NZ band Corrella is made up of eight-members, formed in 2017 at the Devonport Navy base.

Since their debut Corrella has had a number of charting hits including Blue Eyed Māori.

Lead singer Pipi Campbell told Andrew Dickens that their music spans genres, "I wouldn't like to put us into one box, but we do reggae, we do some country, we do a bit of pop."

Their newest single 'NOT I’ is coming out Friday, July 17th ahead of a line-up of summer festivals. 

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The All Blacks are scheduled to play against Italy on Saturday in Wellington for a Round 2 Nations Championship test match.

Dave Rennie has announced a raft of changes for the run on team including two new rookies. 

Newstalk ZB's lead rugby commentator Elliott Smith told Andrew Dickens, "he's probably retained the skeleton, I guess you'd say, of the team that won this week against France in Christchurch, but also brought in some of those players you mentioned there, just to try and change things up, give them game time and see what they can do in a black jersey."

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National has confirmed they're in talks with Labour as ACT and New Zealand First refuse to back a social media ban for under-16s 

National is saying protecting children should be above politics.

Psychology PHD student and advisor to B416 Claire Reid says she is in support of the ban as 'a first step'. 

"I'm not a politician, I'm a scientist, but what I'm really clear about is that the harms to the children are real," she told Andrew Dickens.

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The New Zealand Government is formally exploring the idea of joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance signed by Fiji and Australia on July 6

The treaty commits each country to come to the other's aid in the event of an armed attack in the Pacific.

Retired Major General and Senior Fellow of the New Zealand Initiative, John G. Howard, told Andrew Dickens "with the rising complexity that we see in the geopolitical domain, it would make sense for all nations to think, quite clearly about what they want to do for their nation's security, and that's the opportunity here."

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It is a historic day for New Zealand's international relations as one of the world's most powerful leaders, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to touch down in Auckland, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years.

Modi's visit comes off the back of the landmark FTA deal.

Trade Minister Todd McClay joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the visit. 

"You know, the wider business community is going to be turning out. There's a formal lunch tomorrow with a lot of business leaders and sectors that are going to benefit from the FDA," McClay said.

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One of Newstalk ZB's most familiar voices has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours, two decades after first being sounded out.

Barry Soper's been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism, recognising 43 years in the parliamentary press gallery.

He says he considered the honour 20 years ago while serving as political editor, on the advice of senior colleagues.

"And asked their opinion on whether it would be seen, or I could be seen as politically biased - and I think the conclusion was: that was a possibility. So I didn't want to compromise my independence." 

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More people are wanting to give up vaping, for a variety of reasons. 

Almost 16,000 people reached out to Quitline last year, with a quarter enrolled in the Quit Vaping programme. 

Māori make up 23 percent of those seeking support.

Auckland University Public Health Professor Chris Bullen says vaping is less harmful than smoking, but also has negative impacts.

He explained people are considering costs, potential long-term health effects and if they want to be addicted to something. 

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Suzie Bates intends to distance herself from the White Ferns once she retires from the international game following the upcoming women's T20 Cricket World Cup in England.

Bates has been awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to cricket and basketball, following a two-decade career where she also played for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Olympics.

The 38-year-old Bates has ruled out staying on with the White Ferns in a coaching or advisory role.

She says this award has taken her by surprise, but she's thrilled to be acknowledged. 

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Caution's being urged as automated decision-making moves a step closer to use in welfare services.

A bill aimed at improving efficiencies passed its third reading under urgency in Parliament on Friday. 

Social Development Minister Louise Upston says it will modernise the system and reduce unnecessary manual processing, but won't use generative AI.

Gorilla Technology's Paul Spain says it will do exactly what it's asked.

"This really comes down to the human oversight, how well this is put together, and that it's monitored appropriately." 

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Some of the key architects of our education system are being recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.

Elizabeth Rata has been made a Dame for her services to education, including her work on the senior English curriculum over a career spanning five decades.

She's among three education leaders to receive the top honour, alongside Susan Hassall and Professor Emeritus James Chapman.

Rata says she was thrilled to see other educators celebrated.

"Because the country has really turned the corner, I think, with education. And I look forward to the next few generations of New Zealand children being really successful."

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