The Trade Minister's hitting back at suggestions the India Free Trade Agreement will lead to a flood of immigration.

Foreign Minster Winston Peters has said the agreement won't let us specifically cap Indian student visas, among other commentary on the deal.

Todd McClay's confirmed that's the case but says they can cap student visas from all countries - as long as India isn't specifically discriminated against.

"Others are saying is that hundreds of thousands of people, or tens of thousands of people are going to come over to New Zealand as a result of this agreement - I just want to take it back a step, this is a trade agreement, it actually isn't an immigration agreement." 

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The Justice Minister says his retail crime advisory group has been successful and productive.

It'll been cut short, ending in May - not the planned September - after three members resigned last month.

It leaves just two members, chair and dairy owner Sunny Kaushal and liquor retailer, Ash Parmar. 

Paul Goldsmith says he could have appointed more people for the next six months or wrapped it up early. 

"The simpler thing to do was say - look, you've got a couple of things you need to finish, you've got three months to do that and then we'll go off on our merry way. The Government's got lots of ideas to work with." 

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Parliament's wading into debate whether a levy the Government announced yesterday is indeed a levy, or in fact a tax.

The so-called 'levy on electricity' will fund building an LNG import terminal. 

Labour was quick to label this a 'gas tax', but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Energy Minister Simon Watts maintained this project would bring down people's power bills.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked today's discussions in Parliament.

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit sparked chaos and protests in Australia, with 27 people arrested in Sydney following Monday night's rally.

Thousands of people gathered at a protest rally held by Palestine Action Group, but some members of the crowd wanted to march on to NSW Parliament.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says protestors tried to break through police blockades, forcing police to take action. 

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Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's dedicated her fourth Olympic snowboarding medal to her support network.

The New Zealander claimed silver in the big air at Milan-Cortina, a third consecutive Games podium finish in the discipline.

Her feat marks New Zealand's first medal of the 2026 Games.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explained further.

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Concerns have been raised over a new app that was originally designed to help Christchurch ratepayers - but hasn't lived up to its promise.

Christchurch City Council staff have so far spent $6.2 million developing a one-stop-shop app that is actually little more than a new website, prompting outrage and worries from the Council.

Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald says the appointed IT experts are working through the issue to try and solve it.

"We were a bit surprised when they came to us saying - no, no it'll be a web version. Which, as you know, a lot of people don't use. We need to make it as easy for people as possible."

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Sir Keir Starmer's leadership has been flung into doubt, with the resignation of his closest aide.

The UK Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney's quit - taking responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. 

Mandelson's being investigated for claims he'd passed sensitive information to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

UK correspondent Mike Pearse explained further.

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More companies are reporting their profits from the final portion of 2025, and it's sparking investigation into what investors need to pay attention to.

Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained further.

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Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! 

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is defending the financial track record of his regional funds - and says he's still committed to supporting investment in the regions. Do we support this? 

There's growing debate over whether touch typing needs to be taught in schools. Do we think this is necessary or do we need to teach the basics first?

The Government is looking to impose a levy on electricity users to pay for a facility for importing liquefied natural gas. Do we need this? 

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The former boss of Air New Zealand is jetting off to America. 

It's been reported Greg Foran will be named as the new chief executive of retail giant, Kroger.

It operates supermarkets and multi-department stores throughout the US, and is regarded as one of the country's big four retailers.

Greg Foran says he'll have his hands full but he's looking forward to it.

"It's a business, does about $150 billion a year and just over 400,000 associates work there, there's about $3,000 stores, multiple brands - it's going to be complex."

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