Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Over in the UK, police in the Bradford area have deployed undercover female officers to crack down on sexual harassment.

This is amid a 'concerning' epidemic of young women reporting concerns for their safety while they were out running.

UK correspondent Enda Brady says anyone caught harassing a woman under these conditions will face a $2000 fine.

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Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! 

David Seymour is copping some backlash over his comments about TVNZ, namely reporter Benedict Collins and his coverage of Chris Luxon's accommodation subsidy. Was this an immature move on Seymour's part?

TVNZ has also confirmed they plan to cut up to 68 roles- our newsroom understands about 35 are news roles. Is this the right decision? How can the broadcaster adapt to our current media market?

The Government is pushing through new legislation to fast-track consenting. These measures will give ministers the final say to sign off on initiatives it considers to be of regional or national significance, including mining and roads. What changes will come from this?

The public sector has enacted new measures to cut costs. Some have encouraged workers to stay with friends when they travel for work and MSD has scrapped plunger coffee- is this a step too far? How else can the sector save money?

Virgin Australia will allow small pets to travel on domestic flights- what do we think of that?

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A petition urging the Government to keep the ban on live animal exports in place is gaining traction.

Despite the Government promising to repeal the ban during the election, over 13,000 people have signed.

The Country's Jamie Mackay says this is a polarising topic that's divided New Zealand's farming community.

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Financial journalism veteran Liam Dann aims to guide New Zealanders through the business world using familiar Kiwi terms.

BBQ Economics examines everything from interest rates, to economic conditions to the price of cheese- and it's out in bookstores this week.

Liam Dann himself explains the purpose of this book here today.

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Chinese e-commerce firm Temu has been taking the world of online retail by storm.

The retailer's 'shop like a billionaire' campaign reflects their too-good-to-be true prices and deals promoted to consumers on social media- and beyond.

Brand strategist Jill Brinsdon says Temu's targeting bargain hunters, and they seem determined to sweep the competition. 

"It's quite a classic strategy, Chemist Warehouse has come to New Zealand and done a similar thing. You have to have big pockets, then you come in and you're the loss-leader- and you clean up the market."

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Attorney-General Judith Collins has concluded that the Government's move to ban gang patches is against the bill of rights.

She tabled the advice in Parliament this afternoon, saying despite some gang members thinking they're above the law- they are also entitled to its protection.

The bill seeks to reduce the ability for gangs to operate and cause fear in communities, by banning their patches.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there have been many cases where the Government has enacted legislation that goes against the Bill of Rights.

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There's hope that the Government's plan to fast-track consents will speed up the production of independently created windfarms- eventually leading to cheaper electricity.

The new regime gives ministers the final say to sign off on initiatives it considers to be of regional or national significance.

Ventus Energy CEO Glenn Starr says shorter consenting timeframes will allow the company to compete with other generator retailers. 

"As an independent, it's difficult to keep everything running smoothly through the consent procuress and development process."

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There's growing concern Australia's Reserve Bank may have gone too far to reduce inflation.

The RBA infamously pushed the Official Cash Rate up 13 times in a row, and some economists are concerned Australia's economy may suffer as a result.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says decreased spending has shrunk economic growth in the last three months of 2023.

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The motel sector is welcoming the Government's new priority one emergency housing policies.

Families with children living in emergency motels are being pushed to the front of the queue for a state house.

It's also introducing a new verification system to crack down on who can access emergency motel accommodation to begin with.

Hospitality New Zealand Accommodation Chair Troy Clarry says most moteliers want to get back to traditional motel business.

"The reliance on MSD income for moteliers has decreased, and you've only got a few operators who are not traditional moteliers, who are still in it for the business."

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Cats and dogs will soon be allowed in the cabin of some Australian domestic flights.

Virgin has announced plans to become Australia's first airline to allow pets to ride onboard, with small dogs and cats to be allowed in specific rows.

The service will only be available on select flights.

Aviation commentator Irene King says pet travel is best suited to shorter flights.

"You have to keep them short and sweet, because otherwise you have very nasty smells in the cabin."

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