
Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive
12,438 episodes — Page 105 of 249

Bill McKay: UOA senior lecturer of architecture and planning on Wayne Brown's plan to build a second Auckland harbour crossing
Some experts believe mayor Wayne Brown's second Auckland harbour crossing won't fly. Brown revealed a proposal to build a bridge stretching from Meola Reef to Kauri Point on the North Shore. Auckland University senior lecturer of architecture and planning Bill McKay says there'd need to be a number of feeder motorways through Point Chev to get to the bridge. "You know, the pushback from the locals and all that means it's all amounting to nothing." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Connolly: Counties Manukau chief medical officer on private hospitals potentially bringing healthcare waitlists down
There's support for more use of private hospitals to help the health system. Minister Shane Reti's outlined plans for reaching five health targets set in March, spanning wait times, immunisations and cancer treatment. He's discussed increasing public hospital beds and operating theatres and using private hospital capacity more. Counties Manukau chief medical officer Andrew Connolly says private healthcare will help get wait lists down. "Most of the work will still be done, however, in public facilities. We don't want to lose staff to private just to do public work." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent on the fallout from the Trump-Harris debate
There's clear consensus among experts that Kamala Harris emerged victorious after yesterday's action-packed debate against Donald Trump. The pair clashed over economy, abortion and foreign policy - with Trump spouting outlandish claims about late-term abortions and migrants eating people's pets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the fallout from the debate in Pennsylvania. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on protests in Melbourne forcing police to tighten security
Over in Australia, the ongoing anti-war protests in Melbourne have entered their second day. Police have beefed up security, after yesterday's violent clashes left several officers injured. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says yesterday's events were 'disgraceful' - with protestors flinging faeces and acid at police. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on day four of the New Zealand-Afghanistan cricket test being abandoned
Day four of the one-off test between the Black Caps and Afghanistan has been abandoned before the scheduled start of play, as rain fell over Greater Noida, India. For the fourth day in succession, rainfall has forced the match to be called off before a single ball was bowled. The final clash is still scheduled for Friday - but hints of poor weather leave the event in doubt. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Hill: Auckland Tataki Unlimited chief executive on Amazon MGM production The Wrecking Crew being filmed in Auckland
Auckland's counting down to hosting a star-studded film production, which kicks off in October. The Wrecking Crew stars Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista and Temuera Morrison - with filming likely to run at least two months. Auckland Tataki Unlimited CEO Nick Hill says it's the largest production done here since The Rings of Power series. He says locals will get a chance to catch filming around the city. "They will certainly film in the city centre - but also other parts around the region. I think Auckland will actually get to show itself off in a major movie." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the UK economy flatlining again in July
The UK economy unexpectedly failed to grow in July, after flatlining in June, for the second month in a row. Analysts had originally forecasted a slight growth of 0.2 percent. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says drops in the manufacturing and construction sectors contributed to the downturn. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deborah Lambie: Milford Asset Management analyst on how investors plan to respond to demographic shift
As birth-rates decline and the population gets older, investors are grappling with a new set of challenges. Recent data indicates the proportion of Kiwis over the age of 65 will be expected to double by 2050. Milford Asset Management's Deborah Lambie says this demographic shift is expected to have an impact on the healthcare system - and lead to a worker shortage. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenee Tibshraeny: NZ Herald Wellington business editor on David Seymour removing regulations for buy now, pay later sector
The Government has confirmed buy now, pay later providers will be able to charge whatever fees they want going forward. Cabinet has agreed to remove some consumer protections from the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) to enable BNPL providers to set late or default fees at whatever levels they wish. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains what this could mean for Kiwi consumers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle: Is Wellington really dying?
Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first televised debate ahead of the election. Who won this round? What did the candidates need to work on? The text of David Seymour's proposed Treaty Principles Bill has been released - will this calm anyone's fears? Do we think a debate on this bill is what the country needs? Is Wellington really dying - or is the region just in a rough spot? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 11 September 2024
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 11 September 2024, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced off in their first presidential debate. So who won? US historian Allan Lichtman, senior political correspondent Barry Soper, former US correspondent Jack Tame and Heather all weigh in. In another blow for regional New Zealand, Methanex has announced it's looking to scale back its business - and leaving the door open to pull out of New Zealand altogether. New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom and Contact Energy boss Mike Fuge speak to Heather following the news.Plus, the Huddle debates whether Wellington really is dying ... and where did we find Jordan Williams? 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.

Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent weighs in on the Trump-Harris debate
Today's highly-anticipated face-to-face presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump included a heated back-and-forward over inciting political violence. Stand-out moments included inaccurate statements about abortion rights and Trump repeating his running mate's baseless claim immigrants were eating people pets. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says there's no debate to be had - Harris won this round. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helmut Modlik: Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive responds to the three principles included in David Seymour's bill
The Ngāti Toa Rangatira iwi isn't impressed with David Seymour's contentious Treaty Principles Bill. The three principles to be included in the bill have been released today - including 'Civil Government', the 'Rights of Hapū and Iwi Māori' and the 'Right to Equality'. Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik says Seymour's proposition is lacking. "Tino rangatiratanga speaks to the ability to continue to live your life according to your customs, to have responsibility for your people, your place to live according to your own tikanga. That's what was agreed - that's the only thing that makes sense." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Fuge: Contact Energy CEO on the company merging with Manawa Energy
Contact Energy has confirmed it reached an agreement to take over electricity generator Manawa Energy in a near $2.3-billion merger. Contact would pay a combination of cash and its own shares to the equivalent of $5.95 for each Manawa share - and it hopes to finalise the arrangement by early next year. CEO Mike Fuge says this investment will help diversify Contact's generating portfolio. "What this enables us to do is to firm up our wholesale portfolio and provide more products to commercial industrial New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Holdom: New Plymouth mayor on Methanex scaling down to one plant and laying off workers
New Plymouth's mayor is blaming the last Government's gas policy for Methanex's proposal to scale down. The country's largest gas user plans to move from a two-plant operation to one, and lay off staff for the foreseeable future. Its managing director says policy settings since 2018 haven't been conducive to sustaining gas supplies for more than one plant. Neil Holdom says it'll be a blow for the region, but the writing's been on the wall. "We saw this coming in 2018, with the last Government's flawed energy policy. This is a direct and logical consequence that was always going to happen - we told them it would happen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig Little: Wairoa mayor 'vindicated by report into East Coast flooding
The Government's recent report into the East Coast floods concludes action is urgently needed. The review in part points the finger at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the Wairoa District Councils for poor management of the river mouth and bar. Wairoa mayor Craig Little is relieved with this report - and claims the bar should be cleared more often. "No one's rung me from the regional council or anything - except to say that they're going to have a recce in Wairoa on the Friday." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allan Lichtman: US historian unpacks the Trump-Harris debate
Today's action-packed Presidential debate has wrapped, leaving many convinced it was a victory for Kamala Harris. She and Donald Trump traversed a battlefield covering inflation, abortion and foreign policy. The contrast between the two was clear - with Harris more future-focused, and Trump hailing back to his Presidency. US historian Allan Lichtman says Harris's win was crystal clear. "She was good, maybe very good. Trump was abysmal - he got baited by Harris time and time again." Lichtman says Trump's off-the rails comment about migrants eating pets will stick in people's brains. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Mitchinson: US correspondent on Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris on social media
