Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Finance Minister has indicated charities could be subject to tax changes in the next Budget. Is this the right move? All Black Sevu Reece has admitted to a charge of wilful damage after a party in Christchurch last year. The judge discharged him without conviction. Should he still be allowed to play for the All Blacks? The Defence Minister says the Defence Force's major spending blueprint release has been delayed until next year, because of escalating global tensions. Are we surprised by this warning? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 3 December 2024, All Black Sevu Reece has been discharged without conviction after admitting to a charge of wilful damage. NZ Herald Senior Crime Reporter Anna Leask tells Jack why he was discharged despite pleading guilty - and whether being an All Black had anything to do with it. Defence Minister Judith Collins warns 'everything changed' when China fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific earlier this year. Nutritionist Nikki Hart talks about Oxford University research that found some vegan products are worse for the environment than the real thing. Plus, Barry Soper's fresh back from a long lunch with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 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.

Energy Resources Aotearoa says gas producers were severely damaged by the previous ban on oil and gas exploration.  It's asked the Government to underwrite the risk of oil and gas exploration.  Government ministers say they've made no decisions.  Energy Resources Aotearoa chief executive John Carnegie says it would only protect the sector from pernicious future policy changes.  "Oil and gas exploration companies are worried that any investment they make in New Zealand could be eroded or stripped away if the Government changes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB's own Barry Soper spent the day with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson - and left hoping for more stories. The former UK leader held a 'long lunch' in Auckland to promote his book Unleashed.  Barry Soper described Johnson's speech as ' the slow unravel of a mohair jersey' - and wondered what would come of it. "He dithered his way - I couldn't understand many of the things he was saying because he was dithering so much." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research has revealed some vegan alternative products are worse for the environment than meat and dairy. Vegans hoping to save the planet should stick to eating beans and avoid almond milk and lab-grown meat, according to new reports from Oxford University. Nutritionist Nikki Hart explains fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are good for overall health and the climate - but they're best in their natural state. "We don't want them to have been manipulated and to have been created with salt and preservatives and those kinds of things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Electoral Commission admits a polling booth shouldn't have operated at a Marae run by a candidate.  The Public Service Commission is investigating claims Manurewa Marae misused Census data for Te Pati Māori's election campaign.  Its winning candidate for the Tamaki Makaurau electorate - Takutai Tarsh Kemp - was Marae chief executive at the time. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacks the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister says he's dissatisfied by bargaining between workers and Health New Zealand.  About 36,000 nurses, midwives and health care assistants have walked off the job until 7pm today.  The Nurses Organisation says Health NZ has indicated its bargaining parameters are restricted to one percent of total employee costs.  Health Minister Shane Reti says the workers are still strongly valued. "I'm a little disappointed that we're out in strike action so early in the bargaining and negotiating stage - but I would commend both parties to please get back to that bargaining table." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Details of the criminal charges against All Black winger Sevu Reece have emerged - ending today in a discharge without conviction. The 27-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to taking a car 'dishonestly and without claim' and intentionally damaging a property. But he's admitted a reduced charge of wilful damage - and lost name suppression today. Herald crime reporter Anna Leask says it took place after a post-Christchurch Cup Day party last year. "He was getting a bit disruptive and he was asked to leave - and then next minute, he was sort of behind the wheel of a car and he drove it into a garage. And then he sort of took off on foot." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, economists have accused the Reserve Bank of mishandling the OCR. Experts claim the central bank has been too focused on keeping unemployment high - impacting the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of Australians. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the Reserve Bank is in a tough spot - but it can't undo months of progress. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson is a favourite to join Red Bull's top Formula One team, after reports Sergio Perez will be relieved of his seat. Team boss Christian Horner hinted at Perez's potential departure after he failed to finish the Qatar Grand Prix. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins has revealed the Defence Force's major spending blueprint release has been delayed until next year, citing escalating world tensions. Speaking after appearing before a Select Committee this afternoon, the Defence Minister says the capability plan has been pushed back because she's taking the time to get things right.   Collins says there's more 'militarisation' efforts coming out of places like China - and it's unlike anything she's seen before. "The recent Chinese Navy Renhai-class cruiser and destroyer visiting Port Vila, Vanuatu, in October this year - that's the first time we've seen ships of that capability in that position when they weren't just coming back from somewhere else and stopping off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge political victory for Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. Having campaigned on taking greater control over Auckland’s CCO’s (Council Controlled Organisations), the mayor is set to get his wish when it comes to Auckland Transport. Transport Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed that Auckland's transport policy and planning will shift from AT back over to Auckland Council. Remember, under the current model - Auckland Council has had two elected councillors on the board of AT. But Wayne Brown argued this assigned too much of the major decision making to unelected officials. He was always lamenting that people came up to him in the street and moaned to him about problems that were AT's responsibility, not realising that actually the council had limited control. Like all power, of course, you have to be careful what you wish for. If Auckland Council and the local boards are to have more authority over transport planning in our biggest city, they'll also have the blame if residents don't feel they're making the right

Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace is denying accusations he made sexual comments toward staff and celebrity guests. The 60-year-old's stepped back from presenting the TV show as an investigation begins. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says more complaints have emerged since his departure - and there's been outrage over the BBC's response to this.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President-elect Donald Trump's latest policy announcements continue to have an impact on capital markets. Trump's pick of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary sent long-term Government bond yields lower and the US share market higher - as investors felt more confident in a 'seasoned' choice taking on the role. However, his threated tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico created a divided response among investors.  Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked the 'mixed' reactions to Trump's latest announcements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Papa has made $750,000 since it started charging international visitors an admission fee two months ago. The change came in during September to help fund rising energy, insurance, and staffing costs at the museum. Te Papa head of marketing and communications Kate Camp says New Zealand's tourism industry is a rich area with plenty of room for 'once-in-a-lifetime' experiences. "You're not here for a cheap and cheerful holiday, for most of our visitors." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Child Fund's Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour has ruled out joining AUKUS during their next term in Government. Is this a valid statement? What made Labour change its mind?  Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden. Is this a mistake? UK Masterchef host Gregg Wallace has hit back at allegations of improper behaviour, blaming the allegations on 'middle class women of a certain age'. What do we make of this fight-back tactic? Te Papa has made $750,000 in two months from charging international visitors $35 per visit. Does this prove we should be making international visitors pay for more things? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has been quick to unpack some of Labour's announcements from over the weekend. At the party's annual conference, leader Chris Hipkins ruled out joining AUKUS - the security pact between Australia, the UK and the US. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said this rejection of AUKUS feels 'premature'. "Let's remember it was Labour who started the discussions about Pillar Two of AUKUS back in 2021. No one's ever talked about joining the first pillar - but exploring how we could co-operate on technology was something Labour kicked off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 2 December 2024, Jack Tame speaks to Social Development Minister Louise Upston as the number of jobseekers continues to increase. US president Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden. Labour's David Parker tells Jack a future Labour Government would pull out of AUKUS. Plus, the Huddle reacts to Gregg Wallace blaming allegations against him on "middle class women of a certain age". 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.

Mortgage holders have been hoping the banks will pass on the latest 50 basis point cut to the OCR - but many will have to wait. New Zealand's major banks have all cut their floating rates, but only ASB's fixed-term mortgage rate has moved down so far. Mortgage advisor Bruce Patton says the banks had largely predicted the OCR would drop by 50 basis points - and priced their earlier cuts accordingly. "We saw a few banks move a few days before, we saw the BNZ come down from 6.49 to 5.99 on the Monday before the OCR was even announced. A lot of the rates had already moved."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merchandise sales have kicked off for new football club Auckland FC. The introduction of the A-league football club to the city has seen more merchandise sold in four weeks than it was expecting to sell all season. More is being shipped in before Christmas. CEO Nick Becker says interest has been overwhelming. "Auckland was ready for some professional football, I think. Like, the passion that's in those stands - you just see it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.