Larry Williams Drive

Ever since Singapore introduced congestion charges in the 1970s, other cities have tried to emulate its success. Wellington is the latest major New Zealand city to look at introducing congestion charges as a means of reducing traffic and improving public transport? Tony Canavan, EY's Global Transport Leader for the Government and Public Sector, explains how the right projects can boost a city's growth - and gave examples from across the world. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 28 August 2024, ex-Green MP Darleen Tana is taking her old party to court to avoid them kicking her out of Parliament.Trouble with NCEA? Almost half of our NCEA students have failed maths and writing exams they have to pass to receive their qualifications. Principal Kate Gainsford tells Heather this looks like trouble brewing. The Government's created a National Infrastructure Agency and wants a 30-year pipeline of projects. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop tells Heather he wants cross-party support. Plus, the Huddle debates whether it's a good move from Darleen to take the Greens to court - and how long could it possibly take?! 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, Brigitte Morton and Rob Campbell joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Secondary school principals are worried at the huge number of kids that are failing literacy and numeracy tests - meaning they won't receive the right NCEA qualifications. Do we need a rethink here? Disgraced ex-Green MP Darleen Tana has filed an unprecedented injunction trying to prevent their former party convening a Special General Meeting this weekend. How do we see this going?  The Government has announced a new Infrastructure Agency and a 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. Chris Bishop wants support of all parties for the infrastructure plan - is cross-party support on infrastructure realistic? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meridian Energy - the country’s largest power generator - has reported strong earnings in the June year, but warns the year ahead looks challenging. The partially state-owned company’s net profit went from $95 million to $429 million - with much of the increase influenced significantly by net gains on hedge instruments of $249 million. Meridian CEO Neal Barclay says earnings will likely drop in the coming months - and the company has invested more money to ensure there's a steady supply.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Infrastructure Minister hopes to get bi-partisan support for major long-term projects. Minister Chris Bishop today outlined intentions for the infrastructure sector - including developing a 30-Year National Plan and National Agency.  Bishop says he was inspired by similar efforts happening overseas. "If you look at what Australia does, which is where we've picked up the idea from, both in NSW and also federally - they do have a kind of rank order of things. That developed over time, this is the start of a process." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of young people have failed new co-requisite NCEA literacy and numeracy tests. It's the first year students have needed to pass them to achieve NCEA - and in May, 54 percent failed the maths test. Secondary Principals' Council chair Kate Gainsford says it's not the end of their NCEA journey because students get repeated opportunities. She explained there's the online external and extra standards made available from an approved list next year - and the following. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi Oasis fans can stop crying their hearts out - but pray Eden Park's boss will pull out the stops to lure the UK rock band over. The Gallagher brothers yesterday announced their first tour in over 15 years. Fourteen concerts are planned for the UK and Ireland in July and August. CEO, Nick Sautner says he's confident Eden Park's upcoming modifications will encourage the band to look at a New Zealand leg if the tour goes global. "Our capacity for Travis Scott in October is greater than Marvel Stadium in Melbourne - or Brisbane." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The clear consensus among experts shows Darleen Tana is hanging on for their political life. The former Green MP has filed an unprecedented injunction trying to prevent their former party convening a Special General Meeting this weekend. ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Greens clearly didn't see this coming - but they're not too worried. "They're clearly waiting to see what happens tomorrow... we all knew legal action was coming, but I was thinking the legal action would be around the actual legislation to do with the waka-jumping." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Green Party meeting's still planned this weekend, despite former MP Darleen Tana taking out an injunction hoping to prevent it. The meeting was to consider using waka-jumping legislation to expel Tana from Parliament, because they're refusing to resign, despite quitting the Party. Tana's challenge against the Party will be heard in the Auckland High Court tomorrow. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's looking more likely that the Greens will utilise the waka-jumping legislation and boot them out of Parliament.