Larry Williams Drive

Woolworths is calling on the Government to implement tougher changes amid an increase in retail crime. The retailer says physical assaults on staff jumped 50 percent in the past year, with 329 incidents against 219 from the year before. Security Association Chief Executive Gary Morrison says the current trespass laws need updating to protect workers. "It's not just trespass rules, we're talking about citizen's arrest, we're talking about breach of the peace, etc. So there's other opportunities there... we're in discussion with Minister Mark Mitchell about the same issues." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank goodness there is some common sense left in this country. Country Kindy has been given permission to stay open for another 12 weeks, at least. I’ve been fascinated by this story since we got wind of it at the end of last week. If you haven't been across it - last Thursday, it was announced that the Ministry of Education was going to close down Country Kindy from Monday. Then on Monday, it was announced that the kindy was taking court action to overturn the decision. And yesterday, it was announced that David Seymour had got involved in his capacity as an Education Minister, and the Ministry had agreed to allow it to stay open for the next 12 weeks while the court action takes place. Good. Because this situation is ridiculous. First of all, imagine the impact on the parents of those 22 kids who were told on a Thursday that from Monday - they need to find alternative care for their kids. Good luck trying to get kids into an early childhood centre with two days’ notice. Even in a place like Auckland with h

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to appear at this week's NATO summit, just days into his new role. It's widely expected the ongoing war in Ukraine will be top of the agenda, with growing calls for more aid coming from the region.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says Starmer is expected to do well under these circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of South Island dairy company Synlait Milk is up in the air ahead of a crucial vote to ensure its survival. A special shareholders meeting will be held on Thursday to approve a $130 million loan from its biggest shareholder, China's Bright Dairy. The Country's Jamie Mackay speculates which direction the voters will go. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is set to release their latest update regarding the OCR tomorrow afternoon. New Zealand's Official Cash Rate has been held at 5.5 percent for over a year, and economists don't expect that to change. Infometrics chief economist Gareth Kiernan outlined his predictions - and speculated when the Reserve Bank might introduce cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and journalist Paddy Gower joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The new Three News bulletin has been out for a few days following Newshub's demise - what do we all think? What's our verdict? There's no word on whether or not Darleen Tana will resign from Parliament yet - do we think she should? Can the Greens justify letting her go with waka-jumping laws? There's speculation that Labour is considering an inheritance tax later down the line. Will people go for this?  A Taranaki mother has launched a petition aimed at banning g-string bikinis at public pools. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 July 2024, Heather reveals parts of the Darleen Tana report after it was leaked to the show, and former Green MP Gareth Hughes makes a case why the Greens shouldn't force Darleen out of Parliament. Labour's considering advocating for an inheritance tax. Tax expert Geof Nightingale tells Heather who would have to pay and how much. Can you get cash out when you're with a digital bank? Dosh founder Shane Marsh tells Heather why they've applied to become NZ's first online-only bank. Plus, the Huddle debates whether G-string bikinis are acceptable at public pools after a mum started a petition to ban them. 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.

