Simon Barnett & James Daniels Afternoons

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.

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 dis

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 tha

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 offen

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

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 finan

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 o

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 thos

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