The Weekend Collective

When do you start writing your will, and should your kids help you with writing it? Plus, is downsizing the best way to free up some cash? Well renowned financial author Martin Hawes joins us with his thoughts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something is going wrong for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the UK, across Europe, the US and Australia, as Oxford Universities World Happiness Report sounds alarm about the welfare of young people. The report shows that young adults are being hit from all sides by a toxic combination of government policy, a housing affordability crisis, stagnating wages, and a high cost of living. Plus, social media is believed to play a part in driving down self-esteem and robbing young people of their wellbeing. Experienced psychotherapist Kyle Macdonald joins us with his take & how to support our young people. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Simeon Brown unveiled their new water plan for the city, which will see an increase of rates by 7.2 percent, rather than the 25.8 percent proposed by Watercare. Simeon Brown joins the Weekend Collective to explain further. Later, Julie Anne Genter has been accused of 'intimidating' behaviour after a disagreement saw the Green MP leave her seat to confront a Government minister during a transport debate. Former Speaker of the House, Sir Lockwood Smith, joins the Weekend Collective to explain why 'standards have slipped'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The standard of Parliament has been called into question as Green MP Julie Anne Genter undergoes disciplinary action. Ms Genter confronted Minister Matt Doocey on Wednesday. She has until midday Monday to make any representations to the Speaker, before he decides if she will be referred to the Privileges Committee. Former speaker of the house Sir Lockwood Smith says Parliament standards have slipped. "Members of Parliament are meant to be seen as leaders, if you like. How they behave is important, because they should behave in a way that you'd expect of leaders." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A deal between Auckland Council and the Government has helped Aucklanders avoid the projected 25.8 percent increase in water rates. Auckland Council will retain local control of water assets, as part of the Local Water Well Done plan. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says councils will have more control over their water assets under their scheme. Local councils will be asked to put forward their water service delivery plans for the next 12 months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A review by the Education Hub found just 60 percent of the country's 15-year-olds were achieving above the most basic levels of reading and writing. This means 40 percent of 15-year-olds struggle with reading and writing, so what role do parents need to play in encouraging their kids to read? Expert Nathan Wallis joins the Weekend Collective with his advice. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition Government will not proceed with the Labour Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, despite backing from a renters’ lobby group and lawyers. How does regulation affect buyer interest - and was it the right decision? Debbie Roberts from Property Apprentice gives her take. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Panel Tim Beveridge was joined by Mark Crysell and Simon Wilson to dive into the biggest stories from the week that’s been. On the Green Party: should Julie Anne Genter be sacked? What will James Shaw’s legacy be? On finances: the Department of Corrections has spent $315,000 of taxpayer money on slushies, and should Christchurch City Council step in and help out the Christchurch Arts Centre? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the best lessons to teach your children about money? How soon should you be setting them up with a trust fund, or a personal savings account? Hannah McQueen of Enable Me joins the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The London Marathon took place on April 21, and a record number of runners were using carbon-fibre shoes. How important is it to have the best sporting equipment? Can you make do with the basics? Sports Biomechanist Greg Pain joins The Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Politics Central, former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises the organisation's decision to make savings at the country's hospitals, saying they are 'extraordinary' and signal poor management. Later, five academics and public figures were set to debate free speech at Victoria University in Wellington last Monday, but backlash within the university has seen the event postponed. Both Victoria University's Students' Association president and the university's Vice-Chancellor offer their takes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event. A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed. Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' that people are no longer willing to listen and draw their own conclusions. "That's an issue that I've seen across multiple media - we create bubbles where everyone wants to agree with each other and shout in these polarised extremes." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's debate over Victoria University's decision to call off a discussion on free speech. It comes after outrage within the university, with claims the panellists didn't represent a balance of views. 600 people had registered to attend before the university's Vice-Chancellor postponed the event, saying they were going back to the drawing board. Students' Association president Marcail Parkinson says some speakers would've made students uncomfortable, and have a history of hate speech. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Whatu Ora has been criticised for telling public hospitals to bring the organisation back to budget, they need to make target savings of $105 million by July. It said several districts have gone over budget in the past three months. However, health unions have warned the constraints will impact medical care. Former Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell says we should be trying to improve our health system - not just saving costs. "Once you get the emphasis on just saving costs, you end up cutting things that should not be cut." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leave the baby with a sitter or take them everywhere with you? US comedian Arj Barker has sparked a furious backlash after asking a woman to take her baby out of his show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival - what do we think? John Cowan joins the Weekend Collective with his take. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple bought an investment property in the 90's for under $150,000, and sold it in 2024 for $4 million, so how long term should you be thinking when you're buying? Ashley Church joins the Weekend Collective with his take. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Panel Tim Beveridge was joined by Brad Olsen and Pete Wolfkamp to wrap the week that’s been. On today’s agenda: Reading Cinemas is disappointed by the failed $32 million deal with Wellington Council, and Leo Malloy confronted a gun-toting ‘cowboy’ in a night of Viaduct mayhem. Victoria University has cancelled a free speech event because student protesters were ‘freaked out’, and a mother was kicked out of Arj Barker’s comedy show because her baby was distracting. Do you think it’s fair? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there a connection between stress and weight gain? Plus in a time when most of us are tightening the belt, there are ways we can get fit without a gym membership. Health coach Kent Johns joined the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With all the cuts to the cut service, how should you deal with layoffs mid-career, and more importantly how can you bounce back? Employment relations practitioner Max Whitehead joined the show to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr joined Helen Clark at Parliament this week, to warn New Zealand against joining Pillar 2 of the AUKUS defence pact, saying it is "fragrant, methane-wrapped bullsh*t," and funnily enough former opposition leader Don Brash tends to agree. Later, Shane Jones who has recently ben speaking about mining and fishing, this week let go with a broadside against the Waitangi Tribunal, saying they have "no business running it's operations as some sort of star chamber delivering pre-emptory summons for ministers." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.