Afternoon Edition: 29 July 2025

The Afternoon Edition of News Fix for 29 July 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
fix for Tuesday, the twenty ninth of July. A suite
of new voting rules has passed its first reading in
the House sixty eight to fifty four. Changes include moves
to ban same day enrollment. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says
the bill overhauls outdated and unsustainable electoral laws.

Speaker 2 (00:28):
The package of amendments will strengthen the system, helping to
deliver timely election results, manage the costs, clarify rules, and
provide more efficient services to voters.

Speaker 1 (00:39):
Labor, just as spokesperson Duncan Webb says, these changes will
mean thousands of kiwis will be turned away at the
voting booth. It is a dark day for democracy. This
is a huge step backwards in which should be thoroughly
ashamed of it. The Associate Health Minister claims Labor and
our n Z are fixated on the tobacco industry. Urn

(00:59):
Z reports the trial halving EXCIZ on heated tobacco products
has been extended to twenty twenty seven. Labour claims it
means a three hundred million dollar hand out to Philip Morris,
but Casey Costello says the policy is designed to encourage
smokers to move to less harmful products. We've got to
remember this is contingency. Some what labor and what has

(01:20):
been reported is really damaging and unhelpful. They may be
focused on the tobacco industry. I'm focused on getting people
to stop smoking. North Islanders are being told to keep
their ears pinned for wild weather Orange heavy rain warning
supply for Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, Canterbury Headwaters and Otago
Lakes North and To Auckland and May and Plenty are

(01:41):
also getting a pounding with severe thunderstorm watches as well.
A slips brought State Highway one down to one lane
in Northland over the Brindeuwin Hills. Auckland Emergency Managements Adam
Maggs is warning locals to travel safely quickly in the
later part of the day around peak hour traffic. We're
going to see heavier downpourst drive to the conditions and

(02:02):
plan your journey. Tasmin Mayor Tim King says there's anxiety
after recent flooding, but everything seems under control. It looks
as though it has peaked and maybe lessening. Over in
Golden Bay and the peak in the balance of the
region of the rain and the wind is expected around
about mid afternoon. Civil defense has been activated. Pioneering jewelry

(02:24):
retailer Sir Michael Hill has died this morning after a
cancer battle. He was eighty six. He built a global
brand with branches in New Zealand, Australia and Canada after
humble beginnings in Fine. A day speaking to Porter Bennett
on the Ask Me Anything podcast, he said he wished
all New Zealanders could reach their full potential. If you're

(02:45):
not making a mistake that hurts in twelve months, then
your goals are too feeble and too miserable. You need
to aim higher than you possibly could imagine. To sport
and Olympics swimmer Lewis Claarbert is qualified for the two
hundred meters butterflies semi finals overnight at the World Championships
in Singapore. Erica Fairweather is into the two hundred meters

(03:07):
freestyle semis Roger Tui Vasishek is calling on the Warriors
to rally as they look to turn things around against
the Dolphins on Friday at Mount Smart. They are three
points clear of the fifth place Panthers and former All
Whites and Wellington Phoenix player Marco Rojas has announced his
retirement from professional football. That is your latest news fix.

(03:29):
We'll be back with the next update tomorrow morning from
the News Talk sed B Newsroom.