Best Truant Podcasts (2025)

1
Prosecuting parents of truant kids pointless - Principal 6:26

1h ago6:26

6:26

Pushing to prosecute parents of chronically truant kids is a pointless exercise according to one school principal. Associate Education Minister David Seymour is leading the government charge to get more kids back in class. He's announced the Education Ministry is proactively contacting schools and attendance officers to make sure parents of chronic…

1
Kaitaia College principal on fines for parents of truant students 3:58

6h ago3:58

3:58

The Ministry of Education is proactively contacting schools and truancy officers to ensure parents of children with chronically low attendance are referred to them, so they can consider prosecuting. Kaitaia College principal Louise Anaru spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
Man arrested over Liverpool parade crash to appear in court 6:47

43m ago6:47

6:47

United Kingdom correspondent Alice Wilkins spoke to Lisa Owen about how the man arrested over the Liverpool parade crash is due to appear in court, how packets of Haribo lollies are being recalled in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were found and how a Welsh woman is offering a $1000 reward for the safe return of her pet tortoise.…

1
Evening business for 30 May 2025 4:27

1h ago4:27

4:27

News from the business sector, including a market report.

1
Rail shut down for Auckland and Wellington over long weekend 5:53

1h ago5:53

5:53

Rail services in the capital and Auckland are grinding to a halt this long weekend for maintenance, disrupting travel for tens thousand of people, including rugby fans. In Auckland services are off from today. Buses will replace trains allow for ongoing up-graded need for the City Rail Link Project's that already caused significant upheaval. In Wel…

1
MMA fighter Dan Hooker vows to stage more backyard fights 3:30

1h ago3:30

3:30

Kiwi MMA fighter Dan Hooker has vowed to stage more backyard fights in future. The UFC lightweight last weekend hosted 32 men in a 'one minute scrap' tournament for a 50,000 dollar prize. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

1
Researchers disputing UNICEF NZ youth suicide statistics 5:51

1h ago5:51

5:51

After one of the most respected child advocacy agencies in the world ranked New Zealand the lowest out of 36 countries for youth mental health, the appalling figure was widely quoted. The report on global child wellbeing also highlights New Zealand as having the worst rate of youth suicide. But two Auckland University researchers are disputing that…

1
Dargaville residents asked to conserve water, reservoir at 10% 5:16

2h ago5:16

5:16

Dargaville residents are being asked to conserve water after maintenance teams have worked for hours to patch major breaks in the system. At one point the towns reservoir was down to 10 percent full. Water trucks from Whangarei, Maungaturoto and Ruawai have been pumping water back into the town supply, but have been struggling to keep pace. Kaipara…

1
Transport agency at odds over car simulators 2:54

2h ago2:54

2:54

Driving schools that offer lessons in high-tech car simulators are at odds with the transport agency over safety risks they could pose for learner drivers once they hit the road. The NZTA argues simulators could encourage over-confidence, putting new drivers at greater risk of crashing, but instructors insist they aren't dangerous. Joe Shaw reports…

1
Demand increases for Hutt Valley social enterprise 3:53

2h ago3:53

3:53

A social enterprise in the Hutt Valley said demand for basic essentials has increased since the public sector cuts. Common Unity Project Aotearoa is based in a building called the The Remakery - home to a koha cafe, community garden and textile workshop. It's been providing support to the community for over 12 years, by giving away fresh produce, c…

1
Final round of Super Rugby 3:21

2h ago3:21

3:21

It's Friday - but for rugby fans it's more of a Fri-YAY as Aotearoa heads into the exciting and somewhat confusing final round of Super Rugby. Sports Reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

1
Taupo dinosaur statue 'Boom Boom' explodes online 5:47

2h ago5:47

5:47

Boom Boom, the Taupo dinosaur, is exploding on social media after a rocky start with some rate payers. The near ten metre tall dinosaur sculpture sitting on a large geometric rock is the town's latest attraction. The sculpture first gained attention after the council contributed a one off grant of one hundred thousand dollars, while residents are f…

1
Japan cracking down on 'unworthy' names for kids 3:23

2h ago3:23

3:23

Asia correspondent Erin Hale spoke to Lisa Owen about Covid-19 in Taiwan, Japan cracking down on weird names for kids like Pikachu and how a Chinese paraglider accidentally flew more than 8500 metres above sea level.

