Larry Williams Drive

Does New Zealand have the capacity to send troops to Ukraine?  Prime Minister Chris Luxon has said he's open to the idea, after a meeting of EU leaders in Paris. He's also outlined his ambition to bring our defence spending close to two percent of GDP. Former Defence Minister Ron Mark says the call to send Kiwi troops would depend on what role, function, and number they'd be deployed in. "We know from the many deployments we have around the world that some deployments might just be one or two officers, maybe a dozen in different locales." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new standard for Government agencies handling data will be set after today's bombshell report. The Public Service Commission has released a report detailing failures by Stats NZ, Health NZ and the Ministry of Health.  It's after allegations surfaced in June that Census and Covid vaccination data was inappropriately used at Manurewa Marae. It's highlighted a lack of safeguards - even when concerns were raised within Stats NZ, whose acting head is now stepping down.  It found agencies also failed to address conflicts-of-interest by providers working with Covid data.  Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says contracting requirements for third-parties will change.  "We are just being clear about the duty of care required on people who access public money to discharge services." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the Public Service Sector says the Government needs to do better with Kiwis' data. A report into claims Covid and Census data were misused during the 2023 election has been released today. It highlights significant shortcomings at Stats NZ and Health NZ - and concluded the agencies failed to ensure data provided to third-party providers was kept confidential. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this isn't a good look for the wider public service sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, the RBA has moved to lower the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points from 4.35 percent to 4.1 percent. This is in line with predictions from economists, who'd noticed inflation had eased in the final quarter of 2024. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this will come as good news for homeowners, who have had their mortgage payments skyrocket over the past few months. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leon MacDonald is poised to land at an unexpected destination in his first rugby role since departing the All Blacks in August. Five tests into last year’s test season, MacDonald left his post as All Blacks attack coach due to irresolvable differences with head coach Scott Robertson. The Herald reports MacDonald is to join the Western Force in a short-term director of rugby role where he will work with head coach Simon Cron - a fellow New Zealander. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ is pushing back against the claims patients in Porirua have been declined specialist appointments based on their body mass indexes. A group of Porirua GPs have claimed their patients had been rejected for general and orthopaedic surgeries based on BMI - and they fear it's a tactic to manage waiting lists. Health NZ's Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Richard Sullivan, has stepped up to deny these claims. "We're not using what we call body mass index, which is really a combination of someone's height and weight, to manage wait-lists, that's absolutely not true." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Keir Starmer would put British troops in Ukraine to help guarantee a peace deal. The US and Russian Presidents are holding talks on the war - but excluding EU nations, including Ukraine. Starmer's said lasting peace is essential to deterring future aggression by Vladimir Putin - and he doesn't take putting British servicemen and women in harm's way lightly, but he'll do what it takes to guarantee Ukrainian security. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's fears about what Putin will take in a peace deal - and European leaders are set to express their concerns at the upcoming emergency summit in France. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A2 Milk has upped its first-half net profit by 7.6 percent - overtaking expectations - and announced its first dividend of 8.5 cents a share. Its infant milk formula (IMF) sales grew by 7.2 percent, led by its English label, which was up 13 percent, while China label sales were 2 percent higher. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the factors behind this change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our largest freight companies says it's yet to see economic green shoots. Freightways is reporting a 6.5 percent increase in profit in the six months to December. But it's dealing with lower volumes per customer in New Zealand. CEO Mark Troughear explained the result is down to winning new customers, and its Australian arm's performance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Economic Growth Minister says she's had another supermarket express their interest in setting up shop here. Nicola Willis has repeated the call we need more competition to pressure prices. Speaking last week, she said there's been some expressions of interest from overseas, but would not say who or how many, Willis says since then, she's had another potential player get in touch. She explained it was someone who contacted her office directly, saying they had a potential proposal to enter the market. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! It's now up to the Minister whether or not to deport an 18-year old NZ-born Indian teenager. His parents are here illegally and are also set to be deported. What do we think about this case? The Destiny Church crowd made headlines again after they crashed a drag storytime event at a West Auckland library over the weekend? What can we do about this? Are we all getting sick of QR codes in restaurants?