Morning Edition: 20 May 2026

The Morning Edition of News Fix for 20 May 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 (00:03):
Good morning. I'm never Rettimanu and this is your morning
news fix for Wednesday, twentieth of May. In this update,
fear will lose a lot more talent. In further public
service cuts, Nikola Willis has announced a plan to slash
almost nine thousand more roles alongside several entire departments. Otaga

(00:24):
University honorary fellow Michael Swanson says it's positive, there's a
clear plan and the move will likely be politically popular
for the right of center, but he warns those who
lose their jobs will have to go somewhere and overseas
is the most likely outcome because it's doubtful we can
fit nine thousand people into other parts of the workforce.

(00:47):
New Zealand seeing renewed growth in international education, with rising
demand from both major and emerging markets. Education New Zealand
data shows more than ninety two thousand international students enrolled
last up eleven percent on the year prior. China and
India make up almost half of all enrollments. Acting Chief
Executive Linda Sissons says Asia, particularly the Southeast, is a

(01:12):
key market for growth. She says is a rapid interest
from countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal. The US president
insists talks with the RUN are ongoing, as he claims
his opponents want him to stop. Donald Trump took to
social media yesterday to say he'd hold off on plans
to attack Iran at the request of Cutter, Saudi Arabia

(01:33):
and the UAE, but this morning he told reporters the
US may have to give Iran another big hit. Trump's
also repeating claims Iran's desperate for a deal. He says
the US is winning every aspect of the war, but
claims politicians in Washington, who he calls democrats, are trying
to stop him from negotiating. The death toll in the

(01:54):
Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has now surpassed one hundred
and thirty. More cases are suspected, and the World Health
Organization fears the extent of the outbreak is worse than
what's known. The WHO has declared a public health emergency
of International concern. Police say more arrests are likely after

(02:15):
a series of attacks connected to dating apps. Two fifteen
year old and two sixteen year old males have been
charged with aggravated burglary. It follows four incidents involving people
allegedly lured to secluded locations in invercargo and attacked to
victims was seriously injured. Krewe's continue to trim their cloth

(02:36):
in the face of a tough economy. STATSNEZ data shows
retail electronic cart purchases fell one point three percent last month.
Spending dropped across the board, particularly for vehicles and food.
People appear to be driving less spending less on fuel,
despite petrol and diesel prices still surging compared to this

(02:56):
time last year. New Zealanders are spending more overall, but
buying less or cheap of food, and continuing to cut
back on their clothing budget. In sport, tennis player Carlos
Alcoraz will miss Wimbledon as he continues recovering from his
wrist problem. Former assistant Enzo Maresca is the lead contender

(03:18):
to replace Pep Guardiola as Manchester City football manager next season.
Zoe Hobbs has won the one hundred meters at the
Oceania Athletics Championships, clocking eleven seconds flat. Warriors League coach
Andrew Webster has named Mighty Martin rather than Luke Metcalf
as the injured Tanner Boyd's halfback replacement for Saturday's NRL

(03:40):
match against the Dragons. I never ready mano. With that,
your latest news fix will be back with the next
update at midday from the news Talk Zebe newsroom