Taylor Swift has come out and endorsed current Vice-President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for President. Shortly after the first debate between Harris and Donald Trump wrapped up, Swift released an Instagram post confirming she would vote for Harris and Tim Walz. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says this is good marketing for the Harris-Walz campaign. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on Navajo Stirling signing on with the UFC
Kiwi mixed martial artist Navajo Stirling is being unleashed on the UFC. The light heavyweight's knockout win over Phillip Latu on the latest Contender Series card in Las Vegas has earned him a contract with the company. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Gerrard: former Olympian and Otago University Emeritus Professor on the open letter urging the Government to rethink letting trans athletes take part in sports
Over 50 high-profile sporting identities and former Olympians have signed an open letter urging the Government to rethink the guiding principles for transgender athletes participating in sports. The letter claims Sport New Zealand’s guidelines disregard the rights of female athletes and go against scientific evidence. Former Olympian Dave Gerrard says allowing athletes to compete under self-identification ignores the science - and dismisses female athletes. "I'm not, for one moment, trying to exclude transgender individuals from participating - I'm just trying to get some logic to this. How far do you allow somebody to go?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enda Brady: UK correspondent on Kate Middleton confirming she is cancer-free in video message
The Princess of Wales has confirmed she's completed her chemotherapy treatments in an emotional video message. Kate Middleton says she's focused on staying cancer-free and will be making more public appearances in the coming months. UK correspondent Enda Brady says there's concern Kate may not be as well as she's letting on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay: The Country host on the tough economic climate impacting Kiwi sheep farmers
Kiwi sheep famers will have to brace themselves for another tough earnings season. Beef and Lamb New Zealand’s new season outlook says farm profit margins were being hit by high costs, especially interest payments, reaching low levels similar to those seen in the 1980s and 1990s. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains the issue further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Olsen: Infometrics principal economist on the economic impact of Winstone Pulp International closing Ruapehu mills
The Ruapehu district has been dealt a huge blow - as Winstone Pulp International confirms it will close the two mills in the region. Over 230 workers will lose their jobs, and mayor Weston Kirton is 'gutted' the Government couldn't broker a deal and save the mills. Infometrics principal economist unpacks the economic impact of this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Newman: Auckland Councillor rubbishes council's emissions targets scheme
One council member believes Auckland Council needs to rethink its plan to slash transport emissions by 2030. The council aims to halve car use, encourage a 13-fold increase in cycling, and increase public transport trips from 100 million a year pre-Covid to 550 million. Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman says these ideas need to be shelved in favour of something more realistic. "What we have is a multi-billion dollar price tag for investment in public transport infrastructure, for the reallocation of our road corridors for cycleways, for the kind of intensive urban design planning that would be necessary to give effect to that - much of this is unfunded." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle: Should the Government have saved the Ruapehu mills?
Tonight on The Huddle, Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings and Toby Manhire from the Spinoff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Courts will be able to ban gang members from wearing patches in the home thanks to an amendment the Government made to the bill. Is this a step too far? Winstone Pulp International announced its pulp and saw mills in the Ruapehu District will close indefinitely - putting more than 200 people out of work. Should the Government have gotten involved and saved the mills? Are we getting too gloomy? A new piece by Pattrick Smellie from BusinessDesk says New Zealand's gotten too unhappy recently. Are we right to complain about the economic and social issues? The Australian Government is looking at banning social media for kids, with legislation to arrive by the end of the year? Is this the right move? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 10 September 2024
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 10 September 2024, hundreds of people will lose their jobs in a huge blow to the Ruapehu district. Mayor Weston Kirton tells Heather he's gutted the Government wasn't able to broker a deal. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are about to square off for the first time in a presidential debate. Former debate moderator Dominic Carter reckons Kamala has a lot to lose. Australian kids are going to be banned from using social media - but will this ban actually be enforceable? Plus the Huddle debates whether New Zealanders just need to cheer up a bit and stop being so gloomy. 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.

