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Westpac says a big fall in house prices ison the way

The bank has increased its expectation of the hit to house prices...it's now picking a 15 per cent drop over the next two years.

Acting chief economist Michael Gordon says mortgage rates have gone well beyond what was expected, as expectations of Official Cash Rate hikes have ramped up.

OneRoof editor Owen Vaughan expects it'll cause uncertainty for some sellers.





National MP Gerry Brownlee is dismissing Countdown's temporary freeze on 500 items over winter months as a stunt.

The freeze will cover everything from cheese, butter to carrots.

But Brownlee isn't buying it.





There aree warnings confusing road speed limits around schools could leave some kids at risk.

From May 19, speed limits around urban schools will drop to 30-kilometres an hour -- but remain twice as high for schools on rural roads.

Advocacy group NZ School Speeds is urging Waka Kotahi to mark Road Safety Week on Monday by extending the lower limit nationwide.

Spokesperson Lucinda Rees says slowing down in school zones needs to become routine.





A rise in theft related car insurance claims looks like pushing premiums higher.

In the first four days of this week alone around 320 cars were reported stolen.

It comes as ram raids continue to cause havoc - particularly in Auckland.

AA Insurance Head of Motor Claims Beau Paparoa says they may look to increase premiums for frequently stolen cars.





Coal boilers are getting the boot from New Zealand state schools.

The Government is investing 10-million dollars to replace remaining boilers with renewable woody biomass or electric heating sources by 2025.

It's expected to slash emissions by more than 35-thousand tonnes of carbon over ten years.

But climate change advocacy group 350 Aotearoa's Alva Feldmeier says it still leaves about 600 schools burning gas and 100 burning diesel.



The Prime Minister has weighed into the debate over sexist comments made by a businessman about Nadia Lim.

Simon Henry described the food entrepreneur as 'Eurasian fluff'...and made comments about the use of a photograph of her in a My Food Bag prospectus.

Jacinda Ardern says the comments were a complete disservice to Nadia.




New British research has found taking a break from social media for as little as a week can reduce depression and anxiety

It found people who took a break from platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for seven days reported an increased sense of wellbeing.

But it is not established whether social media use leads to mental health problems,or whether pre-existing feelings of low self-worth drive people online as a means of validation.




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Newstalk ZB Weather Watch 24-7





All the North Island
Mainly fine. Areas of cloud or fog in the morning and evening about the central areas. One or two light showers possible about Gisborne tomorrow morning.

Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury and coastal Otago
Fine, apart from areas of low cloud or fog near the east coast tomorrow morning.

The remainder of Otago and Southland
Fine with high cloud. Scattered rain developing in Southland tomorrow evening.

Buller, Westland and Fiordland
Rain spreading through Fiordland and Westland tomorrow, with heavy falls for Fiordland tomorrow evening.

Chatham Islands
Cloudy periods and the odd shower.


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