Larry Williams Drive

The Finance Minister is pleased the nation's business heavyweights share her values and priorities. The Herald's annual Mood of the Boardroom survey has found CEOs and board members are more optimistic than pessimistic about the economy. But they still have concerns about things like energy, living costs, interest rates, cyber security threats and insurance costs. Nicola Willis says it's good to see New Zealand's business community agrees with the Government's optimism about the economy. "They're focused on the same things we are, which is - let's get growth happening. Investments, new jobs, more innovation, more exporting. We're on the same page." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than half of Kiwis have no religion, new data shows. Census figures released today shows the proportion of people without religion is now at 51.6 percent. Massey University Emeritus Professor of Religion, Peter Lineham says Christianity has been declining since the 1960s. "It speeded up a tremendous amount in the period from 2006 to 2018 - and it's still going on." Lineham says the speed of people choosing no religion is reducing, suggesting other religions may be replacing Christianity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Minister says China featured in round-table talks with South Pacific partners this week.  Auckland hosted the annual meeting for ministers from Australia, Fiji, France, Chile, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. Judith Collins says everybody was very disappointed by China's recent intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean.  She says New Zealand was told a few hours beforehand.  "But most of the countries over whose territory it would have flown did not know about it - and people felt that that was unwelcomed, unexpected and unnecessary  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A police college based in Auckland could be on the cards.  New intakes at the Porirua college will be bolstered next year by 20 recruits each wing to reach 100 trainees.  By late August, applications had overtaken 5,500 - more than double the number for the same period last year. But Assistant Commissioner Jill Rogers says the Porirua facility is already groaning at the seams.  "It makes sense for us to look in that Tāmaki Makaurau environment, because that's where the bulk of our people will come from. I think it's a good, sensible decision for us to start looking around there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The message is clear as heavy rain pelts the lower South - be prepared. A red-level heavy rain warning is in force for North Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha. NIWA reports Dunedin has already had 75 percent of its normal monthly rainfall for October. Otago Civil Defence group controller Matt Alley said they were continuing to monitor rain as it was falling. "We have our emergency operation centre in Dunedin city and Clutha and a coordination centre in Dunedin as well, fully activated." Residents and visitors to Central Otago's Omakau and Ophir are under a Boil Water Notice for the time being and drinking water tankers are at the Omakau Domain and Swindon Street. Conserve water notices remain in place for Ranfurly, Naseby and Patearoa. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Census data is out, with numbers for all sorts of data points from ethnicity, home ownership and income to gender and sexual identity. But the number that most interested me today is buried in the housing stats. In 2018, when we last did the numbers, about one in every six New Zealand homes recorded mould bigger than an A4 piece of paper. More than 21 percent of households recorded dampness at home. But despite our famously crappy housing stock, the numbers have meaningfully improved. Today, 18 percent of houses have dampness: a 3.4 percent improvement. And from one-in-six homes previously, one-in-seven households now records mould at home. In real numbers, that's roughly 70,000 fewer damp homes and 50,000 fewer mouldy homes than we would have had if our housing was at the same standard as it was in 2018. That's a real success.  So what's changed in that time? Obviously newer homes are more likely to be built to a better, warmer standard. But I also think you can credit some of that impro

Prime Minister Chris Luxon's feeling 'stoked' with today's Mood of the Boardroom survey results. The nation's business heavy-weights have ranked Government ministers in the Herald's annual survey - and they're feeling pretty optimistic with the state of the current Government. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says the nation's business community always feels more positive when they get a centre-right Government aligned with their needs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police in New South Wales have applied to the state’s top court to ban two pro-Palestinian rallies set to take place this weekend. Next Monday marks the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s attacks on Israel and the start of the conflict in Gaza - and police aim to stop a rally taking place on that date from going forward on top of the usual weekend protests. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are concerned about the potential risks to public safety, especially for Monday's event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