Chris Wilkinson: First Retail Group managing director on the rise in online shopping outlets charging for returns
Experts believe a changing retail market and the evolution of influencers have forced online companies to make some changes. British e-retailer ASOS has confirmed it plans to charge shoppers to return items unless they keep £40 of their order. Meanwhile, Boohoo recently introduced a freight charge into New Zealand, Nike has stopped shipping here altogether and other brands have reduced their availability for Kiwi customers. Chris Wilkinson from First Retail Group says consumers need to accept that this is the way of the future. "Abuse is certainly causing most of these retailers in the UK big challenges." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Macklin: Law Society Criminal Law Committee convenor on the Government's 'intrusive' updated gang patch bill
The Law Society says pumping up the proposed gang patch bill gives police intrusive search powers. Cabinet has agreed to add a clause to the bill banning patches in public to ban them in the homes of members repeatedly defying the public ban. It was added in August, after the bill had gone through the Select Committee process, even though Ministers were briefed on options in March. The Society's Chris Macklin says this change shouldn't have been added without some scrutiny. "The reaching into homes is a pretty big concern - and it's exactly for that reason you'd expect that it would have been consulted on rather than put into a late amendment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuart Nash: Robert Walters Commercial Director on the benefits of 'chrono-working'
'Chrono-working' could be the next employment fad to wash up in Aotearoa. It lets workers choose their hours dictated by their circadian rhythm, instead of the usual nine to five. Robert Walters Commercial Director Stuart Nash says people have worked to circadian rhythms for thousands of years. He says working this way optimises output. "What we're saying now is - you know what, the best way to get productivity out of the workers is to let them work when they're productive. I will say - this is not an excuse to be lazy." Nash says this is really another way of describing modern workplace flexibility. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: We're justified in feeling gloomy about the state of NZ
Pattrick Smellie, who has been a regular contributor to this show, is back from his long European sabbatical - and he reckons we need to cheer up in New Zealand.He's written a piece for BusinessDesk saying that the headlines he’s seeing here at home suggest we’re as miserable as we were back in the early 1990s during Ruth Richardson's recession. And he points out that all 9 countries he visited actually had the same problems - race relations, violent crime, failing infrastructure, countless crises, countries going backwards, but they were dealing with it without the same sense of fatalistic despair that we have over it.Now I've thought about this a lot overnight, and I agree that we're extremely gloomy. And I would be the first to tell us to give ourselves an uppercut if I thought we were being unreasonably miserable, but I think we’re justified in feeling like we do.Because- and I can't speak for other countries - we have gone through a massive shift in the last few years. We went from being the rockstar economy, prosperous and riding the wave of Chinese demand to three recessions in two years. Name me another country that we compare ourselves to that has had three recessions in two years. That's a tough thing to go through.Pattrick himself admits it’s bad. He points out that we've slipped in a comprehensive UN measure of everything from life expectancy and education to economics. We've dropped 7 places in one year, that's how fast things have gone backwards for us.We've gone from being the safe place you want to raise your kids in to having 11 to 12 homicides in the North Island in just over a month - including a body found burnt out in a car somewhere today.I think what’s made us gloomy is the size of the shift. Others may also be experiencing what we are, but I suspect not with the swing from one extreme to the other that we have - which makes the bad feel so much more bad because it was so good. So yeah, we’re gloomy. And yeah, like Pattrick, I'm looking forward to us coming out of this. But I don't think we're being dramatic in how we feel, I think it’s justified. And I think it’s good, because it means we don't accept it - and we're motivated to change it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dominic Carter: former US debate moderator ahead of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris' Pennsylvania debate
An epic showdown is expected at tomorrow's presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The VP and former President are facing off in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. Millions are expected to tune into the ABC-broadcast clash - which has no live audience, with microphones muted when candidates aren't explicitly in speaking time. Former US debate moderator Dominic Carter says it's the pair's first face-to-face moment. "Trump - he's done many presidential debates. It's the first time for Kamala Harris, the Vice-President at the top of the ticket." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weston Kirton: Ruapehu mayor on Winstone Pulp International shutting down central North Island mills
Two North Island mills have failed to strike a deal to save their operations. Winstone Pulp International announced its pulp and saw mills in the Ruapehu District will close indefinitely, putting more than 200 people out of work. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says they'd been talking with Government Ministers and electricity providers trying to save the mills, but with no luck. He says he's devastated. "We've had our ups and downs, as you know, but this is a big hit. I'm really taking it personally." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent on New Zealand political leaders honouring Kīngi Tūheitia
