Larry Williams Drive

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.

Kiwi squash champion Joelle King won't be adding to her collection of medals in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The stripped-down Glasgow event will only feature 10 sports - with rugby sevens, hockey, cricket, road cycling and squash among the sports that got axed.  King says she can't change this decision - but she's got the 2028 Olympics to soften the blow. "It's been bad news for all of us - but you've just got to crack on, you can't change the decision now."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uber Eats will be expanding into 12 new locations across the country, focusing on regional towns. From next month, its food delivery will be available in smaller towns like Taupō, Levin, Whakatāne, Timaru and Wānaka.  Restaurant Association President and Monsoon Poon Owner Mike Egan says it's perfect timing - just before summer.  "I can see the campgrounds, people who will be sick of having snags on the barbecue and order up some Uber Eats. If you've had too many drinks in the sun , just drive to your favourite restaurant."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chair of Parliament's Finance Committee is perplexed ANZ's head wasn't across the details of her pay packet.  Chief executive Antonia Watson was among the banking heads grilled by MPs this morning, under pressure to justify a $2 billion profit during tough times for Kiwis. She says she's paid $2.5 million, but would need to give her total remuneration including share options and bonuses, in writing.  Stuart Smith says he wonders about that. "I'd be very surprised if a senior bank executive wasn't interest in - to the dollar - in how much they're paid." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims the Government needs to show its justification for intervening in Wellington City Council. It's appointing a Crown observer - claiming it is financial mis-management for the Council to plan to fund water infrastructure from rates revenue - rather than debt, using a Government tool. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry notes the Government only made its funding tool available in August, not June when the council decided its Long Term Plan. Barry says this doesn't add up. "What I think should hopefully clear up the matters is for the minister to release the advice that he received from officials - so we can all see and understand it in its full context."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, Election Day is less than two weeks out - so Trump and Harris are hitting the campaign trail to get all the votes they can. The pair are still in a tight race for the White House, meaning they're going hard to appeal to key swing states ahead of the November deadline. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Kamala Harris will be trying to sell herself as the more conventionally 'presidential' candidate while Trump keeps himself in the public eye with unusual acts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan is urging the governing body to sign league star Nathan Cleary ahead of the next World Cup. McLennan explained the Wallabies need to invest in 'top-tier' players to improve their performance in high profile events, including the Rugby World Cup and the Bledisloe Cup. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some good news for the nation's largest ambulance service. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has announced Hato Hone St John will receive $21 million in additional Government funding. She says St John has also settled its pay dispute with unions, with no further industrial action planned. Costello explained that New Zealand First has a coalition agreement to meet a greater portion of the ambulance service's annual budget - but this will go a long way. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A British jury has cleared a police officer of murder, after he fatally shot an unarmed black man in the head in south London two years ago. Martyn Blake shot 24-year-old Chris Kaba in September 2022. The 40-year-old says he feared lives were in danger, and the shots weren't intended to kill Kaba. UK correspondent Enda Brady unpacks the controversy further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republic NZ’s Peter Hamilton has long believed New Zealand is ready to have a Kiwi as the head of state. King Charles is set to leave Australia and head to the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa - bypassing New Zealand in his first tour since taking the throne. Hamilton says it makes more sense for New Zealand's head of state to live among New Zealanders.  "The whole business of having a foreigner as our head of state - Australia, Canada, New Zealand and a few other countries - it's just overloading the system and the British monarch can't take the role that's required in this modern day and age."   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Early Edition host Ryan Bridge joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Wellington City Council will get a Crown observer to address the 'dysfunction' impacting the council. Is this a good move? What do we think will come next? Darleen Tana has finally officially been booted out of Parliament. What do we think of this? Will this negatively impact the Green Party's popularity? Ashburton parents and kids want the council to build more entertainment facilities for kids and young people - but the council says that's not its job. Do kids really need these? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 22 October 2024, Wellington City Council is getting a Crown Observer as a first step of Government intervention. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown explains why he was concerned enough to make the move - and Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown admits he's lost his bet with Heather. Ex-Green MP Darleen Tana has been kicked out of Parliament by the Speaker - Chloe Swarbrick reflects on the longest drama ever coming to a close. Heather is upset with Ashburton's parents who want the Council to build more entertainment facilities for kids and young people. What ever happened to playing outside and riding your bike around town? Plus the Huddle debates whether the "beefed up" Three Strikes law is actually all that beefed up. 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 is determined to fix the 'dysfunction' and uncertain financial conditions impacting Wellington City Council. Simeon Brown today confirmed he will appoint a Crown observer to help the council develop a new Long-Term Plan. He says he informed mayor Tory Whanau of his reasons before confirming this decision. "It was a professional conversation, I informed her of the decision I'd arrived at based on a number of reasons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.