Award-winning finance app Dosh has launched a bid to become New Zealand's first locally-owned digital-only bank. The company has initiated an application to become a registered bank in New Zealand, with the goal of reducing costs for customers by cutting out physical branches. Dosh co-founder Shane Marsh says more and more users have switched over to using digital-only banking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government aims to make virtual inspections the default for building consents across the country. Some councils have expressed reluctance around remote inspections, while others have embraced it. Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says there are mitigations in place to avoid complications.  "For example, there's a geolocator function in the app that says you can pinpoint the property that's being inspected." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A legal expert says many employers struggle to deal with external threats and harassment risks. Auckland University microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles has been awarded $20,000 in damages over an employment dispute. She provided technical expertise as a commentator during the pandemic, and claims the university didn't protect her from resultant threats. Otago University Law Lecturer Dawn Duncan says the threats weren't coming from her employer, which hinders its ability to identify them and take action. "They needed to get better advice and they needed to implement it before the emergency situation happened." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says there's a conversation to be had off the back of a proposed ban on g-string bikinis. A Taranaki mother is calling for the 'pornographic' swimwear to be barred from public pools and drew over 150 signatures in a petition.   Sex and Relationship expert Jo Robertson says regardless of the outcome, it's a great conversation starter. "What do we do when our kids are seeing stuff that, maybe, we don't like? And we're all going to have different ideas about what we do and don't want our kids to see." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked report from the investigation into allegations former Green MP Darleen Tana was involved in migrant exploitation reveals the difficulties the investigator encountered and why it took more than 100 days to complete. The report also claims Tana’s husband, who is implicated in the allegations, gave evidence that “tended to obfuscate rather than elucidate”, which was one of the key difficulties holding up the investigation, and that Tana’s evidence “evidence shifted over the investigation”. It comes after Tana resigned from the party and Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says she feels “utterly betrayed” and lied to by Tana, claiming the report proves the MP’s actions fell short of expectations. Tana denies the report shows she was involved in migrant exploitation and claims the party had already made its decision regardless of the report’s content. The allegations relate to Tana’s husband Christian Hoff-Nielsen’s bicycle company, in which claims of missing pay formed a complaint to the Employment Relation

The Motor Industry Association is praising changes to the Clean Car Importer Standards. The Government is softening back targets for reducing vehicle emissions, which were being enforced by fining importers of 'dirty' cars. The Association says the targets will still be tough - but easier than they were. Motor Industry Association Chief Executive Aimee Whiley says it will make it easier for importers to manage their costs. "We get our mix of zero-emissions vehicles, and we can offset the credits we earn from those to gain some of the debit penalties." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Green MP says he's baffled the party hasn't ruled out using waka-jumping laws against Darleen Tana. The party has Tana to resign as an MP, after receiving a report on her knowledge of alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business. Tana has quit the Green Party, but says she doesn't accept the report findings. The Greens previously opposed laws that would now let them formally request Tana's removal from Parliament. Former MP Gareth Hughes says he'd be very surprised it they changed their stance. "It would be a huge departure for the Greens to use it, given their decades-long opposition to it under multiple leaders, multiple caucuses - they haven't used it in the past." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party is doubling down on their calls to encourage Darleen Tana to exit Parliament. A new report from an investigation into alleged migrant exploitation at her husband's business has inspired Tana to quit the Greens. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it's the right course of action for Tana should step down. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian outback town of Alice Springs has issued a three-night stay-at-home order after a weekend of violent incidents. These include a brawl involving 80 people and a knife attack on a 42-year-old woman. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the factors behind the crime wave are complicated - and it's unlikely the curfew will help. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NRL has ruled the Warriors should've received a penalty for a late tackle during their golden-point loss to the Bulldogs. Jaeman Salmon has received a two-match ban for dangerous contact on Te Maire Martin in an effort to pressure a field goal attempt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the issue further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's speculation that Labour is examining the possible benefits of an inheritance tax ahead of its next party conference. The party has reportedly taken inspiration from Ireland, where people are required to pay a 33 percent tax on gifts or inheritances worth more than €335,000 ($558,00 NZD). Independent tax expert Geof Nightingale says there's good arguments for the tax - but it's not without drawbacks. "It can get very complex to administer, because it's based on valuation. It can drive some really unwelcome economic behaviours, because you've got to find cash to pay it - therefore you might sell the family business or realise some assets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The winners of France's snap election may be certain, but deep political divisions means what'll happen next isn't clear. People are celebrating in the streets of France, after left-wing coalition - the New Popular Front - has fended off the far-right National Rally. It's a surprise result, reversing the National Rally's lead in votes last week. UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains the unprecedented final result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synlait Milk's future is hanging in the balance ahead of an upcoming vote impacting the company. On Thursday, a shareholders meeting will take place to determine if a $130 million dollar loan from China's Bright Dairy will be approved. Synlait chair George Adams unpacks the significance of the upcoming vote. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.