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her prospective VP Tim Walz are due to sit down for their first joint interview of their presidential campaign. The pair will be interviewed by CNN in their first in-depth on-the-record exchange since Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris as his replacement. Guardian Washington Bureau Chief David Smith says Harris has been accused of dodging the press and keeping her political plans quiet in the past. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Light heavyweight boxer Jerome Pampellone is intent on making the most of his second chance at a world title shot this evening. He'll fight Australian Conor Wallace in an IBF title eliminator in Sydney, having suffered his first professional loss to Malik Zinad in an eliminator back in April. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what viewers can expect. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's questions over how frontline work can be done, as Health New Zealand offers voluntary redundancies. The PSA says these cuts are to jobs in admin, procurement, policy, communications, information, research and monitoring. It says they come on top of a hiring freeze of backroom staff in June, that left hundreds of roles unfilled. Nurses Organisation chief executive Paul Goulter says cutting too deep behind the scenes has a knock-on effect up front. "That's the feedback we've been getting all day, with nurses saying - who's going to do that work? And if it's us, who's going to do the rest of the work we have to leave behind?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British rock band Oasis said today they would reunite after 15 years, with brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher planning a series of live shows in 2025. The pair confirmed on social media that tickets would go on sale on August 31, with first show taking place in Cardiff on July 4 next year. UK correspondent Enda Brady recalls his experience meeting Noel Gallagher. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sources claim dairy giant Fonterra is set to make a big announcement tomorrow. This follows the company predicting a 50 percent increase to the milk forecast price.  The Country's Jamie Mackay speculates about what the upcoming announcement might reveal. LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Secretary-General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, has made his first official visit to New Zealand. Trade Minister Todd McClay welcomed him to Wellington today - and trade agreements appear to be on the agenda. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains the significance of this visit. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As tourists descend on Barcelona for the America's Cup, the welcome from locals isn't as warm as the weather. The city has been grappling with the after-effects of over-tourism - and residents have been spotted wearing anti-America's Cup merchandise in protest. BloggerAtLarge.com's Megan Singleton says people are fed up with tourism pushing up the prices of services and accommodation.  "You've got the tourists coming over and taking all the Airbnbs - that's why the locals are finding their accommodation prices have gone sky-high, that there's nowhere for them to stay." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Are the Wellington posties wrong to refuse to deliver Better Wellington's anti-council pamphlet over claims of misinformation? Is there a political bias here? The Government will overturn the oil and gas ban - and have urged Labour to support this move. How does this look for Labour? Do we need a bi-partisan solution to the energy crisis? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 August 2024, Labour leader Chris Hipkins gets into a fiery argument with Heather over Labour's opposition to oil and gas exploration. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster celebrates a major win over the Head Hunters. The postie union are refusing to deliver a pamphlet in Wellington because they believe it contains misinformation. The Huddle debates whether Labour's in trouble over the oil and gas issue and what to do about bystanders livestreaming the aftermath of a car crash. Plus - Heather reveals her favourite ever one hit wonder.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.

New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) says its first-half revenue was slightly up on the year before, despite a tough trading environment. The media group behind the New Zealand Herald, BusinessDesk, Newstalk ZB and OneRoof reported a first-half net profit of $1.9 million, down 4.3 percent on the year before. However, there was a 3 percent lift in operating revenue and other income to $171 million. NZME chief executive Michael Boggs says the company will be in for a tough few months - but hope is returning to the economy.  "We are seeing signs of improvement, we're obviously seeing the OCR coming down, we're seeing business and consumer confidence start to lift - so we'd love to see that flow through." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A win for Auckland police, who have seized almost $15 million worth of of Head Hunter assets and properties - including the prized Mount Wellington gang pad. Items taken from President Wayne Doyle, under the Criminal Proceeds Act, include properties in New Lynn and Freeman's Bay. Other assets include two bank accounts, a vehicle and $275,000 cash found at a gang address in 2017. Commissioner Andrew Coster says this is the fruit of seven years' work. "And it shows that we will persist until we can recover assets that are obtained through criminal means." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.