Larry Williams Drive

Messages between Phillip Polkinghorne and his wife Pauline Hanna have come to light today in court. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing Hanna in their home in 2021, although he claims it was suicide. The court's heard messages between the two - described by an officer working the case as 'loving'. NewstalkZB's Chelsea Daniels says jurors were also told about Hanna's activity on her phone the morning she died. "It appears Hanna's phone was logged drafting a message to Phillip Polkinghorne. Minutes later, another draft message to a friend's daughter - neither of them sent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Messages between Phillip Polkinghorne and his wife Pauline Hanna have come to light today in court. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing Hanna in their home in 2021, although he claims it was suicide. The court's heard messages between the two - described by an officer working the case as 'loving'. NewstalkZB's Chelsea Daniels says jurors were also told about Hanna's activity on her phone the morning she died. "It appears Hanna's phone was logged drafting a message to Phillip Polkinghorne. Minutes later, another draft message to a friend's daughter - neither of them sent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour would re-instate a ban on oil and gas exploration if it got back into power. The Government is reversing the ban, despite belief from opponents there's no reserves left to be found. It also plans to make it easier import Liquefied Natural Gas, aiming to boost energy supplies. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand has an abundance of renewable electricity options that should be pushed. "What this Government is doing - they're saying that they're going to go back to oil and gas. That's saying to renewable electricity producers that they don't think that's the way of the future. That sends the markets the wrong signal." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of Australian workers have gone on strike to protest the Government's takeover of the construction arm of the CFMEU. Workers downed their tools and walked away from 11am this morning - halting the construction of several major building projects across the nation. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says these protests will be monitored amid concerns about illegal activity.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the current energy crisis worsens, Labour is holding steady on its promise to bring back the oil and gas ban again. The Government has recently agreed to remove hurdles for gas imports, speed up overturning the ban on oil and gas exploration - and will review the electricity market's performance. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says a bi-partisan solution is needed to draw investors into the country.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A controversial anti-council leaflet has ruffled feathers in the capital. A group called Better Wellington produced the flyer criticising council plans, like changing noise control to let mosques play their call to prayer. But posties are calling it harmful misinformation and have refused to deliver it. John Maynard from the Postal Workers Union says the leaflets are written in a misleading way. "Anyone who reads that thinks - oh, we're going to have a call to prayer every morning. I've asked people to read it, that's what they think it means." Better Wellington spokesperson Alistair Boyce has stepped up to defend the flyer. He maintains it wasn't intended to be provocative. "No, what we've done is highlighted the ideological nature of this council." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That was quite a smart move from Chris Luxon yesterday, calling on opposition parties to support the Government in fixing this energy crisis we’re in at the moment.Not only because this is now so serious, with businesses closing down and cutting jobs because they can’t afford the power bill, that it really requires everyone in Parliament to be grown ups about it - but also because I think this is going to politically snooker Labour on that oil and gas ban. I reckon they’re getting in trouble on this one now. At the moment, mind-blowingly, Labour is still committed to it. Just yesterday, Chris Hipkins said it was a bottom line they wouldn't budge on - they'll still bring the oil and gas ban back.But I wonder if that’s what they’re saying until they say the opposite - do you know what I mean? I don’t know that they can hold the line on this forever. Because their argument at the moment is that the climate is more important than 230 mill jobs in the Ruapehu district and 300 jobs at Methanex in Taranaki - and how

Italian media are reporting prosecutors have begun an official investigation of New Zealander James Cutfield, captain of the British flagged superyacht that sank of Sicily last week. Reuters is not able to independently verify the decision and says being placed under investigation doesn't imply guilt or mean formal charges will follow. On the weekend Italian prosecutors announced a manslaughter investigation - but at that stage were not investigating anyone in particular. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says reports are unconfirmed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has hinted interest rate cuts could be coming from September. In a recent address, Powell indicated upside risks to inflation have diminished, and the downside risks to employment have increased. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says these comments struck the right tone with markets, causing sharemarkets to go up as a result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more businesses have begun utilising AI for recruiting staff - and jobseekers have concerns. Spark, Kmart and Woolworths all use Sapia.ai software to conduct automated chat and video interviews with an AI-based 'smart interviewer'. Chief executive and platform founder Barb Hyman says the AI eliminates the bias human recruiters bring to job interviews. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we have a problem with Labour's Carmel Sepuloni collecting her MP's salary while filming Celebrity Treasure Island?  The Government has made some changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill - with Cabinet agreeing to amend the Bill to give an independent expert panel final say on consenting major projects, rather than a trio of Ministers. Is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 26 August 2024, Energy Minister Simeon Brown tells Heather how the Government's big new energy package will address our energy crisis. In a landmark case, the Court of Appeal has found four Uber drivers were employees - and not contractors - meaning they're entitled to paid holiday and sick leave. Lydia Ko has won her first major since 2016 - NZ Open tournament director Michael Glading tells Heather why suddenly Lydia's nailing it all. Plus on the Huddle - what led to Mark Sainsbury walking into Jenny Shipley's hotel room and finding her in her underwear? 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 Finance Minister has accused mayors and councillors of ignoring their bases when it comes to spending.  Speaking at Thursday's Local Government New Zealand conference on Wednesday, Chris Luxon told councils to tighten their belts and stop wasteful spending. Nicola Willis says city and regional councils have lost touch with their ratepayers. "For mayors and councillors, in some cases, to be so out of touch with that - is a real worry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Minister says the Government will make sure the energy sector is more competitive - and better for customers. Cabinet has agreed to import more Liquefied Natural Gas and fast-track reforms to make it easier to build renewable energy farms in light of sky-high power prices pressuring big industry users. Minister Simeon Brown says more competition and regular reporting will stop companies from price-gouging.  "I share Shane Jones's concerns - I share his concerns around excessive prices and the impact that they're having." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko dominated in St Andrews - and walked away with another victory. Ko's remarkable August has seen her claim an Olympic gold medal, a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame and her first major since 2016, after capturing the Women's Open in Scotland. NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading says Lydia Ko's enthusiasm for golf has picked up again. "She's been married a year or two now - and she's kind of getting the best of both worlds." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes a ruling against Uber could help empower other contractors. The Court of Appeal has ruled four Uber drivers are employees, not contractors. Uber says it will appeal and claims the move will increase uncertainty for workers who enjoy the flexibility of contract work. First Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says it could have wider implications. He says while likely limited to other Uber drivers at the moment, the ruling could help other contractors make their case. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled a raft of new measures set to ease the nation's energy security crisis. Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in order to ease power bills. It will also speed up overturning a ban on oil and gas exploration - and will review the electricity market's performance. Enerlytica Head of Research John Kidd says the impacts from undoing the ban on oil and gas exploration will take a while. "Exploration is a years - sometimes decades - type horizon. It's not going to be something you'll see come back in just a year or two or even three." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced a range of moves designed to shore up supply and keep prices stable. They include bringing in legislation this year to allow oil and gas exploration - and speed up consenting for renewable energy. It will also ease regulation around lines companies owning generation. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government was quick to blame their Labour predecessors for this situation - but the issue is bigger than politics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prominent Sydney underworld figure has been shot and killed in a targeted murder, according to authorities. Tarek Ayoub was shot multiple times in the car park of a unit complex in Parramatta - and was pronounced dead on the scene. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says police are worried about retribution from other Sydney gangs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another victory for Lydia Ko - the Kiwi golfer's won her third major, her first since 2016. Ko triumphed by two strokes at the British Open after finishing at seven-under par overall at St Andrews.  Sportstalk host Jason Pine says this is a 'spectacular' end to Lydia Ko's career as she looks to call it a day. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.