Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially received her Damehood, with Prince William presenting the award in a ceremony this morning. How do we feel about this? Does Jacinda deserve this? Mayor Tory Whanau and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown met this morning amid threats of Government intervention at Wellington City Council. Simeon is keeping quiet on any actions he's considering - what do we think will happen next? Do we shop on Temu? Why do people love it so much? Is it better or worse than buying cheap products from Kmart? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston isn't worried by the increase in Kiwis relying on the benefit. The Ministry of Social Development released numbers for the last quarter - showing nearly 205,000 people were receiving Jobseeker support, a 12.8 percent increase in a year.  Upston says more unemployment is common during an economic downturn - but she's pleased to note more people have cancelled their benefit payments because they found work. "I am really encouraged by the figures we've seen in the last quarter, where over 16,000 people have come off the jobseeker benefit and into jobs. That's really encouraging. So while I accept it's challenging out there, it's not impossible."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 17 October 2024, it's D-Day for Darleen Tana with the Greens set to vote whether or not to oust her from Parliament tonight. Labour leader Chris Hipkins explains why he thinks NZ should be bringing Jacinda Ardern back into the fold and use her starpower overseas. One Direction star Liam Payne's shock death in Argentina has rocked fans across the world. Buenos Aires Herald Editor Valen Iricibar tells Heather what we know about what led to the death. Plus the Huddle debates whether you would accept a knighthood despite being a Republican - and what we last bought on Temu. 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.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand should use Dame Jacinda Ardern's star power.  Prince William bestowed Ardern her Damehood at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Hipkins says Ardern could help New Zealand's image on the world stage in things like trade and tourism.  He says she's a uniting force.  "Actually, I know a lot of National Party people who didn't vote Labour, wouldn't vote Labour - but they still respect Jacinda. And they would still like to see her more positively reflected by the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southland District Council is clamping down on bad dog owners. Its infringements issued to those flouting the rules in the past year have risen by nearly 50 percent  - to 150. Many are attributed to unregistered dogs and biting is a growing issue. Mayor Rob Scott says staff take dogs from owners as a last resort, but he hopes infringements have taught people a lesson. "And for those that don't - we've actually got to look at their ability and if they should be owning a dog. Because they're letting the side down for everyone."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Argentinian authorities say people shouldn't speculate about the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne.  The 31-year-old has died after a fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires He's famous for appearing in the Brit boy band on X-Factor aged 16, then developing a solo career. Buenos Aires Herald Editor Valen Iricibar says an autopsy will reveal more.  "On the ground, they've very much been saying - look, we don't know if there was a third person, we don't know if he simply fell, we can't rule out if this was on purpose." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political analyst suggests the Greens are already confident of the outcome from tonight's meeting on Darleen Tana.  More than 200 delegates will discuss whether to ask the Speaker to remove Tana from Parliament.  The now-independent MP has lodged an appeal against a High Court decision supporting the party's disciplinary process against her.  Victoria University's Bryce Edwards says this has dragged on and on for the Greens.  "I think they should have stepped back from this months ago - it's already an embarrassment - but now they've gone down the path. I think Chlöe Swarbrick would really need to know she's got the backing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacinda Ardern has formally received her damehood, more than a year after being granted the title. The former Prime Minister was presented the award by Prince William, at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper doesn't agree with this - and takes issue with her representing the nation overseas.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, unemployment rates have dropped to 4.1 percent - making a pre-Christmas cut to interest rates less likely. The economy added 64,100 more jobs last month, 51,600 of which were full-time roles. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this is good news for some people - but the reduced odds of a rate cut will put strain on homeowners. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big weekend for Auckland-based sports fans, as the much-hyped Auckland FC gets ready for kick-off. The team will play their first-ever game against the Brisbane Roar this Saturday at a soon to be sold-out Mt Smart Stadium. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the challenges facing the team ahead of their debut. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tearfund is raising concerns about how many New Zealanders are shopping on ultra-fast fashion websites - and the hidden costs that come with lower prices. New reports show one in four adults have recently shopped on Temu and around 14 percent have shopped on Shein. The 2024 Ethical Fashion Report gives Shein a score of 20 out of 100 - and Temu a 0.  Tearfund's Claire Gray says many Kiwis are in a tough financial spot and will look for lower prices, but it's likely workplace exploitation runs rampant within these companies. "Our cost of living is rising and we're faced with situations where we need to buy items, clothes or other things from places that we know may not be treating workers well in their supply chains. It's a really tough position to be in."  Temu has released a statement responding to, and refuting the allegations of workplace exploitation. "Temu is committed to upholding ethical, humane, and lawful business practices, as outlined in our Third-Party Code of Conduct. Our business partne