Parliamentarians honoured Kīngi Tūheitia with speeches this afternoon - before the House adjourned early. The leader of the Kiingitanga died almost a fortnight ago, following heart surgery. He's succeeded by his daughter - 27-year-old Kuini Ngā Wai hono i te pō. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks today's tributes from all sides of the political aisle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Emery: Australian correspondent on two children being found dead in New South Wales home
Two children were discovered dead in a Blue Mountains home, with a woman en route to hospital under police guard. New South Wales authorities said officers were called to the location on Tuesday afternoon to investigate the welfare of the woman and two children. The boys, aged 9 and 11, were found dead in the home by a family member. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says investigations are still ongoing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Sportstalk host on the sodden outfield disrupting Black Caps-Afghanistan cricket fixture
There's fears another day may go by without any start to the maiden cricket test between the Black Caps and Afghanistan. Despite clear skies at Greater Noida - on the outskirts of Delhi in India - a sodden outfield means there's still been no toss for the one-off fixture. An inspection has been scheduled for 6.30pm (NZT). Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says it's likely the match will be called off again. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Given: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology professor on Australia committing to national social media age limits
New legislation will stop Australia's youth from accessing social networks like Instagram, Snapchat, Discord and TikTok. The Australian Government will introduce legislation by the end of the year to create a minimum age for accessing social media. Professor Lisa Given from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology wonders if a wide-scale ban is even possible. "The question is, are there workarounds on that? There's certainly ways that children could get around that type of mechanism, using a VPN for example - or even just accessing content through other people's accounts." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on the investigation into Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital in London has launched an urgent review of 721 cases that were treated by a former surgeon. The hospital has revealed multiple children had come to severe harm under the care of Yaser Jabbar, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says it's alleged Jabbar conducted inappropriate procedures on these children - causing permanent damage in some. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management spokesperson on the US share markets dropping
Volatility has returned to US markets, with a significant drop on Friday. Weak employment data saw markets price in larger cuts to US official interest rates by the US Federal Reserve - which is due to meet on the 17th of September. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explains further, LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Very Reverend Jay Ruka: Taranaki Cathedral Dean on the open letter urging the Government to stop the Treaty Principles Bill
Over 400 Christian leaders have written an open letter asking the Government to stop the bill from going to Select Committee. This list includes senior leaders of Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Salvation Army and Vineyard denominations. Very Reverend Jay Ruka from Taranaki Cathedral is one of the signatories - and he said the bill is built on an incorrect premise. "I just think it's unwise - such a proposal should be put forth in that forum. By all means, let's talk about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and even at that forum, but let's compare apples to apples." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Huddle: Will National change its mind about the Treaty Principles Bill?
Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and Brigitte Morten from Franks Ogilvie joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! ACT's David Seymour has outlined some new changes to the Treaty Principles Bill amid growing calls to not let the bill progress to select committee stage. Will this turn public opinion around? Will National change its mind about the bill? The principal at Porirua College has cancelled upcoming literacy tests that students have to pass to get NCEA, because her students are not prepared. Is this the right call? New research reveals Kiwis are really boring when it comes to going out for dinner. A new survey found Auckland restaurants closed the earliest in the world. Why do we think this is? Do we need to change our image? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister agrees competition is needed in the grocery sector
The Finance Minister has voiced support for more action to be taken against the grocery sector. The Grocery Commissioner's report into the sector has found no meaningful improvement in competition, increasing margins and high profitability. Nicola Willis says most households would support a crackdown led by the Commissioner. "I think most New Zealanders would agree that competition between the major supermarket players is important - and we want to get a good deal for consumers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Show Podcast: 09 September 2024
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 9 September 2024, ACT leader David Seymour has agreed to a change in the draft Treaty Principles Bill. He tells Heather he hopes it will make the bill more palatable for its opponents. Porirua College has cancelled literacy exams for its NCEA students because the kids aren't prepared. Principal Ragne Maxwell tells Heather it's not defeatist but practical. Health Minister Shane Reti on forcing Health NZ to change its eligibility criteria for free GP visits to take ethnicity out of it. Plus, the Huddle debates a survey that found that Auckland restaurants close earlier than anywhere else in the world. 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.

