Larry Williams Drive

The Greens are looking forward to moving ahead - as Darleen Tana's days in Parliament come to an end. The party today confirmed Speaker Gerry Brownlee has officially ousted Tana after delegates unanimously voted to put the issue to him. Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says she is grateful to draw a line under this.  "It's been a several months-long process that has obviously ensued the likes of legal battles and otherwise - which I don't think has been a nice situation for anybody that's been involved." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New evidence suggests more babies in the care of killer nurse Lucy Letby were harmed - and in one case poisoned with insulin. Letby was was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more, including trying to kill two with insulin at the Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says one of these babies was found to have suspiciously high levels of insulin after Letby had taken over the infant's care. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US election is heating up and it's still unclear whether or not Harris or Trump will emerge victorious in November. Based on recent polling data, financial markets are pricing in a Trump-led Government - a pivot from the projected Harris Government. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says investors are increasingly expecting a divided Government, as it's unlikely one party will control the Presidency, House and Senate. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi start-up Nature Baby is looking to expand into the US market again. What started as a small business operating out of an Auckland flat has grown into a multi-million dollar business - and co-owners Jacob and Georgia Faull are looking to re-launch the brand overseas. Jacob says the brand's not immune to the effects of the current economic downturn - but the 'green shoots' in the economy are giving them hope. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon is defending his Small Business Minister for not alerting him sooner over a complaint from a member of the public.  Andrew Bayly's apologised, after a worker claimed he'd told him to - 'Go home, take some wine, and F off'  and later made the  'L' sign on his forehead.  The Prime Minister says he received the complainant's letter on Thursday, but isn't necessarily surprised he didn't hear about it before.  ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the media's going too hard in criticising Minister Bayly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we think the America's Cup will be hosted in New Zealand? Following Team New Zealand's win, there's been more discussion about the nation hosting the next Cup. Can we afford this?  Andrew Bayly's under fire following some off-colour comments he made to a Marlborough worker. Some believe he should be stripped of his portfolios - can we justify this? Health NZ is under fire after spending $60,000 on catering for a three-day conference - including $9000 worth of canapes. Is this defensible - or unjustified, considering the agency's financial hole?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has voiced pride for Team New Zealand following their latest America's Cup victory - but she's unsure if the nation can justify hosting the event. Team boss Grant Dalton says New Zealand's absolutely in the running to host the next Cup. However, Nicola Willis says there's a number of factors that go into picking an America's Cup location - and New Zealand needs to be 'hard-headed' about its options. "Dollars are precious and dollars can go to many purposes - including schools and hospitals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 21 October 2024, after New Zealand's most successful sporting weekend, Sports Minister Chris Bishop speaks to Heather. Is the Government going to try get the America's Cup organisers to bring the race back to NZ? In the Yanfei Bao murder case, the Crown has revealed what it alleges led to the Christchurch real estate being killed - revealing there may have been a sexual element to the case. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown tells Heather he's received advice on possible intervention at Wellington City Council. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the Andrew Bayly controversy has been completely overblown or whether there's any point to calls for his resignation. 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.

