News sentiment analysis powered by sentiment-insight.com
Bruce Cotterill: Too much working from home isn’t working Last week’s Weekend Herald published a short article that highlighted the extent to which we are still grappling with life after Covid-19. Spark CEO Jolie Hodson on finding a work-life balance.
Money Talks: Spark CEO Jolie Hodson on finding a work-life balance Spark chief executive Jolie Hodson is one of the highest-paid people in the country. Her first memories of money take her back to a jar of coins her grandfather kept in his garage. She describes wealth and financial success as an outcome of what she does, rather than a goal in itself.
Market close: Re-energised stocks continue upward climb Spark was one of the few decliners, falling 6c to $5.01. Spark told shareholders at the annual meeting that trading was steady. The S&P/NZX 50 Index traded steadily.
Walmart Spark gig workers: We can't bring groceries into your kitchen Spark drivers often get requests from customers to bring groceries into their kitchens. But coming into customers' houses is against Spark policies. Walmart's InHome delivery service, which is staffed by full-time employees, offers kitchen drop-offs.
One is NZ’s fastest mobile network provider, Ookla says One NZ's mobile network had a median download speed of 74.20 megabits per second. That put it ahead of Spark (65.72Mbps) and 2degrees (62Mbps) Any of those speeds give you enough mobile grunt for the likes of streaming Netflix in high definition. Spark and One NZ have previously complained that another survey doesn’t cover people using fixed-wireless 5G.
Norsewood: A community desperate for a decent connection Norsewood is facing an ‘unprecedented crisis’ with its mobile phone coverage. The town, home to 1600 residents, was left with little to no coverage following the vandalisation of a Spark tower. There was also no coverage from other providers, says Connect Tararua spokesman and local business owner Phil Grant.
Pittsburgh-area woman learns hard way not all delivery drivers carry the correct insurance Alicia Bergstedt's grocery delivery driver worked for Walmart's Spark Driver platform. Spark doesn't carry commercial liability coverage for its drivers. Grubhub does not require drivers to carry additional insurance.
Mood of the Boardroom: Climate high on Spark agenda Cyclone Gabrielle and severe weather threw Spark into the climate front line by disrupting the company’s mobile and broadband services in parts of the North Island. CEO Jolie Hodson already had climate change on her mind before Gabrielle. She plays an active role in the Climate Leaders Coalition.
Why and what mobile providers are charging to listen to voicemails Spark, One and Skinny all charge some customers to access their voicemails. For pay monthly plans, the cost of voicemail was included in the price of the plan. 2degrees made its entire voicemail service free in 2019.
Government dusts off plan for new revenue tax on multinational technology giants The Government will introduce a bill on Thursday that would allow it to impose a 3% ‘digital services tax’ on the revenues of large technology multinationals. It first mooted the idea of the tax in 2019 as a back-up option, in case the final leg of an international drive by the OECD to reform the way large multinationals are taxed failed. Fonterra, Spark, Trade Me, The Warehouse and Air New Zealand were among businesses that expressed fears during consultations that such a tax could invite retaliation.
Man left reeling over 'silly and tacky' baby name wife wants for firstborn A dad-to-be'snapped' at his wife after she suggested "silly and tacky" names. He can't bear the thought of their little one getting bullied at school. Names on her list include Fennix, Brixtyn, Buck, Diesel, Spark and Fox.
One NZ joins smartwatch fray with $5/month plan - how others stack up One NZ has launched its first mobile plan for a smartwatch. $5 per month ‘OneNumber’ plan is two-thirds cheaper than Spark’s $12.99 equivalent.
Rural satellite internet connections boom, but rural consumers still pay more and get less than urban counterparts City-dwellers still pay less for faster internet connections than their rural counterparts. Rural broadband more likely came with data caps, even though the rest of the country had unlimited data plans. Spark signed a deal to expand rural connectivity and said it would invest $24 million in funding to the Rural Connectivity Group between 2023 and 2025. Spark said a factor in poor rural connectivity was the limited availability of low-band spectrum that provided the greatest coverage for rural sites.
2degrees to join One NZ and Spark in switching off 3G 2degrees has joined One NZ and Spark in announcing a closure date for its 3G mobile network. 2degrees said it would close its service towards the end of 2025, so it could focus its investments on 4G and 5G. Spark also intends to close its 3Gs in 2025, while One NZ will shut down its network in August next year.
NZ-EU free trade deal: Australia farmers rubbish deal Australia’s farmers have rubbished the new NZ-European Union free trade deal. It follows rivals Spark and One NZ, who have already announced kill dates.
Councillor Julie Fairey not required to disclose newly-revealed shareholdings after Michael Wood resignation - council Auckland councillor Julie Fairey has not disclosed thousands of dollars worth of shares held in a family trust. Her husband, Labour MP Michael Wood, resigned as a minister yesterday after it emerged he held previously undisclosed shares in the trust. The trust held shares in Chorus, Spark and the National Australia Bank (NAB)
Michael Wood’s resignation: MPs, here’s the share trading rules financial firms have to follow Former Minister Michael Wood was forced to resign over not disclosing his holdings in listed companies Chorus and Spark. He also did not sell out of Auckland International Airport.
Third ministerial resignation unwanted distraction for Labour as election looms closer Michael Wood owned 1500 Auckland Airport shares that he bought as a teenager. He did not declare the shares in the MPs’ financial interests list until last year. Wood’s family trust also held shares in Chorus, Spark and the National Australia Bank.
Michael Wood resigns as minister after further shareholdings revealed Suspended transport minister Michael Wood has resigned as a Cabinet minister. Wood's family trust held shares in Chorus, Spark, and the National Australia Bank that he did not declare. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he learnt of Wood's additional undeclared shareholdings on Tuesday.
Michael Wood resignation: Opposition crows as minister falls over revelations of more shareholdings Michael Wood resigned today after it emerged he had multiple shareholdings in a trust that he had not adequately disclosed. Wood held further shares in Chorus, Spark and the National Australia Bank. National leader Christopher Luxon has hit out at Prime Minister Chris Hipkins for once again being let down by a senior minister.