Larry Williams Drive

Pharmac director Dr Anthony Jordan has announced he’s resigning from the board over the Government’s Treaty of Waitangi directive.  Associate Health Minister David Seymour told the drug buying agency earlier this week it was inappropriate for them to keep considering the Treaty’s place in the health sector.  Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Jordan was due to end his tenure in December, but board chair Paula Bennett says he will now leave effective immediately.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has spoken at the Republican National Convention after accepting the party’s nomination for November’s Presidential election.  The former President spoke for 90 minutes, covering a range of topics including his assassination attempt and jibes at his Democratic opponents, including former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and incumbent President Joe Biden.  US correspondent Dan Mitchinson has described the day as a three-ring circus, which also saw Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan and Dana White speaking prior to Trump.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A shock move could be on the cards for All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea.  Ahead of the All Blacks’ clash with Fiji in San Diego tomorrow – the number 8’s been linked with a potential move to Moana Pasifika from the Hurricances.  Meanwhile, the Warriors are in must-win mode if they hope to secure a top eight spot, as they face the Raiders in Canberra tonight.  Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Jack Tame.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland restauranter Mandy Lusk has penned an open letter calling on people and businesses to help the hospitality sector survive.  It comes after Ponsonby restaurant SPQR’s closure last week, and the Vivace owner says she’s heard of three other restaurants closing in the next week.  And her restaurant could be heading in the same direction.  Vivace owner Mandy Lusk joined Jack Tame.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two missing Britons have been found dead in a burned-out car in Sweden Investigations are still ongoing, but the case is being treated as a double murder. UK correspondent Enda Brady says a motive has yet to be found. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI boom is continuing to hype up investors, as new developments keep occurring. The rise of AI in art, literature, media and even medicine has experts speculating about future developments. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie unpacks the phenomenon - and the long-term implications of the technology. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first liquidators' report on Auckland's SPQR shows it owes creditors $2.24 million. The Ponsonby eatery was placed into liquidation last Thursday by special resolution of the shareholders and is no longer trading. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this is a sign of the times, as several iconic Auckland eateries have yet to recover from Covid and the economic downturn.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is set to begin a 15-stop tour next month to promote the Government's $1.2 billion fund for regional infrastructure. The Regional Infrastructure Fund will be spent over a three-year period and aims to fund projects designed around boosting growth, productivity and resilience. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday 18 July 2024, benefit sanctions have jumped by more than 50 percent. Green MP Ricardo Menendez March is not happy about it. 1News US correspondent Logan Church speaks to Jack after news that Joe Biden has been forced into isolation by Covid. Worst timing ever! SkyCity's Callum Mallett tells Jack he deeply regrets his company let dozens of customers gamble continuously in breach of their obligations. Plus, the Huddle debates whether it's a good move by the Government to cut excise tax on heated tobacco products. 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, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Ministry of Social Development has confirmed benefit sanctions rose 53 percent in the June quarter, compared to the year before. Is the tougher approach the way to go to reduce unemployment? On top of a rocky campaign, President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid. Is this the last straw for him? Does he need to step down? There's concern from experts after Associate Health Minister Casey Costello ordered a 50 percent cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. What do we make of this? Northland's Grant McCullum is calling on Transpower to compensate Northlanders with discounted transmission fees after last month's infamous outage. Will this help? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northland's MP says a business lost almost half a million dollars thanks to the recent major power cut. Grant McCullum is calling on Transpower to compensate Northlanders with discounted transmission fees for a year. Nearly 100,000 people lost power last month when a tower toppled after maintenance crews unbolted three legs of a pylon at once. McCullum says a big timber mill had to shut for five days - costing it nearly $500,000. "This is an opportunity for all Northlanders to get something back, because everyone was affected. Whether it was your people at home having cold showers - or that sort of thing." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SkyCity is apologising for failing to intervene with a repeat player in Auckland. A customer complained to Internal Affairs after gambling went continuously unnoticed on 23 occasions. SkyCity says a system failure meant they went undetected - and it's committed to improving its harm minimisation technology. Chief Operating Officer Callum Mallett says they'll close the casino for five days to work with the Department of Internal Affairs on how to improve. "We have an obligation at the five-hour mark to ensure that we have interactions with a customer, and we failed to do that. We're sorry for that, and we are focused on doing better." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's belief an increased police presence in Christchurch's CBD is a win for all. Police have launched their Community Beat Teams, which will have up to 18 new and experienced officers patrolling the garden city's commercial areas. Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says it acts as a deterrent for trouble-makers and helps those coming into the city feel secure. "For tourists, it provides a level of comfort and assurance - and it also helps the business owners and operators know that there's some extra support there for them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden has pulled out of a significant campaign event after testing positive for Covid-19. The White House says Joe Biden has mild symptoms - and will continue to carry out his duties from self-isolation in Delaware. US correspondent Logan Church says this comes at a terrible time, as Biden needs to prove he's fit and ready for a second term. "You've got to wonder at this stage how long Joe Biden can really hold on for...at this point, if you look at Joe Biden's public statements, he doesn't want to go anywhere."  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One member of the Greens says the caucus hasn't met for discussion on whether to invoke waka-jumping laws against Darleen Tana. Tana has left the party, but if she won't quit Parliament, the Greens can only replace her in their MP count if the Speaker removes her, an action the Party has historically opposed. Its report found Tana likely knew about alleged exploitation at her husband's business - E Cycles NZ - which is now in liquidation because of poor sales. Ricardo Menendez-March says he hasn't considered putting the issue to members at the AGM. He says it's up to members if they want to discuss it - but the right thing for Tana to do is resign. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PSA has won a case against the Ministry of Education, calling it a victory for the dignity and fair treatment of workers. The union filed proceedings at the Employment Relations Authority, claiming the collective agreement wasn't met relating to the Government's spending cuts - putting hundreds of roles on the line. ZB political editor Jason Walls says the Ministry has 28 days to file an appeal to the Employment Court. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in Australia, the unemployment rate rose to 4.1 percent in June. This is a higher figure than economists had predicted - and surpassed the previous figure of 4 percent. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says this has prompted concern regarding interest rates, as the Reserve Bank might have to factor this in for their next announcement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have named six debutants in their 23 to face Fiji at San Diego on the weekend. Billy Proctor starts at centre with five more uncapped players on the bench - George Bell, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Wallace Sititi and Noah Hotham. Only captain Scott Barrett, number eight Ardie Savea, first-five Damian McKenzie and right wing Sevu Reece start in the same jerseys from last week. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three unknown New Zealand high schools are refusing to enrol students expelled from their prior schools in defiance of legal orders sent by the Ministry of Education. New reports confirm the Ministry has sent 261 letters to unwilling schools, requiring them to enrol students excluded or expelled from elsewhere. While 251 schools have accepted the Ministry’s orders, two schools in Auckland and one in Waikato have refused to comply. Auckland Grammar Headmaster Tim O'Connor says taking in expelled students can potentially open up schools to additional risks. "The board has an obligation to create a safe environment for the students in its' care, so it becomes a bit of a conflict of interest when the Ministry is then directing a school or board to accept a student who has been deemed unsafe." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the UK, inflation has held steady at 2 percent - prompting calls for interest rate cuts. Prices across all sectors have taken a dive, with hotel stays being the lone exception. UK correspondent Gavin Grey outlines his prediction for when cuts will come. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.