Larry Williams Drive

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday 7 October. 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.

TVNZ has today announced plans to axe its 1News website as part of a bid to save $30m.  It will invest in news for TVNZ plus as well as creating a new centre for data and AI.  Former Head of News at Newshub Mark Jennings joins Jack Tame.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have confirmed that a sighting of missing man Tom Philips and his three children was credible.  Philips and his children Ember, Maverick, and Jayda have been missing since December 2021, and this is the first time all four of them have been seen together.  Chris Budge is a private investigator looking for the missing family and he spoke with Jack Tame about the latest updates.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is still unknown as to how exactly the Manawanui ended up sinking, but Defence Minister Judith Collins is suggesting a power outage may have caused the ship to run aground.  Local authorities are conducting environmental assessments amid concerns of potential oil or chemical spills.  John Battersby from the Massey University Centre for Defence and Security Studies joins Jack Tame to discuss whether this incident will damage New Zealand's reputation.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian correspondent Oliver Petersen joins Jack Tame to discuss today's repatriation flight from Lebanon, work from home days becoming a thing of the past, and NRL expansion plans.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over one hundred projects have been selected for fast tracking through the recently announced Fast Track Approvals Bill. Housing, energy, and major infrastructure projects will take priority.  Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett and Environmental Defence Society Chief Executive Gary Taylor join Jack Tame to debate whether it's as good as it immediately seems. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I went out to Devonport for a picnic with some friends and remember pointing out the Manawanui to our kids as we crossed the harbour on the ferry.  "Look guys, that's our Navy!" Obviously, it's a great relief that everyone is okay and was able to disembark in time, and I accept it'll be some time before we learn everything about what happened. But it's hard to look past what is - from the outside - a profoundly embarrassing accident for New Zealand's Defence Force, and our country at large.  Shit happens, but the time and place really couldn't be much worse. Just 24 hours before the ship hit the reef, Defence Ministers from across the Pacific were meeting in Auckland to establish a new Pacific Response Group, a multilateral force that will respond to future disasters.  With AUKUS and tensions over China's ambitions in the region, the Australian Defence Minister was plain when I asked him about New Zealand's military assets.  "A more capable New Zealand is very m

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 4 October. 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.

NZ Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan speaks to Jack Tame about the recent week in politics, regarding Casey Costello and release of her independent advice, no more free Covid tests, Keytruda, Parking penalties increasing, and more... LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryanair has caused quite a stir in the UK - from May next year, passengers will need to check in by smart phone only, meaning they will no longer be able to physically check in at a counter at the airport. Currently 60 percent of their customers do check in online, but those who don't face a charge of $97 nzd. For those without smartphones, they will have to find someone who has one. Ryanair does have a policy which lets passengers check-in online 60 days before their flights. Aviation Commentator Irene Kind told Jack Tame that it's more convenient to check in online. He says that it is the future and as a customer himself, the only focus is to get on that aircraft therefore, it is “very sensible” for that company. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been inevitable for months now that the Ministry of Education would lose responsibility for building and maintaining schools and at first glance the government's onto a winner with its alternative plan.  The review into the state of school facilities shows only a third of the almost-500 building projects in the Ministry of education queue have been fully funded and concludes the average cost of a new classroom could rise to $1.8m over the next few years.  "That is unsustainable," it says. If indeed that price is accurate, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who disagrees. Obviously not every school is the same, there are different environmental, geological and topographical challenges that distinguish different locations, and no one is expecting a 100% standardized building model for every single classroom across the country. But a greater degree of standardization makes sense and more than anything, a new system might allow for that most important quality: transparency. At the moment,

Up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers will join the North Carolina National Guard in delivering supplies, food and water to isolated communities. President Joe Biden consoled victims whose lives were upended by the devastation of Hurricane Helene during a Thursday visit to Florida and Georgia. At least 215 people are known to have died because of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene. US Correspondent Mitch Mccann told Jack Tame that Helene is the second deadliest hurricane to hit the US mainland in 50 years after hurricane Katrina. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin remains in a state of emergency after seeing it's wettest day in over a century - with twice the usual October rainfall falling in just 40 hours. The red warning for North Otago, Dunedin and Coastal Clutha is in place until 11pm tonight. More than 80 people were evacuated from their homes overnight and nearly 40 roads are currently closed. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell told Jack Tame that he was at Saint Clair’s golf club and witnessed them set up the evacuation centre. Mitchell says that volunteers have helped turn out stretches and look after families as they came in. "As Kiwis we always seem to stand up and respond strongly when there's a need, and that's exactly what is happening," he said. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've had a bit of time now to look at the so-called 'independent advice' released by Casey Costello on the efficacy of heated tobacco products which she's so curiously and steadfastly supported. To remind you, there is one company that has been providing these heated tobacco products in New Zealand: Philip Morris.  That company's external relations manager is the former chief of staff for New Zealand First and while Casey Costello says she has no links to the tobacco industry and that the tobacco industry has nothing to do with the policies she supports, she insists the heated tobacco products have a 'similar risk profile to vapes,' and so she wanted to see the excise tax on these products halved.  What did the official advice say? First of all, the tax side - Philip Morris had a monopoly on the market, so it was hardly surprising that Treasury pointed out there was nothing that would make Philip Morris pass on excise tax cuts to consumers. And then, the health side. The Ministry of Health could fin

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has paid back over £6,000 ($12,000 NZD) in gifts and hospitality received since taking up the role after a controversy over donations.  Starmer is covering the cost of six Taylor Swift tickets, four tickets to the races, and a designer clothing rental agreement favoured by his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer. UK correspondent says Starmer is under pressure to improve transparency after he and some other MPs faced criticism over accepting freebies from wealthy donors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence in interest amid concern surrounding shortages. Its greenhouse gas emissions are smaller than most - and  reactors produce reliable baseline electricity cheaply and efficiently. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie unpacks whether nuclear energy can have a future in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin residents are preparing for a deluge of rain. A red heavy rain warning is in force for North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha today and tomorrow. Otago Civil Defence says people should only travel tonight if absolutely necessary - to avoid getting caught up in rising rivers or streams. The Country's Jamie Mackay says people are getting the sandbags ready ahead of the weather changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business leaders have given their verdict on the Government in the Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom survey. Some experts have noted that as the country enters an interest-rate cutting phase, now is the time to have a discussion about the make-up of ongoing retirement savings. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says there's a clear mood for change as the economy enters a new phase. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  New data from the 2023 Census reveals over half the country isn't religious? Is this surprising? What do we think changed? The Mood of the Boardroom Survey results came out today, revealing Kiwi business leaders are feeling more optimistic about the economy. What do we make of this? A teenager has been arrested for running a  'smishing' scam - where fraudulent text messages are sent out en masse to get people to give up sensitive information. Should we be concerned about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Thursday 3 October 2024, the highest possible weather warning has been issued for Dunedin. Otago Civil Defence Group Controller Matt Alley updates Jack on the extreme rainfall and likelihood of evacuation for the region. Police are delighted at the number of new recruit applicants and to keep up with the influx, Assistant Commissioner for Leadership, Talent and Development Jill Rogers discusses the potential of a new Police College in Auckland. The Huddle reflects on the latest Census data and Nicola Willis inviting her opposition counterpart to talk on superannuation. And Nicola Willis reacts to the latest Mood of the Boardroom survey. 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.