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Senior Te Whatu Ora doctors and dentists feel they've been pushed into strike action by a poor pay offer.

About 5000 staff will be striking from September 5.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins hopes issues raised in the looming strike will be resolved before then.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins kept encouraging doctors and dentists to 'go back around the bargaining table'- as this could create more bad press for the Government.

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Freightways have their sights set on a listing across the ditch, following a solid performance led by the Allied Express acquisition. 

The company today posted a 29 percent revenue lift since the expansion- profit rose to $1.12 billion in the year to the end of June.

Chief Executive Mark Troughear says the Australian market presents 'massive' expansion opportunities for the future.

"The market share opportunities are massive, they're a good operator, they're in a good niche, and it's a very big market for us."

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The Finance Minister says Labour's GST policy isn't to blame for its latest slump in the polls.

The latest 1News Verian results puts Labour on its worst numbers in 6 years - tumbling 4 points - to just 29 percent.

National has climbed two points to 37 percent, which gives the party support to form a Government with ACT's 13 percent.

The research was conducted right after Labour announced it will remove GST from fresh fruit and veg.

But Grant Robertson says he doesn't believe this is driven by one single policy.

"It's been a challenging time over a period of months, but we've got 2 months to let people know what's at stake here- and I think it is a hugely important election for New Zealand."

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Supercars will be returning to New Zealand for 2024, with Taupō hosting the upcoming season.

The Australian motor racing championship lost access to Pukekohe Park Raceway after the 2022 season, and the venue since reverted to a horse training facility.

Owner Tony Quinn is 'stoked' for the town of Taupō, as this presents the perfect opportunity for boosting tourism. 

"The main target audience for the event is selling tourism. We can showcase New Zealand far better at Taupo rather than Hampton Downs. To me, that's the biggest element of the gig."

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A claim safety outside Auckland schools will be a postcode lottery under an Auckland Transport plan.

The AT school speed limits proposal is open for consultation until next Monday.

Auckland University Population Professor Alistair Woodward says the plan leaves some areas worse off - with fewer speed limits.

He rates Kaipatiki, Howick and Orakei the most dangerous areas, and Waiheke, Manurewa and Mangere-Otahuhu the three safest.

Woodward says people should submit feedback if they want it changed.

"Read to find out what is being proposed for their schools, to submit to Auckland Transport."

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The Education Minister wants standardised teaching of maths, reading and writing across the country.

The Government has announced it plans to legislate on its common practice teaching model.

Jan Tinetti says she plans to change the Education and Training Act, making those core subjects a requirement.

She says the focus is on creating a consistent curriculum.

"At the moment, the order in what somebody might be teaching in oral language - acquisition, for example -  will be different in different schools. We want that to be exactly the same."

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The first national strike from senior doctors and dentists reflects their ongoing frustration.

About 5000 members have announced a strike on September 5.

Salaried Medical Specialists Association director Sarah Dalton says members want raises to help staff keep up with inflation.

"Our members have experienced real pay cuts since 2020, when Covid landed, and they have said enough is enough. We have a known doctor shortage, Te Whatu Ora has put a number on it. They've said it's 1700 doctors, we think it's more."

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The Australian Government has spent $1.7 billion on Tomahawk cruise missiles, making it the third region to have access to this technology.

Defence minister Richard Marles says this investment will hold adversaries further from Australian shores and 'keep Australians safe'.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the region is boosting their defence systems in case of war- but Australia will have to develop technology on their shores as well.

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National's Chris Luxon has promised to put $280 million into funding 13 cancer treatments over the next four years.

This funding will be ring-fenced to Pharmac to cover lung, bowel, kidney, and melanoma cancer treatments- with free prescriptions scrapped to cover costs.

Luxon says New Zealand's cancer mortality rate is 15 percent higher than Australia, and improving access to treatment can bridge the gap.

"Part of that is actually accessing those treatments and those drugs that can extend lives, but also save lives. That's what this is about."

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England have failed to add the women's football World Cup to their cabinet, beaten 1-nil by Spain in the final at Sydney.

The European champions were dominated in the first half, with Spanish captain Olga Carmona driving home the game's goal in the 29th minute.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine breaks down yesterday's victory here.

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