Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Finance Minister plans to reassess New Zealand's contribution to the UN Relief and Works Agency, following recent allegations.

Several nations have paused financial air to a significant UN agency in Gaza after it was alleged staff members were involved in the October 7th attack against Israel.

Nicola Willis expects the investigations to be carried out quickly- and the results will determine the next course of action.

"We have made a contribution to UNRWA of $1 million, we have a planned contribution next year- and we'll assess the situation prior to that payment being made."

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Upper Hutt's mayor wants answers from Wellington Water - on productivity - and how funding turns into fixed pipes.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has spoken with the mayors of Wellington and Upper Hutt today over the region's dire water situation.

Recent modelling shows the region's likely to shift from level two restrictions - banning residential sprinklers - to level three.

Wayne Guppy says his council doesn't feel it needs to make many changes in its approach.

"We're going to be spending some more, but we want some guarantees from Wellington Water that they can actually produce and actually do the work."

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A push for the Government to continue funding the UN's aid agency in Gaza, because of its work feeding people.

Many countries have paused funding after allegations some agency staff were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel.

MFAT says we will be assessing the situation before further payments.

Alternative Jewish Voices co-founder Marilyn Garson says the UN has reacted responsibly.

"There are unspecified allegations against fewer than 0.1 percent of their staff. They've been removed, and the United Nations' highest investigative body is looking at what happened."

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The Police Minister says plans to bolster the force by 500 officers will be enough to get more cops out on the beat.

In the past week, a security guard was stabbed at an Auckland supermarket, two Michael Hill jewellery stores were robbed and a gang fight broke out at Christchurch Hospital.

Resident's in Auckland's Point Chevalier say they're being terrorised by criminals in the town's square.

Minister Mark Mitchell says police will aim to have a higher profile.

"With resources being pushed back into the front line, I think that can be achieved. In fact, it's not a matter of can- it has to be achieved."

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It's thought law changes are needed to protect everyday Kiwis from the harm of deepfake images.

Artificial AI-generated pornographic images of Taylor Swift have gone viral online.

There are concerns similar fakes could victimise everybody using artificial intelligence.

Digital Harm Expert, Mandy Henk says it's not clear whether people spreading such fakes, could face legal repercussions.

"The Harmful Digital Communications Act does not explicitly call out deepfake images as something you're not allowed to do. the courts haven't yet had an opportunity to test this." 

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Newly crowned Australian Men's Open winner Jannik Sinner has got the taste for Grand Slams.

Sinner outlasted Daniil Medvedev in five sets to become Italy's first men's grand slam winner since the 1970s.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further.

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A tax expert says the priority should be looking at lower tax brackets, as ACT calls for a flatter tax system.

The Party's approach would remove the the highest and lowest income brackets.

Leader David Seymour mentioned the idea in his State of the Nation speech yesterday, saying it would be fairer.

But expert Robin Oliver says changing the upper bracket shouldn't be a focus.

"I think the issue that would have merit looking at would be removing the ability of people to pretend that they're actually poor, when they're not." 

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A bill in Florida is being put forward to crack down on teenage use of social media.

It would restrict anyone under 16 from using social medias that use addictive design features.

Dr Anna Martin is a family therapist and told Heather Du-Plessis Allan that social media addiction is a "parenting problem not a regulation problem".

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The government has scrapped a bill to lower the voting age in local body elections to 16.

The bill was introduced last year after the Supreme Court ruled that the current voting age of 18 is discriminatory and breaches the human rights of young people.

Jim Palmer who chaired the recommendation for lowering the voting age told Heather Du-Plessis Allan that the he is not disappointed by the outcome.

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Protests have started in the Far North against tomorrow's annual Doubtless Bay fishing competition.

Ngāti Kahu members, leading the protest, say it's to stop overfishing - and they're blocking Tāipa boat ramp.

They aren't being supported by all from the iwi - and police are keeping a watching brief.

Competition organiser, Nick Ryan told Heather du-Plessis Allan that he doesn't want anyone getting arrested or hurt.

He says they're trying to find a way through and are having conversations with the local marae - who support the competition.

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