Larry Williams Drive

Experts are reminding people that employers can see when staff are venting or sharing insults on workplace communication tools. Two Ministry of Justice staffers who used inappropriate language on Teams to describe academic Barbara Sumner have been made public after she asked for all correspondence mentioning her name. Employment lawyer Joe Williams explained that anything sent on a work device or any workplace communication tool is fair game. "The simple point is - if you want to make sure it doesn't happen, then just be a bit guarded about your own data privacy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is hoping the Kāinga Ora board refresh will turn around its financial losses around. A new chair and deputy and six board members have been appointed to oversee the housing agency. It follows a damning review from Sir Bill English that concluded Kāinga Ora is not financially sustainable. Housing Minister Chris Bishop has also issued a Letter of Expectations demanding better performance. Bishop says the review of the agency recommends it reduce overhead and cut costs to become more financially viable. "Their build program is also something where I'd like to see them make real efficiencies in savings as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's increased efforts to position New Zealand on the world stage and make connections with the US. Prime Minister Chris Luxon is jetting off to the NATO summit and meeting with officials in Washington next week. He says he looks forward to forging stronger links with businesses and investors to help rebuild our economy. Former US Ambassador Tim Groser says the timing couldn't be more tense or important. "The key issue is what he's going to be able to perceive amongst the other leaders of NATO, given the confluence of the huge strategic threat from the Ukrainian situation and the resurgence of Donald Trump's chances of winning the presidency." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new type of e-scooter has hit Auckland's streets, with remote-control capabilities. Ario's three-wheeled variety can be moved off the street, after being left by users. General Manager, Adam Muirson says the three-wheelers are designed to help people who struggle with balance. "Pedestrian and disability advocacy groups were really impressed with how these adjustments are going to improve safety and access for everyone." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says many schools across the country welcome the idea of standardised testing in primary schools. Erica Stanford's announced next year, all children in their first year of schooling will do a phonics check to help teachers understand how well they read, by sounding out letters. Stanford says it's far from being controversial, despite criticism from Labour. "Look, I absolutely think there's a level of acceptance. Most schools are doing assessments, using tools - and they're doing it in a really good way." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is defending not opening up the Wairoa river bar earlier. Last week's downpour damaged more than 100 properties in the district, where a state of emergency lifted this morning. The Government has launched a quickfire review, including assessing locals' claims the river should've been cleared sooner. Council Chief Executive Dr Nic Peet says calls were made on information in front of them at the time. "You need some really specific conditions to open a bar, so you need a really decent flow in the river to shift probably 50,000 cubic metres of rock and shingles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is set to introduce standardised tests to ensure primary schoolers meet the right standards academically.  Phonics checks will start for new students as young as five next year, and become compulsory from 2026. Progress on reading, writing and maths progress for years 3 to 8 will also be monitored twice a year. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper voices his approval for these new measures. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden has lined up his first full interview for ABC News following the fallout of last week's debate. Biden will speak to veteran broadcaster and former Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos on Friday, with the 'extended' version airing on Sunday. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this interview won't alleviate the fears from prospective Democrat voters. "You can't unsee what we saw during that debate, that's the problem. They're going to continue to show that over and over and over again, the Republicans are going to use that in every commercial, every possible opportunity."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political collision looms within the Red Bull Formula One team concerning Liam Lawson. The Kiwi hopeful has the backing of the team's director of driver development, Dr Helmut Marko - but overall boss Christian Horner maintains loyalty to Daniel Ricciardo. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several former Gloriavale workers are planning to sue the Crown for negligence. Members of the group have accused public servants of knowing about the slave labour within the community - and refusing to do anything about it. Lawyer Brian Henry says these public servants knew about the witnesses who were interviewed and the allegations. "You just don't go to the potential criminal and say - did you steal that? And if he says no, he'll walk away. You actually go evaluate the evidence and look around further." LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has found himself the subject of mockery after claiming he wouldn't work past 6pm on Fridays if he was elected. Starmer has since been accused of planning to be a 'part-time' Prime Minister by detractors and the opposition. