Webcasts – Evening Report

EveningReport.nz Launches LIVE Programme – A View from Afar

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 22:22:39 +0000

EveningReport LIVE: Evening Report has launched a new programme called A View from Afar with political scientist and security intelligence expert, Paul G. Buchanan. The programme is a joint effort between EveningReport’s parent company Multimedia Investments Ltd and Paul Buchanan’s 36th-Parallel Assessments business.

The programme, A View from Afar, will launch today, at 8pm US EDST (midday, NZST).

A View from Afar explores the big issues that are sweeping the world, viewed, analysed, and dissected from an independent New Zealand perspective.

The programme’s format examines the cause, the affect, and possible solutions to issues. It also includes audience participation, where the programme’s social media audiences can make comment and issue questions. The best of these can be selected and webcast in the programme LIVE. Once the programme has concluded, it will automatically switch to video on demand so that those who have missed the programme, can watch it at a time of their convenience.

So watch out for it on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube as we will promote A View from Afar via our social media channels and via web partners. It will also webcast live and on demand on EveningReport.nz, 36th-Parallel.com, and other selected outlets.

You can interact with the LIVE programme by joining these social media channels. Here are the links:

In the meantime, do bookmark EveningReport.nz and we look forward to you taking part in some robust live debate.

About Us: EveningReport.nz is based in Auckland city, New Zealand, is an associate member of the New Zealand Media Council, and is part of the MIL-OSI network, owned by its parent company Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL) (MILNZ.co.nz).

EveningReport specialises in publishing independent analysis and features from a New Zealand juxtaposition, including global issues and geopolitics as it impacts on the countries and economies of Australasia and the Asia Pacific region.

Live Video Stream: New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 National Yearling Sales Series kicks off at 3pm today

MIL_Syndication — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 01:23:42 +0000

First Day of Karaka 2019

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Sunday, Jan 27, 2019 – The 2019 National Yearling Sales Series kicks off this afternoon seeing the first 100 yearlings catalogued in Book 1 go under the hammer from 3pm.

The Sale will be streamed live on www.nzb.co.nz, on the New Zealand Bloodstock facebook page, and on Karaka Pop Up (SKY Channel 263).

On all four days of Book 1, coverage will commence with a half-hour preview show before the live Sale broadcast begins.

Book 2 and Book 3 will be broadcast live online from 11.00am each day.

Racing.com will broadcast Book 1 on Free-to-air (Channel 68/78) and Foxtel Channel 529 on Monday 28 January, as well as streaming live on Racing.com.

All catalogues are available at reception or can be viewed online.

Visit www.nzb.co.nz for all Sale news and information.

Live stream of this event made possible by R2.co.nz

VIDEO Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning: Message from America – Climate Change and the Threat of a Korean War: Trumps Defining Moment

Selwyn Manning — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 01:44:37 +0000

Message from America – Climate Change and the Threat of a Korean War: Trumps Defining Moment. In this episode Dr Paul G. Buchanan and Selwyn Manning discuss Hurricane Irma and its devastating track across the Caribbean and its looming threat on Florida. https://youtu.be/Lj5apRdHRq4 Will this, the latest in a series of severe Atlantic born storms cause US President Donald Trump to accept Climate Change is real? Also, how should Trump handle the intensifying nuclear threat from North Korea? Is there a role for New Zealand, as an independent Pacific Island state, to broker talks between North Korea, China, South Korea, Japan, and the United States similar to the Five Nations talks of the 2000s? Is a multilateral response via the United Nations a better way forward for independent states rather than forward-committing to a US-led conflict should hostilities intensify further? MIL Video: This video is copyright to Paul G. Buchanan (36th-Parallel.com) and Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL) (EveningReport.nz).]]>

MIL Video: Message from America Trumps Waterloo – Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning

Selwyn Manning — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 04:04:46 +0000

