Larry Williams Drive

Police are investigating several residential Auckland homes following five shootings in recent weeks. Two were last night in South Auckland, and the others happened within the last couple of weeks. South Auckland Councillor and former police officer Alf Filipaina says this shouldn't be the new normal. "It's just disgusting what's happening... whether it's gang related or not, people just realise that one of their relatives could well be shot." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no reprieve for Australian borrowers just yet, as the Reserve Bank decided to leave rates on hold. Australia's Official Cash Rate was held steady at 4.35 percent, in line with expectations from economists. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says people are screaming for relief - but the Bank is determined to bring inflation down. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been confirmed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will return to the centres for the Warriors' NRL visit to the Titans on the Gold Coast.He's been out with a hamstring injury for over a month. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks this update. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's increased support for efforts to trim court waiting times. The Chief District Court Judge has introduced protocols to speed proceedings, including time targets based on a crime's seriousness. Lawyer Steve Cullen says about 81 percent of cases meet targets, against a goal of 90 percent. He says setting up some cases can be a challenge. "You're dealing with people in the criminal sphere who often have reasons to opt for delay, whether it be the fact that they've got other cases on foot, or they've got their own personal issues that mean they don't want the matter progressed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 17 June 2024, it has been an embarrassing start to the Prime Minister's trip to Japan - after the Defence Force plane carrying the delegation broke down. Political Correspondent Jason Walls speaks to Heather from the centre of the drama - and later in the show Heather asks Finance Minister Nicola Willis whether it's time to buy a new plane.    Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson has revealed she's been diagnosed with breastcancer. Ah-Leen Rayner from the Breast Cancer Foundation says she hopes more women will get themselves checked as a result of the news.  Plus the Huddle debates the Government's new plans to allow granny flats to be built without a building consent.  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.

