A Kiwi startup designed around rethinking the way we sleep is getting international recognition.

Do Not Disturb Sleep Company, an Auckland manufacturer of premium sleep products, has secured a multi-million-dollar distribution, sales, and marketing agreement in the US.

Founder Chris Larcombe says the brand's grown and evolved over the years, and this is great news.

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Repeat offenders are the target of the recent Bunnings facial recognition technology rollout.

It's turning on scanners in Te Rapa and Hamilton South today, before later rolling them out countrywide.

Threats have more than doubled in the hardware retailer's stores in the past four years, 34 percent from repeat offenders.

Bunnings New Zealand general manager Melissa Haines says data on regular shoppers won't be kept.

"If someone comes into our stores, there's a very quick scan of the face - if there's any match to a person that's previously committed serious harm in our stores, then that's where we're using it."

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An employment expert's raising his eyebrows over Xero investigating complaints against the newly crowned New Zealander of the Year.

The tech company's reviewing a decade-old accusation of inappropriate behaviour from former chief executive Sir Rod Drury - which has come to light, and he denies.

Employment relations specialist Max Whitehead says Xero can't do much.

"It's a mystery why Xero are taking any action, there's a 90-day limit on taking a personal grievance. The other thing is that maybe the Human Rights commission - but there's a 12-month limit on that." 

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Air New Zealand’s debuting 'world-first' sleeping pods on ultra long-haul flights in November.

Economy Skynests will be installed on six revamped Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and open for Economy and Premium Economy passenger bookings next month.

The six pods are laid out bunk bed-style between the two cabins, furnished with mattresses, bedding, ventilation and privacy curtains.

Aviation commentator Irene King joined the Afternoons team to discuss further.

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It's tougher than ever for jobseekers to find work, and one expert has revealed how people can get ahead in the current market.

Employment expert Emma McLean has revealed that doom-scrolling job apps isn't the solution, and that networking is important to find opportunities.

She joined the Afternoons team to explain further.

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The ongoing Middle East conflict has seen Australia business confidence hit lows not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The US has today moved to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, and the supply shock is likely to hit households hard, according to experts.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham explained further.

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Fonterra has named Richard Allen as its new chief executive, succeeding Miles Hurrell.

Allen - who joined Fonterra as a graduate in 2008 and has worked in various roles across the dairy co-operative - will take over next month.

Hurrell will remain in a transition advisory role until September.

The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further.

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New Zealand's growing a reputation among the global tourism industry for its difficult inter-island travel. 

Industry workers who attended the world's leading travel trade show in Berlin have made claims that ferry disruptions are leaving tourists and travel companies wary about the possibility of getting stuck while here.  

Destination Marlborough general manager Tracey Green says it's now a common concern. 

"It's something that we try to ignore, but unfortunately the drum is getting a little bit louder as time goes on - and as more events occur with the Cook Strait crossing." 

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Another bank is predicting an upcoming OCR raise. 

ANZ has already picked three consecutive Official Cash Rate hikes in July, September, and October.

Now Westpac says it's becoming more of a possibility next month - but is more likely in September. 

Chief economist Kelly Eckhold says the Reserve Bank will work from specific indicators. 

"They're looking for indications that the peak in inflation will be even higher than they currently expect."

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The Iran war is prompting Qantas to scale back flights within Australia, but it's flying more to Paris and Rome.

The airline's scaling back domestic Qantas and Jetstar flights about 5 percent.

Qantas says fuel prices have more than doubled since late February, and remain highly volatile.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the airline's projected to make a loss amid the ongoing conflict - and business confidence has dropped. 

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