Larry Williams Drive

It was civil. It was somewhat thoughtful. It was focused for the most part on policy.   It was, frankly, a novel experience to be watching a modern U.S political debate that didn't immediately descend into petty name calling, insults, conspiracy theories, hyperbole and lies. I thought JD Vance was much better than Tim Walz. If these things are to be scored, then he was the winner for me. He didn't throw around insults in the same way that he has on the campaign trail, which I thought was an interesting strategic approach. I thought he did a really good job of presenting as smart and reasonable, and as a steady partner of a more chaotic running mate. I also thought he was humane in a way that Trump never is. Tim Walz talked about his 17-year-old witnessing a shooting, and JD Vance let him speak - and immediately responded in a decent way. I didn't know, he said. I'm really sorry. For the most part, Tim Walz, wasn't terrible. He made that weird gaffe where it sounded as though he said something about becom

There's hopes that the US will step in soon to de-escalate Middle East tensions.  Iran has launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel, with most being intercepted. Israel is promising consequences while continuing airstrikes - and yesterday, forces invaded Lebanon. The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council says strong intervention is the only way to end the cycle. Policy analyst Bren Carlill says Iran's weak military could be swiftly subdued.  "Were the US to send a couple of missiles at, say, an Iranian drone-making factory or an Iranian missile factory - I think Iran would get the message and very quickly realise it needs to step back."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The vice presidential candidates in the US election clashed in their first and only debate ahead of the 2024 US election. Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance faced off over the economy, abortion, immigration, the conflict in the Middle East and energy. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the pair raised some interesting arguments over the future of energy and natural gas - a message some Kiwi politicians should really listen to.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, both vice presidential candidates just had their first and only debate ahead of the November election. Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over hot-button issues including the Middle East crisis, immigration, taxes, and climate change - to name a few. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this debate felt more civilised than the Trump-Harris clash from September - but Vance delivered the better performance. "Vance was obviously much more polished, Walz came off as a little more nervous, especially off the top - but he has said before that he doesn't like speaking in front of crowds and gets a little nervous and flustered. But I'll tell you this - both seemed more respectful of one another than Trump and Harris did." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A whitewash test series defeat to Sri Lanka was Tim Southee's trigger to step down as Black Caps test captain. Tom Latham will take the reins with immediate effect, beginning with three tests in India starting in a fortnight. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says this was the right move on Southee's part. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's suggestions private companies should build - and potentially run - our public hospitals. 1News reports Health NZ is urging the Government to consider private sector help, given the investment required for dozens of hospitals. Former Health NZ chair Rob Campbell says he believes this is being raised now as a diversion. "It's previously been held off because the very large projects - like the Dunedin Hospital - frankly, wouldn't attract a partner to do the kind of work that needs to be done." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Duke of Sussex has returned to the UK to make a brief public appearance at a central London charity event. Prince Harry attended WellChild's annual awards ceremony at a London hotel to pay tribute to the young people recognised at the event. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's unlikely Harry will be able to meet up with the royals - and will probably depart for California before a reunion can take place.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian retail sales rebounded by more than expected in August as warmer weather brought forward spring spending after a midwinter slump. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, retail sales rose 0.7 percent - beating out initial predictions of 0.4 percent. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says it's clear recent tax cuts have driven up consumer spending. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction continues to slow, although consents for office and public transport buildings have risen 26 percent. Stats NZ says new home consents dropped 20 percent in the year to August - and standalone new builds fell 9.7 percent. Consents for townhouses, apartments, retirement village units, and flats are down 27 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacks the factors behind the decline. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Global Dairy Trade auction is expected to take place tonight - and experts are predicting more good news this time round. There was a substantial life off the back of the previous auction - with a 0.8 percent increase across the board. The Country's Jamie Mackay outlined his predictions ahead of tonight's results. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) shows a marked improvement in business confidence in the September quarter. A net 5 percent of firms expect a deterioration in general economic conditions over the coming months - a significant drop from the net 40 percent that expected a downturn three months ago. NZIER deputy chief executive Christina Leung says demand was quite weak over the September quarter, but expectations have gone up for the subsequent months. "Expectations for the next quarter are looking more positive, and that's particularly the case for sectors such as retail and services - to the extent that these are the sectors that are more exposed to the household sector." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you were in a bit of a rush yesterday morning, I dunno - perhaps somehow you were caught out by daylight saving and you scrambling to get to an appointment - and you forgot to put money in the meter before rushing off, you'd have been fined $40. If you did it today, exactly the same offence, you'd be fined $70. Almost double. Parking fines are up for the first time in twenty years and errant parkers will be facing stricter penalties across the board.  I don't have an issue with the higher fines. If you don't want to be fined, pay for your parking. It's pretty simple.  But despite supporting higher fines, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown isn't happy with the regime. He takes issue with the fact that fines are still set by central Government under the Land Transport Act, rather than local councils. I think he's got a good point. It seems absurd to me that for all the talk about localism, councils are still relying on an edict from Wellington to set their parking fines. If a council can't be relied on to

Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New research shows more young men are feeling pressured to start using steroids and other illegal enhancers to keep up with body image pressures. How concerning is this?  Prime Minister Chris Luxon is on the defensive after selling his Wellington apartment - and claimed he won't apologise for his success. Is this response justified? ACC has received 128 claims for fall-related injuries from Croc wearers so far this year, costing nearly $64,000. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 1 October 2024, the Israeli Military says it has begun a "limited, localised" ground offensive against Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon. International relations expert Robert Patman tells Jack Israel has the upper hand against  the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah with the backing of the United States. New Zealand is seeing its highest number of credit card applications since 2021. Personal Finance Lead at Sorted Tom Hartmann considers which factors, beyond cost of living and high interest rates, could be the cause. Love them or hate them, Crocs are costing ACC - with 17 percent more croc-related claims already this year than last. The Huddle considers the rise of steroid use in young men and debates the fairness of a Capital Gains Tax. 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 inform

Fuelled by fitness and gym content online, more young men say they are turning to risky and illegal measures to enhance their appearances. According to new reports, men in their 20s - or younger - have been encouraged to use steroids and other banned performance-enhancing substances in order to keep up with pressure to look a certain way. Otago University Emeritus Professor David Gerrard says young men are just as vulnerable to being impacted by social media influencers as women - and there's pressure for them to keep up with standards. "It's a culture that has unfortunately crept in - and it does seem to have its genesis in and around certain gymnasiums and the ambience that that creates." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs has argued a merger blocked by the Commerce Commission would benefit consumers and suppliers.  The competition watchdog has decided merging the chain's North and South Island co-ops would substantially lessen competition.  Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says they're likely to appeal the decision - based on the evidence they have at this point. He says the move would only have changed the support each retailer received.  "Which is out of sight of customers and a part of retail competition - to bring it together in a more efficient way so that we can keep delivering value and innovation for New Zealanders. That's the disappointing thing about today's outcome."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A popular - and divisive - shoe is making a significant showing in more ACC claims. ACC has received 128 claims for fall-related injuries from Croc wearers so far this year, costing nearly $64,000. There were 109 claims last year. But injury prevention spokesperson, James Whittaker, says although Crocs and jandals feature in some trips, slips and falls - the problem is much bigger than that. "Around 700,000 people have fall-related claims supported by ACC in any given year - and it costs around $2 billion to support those people." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hostilities are running high - and fear's rising for the future - as Israel launches a ground offensive into southern Lebanon.  Lebanon says Israeli attacks in the past two weeks have already killed more than a thousand people.  Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman says the recent pummelling of Hezbollah has severely degraded the militant group. He says backing from the US is helping Israel keep the upper hand over resistance groups.  "But also - the loss of civilians in Lebanon, as well as the loss of civilians in Gaza, is fuelling anti-Israeli feelings which are going to have long-term consequences."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister seems to have narrowly avoided a large tax bill for selling his Wellington apartment. He paid $795,000 for it in 2020, and 1News reports it's been sold for $975,000. When it was purchased, a five-year bright-line test applied - under which Luxon would have owed $70,000 in tax. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Luxon seems proud to defend this apartment sale. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian police have launched a probe related to the appearance of Hezbollah flags at pro-Palestine rallies that took place over the weekend. Victorian police reported that flags representing Hezbollah were seen being carried by a small group who weren't affiliated with the protest organisers. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police are looking for calls to incite violence from these off-shoot groups - as carrying the organisation's symbol is prohibited.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.