Message from America: Welcome to this the first episode in a four month series titled, Message from America, featuring political and security analyst Dr Paul Buchanan and host Selwyn Manning. This week we cross to Florida to discuss the vibe on the ground and the fallout for President Donald Trump over the race riots in Charlottesville. https://youtu.be/HpKCD5vdM9I Span of questions: 1) Is this Trump’s Waterloo? 2) Is he realy trying to empower and validate the alt-Right? 3) is he a racist? 4) Given that major corporate figures, senior GOP leaders and military commanders have repudiated white supremecism and indirectly in some cases, Trump himself, what does this mean for his presidency and his policy agenda? 5) Is there a crisis of civil-militaryrelations in the making? 6) Are the jobs of General Kelly (Chief of Staff) and Gen MacMaster (NSC advisor) tenable if Trump does not back down on his suport for Rightists? 7) Nazis openly marching in the streets of the US 72 years after they surrendered in Europe–who would have thought it possibel? 8) is civil war in the US imminent or possible? How large is the alt-Right/neo-Nazi/whiote supremacist movement? 9) As a diversion from the mueller investigation into his campiagn connections with Russia the alt-Right dog whistle-turned-into bugle call has backfired. But what about that investiogation? Where is it in terms of results? 10) Is Steve Bannon the puppet master and is his job safe? 11) With trump increasingly isolated and lashing out at members of his own party, is impeachment or resignation possible?]]>

Across the Ditch: Caregivers Get $2b Deal From Govt + Survival Story + The Finale

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 20:30:12 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver the final of their weekly bulletin, Across the Ditch. FIRST UP: Weather + Headlines + ITEM ONE: The New Zealand Government announced a $2 billion deal that will see caregivers in NZ receive a significant wage increase. ALSO: A wonderful survival of an eight year-old girl who was in a boating accident yesterday on the Manukau Harbour and treaded water for over two hours before being rescued by Coastguard. She has now been released from hospital and is back home with her family. The search for a 52 year-old relative continues today. In Depth – It must be election year in NZ The Prime Minister Bill English announced this week that 55,000 workers in New Zealand’s caregiver sector will get a significant lift in their weekly wages. The Prime Minister said the deal will cost the Government $2 billion and addresses gender inequality in the female dominated sector. There’s an irony in the background to this announcement. Those advocating the interests of the caregiver sector sought a government commitment to addressing the gender inequality. Basically, they argued that if the sector was dominated by male employees, the wages would be significantly higher. The Government fought tooth and nail through the courts, lining up some of the best Crown lawyers to be found. But that was when John Key was prime minister. It appears the new PM, Bill English, is determined to brand his leadership as being fiscally prudent but fair. English even went as far as to applaud the caregivers, advocates, and unions for the way they negotiated with Government, and acknowledged that they had been underpaid for too long. The $2 billion deal is costed over five years and will see caregivers hourly rate increase from $16-$18 up to between $19 and $27. The band is determined by the caregiver’s skill and experience grade. The Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said the costs of residential care will likely lift beyond the government subsidies paid to private providers operating in the aged and continuing care sector. Coleman said this increase, paid in many cases by the elderly or their families could go up by around $100 per week topping out at just short of $1000.00. ITEM TWO – And it’s goodbye from him It’s the last episode of Across the Ditch. Peter Godfrey and I have been doing our weekly bulletin for over a decade, pretty close to 12 years by our recollection. It has been fun, rewarding, and an honour. I thought we could highlight some of the things we have talked about. There was the Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people. The quake struck at 12:51pm on February 22 2011 and registered 6.3 on the Richter scale. New Zealanders were humbled by the help and support that flooded in from overseas, and the first of our global friends to arrive were from Australia. Due to my preoccupations, we have talked a fair bit about politics. But it always interests me how your state and New Zealand share many common issues. So, analysing the substance of solutions seems progressive. There were some lighter moments too. Like when we were doing a live talk while I was in hospital. We were about 10 minutes into our talk when a nurse injected into my IV line morphine. As far as I could tell we got through the bulletin without your audience realising too much was amiss. But there was no hiding from a coughing fit I once had on air. And also the inevitable technical hiccups when a telco seemed determined to cut us off after 15 minutes. Oddly, it seemed to occur almost every time we spoke about spies and intelligence issues. There was the time when we were discussing something or rather, and suddenly there was a deafening squawking sound. You thought I had a Kookaburra in the room with me! The truth was I hadn’t fed the dog his marmite sandwich for his breakfast, so ole Blake the Greyhound protested. He stormed into the home office with his squeaky toy, Lance, and dominated the remainder of the bulletin. Perhaps that was the most poignant account of life across the ditch here in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing your time with us Peter. Kia Ora, Ka kite No, Haere ra. Take care.]]>

Across the Ditch: Remants of Cyclone Debbie Drenches New Zealand + Ram Raid Artwork Heist

