Simon Barnett & James Daniels Afternoons

Embattled Broadcasting Minister Melissa Lee has been stripped of the portfolio and booted from Cabinet.   The Prime Minister has revealed the change after weeks of Lee struggling to front on the collapse of Newshub and cuts at TVNZ.   Chris Luxon says Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith will pick up the portfolio.  He says there has been significant change in the media environment which has moved quickly, and he wants a good senior Minister responsible.  Political Editor Jason Walls told Si and James that this was unexpected news, but it makes sense.  He said that Luxon didn’t say that the Ministers were doing a bad job, they just weren’t performing optimally and so he had to move them around.  Lee continues to hold the Economic Development portfolio, which Walls said is quite an unusual one to have outside of Cabinet, especially for a party that has such a strong focus on economic development.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners' employment related questions. Today saw questions on sick leave, temping and public holidays and variations to agreements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Highlight Reel everything from Easter Eggs to rising insurance bills. Si and James debate the return of the three strikes legislation. James is pretty black and white on the issue, Simon not so much. Producer Tyler gets a hard time over his vaping habit. Plus, James reveals why he doesn't like oak trees while Simon is worried about what the robot vacuum might see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fascinating discussion this afternoon after Simon told James how he was floored over seeing one of his favourite wines on a restaurant menu for $34 a glass. That broadened into a wider discussion over the troubles facing so many in the hospitality trade. Renowned restaurateur Warwick Brown called the show. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi kayak icon Luuka Jones is gearing up for what will be her 5th Olympic Games in this year, becoming only the third kiwi woman to hit that milestone alongside Dame Valerie Adams and Barbara Kendall. She’s built a career on incredible determination, winning silver at the 2016 Olympic Games and won her first big international gold medal last year by triumphing in the extreme discipline known as kayak cross, which also makes its Olympic debut in Paris. Luuka Jones joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels for this week's Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News today that an Auckland Council manager has been working remotely from the Gold Coast since January under flexible employment policies. Simon Barnett & James Daniels asked if this is letting the work team down and should those who have fallen in love with the work from home lifestyle get back to the office or get a new job. A young caller by the name of Louie challenged that notion and said from his generation things are different. It was a fascinating call. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate Wayne Brown's idea that councils should be allowed to keep the GST on rates. The boys also talk about changes to the postal service, Easter trading hours and neighbours at war. They take a look at New Zealand's bad rep internationally in terms of behaviour in the classroom. Plus, a couple of words that could be considered offensive - one in particular that Simon thinks should be banned from the English language. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand school students are among the worst-behaved kids in the OECD and behaviour has worsened in the last two years, a new report has found. A report released by the Education Review Office (ERO) has called for classroom behaviour to become a priority and a more “national approach” to worsening behaviour. “We know that disruptive classroom behaviour is a significant and persistent issue in New Zealand - over the last 20 years our classroom behaviour has been amongst the worst in the OECD,” ERO’s Education Evaluation Centre head Ruth Shinoda said. “But we also know it is getting worse, with over half of teachers saying all types of disruptive behaviour had become worse in the last two years.” As a result of the report’s findings, the ERO has made 16 recommendations, including better training for teachers, a national approach to behaviour and clear guidance for schools on having effective consequences for poor behaviour. Vaughan Couillault, Principal Papatoetoe High School & President of the Secondary Principals’ Association joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government's still committed to cutting tax in May's Budget, despite worsening economics. She's revealed in today's Budget Policy Statement, Treasury now expects 0.1 percent GDP growth this year. The forecast last year was 1.5 percent. The Finance Minister says surplus isn't possible in 2026-27 - but it could be achievable the following financial year, although it isn't a given. She says Labour's spending legacy needs to be corrected in future Budgets. She says the Government will set a moderate, sustainable course of fiscal correction over several years - and any new spending will be targeted, and within their means. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels with the details. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners' employment related questions. Today saw questions about an employer refusing to pay sick pay, a contract without a maternity clause and cameras in the workplace among other things. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate whether or not MFAT should help the Kiwi tourist's arrested in Thailand.  Simon is full of fun facts about the amount of noodles being eaten world wide.  The wider Barnett family are having trouble with the 'first home buyer grant'.  Plus, James thinks now that we've entered a 'technical recission', we shouldn't be getting those promised tax cuts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Brown grew up in Auckland, attended Auckland Grammar, and went on to get a degree in engineering. After spending several years overseas he returned to New Zealand and set up an engineering consultancy, diversifying into property development and kiwifruit growing. He’s chaired health boards and been a director of organisations including TVNZ, Māori TV, Vector and Transpower, including appointments by both left and right-wing governments. He first entered politics in 2007, becoming Far North Mayor until 2013 and in 2022 he of course successfully ran for the Auckland mayoralty.He was Simon & James' guest for this weeks Six and a Song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate what makes good comedy after Jimmy Carr takes a crack at a deaf woman in the audience. They also discussed Police pay and whether they should be allowed to strike. The Greens run into more trouble with another MP.   Plus, it's Simon's turn for a smelly work lunch, James goes for a tour of Christchurch's new Court Theatre building and Simon dares to ask why women gasp! LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Principal of one of New Zealand's top schools has slammed New Zealand's education system - saying it's heading towards rock bottom. Auckland Grammar head Tim O'Connor says the profession isn’t as valued as it once was. He told the Herald's Leaders Getting Coffee podcast that's evident by people not wanting to enter the profession and the fact that schools can’t easily access specialist teachers. He says the system's not doing itself any favours by lowering standards within the curriculum. Tim O'Connor joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels to discuss his thoughts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Southee was handed a Test debut at the age of 19 against England. He responded taking 5 wickets for 55 before smashing 77 off 40 balls in the second innings with nine sixes. Since then he has progressed into one of the best bowlers in world cricket, across all three forms of the game, going on to form one of the world's best new-ball partnerships with Trent Boult and establishing himself as one of the most successful players in the modern era. He is New Zealand’s second all-time leading Test wicket-taker, behind the great Sir Richard Hadlee, and the world’s all-time leading T20 international wicket-taker. In December 2022, he was named Test captain taking over from Kane Williamson. Tim Southee joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels for Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you understand anything about bitcoin? James says he missed the boat on it a few years ago, Simon says he just doesn't trust it. We called in the cavalry and asked the NZ Herald's Markets With Madison host Madison Reidy to help. LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever fancied your skills as a vet, dentist or phone screen repair specialist? A story about DIY dentistry in a Northland town with no dentist prompted Simon Barnett & James Daniels to ask the question what have you had a go at yourself in an effort to save some money? Some callers' efforts were super enterprising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment, Workplace & Information Expert with Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors. He regularly joins Simon Barnett and James Daniels to answer listeners' employment related questions. Today saw questions on non disclosure agreements, an employer not paying waiting time and a question from someone who was worried after just having failed a drug test. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Highlight Reel, Si & James debate the concept of no body no parole and take a very revealing call from a former prison inmate. They also discussed the prospect of congestion charging. Adding to that – they discuss the continued issues with the Defence Force Boeing.   Plus, we get a touching insight into sleepover night for the grandkids at Simon's place, the proposed changes at TVNZ, and what food is James hanging out for this week? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Reti believes the new health targets will help bring a greater level of focus back to the sector. The Government's implementing five key targets it says will drive better outcomes for all New Zealanders. This includes for cancer treatment, child immunisation rates and hospital wait times. The Health Minister says these targets are ambitious, but achievable. He says some of the targets are just looking to stem the bleeding in some areas, such as ED wait times. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Director of Policy & Research Harriet Wild joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels to unpack the announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.