Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 25 September 2024, Energy Minister Simeon Brown reveals the contractor at the centre of the fallen Transpower tower had three previous nuts/bolts instances. ANZ boss Antonia Watson has endorsed the idea of a capital gains tax - but Heather's not a fan. Resources Minister Shane Jones reveals the worst Government decision he was ever part of - and what he's doing to make up for it. Plus on the Huddle, Jack Tame and Heather get fired up on the prospect of a CGT. 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.

The Government has today started the process of overturning the ban on oil and gas exploration. Resource Minister Shane Jones says the Government is still committed to transitioning to renewable energy - but it can't be done at a cost of hollowing out jobs. Jones says some companies are a bit fearful in case the Government changes - but he's willing to convince them. "The bill's got some robust protections - it's a transparent process." LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's looking increasingly likely that Beauden Barrett will step in the No 10 jersey and replace Damian McKenzie for this weekend's All Blacks match. This upcoming rematch against Australia will mark Beauden Barrett's first test in the role since 2022. NZ Herald sports writer Liam Napier says it's likely Scott Robertson will be looking to make changes ahead of the next set of high-profile matches. "You have to have options - and for the All Blacks, this is the last test at home this year, they're about to head north later in the year for three very gruelling tests against England, Ireland and France - they need alternative options." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Minister has been quick to criticise Transpower's conduct that led to the collapse of a Northland power pylon. A new report by the Electricity Authority revealed one of the company's senior engineers had warned crews doing foundation work had knowledge gaps before the pylon toppled in June. Minister Simeon Brown says this failure was 'unacceptable' and 'avoidable'. "Ultimately, Transpower didn't do anything in relation to addressing those concerns in 2021 - and that has led to what happened in Northland in June this year." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A PWC tax partner says discussions around a Capital Gains Tax will continue, as the country grapples with raising enough revenue. ANZ head Antonia Watson has told RNZ the time has come for a Capital Gains Tax. Sandy Lau says it'll likely be in the mix of options officials consider in long-term planning for New Zealand's tax system. "I don't think having a Capital Gains Tax is going to be the silver bullet, so to speak, that will fix all the problems - but it may be one of the few things that needs to be done to make sure that the tax system continues to be successful in the future." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A frosty reception is expected for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he fronts global diplomats - as war wages in the Middle East. Leaders from nearly 200 UN Member states are meeting to discuss international issues in New York City. Calls for intervention are growing - as Israel pounds southern Lebanon with bombs, and its' deadly occupation of Gaza continues. Voice of America UN correspondent, Margaret Besheer, says many members are calling Israel's actions genocide. "The speeches were very strong against Israel - and not just from the neighbours, but from other countries in the global south." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Electricity Authority's report in to a toppled pylon has found the collapse was entirely avoidable. The Transpower pylon north of Helensville fell - cutting power to 88,000 people in Northland - after unsupervised, inexperienced maintenance crews undid three legs at once. The report found there was evidence removing all the nuts wasn't a one-off event. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this incident came with significant economic impacts to Northland. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, Kamala Harris is experiencing a significant bump in the polls. New data from Quinnipiac University, Reuters and CNN show Harris is beating out Donald Trump - or the pair are neck-and-neck in terms of voter appeal. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Kamala Harris has focused on appealing to the swing states, as the race is still too close. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beauden Barrett is expected to start at first five-eighth for the All Blacks rematch with the Wallabies in Wellington on Saturday.  Through his eight tests in charge this year, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has maintained unwavering faith in Damian McKenzie.  Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked this change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stats NZ has published the latest official wellbeing data - revealing whether or not Kiwis' satisfaction with life has dipped. Despite two years of economic turmoil and recession, people's overall satisfaction with life is at a 7.6 out of 10 - a similar rating to 2021, when the economy was better. Umbrella Wellbeing psychologist Dougal Sutherland says Kiwis have always have had something to worry about, which disrupts quality of life. "We worry about certain things - in 2021, we were all worried about Covid and now we're worried about the economy and a bit about crime and a bit about healthcare. Maybe this is generally how it is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurses in England have widely rejected the Government's proposed 5.5 percent pay rise. According to an online vote run by the Royal College of Nursing, two-thirds of nurses said this increase wasn't fair.