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 20:32:23 +0000

ITEM ONE – Debbie Deluge Hits New Zealand New Zealand has been whacked by what is left of Cyclone Debbie, with heavy rainstorms and gales causing havoc mainly in the North Island. – Landslips occurred in Auckland suburb Kohimarama, initially sparking fears two people were buried under metres of mud. Residents of apartments in the area want to know if the cliffs around Auckland’s eastern city suburbs are stable and safe. – On Auckland’s North Shore, some homes with multimillion dollar views on the cliff’s edge were in danger of slipping into the sea. A resident reported Wednesday that he woke up to realise half of his backyard was gone and had collapsed into the Hauraki Gulf. – Flooding occurred in Whanganui on the Central North Island’s west coast. It is the second time in two years that a supposed one in two hundred year storm has caused floods and a state of civil emergency in that region. The Whanganui River has come close to breaching its 9 metre banks. People have been evacuated from their homes. A woman driving beside the Waikato River near Ngaruawhahia, about an hour south of Auckland, had her car slide into the river. She managed to get out and get to the river bank before her car was submerged. Sadly, Police said, no one came to her aid and one person Stodden there filming the woman’s plight on their cellphone. ITEM TWO – Art Ram Raid Heist Two art works depicting Maori portraits and valued at around $1 million combined, were stolen this week during a ram raid on an Auckland international art dealership shop. It’s an interesting story that has caused local Maori to question whose relatives were the subjects in the portraits.

Here’s a link to the article in the NZHerald.

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Across the Ditch: Book Alleges Coverup of New Zealand SAS Soldiers Involved in Afghanistan War Crimes

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 19:24:06 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin. This week Selwyn details the allegations made in a book called Hit and Run by Jon Stephenson and Nicky Hager that suggest there was a coverup over the actions of New Zealand SAS soldiers – actions that if found true could lead to war crimes charges. First up: Weather + Headlines roundup. ITEM ONE – Hit and Run: Across the Ditch: Book Alleges Coverup of New Zealand SAS Soldiers Involved in Afghanistan War Crimes Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Bill English to initiate a commission of inquiry into allegations that New Zealand SAS commandos were involved in, or committed, war crimes in Afghanistan in 2010. The allegations were detailed in a book called Hit and Run which was released here in New Zealand on Tuesday. The authors of Hit and Run, investigative journalists Jon Stephenson and Nicky Hager, wrote that NZ SAS soldiers committed a revenge operation against a village in Baghlan province in Afghanistan after New Zealand soldier Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell was killed after a roadside IED was exploded by Taliban insurgents. The claim is the NZ SAS gathered intelligence, planned the operation, led the command chain of the operation requesting and using US black hawk and Chinook helicopters and crew as part of their night mission. It appears they believed the insurgents were staying in the village. But within ten to twenty minutes of the attack commencing six civilians were dead and 15 civilians were injured. One of the dead was Fatima, a three year old girl, who was killed while carried in her mother’s arms as women, children, and elderly civilians attempted to run for their lives. Once the attack ended, the Kiwi SAS soldiers began to systematically burn and blow up the village’s homes. The book claims, there were no insurgents at the village at the time. The book also asserts that the NZ SAS then covered up the civilian deaths and claimed in statements at the time, again in 2011, and 2014, and again this week, that those killed were all insurgents. Sources for the book include former members of the SAS who took part in the attack. Motivated perhaps by a wish to clear their consciences – and frustrated by an apparent coverup by NZ Defence Force officials (and perhaps the Government). A week after the raid on the village the SAS returned to destroy another of the village’s homes that was being repairs. Some time later, the SAS captured one of the insurgents believed to have been involved in the killing of Lt O’Donnell. The book alleges that while blindfolded and flexitide in a vehicle, a SAS commando beat him severely. They then handed him over to Afghan security officers knowing that he would be tortured, which he was – he was electrocuted and suffered other forms of torture. The Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett said on Radio New Zealand on Wednesday that she had been briefed on the claims and that there was nothing that concerned her. She said she trusted the Defence Force officials. The Prime Minister Bill English would not rule out an inquiry but said on Wednesday that the claims in the book were in part politically motivated. ITEM TWO – The Beib is in town American singing sensation Justin Beiber is touring the country. After a weekend in Auckland getting around on a rickshaw and singing get out of the way bitch, he has been thrill seeking down in the South Island, doing a backward falling Bungy jump over the Shotover River. See Stuff.co.nz ]]>

Audio: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining Claim Bias Among Environmental Protection Officials

Selwyn Manning — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 05:21:44 +0000

