Morning Edition: 21 October 2025

The Morning Edition of News Fix for 21 October 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 morning, I never Readymanu, and this is your morning
Newswexper Tuesday, twenty first of October. In this update, Truckees
are welcoming progression in the Roads of national significance. Nzda's
funding board has approved the investment case for all seventeen
of them. Transporting New Zealand says roads will improve safety,
productivity and economic growth. Chief Executive Don Calassi says both

(00:28):
sides of the aisle need to get behind this so
these projects can roll out. He says the worst thing
is when projects are canceled because of a change in government.
It's thought that Labor is taking steps forward for Kiwi
businesses with their new fund proposal. It'll invest solely in
local projects, modeling its future fund off the existing superfund,

(00:51):
to be seeded with two hundred million dollars Crown money
and existing assets. Prosper Managing Director Adriane Beakbee told Ryan
Bridge small businesses are the backbone of New Zealand, but
fund eligibility is in question.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
Of prive though by tech startups and community renewable energy.
You wonder how many really small businesses that would be
a focus. If you're talking about a headdress theer are
not really focused on those areas. Does that actually already
point to a larger size business.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
The latest rise in inflation may be more of a
blip than a spike. Inflations hit three percent in the
year to September, well up on a year ago, but
well below the seven point three percent high reached during COVID.
It's expected to start easing again given the amount of
sphere capacity in the economy. ASB chief economist Nick Toughly says,

(01:39):
much of the inflation is being driven by key factors
like power prices, rates, rents, and food. Former students of
Auckland's Wesley College say suggery and beatings have been rife
at the school for decades. The schools announced the closure
of its hostels at the end of the year amid
reports of violence and safety and culture concerns. One nineteen

(02:02):
eighty nine student told The Herald he witnessed several students
be hit in the body with pillow cases filled with
objects like soap or drink bottles. Another student from the
seventies says he has vivid memories of canings leaving large
black bleeding. Welts College Trust board chair Jan Tasker says
it's deeply saddened by the accounts and has made significant

(02:25):
changes to safeguard students concerns. The Defense Force is taking
a backward step with its sexual assault Prevention team getting
the acts. The seven specialist sexual Assault Advisors came to
the Force as part of Operation Respect in twenty sixteen
in an effort to eliminate inappropriate sexual behavior. They'll be

(02:45):
replaced by nine social workers. Public Service Association National Secretary
Flur fitz Simons says nzdfs dismantling the expertise that was
put in place. Greater Wellington Regional Council is warning against
keeping hossums as pets. It warns the pests posers serious
threat to native birds and plants and often damage trees,

(03:08):
eat birds eggs, and spread tuberculosis. In Sport, England have
beaten New Zealand by sixty five runs in the second
T twenty Cricket International and christ Church to take an
unassailable one mill lead in the three match series, with
a game to play in Auckland on Thursday. The Warriors
have reportedly tabled a two year extension offer to halfback

(03:30):
Luke Metcalf ahead of his entry into the NRL League
Open Market on November first. Injury means the Football Ferns
will be without defender CJ Bott for their internationals in
North America, starting against Mexico on Friday. I'm never ready,
Manu that your latest news fix will be back with
the next update at midday from the newstalk ZB news
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