Afternoon Edition: 17 March 2025

The Afternoon Edition of News Fix for 17 March 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 Rayling Ramsey. This is your afternoon news Fixer, Monday,
the seventeenth of March. Outsourcing some manufacturing overseas may be
New Zealand's most economic option. A briefing to the Energy
Minister highlights energy and gas challenges. Here's political reporter Azariah Howell.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
The briefing warns outsourcing manufacturing of energy intensive goods might
be the best choice in some places, even with the
potential for industrial closures. The Minister has been told some
critical services like hospitals may struggle to access gas and
be forced to pay very high prices. There's a growing
risk of power outages as fossil fuel generation ages and

(00:46):
gas supplies decline.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
Clashing councilors at afarg at a district council floridation meeting,
Simon Reid is strongly against the Ministry of Health's directive
to floridate by March twenty eight.

Speaker 3 (00:58):
We are protected from anyone putting something into your body
without your consent. If I'm not wrong, I think that
constitutes rape.

Speaker 1 (01:06):
Councilor Scott McKenzie called out the comparison to Mayor Vince cockruloship.

Speaker 3 (01:12):
The point of order Council McKenzie offensive language counsel on
you rephrase your question.

Speaker 1 (01:21):
Re changed his wording but kept the same sentiments are.

Speaker 3 (01:24):
By default aiding in a betting governmental poor letter.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
Words potential for more cost cutting at megaministry MB. A
briefing to ministers responsible shows the Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment reduced its full time employees by eleven percent
in a year. It found four point three billion dollars
cost savings over eighteen months. The briefing state CMB continues

(01:49):
to look for ways to work more effectively, and more
demand for savings could force trade offs. David Seymour signaling
school lunches could get more tweaks down the track. Complaints
of late deliveries and inedible food beleagued the program's launch,
and last week a meal provider went into liquidation. Seymour
says there is a good argument for targeting the program differently.

(02:12):
He says that can be considered. Once the ship is steady,
which is nearing every day.

Speaker 3 (02:17):
We will be able to start asking these other questions
like do indet to fund it for every single careat
every single school. I think those questions are worth answer.

Speaker 1 (02:25):
Moves to expand access to mental health and addiction support
and strengthen the workforce. Health. New Zealand and Canterbury University
are launching the postgraduate Diploma in Associate Psychology Danik and
Maclain reports.

Speaker 4 (02:40):
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says graduates will be registered
health professionals who'll work supervised within a mental health or
addiction service. He says this will help free up registered
psychologists to focus on more complex cases. The first cohort
will begin study next year, with another tertiary provider expected
to be confirmed later.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
The droopy deep sea blob fish Sha has been crowned
New Zealand's Fish of the Year. It's scored nearly three
hundred more votes than the second placed orange Ruffy. The
top ten also included the long fin Eel, the whale
shark and the big bellied seahorse. To sport Our, New
Zealand Rugby League Chief executive Greg Peters has confirmed their

(03:22):
interest in bringing Kayln Ponger to the Kiwis, but admits
the eligibility criteria remains a roadblock. Canber Our teammates Morgan
Smithe's and Hudson Young have received breach notices from the
NRL for brawling in a Las Vegas elevator, but are
facing only suspended fines. Northern Irishman Rory McElroy and American

(03:44):
JJ spond will compete in a three hole aggregate playoff
on Tuesday morning to decide the winner of the Players
Golf Championship in Florida. I'm Raylen Ramsey. That is your
latest news fix. We'll be back with the next update
tomorrow morning. From the news Talk Seed Bean u use
rope

Speaker 2 (04:04):
Yah