Larry Williams Drive

Netsafe say it's encouraging tech giant Meta to prevent scams in the country. Across the ditch, social media companies are detecting and preventing such behaviour. No such protections currently apply in New Zealand - but tech giant Meta is working to introduce defences against finance and celebrity based scam ads. Netsafe Chief Online Safety Officer Sean Lyons says Meta still needs to be pushed to do more to shut down scams. "We should definitely be pushing them to do more so that we're not put in harm's way while we're using their platforms." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes a fresh call for reform to break our supermarket duopoly brings meaningful action. Economic Growth and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced a new strategy for creating more competition. The Government is receptive to cracking down on pricing - and helping new entrants access land and properties. MonopolyWatch research director Tex Edwards says the devil will be in the details. "Because there's been an overbuild - unless it's a breakup, you're not going to get what we call price competition and you're not going to get to see any sustainability competition." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US moves to end the war in Ukraine could work in Russia's favour, according to one expert. President Donald Trump says talks will start immediately - and he's had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Commentators say it's highly unlikely Ukraine will get back its pre-war borders - a bottom line for leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Canberra law professor Sascha Dov Bachmann says Putin will tell his people any territory Russia takes is a win. "And that is the dangerous thing, that is the first step in the wrong direction."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A class action lawsuit launched in Auckland today questioning Johnson and Johnson cold and flu products follows similar suits worldwide. JGA Saddler has filed a suit in the High Court, claiming the producer knowingly sold an ineffective product. The US Food and Drug Administration has ruled a key ingredient in Codral, Sudafed, and Benadryl cold and flu products is ineffective when taken orally. JGA Saddler director, Rebecca Jancauskas says it's sparked a wave of legal action. "Our firm filed a claim in Australia, in December. A Canadian firm filed a class-action about 12 months ago, and there's also quite a number of claims on foot in America."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not everyone's happy about an apology from Takuta Ferris last night, delivered in Māori. In September, Te Pati Maori MP said describing MPs as 'masters of obscuring the truth' wasn't calling them liars. The Parliamentary Privileges Committee called that a contempt - and recommended he apologise. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Shane Jones called for a second apology in a language 'most Kiwis understand'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Members of the medical community have voiced their disapproval with the two nurses who bragged about refusing to treat Israeli patients.  Ahmad Rashad Nadir and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, two nurses based out of Bankstown Hospital in Sydney's south-west have been stood down - and reports claim the police have spoken to the pair.  Australian correspondent Murray Olds says investigations are still ongoing - but the pair will likely never work in a Sydney hospital again.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It appears boxer Joseph Parker is one win away from a shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. The New Zealander challenges British fighter Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in Saudi Arabia next weekend. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising premiums are pushing more people into considering third party car insurance. The average quote for comprehensive car insurance on comparison website Quashed has increased 41 percent in the past two years. Insurance Council CEO Kris Faafoi says newer cars have more technology attached to them - which contributes to the rising insurance costs. "It depends on the individual situation - the cost of the car, who's driving it, where you're parking it, where you are. These are all factors, but it became more expensive to insure them because fixing them is more complex." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK’s Labour Party has suspended 11 councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were shared.  These investigations have already resulted in the suspension of two other Labour MPs in the region - with Minister Andrew Gwynne losing his health portfolio. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are still ongoing - and it's not a good look for the Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's looking more likely that NZ First is on board with the new rules for foreign investors - including a shake-up for overseas buyers of property. New reports claim NZ First is set to agree to allow wealthy people to purchase homes over a certain threshold - it's rumoured to be $5 million. BusinessDesk's Pattrick Smellie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The upcoming reporting season looks likely to reflect the tough times seen in the economy in the second half of last year, yet company 'outlook' statements may provide some optimism for the year ahead. The season – comprising mostly second-half 2024 results – gets under way this week, and it's widely expected most major companies won't do too well. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is running the ruler over the way the Accident Compensation Corporation manages its $50 billion investment portfolio. The newly appointed minister responsible for the state injury insurer, Andrew Bayly, has commissioned consultants at Willis Towers Watson to review the performance of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s investments, its governance, and the approach it takes to managing its investments.  NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 12 February 2025, our fishing industry is in for a shake-up with catch regulations set to be loosened and cameras on boats no longer accessible to the general public. Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith is considering forcing streaming giants Netflix and Co. to produce local content. ASB CEO Vittoria Shortt reveals where she's seeing green shoots in the economy - and when we might see interest rates fall below 5 percent again. Plus, the Huddle debates news that McDonalds will not be allowed to open a restaurant in Wanaka after its consent application was declined. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Sarah Trotman from Business Mentors and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  What do we make of Judith Collins' latest warning to the public service? She told industry leaders to show respect to taxpayers and not use so much bloated language. What do we make of this?  Plans to build Wānaka’s first McDonald’s have been thrown out after the council declined the restaurant's application for good. Do we agree with this?  New Zealand has slipped to its worst ever ranking on the least-corrupted country list - it's now sitting on number four. Should we be worried?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB is reporting a one percent increase in net profit, for last year's second half. Profit margins remained flat, but home lending grew five percent and business and rural lending increased two percent. CEO Vittoria Short says this is a sign the economy is turning a corner for the better after a lengthy downturn. "Inflation's back in target range, we know that the OCR or interest rates are moving downwards to more neutral levels and what we can see is that our customers, who have been doing it tough and are stressed - our actions are helping." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some agreement with a plea from the Public Service Minister for sector bosses to be more genuine - but questions have also been raised.  Judith Collins has advised public service leaders to show respect for taxpayers in their communications - and to treat the money as their own.    She asks them to be sure they're not speaking 'gobbledygook', or sounding superior.  PSA Acting National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says she shares some opinions with Collins. "She talked about using plain English, the importance of free and frank advice and the value of public servants. It's a bit rich to hear some of that from a Government, though, that has cut so many jobs."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A McFlurry of controversy is over in Wānaka - with a proposal for the region's first-ever McDonald's declined. The District Council has turned the fast food giant's resource application down after strong pushback from locals concerned about food waste and pollution. It planned a 450-metre site by the Mount Iron Roundabout. Deputy mayor Quentin Smith says in the proposed setting - McDonald's wasn't a good fit. He explained if McDonald's had wanted to set up in the town centre or a commercial zone, it's likely little could be done to stop it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Sydney nurses may not yet know they've been stood down over anti-Semitic comments. A video has been posted to social media of the pair in uniform, saying they'd rather kill Israeli people than treat them. The Australian Government has launched an investigation. Australian correspondent Andrew MacFarlane says the nurses work night shifts, so may still be asleep. "So while the health department in has said they've been stood down and are likely to be fired, the pair of them might not actually know that just yet." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seafood New Zealand says new fishery proposals will keep workers safer. Public consultation is open on loosening up on extending or reducing catch limits. The reform would also restrict access to fishing vessel camera video - to officials and the courts. Seafood NZ CEO, Lisa Futschek says the public has no need to access the footage. "Unfortunately, we see some pretty bad behaviour and attitudes towards our fishers - who are bullied and verbally and sometimes physically abused."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report's been tabled in Parliament, recommending a Te Pati Maori MP apologise for deliberately misleading the House.  In a debate in September last year,Takuta Ferris described MPs as being masters of obscuring the truth.  Ferris denied an accusation he'd called MPs liars - language considered un-parliamentary -  and it was referred to the Privileges Committee. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Ferris needs to apologise. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.