Thousands of teenagers could have their Jobseeker benefit cut next year, as the Government restricts payments.

Eighteen and 19-year-olds without children must pass a Parental Assistance Test to qualify from November 2026.

The threshold will be set at just over $65,000.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston told Tim Beveridge it's the same as the Supported Living Payment, and similar to the Student Allowance test.

She says those on very low incomes below that would not be able to support these teenagers.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bowel cancer is New Zealand’s second biggest cancer killer.

Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria.

From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island. 

The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026.

Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new governor has been appointed for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - all the way from Sweden. 

Dr Anna Breman has already received criticism from economists who find themselves concerned that someone with such little knowledge of the New Zealand economy will hold such a high stakes position. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weight loss plateau that hits about a month into your health journey can be the hardest hurdle when trying to maintain motivation. 

Former boxer and founder of Buttabean Motivation, David Letele, joins to discuss the problems people face when trying to get their health back. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has decided against recognising a Palestinian state at this stage. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters made the announcement in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, grouping New Zealand with a small handful of countries who have also decided not to make the move.

He said as long as Hamas is the Gaza Strip's de facto government, there is no legitimate State of Palestine for New Zealand to recognise. 

Peters also laid out a list of conditions that would need to be met before New Zealand makes the move - like the release of all hostages, the renouncement of terrorism, and movement toward an actual democracy - among others. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy had a worse than expected drop in the June quarter, shrinking 0.9%. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has blamed it on global turmoil, but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand says there's a need to provide more stimulus to the economy by cutting the OCR. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Health Organisation estimates over a billion people between the ages of 12 and 35 are at high risk of hearing loss due to unsafe habits. 

The key cause for the age group is simply listening to music for too long, and too loudly, in headphones or earbuds. Even a movie cinema is likely to have unsafe sound levels. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is off to New York today to attend the United Nations 80th anniversary meeting. 

He says it's a great opportunity to gather information from a broad range of New Zealand's partners on how they view and manage the major conflicts happening around the world. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's hospital facilities are about to get a $100 million investment boost. 

The programme will expand and modernise clinical spaces, and strengthen existing infrastructure to avoid the disruption of clinical services. 

The funding boost will provide small-scale upgrades nationwide, as well as building on more major projects like those in Nelson and Wellington. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of the year when many high school kids are having to make choices when it comes to subject options, perhaps some of which will determine what choices they have in future careers. 

So how can parents support their children through the choice process? 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.