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 17 February 2025, US and Russian negotiators are set to begin peace talks to end the war in Ukraine - without involving Ukraine. Former Special Counsel for the US Department of Defence Jeffrey Pryce speaks to Ryan Bridge about his experience negotiating with Russia, and Tenby Powell from Kiwi aid charity Kiwi K.A.R.E on what kind of a deal would be acceptable to Ukrainians.   Economist Robert MacCullough with an unpopular opinion - arguing the Reserve Bank should not be cutting the OCR on Wednesday. Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals she has no target in mind when it comes to growing the economy. Plus, the Huddle debates whether QR codes are the future when it comes to ordering at restaurants - or just annoying.   Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Zealand-born Indian teen facing deportation has been granted a brief reprieve. It's now been paused, as Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk decides whether Daman Kumar will be sent to India, a country he's never visited.  The 18-year-old's parents have been overstayers for more than two decades - with the three told to leave the country or face deportation. Kumar's lawyer, Alastair McClymont, says his parents are responsible for their situation, and they need to face up. "But Daman - what obligations did he have as a new-born baby, as an over-stayer? And he didn't even know anything about his immigration status until he became a teenager." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi diners have mixed feelings on replacing human service with technology, with many preferring face-to-face interaction. Those 46 and older showed negativity towards QR code and app-based ordering, with half 18-to-35-year-olds neutral on the topic. Restaurant Association president Mike Egan says many diners prefer the tactile experience of using a menu they don't have to scroll through. He also explained there were other issues that could impact workers as well - as kitchens could be slammed if diners ordered during peak times. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economics expert says cutting the Official Cash Rate is unwarranted. The Reserve Bank is set to release its first 2025 OCR decision on Wednesday. Many economists are predicting a 50 basis point cut - from 4.25 percent to 3.75. Auckland University economics professor Robert MacCulloch says the bank's only meant to focus on inflation, which is already on target. "They're not looking at the inflation rate - it's exactly at 2 percent. But they're panicking about the state of the economy, that's the truth. I think that's what's going on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns the US and Russia are having peace talks without involving anyone else - including Ukraine. Ukraine's European allies are set to gather in Paris for an emergency summit on the war tomorrow. It comes as a US envoy is expected to meet Russian officials for the first time in Saudi Arabia later this month. Kiwi K.A.R.E founder Tenby Powell says this is a stark example of geopolitical injustice. "One would hope the Saudis, who are hosting this meeting, would have the presence of mind to invite Zelenskyy a some stage - but I think it's important to understand that this war hasn't just happened since February 2022." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's renewed calls to evaluate Destiny Church's charitable status and tax treatment after their actions last weekend. Followers of Destiny Church  - the religious movement spearheaded by Hannah and Brian Tamaki - stormed an Auckland library on Saturday to protest a drag king reading to children. Followers of the church then disrupted Auckland's rainbow parade - actions Auckland's mayor calls thuggery. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says they intimidated public officials - and the Government will be investigating their status, and tax treatment in due course. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Destiny Church acted disgracefully, and a review needs to take place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dutton has vowed to 'deal with' insurers if they do not drop premiums in higher risk areas. The devastating floods in north Queensland have drawn attention to the fact that many Australians that live in disaster-prone areas are struggling to secure affordable insurance - and this will likely escalate as climate change ramps up.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says insurance premiums are skyrocketing year on year - and many are struggling to afford them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motivation for revenge has inspired Auckland FC to yet another win in football's men's A-League. A pair of quick goals to end the first half has helped the league-leading Black Knights to a 2-nil win over Western United in blustery conditions just outside of Melbourne. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's advisers are on their way to Saudi Arabia to begin negotiations with Russia to end the war with Ukraine - but Ukraine appears to have been left out of the discussion.  European leaders are determined to not get left behind, with an emergency summit set to take place in France between European and NATO leaders. Jeffrey Price, a former US Defence Department official, doubts a deal will be reached without Ukraine taking part in discussions. "There's going to have to be a conversation between the Americans and the Europeans about what kind of a force is going to be available to be able to guarantee any solution, if there is one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.