Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

This year's winning Bird of the Year, the kārearea, is attacking Wellington walkers on a popular bush walk. The native falcons are nesting along Haywards Track - and swooping on unwary hikers. Hutt City Council is asking people to hold off walking between Whites Line East and Mawson Street, for now.  Forest and Bird's Ali Meade says people who see the birds should leave as quickly as possible. "They might scour the back of your head a little bit - they just don't want you there and you could hurt them if they come into contact with you as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's largest water safety group expects a big impact from losing about 20 percent of its annual funding. ACC's ending its long-standing partnership with Water Safety New Zealand after this summer, saying it hasn't seen a measurable reduction in drowning injury claims. Water Safety New Zealand will lose about a million dollars a year in ACC funding. Acting CEO Gavin Walker says ACC's challenge is understandable, but they need the funding to help do life-saving work. "We're worried that all of that is put at risk without some continuation of funding." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions have voiced disappointment over the Education Minister's plan to remove school board Treaty requirements. Erica Stanford intends to scrap a clause under which boards must reflect local tikanga in the curriculum - and teach te reo Māori. The PPTA labelled it another step in the Government's apparent drive to take the country back 50 years NZ School Boards Association President, Meredith Kennett, says putting it in legislation ensures school policies consider the history of children and their whanau. "Allow us to connect with local iwi - and making sure that this school is fit for purpose for our children, because our children need to belong. And if they don't feel like they do, then they won't achieve."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori has confirmed they're not  ruling out triggering two separate byelections by expelling controversial MPs. Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer aren’t backing down from the party’s actions as it defers to Te Pāti Māori’s national council. This comes as deliberations to oust Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris continue to take place. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, the Reserve Bank has opted to leave interest rates on hold at 3.6 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Experts had largely predicted this, given the current state of inflation data in Australia. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says it's unlikely Australians will see a rate cut until 2026. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL will look into Tonga's handling of Eliesa Katoa's head injury assessment. The news comes after he suffered seizure activity and brain bleeding following three knocks in the space of 90 minutes in the build-up and during the league test defeat to New Zealand on Sunday. He underwent surgery in Auckland yesterday. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave recapped what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smokin' Romans and Torranzino are preparing to carry the hopes for New Zealand-trained horses set as the 24 hopefuls for today's Melbourne Cup are saddled up at Flemington. It's a decline of two Kiwi runners from last year's race, while six set out for the 3200 metre journey in 2022. Melbourne Cup correspondent Donna Demaio says there's concerns about rain impacting the race. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Witnesses have described horrifying scenes of train passengers trampling over each other to escape a mass stabbing in the UK. A 32-year British national is now the only suspect for the stabbing on a London-bound train, which police are not treating as a terror attack.  One of the 11 victims - described by police as a hero who tried to intervene - remains in a critical condition. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the driver also moved quickly to get the train the in the right lane so police could intervene.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac New Zealand recently saw a significant profit boost - and it's prompted discussion. The Australia-owned bank's reporting a 13 percent jump in net profit after tax of of $1.20 billion in the year to September.  Harbour Asset Management expert Shane Solly explained the market reactions. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has made significant progress on establishing critical mineral deals with Australia and Japan, prompting speculation from experts. Rare earth minerals contribute to plenty of modern technology, including drones, smartphones and EVs, and these deals have seen stocks shoot up since. Mineral economist Dr Allan Trench explained these deals further - and what investors can learn here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.