Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Inland Revenue Department has launched some new steps in bringing down tax debt - with one scheme linked to a key credit agency. Following a successful pilot, the IRD will report more recalcitrant tax debtors to credit reporting agency Centrix. Centrix Group Managing Director Keith McLaughlin says this scheme is designed to bring down company debt at this stage, not personal debt. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strong signals from the Government suggesting the rights and privacy of the children will be paramount in the Tom Phillips inquiry.  Police shot the fugitive dead in September after he was on the run with his kids in the Waikato bush for four years.  NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explained what this case could uncover. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business as usual for Jetstar, despite Air New Zealand taking a swipe at its airport discounts.  Air New Zealand head Nikhil Ravishankar claimed airports are unfairly subsidising the Qantas-owned airline - on our most profitable air routes.  BusinessDesk reports Ravishankar says that includes open-ended discounted landing rights and cost cutting deals.  Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully says they're just focused on running their own race.  "The reality is, we've been trying really hard to make sure that we've got a great value proposition in the New Zealand market - and it's great that more Kiwis are giving us a go." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is addressing concerns cash is becoming inaccessible by bringing money to rural communities.   It has opened a 12-month trial of a cash depot in Hawke's Bays' Waipukurau - offering a closer site to make withdrawals. Local banks have recently closed, meaning the nearest ATM for locals is 50 kilometres away. Reserve Bank Money and Cash Director, Ian Woolford, says, currently, only businesses can use the depot for cash. "It's quite surprising, about a third of where people get their money from is actually from a retailer...but people might be noticing retailers are increasingly saying - well, we don't really want to accept cash." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses are taking class-action over a power outage to of all Northland last year - although the exact loss is still unknown. In June, an inexperienced worker removed nuts from three legs of a pylon, which toppled, cutting electricity to almost the entire region. An opt-out class action against Transpower and its lines maintenance contractor is progressing through the courts.  Stout Street Chambers partner, Mike Colson, says losses will be calculated in due course.  "It's giving Northland businesses an opportunity to be compensated - and second, an opportunity to incentivise those working on critical infrastructure to do a good job out of it." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agency actions regarding the children of fugitive Tom Phillips are going under the microscope, with a report due back mid-next year.  Phillips was on the run nearly four years, ending only when he died in September in a police shootout. Attorney-General Judith Collins says questions will be asked about what Government agencies did to protect the children, what they knew - and did or didn't do. "In this situation, what we can look into is what the Government agencies knew, what they did, and what they didn't do. Should they have done more?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian state of Victoria will be formally apologising to indigenous people for colonisation next month. The symbolic action will be delivered by State Premier Jacinta Allan - acknowledging ongoing harm and injustices and land being taken without consent. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this comes after a first-nations Justice Commission report recommended 100 actions - and more changes will be made as a result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games centenary edition. The decision has been ratified by the organisation's general assembly in Glasgow. India sees the event as a launching pad to bid for the 2036 Olympics. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millennials are the first generation to get more left-wing as they age, according to new reports.  A study by the Australian National University has found the age group's support  for Australia's right-wing coalition fell between 2016 and 2025 -  from 38 percent to 21 percent. Study Author Sarah Cameron says education and gender are playing a role.  "It used to be that women were slightly further right, and then were slightly further left. Over time, that gender gap - it's reversed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four more people have been arrested as as result of last month's high-profile robbery at the Louvre Museum. Two men, aged 38 and 39, and two women, aged 31 and 40, all from the Paris region, were recently arrested. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says police now have 96 hours to question these new suspects.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.