Larry Williams Drive

All Blacks captain Same Cane has called time on his international career at the end of the 2024 season. Cane has been released from the final year of his contract with New Zealand Rugby to sign with Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo for another three years. NZ Rugby general manager Chris Lendrum says they're still happy to keep Sam Cane around for the next few months before he starts his next chapter.  "We've got Sam with us for another 6 or 8 months, we're really happy for him and Harriet and his family that they've got an opportunity to sign their career off in the way they want." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks captain Same Cane has called time on his international career at the end of the 2024 season. Cane has been released from the final year of his contract with New Zealand Rugby to sign with Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo for another three years. NZ Rugby general manager Chris Lendrum says they're still happy to keep Sam Cane around for the next few months before he starts his next chapter.  "We've got Sam with us for another 6 or 8 months, we're really happy for him and Harriet and his family that they've got an opportunity to sign their career off in the way they want." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows food prices have shot up for the first time in three months - contributing to inflationary pressures. Stats NZ says food prices went up 0.6 percent on March, to be 0.8 percent higher than 2023 figures. Rent and petrol, two other key components, went up by 4.6 percent and 2 percent, respectively. ASB economist Kim Mundy says it's likely consumers will have to tighten their belts for longer to get inflation under control. "We don't think there's going to be enough evidence to convince the Reserve Bank that it has done enough to make sure that inflation is really back within target." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Transport's Chief Executive says changes to parking in the CBD are to give ratepayers relief. From July, motorists will have to pay 24/7 for parking, much of which was previously free on Sundays and outside 8am and 6pm. Dean Kimpton says the move was made to create the $74 million in savings that the Council has requested of it. He says that's alongside improving public transport. "This is what growing cities do. This is what we will do with any income we receive. We will look to make that transport safe and more frequent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Incumbent All Blacks captain Sam Cane is keen to have a last hurrah with the All Blacks this season. The 95-test veteran is pulling the pin on his international career at the end of 2024 to extend his time in Japan for another three years. Listen to Piney discuss Sam Cane's legacy with the All Blacks here. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victim advocates are questioning the process that allowed a convicted sex offender to gain a position on the High Court. In 2018, Adrian Dermer was jailed after he admitted to a sexual connection and violent charges with a 14-year-old when he was two months shy of 17. Dermer has now been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court. Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen says the Law Society has a comprehensive process when it comes to issuing the necessary certificate of character to practise law. "That committee would call for a variety of reports, the onus would be on the applicant to satisfy the committee that the were fit and proper - I would think any committee member would have to have regards to the totality of the circumstances." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 10 May 2024, Labour’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods responds to government criticism of the 2018 gas and oil exploration ban.   The New Zealand Defence force has had a budget increase, to the tune of $571 million. Defence Minister Judith Collins said this is a move in the right direction.   TVNZ enters mediation after cancelling Sunday and Fair Go, E tū negotiator, Michael Wood said they'll work as quickly as possible to reach an agreement.   The Warehouse closes TheMarket.com after sales worsen. Devon Funds Management head of Retail, Greg Smith told Heather, “They launched this in 2019 as New Zealand’s answer to Amazon.”    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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is on his first trip to Europe in five years, which is likely to be dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine as well as economic strains between Beijing and Brussels.  Asia business correspondent, Peter Lewis told Heather du Plessis Allan that European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed help to protect itself from Chinese imports.   Lewis said “Cina learnt very quickly about ow to make cars and they stole an edge in the EV market.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic growth in the UK has reached 0.1%, despite construction and retail being hit by a slow start to the year.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis Allan that the government has said their economic reforms are beginning to come good. However, the opposition is saying “you’ve been in power for more than a decade and it’s not looking good.”  Grey said “The general election is beginning to focus on the economy; and asylum seekers (which is very much unresolved)”.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse Group will close the online shopping website TheMarket.com in late June after about five years of business – after it failed to find a buyer.  Earlier this year, they sold Torpedo7 for $1.  Devon Funds Management head of Retail, Greg Smith told Heather du Plessis Allan “They launched this in 2019 as New Zealand’s answer to Amazon.”  