Larry Williams Drive

Thousands of residents are being evacuated from their homes as a large wildfire continues to rage north of Athens, with flames leaping as high as 25m. The historic site of Marathon is among the areas where residents are being moved to safety by the emergency services. UK correspondent Gavin Grey unpacks the extent of the damage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to make a call on the Official Cash Rate this week, and experts are feeling hopeful. While economists are divided on the outcome, markets have priced in possible rate cuts going forward. Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management explains what we can expect. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly three-quarters of builders think the industry is in for another tough financial year, according to new data.  650 Kiwi builders were consulted in a new EBoss survey, with 67 percent of respondents reporting less projects and 70 percent claiming industry conditions will only get worse in the coming months. Matt Duder from EBoss says builders operate on tough margins, so steady work is important to them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 12 August 2024, the Government is getting tougher on beneficiaries. Social Development Minister Louise Upston tells Heather why jobseekers need to reapply for the benefit every six months from now. Chelsea Daniels has the latest developments from the Polkinghorne trial where Pauline Hanna's niece gave evidence today. Former Defence Minister Andrew Little explains why he thinks the Government does need to explore AUKUS membership and why he thinks China is a threat to NZ. The Huddle reflects on the best moments from the Olympics - and whether the Olympics organisers do need to do something about clarifying gender rules. Plus 20 things that make you a Boomer. Will Heather the millennial turn out to be a boomer at heart? 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 - Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Olympics are over and done with - what did we think? What were our favourite moments? The Police Association and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee have been butting heads over new firearms laws - what do we make of this?  Do we know what 3/4 is as a decimal? New data shows only 39 percent of Year 8 students can answer that correctly. How concerning is this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister is open to all options when it comes to increasing competitiveness in the banking sector. The Commerce Commission is expected to deliver their report examining banking competition issues - and drafts have hinted changes need to take place. Minister Nicola Willis says she's awaiting next week's findings. "I've committed that I will be completely open-minded about what changes may be required to get good banking competition - we'll see what the Commerce Commission says." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Police Association won't be left out of consultation on the firearms registry. Association President Chris Cahill has penned an open letter asking for Nicole McKee's role in reviewing the law to be stripped and given to the Police Minister. McKee says the association wasn't asked for early consultation but police were - she says they will get their chance down the track. She says the claims that she was head of the firearms lobby in 2017 are off base. "I've always been quite open and friendly towards them - but when somebody wants to make personal attacks against a person... I just think that's unnecessary."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Famed Australian children's band, The Wiggles, will be headlining an upcoming dance festival for kids this summer. Anthony, John, Tsehay and DJ Dorothy will be performing at the Sound System Dance Party at Baypark Arena on January 5. Event promoter Mitch Lowe says there's a market for events catering to younger audiences.  "The reception's been crazy - we've had 500 people sign up in the last 3-4 hours." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Week three of Phillip Polkinghorne's murder trial has kicked off with testimony from Pauline Hanna's niece. The Auckland eye doctor's accused of murdering his wife in 2021, but his defence claims she killed herself. The court's today heard from Hanna's niece, Rose, who made a covert recording played last week - in which Pauline discussed issues within her marriage. ZB's Chelsea Daniels says they've now heard claims Pauline was considering getting a divorce lawyer. "She said her aunt was terrified and worried she couldn't afford to leave her husband because she suspected she didn't have any money to her name." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Social Development Minister says new sanctions will give beneficiaries less choice for spending money. The Government is ramping up obligations for those on Jobseeker benefits, and a Traffic Light System of punishments when they aren't met. People hitting 'Red' can expect half their benefit income to be put on a payment card, used only for accessing essential items. Louise Upston says the card is already in use for young parents and people on Youth Payment. "They can still spend it on clothes, on petrol, on grocery items - but there will be restrictions. So people can't buy cigarettes, for example."