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining Claim Bias At The EPA Hearings – Interview by Raglan Community Radio. https://archive.org/download/JuneKASMBiasAtTheEPAHearings170317/June%20KASM%20-%20Bias%20at%20the%20EPA%20Hearings%20170317.mp3 Interview: March 17, 2017. Synopsis: There has been a series of decisions made at the Environmental Protection Agency that appear to make life hard for opponents of seabed mining. There are also claims from those opposed to seabed mining that the Chair of Decision Making Committee tearing into the submitters. Raglan Community Radio spoke to June from Kiwis Against Seabed Mining who has been observing the EPA hearings in New Plymouth who speaks of her concerns.]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines + Key To Exit Parliament + Cartoonist Murray Ball Passes Away

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 19:15:35 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines + John Key set to exit Parliament next week + a tribute to Footrot Flats creator and author Murray Ball. Weather + Headlines ITEM ONE: John Key Set To Exit Parliament – So what’s his legacy? Former prime minister John Key is formally nearing the end of his political career – on Wednesday next week he will deliver his valedictory speech and then it is Haere ra to Parliament. Key has stayed just long enough to prevent a by-election being forced on the National-led Government. If an MP resigns within six months of a general election, a by-election is not required. Key resigned his prime ministership in December, surprising even his closest Cabinet colleagues. Rumours have abounded about why he really stood down, but to date nothing has surfaced that substantially offers an explanation beyond what Key had said at the time, that he had no more fuel in the tank. His popularity reached its zenith in 2011 when the Colmar Brunton Poll suggested over 60 percent of those polled preferred Key as their prime minister. By November last year, his popularity based on the same methodology had fallen to 36 percent. So what of his legacy? While successfully navigating New Zealand’s economy through the wake of the global financial crisis, the Key Government saw poverty in New Zealand worsen. Homelessness, and drastically reduced disposable incomes (after housing or accommodation costs) have seen millions of New Zealanders become worse off than they were before he came to power. For the five percent of the richest people living here, they, however, have prospered. Investors have also done well. The rise of residential house prices in Auckland have cooled in the last six months. But the average price for a home in Auckland is now over $1million. A house bought for $720,000 in 2008 when Key’s National’s came to power, now would sell for more than $1.45 million. Such steep climbs have placed considerable hardship even on middle income Kiwis. Despite upward pressure on housing prices, Key’s Government insisted on taking a hands off approach to foreign investors, that in part, coupled with a short supply of housing stock, caused concerns of economic instability and potential catastrophe should the housing bubble burst. Once labeled the Smiling Assassin by his colleagues at Merrill Lynch in the USA, the New Zealand public most often saw a comedic version of John Key. This made him popular with many, and loathed by his opponents. He governed by polling the public mood, and ultimately sniffed the breeze and realised his fun was over. No doubt, controversy will continue to surface and surround this odd political figure despite his exit from politics. And already, one gets the feeling that many here in New Zealand, when considering the past eight years, are wondering, what was that all about? ITEM TWO: Cartoonist Murray Ball passes away The celebrated author and cartoonist Murray Ball died this week aged 78 years of age. Murray Ball was loved by more than just his generation of Kiwis but was celebrated for actually defining a cultural element of what it meant to be a New Zealander. His cartoons, including Footrot Flats and Stanley were fun, funny, and always expressed a strong message for those who also like to ponder. He was sincerely political, egalitarian, even arguing the merits of socialism if untainted by totalitarianism. And his cartoon creations Wal, Dog, Horse, and Cheeky Hobson are characters that so easily resemble so many characters that you may come across when venturing around these islands. Across the Ditch broadcasts live each week on Australia’s radio FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz and Livenews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.]]>

Across the Ditch: NZ Labour Has New Dep Leader + Lorde’s New Album Released Friday

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 19:23:12 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin, Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines + NZ Labour Has New Dep Leader + Lorde’s New Album Released Friday + Cricket! New Zealand and South Africa set for a decider on Saturday in the five match one day international series. ITEM ONE – Labour signals a generational shift promoting Jacinda Ardern to deputy leader one week after her significant and defining win in Auckland’s Mt Albert by-election last weekend. ITEM TWO – New Zealand’s international singing sensation LORDE has announced her second album will be officially released 8am NZ time this Friday. But the singer kept true to her Auckland fan-base on Wednesday night, dropping hints that a sneak preview may be had at several locations around the city. It was like a treasure hunt of sorts after Lorde, Ella Yelich O’Connor, tweeted to her 4.5 million followers locations on a map graphic. Within minutes images appeared of an eery green glow emitting from a car, another saw a green script depicting a lyric projected onto a wall and the first sound of a yet-to-be released single, Green Light, played on a loop. Overseas she is quite a big deal too. Elton John referred to her as the future of pop music. And last year she was chosen to perform in honour of the late David Bowie at the Brit Awards where she sang a haunting rendition of Bowie’s Space Oddity. ITEM THREE – It a nail biter of a one day international series against South Africa who are touring here at the moment. The Blackcaps have played four matches so far, and both sides have won two matches each. NZ had a big win Wednesday night with Martin Guptil driving the side to a strong win with his 180 runs. Now it is to the deciding fifth match in a five game series to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday!. Across the Ditch broadcasts live on Australia’s FiveAA.com.au and webcasts on EveningReport.nz and Livenews.co.nz and ForeignAffairs.co.nz.]]>

