that allow things like executive orders.  He says that in New Zealand, the Prime Minister is the head of the executive branch but only insofar as Parliament lets them be.   Geddis also notes that many of the things Trump is doing are flat out illegal, as he can’t use executive orders to overturn the Constitution.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:54:04 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-at-large-on-the-governments-new-visa-plan-for-economic-growth-1/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-at-large-on-the-governments-new-visa-plan-for-economic-growth-1/ Kerre Woodham speaks to NZ Herald Business Editor at Large, Liam Dann, to explain how the changes to foreign investor visas will grow our economy. LISTEN ABOVE. Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:14:15 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/kerre-woodham-are-we-sure-foreign-investment-will-grow-our-economy/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/kerre-woodham-are-we-sure-foreign-investment-will-grow-our-economy/ The government, as you will have heard, is relaxing immigration settings to encourage migrants to invest in New Zealand businesses. While everyone was at the beach yesterday making the most of the golden weather the Prime Minister was suited and booted and spelling out the changes to the Active Investore Plus (AIP) visa category to the Auckland Business Chamber. The way it works is that there will be two “simplified” investment categories that will replace the existing “complex waiting system”, as set up by Labour. From April 1, the visa will be split into two categories: Growth and Balanced. The growth category applies to those making “higher- risk investments”, including those directly in local businesses and will require a minimum investment of $5 million for a period of at least three years. Visa holders in this category would have to reside in New Zealand for a minimum of 21 days. Not a long time. The balanced category focuses on mixed investment, allows for a minimum spend of $10 million over five years, and requires 105 days spent in New Zealand with the potential to get reductions if investments exceed $10 million. Several other changes have been made, including the stripping away of the visa's English language requirement, which demanded applicants have an English language background. Christopher Luxon said yesterday that the requirement had scared off many potential investors in recent years and the numbers certainly seem to support that. Since 2022, migrants entering New Zealand under the investor category have invested just $70 million. By contrast, in the two years prior to Covid-19 migrants invested $2.2 billion. There’s a hell of a difference. However, Labour says by dumbing down the rules for the investor visa risks watering down the economic benefits for New Zealand. In his press release, Phil Twyford says “allowing people to buy residence by parking their money in a passive investment like property that won't generate jobs or sustainable economic development for New Zealand does not sit well”. And I guess that's the rub. Is it going to generate real jobs? Is it going to generate real growth? Or is it just going to be money washing around in the system? Simon Bridges talking to Andrew Dickens on Early Edition says it's a good move and most people don't realise just how important foreign investment is to the growing of the economy.  “If you look at the results over time, under more permissive settings if you want to say that, the results pretty clear ... a lot of very wealthy came and I think history shows they invested in our best companies, our golf courses, they made bequeaths to our art galleries, they had an oversized contribution to New Zealand. Then we tightened them up, I think it was under the last Labour government. And we saw less of that right? You know, I think possibly New Zealanders don't quite understand how much good investment migrant settings can be really important to our economic success and we sure as hell need that at the moment.” Well, we certainly do. We certainly do need that kind of investment, but I think Simon Bridges from the Auckland Chamber is probably quite right. I don't understand how foreign investment is going to grow our economy. I can understand how bringing money in and just using it as an investment opportunity to offset your other investments if you're a wealthy foreign investor just allows you to slush money around. How does it grow it?  It is it going to be the next Rocket Lab or the next Xero. How? Art galleries and golf courses are all very well and good, but they're lovely, gorgeous vanity projects and gifts to New Zealand from wealthy investors that don't really generate jobs. Where's the benefit to the ordinary Kiwi?  So the government has banged the sign on the shop door and is sitting about telling the world we are open for business. But what sort of business? You know, where is it going to franchises? It going to nail bars? Is it going to fast food? Is it just money going round and round in a continual cycle within the economy? How do we ensure it's going into these businesses where we've got brilliant Kiwi entrepreneurs, brilliant startup businesses that need that extra capital to go to that next level? How do we direct it there?  Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:10:58 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/simon-moutter-k%C4%81inga-ora-board-chair-on-the-plan-to-get-the-agency-back-on-track/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/simon-moutter-k%C4%81inga-ora-board-chair-on-the-plan-to-get-the-agency-back-on-track/ The Government’s shaking up social housing, yesterday announcing a plan to get Kāinga Ora back on track.  