3+ mon, 1+ week ago (159+ words) SkyTV is ready to broadcast every All Blacks" game for the next 5 years, with TVNZ broadcasting all of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) matches. SkyTV is set to broadcast every All Blacks" game for the next 5 years, and TVNZ will broadcast all 93 of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) matches. Chair of NZ Rugby David Kirk told Heather duPlessis-Allan that reaching this deal has been a "long, long journey." "Both parties have worked hard, and I think we've got to a place which works for both of us.' SkyTV is set to broadcast every All Blacks" game for the next 5 years, and TVNZ will broadcast all 93 of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) matches. Chair of NZ Rugby David Kirk told Heather duPlessis-Allan that reaching this deal has been a "long, long journey." "Both parties have worked hard, and I think we've…...

8+ mon, 1+ week ago (615+ words) A boardroom battle is under way for the future of one of New Zealand's biggest media companies. Auckland-based'Canadian billionaire'Jim Grenon has emerged as one of the biggest shareholders in NZME " the owner of the'NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB, OneRoof and many music radio stations. He now owns 9.97% of the company and hopes shareholders will vote out the company's current board members and install himself'and three others at an April 29 shareholder meeting. A majority of 50% of shareholders' votes is needed to roll the current board. Media Insider and NZME editor-at-large Shayne Currie told'The Front Page that while Grenon may have seemed a mystery man initially, more details are emerging of his business background. "He is a Canadian billionaire who made his money through private equity and investing in other businesses" [he] moved here in 2012, is a Kiwi resident, and lives in Takapuna....

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (112+ words) In the biggest test of the 2025 calendar, the All Blacks are set to defend the Fortress against one of their greatest sporting rivals." They're looking to defend their over three decade long unbeaten streak at Eden Park as South Africa seeks to take them down. " With so much on the line, Newstalk ZB will be bringing you all the action with live commentary from Elliott Smith, former All Black Steve Gordon, and Jason Pine." Catch the build up from 6pm before kick off at 7pm, plus, share your post-match reaction with Piney at 0800 80 10 80." Listen live from 6pm on Newstalk ZB."...

6+ mon, 3+ week ago (534+ words) New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has posted a loss of $19.5 million for 2024, despite also bringing in record income. The result was announced at Thursday's AGM in Wellington and is their third consecutive ... New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has posted a loss of $19.5 million for 2024, despite also bringing in record income." The result was announced at Thursday's AGM in Wellington and is their third consecutive deficit following a $8.9m loss in 2023 and a $47m loss in 2022." The national body recorded income of $285m, in what it describes as being a "near break-even result, highlighted by growth in commercial revenue." Foreign exchange hedging on sponsorship revenue and investment into revenue growth initiatives through New Zealand Rugby Commercial (NZRC) have resulted in the net deficit." NZR chair and former All Black captain David Kirk notes that the eight-figure loss is noteworthy. However, it is also not a cash…...

9+ mon, 2+ week ago (455+ words) NZ First MP Andy Foster has introduced a bill to the member's ballot to stop banks from withdrawing services from clients for "woke" reasons like trying to reduce their exposure to polluting industries. If enacted, it would mean banks would no longer be able to withdraw services from customers on environmental or social grounds. Any withdrawal of services would need to be made on a purely commercial basis. Banks found to breach the new rules could be liable to fines of up to $500,000. NZ First leader Winston Peters said the bill would ensure "fairness" and prevent the banks from "perpetuating woke ideology" which was being driven by "unelected, globalist, climate radicals". But the New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said banks made "lending decisions on a case-by-case basis taking into account their credit policies and risk appetite, which…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (381+ words) Q+A host Jack Tame is TVNZ's new 6pm weekend newsreader. He and TVNZ have been in discussions about him assuming the role left vacant by Melissa Stokes, after her elevation to the weekday newsreading role. Stokes will take over from long-serving newsreader Simon Dallow in three weeks - Dallow's departure, first reported by Media Insider three weeks ago, was confirmed by TVNZ earlier this week. TVNZ presenters, from left, Jack Tame, Melissa Stokes, and Daniel Faitaua. Tame hosts TVNZ's Q+A on Sunday mornings and the state broadcaster is understood to be keen to use more of his talent - he is, arguably, the best TV interviewer in the country. And while newsreading requires a slightly different skillset, he is considered a polished presenter. Another leading contender who will likely continue to be a fill-in newsreader is Daniel Faitaua. Media Insider learned…...

6+ mon, 1+ week ago (425+ words) The Government is increasing funding for private schools in Budget 2025. Associate Minister of Education, Act Party leader David Seymour, said the spending boost would support diversity and choice in ... The Government is increasing funding for private schools in Budget 2025. Associate Minister of Education, Act Party leader David Seymour, said the spending boost would support diversity and choice in the country's education system. Budget 2025 puts $15.7 million over the next four years into increasing private school subsidies. Annual funding will rise from $41.6m to $46.2m. It is the first increase in private school funding in 15 years, Seymour said, a period when the total independent school roll rose from about 27,600 in 2010 to 33,000 in 2024. Seymour said: "Often parents are making big sacrifices because they would prefer to send their child to an independent school. "They pay just as much tax as anyone else, yet the money…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (642+ words) A youth charity is raising concerns about silent disengagement among school students, as data shows thousands of kids haven't been enrolled for more than a year. In the last three years, 3458 of the Education Ministry's non-enrolment cases for 5 to 15 year-olds have remained open for more than 13 months. Almost two thirds of these are students aged between 12 and 14, while M'ori and Pasifika students make up the majority of cases. In 2024, about 1100 students weren't enrolled in schools for over a year - that's a 576% increase from 2015 (163). Principals are required to notify the Ministry when a student has been absent for 20 school days, and they haven't been informed the absence is only temporary. A non-enrolment notification form is then completed, so agencies can start attempting to locate the student. The Graeme Dingle Foundation works with disengaged youth, and CEO Jo Malcolm-Black said they've seen…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago (615+ words) A bereaved family member who lost a loved one in the Whakaari White Island disaster said part of her died when her relative was killed in the eruption. "Grieving never goes away," she said this morning at the second day of phase one of the Whakaari-White Island Eruption Coronial Inquest. The Bay of Plenty volcano, off the coast of Whakat'ne, erupted on December 9, 2019, killing 22 people and seriously injuring 25. Coroner Marcus Elliott today warned that the subject matter explored at the hearing in the Newmarket Court Hearing Centre will be "confronting". "Always bear in mind the pain and the loss, resulting from that day, and the impact it had on everyone involved," he said. This phase of the inquest will look at issues including the emergency response, issues relating to those left on the island, and the cause of deaths. The…...

8+ mon, 3+ week ago (710+ words) Labour has overtaken National in the latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll, with Chris Hipkins also pipping Christopher Luxon in the preferred Prime Minister stakes. According to the poll results, released on Monday afternoon, National is up 1.7 points to 33.6%, but Labour has moved past it, up 2.8 points to 34.1%. Meanwhile, the Greens have fallen 3.2 points to 10%, while Act has declined 2.3 points to 7.7%. Te P'ti M'ori has risen 2.1 points to 6.5%, while New Zealand First is down 1.3 points to 5.1%. Translating the results to seats in the House, both Labour and National are up three seats each to 42. The Greens are down four seats to 12, Act is down two to 10, NZ First is down two to six, and TPM is up two to eight. On these results, the centre-left bloc of Labour, the Greens and TPM would have 62 seats. On the other hand, the centre-right has…...