Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Contact Energy has reported an increase in net profit and says it expects to finalise a more generous electricity deal with Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.

It's recorded a net profit of $153 million for the six months to December.

CEO Mike Fuge says he's optimistic about a better long-term agreement with Rio Tinto.

"We've been really clear, there are three things- and like any negotiation, it's a two-way street."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert has noticed a subset of voters hasn't reacted positively to the Government's plan to reduce the number of beneficiaries.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon today revealed a planned return to a more strict regime of sanctions for those on the unemployment benefit.

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan observed the younger members of the press gallery seemed shocked by these changes.

She says it's been a while since conservative ideas held power- it's been decades since sanctions were in place.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has promised the 'free ride' is over for beneficiaries, as the Government plans to implement sanctions.

Luxon and Social Development Minister Upston confirmed that from June, MSD will hold work check-ins for people who have been on the benefit for over 6 months.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the number of people relying on the Jobseeker benefit has gotten 'ridiculous'.

"I know we've got a welfare economy in this country- but really, something has to be done about this."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has give up alcohol for Lent.

Joyce says he's also quit talking about other people in regards to the issue- days after he was filmed intoxicated on a street in Canberra.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this comes after Nationals deputy leader Perin Davey admitted to drinking before a budget hearing. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swimmer Lewis Clareburt has claimed a maiden world championship title, winning the 400-metre individual medley in Doha.

His time of 4 minutes and 9.72 seconds was 1.02 seconds off his personal best.

Before the meet, New Zealand had never had a world champion - now they have two after Erika Fairweather's triumph in the 400 metres freestyle.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most political parties have held their support in the latest political poll.

A new 1News-Verian poll shows National the Greens, and NZ First are all holding steady.

Labour's support has increased one percent and Te Pati Maori by 0.7 percent, while ACT has dropped by 1 percent.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon is the preferred PM on 25 percent support, while Labour's Chris Hipkins has dropped 10 points to 15 percent support.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they're more focused on their plans than the poll.

"I think what that poll really just reflects is that people are supporting the party that they supported in the election, and that means that we are continuing to do well." 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows the nation saw the lowest number of births in over 80 years.

Stats NZ revealed there were 19,071 more births than deaths in 2023 in the lowest annual natural increase since World War II.

Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley says New Zealand's not alone- fertility and birth rates are declining across high-earning countries.

"When you look at countries like Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland... they're all down at about 1, 1.2. What's interesting is- has anyone been able to reverse it? The answer's no."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traffic cameras could become more common as NZTA takes over the responsibility from police.

It will increase the number of cameras from 150 to 800 operating within the next 10 years, manned by as many as 400 staff.

It estimates they could process three million speeding infringements a year.

Road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-Wilson says extra traffic cameras are unlikely to make much of a difference.

"I don't think it's going to solve the problem. There's international studies that make it quite clear- a high police presence has a profound effect on the way that we drive."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost-saving changes at St John Ambulance are sparking concern among staff and paramedics.

The service has limited recalls of backup staff when employees are sick or taking leave, meaning some ambulances are left parked up.

Ambulance Association National Secretary Mark Quin says this is proof the company is putting their budget over people's lives.

"We're restricting the number of ambulances being available anywhere in the country on a daily basis due to the fact that we're not recalling staff."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Social Development Minister says check-ins with beneficiaries are about accountability, but also giving them support in finding work.

A welfare reset announced by the Government involves sanctions for job-seekers not meeting their obligations to find work.

Louise Upston also says from June, MSD will regularly check in with those on the benefit for six months.

"What we want to make sure is that people are going into Work and Income providing evidence of the fact that they've been doing their bit to look for work- some of them may need assistance."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.