They're set to sell off high-priced homes in an effort to bring its books down, the plan including the sale of around 900 homes a year.  The money will then go to more low-cost, denser places with greater demand, as well as more single person dwellings as opposed to larger homes.   Kāinga Ora Board Chair Simon Moutter joined Kerre Woodham to discuss what the changes mean for the agency and for those in need of social housing.   LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 04 Feb 2025 23:54:54 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/bruce-bernacchi-dentons-kensington-swan-tax-partner-on-the-possibility-and-impact-of-a-corporate-tax-cut/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/bruce-bernacchi-dentons-kensington-swan-tax-partner-on-the-possibility-and-impact-of-a-corporate-tax-cut/ Possible corporate tax cuts could be on the way in this year's Budget.  Nicola Willis told Ryan Bridge yesterday that our corporate tax system isn't competitive enough with other countries, hinting at potential changes.  Christopher Luxon confirmed to Mike Hosking this morning that they're willing to make changes, and there's a lot of possible options.  Dentons Kensington Swan Tax Partner Bruce Bernacchi told Kerre Woodham that there is an opportunity for New Zealand to bring in increased economic activity by multinationals and other wealthy investors by doing something bold.   He says he’d like to see something a lot more bold than just dropping it down to the OECD average.   LISTEN ABOVE  Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:58:27 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/paul-bloxham-hsbc-chief-economist-on-the-state-of-new-zealands-economy/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/paul-bloxham-hsbc-chief-economist-on-the-state-of-new-zealands-economy/ New Zealand’s “rockstar economy” seems to have become washed up.  HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham coined the term in 2014, and in an update last week confirmed that that’s far from the case at present.  He says that the economy had the largest decline in economic growth in the developed world last year, driven by interest rate increases in response to post-pandemic inflation.  Bloxham joined Kerre Woodham to dig into the data, and discuss what could be done to improve the economy.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:24:01 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/pierre-syben-marketing-and-sales-for-wairere-rams-on-the-new-nudie-sheep-breed/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/pierre-syben-marketing-and-sales-for-wairere-rams-on-the-new-nudie-sheep-breed/ Some farmers are shearing back the costs with new sheep breeds.  Meant for meat production, ‘Nudies’ are a breed of sheep that don’t grow wool, allowing farmers to cut costs as there’s no need for shearing, dagging, or crutching.  Pierre Syben from Wairere Rams in Masterton told Kerre Woodham in his view, the industry will likely split between the people who stick with wool and those who move towards the Nudies.  He says that hopefully as more people go into non-sheering sheep, it will lift the price of wool as at the moment, it’s a loss-making venture.   LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:26:42 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-on-the-inflation-rate-holding-steady-at-22/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/liam-dann-nz-herald-business-editor-on-the-inflation-rate-holding-steady-at-22/ There’s a belief we're still yet to reap the benefits of having inflation under control.  Latest Stats NZ figures show the inflation rate for the year to December was 2.2%, unchanged from September.  Inflation is well down on the once-in-a-generation high of 7.3% of just two and a half years ago.  The Herald's Liam Dann told John McDonald we're still yet to see many prices come down.  He says rents are still up for example, but they should be coming down with a struggling property market.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 21 Jan 2025 23:37:21 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/best-of-2024-boris-johnson-on-kerre-woodham-mornings/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/best-of-2024-boris-johnson-on-kerre-woodham-mornings/ "It was the right thing for the UK": Boris Johnson 'unapologetic' about Brexit  Boris Johnson is unapologetic about taking his country out of the European Union.   He's in New Zealand for a speaking event and to promote his book 'Unleashed'.   The former British Prime Minister says while there was panic about Brexit at the time, in the long term it's been good for the UK.   He told Kerre Woodham that the split from the EU came in handy during the Covid pandemic.    He says it allowed the country to get early access to vaccines before other European countries.  Johnson says the massive Conservative loss in this year's UK General Election can't be blamed on him.   The Conservative Party's defeat by Keir Starmer's Labour was one of its worst-ever losses.   Johnson told Woodham had he and Rishi Sunak teamed up, it would have been a different result.   He says if they'd been able to put into action some things they'd planned, they would have wiped the floor with Starmer.  He's denied any responsibility for the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and says progress has been slow since he left office.  The former Prime Minister says it's "absolute bollocks" to suggest the UK could have a role in negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia.  Johnson says the West has a pathetic paranoia about humiliating Vladimir Putin - and is too half-hearted in helping Ukraine. He says he's fed up with hearing the nonsense idea we'd risk a nuclear confrontation.