Larry Williams Drive

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 4 August 2025, Education Minister Erica Stanford explains why she's scrapping NCEA and how our school kids will be assessed in the future. Former top cop Jevon McSkimming appeared in the Wellington High Court today after being charged with possession of objectionable material. Herald Investigations Journalist Jared Savage tells Heather he allegedly had child exploitation and bestiality content on his devices. Can we really negotiate a better trade deal after the US slapped us with a surprise 15% tariff? Finance Minister Nicola Willis is hopeful. From "circling back", to cringe LinkedIn posts - two comedians have come up with the guide to mastering the corporate world and its "office wankery". Plus, the Huddle responds to the big changes to the NCEA regime and Trish and Josie confess to using some office jargon. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LIS

You can't accuse Erica Stanford of mucking around, can you? NCEA is gone. Marks out of 100 are back, grades from A to E are back, needing to pass 4 subjects at least in order to get the qualification is back. Now, how long have we been talking about the need to do this? About the fact that NCEA is rubbish, that it's been gamed, that it's not respected by employers, that it's not understood by parents? How long have we talked about this?  And then within 18 months of Erica Stanford taking over the education portfolio, the changes are made.  This is absolutely, by the way, the right thing to do. Nowhere, in none of the assessments of what's happening at NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3, do you hear anyone say - hey, you know what, this is a good system. It's always criticism. The ERA had a look at NCEA Level 1 last year and they found such big problems with that they recommended getting rid of it. NZQA last year found only half of year 12 students actually finished 3 full subjects. They didn't

White-collar workers will be familiar with workplace annoyances - including unnecessary meetings, corporate acronyms and an overuse of LinkedIn - and it's all been observed by a pair of Aussie comedians. The duo put modern workplace culture under the microscope in their book - 'Wankernomics'. Co-author James Schloeffel says he's spent a long time in the corporate world and he's used this book to discuss the issues he's observed over the years. "But I think, also, it's a way for other people to have that therapy session too. It is quite cathartic, I think, reading this book." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has claimed it's 'unlikely' that New Zealand will be able to make Trump change his mind about the tariffs - and many experts agree with that sentiment. Trump recently raised New Zealand's tariff rate to 15 percent, while keeping Australia and the UK at 10 percent. Trade Minister Todd McClay will head to Washington in the coming weeks to argue our case, but Felicity Roxburgh from the International Business Forum agrees Trump is unlikely to budge. "We do believe it's still worth making an attempt to go and talk to them. The other thing to remember is that we have supported, more or less, the Government's approach." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's proposing to entirely phase out NCEA within five years - saying New Zealand needs a schooling system that sets students up for success. It wants to scrap NCEA over the next five years, in favour of a literacy and numeracy test in year 11 - and certificates the next two years. Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's worth creating something New Zealand can stand behind, rather than leaning on systems like the Cambridge Exams.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming might have struggled to hold on to his suppression order. He faces eight charges of possessing objectionable material containing child exploitation and bestiality.  A gag order lapsed today.  NZ Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage revealed major media companies had joined to oppose the order continuing. "Given the significant public interest in this, I think it would have been very hard for a judge to maintain the status quo." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's pushed forward in overhauling NCEA, and it's sparked debate among experts. The Government wants to phase out the school qualification system in five years, replacing level one with a literacy and numeracy test, and level two and three with Education Certificates.  Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks these changes - and reveals why a change to the system is overdue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Premier of the Australian state of Victoria has announced plans to enshrine working from home into law. Under Jacinta Allan’s plan, workers would be entitled to work from home at least two days per week - if the role allows for it. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says business groups have since hit out at this move - and claimed this would decimate CBD spending. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A glass half-full mindset from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after naming a group of six players as injury cover for the start of their Rugby Championship campaign. Uncapped trio Kyle Preston, Leroy Carter and Tevita Mafileo - along with Finlay Christie, George Bower and Josh Lord - comprise the back-up unit in the 42-strong wider squad. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's North Shore Hospital has a 20-bed ward full of people, with no medical reason to be there. It was created in May for medically discharged patients who still require lower-level help from places like an aged-care facility, who have nowhere appropriate to go. Some stay for weeks, looked after by nurses and allied staff such as physiotherapists and social workers. Sarah Dalton from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says it's a sign of the nation's inability to properly resource community-based care. "We shouldn't just think about hospitals when we think about access to healthcare." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday 1 August. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has increased New Zealand's tariff from 10% to 15%. This increase comes as Australia remains on the previous 10%, prompting questions around the New Zealand government's handling of negotiations.  Former trade negotiator Stephen Jacobi told Heather duPlessis-Allan that this increase could have a bigger impact than many people realise. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ on Air has its fingers crossed its financial support of Shortland St won't be forever.  New Zealand's longest-running drama's been granted 2.5 million in funding for its 2026 season, to help the show transition to the audience's preference of online viewing.  NZ on Air CEO Cam Harland told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they also provided funding last year, but hoped it would assist the show moving to a more financially sustainable place.   But he says the economic environment for ad funded media hasn't improved.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales is celebrating its new programme - poaching cops from other states - and abroad.  21 experienced, poached, officers are graduating in the Australian state today - seven of them from New Zealand.  The New South Wales Police Minister, Yasmin Catley, is attributing it to a historic pay rise last year - making them the best paid officers in Australia.  Catley told Heather du Plessis-Allan she makes no apologies for taking police from elsewhere.   She says the graduates are looking forward to the endless opportunities in New South Wales.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, was our government too relaxed about the tariffs then?   Cause this is a shock today – isn't it? To find out that we’ve just been bumped up to 15% while Australia and dozens of other countries have stayed on 10%.  Now, it seems to be related, most likely, to our balance of trade and that the US has a trade deficit with us. So we get 15%, but then a trade surplus with Australia, so they get 10%. So perhaps it was inevitable and unavoidable, as long as the balance of trade sat like that.  But then, on the other hand, Australia did kind of lock that in as well. They lifted their ban on US beef imports while we did nothing. Should we have done something similar Because if there's one thing that we know about Donald Trump, it's that he's a trader.  South Korea had their tariff dropped from 25% to 15% by promising to buy $100 million worth of LNG. Sir Keir Starmer sucked up to Trump with a letter from King Charles.   Now we don’t actually know what our diplomats were doing, because they

