Larry Williams Drive

The Chief Executive of Women's Refuge says police haven't yet implemented a policy to withdraw from family harm callouts. Police did 3000 fewer police investigations of family harm last month, compared to December 2023. Dr Ang Jury says it's not entirely accurate to compare these two months, as December is often high-volume. But she says she has been talking about the policy with the Police Commissioner. "We've had some robust discussions about it. Obviously, I've got concerns - and it would be fair to say that the police do as well."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a fresh wave of concerns about the water quality in the Seine for the Paris Olympics.  A training session for the Olympic triathlon event has been cancelled due to unsafe levels of pollution, with heavy rain from the opening ceremony reviving recent fears. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says tests have confirmed the water is not up to scratch for swimming in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Wellington property developer is calling on the Reserve Bank to make it easier to repurpose vacant commercial buildings. Alex Cassels has set up several new apartment buildings in Wellington - and is looking to expand to Auckland. He explained how this scheme would alleviate the housing crisis and provide affordable rents.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New inflation data out of the US has experts speculating potential rate cuts in the coming months. The Federal Reserve is set to meet on Thursday - and it's likely they'll offer an update about when rate cuts will come. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 29 July 2024, a successful eye surgeon has been accused of strangling his wife and making it look like suicide. Chelsea Daniels reports from the first day of the Polkinghorne trial. Tax cuts are finally coming to your bank account this week. The Finance Minister says you might just want to double check your payslip this week. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin speaks to Andrew from the Sevens at the Olympics in Paris. Plus, the Huddle debates budgie smugglers and whether they were a welcome sight poolside at the Olympic swimming. 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 Greens have raised a few eyebrows over their decision to give Darleen Tana 21 days to resign from Parliament before they vote to invoke the waka-jumping legislation. Do they need to take quicker action? A man in brightly coloured budgie smugglers became an unlikely hero at the Olympics after he dove in to retrieve an American swimmer’s cap. What do we make of this? The Government's hotly-anticipated tax cuts are set to kick in this Wednesday - how excited are we? How necessary are these? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has promised relief is on the way for Kiwi households. The Government's highly-anticipated tax changes officially take effect this coming Wednesday - meaning over three million people can expect a little more in their pay packets. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government has been working with payroll providers across the country to ensure these tax cuts go smoothly. "From Wednesday, people will only pay the right amount of tax - and that's less tax than they had been paying." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several Kiwi rugby stars are representing New Zealand on the world stage in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The New Zealand women's sevens side have beaten Canada 33-7 and China 43-5 in pool matches at Stade de France on the opening day. The men's sevens team have finished in fifth, with France taking gold after a 28-7 thumping of Fiji in the final. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says this year's Olympics has served as a 'coming of age' moment for the sport. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland plant-based café is beefing up its menu, hoping to increase customers and reduce production costs. Kind Café says the cost of living has forced the change. Owner Cathie Cottle says they're hoping it'll be temporary - and the café will be able to later return to its principles. She says vegetarian options tend to be more expensive than meat. "Our chefs had to go to a lot of effort to make our own courses, there's a whole lot of things that cannot just be bought as easily." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is backing its gang crackdown. The proposed Firearm Prohibition Order laws would ban people from holding a firearms licence, over lower-level offences - and allow warrantless police searches of suspects. The Justice Select Committee is asking the Government to scale back the plan, citing concerns it gives police too much power. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is firm, but says she's taking suggestions on board. "At the end of the day, we need to stop the drive-by shootings of innocent families that are being held to ransom by gangs - and their illegal use of weapons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip Polkinghorne's relationship with his wife has been a key theme on the first day of his murder trial. The Auckland eye surgeon has accused of killing Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home in 2021, but his defence claims she took her own life. Lawyer Ron Mansfield says the couple had an open and loving relationship. Chelsea Daniels has been in court. She says the prosecution has laid out its theory on events before Hanna's death. "The Crown alleges a struggle took place, given Hanna had injuries to her nose, scalp - and bruises on her arm, marks on the left side of her back. Polkinghorne had a fresh cut on his forehead that he couldn't explain." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The long-promised Government tax cuts will land in Kiwi wallets this week. The changes to tax thresholds come into effect on Wednesday - for about three-and-half million people. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Government will be expecting a positive response - and a boost in the polls - for delivering these cuts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shaken up several political portfolios, including immigration and housing, ahead of the coming election. Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles have been axed from the home affairs ministry and replaced with Tony Burke - who also took over immigration and multicultural affairs. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this refresh follows a disappointing week in the polls for Albanese. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olympian Erika Fairweather is confident she has gas in the tank after qualifying seventh-fastest for tomorrow's women's 200 metre freestyle finale. She says she's recovered physically from her fourth place in the 400 metres 'splash of the titans'. ZB sports commentator Nick Bewley explains further. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief speed humps hindered emergency responders rushing to help a dying man. Fire and Emergency New Zealand says it's concerned Wellington roading changes are slowing response vehicles. A man reportedly collapsed and died in his Karori home last week - with responders arriving too late to resuscitate him. City Councillor Ray Chung claims speed humps and raised crossings are to blame. "The firepeople said that in emergencies like this - every second is important, every second counts, you've got to get there before their heart stops beating." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 26 July 2024, NZ Olympic chef de mission Nigel Avery joins Heather from Paris where the Olympics Opening Ceremony is just hours away.  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has announced he won't be seeking a second term. The Crime Prevention Group has high hopes for whoever takes over for him.  The Sports Huddle debates what should happen to the Canadian cheaters at the Olympics after more spying was revealed, and why are the All Blacks so media shy?  Plus, why do Dunedin scientists feature on the latest Kardashian reality show?  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.

An investigation continues into an incident at Manchester Airport, where an armed officer was filmed stamping on a man’s head.  The officer has been suspended, and the family has been demanding compensation.  But UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it’s alleged there was a lot more that went on leading up to the incident.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s government has set out over 300 reform measures during its Third Plenum this week.  The meeting – which takes place every five years – covered two major issues of national security and China’s economic recovery.  Asia business correspondent Peter Lewis says China wants to be global players in technology to avoid reliance on the West, but he isn’t convinced that will be enough to solve economic woes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and sports commentator Andrew Gourdie joined Heather du Plessis-Allan for the Sports Huddle.  The Football Ferns’ 2-1 loss to Canada has been mired in controversy, after the Canadians were found to have used drones to spy on the team’s training.  The All Blacks Sevens’ Olympic campaign has ended before the opening ceremony, after losing to South Africa 14-7 in the quarterfinals, leaving them to settle for the fifth placed playoff.  After three months, Jason reveals more about how his interview with Scott Robertson was finally arranged after three months in the making.  And the trio discuss New Zealand's Olympic medal prospects ahead of tomorrow's opening ceremony. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns in Otago about how much new freshwater rules could cost.  A case study by Federated Farmers Otago reckons it could cost as much as $110 million for two small Otago towns – roughly $50,000 per ratepayer.  They’ve since written to councillors, district mayors and ministers demanding that this information gets made public.  Otago Regional Council Planning and Transport General Manager Anita Dawe joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.