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Luxon has congratulated the Kiwi athletes after a record-shattering Olympic Games - but claimed hosting a victory parade would be difficult. The idea of a post-Olympics victory parade was floated to the Prime Minister, but Luxon says arranging this event isn't as easy as it sounds. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there was an 'incredible' turnout for this Olympiad, and New Zealand came away with 10 gold medals, seven silvers and three bronzes. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investigations are under way in Cairns into whether a helicopter that crashed into a hotel in the middle of the night was stolen. The pilot died after hitting the DoubleTree by Hilton about 2am, with propeller blades landing in its pool and the main street. New reports claim charter company Nautilus Aviation say its helicopter was stolen, and police are waiting for the pilot to be identified. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says investigations are still ongoing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are hoping to bounce back this weekend following their recent 38-30 loss to Argentina. The team has completed their usual Monday review session before prepping for Saturday's rematch at Eden Park. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Labour leader's broken ranks with his Party, in supporting AUKUS pillar two. Former Defence Minister Andrew Little has claimed the current Government is right to investigate the military intelligence-sharing agreement with the US, the UK, and Australia. Little says the nation needs to update its defence technology to address possible threats. "There are threats in our region that are new, and are real - and we have to equip our Defence Force. Where we get that technology to equip them is the question, and in that respect, AUKUS is probably relevant." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another problem for Aratere.  The Interislander ferry's expected to be out of action for a few days after crashing into the dock in Wellington.  More than 100 passengers and 40 crew were on board - none was injured.  Maritime Lawyer Troye Stade told Heather du Plessis-Allan that speaking with the crew, there are concerns generally about how things have gone over the last few months.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Sports Huddle Heather was joined by Sports Commentators Nicky Styris and Jim Kayes too look at some of the stories coming out of the Olympics.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The knives appear to be out for Auckland Transport.  Wayne Brown's putting forward a proposal to strip AT of its policymaking functions and have elected representatives control it.  It also includes plans to abolish the council’s development agency and its events and economic development agency.  He'll need the backing of councillors, and in the case of AT's control, a law change.  Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he’s sick of being blamed for things he doesn’t control.  He said that AT has had 12 years of complete independence to the point where the council almost seems to be more of a nuisance than an owner, and they’re not listening as much as he’d like.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 9 August 2024, Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Clifford explains why sky-high electricity prices have meant he's had to stop Hawkes Bay's paper pulp mill.  Christchurch City Councillor Tim Scandrett reacts to news that the Christ Church Cathedral is set to be mothballed as it's run out of money.  Turns out the Olympic medals are not what they used to be – with one athlete complaining his new Bronze medal has suffered a lot of wear and tear after just a week.  Plus, the Huddle debates whether the Paris Olympics will be remembered as a bit of a shambles.    Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year’s Olympic medals don’t seem to be up to standard.  A US Olympic skateboarder has criticised the quality of his bronze medal after it began to deteriorate only a week after he won it.  The backside of the medal is chipped, and it’s already losing its bronze colour.  Former Olympian Ian Ferguson told Heather du Plessis-Allan that his are 40 years old and look exactly the same as the day they were made.   He said that they were made differently at the time, solid silver and gold plated, with a decent coating of gold on them.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis has made the right call to not give any more taxpayer money to the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild.  It’s tough call. It's got consequences, as they’re saying, it looks like the Cathedral night be mothballed because they can’t figure out how else to raise the money.   But frankly, the country can’t afford to give them another $60 million.   We're living on our credit card. We’ve already stumped up $25 million, and let’s remember, this is privately-owned church. It's owned by the Anglicans. It’s not like we’re helping to build something that belongs to us, it belongs to the Anglicans, and they are reportedly sitting on about $2.9b worth of assets at last count.  To be fair to them, they didn't want to rebuild the cathedral but were forced into it by public opinion, but they are the ones who stand to benefit from the rebuild.  I don't want to appear to be callous about a place that is very important to Christchurch, but Christchurch, can I point out, has had a lot of taxpayer assistance, quite rig