News Lounge Ep4: Residents refuse to pay the excess water charge in Christchurch; student's first nude pic ends in blackmail; rolling earthquakes rock Bay of Plenty.

Kia ora and welcome to News Lounge, your daily dose of current events from around the country. Today is Saturday, March 18th, 2023, and we’ve got a jam-packed show for you.

First up, we have the story of residents in Christchurch who are refusing to pay what they call a ‘stupid’ excess water charge. Then, a cautionary tale for anyone considering sending a nude picture as a student’s first attempt ends in blackmail.

We’ll also be discussing the recent earthquakes that have been rocking the Bay of Plenty, with residents in Kawerau describing it as a ‘bloody shambles.’

In sadder news, we pay tribute to Mary Ronnie, the world’s first female national librarian, who has passed away at the age of 96.

We’ll also be taking a closer look at the disclosure of drug company payments to health professionals here in New Zealand, and asking whether it could be influencing prescribing decisions.

And finally, with tensions rising between Aukus and China, we ask Green MP Gareth Hughes whether New Zealand could be dragged into a potential war. Stay tuned for all that and more on News Lounge.

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