Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has put the blame on inadequate funding for Wellington's water issues.

Since 2022, 40 percent of the region's drinking water has been lost to leaks.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has written a letter requesting information from local councils on how they're addressing the problem.

Willis says Wellington City Council only gave Wellington Water a fraction of the $10 million they needed for maintenance.

"They always seemed to find the money for a new cycleway, they always seemed to find the money for the things they like, like buying back Reading Cinema- why can't they find the money for the pipes?"

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Belief vehicles need to be totally banned on Auckland's Muriwai Beach.

A teen died yesterday after a ute rolled on the beach, and two others have serious injuries.

Vehicles are now banned at the beach until Thursday - with people allowed on foot.

Muriwai Community Association co-chair, Clare Bradley, says how vehicle access is currently managed isn't working.

"There is a growing sense that the only way to really manage the safety of the beach, both for pedestrians and for the wildlife that make that part of the beach their home, is to close it."

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Outrage from Wellington parents as a school changes uniform requirements.

Year Nine pupils at Wellington College must now wear blazers and ties, which come with a price tag of almost $300.

Some parents aren't happy about the change during a cost of living crisis.

Vaughan Couillault of the Secondary Principals' Association says uniform changes usually aren't cheap.

"You can't put a cheap blazer onto a student these days, it's usually $250 to start with."

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There's belief stricter penalties will help against a surge in people fleeing police.

Police data from the Bay Of Plenty shows 883 drivers in the region didn't stop when signalled, from January to October last year.

That figure was 902 for all of 2022 - and 521 for 2021.

Police Association President Chris Cahill says countrywide in the first nine months of last year, drivers kept going 8900 times.

"If you're drunk driving, currently to go to court- you'll get penalised for that, but you won't get anything extra for failing to stop. We say there has to be a mandatory aggravating factor put on top."

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A war of words over ACT's plans to re-define the principles of the Treaty.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has said National would support the Bill to the select committee stage.

But ACT Party Leader David Seymour says National hasn't ruled out supporting it further.

"We've got no commitment any further either way, and I suspect that first of all- this is a debate we need to have, and I suspect they'll recognise that. Second of all, it's a lot more popular than people are giving it credit for."

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Kiwi golfing superstar Lydia Ko is embracing that winning feeling again on the LPGA Tour.

After a winless 2023 on the Tour, the 26 year old has won the opening event of 2024 in Florida by two shots.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps today's victory.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has abandoned his bid to be a Republican presidential candidate.

He's thrown his support behind Donald Trump.

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh says DeSantis lost by 30 points to Trump in Iowa - so pulling out is the right move.

"It made no sense for him to stay in, he was going to get killed in New Hampshire. And as he said, he really had no pathway. Get out, endorse Trump, and fight another day."

Nikki Haley is Trump's only remaining contender.

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Looks to me like it’s a tough old start to the year for the new Government.

This is basically day one of the news year, the TV news shows were back this morning, most of the big radio shows are back today- and what are we all talking about?

The big hui at Turangawaewae at the weekend, and the unexpectedly big Māori opposition to the Government's Māori related policies.

And it's not a one-off, there is more to come.

We've got Ratana on Wednesday, Waitangi Day in a couple of weeks, that's a run of stories about how grumpy the coalition Government is making some Māori.

And that is not how the Government will be wanting to kick off this year.

Generally, Governments like to start the year giving the impression they’re winning, they're doing things for you, they're announcing some stuff they're gonna get stuck into this year, gloating over a good bounce in the polls over summer and capitalising on us still feeling good.

Basically, they want to be able to set the tone and have it be a positive one, rather than have it set for them on day one with a negative tone.

I suspect - I could be wrong - but I suspect this is not a blip. I suspect this is how it’s going to be for the next few months on and off.

David Seymour is planning to introduce that Treaty Principles bill by May this year, that's gonna get hairy.

The media are quite hostile to the new Government, and apparently so is the Wellington Public Service, judging by yet another leak of a justice paper about the Treaty Principles bill.

Perfect timing- the day before the big hui.

The question is- how much do you and I, the voters, care about it?

If National can show they’re cracking the cost of living crisis, well that’s more important to most voters.

But getting that message out when everyone’s talking about grumpy huis? Well, that’s gonna be tough

Tough old start to the year, I'd say.

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ZB host Tim Beveridge and Ali Jones from Red PR joined the Huddle back in June for a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more!

Michael Wood remains on stand-down as Transport Minister, after it was revealed he was asked to sell his Auckland Airport shares 12 times. Can he keep his job- and should he?

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf surprised the sports world by announcing an unexpected merger- what do we think of this? Should players have been warned? 

Heather wants to buy a toddler leash for Iggy- is this a good idea? 

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The Black Caps have pulled off one of the all-time great test cricket victories, beating England by one run on the final day of the second match at the Basin Reserve.

Neil Wagner finished with four wickets for the innings and took the final scalp of James Anderson, caught behind by Tom Blundell.

New Zealand have become only the fourth team to win a test after following on.

Neil Wagner says today's victory will stay with him for a very long time after the fact, especially with the challenging conditions in the lead up to the match.  

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