Italian influencers are subject to new rules.

AGCOM, the Italian Communications Authority, has implemented a plan that forces relevant influencers to register and adhere to a code of conduct, or face fines.

The rules apply to those with 500,000 followers, or at least 1 million monthly views, or both, on social media such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch.

Italy Correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking the code of conduct is designed to stop exploitation and the publication of false information.

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Five years after the release of her debut EP ‘Always Growing’, Paige Tapara’s music has taken her around the world.

She’s a big deal in Korea —‘Always Growing’ having gone Platinum there— and has just returned from performing her first headline show in Seoul, South Korea.

Her fame in Asia came as a little bit of a surprise, she confessed, as she, somewhat naively, thought music that wasn’t K-pop wasn’t popular.

“I’ve noticed that they like a bit of pop with a hint of soul/R&B, like neo-soul, and I guess because my music is that, it kind of works over there,” Tapara told Mike Hosking.

But there’s a big difference between streaming success and performing live concerts, she said.

“You can do streaming numbers, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to live, but it was cool that people came.”

“Being an artist is rewarding, but it’s also, there’s moments where it’s soul crushing as well,” Tapara told Hosking.

“I think going to Asia, ‘cause I went to Asia in 2023 as well, I think that felt really validating to me, kind of being like, oh, people really like the music.”

“It feels like it’s worth it.”

Stylistically, Tapara’s work hasn’t changed much in the last few years, still favouring a groovy R&B flavoured pop sound, but as she’s grown and aged, the content of her music has changed.

“My first EP ‘Always Growing’ was about kind of my early to late teen years, and now I’m near, like I’m heading towards 30,” she said.

“So I’m kind of experiencing more real-life stuff, so I think that’s really affected the songwriting.”

Her new EP, 'Paigesspace' was released last week.

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New Zealand's top cycle trails are pumping more than $1.2 billion a year into local economies.

New data shows visitor spend attributed to the country's 23 Great Rides jumped 35% compared to 2021.

Nights spent in nearby accommodations are up 25% at around 4.5 million.

Ngā Haerenga NZ Cycle Trails CEO Janet Purdey told Mike Hosking they’re marketing into Australia and the United States, and they plan to bring a lot more internationals into the country to do the trails.

She says the global market is estimated to be US$234 billion in 2030, and they want a piece of that.

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