Nine To Noon

When Stephen K Amos started out in comedy there was no social media to worry about. Now, jokes in the high-pressure comedy scene run the risk of being taken the wrong way and amplified online. Instead of avoiding it, the London-born comedian has folded it into his latest show Now We're Talking.

There's been a ten-fold increase of New Zealanders investing in oil futures. Rebecca also discusses a coming speech by the RBNZ Reserve Bank Governor in light of the economic shocks coming out of the Iran situation, and a trading platform is expecting younger generations taking on a large wealth transfer to be keen on investing.

Tess discusses the impact of the fuel shortages on Stewart Island, a stoush over behaviour at Dunedin City Council, plans to pump water water in Queenstown's Kawarau River, and the Dunedin croquet club looking to cheese rolls and tea towel sales to move from a container clubroom to proper facilities.

Sally Battson of The Next Chapter Bookshop in Wanaka reviews The Ballad of Joe Taihape by Glenn Colquhoun, published by OldKing Press.

Tareq Baconi's first book, Hamas Contained, was first published in 2018 and looks at the ascent of the militant group into a political force. This latest work though, Fire in Every Direction, is a deeply personal one - something he says never really thought would be published.

US President Trump says his country has had productive talks with Iran, following a threat to attack the country's power plants. In US southern states the price of petrol is up 30 per cent while the former FBI director who investigated Russian interference at the 2016 election has died.

A community led initiative which helps fund hospice services is celebrating a major milestone. It is the longest continuously running community fundraiser for hospices in New Zealand, and has just reached a $250,000 milestone in its fundraising efforts.

From next month the Inland Revenue Department will gain a much clearer view of New Zealand-based cryptocurrency activity, and a tax expert is warning investors to be aware of what they owe. From April 1, all crypto-asset service providers, including trading platforms and brokers, are required to collect and report user identities and tax residency details.

Lawyers are concerned proposed changes to the Public Works Act go too far, and will give landowners fewer options to dispute their home begin taken. An amendment bill currently before select committee seeks to overhaul the Act which allows the Crown and local authorities to acquire private land to deliver public works projects such as roads or water services.

Otago Peninsula has been declared possum-free, and a whistle stop tour of the country with two dozen National Geographic visitors.