Midday Edition: 20 January 2025

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 20 January 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 Malcolm Jordan and this is your midday
news fixed for Monday, the twentieth of January, a focus
on prioritizing work with businesses in the new Economic Growth Portfolio.
Nikola Willis is picking up the new role alongside her
work as the Minister of Finance. It's a morphed version
of the Economic Development portfolio previously held by Melissa Lee,

(00:26):
who's been stripped of all ministerial responsibilities. Willis says she's
planning to identify barriers for small businesses, industry leaders and
entrepreneurs because the truth is when businesses are doing well,
when they're investing, when they're spending, when they're hiring people,
that's when all New Zealanders do well, and that's what
we want to see. Meanwhile, health commentator Ian Powell says

(00:47):
it's not surprising Shane Rehtti's losing the health portfolio as
he's been criticized for overthinking, but he says Chris Luxen
and Simeon Brown seem more prone to underthinking decisions, which
the risk of getting them wrong.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
I think the health portfolio is probably in the more
safer position with a minister who overthinks rather than under.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
Thinks Outgoing US President Joe Biden says the Middle East
has been fundamentally transformed as a result of the war
in Gaza. As the ceasefire takes hold, Hamas has released
the first three hostages. There are ninety Palestinian prisoners going
the other way. Biden says that the wider regional changes,
including the death of Hamas's longtime leader Yaya Sinoir.

Speaker 2 (01:30):
Mass sponsors and the Middle East have been badly weakened
by Israel back by the United States. Has Blah, one
of massa's biggest backers, was significantly weakened in the battlefield
and as the leadership was destroyed.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
The first of two inquiries relating to allegations of census
information misuse has found no evidence of data breaches, but
it's made a number of recommendations for improving stats n
z's procedures. The report seen by our newsroom says the
approach by Afaro AURA to lift mold participation for the
twenty twenty three census delivered well above and beyond its

(02:05):
contract requirement, but it recommends STATSNZ has active oversight over
outsourcing and maintains a central log of complaints allegations against
Monaeewa Marai have been referred to the Privacy Commissioner. Children's
Minister Karen Chaw could be eligible for a payout under
the abuse Redress scheme, and she's recused herself from making

(02:28):
Cabinet decisions on the redress framework. A Rahui's in place
in Lake Topur as the search continues for a missing
jet skier. Police were called to a Keisha Bay about
twelve thirty yesterday afternoon after reports of people in trouble.
One person and the jet ski made it to shore
with police and Coastguard help, but a second person was

(02:50):
last seen struggling in the water. People should not swim,
fish or gather kai between Pineia Tako and to more
Inger Bay boat Rap until further noticed. Wellington's Homegrown Festival
says it's outgrown the Capitol after eighteen years and will
find a new, larger venue for twenty twenty six. To Sport,

(03:12):
Novak Djokovic has sent down a serve at the Australian
broadcaster Channel nine, demanding an apology before he resumes giving
postmatch on court interviews at the Australian Open. It comes
after broadcaster Tony Jones mocked Serbian fans on Australian TV.
Chris Wood scored in his fourth consecutive Premier League match

(03:32):
to help Nottingham Forrest to a three to two home
win over Southampton, and golfer Daniel hilly Is finished outright second,
one shot behind winner Terrel Hatton at the European Tours
Dubai Desert Classic. I'm Malcolm Jordan. That's your latest news fix.
We'll be back with the next update at five pm
from the news Talk ZB newsroom.