Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Commercial flights for the Prime Minister might be more favourable with the taxpayer.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the only reason Prime Ministers like taking these planes is to have the media in tow.

"Having travelled on hundreds of trips with the Prime Ministers, it's not that often that you get a real breaking yarn on these trips."

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Australian women's football captain Sam Kerr is to face trial in England after being accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

The Chelsea striker was deemed to have used insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to an officer during an incident in Twickenham at the end of January.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Kerr is expected to head to trial next February.

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Disappointment in the rugby community as Sky axes two rural-focused rugby shows.

Grassroots Rugby and Mainfreight Rugby, which previously enjoyed historically long runs on TV, have recently been dropped.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what this means for the future of provincial rugby.

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The Hurricanes' women's side have gotten themselves in hot water after last weekend's controversial anti-Government haka.

The Hurricanes Poua began their season by opening their match against the Chiefs Manawa with an altered haka calling out 'this redneck Government'.

CEO Avan Lee says investigations are under way to find out who signed this action off.

"I don't think it's our place to make comment, particularly if it's seen as the opinion of the organisation. So yeah, I think it is definitely disappointing."

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Swiss voters have given themselves extra month's pension each year in a new nationwide referendum.

In a new poll, 60 percent of voters voted in favour of increased pensions- and 75 percent of voters also rejected raising the pension age from 65 to 66.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest in the world, and this will be an extra increase for taxpayers to bear.

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Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!

The Government has unveiled their new plan for transport infrastructure, including 'roads of national significance' and a fund for pothole prevention. What do we think? Will improved roads be worth the inevitable extra cost hikes?

A new report has revealed Premier House needs $30 million worth of repairs. Should someone bite the bullet and pay these extra costs?

MSD plans to save money by taking away their plunger coffee supply. Instant coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be provided- is this the best way to cut costs?

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Chris Luxon is set to meet with more key trading partners this week.

The Prime Minister will fly to Melbourne tomorrow for a special summit, to mark Australia's 50-year relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains this will be a crucial summit for Luxon- as he missed the chance to meet some of these leaders during APEC.

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The Government's promised newer roads, fewer potholes and more maintenance in their new transport spending roadmap.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released details on the investment, which includes 15 new 'roads of national significance' and a pothole prevention fund.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the increased motor vehicle licensing fees will be the beginning of several hikes to pay for this scheme.

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While New Zealand's media industry struggles to survive, their Australian counterparts are battling setbacks from social media giants.

Facebook's parent company, Meta, recently confirmed it wouldn't renew commercial deals with news publisher Network 10.

Australian Financial Review media reporter says it's likely Meta never believed they were going to see much profit out of this deal.

"There was a line in the summary of this contract, which was- there is no expectation that 10 would earn additional revenue, which I think is an implicit acknowledgement." 

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis warns the Government could likely miss the proposed 2027 surplus forecast.

The Government included this deadline as a key goal in their pre-election fiscal plan.

Willis blames worsening economic conditions and the resulting lower tax income.

"I want to be upfront with New Zealanders about the fact that the numbers are looking a lot harder now than they did before Christmas."

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