Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Rules are being slashed for homeowners building small garden sheds and sleep-outs.  The Government today announced there will soon be no boundary distance rules for detached buildings smaller than 10 square metres.  Currently, the distance must at least match their height. Construction Minister Chris Penk explained that the rules needed to be updated for people trying to do more with less space. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A candidate claims his running for two different mayoralties is not an issue. Andrew Maxwell Clark's put his hat in the ring to replace his brother, Nobby Clark, as Invercargill's mayor. But he's also campaigning in his hometown, Tasman. He's campaigning as Andrew in Invercargill - and as Maxwell in Tasman. Clark says he put his hand up for Tasman before he knew the incumbent was running again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World customers are struggling to get their hands on Smeg kitchenware, available under a 12-week promotion. They can collect one sticker for every $20 spent. But the highest-value option, the braiser, is running out - and New World says there won't be any extra deliveries.  Consumer NZ, CEO Jon Duffy, says New World has specified this is 'while stocks last'. But he says it's also required by law to have appropriate stocks.  "With these promotions, this is not their first rodeo, they've done these over the years - so they do know that these promotions are popular." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police systems used to track crime may be struggling to cope, with a growing number of reports coming in. Auror is an Auckland intelligence platform used by retailers to give police information on potential offenders.  It shows retail theft reports have doubled from 4000 a month in 2022 - to 8000 a month this year.  Police Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson says the volume gives a good idea of the total crime picture.  "We want to put together where there's prolific offenders, and deal with the other matters." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A secondary teachers' union is dubious AI could adequately grade almost all school assessments within three years. The Government plans to replace NCEA with a system emphasising literacy and numeracy more.  The Education Minister is also now saying AI is already partly in use for marking - and NZQA is confident it could do almost all assessments by 2028. PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, says he isn't convinced. "Seeing how the students write, understanding, reading between the lines - sometimes you have to figure out what the students are trying to say and I just don't know if AI is quite there yet to be able to do those kinds of things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's unsure if foreshore and seabed changes will spark major backlash. It's going ahead with plans to make it more difficult for iwi to get customary marine titles, giving them rights over certain coastline activity. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper weighed in on the changes - and speculated about the possible reactions.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index shows Australian consumer confidence has reached the highest level in over three years. More Australian households have reported feeling better off financially, with levels expected to grow in the coming months. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the RBA is set to meet next week - and economists are hopeful a rate cut will come. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has revealed a State of Origin game in New Zealand could become a reality. Reports claim the NRL is in negotiations with New Zealand government and tourism officials to take Origin to either Auckland or Christchurch in 2027. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial new foreshore and seabed legislation is expected to pass within months. The Government has confirmed it'll go ahead with changing the Marine and Coastal Areas Act. It follows a Supreme Court ruling, opposing an original Court of Appeal decision that could've made it easier for iwi to have ownership rights over coastlines. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says there will be a reasonable hurdle to get over if a group wants a customary marine title. "The Supreme Court dealt with some of the issues that we were concerned about, but not all." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weather is set to take a turn in the UK, with storm warnings setting off travel alerts. Weather warnings have been upgraded for most of Scotland as Storm Floris bears down on the UK. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.