Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The hopes for New Zealand's Olympic performance have gotten stronger after a record-breaking medal count at the World Indoor Championships.

After silvers were given to shot-putter Tom Walsh and pole vaulter Eliza McCartney over the weekend, the Kiwi contingent has landed two golds on the final day.

Hamish Kerr equalled the Oceania record of 2.36 metres to win the high jump and Geordie Beamish stunned a stellar field to strike gold in the 1500 metres.

Athletics NZ High Performance Director Scott Newman says this is a good foundation ahead of the upcoming Olympics.

"To come through here with four medals at a World Indoor Championships- that's just a great base heading into the Olympics."

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A designated retail crime unit is making a difference in Tauranga's CBD.

More than 1200 charges have been laid against 215 offenders in just six months.

Tauranga Pharmacy Co-owner Kelly Mitchinson says when people call the police, something actually happens now.

She says police didn't care as much in the past unless violence was involved.

"They'd come in here, super entitled- they'd come in with a shopping bag. And these are repeat offenders, so I think some of those particular offenders have been charged now, some have ended up back in prison."

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There's a prediction big drops in mortgage rates are on the cards.

Both ANZ and ASB have lowered some of their mortgages rates, following the Reserve Bank's decision to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5 percent.

KiwiBank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr says if the central bank starts cutting in November, it could be just the start.

"They'll be cutting throughout 2025, so we'll see mortgage rates, I think, fall quite sharply next year."

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The Transport Minister says a balance must be struck between building much needed infrastructure and paying for it.

The Government has released its $21 billion spending roadmap, which includes new major roads and a pothole prevention fund.

Vehicle registration fees will increase by $25 dollars next January, then again in three years, to help cover costs.

Minister Simeon Brown says it's a gradual phase-in.

"This fee hasn't increased since 1994, so yes, we need to fund it. This is how we're proposing to do it, there's no fuel tax increases during this term of Government."

But if re-elected, the Government has committed to fuel tax hikes next term.

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Over in Australia, a Senate inquiry has been launched into the risks posed by Red Imported Fire Ants.

Allergy bodies have warned the fire ants could cause a widespread flare-up in allergic reactions if they become endemic.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says these ants are widespread throughout Australian parks, and eradicating them would be a challenge. 

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New Zealand is celebrating a record medal haul at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Scotland, snaring two silvers and two golds to beat the previous record tally set in 2016.

1500 metre runner Geordie Beamish and high jumper Hamish Kerr snared gold on the final day.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further.

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Big changes need to be made to Premier House, according to one member of the building's board.

Former National MP Annabel Young says the recent report into the state of the house shows it's in a sorry state.

It comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon revealed the building needs serious work.

Young says earthquake strengthening needs to be done, as well as the restructure of some rooms.

"It's not a functional space, it is pretty grim. I personally think the kitchen is dangerous."

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The DoC is to repair Cathedral Cove's walking track.

This is welcome news to the businesses that rely quite heavily on the tourism that that attracts.

Conservation Minister Tama Paka told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that she is 'absolutely focused on making sure we can get the track down there back on track.'

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Now the Royals have issued a new statement on Kate Middleton's health.

Kensington Palace put out a statement saying it had announced in January she would be out of action until Easter.

No significant updates would be given until then

Royal Correspondent Victoria Arbiter told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that "The Palace has been forced to issue this statement, but they are simply responding to what has been an avalanche of speculation online.'

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The government is giving the police more powers to take gangs guns off gangs.

Firearm protection orders already allow the courts to stop the high risk offenders from being around guns at all.

But now that's going to be extended to any member or associate of a gang with a significant conviction.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee told Heather Du Plessis-Allan that they're "enabling New Zealand police to be able to search any person with a firearms prohibition order at any time at any place."

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