Across the Ditch: High Court Rules on Dotcom Case Technicality + NZ Cricket Beats Sth Africa

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 19:20:41 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin of news and events from each side of the Tasman. This week: The New Zealand High Court rules on a technicality supporting the Dotcom defence claims. ALSO< New Zealand beat South Africa in the Cricket, levelling the five match series with one-win-each. The third of the five match one day international series will play at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday. INTRO: Weather comparison + FX + Headlines Roundup + Any topic you may want to raise ITEM ONE: – Kim Dotcom Case A new High Court judgment suggests the charges laid against Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom and colleagues were civil in nature rather than criminal (as the original arrest and search warrants stated. The technicality is a serious breach by the Crown and one which may see Dotcom have the case of alleged copyright infringement and money laundering thrown out of court. See David Fishers’ report (NZHerald.co.nz) ITEM TWO: Kiwi’s level with South Africa 1 match each in a five match ODI series. Just when we thought the Blackcaps had met their match against South Africa, the Kiwis pulled off a win against the tourists deep in earthquake country at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday (Wednesday). The match was played on the sixth anniversary of the deadly Christchurch earthquake which killed 185 people. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen played a concert there the night before. The two events presented an opportunity for the city and its peoples to remember the events of six years ago when the quake struck at 12:51pm NZ time. And, gave opportunity to celebrate the good things in life. The Kiwi Cricket side, with a good competitive win against the Proteas, will be trying to reclaim its winning form with solid batting and bowling performances on New Zealand soil this summer – when it plays South Africa again on Saturday at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.]]>

Across the Ditch: Fires Blaze Out of Control Near Christchurch + PM Decides In Favour of Pike River Mine Families

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 19:22:17 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + FX + Fires blaze out of control near Christchurch. ITEM ONE – Civil Emergency in Christchurch The Government has declared a civil emergency in Christchurch after a scrub fire in the Port Hills bordering south Christchurch blazed out of control. It is believed that the fire was deliberately lit. Wednesday night saw hundreds of families evacuated from their homes as the blaze spread northward toward Christchurch City’s residential areas. On Wednesday morning it was confirmed that one helicopter pilot who was part of the firefighting effort was killed. It was also confirmed he was a former NZ Defence SAS special operations soldier who had serviced in Afghanistan. ITEM TWO – Pike River Mine Disaster Last night families of those who died in the Pike arrived coal mine disaster met with new Prime Minister Bill English in an attempt to stop Solid Energy from sealing the entrance to the mine. Solid Energy is the Government owned company that owns Pike River Mine. The families have been maintaining a picket outside the entrance to the mine, in a move to stop contractors from permanently sealing the entrance. The bodies of their loved ones are still inside the mine. The former Prime Minister John Key had initially promised the families that the bodies of their loved ones would be recovered. That promise was reneged upon, even though mining experts have said it is now safe enough inside the mine for a recovery operation to commence. However, late last night (Wednesday) new Prime Minister Bill English told the victims’ families that the entrance to the mine will NOT be sealed. His decision is expected to lead to another evaluation of whether a recovery operation can now safely commence. ITEM THREE – Oddities Over the last few weeks ending the holiday and anniversary weekend season, roads and highways around Auckland (north and south) have been predictably at gridlock. But recently, things went from bad to worse. First a car pulled over in the fast lane and suddenly went up in flames. Then a day later, a cat caused the vehicles of tens of thousands of commuters to a standstill as it strolled down the motorway. The cat became a bit spooked and it took highway patrol officers quite a while to pick it up and clear the backlog of traffic.]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines + Former Aussie PM Visits + Mortgage Rates + NZ Beats AU in Cricket

