Larry Williams Drive

Yet another Black Caps test has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. The team's opening test against India in Bengaluru was set to start at 5pm (NZT) - but the match has been temporarily paused because of rain. Former Black Cap Peter McGlashan says this delay could buy New Zealand more time to turn their match strategy around. "No-one will have necessarily finalised who's going to be in and who's going to be out - and I guess we all wait with bated breath to see one of the old, experienced players like Tim Southee get another crack or whether or not they go with some young bowlers like Will O’Rourke." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor believes Government intervention is necessary. Councillors have met urgently this afternoon to discuss changes to the city's Long Term Plan. The budget needs revision after the Council backed out of selling its airport shares, leaving a funding hole worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Mayor Tory Whanau will talk with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown tomorrow. Diane Calvert says she thinks they need a facilitator. "It's taken us two years for this to sort of come to a boiling point, but we've seen it building up over a time."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's pressure growing for the Reserve Bank to move more aggressively on the Official Cash Rate. New Zealand's inflation rate is officially back on target, at 2.2 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says that although the Reserve Bank has recently cut the OCR - it's still higher than it should be. He says the Bank probably needs to slash the rate faster than it originally intended. "It does open that strong possibility of a 75 basis point cut in November - because they'll be taking a 12-week break over summer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A campaign event for Donald Trump went in an unexpected direction in Pennsylvania. Trump cut the town hall event short yesterday, when he stopped taking questions and swayed on stage to music for 39 minutes.  He also reminded his supporters to vote in January - despite the US election being set to take place next month. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says his rival Kamala Harris has responded in a post on X. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps are aware of the challenge facing them ahead of the first test against India in Bengaluru. New Zealand have only beaten the hosts on Indian soil twice in 36 tests - with their most recent victory coming 36 years ago. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the team's odds of winning. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tauranga City Council will wait until mid-2025 to expand charges for letting businesses offer al fresco dining. The fee per-square-metre of footpath use was meant to apply from July.  Tauranga mayor Mahe Drysdale says delaying its introduction recognises the tough conditions for hospitality now. He says they're now rethinking how high the fee should be.  "That's a conversation we need to have with the people that are on the ground and using the space." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, how good is that inflation number out today? 2.2 percent - we're there, baby! We're pretty much bang on where inflation is supposed to sit - at 2 percent, halfway between 1 and 3 in the target band. We’ve made it. We have had inflation run out of control in this country for three years, but we have finally got it back to where it’s supposed to be. That is absolutely reason to celebrate - we're there. And yet we can’t, because of the Reserve Bank. Let’s talk about how badly these guys have stuffed this up. Even though I am stoked that we're at 2.2 percent today, it is also, unfortunately for the Reserve Bank, a pretty big signal that they’ve messed this up. Because look at where the Official Cash Rate is sitting. It is still at 4.75 percent. So we've got inflation exactly where we want it, and yet we have an Official Cash Rate that is still higher than what the Aussies have - where their inflation is not in the target band. Now explain that to me. Because our inflation is where i

One European hotspot has had enough of British stag parties and hopes to attract more 'cultured' visitors to the region. City councillors in Prague have banned organised night-time pub crawls put on by travel agencies - meaning travellers will need to amuse themselves in other ways from 10pm to 6am. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the city hopes to attract wealthier tourists looking to explore Prague's cultural offerings.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are on Stats NZ's newest release tomorrow - as Kiwis brace to find out the official Consumers Price Index figures. Following the Reserve Bank's latest cut to the OCR, the bank is confident inflation has dipped below the 3 percent threshold. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham predicts whether or not inflation will drop back within the target band. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi farming experts are paying tribute to the women in their lives as part of this year's International Day of Rural Women. Plenty of organisations have taken the day to celebrate the women making waves in the nation's rural sector - and The Country spoke to some of the Kiwi women making a difference and smashing the 'grass ceiling'. Host Rowena Duncum explains further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing market remains subdued across the country, with slightly weaker prices, more stock available and houses taking longer to sell. New data from the Real Estate Institute (REINZ) shows the national median fell 2.3 percent, to $781,000. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says prices are likely to stay low - despite recent cuts to interest rates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 15 October 2024, the Government is threatening to intervene in Wellington City Council. A crown observer, commissioners and new elections are all on the table - but Wellington City Councillor Tim Brown tells Heather in a fiery interview none of that is needed. Big debate over Health NZ's directive to nurses to communicate in English in clinical settings - Heather thinks it's a terrible idea. Air NZ is refurbishing its Dreamliners - so what can you expect from the new seats, entertainment system and the new business class? Plus, the Huddle debates whether rich listers Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams are bad neighbours for wanting to fly a helicopter to and from their house twice a day. 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, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and former Labour chief of staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Two Auckland rich-listers are looking to get a helipad built at their Westmere home. Environmentalists and NIMBYs have blasted this move - and the proposal will need to face more community feedback. What do we make of this? It's looking increasingly likely that the Government may need to step in and interfere in Wellington City Council's operations after they u-turned on selling the airport shares. Can the council avoid this? What do you make of Health NZ's directive to nurses to speak English in clinical settings? Is this cause for concern? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT Party leader David Seymour has been quick to respond to the 'abhorrent' new prosecution guidelines set by the Solicitor General. The new guidelines have told prosecutors to 'think carefully about particular decisions where a person is Māori' - prompting backlash. Seymour has labelled these guidelines 'disgraceful'. "If New Zealand is based on anything, it's the simple idea that no matter who you are and how you're born, you get equal rights and a fair shot at life. It is absolutely un-Kiwi." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland rich-listers Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray will be facing community feedback on their proposal to build a helipad at their Westmere home. It will now be publicly notified, so opponents will get a say at a public hearing.  Herne Bay Residents Association co-chair Dirk Hudig says helicopters are incredibly noisy and dirty.  He says they're not needed in an urban environment - and explained there was a facility where they can launch 10 minutes from their house. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long-awaited improvements to Air New Zealand's Dreamliner cabins are set to get under way. New seats, new carpets, new screens and new Business Premier cabins are among the features customers can expect after the planes get retrofitted in Singapore. The airline's General Manager of Strategy, Networks and Fleet, Baden Smith, says the upgrades will make better use of the space and give customers more comfort. "It basically has a bit more privacy and a little bit more space and a little bit more storage up there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor is not convinced the Government will intervene - and is defending the Council. The Local Government Minister's taking advice on potential intervention. Councillors must find cost savings after u-turning on plans to sell the 34 percent stake in Wellington Airport - estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Councillor Tim Brown says there is no ongoing dysfunction. "I would definitely bet a beer on them not intervening - but that depends on us being able to sort the problem ourselves. If we can sort the problem, why would they intervene?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darleen Tana's appeal isn't affecting her former Party's plans to meet this week, to discuss whether to invoke laws to boot her from Parliament.  The once-Green MP resigned after an inquiry found she likely knew of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Greens are still looking to have their meeting deciding her fate this coming Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on the defence following his latest property purchase. The Australian leader recently bought a $4.3 million house on the New South Wales Central Coast - near his soon-to-be-wife's hometown. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Albanese has copped criticism over this purchase amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expect a reserved leadership style from Hiroki Sakai when he dons the captain's armband in Auckland FC's inaugural A-League football season. The Japanese international will be assisted by two vice captains - All White Tommy Smith and Australian Jake Brimmer. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.