Larry Williams Drive

The Government says changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa should make hiring migrants easier, and protect Kiwis in low-skilled jobs.  Amendments from March include altering the median wage threshold - and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower-skilled roles.  Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says previous settings skewed the market, as low-skilled immigrant workers had to be paid the median wage.  "Which is paying them more than the Kiwi standing next to them - and it's caused huge problems for employers, who've got their Kiwi workers living there doing the same job." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park is moving forward, after two reviews into allegations of unreported animal deaths and an unsafe workplace.  Both found Orana lacked a clear core purpose and vision.  It's halting incoming animal transfers for six months, while it adopts all recommendations.  Board co-chair Ken Hughey says these reviews reveal what the zoo needs to do to improve conditions. "We're really clear on what we have to do in the culture space - and now we're also clear in the other spaces." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's devised a new measure for counting its coins, which gives it a more positive look. Treasury reports the Government now won't hit surplus before 2030 at the earliest, rather than 2027. But the Finance Minister says the official measure will no longer consider the $4.1 billion ACC deficit, putting the books in the black mid-2029.  Nicola Willis says the Government inherited a tough set of economic conditions. "As we look ahead, we are seeing the scars that were left by the huge spending policies of the last Government in the wake of Covid - they set us on a path that was not sustainable and we've now got the tough job of cleaning it up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister's painting a grim picture of the economy - signalling the Government will further cut into the Public Service.  Treasury's opened its books for the half-year economic and fiscal update - showing the expected surplus has been pushed out from 2027 to beyond 2030. Nicola Willis has adjusted the way the surplus is calculated, but says come Budget Day next year, she'll be forced to make some tough decisions.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government inherited a tough situation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Australian families are receiving medical assistance after a group of tourists fell ill in Fiji from suspected alcohol poisoning. Seven Australians who stayed at the high-end Warwick Resort have been hospitalised, after drinking pina coladas. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Australian experts will be conducting further investigations.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A triumph to finish the test cricket year for New Zealand. They have won the third and final match against England by 423 runs in Hamilton, but lost the series 2-1. That margin equals the country’s largest triumph by runs set against Sri Lanka at Christchurch in 2018 and marked an appropriate farewell to Tim Southee after a 16-year, 107-test career. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief Ombudsman says our treatment of New Zealand's most dangerous prisoners does not support rehabilitation.  The Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit holds 13 of the countries worst offenders, including the Christchurch mosque shooter.  Peter Boshier says their treatment is cruel, inhuman, and degrading - breaching the UN Convention against torture.  He says his conversations with inmates raised concerns about re-integration after release. Boshier says prisoners felt 'dead', 'full of despair', or 'hopeless' in confinement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel’s foreign minister says Israel will close its embassy in Dublin over the 'extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish Government'.  Gideon Saar said the Republic of Ireland had crossed 'every red line'. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says Israel has voiced fury and disapproval with recent moves from Ireland.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The finance industry is approving a shake up to KiwiSaver. The Government is looking at loosening the rules about where people can put their savings - as part of a package of reforms it's considering to unlock capital. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing demand for changes to building regulations to prevent new-build townhouses from overheating in the summer. Homeowners from across the nation have seen their townhouses reach temperatures exceeding 50C. Team Green Architects co-founder Sian Taylor says many townhouse windows aren't built with external shading - adding to summer heat issues. 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!  The police are facing some pushback after they took an organised cultural trip to China. Was this a bad move? The Government has announced some changes to the Local Government Act to encourage them to get back to basics and cut down on pet projects and rate rises. Do we agree with these changes?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 16 December. 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.

The Finance Minister isn't feeling too optimistic ahead of tomorrow's financial outlook update.  The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update will give Kiwis more insight into financial and economic forecasts for the next few years - in comparison with last May's Budget. Nicola Willis says the Government's inherited some very challenging economic conditions for their first year. "Tomorrow, the Treasury will share their updated forecasts and we will share our response to that. What we've been consistent in saying is - this is a time when we need to be very careful with how we spend New Zealanders' money." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Assistant Police Commissioner says a trip police officers took to China is no different to any Kiwi going on holiday. More than 30 police staffers visited in October.  Concerns have been raised over the potential for foreign interference, but police say it was a private, self-funded trip to encourage cultural competency. Sam Hoyle says individuals paid for every little part of the trip. "Our staff are allowed to travel to China - they did all the checks and everything sensible you expect people to do to take a holiday in China if you work for the New Zealand Government." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Fijian resort at the centre of a suspected alcohol poisoning debacle is said to be cooperating with investigations. A number of Australians staying at the high-end Warwick Resort are understood to be critically ill after drinking Pina Coladas at its bar. Fiji Tourism CEO Brent Hill says investigations are underway. "The resort's been great - they're very distressed, but they have been really helpful. The bar person responsible for serving at the time has been there for 16 years, he's a long-standing employee."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average New Zealand home chews twice as much data each month, as its Australian counterpart. Chorus recorded its busiest day for ultrafast broadband fibre on November 2, driven by an update to the video game, Fortnite. Of this year's 17 biggest spikes - 14 came from Fortnite updates. Chorus network strategy manager Kurt Rodgers says fibre is the main difference with Australia. "Fibre's really the key to having good quality broadband at home. The Australians have taken a different path, they've got multiple technologies, particularly a lot of copper." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced a suite of reforms set to hold councils to account. The Local Government Act is being stripped of well-being requirements - as part of Cabinet efforts to prioritise the basics.  It will also benchmark performance with a yearly report on financial and delivery outcomes.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government is helping put council decisions back into the hands of ratepayers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Local Government Act is being scrubbed of requirements to consider social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being.  The Government says its reforms will refocus councils on basics - like fixing pipes, filling potholes, and delivering core services.  It will also benchmark council performance and modernise rules to drive cost savings.  Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says this'll stop councils spending lots of money on things they argue fit within the four well-being objectives.  "They won't be able to use that excuse when they go out to consult on their annual plans or their long-term plans as to why they want to spend money on those activities."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Prime Minister's thanking the Indonesian President as five men arrested almost two decades ago in a drug smuggling ring have returned to Australia. Five remaining members of the group known as the Bali Nine are back on Australian soil. The group was arrested in 2005 after an attempt to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin out of Indonesia. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says there are still plenty of questions lingering following the release. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kane Williamson has been dismissed for 156 - after recording his 33rd test century - as New Zealand build an imposing lead over England on day three of the third test in Hamilton. Moments ago the Black Caps were 353 for five, leading by 557, with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell at the crease. Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks the match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.