Smith said “Part of this is about trying to improve the focus, they do seem to have lost their way,”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports Huddle with Matt Brown & Paul Allison: the scrapping of the scrum after the free kick.   Three laws are to be amended which World Rugby said will allow for a better fan experience by "increasing the spectacle, safety and game simplicity".   World Rugby has made changes to its laws to improve the "entertainment factor" of the game and make it easier for viewers to understand. Paul Brown told Heather du Plessis Allan “We’re sick to death of scrums being collapsed and using up time.”     Brown said “All the rules that are being proposed make good. Positive sense.”   LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Minister says New Zealand never wants to go to war - but the geopolitical situation is unstable. The Government has revealed 571-million-dollars from the Budget will go into military coffers." Defence Minister Judith Collins told Heather du Plessis Allan “It is a significant amount, and defence force will come up with a plan for it." Collins said “Since I’ve been Minister I’ve seen a big drop in attrition and we need to see it going in the right direction.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AUT says it's considering a controversial social media post made on the private account of the school's dean of law, Khylee Quince The post said: "I suppose it was inevitable that one of the old racist dinosaurs would make a pathetic squeal in an attempt to preserve the status quo... Mr Judd and 'matauranga Maori is not science' friends can go die quietly in the corner I actually don’t think AUT needs to do anything about this, because of freedom of speech But - if they leave this unchecked, it means AUT doesn’t mind this kind of discourse from its senior staff.    LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'll tell you what, this morning I woke up at seven basically on the dot and when I looked at the time, I thought jeez, it's seven and I pulled my charger out of my phone because just so that I wasn't the one who tipped the entire country into darkness.  It was a relief, wasn't it, that we managed to make it, make it through two hours this morning without the power going out.  Apparently, according to Transpower, it's basically the reason that we managed to do it is because we all chipped in.  We all did our bit, the major electricity users did there.  But in between all of us, we managed to save about 260 megawatts in terms of demand. And that's actually not a bad effort by us, because, yesterday the forecast was that they were going to be down 200 megawatts.  So, we did pretty well. But we need to talk about this because this is not going to be the last time this year that we get this message and that we have to rally and pull our phones out of the chargers, take the bike off the charge. Do not put the kett

TVNZ is being forced to go into mediation after cancelling high profile shows including Sunday and Fair Go. The Employment relations authority this afternoon found the state broadcaster broke a clause in the collective agreement it has with staff E tū negotiator, Michael Wood told Heather du Plessis Allan “We as a union will attempt to sit down with TVNZ over the coming week and try reach an agreeable outcome as quickly as we can." Wood said “If not, TVNZ will be required under this ruling to come back and comply with the collective agreement and follow the process properly.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled a 571-million-dollar funding boost over four years - including 163-million for bolstering pay. The rest will go towards upgrading tech and fleets - including the military's NH90 helicopters, and dated vehicles. Senior political correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “It’s about interoperability with our defence partners." Soper said “If you look at our spend compared to theirs, it’s small – this spend will bring us up to one percent of GDP.”  LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hurricanes will play The Blues tomorrow night at Eden Park.  The Hurricanes lead the competition on 42 points, followed by the Blues (41). The Hurricanes beat the Blues 29-21 on March 9. Sports Contributor Jason Pine told Heather du Plessis Allan “I’ve had a quick check on the odds: the Blues has favourites, according to the TAB.  Pines said “I think that’s to do with home advantage. It’s a hard place to win rugby if you’re not from there.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US correspondent Dan Mitchinson reports on Stormy Daniels and Trump, Biden and Netanyahu; and hospitals not doing surgeries unless payment is received in full Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis Allan, “Trump’s lawyers are continuing to attack the credibility of Daniels’ testimony Mitchinson said that Daniels responded with “If that story was untrue, I would have written it a lot better." LISTEN ABOVE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dodged a bullet this morning, but are we paying the price for Labour's mismanagement?  Grid operator Transpower asked households to conserve power this morning.  The Government's blamed a ban in 2018 on oil and gas exploration, for our short supply of natural gas.  The Labour Party’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods told Heather du Plessis Allan “It was the correct and right thing to do.”  Woods said "I'm concerned that the government has cut funding for other energy storage options."  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry received support from two of Princess Diana's siblings during his Invictus Games engagement. The Duke of Sussex attended the Invictus Games Foundation’s 10th Anniversary celebration alongside Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes. UK correspondent Enda Brady says this isn't a good look for King Charles, who was hosting a garden party nearby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.