Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Prime Minister Chris Luxon recently announced a Defence Force team will be sent to the Red Sea to help protect maritime security.

ZB senior political reporter Barry Soper says Luxon denies this has anything to do with Israel and Gaza.

"According to Christopher Luxon, it'll contribute to the collective defence of the Middle East- and ships are certainly being hindered in their progress through there."

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Scott Morrison is drawing his 16 year political career to a close.

The former Australian Prime Minister will leave federal parliament at the end of next month for a new career opportunity in the US.

It will trigger a by-election in the typically liberal Sydney seat of Cook.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says between Covid and AUKUS, Morrison's left a mixed legacy.

"He's joining a number of strategic advisory firms around the world, and he will be very busy and gainfully employed- and also have more time for his family." 

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Alexander Zverev has denied Kiwi-raised Brit Cam Norrie a spot in the quarter-finals at the Australian tennis Open, winning a tense five-set battle.

The German sixth seed won 10-3 in the fifth set tie-break to end Norrie's run.

The fourth-round encounter was briefly halted during the third set on Monday afternoon after a woman threw a raft of leaflets saying 'Free Palestine' onto the court.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further here.

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The Foreign Affairs Minister is reiterating New Zealand's support for a two-state solution to the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict.

Winston Peters says recent comments made by members of the Israeli Government fuel tensions and put chances of a solution at risk.

Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie says it's unlikely Israel will accept the proposed provisional measures being discussed.

"It's unlikely that Israel will respect that if it goes against them. The only way you could get some kind of action is if it was forced through the security council, and it's unlikely the Americans would let that happen."

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On the other side of the world, there's very rough weather in the UK- with gales and downpours as Storm Isha blows in.

UK correspondent Kay Oliver says there's major disruption, including 170,000 homes and businesses waking up to no power.

"We've got train services suspended, we've got trees falling down on cars, and flights being cancelled."

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Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!

Muriwai community advocates and locals are calling for cars to be banned from the beach after a teenager was killed over the weekend. Is this the best course of action?

The Government is under pressure over Māori issues following last weekend's hui. National also says it won't support ACT's Treaty Principles Bill past the first reading- what do we think? How will Luxon and the Government handle the extra pressure ahead of Ratana and Waitangi Day?

Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the Republican presidential race- does this mean Donald Trump is headed for the White House again?

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The first Cabinet meeting of 2024 is set to take place tomorrow, as the Government reaches the halfway point of its first 100 days.

This meeting takes place days after the National Unity Hui in Turangawaewae- and event which has cast a shadow over the Government.

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan outlines her predictions here.

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New Zealand exports could profit from the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea.

Freight continues to be redirected around Africa's Cape of Good Hope while violence continues to escalate.

The new route means the products this country sends to the Asian market won't take as long as those from Europe or Eastern USA.

Rabobank researcher Stefan Vogel says exporters may want to keep an eye on container availability.

"If we're struggling to find the containers, we may actually have an issue on that side that costs us as much as it may cost the Europeans and the Americans that have to go along the route over to Asia."

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Cricket Australia has raised a few eyebrows over their decision to sidestep Australia Day celebrations at an upcoming test match.

The holiday coincides with Friday's Gabba Test match against the West Indies in Brisbane.

Prime Minister Albanese has urged people to stop 'looking for outrage', as this announcement has prompted some backlash.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson explains the divided reactions to the news.

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ZB's Barry Soper predicts the Government is in for a difficult year following last weekend's events.

The Māori King organised a National Unity Hui attended by thousands, and commentators are divided on the Prime Minister's decision to skip the event.

Senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the 'Māori issue' will dominate the headlines over the next few weeks, and the Government may need to draw attention to the economy.

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