Afternoon Edition: 08 May 2025

The Afternoon Edition of News Fix for 08 May 2025, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Good afternoon. I'm Railing Ramsey. This is your afternoon news
for Thursday, the eighth of May. The Prime Minister is
setting expectations two weeks out from Growth Budget Day. Chris
Luxon says boosting the economy as a major focus and
it'll come from a small number of measures designed to
ease investment. Is again reiterating the government won't be splashing

(00:26):
the cash and now is not the time to risk
economic growth.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
We have a responsibility to stay disciplined and to keep
our eyes on the price, and so far we're making
real progress. Inflation is down, interest rates are falling, exports
are rising, and the economy is growing.

Speaker 1 (00:42):
Banks Peninsula's state of emergency remains in effect, although it
is being reviewed. The emergency was declared a week ago
during record rain and flooding. There are warnings severe weathers
again on its way for much of the country. Orange
warnings have been issued for heavy rain in parts of
both islands, hitting the south today and heading north tomorrow.

(01:03):
Christyur To mayor Film Major says they're being cautious.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
One thing we are worried about is the rain tomorrow.
It's not flooding tight rain, but it's rain that could
have an impact on a number of slips that we've
got over there and just make things a bit messy.

Speaker 1 (01:17):
The ACC ministers acknowledging the thirty six thousand people signing
a demand for reform to firefighters benefits. A petition presented
to Parliament today calls volunteer firefighters to get ACC benefits
for associated long term illness, matching full time officers. Nearly
twelve thousand people volunteer across the country. Scott Simpson says

(01:39):
you'll keep an eye on the petition as it goes
through the parliamentary process. Donald Trump's tariffs continue to loom
over the film industry. The New Zealand Film Commission is
embarking on its own international trade mission. It's sending a
team to India, the UK and France scouting up new
investment partnerships and international productions. Chief Executive Annie Murray says

(02:02):
co production is on the rise despite the tariffs and.

Speaker 3 (02:06):
A lot of business happening.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
We're looking ahead to can next week. We will be
doing a lot more meetings and looking to grow the
three point three billion dollar industry.

Speaker 1 (02:15):
Changes to visit a visa application translation could help lift
tourist numbers. Travelers applying and foreign languages must currently pay
for translation. Now they can organize it themselves. They're only
required to give details of the translator and their qualifications.
Outgoing your New Zealand CEO Greg four And says removing

(02:35):
the fees a smart move.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
Takes sort of circa one hundred hundred and ten dollars
off the price of visas these people are price conscious.

Speaker 1 (02:43):
I think you'll see incremental improvement. Weight Watchers is taking
a hit from Weight Loss Drugs filing for bankruptcy after
sixty two years in business. It's New Zealand arm closed
last November and competitor Jenny Craig folded here two years ago.
Two Sport NRL officials have launched the return of the

(03:04):
North Sydney Bears as the Perth Bears from twenty twenty seven.
Damien McKenzie's declared his hand ready for contact as the
Chiefs visit the Crusaders and christ Church on Saturday. Mackenzie
says he's good to go for the top of the
table match after two weeks out. And Kiwi boxer Lani
Daniels will fight for the undisputed world heavyweight title fight

(03:27):
against one of the biggest names in women's boxing, American
Clarissa Shields. The fights set for July in Detroit. And
that is your latest news fix. We'll be back with
the next update tomorrow morning from the news Talk zb newsroom.