Larry Williams Drive

Precinct Properties plans to funnel over $300 million into housing in Auckland CBD. The company has announced it'll build student accommodation of 500 units on Queen Street, to boost housing in the city centre. CEO Scott Pritchard says moving toward residential property is a natural next step. "For a long time now, we've been developing commercial office - and in the last few years, we've sort of moved into mixed-use development where you add retail and other uses to offices." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's drafting legislation to change the Holidays Act 2003, and will put it out for consultation in September. It'll include proposals to pro-rata sick leave and move annual leave from an entitlement system, to one using accrual. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says she aims to simplify the Act so businesses can spend less time on workplace admin. "It hasn't really adapted to a modern, flexible work environment - which is what we're aiming to achieve." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a view the investigation of allegations against Te Pāti Māori should be more co-ordinated.   It's been alleged that information collected at Manurewa Marae was used to help the party's election campaign, which it denies.  Stats NZ has appointed an investigator, a complaint's been laid with Police, and the Privacy Commissioner says he's talking to agencies on next moves.   Commentator Bryce Edwards told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it should be approached in a more organised way.  He says each agency shouldn't all do separate investigations.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A business owner in Auckland's CBD says locals need to back the police. Police Minister Mark Mitchell led a public meeting to address increased crime rates last night, which grew strained at points. Queens Arcade property manager Ian Wright says crime has been on the rise across the nation - but he's confident things are headed in the right direction. "The whole system's gone too soft, the justice system needs a good look at - and all of those things are not going to change overnight." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's most stolen car - the Toyota Aqua - is now costing some as much as $3,000 a year to insure. Motor Trade Association spokesperson, Larry Fallowfield, says in the past couple of years, they've also become the most registered used car here. He says their lack of modern features means they're easier to steal - but owners can give them an upgrade. "Insurance companies are saying - if you fit in an immobiliser, then obviously there's a change to what your premiums look like." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's largest real estate agency experienced a significant boost last month. Barfoot & Thompson's property sales for May were up 30 percent on April and up 27 percent compared to May 2023. The agency's managing director, Peter Thompson, says the company's experiencing a small boom in demand, which has been lessened by the current interest rates.  "I think we're in for a quite a good little slow boosted market. Interest rates are still the big thing that's holding the market really taking off." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Ministry for Regulation has announced a review of the early childhood education sector. The minister in charge, David Seymour, says affordability, access and regulation currently weigh down the industry. Seymour says workers in the sector are burdened by constant rules and regulations as they try to educate the nation's youngest learners. "Fundamentally, we want people to spend less time engaged in regulatory activity, which may or may not be that useful - and more time on their core business." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was very interested in that Auckland Central crime meeting with the Police Minister last night. If it wasn’t that the thing was scheduled for 6:30, when this show was still on air, I would've gone along. I actually got Mark Mitchell's flyer in the letterbox inviting me to come along, cause I live in Auckland Central. And because I work in Auckland Central, I care very deeply about the crime in my neighbourhood, and I'm not happy about it - at all.We live within hearing of the Ponsonby shooting which happened a few weeks back, we constantly have unsavoury characters loitering on our street doing god knows what, we've got a couple of guys who’ve pitched a tent in the local park - they’ve been there for months - smoking weed flagrantly. I make a conscious decision at night-time to drive distances that I can actually walk simply because I don't think it's safe when it's dark. So as an Auckland Central resident, I want something done, and I want it done fast. And I realise there are some people who came out of t