Unemployed people living with obesity in the UK could receive weight-loss jabs to help get them back into work. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a £280 million investment from pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly to develop new treatments to combat the rising obesity epidemic.  UK correspondent Gavin Grey says illnesses relating to obesity cost the NHS billions every year - with negative outcomes set to impact the economy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world's ageing population is expected to grow over the coming decades, investors have turned their attention to vision care. As people get older, the need for corrective lenses and treatment goes up - meaning investors are looking to take advantage of increased demand. Milford Asset Management analyst Deborah Lambie reveals the companies that stand to benefit from this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Accident Compensation Corporation concedes there’s room for it to tighten its processes, as it proposes increasing the levies it charges to help pay for rising claims costs. ACC said, in its just-released annual report, that “lower-than-expected rehabilitation performance” contributed towards it reporting a wider-than-expected $7.2 billion deficit in the year to June. In the previous year, it reported a $911 million surplus. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacked the factors behind the deficit - and examined how the insurer could turn things around. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been suggested that the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) could be the ones to find Tom Phillips and his three children in Marokopa - but one expert has voiced disapproval about the optics. The four were recently filmed walking through the bush by pig hunters - the first sighting of them together since December 2021. Barrister and military lawyer Grant Fletcher says within the Commonwealth legal system, there are tight restrictions on when armed forces can be used to help the Government internally. "Obviously, there is a slightly murky area between what is a public service and what is a law enforcement role - and I think what's going to affect the decision makers in relation to this is that this is really stepping into a law enforcement role. Which is not the job of the military." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins is adamant he's staying on as Labour's leader - and he'd put money on leading the party to victory in 2026. A new poll says 75 percent of voters want Hipkins to stay on and lead Labour - despite the recent 1News-Verian poll showing Hipkins is down three points to 15 percent in the preferred Prime Minister stakes. In an earlier interview, Hipkins told ZB's Nick Mills that he's absolutely put money on himself winning the next election - but senior political correspondent Barry Soper isn't convinced. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 16 October 2024, we've won the war on inflation, baby! Economist Brad Olsen tells Heather whether we're out of the woods - and what this means for your mortgage rates. Wellington City Councillors have held an emergency meeting amid threats of Government intervention. Councillor Diane Calvert lifts the lid on the discussions - and whether they'll get the Government to back off. International media are going crazy about the story of the missing Marokopa family and the Daily Mail has even sent a reporter to Marokopa. Charlotte Karp tells Heather what she's found out since she arrived. Plus, the Huddle debates why the majority of voters think Chris Luxon is out of touch. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! According to a new poll, over half of Kiwi voters think Prime Minister Chris Luxon is out of touch. Why do we think this is? Is this a problem? Wellington Council held an emergency meeting to figure out how to address the multi-million dollar hole in its Long Term Plan. The council is set to meet with the Local Government Minister tomorrow - will they be able to avoid an intervention?  Donald Trump danced for 40 minutes on stage during a campaign event. What's going on in the US? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Government is set to ban debit card surcharges as part of an economic crackdown designed to bring financial relief amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Over on this side of the Tasman, the coalition Government has hinted New Zealand may follow suit and cap surcharge fees for debit and credit cards.  Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says he's committed to making sure Kiwis don't have to pay more than expected when they use their cards.  "If there's clarity around it, then the retailer or Air New Zealand. whatever, can look at their situation and adjust accordingly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The case of missing Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three children is garnering worldwide attention.  Pig hunters spotted them almost two weeks ago, after not being seen together since December 2021. Their footage showing the four in camo gear with walking packs has sparked interest around the globe.  Daily Mail reporter, Charlotte Karp, has flown to Marokopa from Australia. She says the story's taken off in the UK. "I think the UK are really into 'missing people' stories - and they really like a survivalist story. And I guess this is the ultimate survivalist story."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.