Hawaiian soul and R&B musician Deva Mahal joins Andrew Dickens to discuss her new single ‘South Coast’.

Deva Mahal is the daughter of legendary Blues Singer Taj Mahal, a factor that she says does not impede her music.

She said that “[Taj Mahal] has always taught us it’s not following in his footsteps; it’s standing in his light”

The Wellington-based artist has hinted that her next project will be released this October.

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The Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Messaging Transparency Report shows reports of text scams fell by 62 percent between 2023 and 2024.

It seized almost 400 thousand dollars' worth of scam equipment last year.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson told Andrew Dickens that people can now report text scams with a single click.

He says there have already been 665 thousand of those reports so far this year.

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The Crusaders take on the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final held in Christchurch tomorrow night.

With nearly half the games decided by 7 points or less, the recent games have been tight and entertaining, leading to a boost in viewer numbers.

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley says, 'law innovation’ and ‘close games and unexpected results’ have helped Super Rugby gain its recent boost in audience.

Crowd numbers are also up by 6% this year, despite fewer games. This increase is expected to continue next year.

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An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust needs to be restored.

The island nation signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without reference to New Zealand, despite our two countries' official special relationship.

International Relations Expert Robert Patman says the timing of his current visit to China, isn't great.

He says he's sure Luxon will make the point the Cook Islands were informed well before this visit.

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Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s trip to China looks to be successful so far as it reaches its conclusion today.

Chris Luxon is due to meet President Xi Jinping this afternoon after 871 million dollars of commercial agreements have been signed so far between Kiwi businesses and our Chinese counterparts.

New Zealand China Council executive director Alistair Crozier told Andrew Dickens that today's meeting between leaders will be more than pleasantries.

He says there is a lot to discuss, and it will come down to a respectful exchange of views.

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The Australian Government has faced calls to update its tax system to pay off its national debt.

The Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said he won’t ‘rule in or rule out’ any changes to future tax plans, including raising the GST, something the treasurer has clearly said he is against.

Australian Correspondent Murray Olds says, “there’s no doubt, you have to have to have some reform over here.”

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The US President has set himself a two-week deadline to decide on US involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Hundreds have been injured and killed over the past week, with both sides trading punishing strikes. Israel has bombed nuclear and civilian targets in Iran - and Iranian missiles hit an Israeli hospital overnight.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Andrew Dickens that Donald Trump has very publicly been trying to negotiate an end to the conflict, with domestic politics playing a part.

He says Trump is dealing with division in his own political ranks over the issue and he's been going back and forth on US involvement.

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Black Fern's player Portia Woodham Wickliffe has become an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to rugby.

She entered the record books last week as the Black Fern's all-time leading try scorer when she scored seven try's in a row against the United States.

She joins the show to discuss her latest achievement.

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