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Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital PR and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!

The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a first of its kind climate infrastructure fund in New Zealand to support 100 percent renewable electricity, including solar, wind, green hydrogen and battery storage to fuel a low emissions economy. Is this a realistic goal for New Zealand? How will this impact future power bills?

ACT MP Simon Court has revealed he had been shot in a drug deal gone wrong as a teenager, pre-parliament. Court reportedly wasn't involved with the deal, but was involved with a group violently threaten by the drug sellers. What do we think of this?

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau's dog, Teddy, has being evicted from the mayoral office after the landlord put his foot down. The dog has been sent to live with the mayor's family, so he's not left home alone. Should dogs in the office be a rite of passage- or should dog owners leave them at home?

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Economies are slowing down all over the world- with many poised to enter technical recessions.

Australia's economy has stalled and unemployment rates are set to rise, leading experts to believe the region will follow New Zealand into a technical recession.

HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham says there are lots of ways to think about whether an economy has tipped into a recession. 

"Is it really a recession if there's a lot of job creation still going on? There are lots of ways to think about whether an economy's tipped into recession or not- we don't have a precise definition."

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The conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms continues to grow at a rapid pace.

An updated Orme & Associates report on land-use change from pastoral farming to large-scale forestry shows the amount of land sold in 2021 soared 66 percent compared to the previous year.

The Country's Jamie Mackay says sheep and beef farms being replaced by carbon farms is bad for the country in the long-term.

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The Government and BlackRock have joined forces to create a climate infrastructure fund to support 100 percent renewable electricity generation.

The fund is designed to provide access to greater pools of capital for New Zealand, create jobs, and accelerate green energy options, including solar, wind, and hydrogen.

BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says BlackRock are essentially offering the nation a broking service where all sides will get good PR.

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A Victorian woman who cooked up a mushroom lunch which killed three and put another in hospital says she meant no harm.

The woman, a daughter-in-law of some of the victims, is being investigated.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are baffled by this case, as no-one can identify what type of mushrooms were cooked and served to the victims.

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The Police Minister is putting pressure on National to confirm they plan to keep the firearms registry if they enter Government.

A survey conducted by Horizon Research and Gun Control NZ shows 71 percent support the registry, while 14 percent oppose it.

Minister Ginny Andersen fears that ACT, who have criticised the registry, may bully National into scrapping it if they enter a coalition. 

"We know it's a bottom line for ACT, and so National needs to be clear as to what their position is on a gun registry."

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Te Pāti Māori wants to introduce a 'culture pass'- giving young people money to spend on the arts sector.

The idea stems from overseas, where people who turn 18 get 200 Euros to spend on museums, theatre or concerts.

Point Chev Social Enterprise Trust spokesperson Chris Casey says it could start off with $200 a year.

"It's not a novel idea overseas, it's been going for years and years. It's a wonderful expression of visibility of youth, and saying to a young person- we see you."

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The Government has been quizzed on why it's not putting money into a renewable electricity scheme.

It has partnered with worldwide asset management company BlackRock to launch a $2 billion infrastructure fund.

It'll have a particular focus on the path to 100 percent renewable energy, such as solar, wind and green hydro.

Energy Minister Megan Woods says they're acting in New Zealand's interests.

"One of the jobs of Government and of ministers is to work actively to bring overseas investments to New Zealand, and that's exactly what we've been doing."

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A Wellington City Councillor is criticising headlines about the mayor's dog.

Tory Whanau has been bringing her two-year-old staffy to the City Council offices since being elected.

But the landlord's put his foot down- so Teddy's being sent to live with the mayor's family, so he's not left home alone.

Councillor Diane Calvert says she has sympathy for Tory, and any impacted staff.

"Personally, I think this is just being an unnecessary distraction on our city. Especially when rates notices of 13 percent have just gone out."

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Gang tensions are at a high in Palmerston North, with a man fatally shot in Highbury on Sunday.

A source tells our newsroom it follows unrest between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs.

Manawatu Area Police Commander Ross Grantham says he believes the situation's under control.

"We have a high presence within the community, we've brought in additional staffing and we're stopping people from doing door-knocking- we have inquiries to follow up and we'll take whatever actions are required."

It's understood a shooting on Saturday in Auckland's Point England is also being treated as gang-related, and one man has been arrested for a breach of electronic bail.

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