Larry Williams Drive

One of New Zealand's smallest banks has posted significant earnings amid a boost in customers and lending. The Co-operative Bank today reported a 10 percent rise in full year profit, compared to last year's $11.5 million. CEO Mark Wilkshire says this comes on top of leading in customer satisfaction - which is a key priority for the company. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Luxon and Finance Minister Willis have fronted up to confirm the 2024 Budget will be more 'responsible' and 'careful' this time round. Nicola Willis says over the past six months ministers have evaluated hundreds of Government spending initiatives, line by line. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the proposed tone of this Budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 27 May 2024, senior doctors are warning that NZ's cancer service is at the brink of collapse. It's Budget week! Heather asks Finance Minister Nicola Willis whether her first budget will be transformational. Labour MP Duncan Webb tells Heather du Plessis-Allan why he wants Wilson Parking to lose access to our personal information. Plus the Huddle debates the five most complained about ads of all time - and what they say about us. 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, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Chris Wikaira, director of BRG, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Christchurch Labour MP Duncan Webb wants a crackdown on Wilson Parking over their use of customer data. Is this a fair call? What can we expect from this week's Budget? The narrative going on is that the Government will have to exercise restraint to ease the cost of living. What do we think? New data from the ASA has showed advertising standards have changed - is this a good thing?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says the current Government plans to exercise caution around spending ahead of Budget 2024. Thursday's Budget will still come with the promised tax cuts, but the main priorities for the Government are reducing inflation and interest rates. Minister Nicola Willis says the last six years of the Labour Government resulted in tougher financial conditions - so being careful is key. "The bit I'm always cautious about is anyone saying - the way to achieve greater growth is to just spend more Government money. We've had a Government who did that for six years, and it resulted in record inflation."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council has moved one step closer to determining the future of the city's stadiums. Quay Park and Eden Park 2.0 are in the running, as both will be recommended for further investigation and examined for feasibility. Shane Henderson, the stadium working group chair, says both options will be analysed in detail this coming Thursday. "Then we'll come back around the table in probably about nine months, but we'll see how that goes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Advertising Standards Authority released its latest annual report today - celebrating 50 years of complaints from the public. The medium has grown and changed over the past several decades, and so have the standards from audiences. ASA Chief Executive Hilary Souter says the areas that used to push buttons have changed, and certain topics have become less acceptable. "The things we don't see anymore are in an area we used to call - sexual appeal to sell an unrelated product. So cars, perhaps alcohol, there were the sexy images of women or men in terms of trying to sell the product." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Labour MP says Wilson Parking is abusing its rights - and wants the company's access to the personal information of customers revoked. Duncan Webb has written a letter to the Transport Minister urging NZTA to remove the ability for Wilson Parking to access the personal data they use to issue infringements. Webb says Wilson's ability to utilise the home address and number plate details of their customers is an 'abuse of power'. "They're claiming damages for you not paying your parking. That's the kind of language they use - an infringement, a breach notice, you can appeal it. That's the language of the courts, and that kind of misleading conduct just isn't on."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Regional Cancer Treatment Service, caring for patients across the middle of the North Island, hasn't been allowed to recruit needed doctors. An internal report 18 months ago recommended hiring four senior doctors, one part time, but none have been. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director, Sarah Dalton says the report was never officially signed off. "Not only have they not appointed extra staff or approved the process to appoint extra staff, but they haven't put any mitigations in place to recognise the extra work being done by the remaining doctors." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The murder of a mother and daughter in Western Australia has pushed the region's Government to strengthen gun laws.  On Friday afternoon, a man shot a 59-year-old woman and her 18-year-old daughter in their Floreat home while allegedly searching for his ex-wife. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the new laws will ensure limits are in place on the number of registered guns owned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have once again overcome a plethora of missing players to beat the Dolphins 24-20 in their NRL contest. Trailing 16-12 at the break, two second-half tries gave the hosts a 24-16 lead ultimately holding on for the win.  Sportstalk host Jason Pine unpacks this weekend's victory here today.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has embraced a report revealing the industry contributes over a billion dollars to the economy. In last year's season, almost 10,000 people worked in the industry - and race attendance was at under half a million. Chief executive Bruce Sharrock says the company has been experiencing rapid growth over the last 6 to 8 months. "There's certainly some green shoots appearing for continued growth, that's for sure." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 24 May 2024, Dunedin is reeling after a 16 year old was stabbed to death at a bus stop and a 13 year old charged with his murder. Mayor Jules Radich tells Heather security guards don't have enough powers to intervene.    Where'd the $51 million go? Wellington Water's CEO Tonya Haskell says a "spreadsheet error" led to a massive budget hole.  The Sports Huddle debates the big question that divides the rugby community.  Plus step aside boomers and Gen-X...The Catholic church has named a Millennial as the first saint in 100 years.  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.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s law to ban smoking for future generations could be dropped, after it was not fast-tracked in the lead up to the general election.  The UK Labour Party has promised to bring in the ban if it wins the election in July.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis Allan “Both sides of the house are debating what they’ll managed to get done, before Parliament is put on hold for the general election.”  Grey said “The problem is, every time a country gets near doing, something thwarts it.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is encircling Taiwan in a series of military drills - just days after Taiwan’s president was elected.   The Chinese military says the onslaught of planes, war ships and coast guard vessels is punishment for what it's calling "separatist actions".  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “This is a step up from what we've seen before.”  Lewis said “For the first time ever, China has simulated a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week.  National’s New Plymouth MP David MacLeod has been stood down from his select committee roles after failing to declare 19 candidate donations.  MacLeod received $168,335 in donations in 2022 when he first became the National Party candidate.  Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “To forget that is incredible. It’s pretty obvious from the electoral law.”  Soper said “Chris Luxon wasted no time at all in removing him, as he has done in the past.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resource Minister Shane Jones has come under pressure from Labour and the Greens, over the Government's new plans for mining.  Jones wants to bolster gold and coal mining across the country, and to have a renewed focus on value-add refining.  Greenpeace NZ executive director Russell Norman told Heather du Plessis Allan “He’s getting rid of all environmental constraints expect one - mining in national parks – because that got him in trouble last time.”  Norman says “There’ll be no environmental balance to his desire to put a commercial incinerator next to your house.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Blacks captains Richie McCaw and Ian Kirkpatrick have urged New Zealand Rugby to change their governance structure.  Meanwhile, nearly 1.59 million New Zealanders have watched NRL matches on Sky Sport and free to air on Sky Open, a lift of 14 per cent from last season.  Sports Journalist Lavina Good told Heather du Plessis Allan “The Warriors don’t even have to win for people to love it.”  Good says “The game [rugby union] is in disarray. Everyone is watching rugby league.”  Sports Journalist Jim Kayes says “Rugby is still rating as well as it has done in the past – there's no reason why you can’t watch both codes.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie McCaw is urging New Zealand Rugby to change the way they’re governed based on an independent review - emphasising long-term benefits over short-term interests.  McCaw has warned that New Zealand rugby may lose the unity that has historically strengthened the sport from grassroots, to the professional level.  Former All Blacks Captain Ian Kirkpatrick told Heather du Plessis Allan “It’s time for change. Changing administration will change the game too, we hope.”  Kirkpatrick said “The game has become so gladiatorial, that mothers don’t want their kids to play.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Defence Force evacuation flight from Noumea has landed in Auckland today - with 49 passengers.  It's our third group to return - and it's understood 160 New Zealanders are still in the French Territory.  Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told Heather du Plessis Allan “We think we might have it resolved by the end of the week.”  Peters said “We’ve got security issues, that those on the ground will better understand.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.