One of Newstalk ZB's most familiar voices has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours, two decades after first being sounded out.

Barry Soper's been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism, recognising 43 years in the parliamentary press gallery.

He says he considered the honour 20 years ago while serving as political editor, on the advice of senior colleagues.

"And asked their opinion on whether it would be seen, or I could be seen as politically biased - and I think the conclusion was: that was a possibility. So I didn't want to compromise my independence."

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More people are wanting to give up vaping, for a variety of reasons.

Almost 16,000 people reached out to Quitline last year, with a quarter enrolled in the Quit Vaping programme.

Māori make up 23 percent of those seeking support.

Auckland University Public Health Professor Chris Bullen says vaping is less harmful than smoking, but also has negative impacts.

He explained people are considering costs, potential long-term health effects and if they want to be addicted to something.

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Suzie Bates intends to distance herself from the White Ferns once she retires from the international game following the upcoming women's T20 Cricket World Cup in England.

Bates has been awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to cricket and basketball, following a two-decade career where she also played for the Tall Ferns at the 2008 Olympics.

The 38-year-old Bates has ruled out staying on with the White Ferns in a coaching or advisory role.

She says this award has taken her by surprise, but she's thrilled to be acknowledged.

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Caution's being urged as automated decision-making moves a step closer to use in welfare services.

A bill aimed at improving efficiencies passed its third reading under urgency in Parliament on Friday.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston says it will modernise the system and reduce unnecessary manual processing, but won't use generative AI.

Gorilla Technology's Paul Spain says it will do exactly what it's asked.

"This really comes down to the human oversight, how well this is put together, and that it's monitored appropriately."

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Some of the key architects of our education system are being recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.

Elizabeth Rata has been made a Dame for her services to education, including her work on the senior English curriculum over a career spanning five decades.

She's among three education leaders to receive the top honour, alongside Susan Hassall and Professor Emeritus James Chapman.

Rata says she was thrilled to see other educators celebrated.

"Because the country has really turned the corner, I think, with education. And I look forward to the next few generations of New Zealand children being really successful."

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A former Defence Minister says our geographical separation should negate the need to up our defence spending.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's accused New Zealand of freeloading off the US military by spending 2 percent of GDP on defence.

He's revealed expectations that US allies spend 3.5 percent of GDP, at a global security summit in Singapore.

But Wayne Mapp says the Pacific isn't facing threats of invasion, the same way NATO countries are.

"Everything that comes to New Zealand costs more. Every place we go to costs more, but there is one advantage we get out of it, and that's security."

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A star-studded musical celebration is in the works for the United States' 250th birthday, but more big acts have been backing away.

Trump's administration had publicised multiple headliners for a 'Freedom 250' concert series between 25 June and 10 July, but Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, Young MC and the Commodores all confirmed they were pulling out.

This leaves Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, and Flo Rida in the lineup, but Trump is reportedly considering cancelling the musical performances altogether.

US correspondent Richard Arnold says Trump is considering hosting a 'Make America Great Again rally' instead.

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New polling data shows One Nation is gaining more of a political foothold in Australia.

The latest The Australian Financial Review/Redbridge Group/Accent Research poll says that support for One Nation has jumped four percentage points to 31, while Labor's vote is on 28 percent.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says leader Pauline Hanson is proving popular among prospective voters, with many dissatisfied with the Labor party.

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