Midday Edition: 09 August 2026

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 09 August 2026, 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 (00:02):
From the News Talk Samby Newsroom. This is NEWSFACS. In
this update, National is pledging no new taxes on working people,
small businesses or pensioners, but is leaving the door ajar
for others. The party released its budget responsibility rules today,
promising a budget surplus and bringing debt and government spending down.

(00:23):
Finance spokeswoman Nikola Willis says the parties committed to keeping
taxes low to meet the rules.

Speaker 2 (00:29):
Listen to me very carefully, no new taxes on working people.
The full National Party plans will be released in the
campaign sequence.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
An urban planning expert says making helmets compulsory shouldn't be
seen as a silver bullet for preventing escooter injuries. Tim
Welsh says there needs to be a more targeted approach
to the problem, including better infrastructure, lower speed limits, education
and tougher enforcement around alcohol. Whilsh says making things compulsory

(00:58):
can turn people away from it altogether.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
We saw massive drafts in cycling in New Zealand when
it became compulsory, in Australia where it became compulsory, and
many other countries experiences there.

Speaker 1 (01:11):
Time sticking for district councils to submit their amalgamation plans
before central government goes in over their heads. They've had
just three months to come up with proposals to merge
with at least one other nearby authority. Those that can't
face a government in posed backstop process. Local government expert
Andy Asquith says it's policy made on the hoof and

(01:33):
plays right into central government's hands. An expert's concerned governments
could circumvent air pollution rules if changes become law. A
report by the Public Health Communications Center warns the proposed
Natural Environment Bill could damage protections for the air we breathe.
Lead author lou Wickhams says ministers would push ahead on

(01:55):
projects exceeding current limits if the public benefits outweigh health risks.
She says these decisions shouldn't be made at their discretion.

Speaker 2 (02:04):
It depends entirely on hosan government as to who has
this executive power, and it's quite extraordinary executive power for
a minister to have.

Speaker 1 (02:11):
That's news in sport, Defending the Ranferly Shield is a
cliche in the mind of Otago coach Mark Brown, as
the Loggerwood goes back on the line against Canterbury and
duneed in this afternoon Otago one shield off Canterbury in
September last year. Brown says their DNA is to have
the go whether the.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
Shields are for grabs or not. We're just attacking whoever's
on the other side of the halfway line to us,
and that's who we are and that's who we're going
to stay.

Speaker 1 (02:39):
Kick off is that five past two. Preparing for a
National Basketball League Grand Final has become second nature to
Wellington's Saints' coach Aaron Young. This afternoon's decider against Southland
is Young's fifth straight final appearance as head coach. Best
case scenario for boxer David Nieka as he eyes a
shot at the IBA Cruiserweight world title later this year.

(03:02):
That Sports, I'm Sandy Hodge. For more news, listen to
news talks at B on the free iheartapp