Larry Williams Drive

The Electricity Authority said market options were available to big power users during the winter price spike that some blamed for their closure. The closures prompted the EA – the regulator – to investigate the options available to big power users, and it found hedges available tended to be lower than the overlapping average ASX price at the time. Last month, a number of Kiwi businesses, including Pan Pac, Winstone Pulp and Oji were forced to close, citing surging electricity costs. ERANZ chief executive Bridget Abernethy says the prices were higher than usual - but the companies had alternative options to bring their costs down. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government is looking to bring public sector performance pay back by the next financial year. Do we agree with this move? A female passenger was stabbed to death on a bus in Onehunga last night - how concerned are we? Is this a sign people with a history of violence should be kept in jail? More backlash against David Seymour's school lunch programme - do we think sustainable packaging should have been a concern? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 24 October 2024, Auckland Transport says it's putting more security patrols on public transport following the deadly bus stabbing. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says Oranga Tamariki is still failing to keep kids in its care safe. Perhaps the weirdest interview of the year - with the man who's upset with David Seymour's new school lunches because of their packaging. Plus the Huddle gets very heated when debating whether our lax approach to punishing criminals is to blame for yesterday's bus stabbing. 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.

David Seymour's new school lunch programme has opened up more concerns - this time from environmentalists.  The new lunches are expected to come in aluminium trays and non-compostable packaging, prompting worry about sustainability, with some suggesting the food should come in less 'wasteful' packaging. Ecoware co-founder James Calver has raised concerns about the lack of recyclable materials to be found - and he thinks the sustainability aspect is worth discussing.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The return of performance pay for public service bosses could be a good thing - if done right. The Minister-in-charge, Nicola Willis, confirms it will be back by the next financial year. In 2018, then-State Services Minister Chris Hipkins cut performance pay, attempting to slow CEO salary growth. Victoria University Researcher Geoff Plimmer says many studies show it can be disastrous - so it needs to be carefully implemented. "I think you need to have really good measures, you need to audit them, make sure they're reliable - you need to update them occasionally as well, that seems to help." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief Ombudsman says we can't yet be confident Oranga Tamariki will keep kids safe following the release of a new report. This report revealed Oranga Tamariki failed to investigate an abuse case involving four children, despite nine separate reports of mistreatment by their mother's partner. Peter Boshier says Oranga Tamariki was also given photographic evidence related to these incidents - and they should have carried out a proper in-depth investigation, at the very least.  "I had hoped that after I did my report on the death of Malachi Subecz two years ago - and the assurances were given by Oranga Tamariki that there would be dramatic change. And yet, this has happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we say it now? It might be a bit early, but I'm going to say it - Kamala Harris was a mistake. The Democrats should never have picked her to run against Trump. I mean, never say never, but it's becoming more and more likely that Trumpy's gonna win in a couple of weeks. I said that last week, that he's too close behind her in the swing states - so he'll over-perform in them like he usually does on the night and then he'll win. But don’t take my word for it, you've got Nate Silver - a US election wizard - today saying his gut says Trump wins. You've also got The Economist saying Trump wins with a 54 percent likelihood compared to Kamala's likelihood of 45 percent and you've got a new Wall Street Journal poll giving Trump a narrow lead - with voters having a more positive view of him and a more negative view of Kamala. And you’ve got Democrats reportedly panicking over the fact they think he’s gonna win. If you cast your mind back, this was predictable. When there was all this talk of Biden stepping down, lo