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's opened up a discussion about work-life balance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Jamie Mackay made an appearance at the Primary Industry Summit and Awards in Wellington. Listen to him unpack the highlights of day one here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices need to fall at least another 16 percent to become anything like affordable, one forecaster says. According to the Real Estate Institute, prices remain 15.9 percent below their 2021 peak - but Housing Minister Chris Bishop has indicated they need to drop down more. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the regulations on farmers being modified or scrapped by the coalition Government, Rabobank's CEO is urging farmers to watch their emissions. According to a new Rabobank research paper, the agriculture sector still needs to focus on reducing their output without restrictions.  Rabobank CEO Todd Charteris says the sector needs to keep moving forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says Paul Goldsmith's proposed new media bill could jump-start conversations about the future of news content in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Minister plans to implement an amended version of Labour's Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, forcing tech giants to pay for news content. News Publishers' Association Public Affairs Director Andrew Holden says it's worth discussing potential options with companies like Google and Meta. "We know news is of value to them, and what we want to do is sit down with these companies and say - journalism matters in New Zealand, you're getting value out of it, what do you think is a fair payment?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 2 July 2024, the Government has announced it's plan to help the struggling media industry. Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Heather why Facebook may boycott NZ media as a result and how he's trying to help Shortland Street. Wairoa mayor Craig Little is calling on Hawke's Bay Regional Council to apologise for its part in last week's devastating floods in the town. US law professor Randy Zelin speaks to Heather after the US Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump would have immunity on any official decisions he made as president. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Kainga Ora boss Andrew McKenzie should have been paid $365,000 to leave his job. 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, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government has introduced a new bill to require social media giants to pay to use New Zealand news content. Is this good news for the media industry - or will it backfire? The outgoing boss of Kāinga Ora has been given a $365,000 pay-out to leave. Was this the right move to oust the CEO of a struggling company? UK Labour leader - and possible Prime Minister by the end of the week - Sir Keir Starmer has claimed he won't work past 6pm on Fridays in order to spend time with his family. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A historic Supreme Court ruling has expanded the scope of US presidential power. The United States' top court has ruled six to three that former presidents can be granted immunity from prosecution over acts done in office. This means Donald Trump's alleged role in the Capitol riots in January 2021 likely won't make it to trial before the election. But Cornell University law professor Randy Zelin says the decision isn't as earth-shattering as it's being made out to be. "The Supreme Court is saying - we're going to take it case by case, there may be a presumption that the President was acting in an official capacity, but that presumption can be overcome."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, onto the outgoing boss of Kāinga Ora and his $365,000 pay-out to leave - no surprise here, but the tone that’s been adopted on that is that it’s massive. Mega. Eye-watering. No it’s not, that's tiny for a CEO. That's only half his annual salary, that's not a lot. When Tony Gibson quit the Ports of Auckland, he was on $820,000 a year, which is not that much more than the boss of Kāinga Ora - he got a pay-out of about $1 million. When Kevin Kenrick left TVNZ, he was on a salary of $560,000. That's less than the boss of Kāinga Ora and he got a pay-out of $2 million. Now it's not always apples and apples and I concede that, because there will be all kinds of weird little payments like holiday pay and bonuses and stuff like that in there. But the point I'm trying to make is that a payout for a CEO of only half their salary is us getting away lightly to get rid of the guy. And that is obviously what happened. It's pretty clear he didn't decide he wanted to quit, the new chair Simon Moutter sat down with him an

A coastal west Auckland community wants rules for driving on beaches tightened, after recent events. Auckland Council says the bylaws aren't fit for purpose. People who want to drive at Muriwai beach require a permit - but data indicated less than a quarter of drivers had obtained one. Muriwai Community Association co-chair, Clare Bradley, is unsure if  changing the bylaws would fix the wider issue. "We wouldn't contemplate having a shared pedestrian space where vehicles can be going 60-plus miles an hour on an unstable surface where there are people having picnics and trying to go for a swim." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.