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says they've seen junior doctors get 35 percent raises following the Covid-19 pandemic - and they're hoping to be properly compensated to keep up with inflation.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Reserve Bank has held the cash rate at 4.35 percent after its latest board meeting, citing concerns about inflation. This  seventh consecutive hold was widely tipped by economists - and they haven't ruled out additional increases either. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham outlines his predictions for when the economy will turn around and give homeowners some reprieve. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra's annual financial results are due out on Wednesday morning.  Experts are wondering if there will be an upside in the forecast milk price of $7.80 for the 23/24 season - and they've debated the possibility of a higher-than-expected annual dividend. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The popularity of working remotely has continued to surge among Kiwi employees - prompting some new directions from the Government. Prime Minister Chris Luxon has ordered Wellington-based Government departments to call their staff back into the office to boost performance and keep local businesses going. Infometrics economist Gareth Kiernan unpacks the latest stats - and wonders if the Government's new terms will make a difference. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Green Party is set to meet to discuss Darleen Tana's fate on October 17th. Why has it taken this long to reach a possible solution? Is this hurting their political numbers? Should Auckland Council follow Wellington's lead and require workers to get back to the office? Heart of the City head Viv Beck is urging people to get out and boost the city's businesses - does Auckland CBD need the help? It's been a day since Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of murdering Pauline Hanna - would things have been different if Madison Ashton had turned up to testify? Andrew Coster is set to lead the Government's new Social Investment Agency after he steps down as Police Commissioner- what do we make of this? Is this a good idea?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiSaver investments have broken the $100 billion mark. The Financial Markets Authority's report for the year to March 31st reveals funds reached $111.8 billion - jumping 19 percent from the previous year. Member contributions have risen to $11.2 billion and returns are strong at $13.1 billion. Financial Markets Authority director John Horner says this shows numbers are bouncing back following a previous downturn. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 24 September, Police Minister Mark Mitchell stepped up to explain why Commissioner Andrew Coster is the perfect fit to lead the new Social Investment Agency. Heart of the City boss Viv Beck explained why Auckland Council needs to follow Wellington and require the council staff to come back and work in their offices to bring some life back to the CBD. A new report has come out identifying where the Port Hills fire started - but FENZ's Dave Stackhouse says the cause is still unknown. Plus, the Huddle unpacks the latest development in the Darleen Tana saga - and debates how this makes the rest of the Green Party look. 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.

The Green Party has set a new date for a special meeting to decide whether to boot now-independent MP Darleen Tana from Parliament. The meeting was postponed for a hearing of Tana's legal claim she was pressured to resign, after an investigation found she likely knew of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says notice has been sent to branches of a meeting to be held on October 17. "I am incredibly confident in the wisdom of our party - and that's part of the reason that we've also set this date with the opportunity for our members to properly deliberate." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report into Port Hills fire has located the private property where the fire originated - but the cause remains undetermined. The fire started on February 14 and spread over 700ha, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 properties. FENZ District Commander Dave Stackhouse says the owner of the property in question has been ruled out as a suspect. "We interviewed the property owner three times and he was co-operative throughout the investigation."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A geopolitical expert says the latest aggression in the war between Israel and Hezbollah has an air of 'inevitability'. Israel has reportedly killed almost 500 in air strikes and injured 1600 in the deadliest day in Lebanon since 2006. Israel's Defence Force says its mission is to stop the Iran-backed Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel's north and to push it back from the border. Foreign policy analyst Geoffrey Miller says they've been heading this way for some time. "There has been a level of inevitability about this - and this just takes it up a notch further. It's a huge death toll." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.