Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Today, the 9th of September, is the start of a fortnight of NCEA pupils across the country sitting their exams for first time. They'll be doing reading, writing and numeracy exams. I would say this is happening everywhere across the country - except it isn’t, because Porirua College has decided to cancel their literacy exams because the kids won't pass. They're not ready, the principal says Porirua College hasn't been able to get the kids ready enough to make it a 'positive experience' and so they've just canned the reading and writing exams. Now, this is not the end of the world. These exams aren’t compulsory this year, they're only compulsory from 2026. This year, the kids can make up the credits through other ways if they want to pass NCEA. But what I'm really disappointed by is the attitude of just giving up on kids. These aren't difficult tests designed for third year university students or fully grown adults, they are designed for year 10/year 11 kids to make sure they actually know what they need to know at their year level. So if the kids fail, it's because they don't know what they're supposed to know for their age. The answer to that particular problem is not to cancel the exam - the answer is to teach the kids what they're supposed to know. Which begs the question - why is Porirua College not teaching the kids what they’re supposed to know for their age? Does that go some way to explaining why at Porirua College only 28 percent of school leavers got NCEA level 3 in 2022? Do we have a problem here? Why isn’t the school freaking out that the kids don't know what kids at other schools know? I've been told that, actually, most teachers and principals in secondary schools support these exams and the complaining and resistance that we’re hearing is coming from a very loud minority. I hope that truly is the case. Because I'm shocked that these kids don't know what they’re supposed to know, but I'm more shocked that their educators don't seem to think that’s a problem. Meanwhile, outside of Porirua, other kids up and down the country will sit these exams and will pass because they've been taught what they’re supposed to know - which is how it's supposed to be. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hospitality sales are down up to 50 percent, according to member of Courtney Place Precinct Group and owner of Courtney Place businesses, Greig Wilson. Cafe and bakery chain Pandoro is the latest to close it’s doors after 28 years - in a string of hospitality closures in the capital. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 6 September 2024, Act leader David Seymour says Government agencies will soon receive direction to prioritise services based on need - not race. Hagley College in Christchurch is trialling letting students work from home two days a week. Plus the Sports Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can beat the Springboks this weekend - and whether it's the end of the world if they lose. 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.

Newstalk ZB Canterbury Sports reader Nick Bewley and NZB Kiwi Head of Communications Andrew Gourdie join the huddle. They discuss the AB’s v Springbok’s test, old school tours of South Africa, Israel Adesanya’s parking controversy, and Raygun’s first interview post-Olympic Games. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Springbok’s have made changes to their side ahead of the second test in Cape Town this weekend. Chief Sports Writer at the Herald Liam Napier tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the All Blacks will be looking to play the game at pace. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women’s Refuge is in the spotlight following claims of unauthorised spending from a “wellbeing fund”. Three women at Whare Manaaki Porirua Women’s Refuge have been suspended while a forensic accountant goes over expenditure. Charities Law expert Sue Barker tells Heather du Plessis-Allan charities need public support and reputational controversies could damage Women’s Refuge’s ability to do what the public support them to do. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are using force 9 percent more often and are facing increasing levels of violence. The Annual Tactical Options Report provides an overview of what officers face and the tactics they use. Nearly 1 in 10 events where force is used involves a gang member. The report reveals gang members are 25 percent more likely to be armed with a firearm than any other offender. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Hawkes Bay, Health NZ has made GP visits for 14 to 24 year-olds free for Māori and Pasifika. Health Minister Shane Reti has requested “further information”. Associate Health Minister David Seymour tells Heather du Plessis-Allan Health NZ will soon face a directive that public services must be delivered on need not race – a party coalition commitment set to be released imminently. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China has issued a warning to New Zealand, following a report from the NZ Security Intelligence Services (NZSIS) that identified examples of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) influence here “smacks heavily of foreign interference”. China warns Aotearoa’s interests may be in jeopardy if it pushes other countries’ agendas. Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper tells Heather du Plessis-Allan, NZ must remember that our two-way trade with China is $38 billion a year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 14-year old suspect has been put in custody following a fatal school shooting in Winder, Georgia, USA. In a dramatic development, the teenager’s father has been arrested with police saying he is directly connected to the actions of his son by allowing him to possess a weapon. US correspondent Mitch McCann tells Heather du Plessis-Allan the teenager was known to police over a year ago, for online threats about a school shooting. Meanwhile, Donald Trump wants Elon Musk to lead a Government Efficiency Commission, should he become President again. Trump says the commission would aim to audit the US Government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sportstalk host D’Arcy Waldegrave joins Heather du Plessis-Allan to consider how the country should react to an All Blacks loss. “It’s how they lose that I’m interested in. Not the actual result, but how they got to that result.