Auckland Transport has spoken out after yesterday's fatal stabbing of a woman on an Onehunga bus. The man-hunt for a 37-year-old suspect ended this morning - when a man handed himself in at North Shore Police station. Police say the attack appears random and they don't think the victim and suspect knew each other. AT's Director of Public Transport, Stacey van der Putten, says they've increased staff numbers in Onehunga. She says it's very concerning - and such crime is very sporadic. "There's only so much we can do - it's a problem in terms of anti-social behaviour. The vast majority of people are really well behaved, these are tiny issues compared to what we generally see."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's checked out the front-line of the HMNZS Manawanui clean-up in Samoa - as he attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Small amounts of oil and debris from the Kiwi Navy ship have littered the waters near Upolu, since it sank more than two weeks ago.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this still isn't a good look for New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe recently claimed she pledged Queen Elizabeth's 'hairs' and not 'heirs' when she recited her parliamentary oath. Thorpe has been accused of violating her pledge to the monarchy after she shouted at King Charles during his Parliament House visit on Monday. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this raises questions about Thorpe's legitimacy as a senator.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Swapping a seamer for a spinner is the Black Caps' major consideration heading into the second test against India starting in Pune this afternoon. New Zealand has been preparing for a slower, flatter pitch with more turn and much lower bounce compared to the first test in Bengaluru. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what fans can expect from this match. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is celebrating a drop in numbers of children living in emergency housing. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says almost 1500 have moved to social housing since the Government's Priority One policy was introduced in April. He says the total children who've left emergency housing since they took office is closer to 2500. "Some of them have not gone into social housing, they've just gone into private housing - and that housing offers an accommodation supplement. They've gone into different types of housing. But we've seen a massive shift." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new vaccine will be trialled in the UK to protect people from the worst of norovirus ahead of the winter season. The contagious stomach bug causes vomiting and diarrhoea - and can have a huge strain on workplaces, schools and the health system.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the effects of the vaccine on volunteers will be monitored on potential volunteers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's relief from Federated Farmers after Otago Regional Council was forced to pause its proposed land and water regional plan. The council's plans were ground to a halt after the Government introduced a new amendment to the Resource Management Act.  Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane says they had concerns about the council's plans - before the Government forced their hand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the latest US earnings season picks up, one famed luxury good company has caught attention for all the wrong reasons. LVMH's earnings report left investors disappointed, with its key Fashion & Leather Goods division seeing a 5 percent revenue drop this quarter. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains what's causing this drop. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts from Australia and New Zealand are meeting with leaders in Malaysia to discuss how to improve business and security. The three groups are expected to discuss new opportunities and challenges - and outline new solutions. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explained what could come out of these discussions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's chief executive and board faced up to some very disappointed shareholders at today's annual general meeting. Company chief executive Andrew Reding revealed margins were under pressure - with revenue down 12 percent in September versus 7 percent down in July and August, compared to the year earlier. NZ Shareholders Association CEO Oliver Mander was at the meeting, and he noted the company seemed 'humbled'. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, motivational speaker and social activist Dave Letele and Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Councils around the country might be looking at their own finances after the Government appointed a Crown observer to Wellington City Council yesterday. Plenty of other councils have had huge rates rises recently - should they feel put on notice? David Seymour has announced he's managed to save over $100 million per year with his new school lunch programme. The meals include 'hidden veggie' butter chicken, Thai chicken curry and rice bean burritos. What do we think of this? Was the backlash against David Seymour taken too far? ANZ head Antonia Watson raised a few eyebrows after she revealed she wasn't keeping track of how much she earned each year. Is this to be expected from a bank CEO? Uber Eats is set to expand into Taupō, Levin, Whakatāne, Timaru, Wānaka and other small Kiwi towns. Are we looking for

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 23 October 2024, some councils are worried the Government might come for them next after a Crown observer was announced for Wellington City Council. ANZ boss Antonia Watson was the first to front Parliament's banking inquiry. She couldn't remember how much her total salary is, is that weird? Uber Eats is expanding to regional New Zealand and restaurant owner Mike Egan says it's good news for businesses and customers alike. Plus, The Huddle debates whether David Seymour's new school lunches should be applauded for saving $130 million or criticised for cutting some local suppliers out. 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.

Unions have come out in force against Government workplace policies, with protests happening today across the entire country.  The nation-wide event - Fight Back Together - was designed to respond to the scrapping of fair pay agreements, the return of 90-day trials and similar contentious policies. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's hypocritical for the opposition to accuse the Government of being anti-worker - following some policy decisions during Covid-19. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.