INEOS Britannia are one win away from earning the right to challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup. The British syndicate has beaten Luna Rossa in both races overnight to lead 6-4 in the best-of-13 Louis Vuitton series. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police have arrested a teenager after disrupting a 'sophisticated smishing scam' using new technology never seen in New Zealand before. Authorities have described smishing - a form of phishing - as when a device known an 'SMS Blaster' is used as a fake cell tower and tricks nearby cellphones to connect to its fraudulent network. This 'SMS Blaster' has reportedly sent thousands of fake texts claiming to be from banks - in order to encourage people to share their passwords, account details and other sensitive information. National Cyber Security centre team lead Tom Roberts says the messages look professional. He explained people click on the link thinking it's from the bank or insurance company - without realising they're entering in details for someone to steal.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK forces were found to be involved in supporting Israel's response after Iran launched a missile attack on the country. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the UK 'stands with Israel' and recognises its right to self-defence. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says other MPs will be very disappointed with this revelation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposal to re-develop Marsden Point's decommissioned refinery is being considered. Channel Infrastructure NZ recently entered a conditional agreement with Seadra Energy to create a bio-refinery at the Northland site.  Seadra would purchase it for about $53-million and use some existing, decommissioned assets like tankage and jetties. Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton unpacks what this could look like. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politicians of all stripes say the Government shouldn’t try to stop the values of properties vulnerable to the effects of climate change from plummeting. In fact, they believe there is room for at-risk property values to fall further to discourage investment in flood-prone parts of the country. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacks these findings further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has continued its push to increase the use of remote building inspections to speed up the construction and consenting process. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has voiced disapproval with the current process - and claimed that remote inspections will make the building process more efficient and affordable.  NZ Certified Builders CEO Malcolm Fleming says this process works well in remote parts of the country - or high-congestion areas like Auckland CBD. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Mark Sainsbury and Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The partner of an Australian diplomat was allegedly involved in an altercation in central Wellington early on Sunday and authorities are looking to waive immunity to press charges. Do we think diplomatic immunity standards need to be changed? The vice presidential debate took place today ahead of the November US election - what do we think of this? Who won the debate - JD Vance or Tim Walz? The conflict in the Middle East is amping up, with Iran launching a significant missile attack over at Israel. Where is this going to end? Can a solution be found? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 2 October 2024, the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate with Iran firing missiles into Israel. Director of Special Projects at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Bren Carlill joins Jack to discuss how other countries can avoid getting involved. Health New Zealand is urging the Government to consider allowing private companies to build and run the country's hospitals - Former Health NZ Chair Rob Campbell discusses the potential of this idea. Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson shares his thoughts on Tim Southee relinquishing the Black Caps test captaincy. The Huddle considers the fairness of diplomatic immunity and how the world will weigh in on tensions in the Middle East. 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.

Genesis Energy has confirmed it will spend $64 million on taking a majority stake in ChargeNet - the nation's leading EV public charging network. Under terms of the agreement, Genesis will acquire a 65 percent stake in ChargeNet, which was founded in 2015 by tech entrepreneurs Steve and Dianna West.  Genesis chief retail officer Stephen England-Hall says decarbonising New Zealand's transport output is critical to the country's future. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert sees a reasonable chance New Zealand could waive diplomatic immunity after allegations about an Australian diplomat's partner surfaced. Sky News has reported the partner was involved in an altercation in central Wellington early on Sunday. New Zealand Police have confirmed they're seeking to waive diplomatic immunity for an individual, so charges can be laid. Electoral law expert Graeme Edgeler says such actions tend to be on a step by step basis. "The friendlier we are with those countries, the more likely it is that they might agree." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One former Black Caps coach has expressed some confusion as Tim Southee relinquished his team captaincy.  Tom Latham has taken the reins after Southee ended his tenure as skipper with six wins, six losses and two draws through just under two years at the helm. Mike Hesson says some aspects of his resignation have raised a few questions. "I can't think of any side in the world where you would name a captain on a game-by-game basis. You're playing for your nation - I thought the transition period made good sense, but when he was named captain, it sort of made life difficult for Tim." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief Republican candidate JD Vance completely lost credibility as today's vice-presidential debate ended.  The contest against Democrat Tim Walz was mostly civil and policy focused.  But Vance dodged a question on Donald Trump challenging the 2020 election results - saying he's 'future-focused'.  Former US ambassador to New Zealand, Mark Gilbert, says until that moment, Vance had restored likeability and seemed strong. "It was a very awkward moment - and if I was sitting there as an undecided voter, I would have really recoiled at the answer he gave about 2020." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.