1
King's Birthday Honours list to be revealed 8:48

2h ago8:48

8:48

Before the King's Birthday long weekend is done, a list of kiwi's will be crowned with their own titles, when the honours list is unveiled on Monday. Those people will recieve titles such as dame or knight, or letters like ONZM, officer of the New Zealand order of merit for meritorious service to the Crown and the nation. Anyone can nominate a pers…

1
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 30 May 2025 28:45

4h ago28:45

28:45

In today's episode, Parents who repeatedly refuse to send their children to school are more likely to be prosecuted as the government cracks down on truancy, Christchurch-based musician Amelia Murray, better known as Fazerdaze, was named Best Solo Artist and also took out the coveted Album of the Year award for her third release, Soft Power, big ch…

1
Kerry-Anne Walsh with news from Australia 2:50

5h ago2:50

2:50

It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

1
Political panel 6:25

5h ago6:25

6:25

Listen to our weekly political panel.

1
Opponents of Ruataniwha dam stage protest 3:33

10h ago3:33

3:33

Opponents of the controversial Ruataniwha Dam in Central Hawke's Bay have staged a surprise protest outside a meeting in Waipukurau, to show their opposition to the the region's electricity distributor trying to revive the project. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti Reporter Alexa Cook was at the protest.

1
Ecologist on proposed changes to freshwater regulations 5:04

5h ago5:04

5:04

A freshwater ecologist is slamming proposed changes to freshwater regulations. Freshwater ecologist Dr Mike Joy spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
Sports Chat for 30 May 2025 3:46

5h ago3:46

3:46

Oklahoma City will have made the NBA finals again.

1
Markets Update for 30 May 2025 1:42

5h ago1:42

1:42

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

1
Hamilton hosts National Scrabble Championship 4:43

5h ago4:43

4:43

The 45th National Scrabble Championship is hitting Hamilton, and it's not just local talent taking part. Scrabble legend and reigning champion Howard Warner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
Timaru tap water wins title of best tasting in New Zealand 4:29

5h ago4:29

4:29

Timaru has taken out the title of New Zealand's Best Tasting Tap Water. Timaru's Mayor Nigel Bowen spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Principal changes mind on prosecuting parents for truancy 6:41

5h ago6:41

6:41

A primary school principal in Whangarei had earlier called for exactly this - in 2019 Horahora primary's Pat Newman called for more prosecutions for parents who deliberately fail to send their kids to school. But six years on, he has changed his mind. Pat Newman spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Reports of suspected tornado in Hamilton 2:30

5h ago2:30

2:30

In Waikato there were reports of a suspected tornado tearing through at least one Hamilton suburb. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
Three teams battle for last Super Rugby playoffs spot 4:57

6h ago4:57

4:57

Moana Pasifika, the Blues and the Waratahs are all fighting for the last spot in the Super Rugby playoffs. Rugby writer and commentator Tony Johnson spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Federated Farmers on changes to RMA 3:54

6h ago3:54

3:54

The government's released new rules and policies telling Councils how to manage everything from housing and mining to water. Federated Farmers National Vice President Colin Hurst spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
David Seymour set to take over as deputy PM 3:30

6h ago3:30

3:30

David Seymour has vowed to keep speaking freely as he takes over as deputy prime minister - while an unshackled Winston Peters shifts into campaign mode - with a plan to avoid another handover next term. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

1
Parents who condone truancy face fines 3:58

6h ago3:58

3:58

Parents who refuse to send their children to school are more likely to be prosecuted as the government cracks down on truancy. Association Education Minister David Seymour spoke to reporter Lauren Crimp.

1
Fazerdaze takes out Album of the Year at Aotearoa Music Awards 9:29

6h ago9:29

9:29

Christchurch-based musician Amelia Murray, better known as Fazerdaze, was named Best Solo Artist and also took out the coveted Album of the Year award for her third release, Soft Power. Murray spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Chch man killed in Ukraine fighting for the country 7:32

6h ago7:32

7:32

A Christchurch man who died in Ukraine while helping in the country's war efforts, had previously posted online that he was living the dream. Ron Mark, who has been in the Ukraine war zone spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Cleanup underway in Hamilton after wild weather 4:03

6h ago4:03

4:03

The cleanup is underway in Hamilton after a possible tornado tore through some Hamilton suburbs on Thursday night. Civil Defence controller Kelvin Powell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
Business News for 30 May 2025 3:51

7h ago3:51

3:51

News from the business sector, including a market report.

