Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

New Zealand has gotten one step closer to getting a third medical school to counteract shortages.

Waikato University and the Ministry of Health have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a business case for the program.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unclear how the Government plans to keep this new set of trained doctors where they need to be.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former leaders from both sides of the nation's political factions have come together to push back against New Zealand joining AUKUS.

Ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark and her 2005 election rival Don Brash have co-written an editorial warning, claiming New Zealand needs to safeguard its independent foreign policy.

Former National leader Don Brash says New Zealand has developed good working relationships with the US and China, and joining AUKUS would complicate that.

"What's changed in the last 10 years is that the United States has suddenly recognised China as a 'peer competitor', and they don't like it. They're pushing very hard to get countries to jump on one bandwagon or the other."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A third medical school in New Zealand is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Ministry of Health has signed a memorandum of understanding with Waikato University to progress a business case, one of the tasks on the Government's 100-day plan.

University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley says they're hoping to take in the first set of students by 2027.

"We've worked with our partners in Australia, looking at the curriculum development and accreditation work we need to do. We're sort of set to go as soon as we get the green light from Cabinet." 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns some enrolment requirements could be preventing children from accessing their local school.

Last month, the Ministry of Education had to intervene after an Auckland school told a woman who lived within zone that she couldn't enrol her child without a 12-month tenancy agreement.

Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O'Connor says a short-term tenancy agreement is worth monitoring- to ensure nobody cheats the system.

"The problem is- we have so many people making choices about the school that they want to go to that's not their local school. In our instance for example, we had 752 out-of-school enrolments in form 3 this year."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A storied 16-year professional basketball career will soon come to an end for Breakers forward Tom Abercrombie.

The club's all-time leader in games and points will retire at the conclusion of the NBL season, after winning four championships with the side.

Abercrombie made his debut in 2008, and has racked up a record 425 appearances during his long-running athletic career.

He says he's 'extremely grateful' for the time he's spent on the team, but he's ready for his next adventure.

"It's time for me to experience new challenges and adventures, and pass that baton over to someone else."

Abercrombie's final home game for the Breakers will likely be this Friday against Brisbane at Spark Arena.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister is facing pressure from more than 9,000 doctors to urgently re-consider repeals to the Smokefree Amendment Act.

Some of New Zealand's leading health organisations have banded together to issue a formal request.

It asks that, rather than being scrapped in the first 100 days as planned, a new bill is sent to the health select committee.

Council of Medical Colleges chair Samantha Murton says there are parts of the law that should remain.

"There's a lot of evidence around the measures that are really helpful for reducing cigarette smoking and getting hooked on it, and we need to make sure we're focused on those."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a push for a shake up of the Fletcher Building board.

The construction company is in a trading halt ahead of the release of its half-year results tomorrow.

CEO Ross Taylor is also 'considering his position'.

Shareholders Association Chief Executive Oliver Mander says whatever woes the company has, they're down to more than just Taylor.

"We do think this is a wider conversation than the CEO, and certainly we've been critical of the board in the past in terms of how it has approached certain issues." 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asbestos has been detected in at least three parks in Sydney's city centre, and an investigation is under way.

Authorities confirmed traces of asbestos were discovered in Harmony Park, Victoria Park, and Belmore Park- three popular public parks.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the friable asbestos identified is particularly dangerous, and the city council is 'apoplectic'.

 "It's very easily crushed, it can form dust and that releases little fibres that can get into your lungs and ultimately kill you."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spinner Rachin Ravindra continues to dominate with the ball for New Zealand against South Africa in the final session on the opening day of the second cricket test at Hamilton.

Moments ago the Proteas were 161 for six - the left-arm orthodox has figures of three for 24 from an unbroken 16-over spell at the southern end.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concern Auckland's rail issues are a 'bit muddy' with a lack of clarity around the sudden drove of cancellations.

Auckland Transport has limited services yesterday and today due to 'heat' affecting track steel.

The Public Transport Users Association's Jon Reeves says he's heard claims some work KiwiRail was meant to do over Christmas to prepare trains for heat wasn't done.

He says coincidentally, the issues have emerged after the holiday closures.

"I don't think everyone's been clear to the media or the public what the issue is, but the end result is- Auckland train users are really having a bad summer."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.