Larry Williams Drive

Rugby commentator Paul Allison and sport journalist Jim Kayes join the Sports Huddle to discuss Beauden Barrett getting the number 10 nod over Damien Mckenzie, Tim Southee’s retirement, and the Blues hoarding All Blacks first fives.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have made five changes ahead of the weekend’s test against France.  Beauden Barrett and Cam Roigard have been given the nod at 9 and 10, with Ardie Savea moving to openside.  Former All Black Ben Smith tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Barrett’s experience at 10 will make for a strong start, with Damien Mckenzie bringing good impact from the bench in a game that will need to be fought to the end.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is looking at overhauling its approach to conservation.  The current Conservation Act hasn’t been touched in 37 years.  Proposed changes include charging for access to Department of Conservation land, simplifying rules to make protecting natural areas easier, and reducing red tape for tourism opportunities.  Deputy Director-General Policy and Regulatory Services at Department of Conservation, Ruth Isaac tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the government has been looking at what is being done overseas to generate the revenue needed to maintain and support conservation areas.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday’s Treaty Principles parliamentary debate caught international attention.  Labour MP Willie Jackson was ejected from Parliament during the debate, and Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke was suspended following a haka.  A number of countries have reacted, with Sky News Australia labelling the scenes a “temper tantrum”.  US Fox News attempted a haka of their own.  UK newspaper The Guardian described the “significant public backlash” the Bill faces, and international news agency Reuters reported on “shouting drowning out others in the chamber”.   Political commentator Peter Dunne tells Heather du Plessis-Allan “Parliament is the highest court in the land and proper decorum and dignity should be a part of its proceedings.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament is preparing for the arrival of the hīkoi next Tuesday.   And, former National minister for Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson believes the Treaty Principles Bill will greatly damage National’s relationship with Māori.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has tapped vaccine-sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr to be US Secretary of Health.   The nomination has prompted widespread criticisms, though Trump says Kennedy “will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”   US correspondent Dan Mitchinson tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Kennedy’s signature cause is to fight chronic disease, but he is also urging the removal of fluoride from water.  Meanwhile, X (formerly Twitter) has seen its largest user exodus since Elon Musk took over.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Caps veteran Tim Southee has announced his retirement from test match cricket.   Southee will bring the curtain down on his career after the upcoming series against England, starting on November 28 in Christchurch.  Host of Weekend Sport, Jason Pine tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the series will be a nice way for Southee to finish on home soil.  Meanwhile, the All Blacks have made changes in key positions for this Sunday’s test against France.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is calling for local democracy reporting to be expanded to all communities.  The call comes as NZME proposes to cut 14 North Island-based community papers before Christmas. These newspapers collectively serve over 850,000 people.  Local mayors are concerned the closures could negatively impact turnout in next year’s local body elections.  Central Hawkes Bay Mayor and LGNZ Rural Chair tells Heather du Plessis-Allan “this is not just a local newspaper issue; this is about wider media.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British news outlet The Guardian will no longer be posting on Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) going forward. The news organisation has voiced concerns with the platform's content - and believe the risks now outweigh the benefits. UK correspondent Enda Brady says many in the media industry feel that X has gotten more toxic since Elon Musk bought the platform.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US investors are still riding high one week after Donald Trump won the US presidency - but what can they expect long-term? Dow, and S&P, among others are experiencing rapid growth, but experts wonder how long this can last. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monthly food prices fell 0.9 percent in October compared with September, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The largest contributor to the fall was vegetables, down 7.2 percent. But a rise in fruit prices, up 0.6 percent, partly offsets that. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann explains what this means for the state of the economy - and inflation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers at this morning's Fonterra AGM took the opportunity to probe the company around their reasons to sell off the company's consumer brands.  Fonterra is looking to sell key brands such as Anchor and Mainland - and the farmers have expressed disappointment with this choice. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A lot of drama in the House as Te Pāti Māori disrupted the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill with a haka. What do we make of this?  The IRD is cracking down on overseas student debtors - and called in the collectors. Is this a good move? Air New Zealand has launched their latest safety video starring Steven Adams and Tom Sainsbury and other big Kiwi names. Is this a good idea - or a waste of money? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 14 November 2024, dramatic scenes in Parliament this afternoon during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Labour MP Willie Jackson got thrown out of the house, and Maori Party MPs staged a huge haka that saw Parliament suspended. Senior political correspondent Barry Soper says he's never seen scenes like that and NZ First Minister Shane Jones has called for the disruptors to be jailed. The IRD is cracking down on the people who now live overseas and aren't paying back their student loan. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on Air NZ's new safety video. Naff or a Kiwi classic? 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.

NZ First Minister Shane Jones has been quick to lambast the haka by Te Pāti Māori that disrupted the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee named Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke as the instigator - and the House has voted to suspend her. Shane Jones is not surprised Te Pāti Māori undermined the discussions happening in Parliament. "I'm not surprised the Māori Party are subverting Parliament - they're malcontents, they were there to undermine the legitimacy of Parliament and they are using that as a basis to recruit members for their party."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's head is defending splashing out on a new safety video, as airfares rise. Kiwi NBA player Steven Adams features in the airline's first safety video in two years, alongside cameos by other notable Kiwis. Chief executive Greg Foran says this is a worthwhile investment. "It's an important part of the brand, it's a bit like the mangōpare on the tail or the uniforms - and we're doing a new one and you'll see them next year." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's reassurance from the Government that Kiwis will be treated more fairly by insurers. A bill designed to better safeguard insurance consumers has passed its third reading in the House.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says the bill gives insurance companies clarity around their responsibilities - and better protects policy holders filling out a claim application.  "You have to honestly respond to stuff - but it's up to the insurance company to ask you the right questions, not for you to anticipate." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's outrage among Melbourne commuters as Extinction Rebellion climate activists blocked traffic during peak hour. The activists were protesting this year's climate summit, COP29, which is set to take place in the city of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the group occupied a busy freeway in Melbourne's East, delaying drivers for as long as 30 minutes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party is standing by their choice to go against ACT's controversial Treaty Principles Bill. A haka by Te Pāti Māori MPs interrupted the first reading of the contentious bill today, causing Parliament to be briefly suspended. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says National believes the bill is no way to deal with a difficult and sensitive topic.  "Our view is - yes, address these issues, but the best way to do it is issue by issue." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inland Revenue is cracking down on outstanding student loans - and has doubled its team working on overseas collections. It's also putting more money into collecting debt in Australia and the UK. The number of borrowers has risen by more than 5,000 The IRD's project lead Andrew Stott says about 150 people could face an arrest warrant. "It's really about whether they're engaging with us or not. So if they're just ignoring all of our communications or they're leaving us no way to get in touch with them, then that's our last resort."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.