Brexit champion Nigel Farage is making a comeback, dealing another blow to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Farage is standing as an MP, and will lead the right-wing populist Reform Party. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this comes off the back of some disappointing poll numbers for Rishi Sunak. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Jamie Mackay is celebrating a royal honour. Mackay was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the rural community. Listen to him outline this accomplishment here today. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling dairy processor Synlait has confirmed a significant majority of its farmer suppliers want to leave. The Canterbury-based organisation told yesterday's Australian securities exchange the exodus of most of its 280 suppliers was expected. Dairy insights consultant Stuart Davison says this comes off the back of a 'concerning' 18 months for the business. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has made a u-turn and promised to fund the cancer treatments that were left off last week's Budget. During last year's election campaign, National campaigned on spending over $280 million on 13 treatments. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this has been a PR disaster for the Government. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Defence Force is eyeing up New Zealanders to bolster its military. From July, Kiwis who have lived in Australia for 12 months can apply to join the ADF - and British, US and Canadian residents can join from next year. Their citizenship will be fast tracked. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says we celebrate ANZAC day every year. "As much as we take the mickey out of each other, we love New Zealand, New Zealand loves Australia. This actually makes sense if we have some sort of combined forces." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 4 June 2024, the Government is promising that it will make a decision on funding the 13 promised cancer drugs "very shortly". Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather when we can expect news. Oncologist Dr Chris Jackson says the 13 handpicked drugs aren't even the best drugs anymore. More than two thirds of Australians think the age limit on social media should rise from 13 to 16. The Huddle debates whether the Police Commissioner is right to call for shorter liquor shop opening hours and more expensive booze to curb alcohol related harm. Plus, what would make Heather quit? 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 contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and Hauraki host and author Matt Heath joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Has the Government made the right call in promising to deliver on the promised cancer drugs that got left off last year's Budget? Are they u-turning after seeing the public reaction? Should they just leave it to Pharmac to make funding decisions? A new poll from the Guardian says over two-thirds of Australian voters think the age limit for social media should be raised from 13 to 16. Do we think this will work? The Police Commissioner believes shorter opening hours for liquor shops and higher prices are the answer to the nation's alcohol abuse issues. Is this the right solution? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister promises there's been no change of mind when it comes to delivering on the promised cancer drugs.  The Government campaigned on spending about $280 million on 13 treatments, but the drugs weren't funded in last week's Budget. Nicola Willis says the Government will deliver on this commitment very soon.  "What we've had is a commitment to New Zealanders that we would fund those 13 cancer treatment drugs, and we are going to deliver on the commitment."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wants tighter alcohol regulation. RNZ has obtained documents under the Official Information Act showing police estimate alcohol harm costs about 7.8 billion dollars a year, compared to $1.8 billion for illegal drugs. Coster says measures should be considered, including only letting bottle stores open in day-time hours and charging more for alcohol. Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Andrew Galloway says these aren't new ideas. "The Government have been presented with these recommendations by both the Law Commission in 2010 and the Ministry of Justice in 2014. So he's not wrong." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One parenting expert warns increased age limits on social media won't stop kids from being harmed by the platforms. A new Guardian Essential poll revealed two-thirds of voters supported raising the minimum age for social media to 16 - a step above the 13+ limit for Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and the like. Expert Anna Martin says it's also important to develop trusting relationships with kids so they can understand the impact of the technology. "You're up against it with their peers and everybody else who's using it, which makes it difficult." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A change to defence recruitment in Australia is likely to put more heat on New Zealand's Defence Minister. In July, its Government will let Kiwis who have lived there for a year join their armed forces. They'll also let residents from the UK, US, and Canada join up from January. Former Kiwi Defence Minister, Wayne Mapp, says it will add pressure back here. "Especially for things like special forces - they can offer more pay and so forth. This is the kind of issue that the Minister has to deal with." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An expert says the Government should aim for the best drugs available, not be tied to an old list. National pledged to fund 13 cancer drugs during the election campaign, but didn't allocate any money in last week's Budget. The Prime Minister says an announcement on treatments will be made this year. Otago University Cancer Medicine Professor, Chris Jackson, says the list was based on what Australia has - that we don't. He says it didn't take such things as cost into account. "Personally, I would prefer saying - we've got this much money, and then letting Pharmac rank it and then get the best deals."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.