The Local Government Minister has little to say about Wellington City Council's fate. The Government has signalled it's willing to intervene, after labelling the Council's Long Term Plan backtrack a 'shambles'. Simeon Brown last week asked the Department of Internal Affairs for advice on potential intervention. Brown says he's now reviewing it and is considering it. "It's a serious issue, but as I've said, I've received the advice and I'm now considering it."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps have broken a 36-year drought and secured an eight-wicket victory over India in Bengaluru. Their performance has been regarded as one of New Zealand's best wins in almost 95 years of test cricket. Black Caps coach Gary Stead says a lucky toss, a strong lead and a solid performance from the guys helped them achieve this historic victory. "I thought the guys played really well throughout - and it's always nice to put India under pressure, cause they're a really tough team to beat." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch real estate agent, Yanfei Bao reportedly knew the man accused of murdering her. Chinese national Tingjun Cao's trial began today - he's accused of killing the 44-year-old in July last year. Her body was found in a shallow grave on a farm, just over a year after she disappeared. Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell is at the High Court. She says Cao was new to the country, and it appears Bao was helping him find a job. "And the Crown viewed that Cao had potentially lured Bao to a house for sale on Trevor Street - and it was there the Crown says she was assaulted."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sports Minister says he's up for conversations on hosting the next America's Cup. Team New Zealand has won a record-setting third Cup in a row. Team boss Grant Dalton says they've accepted a challenge from Britain's Ineos Britannia team and hosting in New Zealand is on the table. Auckland last hosted the Cup in 2021, during Covid. Chris Bishop says the ball is ultimately in the team's court - but there's a lot to weigh up. "Times are tight, as everyone knows - there's no magic money tree at the end of the garden. We don't have an unlimited checkbook and you're dealing with quite big sums of taxpayer money here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Australia hasn't run as smoothly as expected. Security staff have removed Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe after she yelled ' not my king' and 'F the Colony' at the King after his speech at Parliament House today.  Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says Thorpe's views aren't representative of the wider opinion.  "It's been the only speedbump in what has been, overall, a really joyous occasion. All the 24-hour news channels are wall to wall with people going to see King Charles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's definitely been a memorable weekend in the world of Kiwi sports. Auckland FC started strong and beat the Brisbane Roar 2-0 in front of a sold-out crowd and Team New Zealand defended the America's Cup and became the first team to win the competition three times in a row. The Black Caps also made history and beat India on Indian soil for the first time in 36 years in a significant victory, the Silver Ferns defeated Australia 64-50 in their first Constellation Cup test and the White Ferns emerged victorious over South Africa in the T20 Cricket World Cup. Liam Lawson also showcased his skills by finishing ninth at the Texas Grand Prix in his return to Formula One. Sportstalk host Jason Pine recapped this historic victory for Kiwi sports. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nurses Society is labelling Health NZ's $60,000 catering costs - a 'bad look' for the agency. The agency paid for breakfast and lunch for 300 senior executives at a conference in March.  Two days earlier, Health NZ told its Minister it would be imposing extra financial controls to rein in blown-out costs. The Society's National Director, David Wills, says the amount spent on food seems off, on top of venue costs - given the agency's current finances. "$109,000 on that venue and the conference - that's about the equivalent of hiring one nurse, to be honest." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As predictably as the clock striking 12 twice a day, here we are after an America's Cup win talking - yet again - about whether the Cup should be held in New Zealand. In one corner, there's Helen Clark - who says Kiwis want to witness a successful event at home. And in the other corner, there's David Seymour who says we're too broke. Look, I think I'm probably like most people - it'd be nice if it was here, but I just don't want us to waste money on it. This has, above all, got to be treated as a business decision. Because that's what this is. It's a business decision for Grant Dalton. He will sell the hosting rights to the highest bidder, like he did this time round with Barcelona, who were prepared to pay more than we were to host the event. And that is the right thing for him to do, he'd be a fool to take less than the highest offer. And it is a business decision for New Zealand too, we should be preprepared to pay to host the cup - but no more than we can make off it. There's no point whatsoever in losing

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 18 October 2024, senior Minister Andrew Bayly speaks to Heather after having to apologise for telling a member of the public to "f off" and calling them a loser. About 600 Timaru meatworks employees will lose their jobs - but already Australian recruiters are circling to encourage them to work in Aussie. Plus, the Sports Huddle debates the magical start from the Black Caps against India - and can Team New Zealand shore up the win against Oracle Team UK? 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 members of One Direction have paid tribute to their bandmate, Liam Payne. Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles say they are "completely devastated" and "the memories we shared with him will be treasured forever". Plus, the wife of a Conservative councillor has been jailed for 31 months after calling for hotels housing asylum seekers in the UK to be set on fire. She posted the expletive-ridden message on X on the day three girls were killed in a stabbing incident in NW England. And, several UK cabinet ministers have written to the prime minister two weeks ahead of the Budget, to voice concerns over the scale of cuts their departments may face. Steep spending cuts are forecast to plug a £40bn funding gap. In what’s an unusual move some ministers are “going over the head” of the chancellor, to address the prime minister directly. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s exports and imports both missed expectations in September, raising concerns about one of the few bright spots in the world’s second largest economy. Plus, the world’s largest chipmaker has announced a US$10 billion profit for Q3. And, Hong Kong is making alcohol cheaper to boost the domestic economy. Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis joins Heather du Plessis Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper speaks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about whether Darleen Tana will walk next week, Jacinda Ardern becoming a Dame, and the Solicitor-General reversing her guidelines for the judiciary. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.