Larry Williams Drive

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A new review has revealed Kāinga Ora has been left in a poor state, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop placing the blame on the previous Government. How can this be addressed? The investigation into Darleen Tana has so far cost $43,000 - in taxpayer money. The Greens don't know how long it will take to complete the investigation - are we concerned? How much will it cost by the end? Former Olympian Mahé Drysdale is the latest to throw his hat in the ring for the Tauranga mayoralty. Can celebrities really be trusted in political roles?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minster says credit agencies are still looking favourably on New Zealand, despite high debt levels. Treasury told the Government it was running a structural deficit the day it was sworn in; the Labour Government was never told. It comes as Nicola Willis gears up to deliver her first Budget next Thursday. Willis says it's important to show New Zealand won't be in perpetual deficit. "We do need to show a path back to balanced books, we do need to show that in the medium term, we're going to get debt down. Because otherwise - the alternative part is the basket case." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first online survey is being presented as a chance to analyse how society treats those with limited time. Over 40,000 people die in New Zealand each year, with close to 90 percent often taking months or years. Hospice's Dying Reviews let respondents reflect and share their experience of a terminal illness. Hospice NZ CEO Wayne Naylor says they hope to shine a light on the experience of dying in New Zealand.  "What we want to know is - are businesses making it easy? Are organisations making it difficult? Are there millions of forms to fill in just because you're dying?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes a new boss will bring fresh energy to the struggling Warehouse Group. Independent non-executive director John Journee has been appointed interim chief executive following Nick Grayston's abrupt resignation last week. The board is now looking for a new chief executive to replace Grayston, who was in the role since 2016. Board chair Joan Withers says elevating a member of the leadership team to the role wasn't considered, due to its financial position. "So it's about us supporting the leadership team to get on and do the job they need to do, day in and day out, to get the Warehouse back on track." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Kiwi stuck in riot-stricken New Caledonia says they're dealing with a wait-and-see situation. The Defence Force is standing by for French authorities to green light flights to collect Kiwis. 231 are registered in the country. Alex Smeele says he's seen burnt out cars, a digger ripping up the road and flaming tyres on the verge. "I'm curious to understand the overall timeline on that - knowing how many planes will be coming." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Housing Minister has responded to the 'mismanagement' impacting Kāinga Ora - and enacted some changes. A high-level review of the agency has revealed it's under-performing and isn't financially viable without significant savings. The Government has today appointed a new Chair, former Spark CEO Simon Moutter, and a refreshed board will be in place by July. Minister Chris Bishop says the Government's been bequeathed a difficult situation from their Labour-led predecessors.  "Kāinga Ora is a financial basket case, they have received billions upon billions of dollars in debt over the last few years." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think we’re about to find out whether this Government has got the cahones to make the tough calls that need to be made on one thing in particular: Asset sales.If you've been reading political commentary lately, including in the weekend papers, there's been a lot of talk of the need for asset sales. Why? Because as we said earlier, we have a structural deficit. Which is a very bad thing because it means we are, thanks to Grant Robertson, now spending more than we earn - on the regular. Treasury's advice for how to fix it? Asset sales.But asset sales are politically tricky because of the hangover of the 80s. So Chris Luxon's already ruled them out. But he shouldn't have, because we actually need to do this. Not just because we need the money, but because selling them down makes them better. Treasury basically admitted this in a report 2 years ago. The ones we own 100 percent have “underperformed their cost of capital” with “ Revenue, earnings and dividends “ all trending “down over the past five years." The o