Shane Reti: Health Minister defends surge in non-disclosure agreements impacting Health NZ staff
The Health Minister is defending staff confidentiality agreements. Labour has complained to the Public Service Commission about the number of non-disclosure agreements gagging Health New Zealand staff from talking about work. It claims 67 staff have signed them since June - including senior leaders responsible for briefing media and members of Parliament. Minister Shane Reti says he has no concerns. "The previous Government did as well - whether they used confidentiality agreements or NDAs or a similar sort of process. They need to be used appropriately, but it's commonplace in commercial environments with particularly sensitive issues." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Waldren: Restaurant Association NZ General Manger on Auckland restaurants closing earlier than anywhere else in the world
New research has revealed Auckland eateries have the earliest closing times in the world. According to international food magazine Chef’s Pencil, it's unusual for Auckland restaurants to take bookings past 8:30pm, with many closing up between 9pm or 10.pm Restaurant Association NZ's Nicola Waldren says dining early is a key part of New Zealand's culture - and it's helpful for the restaurants. "Those early diners will come in early, have a quick meal - and that allows them to take advantage of a quieter dining environment and they don't have to wait for a table." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ragne Maxwell: Porirua College principal defends move to cancel NCEA literacy tests
Porirua College's principal is doubling down on the school's decision to cancel NCEA literacy tests. Students must pass the new online literacy and numeracy tests to receive their NCEA qualifications, but there are alternatives this year and the next year while the new curriculum is brought in. Ragne Maxwell says half of all students countrywide are failing the tests - and they're overloaded. "We are asked to put the students in for assessments when we feel they have a realistic chance of success. We don't think this is that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour: ACT Party leader hopeful Prime Minister Luxon changes his mind and supports Treaty Principles Bill
The architect of the Treaty Principles Bill is still hopeful the Prime Minister could support it. David Seymour confirms Cabinet discussed his Bill today - and agreed its broad outline before it goes to Parliament's drafters. He says it'll change to acknowledge the rights of hapu and iwi at the time of the Treaty. Chris Luxon says he won't support it past first reading, but Seymour's optimistic that could change. "You see the exact wording, you see other people's reactions, you see it's actually a force for good - and maybe you take a different view." Luxon said today that ACT and National don't agree on this. "We found a compromise where both parties didn't get what they wanted, but we have to honour our coalition commitments - and that's what we're doing here." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Soper: ZB senior political correspondent on over 400 Christian leaders penning a letter against the Treaty Principles Bill
Hundreds of Christian organisations have questioned the Treaty Principles Bill. More than 400 groups penned an open letter to the Government, warning the ACT Party Bill to redefine te Tiriti principles is divisive. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the churches need to stick to preaching to their congregations - but they clearly don't see it that way. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oliver Peterson: Australian correspondent on the widespread global search for a Brisbane man who poured hot coffee on a baby
A search has gone global for a Brisbane man who poured a thermos of hot coffee on a baby. The nine-month-old had a third round of surgery last week for burns to his face and chest after the random attack in August. Australia correspondent Oliver Peterson says police are working with international investigators. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on the All Blacks losing their most recent test to South Africa
The All Blacks are determined to put the last couple of losses behind them and focus on the future ahead. New Zealand are homeward bound from South Africa, having lost both matches and now with three defeats in their last four tests. Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abdur Razzaq: Federation of Islamic Associations spokesperson on two Auckland schools being forced to closed by threats
A national Muslim spokesperson says threats that forced two Auckland Islamic schools to close today are shocking - but not surprising. Māngere's Al-Madinah School and Zayed College for Girls closed, and access is limited to New Lynn's Iqra primary school. Police are investigating a threatening email. Federation of Islamic Associations spokesperson, Abdur Razzaq says Government moves to relax national security put more than schools at risk. "It's not just us - with the globe looking how it is now, it could happen to any of us, or another school, it could happen to a synagogue, a community centre, a women's centre...there are important lessons from this." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.