Larry Williams Drive

There's praise for a deal to free up gas to help keep the country's lights on. The nation's biggest gas user, Methanex, will shut down Kiwi operations until October - and is selling its gas to Contact Energy and Genesis Energy. It'll let them generate more power to combat a supply shortage that's sent power prices skyrocketing. Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge says it will cost Methanex some export earnings. He says that's outweighed by the benefit to the country. "In terms of the security of supply - that's what our focus is at the moment and we're very confident that we'll be able to see the country through."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it's overturning a nearly-30 year ban on genetic technology to bring us up to speed with the rest of the world. Science Minister Judith Collins says legislation ending the ban will be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year. A dedicated regulator will also be established to oversee gene technology applications. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says New Zealand stands to benefit from these new scientific developments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investigations are continuing into yesterday's fatal helicopter crash in Far North Queensland. The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns was evacuated after a stolen helicopter crashed into the hotel roof early yesterday morning, sparking a massive explosion. The pilot - the only occupant of the helicopter - died. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the wreckage has been removed - and the flight recording devices have been sent away to be examined. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson's recovered from his hamstring injury and will return for their NRL encounter against the Sea Eagles in Manly on Friday. Fresh off his retirement announcement, Johnson's joining the squad in Sydney, alongside fellow returnees Luke Metcalf, Adam Pompey and Marcelo Montoya. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington high school has been forced to close after a shock finding revealed 13 classrooms are earthquake prone. Wellington Girls' College claims the Ministry of Education never informed them the Brook block only met 15 percent of earthquake standards. It's now having to roster students to work from home, while an alternative campus is organised. Principal Julia Davidson says the school can legally continue using the building, but it isn't comfortable taking the risk. "Sure, the seismic risk might be low but if that was to happen - the consequences of that would be severe." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.