1
King Charles to be on NZ money from 2027 5:15

7h ago5:15

5:15

Big changes are coming to New Zealand's money as the Reserve Bank revealed photos of the new 10 cent coin that features the effigy of King Charles the third. The Reserve Bank's director of money and cash Ian Woolford spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
RMA overhaul met with jubilation from some, dismay from others 3:30

7h ago3:30

3:30

The government's plan for massive changes to planning and consent rules have been met with jubilation from some quarters - and dismay from others. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

1
Wild weather hits Upper North Island 1:49

7h ago1:49

1:49

Wild weather has battered the Upper North Island on Thursday night and Waikato has been particularly hard hit. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Early Sports Chat for 30 May 2025 3:37

7h ago3:37

3:37

This weekend's headline act is the final round of Super Rugby's regular season.

1
Morning Rural News for 30 May 2025 4:21

7h ago4:21

4:21

News from the rural and farming sector.

1
Early Business News for 30 May 2025 1:57

7h ago1:57

1:57

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

1
US judges rule Trump overstepped authority by imposing tariffs 4:13

7h ago4:13

4:13

The White House is vowing to fight back after judges ruled Donald Trump overstepped his authority by imposing tariffs. Correspondent in Washington Nick Harper spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
NZers feeling optimistic about buying a house: Survey 5:16

7h ago5:16

5:16

ASB's Housing Confidence Survey shows 28 percent of respondents believe it's a good time to buy, the highest number since 2011. Chief Economist Nick Tuffley spoke to Paddy Gower.

1
Christchurch man killed in Ukraine 4:08

7h ago4:08

4:08

Foreign Affairs says it'll take time to gather information on the death of a New Zealander in Ukraine. The Weatherman Foundation missing-in-action programme's Lauren Guillaume spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1
Jeff Kerr: Our First Amendment Right to Receive Communications (from Monkeys) 30:14

3h ago30:14

30:14

"It is a scientific fact that these macaques, like all other primates, including humans, are communicating. They communicate in much the same way we do - facial expressions, vocalizations, body postures, those kinds of things." - Jeff Kerr Jeff Kerr is PETA foundations Chief Legal Officer. I asked him to come on the show to talk about one of PETA’s…

1
Package containing 40kg of cocaine washes up on Norfolk Island 2:32

14h ago2:32

2:32

In a curious case on Norfolk Island, a package believed to contain about 40 kilograms worth of cocaine has washed up onshore. It was found by tourists on Tuesday afternoon at Anson Bay. Caleb Fotheringham has more.

1
Fallout over number of women on federal opposition front bench 6:56

14h ago6:56

6:56

In Australia the federal opposition is vowing to rebuild and better represent the expectations of more Australians -- after copping a drubbing at the recent election. But the coalition's first female leader Sussan Ley is already under fire for reducing the number of senior women on her front bench. Our correspondent Nick Grimm joins us.…

1
Govt launches Resource Management consultation 3:56

14h ago3:56

3:56

The government is billing its Resource Management consultation as the country's biggest ever change to national direction. It comes hot on the heels of the fast track changes and leading up the full RMA replacement due next year. Announcements were released under six ministers' names on everything from housing to mining to agriculture - and some of…

1
Evening business for 29 May 2025 5:14

14h ago5:14

5:14

News from the business sector, including a market report.

1
Lydia Ko's pursuit of a career Grand Slam begins at US Open 4:41

14h ago4:41

4:41

Lydia Ko's pursuit of golf's career Grand Slam begins at the US Open in Wisconsin. A career grand slam on the LPGA Tour is when a player wins four of the five major championships over the course of a career. Ko is one major away and the US Open is one she's long wanted to win. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.…

1
Councils compete to see who has best tasting tap water 3:08

14h ago3:08

3:08

The North Island and South Island are going head-to-head in a competition to see which region has the best tasting tap water. Four New Zealand district councils are vying for the coveted title, including the reigning champions, Rotorua Lakes District Council. Samantha Gee was at the grand final in Nelson.…

1
Stars arrive at 60th Aotearoa Music Awards 2:54

14h ago2:54

2:54

The stars of New Zealand music are sweeping up the red carpet right now for the 60th annual Aotearoa Music Awards. The celebration of New Zealand's best talent follows Lorde's surprise pop-up concert from a toilet cubicle at the Auckland central YMCA last night. Tahi presenter So'omalo Iteni Schwalger spoke to Lisa Owen.…

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