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 12 Jan 2025 20:03:38 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-talks-oranga-tamariki-contracts-green-party-ferry-announcement/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/christopher-luxon-prime-minister-talks-oranga-tamariki-contracts-green-party-ferry-announcement/ Christopher Luxon says he wants nothing to do with the Greens while he's Prime Minister.  Luxon's confirmed a National-Greens Coalition wasn't off the cards when James Shaw was co-leader of the Green Party.  But he says the party has changed significantly under new leadership.  The Prime Minister told Kerre Woodham he had great respect for Shaw and his commitment to the environment, and would have been prepared to work with him.  But he says the Greens have since moved to what he calls a more "socialist" position.  Luxon says the Government has not handled changes to Oranga Tamariki contracts well.   A children's charity is suing the Ministry for allegedly cancelling a $21 million contract which still has two-and-a-half years to run.   Stand Tū Māia says losing funding will end the service, which has a 100 year history of providing trauma care for children and whanau.  Luxon told Woodham the organisation has done some great work.   He says the matter is before the court so he can't comment much, but he has raised the issue with the Children's Minister this week.  LISTEN ABOVE  Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:35:46 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/andrew-wilson-salvation-army-director-of-community-ministries-on-the-charitys-need-for-donations/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/andrew-wilson-salvation-army-director-of-community-ministries-on-the-charitys-need-for-donations/ The Salvation Army is reiterating pleas for donations for Kiwis in need this Christmas and beyond, saying every cent adds up.  The charity says its appeal this year —which launched last month— is especially important, with one in five New Zealand children living in households struggling for food.  But it says they're in a Catch-22 this year – demand is rising, but donations are declining.  Captain Andrew Wilson, Director of Community Ministries for the Salvation Army, told Kerre Woodham that they’re grateful for every gift, whatever size it is.   He says that even if it’s just a dollar from every person coming through, that very quickly adds up into something they can very easily put together to support their families.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 11 Dec 2024 23:36:08 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/shayne-cunis-watercare-chief-programme-delivery-officer-gives-an-update-on-the-central-interceptor-project/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/shayne-cunis-watercare-chief-programme-delivery-officer-gives-an-update-on-the-central-interceptor-project/ Watercare’s seven year Central Interceptor project is over halfway complete.   The aim of the project is to reduce water overflow in the central Auckland area with the construction of New Zealand’s largest wastewater tunnel.  The team is about to hit the penultimate breakthrough before arriving at Point Erin Reserve in Herne Bay in March/April of 2025.  Watercare Chief Programme Delivery Officer Shayne Cunis told Kerre Woodham that Auckland is going to get a lifetime of benefits from the project.  LISTEN ABOVE  Wed, 11 Dec 2024 01:32:24 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/eric-thompson-motorsport-correspondent-on-liam-lawson-ticking-all-the-boxes-for-next-year/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/eric-thompson-motorsport-correspondent-on-liam-lawson-ticking-all-the-boxes-for-next-year/ Liam Lawson awaits his fate as his last six races are deemed an 'audition' for next year.  Motorsport Correspondent Eric Thompson says the 22-year-old has done everything required of him.  "He's young, he is quick and he is marketable, which matters at this elite level of sport." Thompson says the stars are aligned for Lawson.  LISTEN ABOVE.  Sun, 08 Dec 2024 23:26:14 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/david-graham-ceo-of-the-billy-youth-foundation-on-the-bootcamps-need-for-community/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/david-graham-ceo-of-the-billy-youth-foundation-on-the-bootcamps-need-for-community/ Labour is accusing the Government of pushing forward with its boot camp pilot even in the face of obvious failure. This comes as two participants who fled the programmewere arrested by police officers responding to a carjacking in Hamilton yesterday. CEO of the Billy Youth Foundation David Graham says the longer the young men are in the bootcamps, the less likely they are to transition back into the community, and asks what the function of the camps is. LISTEN ABOVE. Sun, 08 Dec 2024 23:03:12 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/bruce-bernacchi-dentons-kensington-swan-partner-on-the-likely-tax-changes-for-charities/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/bruce-bernacchi-dentons-kensington-swan-partner-on-the-likely-tax-changes-for-charities/ Charities are going to be seeing some changes to their taxes from next year.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that there will be tweaks to the charity tax regime, but she is mindful of striking the right balance.  They want to ensure that people can’t structure their affairs as charities while building up funds that aren’t used for charitable purposes.  Best Start and Sanitarium were examples she gave of such trading entities.   Bruce Bernacchi, tax expert and partner at Dentons Kensington Swan, told Kerre Woodham that charities are well regulated in New Zealand, and running one isn't for the faint of heart.  