Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A Budget document shows Treasury is less than enthusiastic about the free school lunch program, Ka Ora, Ka Ako.

A report to the Finance Minister claims the scheme did not impact attendance and provided little benefit to Māori students.

The document also revealed funding for the program ran out at the end of 2023, with permanent funding dependent on proof the scheme was effective.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Treasury was right to run Ka Ora, Ka Ako as a pilot program.

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Australia and the EU have failed to resolve negotiations on a planned free trade agreement worth almost $100 billion.

After two days of negotiations, both sides failed to reach a compromise and will now have to reconvene in August.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Trade Minister Don Farrell even travelled to Brussels this week to break the five-year deadlock.

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The Warriors have secured the services of veteran halfback Shaun Johnson for another year.

The 32-year-old has decided to return for his 14th NRL season, days after becoming the fifth Warrior to record 200 games for the club.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.

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All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the team set to go up against the Springboks in Auckland.

Richie Mo'unga is back at 10, Brodie Retallick and Will Jordan will make their debut as All Blacks- and Damian McKenzie is absent from the lineup.

Former All Black Josh Kronfeld says this has all the makings of a big game.

He says the fact that both teams are evenly matched and that both teams have just come off a win will make this match one to watch.

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BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine is urging the presenter accused of soliciting explicit photos to come forward publicly.

Vine was among several broadcasters forced to deny their role at the centre of this scandal, as people speculate the identity of the accused.

This follows a second person coming forward with a complaint about the unnamed presenter. 

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says rumours have been absolutely rife as people try to work out the identity of the unnamed presenter. 

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Tonight on The Huddle, Georgina Stylianou from Government Relations firm BRG and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion on the following issues of the day- and more!

Labour has decided against introducing a capital gains or wealth tax if they get re-elected. New documents show the Government was looking into it, as part of Budget 2023, before the PM dumped the plan. Is it surprising that this got ruled out? Did the Government think they could get away with a wealth tax in an election year?

The Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll has National just ahead at 33.3 percent - with Labour on 31 percent. Will the gap widen further as we get closer to the election? 

Grant Robertson is encouraging New Zealanders to 'pick up their game' and get tickets ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup opening next week. Will this drive ticket sales up?

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The Prime Minister today ruled out introducing a capital gains or wealth tax if Labour is re-elected come October.

Hipkins also confirmed that a capital gains tax had been considered for the 2023 Budget, but ultimately scrapped.

Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen is surprised the Government considered this significant change to the tax system in the first place.

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Net migration figures have experienced a significant resurgence in the last 12 months.

Recent data shows New Zealand gained over 72,000 new people in the year to April, in a return to pre-pandemic figures.

Milford Asset Management's Mark Riggall says migration is in a catch-up dynamic following a sharp decline, and it's unclear if this growth will stick.

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The Reserve Bank has left the OCR unchanged at 5.5 percent- and will keep it in place for the foreseeable future.

Economists predict the RBNZ will hold the rate at its current level until early to mid 2024.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny says the Reserve Bank now faces a difficult challenge of making the call as to how long they keep rates up.

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Doubt today's latest political poll will be reflected in the election.

The Taxpayers' Union- Curia poll has National just ahead at 33.3 percent - with Labour on 31.

Support for Act is at 13.2 percent; the Greens, 8.9; and Te Pati Māori on 5 percent.

On those figures, neither the left nor the right bloc could form a Government.

But ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says on election night it'll be different story.

"I think the mood of the country is for change, and I think you'll see the gap between Labour and National widening."

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