The BBC has reported that the Greek coastguard caused the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean.  This happened over a three-year period, witnesses say, including nine who were deliberately thrown into the water.  BBC analysis found that more than 40 people alleged to have died.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “The Greek government has long been accused of ‘forced returns’- which is illegal under international law.”  Grey said “The European Union has had some 263,000 sea arrivals in the last year alone – with Greece receiving 41,000.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National promised in the last election to allow foreigners to buy $2m-plus properties - reversing a ban introduced by the previous Labour government – with exceptions for Australians and Singaporeans.  However, this was vetoed by National’s coalition partner - New Zealand First.  Sotheby's NZ Managing Director Mark Harris told Heather du Plessis-Allan “New Zealand’s always been of interest – but there’s definitely been a lot of interest of late.”  Harris said “We’re half-expecting that there might be an announcement that there might be some easing of the foreign buyer rule.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Service sector activity has plummeted to its lowest level outside the Covid lockdowns.  The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Services Index (PSI) fell 3.6 points in May to 43.0.  Business NZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope told Heather du Plessis-Allan “It’s consistent with other data – like profit margins being below pre-Covid rates.”  Hope said “Corporate insolvencies are around the same level as during the GFC – it's a pretty tough time.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle: Sherson Willis PR’s Trish Sherson and Child Fund’s Josie Pagani.  There’s some unanswered questions about the cost of commercial flights  to Japan for Prime Minister Chris Luxon and his delegation.  Their Defence Force plane broke down yesterday in Papua New Guinea -- the latest in a string of issues.  Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters was asked if it's fair the taxpayer has to pick up the tab.   Peters said “In an emergency, you take emergency action.”  Josie Pagani told Heather du Plessis-Allan “The Prime Minister is the PR frontperson – but the work is the people with the Prime Minister.”  Pagani said “This is an absolute disaster, really.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's Chair says the airline's done its best to help with the Defence Force plane's failure.   The Prime Minister's business delegation flight broke down yesterday in Papua New Guinea, en route to Japan.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We’ve got a defence capability review under way – that includes being able to quickly get to the Pacific and around the world to help out after disasters.”  Willis said “That’s likely to include a plane capability.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government’s proposing changes to the Resource Management Act and the Building Act – to help make it easier to build granny flats.   This follows a commitment in the National-NZ First coalition agreement, which requires the government to " Make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60 square metres, requiring only an engineer's report".  Housing Minister Chris Bishop told Heather du Plessis-Allan “I think it’s going to appeal to a lot of different people – it's about housing supply.”  Bishop said “These are structures designed to get more people into warm, dry houses.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netsafe has launched an AI chat bot that will scam scammers.   It lets people forward suspicious emails to Netsafe - which uses Chat GPT to start a never-ending conversation with the scammer.  ReScam's first version was launched a few years ago, allowing simple exchanges.  Netsafe CEO Brent Carey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We've wasted six days of scammers time." Carey said "I've got one on the hook -  we're up to 62 back and forwards." LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson says she's feeling grateful that her breast cancer will be treated - and she has the care and support to focus on it.  Davidson will work up until Matariki, before a partial mastectomy next month and further treatment.  Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Ah-Leen Rayner told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We take it for granted in metropolitan areas that screening is readily accessible.”  Rayner said that for people living rurally - if you miss mobile-unit screenings, some may have to travel up to three hours.  She said "It's not equitable in terms of access." LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's business delegation was stranded when their Air Force plane broke down in Papua New Guinea.   Chris Luxon took a commercial flight to arrive in Japan - while the business leaders and media flew to Australia, to take a connecting Air New Zealand flight to Tokyo.  Political Editor Jason Walls is with the delegation. Walls told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We’re getting a sense that there’s some irritation.”  Walls said “There are some grumbled words about how this has shifted the focus and been a distraction.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's business delegation is beginning its trip to Japan again, after a detour through Brisbane.   The group was stranded when their Air Force plane broke down in Papua New Guinea.   Chris Luxon took a commercial flight to arrive in Japan on time, and the trade group and media flew on to Australia, to take an Air New Zealand flight to Tokyo.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan “Nothing gives you more pride than when the Prime Minister steps off an RNZAF plane – you’re not just waving the flag, it shows you’re a capable country.”  Soper said “We used to lease planes from Qantas.”  He said “They are for transporting troops – not just the Prime Minister's entourage. That includes journalists – and publicity is very important to them.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have agreed to properly manage their nations' differences during a visit.   This follows an era in which minister-to-minister contacts were banned and trade barriers cost Australian exporters up to 20 billion Australian dollars ($21.5 billion NZD) a year.   Australia Correspondent Oliver Peterson told Heather du Plessis-Allan “On the one hand: keep buying our iron ore and wine, but also we don’t really want you to talk to our Pacific neighbours and - get out of the South China Sea.”  Peterson said “It doesn’t really fit in with the narrative of our two nations at this stage.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Melbourne Storm beat the Warriors 38-24 at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, the sixteenth time they’ve won this match-up.  After scoring three tries at the beginning, the Warriors spent the rest of the game with their wingers Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the sin bin.  SportsTalk Host Jason Pine told Heather du Plessis-Allan “I’m sure the players would have said not to worry about the history... but 15 games seems like a very long time.”   Piney said “The Storm are a good team, don’t get me wrong, they’re top of the NRL.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four months ago, Wellington Water said plumbers weren’t qualified to repair the capital’s water crisis.  However, it's now been revealed that they're more qualified than Wellington Water's own workforce.  Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace told Heather du Plessis-Allan “The Workplace Development Council have agreed the NZQA standards that plumbers do, are more than what Wellington Water requires.”  Wallace said “In February, [Wellington Water] told us they had a workforce crisis, and they couldn’t fix the 3,572 leaks at the time.”  He said they make things as difficult as possible. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, we're just gonna have to pony up and buy a couple of new planes, aren't we?   Come on, this is the second time this year that this plane has broken down on Chris Luxon, and if he keeps on insisting on using these old girls, it's definitely not going to be the last time.   I reckon Al Gillespie made the best argument today for why we should have a plane that works - rather than flying the Prime Minister around the place commercially.   His argument is: When our Prime Minister turns up in another country, it's generally because we want something from that country, right? Either we want to trade with them, increase trade or we want them to do what we want them to do politically. So, we're there to impress them and we have to impress them, which is the whole point of a trip like this, right? You go on a trip like this: everybody has to dress up in their best suits, look like they mean business. The Prime Minister collects a group of smart and powerful people to impress the hosts. Bring the media along to lo

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 14 June 2024, the Government has committed to completely overhauling our gun laws. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee tells Heather what she wants to change.  Health NZ's Chief People Officer explains why a hiring freeze across his organisation is needed to save money urgently - and why it won't affect your healthcare.  The Huddle debates who should win in this weekend's Super Rugby Playoffs.  Plus the greatest hit of political memories... It's the 40th anniversary of Rob Muldoon's calling a snap - schnapps - election. Barry Soper remembers the night...  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.