Over in Australia, NSW authorities have arrested at least 500 people for domestic and family violence offences. A four-day operation was carried out from Wednesday to Saturday - where 554 people were arrested and 1,070 charges were laid. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson wonders why it's taken so long to carry out these arrests, given several had outstanding warrants.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have snapped a four-game losing streak in league's NRL by posting a win over the three-time premier Panthers. Tuaupiki's try in the 71st minute tied the game before his conversion from out wide proved the decider in the 22-20 win.  Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains the victory further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mental Health Foundation is appealing to the Education Minister to leave relationship and sexual education standards alone. Minister Erica Stanford says the Government plans to look into reviewing and replacing the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) guidelines, which were last updated in 2020. It's prompted an open letter signed by 175 schools, organisations and community groups - sent to Erica Stanford. Foundation CEO Shaun Robinson says young people are experiencing high levels of mental distress. "One of the things that they are saying very clearly that they want guidance about is - relationships, sexuality and identity." LISTEN ABOVE    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 17 May 2024, flights in and out of New Caledonia have been delayed until at least Tuesday as riots continue. Air NZ's Captain Hugh Pearce tells Heather how tricky the security situation is for crew and passengers.  Green MP Julie-Anne Genter has been doing the mea culpa media round, so will all be forgiven and forgotten?  Three A-league players have been arrested in Australia for alleged betting corruption, including an All Whites player and a former Phoenix captain. Former Phoenix player Paul Ifill reacts and the Sports Huddle weighs in too.  Plus is this the worst sound ever? A crunchy burger?  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.

A man has been charged with attempted murder, over an apparent attempt to assassinate Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.  Fico remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being shot several times during a walkabout.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis Allan there’s been reports that the suspect is a 71-year-old, but other than that not much is known.   Grey said “Others are saying his motive was the Slovak government’s stance on the media – they are cracking down on Newspapers.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vladimir Putin has arrived at Harbin, China’s ‘Little Russia’.  He is visiting a China-Russia trade fair today to highlight the strong economic ties between the superpowers.  Asia Business Correspondent Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan “Putin wants ongoing support from China, and access to China’s financial system.”  Lewis said Putin needs to pay for things in other than USD, because Russia doesn’t have access to that system.   LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper wraps the political week.  We’re two weeks away from the Budget, the deadline by which government agency chief executives were asked to find 6.5 percent in savings.  But Chris Luxon says it doesn't end with the Budget -- he wants it to be the start of a permanent culture shift within ministries.  Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “Chris Luxon’s budget speech didn’t tell us much, except not to expect a lolly scramble.”   LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen has been accused of lying about phone call at Trump hush-money trial.  Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for allegedly paying off film star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had sex with him. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis Allan “They were throwing everything they could against him - to try paint his entire testimony as a giant lie.”  Mitchinson said “I think this was one of the few times that Trump actually opened his eyes in court.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All White Clayton Lewis reportedly among three A-League players arrested by New South Wales Police for match-fixing.   This comes as the A-League’s finals rapidly approach - Wellington's Sky Stadium has sold out Saturday’s semi-final between the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory.  Weekend Sport Host Elliott Smith told Heather du Plessis Allan “They couldn’t have picked a worse time for this to come to light.”  Smith said “It’s cast a shadow over the game.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All White Clayton Lewis is reportedly among three A-League players arrested by New South Wales Police for match-fixing. According to Australian media, all three play for Macarthur FC. Lewis was arrested alongside captain Ulises Davila and midfielder Kearyn Baccus. Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Heather du Plessis Allan “Davila was possibly taking instructions from a Mexican cartel.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday, as civil unrest continues.  Air New Zealand says it will only resume services when it can guarantee safety for ground staff and customers.  Air New Zealand’s Captain Hugh Pearce told Heather du Plessis Allan that it’s one thing for the airfield to be opened and operating, but it’s another thing for people to safely get to and from the airfield.  Pearce said “Our thoughts are with those people on the ground.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green MP Julie Anne Genter has publicly promised her outburst will not happen again.   The Rongotai MP is facing formal complaints after shouting in Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey's face.  Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “Today she was laying it on with a trowel.”  Soper said “She’s trying to circumvent what she could face before the Privileges Committee when parliament begins next week.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Phoenix will face the Melbourne Victory tomorrow night in the A-League semi-final.   Meanwhile, the captain of Macarthur FC has been accused of paying two teammates up to $10,905 NZD to deliberately receive yellow cards.   Newstalk ZB sportsreader Andrew Alderson told Heather du Plessis Allan “You’re asking for trouble” - regarding the involvement of sponsorship and betting companies being involved in football leagues.  Alderson said “You take your reputation and integrity into your hands, if you go down that path.”   LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.