Larry Williams Drive

The Prime Minister has put on a brave face in the House today, deflecting question after question on a somewhat lacklustre announcement concerning the new ferries. The Government has revealed the next steps for replacing the ageing Interislander ships - but experts have raised a few questions. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it feels like the Government's gone completely off track. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man charged with allegedly shooting a top health insurance chief executive in New York carried a manifesto of grievances - indicating a possible motive behind the attack. Luigi Mangione, 26, has been accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, triggering a nationwide manhunt. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Mangione yelled at the officers, media and other attendees ahead of a hearing on extraditing him to New York. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Crusaders playmaker - and former Wallaby - James O'Connor is calling for All Blacks to remain eligible for test selection while playing for Australian Super Rugby clubs. New Zealand Rugby are holding firm on their policy of only selecting players based at home, despite All Blacks coach Scott Robertson urging them to keep an open mind. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Association has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices. The PSA has argued the new directives on working from home violate its existing agreement with the Government.  Fleur Fitzsimons, the acting National Secretary of the PSA, says the Government has failed to take the Gender Pay Principles into account. "One of them is that agencies normalise flexible and part-time working arrangements for all employees. So our concern, really, is that the recent Government directive has failed to take into account the commitments under the Gender Pay Principles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain’s King Charles III is 'fighting very hard' in his battle with cancer, according to President-elect Donald Trump’s account of a conversation he had with Prince William. Trump told the New York Post that he had asked William about the health of his wife and his father, who both received treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer this year. UK correspondent Enda Brady said that the royals had to issue a clarification about King Charles' health following the sit-down. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's central bank has opted to keep rates on hold in its final meeting of 2024 - the same position it's held all year. The RBA did soften its language a bit, and revealed the board had 'some confidence' that inflation was heading back to target. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham predicted rates would come down by 2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a significant lift in September, farmer confidence has surged again to the highest level since 2017. According to Rabobank's final Rural Confidence Survey for 2024,  farmer confidence in the broader agri-economy has risen from 3 percent to 34 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay unpacks the factors behind this lift. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Treaty Principles Bill - David's done polling for Hobson's Pledge looking into support for or against the bill. What did we make of the findings? Greyhound racing - what do we think of the Government's ban on the sport? Is this the right call? A Reserve Bank consultation has shown Kiwis are still keen on physical coins and banknotes. But do we like the idea more than the reality? Do we still carry cash? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most New Zealanders are still keen on using physical cash, a new Reserve Bank consultation has found.  Their online survey drew in over 18,000 respondents, with many worried digital money would replace banknotes and coins. The central bank's Director of Money and Cash, Ian Woolford, says people are worried about privacy and control when it comes to money. "It's a personal choice - money is quite a personal thing and it's quite natural for people to have concerns about people monitoring their use." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 December 2024, Racing Minister Winston Peters has called time on the Greyhound Racing Industry. Winston Peters tells Ryan Bridge why he decided to make the move now but Greyhound Racing CEO Edward Rennell says the industry has been blindsided.   Consumer NZ is celebrating news that the Commerce Commission will file charges against three supermarkets accusing them of displaying inaccurate pricing. Plus the Huddle debates news from the Reserve Bank that the vast majority of Kiwis still want to keep using cash. 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.

Supporters of New Zealand's greyhound racing industry are voicing their disapproval with the Government's latest decision. Racing Minister Winston Peters confirmed the sport will be phased out over the next 20 months - with the ban drawing cross-party support. Greyhound Racing NZ Chief Executive Edward Rennell says the industry is blindsided by this news - and they're looking to go through a select committee process.  "We will certainly go through a select committee process and outline why we believe there is a place for greyhound racing - and why we believe it should continue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's support for teaching Kiwi students about healthy relationships and consent as part of a refresh of school sex education standards. Gender and sexuality guidelines are being removed - and an expert group will rewrite the curriculum.  An Education Review Office report has found too much inconsistency in what's taught. Advocacy group Rape Prevention Education's Debbi Tohill says young people need to really understand what consent means.  "We can't begin early enough, I don't think, to be talking to our children about consent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several big summer music festivals will not have drug testing this year, according to New Zealand's main drug checking agency for events. KnowYourStuffNZ has confirmed seven upcoming festivals - which they had previously attended - had declined their services. Rhythm and Alps general manager Harry Gorringe says they're expecting about 10,000 people each day. He says it's a shame there'll be no testing - but they'll be working to make it as safe as possible. "We have medical staff, security staff, police on site to maintain and watch the intoxication levels of patrons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ says inaccurate pricing and misleading specials could collectively cost customers millions of dollars. The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ and two individual Pak’n Saves - accusing them of breaching the Fair Trading Act.  It says investigations are ongoing.  Consumer chief executive Jon Duffy says minor amounts for individual shoppers are significant when it's nationwide and happening every day.  "If every shopper's going to one of the other supermarkets that's been charged 50 cents extra that they shouldn't have been charged for their baked beans - actually, that really adds up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston Peters says supporters of greyhound racing shouldn't be too shocked by the Government's ban on the industry.  The Racing Minister has revealed plans are in motion to wind it down over 20 months, giving time to rehome almost 3,000 racing dogs. Legislation has also passed in the house under urgency today to prevent the greyhounds being killed as a result.  Peters says there's been multiple reviews calling on authorities to act in the best interest of the dogs. "There've been three reviews - 2013, 2017 and 2021 - which all pointed to the need to act in the interests of the dogs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Speaker of the House has ruled on MPs from Te Pati Maori and Labour - for their role in the haka in the House protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. Gerry Brownlee has referred Labour’s Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke to the Privileges Committee. Newstsalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says the group violated the 'sanctity' of Parliament - and the rules need to be upheld.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no Christmas gift for Australian mortgage holders - as the central bank has left rates unchanged again. The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the OCR in place at 4.35 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this will come as a blow to Prime Minister Albanese - as the cost of living crisis is set to be a hot-button issue for voters ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legal expert leading the team representing Gloriavale leavers is calling on the Government to act now and protect the victims of the community. BNZ has been given clearance to close Gloriavale's bank accounts after the Employment Court found a number of former members had worked since the age of six - with many subjected to physical punishment. Lawyer Brian Henry says the residents of the community need to be freed from the 'tyranny' of the leaders and given a new start in society. "There are people inside there who need to be freed from the tyranny of what's going on there and re-set up in society where they get a decent education for their children - and they have the opportunity to live life as free people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Notre Dame Cathedral hosted its first mass over the weekend since the devastating fire of 2019. The event was attended by  2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron - as well as dignitaries, clergy and a few lucky members of the general public.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says 170 bishops from around the world, were also in attendance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is taking action and giving Kiwibank a financial boost in order to bolster banking competition. A new Commerce Commission report on banking has found the sector isn't competitive enough - and offered up14 recommendations. Harbour Asset Management spokesperson Shane Solly says this is an important step - and signals key changes to come. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.