Resources Minister on repeal of new oil and gas ban
The opposition says the government's move to scrap the 2018 oil and gas ban shows it is more interested in doing the bidding of multinational companies than supporting ordinary New Zealanders. Resources Minister Shane Jones spoke to Corin Dann.
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RNZ News
32 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Takapuna finds formula for higher retail, hospitality spending
Part of Takapuna's shopping district. (File pic) Photo: Takapuna Business Association Businesses in Takapuna on Auckland's North Shore believe they have cracked a way to get people spending more amid the tough economic headwinds. Its businesses are reporting a 10.1 percent surge in spending at hospitality sites in June alone, and a 3 percent rise in overall spending in the first half of this year. Those hikes come at the same time as a raft of downward economic indicators. Last month Stats NZ reported food prices were up 4.6 percent and household savings dropped $392 million. Inflation is on the up , and Infometrics says electronic card spending was down in the year to March and that consumer spending remained weak. On Wednesday it was announced the unemployment rate has risen to 5.2 percent , the highest level since 2020. The Takapuna Business Association acknowledged times were hard for consumers, retailers and hospitality venues alike. "Things are definitely tight - high cost of living, inflation is still ramping up a little bit - so people are just being more considerate and careful about where they're spending their hard-earned money," chief executive Terence Harpur told RNZ. The business association said it was years of investment in infrastructure, events and urban planning in Takapuna that had led to people spending there. "We've seen some strong transport and accessibility improvements, we're also changing the centre to be more pedestrian friendly," Harpur said. "We've got a wonderful new town square, an upgraded high street, new parking buildings, a new beachfront playground area and all of those things increase the dwell time when people come. They enjoy the environment and they stay around for a bit longer and they tend to spend more when they spend more time there," he said. Harpur said Takapuna was having success when "that's simply not the case" in many parts of Auckland. "Retail spending across Auckland has actually been really tough, especially around the central city area has been tough. "My heart goes out to those small business in those areas," he said. "It is tough out there though and a lot of retailers are doing it tough but I'm hoping this is a little bit of a beacon of light for retailers and hospitality out there that there are some greenshoots and people are still spending money, and if you provide the right product and the right service that you can still be attracting customers and getting that money coming through your business," Harpur said.

RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Pilots lose Employment Relations Authority battle with Jetstar
Jetstar argued there was no entitlement to an alternative holiday. Photo: 123RF Jetstar is entitled not to offer its pilots an alternative day off if they are on call on a public holiday but do not have to work, the Employment Relations Authority says. The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association went to the authority alleging breaches of the Holidays Act and collective agreement for pilots. It argued that pilots were entitled to an alternative holiday when they were on standby during a public holiday, even if they were not called to work. The association - and two pilot members, Richard Greenslade and Greig Johnston - argued the restrictions on the pilots on standby were such that they could not enjoy a holiday as they normally would. They: The association said the limitations were made more onerous when pilots had to ensure they were contactable at all times while on standby. Pilots were restricted from observing occasions of national, religious or cultural significance and celebrating with friends and family. Jetstar argued there was no entitlement to an alternative holiday. It said that some of the restrictions were inherent for any employee on standby, and requirements such as abstaining from alcohol were not unique to standby pilots. Authority member Alex Leulu said there was no dispute that an employee on call would face some degree of restriction, including not being able to fully observe occasions of national, religious or cultural significance with some family and friends. "Given the nature of the pilot's role in this case, issues such as health and safety meant the Jetstar restrictions on the consumption of alcohol and medication were reasonable. The other restrictions such as limitation on activities and the requirement to attend work were not significantly onerous and were not outside the usual bounds of planning one might be expected to undertake knowing they are rostered to be on standby. "Johnston's evidence also focused on him residing in Bombay and the logistical difficulties and restrictions he faced trying to attend work within two hours after being called to duty while on standby. "It is difficult to understand how Jetstar could account for any restriction on a pilot based upon where they decide to reside. Where a pilot resides is ultimately a decision by the pilot knowing their employment obligations. Little weight can be given to Johnston's evidence in this regard." Leulu said the restrictions were not enough to conclude that pilots did not have a whole public holiday while on standby. "I accept the Jetstar pilots who are on standby during a public holiday are not entitled to an alternative holiday unless they are called to duty." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Pilots on standby on public holidays not entitled to alternative day off
Jetstar argued there was no entitlement to an alternative holiday. Photo: 123RF Jetstar is entitled not to offer its pilots an alternative day off if they are on call on a public holiday but do not have to work, the Employment Relations Authority says. The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association went to the authority alleging breaches of the Holidays Act and collective agreement for pilots. It argued that pilots were entitled to an alternative holiday when they were on standby during a public holiday, even if they were not called to work. The association - and two pilot members, Richard Greenslade and Greig Johnston - argued the restrictions on the pilots on standby were such that they could not enjoy a holiday as they normally would. They: The association said the limitations were made more onerous when pilots had to ensure they were contactable at all times while on standby. Pilots were restricted from observing occasions of national, religious or cultural significance and celebrating with friends and family. Jetstar argued there was no entitlement to an alternative holiday. It said that some of the restrictions were inherent for any employee on standby, and requirements such as abstaining from alcohol were not unique to standby pilots. Authority member Alex Leulu said there was no dispute that an employee on call would face some degree of restriction, including not being able to fully observe occasions of national, religious or cultural significance with some family and friends. "Given the nature of the pilot's role in this case, issues such as health and safety meant the Jetstar restrictions on the consumption of alcohol and medication were reasonable. The other restrictions such as limitation on activities and the requirement to attend work were not significantly onerous and were not outside the usual bounds of planning one might be expected to undertake knowing they are rostered to be on standby. "Johnston's evidence also focused on him residing in Bombay and the logistical difficulties and restrictions he faced trying to attend work within two hours after being called to duty while on standby. "It is difficult to understand how Jetstar could account for any restriction on a pilot based upon where they decide to reside. Where a pilot resides is ultimately a decision by the pilot knowing their employment obligations. Little weight can be given to Johnston's evidence in this regard." Leulu said the restrictions were not enough to conclude that pilots did not have a whole public holiday while on standby. "I accept the Jetstar pilots who are on standby during a public holiday are not entitled to an alternative holiday unless they are called to duty." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.