Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! President Donald Trump is floating the idea of 'cleaning out' Gaza as the ongoing conflict continues. What's going on here? The Treaty Principles Bill submissions started today - how do we think it went? Was it a constructive day?  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed the Government will loosen visa requirements for digital nomads to help bump the tourism numbers up and grow the economy. Do we think this will work? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 27 January 2025, there were plenty of arguments for and against the Treaty Principles Bill at today's first oral submissions hearing. The Government's flinging the border open to digital nomads - but Finance Minister Nicola Willis can't say just how many might actually come here. Plus, the Huddle debates Donald Trump's call to 'clean out' Gaza, is this the beginning of some new negotiation? 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.

The Finance Minister is determined to get tourism figures back up to their pre-pandemic levels - and she hopes the newest batch of visa changes will speed that along. From today, visitors can work remotely for overseas companies while holidaying in New Zealand for up to nine months, but they may need to declare themselves New Zealand tax residents if they stay for over 90 days. Nicola Willis says there's capacity for growth officials will be tracking the number of visitor visas that come out of this change. "We think it will make an impact on economic growth, because every tourist that comes to New Zealand benefits our bottom line. That's what supports people who are working for tourism providers, who are working for accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes - the more people they have coming through their doors and spending, the better."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A war of words has erupted over the logistics of speaking slots during submission on the Treaty Principles Bill. The pro-bill lobby group Hobson's Pledge claimed they were left off the list of those allowed to front up to the committee of MPs considering the bill in person. Hobson's Pledge spokesman Elliot Iklei was quick to explain the group did request a speaking slot. "So whatever you've been hearing from over there is utterly inaccurate. It is incorrect."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump's push for Arab nations to take in Palestinians to 'clean out' Gaza could be a genuine suggestion. He's said Egypt and Jordan should take in Gazans - with the Strip extensively damaged and people dying. Greg Barton, a noted professor of global Islamic politics, says Trump is 'flying a kite' to see the response, and what he can away with. "Donald Trump will typically say things that are contradictory - and allow himself plausible deniability, so he can walk his way back from this one, but he's clearly got an interest in seeing if it's got traction." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mangawhai community is banding together to pick up the pieces from yesterday morning's tornado. Two people were seriously injured and nine buildings are yellow stickered - with another 26 white stickered as possibly damaged, but safe.  Restoring power is taking longer than first expected, with worse damage than first thought. All but 30 customers should have electricity by midnight. Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson says only one person has needed emergency accommodation through the welfare team. "Other than that, I think people relied on the generosity of friends and family and other people that stepped up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overseas visitors may need an extra nudge to come here, even with relaxed visa requirements aiming to attract digital nomads to spend more. From today, people on visitor visas can work remotely here for overseas companies. Accommodation provider LyLo director Tim Alpe says it'll suit foreign tourists - but the challenge is telling them about it.  "We've got to get out internationally, we've got to go to big trade shows, we've got to be telling people that actually - New Zealand is a great destination for that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The architect of the Treaty Principles Bill claims the legislation would improve outcomes for Māori.  Oral submissions were delivered in Parliament, including from ACT's David Seymour himself, experts from the New Zealand Māori Association and Hobson's Pledge members.  Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls said the bill was subject to plenty of backlash - with Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik labelling it a 'race-based dog whistle'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two historic Melbourne monuments were vandalised as tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the controversial Australia Day holiday. A statue of John Batman, a founder of Australia's second largest city who was also involved in the deaths of indigenous people, was sawn in half and a monument commemorating Australian soldiers in World War One was covered in red paint. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says police have launched investigations into these incidents - as well as similar acts of vandalism across the country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief within Auckland FC that they can win the A-League title in their maiden season. The inaugural side sits two points clear at the top of the table halfway through the campaign - they've conceded 11 goals in 14 games and only lost twice. Sportstalk host Jason Pine says the team's well on their way to making history - but they've got some fatal flaws holding them back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the nation's new charter schools claim they are being 'swamped' with applications before they have even opened. Seven of the publicly funded, privately owned schools are scheduled to open their doors over the next two weeks - and they're seeing plenty of demand. Mastery School principal Rose McInerney says her school has 60 primary-aged children enrolled, with a further 40 wait-listed. "What we do with those children is - we have a longer school day as a starting point, we have two hours of maths and two hours of literacy. We are teaching with direct or explicit instruction, and that's quite a lot to go into." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wētā VFX has received three Academy Award nominations for their work on Alien: Romulus, Better Man, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.  2000 people work within Wētā FX, many in Wellington, and head of VFX Matt Aitken said the nominations will make a 'great contribution' to the capital's economy.  The Oscars are set to take place in Hollywood on March 3rd.  LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A potentially life-threatening storm is hitting the UK, with millions of people being urged to stay home.  Three thousand job cuts are to be lost as UK supermarket Sainsburys closes its cafes, patisseries and pizza counters.  And singer Adele has been accused of sabotaging the sale of $12 million home in which she once lived, by inferring it is haunted.  UK Correspondent Gail Downey joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 24 January 2025, Act leader David Seymour says we should consider more privatisation, including of healthcare. What led to Novak Djokovic's shock retirement from the Aussie Open? The Government is celebrating hitting its target for reducing the number of people in emergency housing five years early. Plus, Weta VFX boss Matt Aitken speaks to Andrew after being nominated for not one, not two but three (!) Oscars. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How has China reacted to Donald Trump's threat to put a 10% tariff on China as early as February 1st?  Is China warming up to allowing TikTok to be sold as part of a deal with the US? Who is in the running to be the app?  And Donald Trump and Xi Jinping talked on the phone this week, what did they discuss?  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Deputy Sports News Director Elliott Smith and Sports Journalist Lavina Good discussed the historic rugby game to be played in the small town Kirwee at the end of the month.  What does bringing rugby to small towns do for the regions?  Why didn't All Blacks Head Coach get Richie Mo'unga back?  Should New Zealand Rugby change its rules if they want the All Blacks to be successful in 2025?  The Huddle talks all this and more.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kirwee, a town west of Christchurch with a population of 1180, is gearing up for the biggest game in the town's history.  The Blues and the Crusaders will play a pre-season game in Kirwee on January 31st.  The game has already sold out and 3000 are expected to attend.  Kirwee Rugby Club President Blair Jones joins the show.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has hinted at a "major" mining announcement next week, and the sector is welcoming a push for mining to play a bigger role in the country's economic growth.  This comes after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon defended the decision to expand mining, saying it needed to play a bigger role in the economy.  CEO of Straterra inc. Josie Vidal joins the show to discuss what could be coming next week.  LISTEN ABVOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wētā VFX has received three Academy Award nominations for their work on Alien: Romulus, Better Man, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.  2000 people work within Wētā Workshop, many in Wellington, and head of VFX Matt Aitken said the nominations will make a 'great contribution' to the capital's economy.  The Oscars are set to take place in Hollywood on March 3rd.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has reduced the number of people in emergency housing motels by 75%, reaching their target five years early.  There are now just under 600 households in emergency motels.  How did they do it?  Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka joins the show to discuss the major success.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.