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 19:16:38 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Australia gets 40 degrees-+ temperatures and NZ gets rain! + Former Australia PM John Howard visits New Zealand + NZ Finance Minister warns mortgage interest rates will likely increase + New Zealand beats Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee ODI cricket series. Weather + FX + Headlines ITEM ONE – AU PM Visit Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard is in New Zealand and attended the first sitting of the New Zealand Parliament for 2017. Howard was reluctant to speak to media but sat as a guest in the debating chamber during the Question and Answer session. He is in New Zealand as a key speaker at a Australian High Commission black tie event. ITEM TWO – Mortgage Interest Rates New Zealand’s new Finance Minister Steven Joyce has warned home mortgage holders to be prepared for interest rate increases. He said there were signs the overlooked residential housing market has eased and the rate of house price increases has slowed. But the house price-proportion of mortgage-household income ratios remain on the unaffordable end of the affordability scale. This means if mortgage interest rates climb, many families may find they cannot afford to pay their mortgage payments. Joyce said the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to hold the Official Cash Rate at 1.75% but that the market has factored in that it may actually increase the OCR this year. He said bond rates have increased and interest rates in the USA had increased so home owners should budget for increases this year. ITEM THREE – Cricket Oh Peter, New Zealand won the Chappell-Hadleign one day international Cricket series. The win occurred after heavy rain caused the second of the three match series to be cancelled. The series win has contributed to a successful home summer season with New Zealand having won series against Pakestan, Bangladesh and now Australia. But there’s no time to gloat! The Kiwis now sharpen their focus to take on South Africa.]]>

Across the Ditch: Headlines + Earthquakes rock NZ & South Australia + NZ Beat Au in Cricket!

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:42:25 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA.com.au’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin Across the Ditch. This week: Weather + Headlines + Earthquakes rock NZ & South Australia + NZ Beat Au in Cricket! ITEM ONE – Elections New Zealand Election Date Set – Prime Minister Bill English has announced a general election will be held on September 23. The announcement followed one day after the Labour and Green parties jointly held a state of the nation address, where they committed to a memorandum of understanding that they would Partner up to change the National-led Government. And throughout this week the PM has been criticised for lacking leadership skills necessary to run the country. The criticisms spread and went viral after English was slow to comment on the US President Donald Trump’s Muslim-ban executive order. Meanwhile, the other smaller parties are juxtapositioning to maximise their chances. And there are a few surprise defections… August 17 – last day of Parliament September 6 – overseas voting starts September 11 – advance voting starts September 23 – general election ITEM TWO – Trans-Tasman Cricket Ouch Peter! We beat you guys in the Cricket this week!!! That’s akin to the Wallabies beating the All Blacks in Rugby. I have to ask you… What went wrong? Australia plays New Zealand in the second of three One Day Internationals at Napier in New Zealand today (Thursday, Feb 2) and plays the final in the Chappell-Hadleigh series on Sunday (February 5).]]>

Across the Ditch: Weather + FX + Petrol / litre + Headlines + Why Is Au + NZ Soliciting China’s Entry into the TPP

Selwyn Manning — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:53:20 +0000

Across the Ditch: Australian radio FiveAA’s Peter Godfrey and EveningReport.nz’s Selwyn Manning deliver their weekly bulletin. This Week: Weather + Petrol Prices + FX + Headlines Roundup + Indepth Item: Why are Australia and New Zealand soliciting China’s entry into the Trans Pacific Partnership? PLUS: 10 year-old surfer escapes Jaws! Weather + FX + Petrol / litre + Headlines IN DEPTH – ITEM ONE There are signs that considerable effort is occurring behind the public’s gaze to resurrect the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement after US President Donald Trump formally withdrew the USA from the multilateral agreement this week. Trump added that his administration will advance a preference for bilateral free trade agreements. The comment has rekindled hope within NZ Government circles that a US-Kiwi FTA may yet come to pass. But the day before Malcolm Turnbull commented that the Trans Pacific Partnership may be extended to invite China into the pact, New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Bill English tested the waters suggesting the TPPA may be given some CPR. The question remains, will the Chinese play ball after being ignored by the two US leaning APAC nations (Australia and New Zealand) that both have bilateral FTAs with China and wanted a slice of the USA economic pie. The TPP nations are desperate sellers, and China is in the box seat. It seems Australia’s DFAT and New Zealand’s MFAT have a massive challenge on their hands. ITEM TWO And this Aussie news story is getting some attention over this side of the ditch: NZHerald.co.nz It’s about the ten year old NSW surfer who unknowingly surfed close to the jaws of a Great White. It’s a reminder to us all to be really vigilant while out on the water this summer. Any shark tales Peter?]]>