He says that while the changes may result in additional scrutiny for smaller charities, the real focus is likely to be on business income, and whether that income is distributed and applied to charitable purposes.  LISTEN ABOVE  Tue, 03 Dec 2024 23:48:18 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/boris-johnson-former-uk-prime-minister-on-brexit-unleashed-labours-win-in-the-uk-election/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/boris-johnson-former-uk-prime-minister-on-brexit-unleashed-labours-win-in-the-uk-election/ Boris Johnson is unapologetic about taking his country out of the European Union.   He's in New Zealand for a speaking event and to promote his book 'Unleashed'.   The former British Prime Minister says while there was panic about Brexit at the time, in the long term it's been good for the UK.   He told Kerre Woodham that the split from the EU came in handy during the Covid pandemic.    He says it allowed the country to get early access to vaccines before other European countries.  Johnson says the massive Conservative loss in this year's UK General Election can't be blamed on him.   The Conservative Party's defeat by Keir Starmer's Labour was one of its worst-ever losses.   Johnson told Woodham had he and Rishi Sunak teamed up, it would have been a different result.   He says if they'd been able to put into action some things they'd planned, they would have wiped the floor with Starmer.  He's denied any responsibility for the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and says progress has been slow since he left office.  The former Prime Minister says it's "absolute bollocks" to suggest the UK could have a role in negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia.  Johnson says the West has a pathetic paranoia about humiliating Vladimir Putin - and is too half-hearted in helping Ukraine. He says he's fed up with hearing the nonsense idea we'd risk a nuclear confrontation.  LISTEN ABOVE Fri, 29 Nov 2024 01:09:15 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/dr-felicia-low-koi-tu-centre-for-informed-futures-senior-researcher-on-australia-banning-social-media-for-teens/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/dr-felicia-low-koi-tu-centre-for-informed-futures-senior-researcher-on-australia-banning-social-media-for-teens/ In a year, under 16's in Australia will no longer be allowed to access social media. The Australian Senate has passed laws banning them from accessing the platforms. The ban will come into force at the end of next year -- social media companies will face fines if they fail to take reasonable steps to keep children off. Senior researcher at Koi Tu Centre for Informed Futures Dr Felicia Low, told Kerre Woodham parents need to be able to have a say in what their children are doing. She says it can be easier if there's a top-down approach where a law is in place, so children can't argue against it. LISTEN ABOVE. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 22:57:52 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-talks-capital-gains-tax-ncea-curriculum-gang-patch-ban-live-in-studio/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-talks-capital-gains-tax-ncea-curriculum-gang-patch-ban-live-in-studio/ The Labour leader says New Zealand needs an honest conversation about paying for its future.   Our newsroom understands party delegates will vote on whether to support a capital gains or wealth tax at its annual conference this weekend.   Chris Hipkins says about 70% of government tax revenue comes from personal income taxes - while the OECD average is half as much.  He told Kerre Woodham that's because New Zealand doesn't have other forms of tax like capital gains, which is very common elsewhere.   Hipkins says it's treated as if it's a big radical idea, but we are one of the only countries in the world without some form of taxation in that area.  Labour leader Chris Hipkins has reflected on his ‘frenemy’ relationship with Nikki Kaye. Reacting to news of her death while speaking to Kerre Woodham, Hipkins said the pair both had a passion for education and tended to agree more than they disagreed.  He said he hadn’t been in touch with her for a number of years and said her death was “a bit of a shock”. “Really sad news. I just heard about Nikki Kaye as I was coming into the studio this morning. Nikki and I arrived at Parliament at the same time. We had a lot of common interests. I think you could say we were ‘frenemies’ for the time we were in Parliament. Opponents, but we actually got on well together.” Kaye was Minister of Education in 2017 under Sir Bill English. Hipkins would succeed her as the minister when Labour took power after the 2017 election. “I thought Nikki was a really passionate member of Parliament, very diligent, did her research, liked to know what she was talking about, didn’t rush to decisions until she had actually done the analysis of understanding the situation,” Hipkins said.  LISTEN ABOVE Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:58:37 Z /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/murray-bruges-helen-clark-foundation-executive-director-on-calling-for-government-intervention-for-new-zealands-obesity-rate/ /on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/audio/murray-bruges-helen-clark-foundation-executive-director-on-calling-for-government-intervention-for-new-zealands-obesity-rate/ The Helen Clark Foundation wants widespread change to address New Zealand's high obesity rate. Its report recommends government policy interventions to improve the proportion of healthy food available. It also suggests restricting the marketing of unhealthy food to children and adopting new technologies for obesity treatment. Executive Director Murray Bruges joined Kerre Woodham. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 24 Nov 2024 22:29:54 Z