Larry Williams Drive

The sky's the limit for aspiring pilots, as Air New Zealand launches their Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship scheme. The program is open to applications - and will fast-track the journey from becoming a commercial pilot from 24-36 months to approximately 14 months. The airline's Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, Captain David Morgan, says it's important they future-proof their pilot ranks. "There's a global shortage of pilots, and that shortage has just continued to grow over time. Airlines are expanding, Air New Zealand will grow - and also, there's an aging pilot issue."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ is standing by its processes, despite upset over staff having to pay back money received in error. The Nurses' Union is raising concerns over the pay back request, as Health NZ still owes workers $2 billion in under payments. HNZ Chief People Officer Andrew Slater says at any one time, only about one million in errors is being chased across a $10 billion pay roll. "This is just us making sure that people are paid accurately - and we are working with taxpayer money wisely." Slater says they're incredibly frustrated at what it owes workers, and they're working round the clock to fix this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prosecutors are considering a fourth trial after a former Australian NRL star's rape convictions have been quashed again. Jarryd Hayne has been released on bail, after spending a year behind bars for being convicted of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent last April. The verdict has been overturned on the basis that the judge didn't allow further cross-examination on the complainant. Australian lawyer Michael Bradley says it's in no one's interest for a rape case to be tried three times. "It's appalling for everyone, it just underlines how broken the system is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police helicopter and checkpoints are being used in Marokopa in the search for Tom Phillips and his three children. Police announced an $80,000 reward yesterday - and say they've had an increase in emails, calls and visits since. Waikato Herald reporter Maryana Garcia says police are stopping cars going in and out of the town and the chopper has been up all day. "The chopper's been flying over the Marokopa area, it came through this morning and it did a loop around that coastal area." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Look, I have got the point where I personally think St John ambulance service is so broken that I'm not sure I would rely on it in an emergency anymore.Today, the union representing the ambulance workers has announced it’s launching industrial action - indefinitely.It says St John first said there was no money for pay increases - then did make a pay increase offer, but it wasn't good enough. So the union said no and counter-offered, and every time they've counter-offered, they say St John just refuses to address it. So as a result, they will still be doing be doing code purple and red call outs, which is cardiac arrest and life threatening stuff. But they are not committing to doing anything else indefinitely. So basically, until they get a decent pay offer. This could go on for a year, they said.Can you imagine how much worse this is going to make St John? Because it’s already not flash. There's a story in the papers today of a 72-year-old guy who called St John to say he was having a heart attack. He knew h

Rural communities are elated to see their repeated concerns being heard. The Finance Minister has asked the Finance and Expenditure and Primary Production Committees to lead a joint inquiry into rural banking. Federated Farmers says rural New Zealanders are facing huge financial pressures - worsened by unfair interest rates. Spokesperson Richard McIntyre says it's causing farmers to sell up. "It's the banks making excessive profits and it's a lack of competition in the rural banking space. We've only got 5 rural banks, but we have about 18 in the residential space." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has asked the Finance and Expenditure and Primary Production Committees to lead a joint inquiry into banking. The investigation will be primarily focused on rural banking, and submissions from banks and chairpersons and chief executives will be expected. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explained what this means for the wider rural sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The son of President Joe Biden has been found guilty in another new US legal first. Hunter Biden was found guilty of three offences - for lying about illegal drug use when buying and keeping a gun in 2018. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the younger Biden's verdict has opened discussions about Biden's chances at the presidency. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Caps coach Gary Stead's hinted at tweaks - rather than wholesale changes - to their team for tomorrow's must-win T20 World Cup clash with the West Indies. New Zealand were rolled for 75 - their fourth lowest total in the format - during an 84-run drubbing by Afghanistan in their tournament opener. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the issue further.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a big worry at the number of skilled New Zealanders flowing out of the country. Latest figures from Stats NZ show more than 130,000 people left in the year to April - the highest on record. A record 81,200 New Zealand citizens made up majority of the departures. Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley says we're losing a lot of talented people - mainly young, recently graduated Kiwis. "Right across the board: teachers, all our professionals are being recruited because they're actually good - and they're being recruited for other countries, particularly Australia." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced some scorn from leaders and the public over his actions at the D-day commemorations. Several world leaders and surviving veterans gathered for the event's 80th anniversary, and Sunak drew ire by leaving early. UK correspondent Enda Brady says voters won't forgive this. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's move to scrap agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme has been welcomed by rural leaders. The newly-scrapped scheme would see farmers charged for additional emissions units used above their allotted allowance by 2025. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Government needed to focus on 'practical tools' that wouldn't reduce production or exports for Kiwi farmers. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford approves of this choice - but claims there's still significant work to be done.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has has used the launch of a new build-to-rent facility in Auckland to announce new rules for the Overseas Investment Act. More money will be directed towards build-to-rent developments - and foreign investors will have a streamlined pathway to acquire land for said developments. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says this move will likely add to the nation's housing supply over time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a big week for the rural community, as crowds flock to Waikato for Fieldays 2024. From June 12 to 15, people will gather at Mystery Creek for the 56th running of the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere. The Country host is predicting a 'subdued' mood from attendees ahead of this year's event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins has overtaken the Prime Minister on net favourability, as support dropped for the coalition. A Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll had Chris Luxon tumbling 13 points to negative five percent, with Hipkins up 4 points to three percent. Both ACT and New Zealand First leaders have also seen a drop, with David Seymour down 11 points and Winston Peters down 14 points. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says it'll be a while before voters see what the Government has achieved. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 11 June 2024, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley gives an update on his homicide investigation following the death of a Te Kuiti baby. The Climate Change Minister tells Heather why farmers shouldn't be paying for their emissions and will definitely be excluded from the Emissions Trading Scheme. The Commerce Commission has revealed the fuel price trick that costs motorists millions every year. Plus, the Huddle debates whether it's time we stopped paying politicians an accommodation allowance if they own the place they're staying in. 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, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! It's been revealed agriculture will be taken off the Emissions Trading Scheme. Is this the right call for New Zealand's emissions profile? Waikato authorities have offered 80,000 to finally find the missing Marokopa father and children. Will this help flush out anyone with information? Labour's Chris Hipkins has pulled ahead in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll, and National is lagging. How much should voters read into this? Can the coalition turn public opinion around?  Labour's Kieran McAnulty raised a few eyebrows for claiming a political housing perk to live in his wife's apartment - is it time we scrapped this entitlement for MPs? LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has reported observing breaches of UNSC sanctions against North Korea during patrol missions. The P-8A Poseidon flew 11 missions to detect and deter evasions of UN during April and May - and allegations of illegal ship-to-ship transfers have surfaced. RNZAF No. 5 Squadron Commanding Officer Mark Whiteside says they detected multiple transfers that could potentially contain banned goods, such as oil or coal.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumer NZ is calling on banks to refund people targeted by scams. The watchdog launched a petition and campaign urging the Government and other agencies to better reduce harm for scam victims. Campaign manager Jessica Walker says Governments in places like the UK, Australia, and Singapore have made moves to protect people. "So what we're asking our Government is just to do the same - to offer New Zealanders the same protection so we are no longer at the mercy of these cyber criminals." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission says the delay in companies dropping the cost of petrol when company costs fall is costing Kiwi motorists $15 million a year. It's warning fuel companies it'll be watching prices when Auckland's regional fuel tax kicks in next month. AA principal policy advisor Terry Collins says petrol companies will be acting quickly come July to avoid further criticism. "I've been talking to contacts within the industry, and they're very keen to ensure that the Auckland motorists get their full 11.5 cents - one of the large majors has got a big team who are trying to get it done by midnight." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.