The Trade Minister's hitting the phones, as it's confirmed US tariffs on New Zealand will be higher than when they were first announced. The Trump administration has confirmed base tariffs will now be 15 percent -- up from 10, in a decision that impacts countries including New Zealand. It's believed the new rate applies to those with a trade deficit with the US. Todd McClay told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he's seeking an urgent call with American representatives on this. He says it's disappointing and challenging for exporters, and while there are opportunities, tariffs aren't good for trade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is facing a shortage of school board members, as only 60% of the 10,000 required spots have been filled.  School Board Association President Meredith Kennett says that it’s up to community members to get involved.  She told Heather duPlessis-Allan that, ‘it's important that communities continue to get engaged in their school.’  Although the numbers look sub-par now, Kennett says she is expecting a boost in numbers over the weekend.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump's flown back to the US after a brief visit to Scotland, but he's revealed he's not done with the region just yet. Trump expressed interest in leading Scotland after he's done with America - and said Scotland was full of 'fine people'. UK correspondent Enda Brady says it's important not to underestimate Trump - given how the last 8-9 years have panned out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 is nearly halfway over - and it's been a memorable one for the markets so far. Between new developments in AI, ongoing economic uncertainty and Donald Trump's string of tariff announcements, investors have had to contend with a lot of unique factors. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further - and reveals what investors can expect for the months ahead. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Farmer Confidence survey shows farmers are seeing one of the highest lifts in confidence in recent memory. The July survey shows the rural mood has improved significantly this year, rebounding from record lows 12 months ago. The Country's Hamish McKay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.