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christchurch school is trialling letting students work from home two days a week, to address falling attendance rates. Hagley College hopes to target students who struggle with attendance due to mental health concerns or sickness. The hybrid learning model will be offered to 20 NCEA Level 2 students. Students will attend 16 hours of in-person maths, science and English classes a week, and the rest via scheduled video calls. New Zealand Education Specialist Derek Wenmoth helped Hagley College to design the trial. Wenmoth tells Heather du Plessis-Allan other countries have programmes specifically targeting students struggling with issues like anxiety, and that New Zealand is behind on the uptake. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivors of London's Grenfell Tower Fire are urging swift change from the UK Government in the wake of a scathing report. The 1600-page report from the public inquiry, published seven years after the tragedy, says all 72 deaths were avoidable. UK correspondent Enda Brady says dishonest companies and political failings have been blamed for the disaster - and prosecutions will likely take place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US housing market has been undergoing an unusual period. Various aspects of the sector have been found to be running at different speeds - with new builds selling at significant highs and older homes selling at record lows. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds explains what's going on with the economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Famed rural broadcaster Jamie Mackay has been appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He was recognised earlier this year as part of the King’s Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting and the rural community. Mackay joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to recap the ceremony. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global financial market turmoil overnight has come with a silver lining for motorists as oil prices have slumped to their lowest level this year. Cheaper petrol at the pump should follow in coming days after Brent Crude Oil fell 5 percent to US73.74 - a price not seen since mid-December 2023. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpacks the economic factors behind the slump. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett and former Labour Party advisor Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Watercare struck a $20 million dollar deal with Waikato-Tainui in exchange for permission to take more water from the Waikato River - and kept it secret. What do we make of this? Wellington ratepayers recently shelled out over $550,000 on the upgrade of a 32m laneway to accommodate a new designer bike rack and two extra motorbike parks - with the bike rack alone costing $136,000. How can the council justify this? Raygun has spoken out about the backlash she received after the Olympics - do we feel sorry for her because of how she was treated or do we think she's taking advantage of the attention? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been a growing uptick in corporations ditching their green ambitions. Volvo Cars has abandoned its ambitious target to sell only electric cars by 2030 amid a global slowdown in growth for battery-powered vehicles. Sweden has recently scrapped their aviation tax on airline tickets in a bid to reduce prices and boost availability. Griffith Business School associate professor Dr Rob Hales says more businesses have decided to keep their targets quiet amid accusations of green-washing. "Green-hushing is keeping your targets and keeping the mechanisms to try and get there a bit quiet. There's been some industry studies to show that up to 25 percent of businesses are actually disclosing, in public, what their targets are." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 5 September 2024, Stacey Morrison speaks to Heather from Tūrangawaewae after a new Māori Queen was crowned. What do we know about the 27-year old and what will she bring to the role? Watercare boss Dave Chambers fronts up after it was revealed that Watercare agreed to a secret deal to pay a Waikato iwi $20m. Prime Minister Chris Luxon calls in from South Korea where he saw North Korean rubbish balloons sent over the border. Plus, the Huddle debates whether Wellington Council was out of its mind to spend $136,000 on a new bike rack. 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.

Watercare is under fire for keeping a $20 million deal with Waikato-Tainui under wraps. It's been revealed the Auckland Council-controlled water provider last year signed up to paying $1 million a year, for two decades. The money will go into research and environmental projects in the Waikato River and catchment. It's on top of $40 million paid for clean-up projects under Watercare's river-consent agreement. Watercare chief executive Dave Chambers says they could've been more open. "As things have unfolded today - certainly if we had our time again, we would have done things in a different way." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made a few changes ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship rematch against the Springboks. Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara have been benched, Sevu Reece and Cortez Ratima will be starting and Wallace Sititi will take the number 6 jersey. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith says Razor is focused on getting the last 20 minutes of the match right - an error that cost the All Blacks last week's game. "Very much about getting the experience in the last 20-25 minutes of the test match to try and close it out - this is what the Springboks have done very well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PwC has identified accounting irregularities, complexities and a lack of auditing at failed Auckland property development group, Du Val. This first receiver's report says one area of concern is related-party transactions. BusinessDesk reporter Maria Slade says PwC has identified a $15 million intellectual property transaction between a trust belonging to founders Kenyon and Charlotte Clarke - and another entity. "It was a loan, and apparently there's no accounting records or anything to show where the funds came from. The loan is now $5 million - where did that other $10 million go and what was it for? Nobody knows." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kīngi Tuheitia's youngest child has ascended the throne to become the new Māori Queen. 27-year-old Ngā Wai hono i te pō has been anointed, and her father laid to rest alongside his ancestors on Maungataupiri. Broadcaster Stacey Morrison says the young Queen is well-known. She says she stands out when she performs kapa haka. "That's when she is really firing and you go - wow, this is someone who has very strong will and character. I see in her a quiet and humble strength." Tamaki Makaurau's Sky Tower is turning off all except aircraft warning lights tonight, to mark Tuheitia's burial. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington ratepayers have reportedly paid more than $550,000 on the upgrade of a 32m laneway to accommodate a new designer bike rack and two extra motorbike parks. Work to install the bike rack in Wellington's Shell Lane, off The Terrace was carried out earlier this year - in addition to extra upgrades around the area, new security cameras and new motorbike parks. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks the 'wasteful' spending on part of the council. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian breakdancer Raygun is speaking out about the negative global reaction to her Olympic performance. Rachael Gunn says many people didn't understand her performance - and she was saddened to see how much hate it evoked. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson voiced his disapproval with her rise to fame. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby's embracing the support in Cape Town - as it remains a stronghold of All Blacks fandom. The All Blacks are set to play their second match against the Springboks this weekend, with New Zealand hoping to turn their luck around. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave weighs up the odds ahead of the big clash. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister's welcoming support from a billionaire admirer. Elon Musk replied to a tweet by Chris Luxon this week - about being in Malaysia. The founder of SpaceX and Tesla wrote he likes the new New Zealand PM, adding he has good energy and talks directly to the public. Speaking from South Korea, Luxon was pleased to hear of the boost. "That's great, I'll take support from anyone. But more importantly, I'm just focused on the job and getting things done." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having watched Raygun the Aussie breakdancer’s first big interview, which aired on The Project in Australia last night - I think it's pretty clear that you should not waste your emotions feeling sorry for her because she is making the most out of this. The natural inclination, obviously, is to feel sorry for her, because she completely embarrassed herself jumping around like a kangaroo on the Olympic stage and she's since been the subject of a global pile-on, countless jokes at her expense and even some accusations about her rigging her entry into the Olympics, which seem to be unfounded. But Raygun does not appear to be particularly ground down by this situation at all. On the contrary - in that interview, she seems to be kind of enjoying the ride. She says there have been some tough times, but on the other hand - she's quite enjoying getting messages from Richard Branson telling her her performance was 'plucky' and that he'd like to have her on some cruises with Boy George sometime. As she says - what is life? And that, by the way, is the least of what’s going on for Raygun. She's already signed with a talent management agency, she is apparently the subject of a fierce bidding war between TV networks who want to sign her - including Dancing with the Stars, who are desperate to have her on. She's been the subject of a skit on Jimmy Fallon's show, Adele mentioned her on stage, she's been in so many international newspapers, I completely lost count. She is now one of the most famous athletes to emerge from the Paris Olympics, if not the most famous. I actually admire her, if I'm honest with you. She is delivering a masterclass in how to handle online abuse and attention. Take the lemons, make some lemonade. All too often, people read the trolls and let it grind them down and then they go to the media and whinge about it. Raygun's not doing that, she's milking this for all it's worth. Good on her. So don’t feel sorry for her - Raygun might've lost at the Olympics but she is winning at life after the Olympics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final report on the Grenfell disaster is set to be published - six years after the inquiry began hearing evidence about what caused the incident. The fire caused the deaths of 72 people in a London tower block fire in 2017. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the report will examine how the tower block came to be in a condition that allowed the fire to spread. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new survey by ASB indicates Kiwis aren't expecting house prices to pick up again anytime soon. According to ASB's Housing Confidence survey, a net 13 percent of respondents believe house prices will go up - down more than 30 percent compared with last quarter. A net 20 percent of respondents now expect lower interest rates and only a net 8 percent think now is a good time to buy. ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley says falling interest rates haven't inspired confidence in sellers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US market is up almost 16 percent on the year - but big names like Starbucks, Nike, and Lululemon have been struggling. The consumer discretionary sector has jumped 4 percent, with a number of companies being dubbed 'fallen angels'. Milford Asset Management's Stephanie Batchelor explains how investors can proceed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Savers have rushed to lock in high interest rates ahead of the Reserve Bank cutting the OCR for the first time in more than four years. New RBNZ data shows households put an extra $2.1 billion in term deposits in July - which saw the amount of money held in term deposits rise to a record $136 billion. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains why people have been making these choices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Minister says a third big player in our supermarket sector is unlikely to come from overseas. A first annual Commerce Commission report on the grocery market has found no meaningful improvement in competition. It wants New Zealand's two major operators - Foodstuffs and Woolworths - pressured more and for it to be made it easier for a third to enter. Minister Andrew Bayly says overseas giants like Aldi aren't interested in moving over to New Zealand. "I've been talking to one or two other players who could possibly come to New Zealand - but right now, I couldn't put my hand on my heart and say there are lots of people lining up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and podcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we appreciate trigger warnings in our media - or have they gone too far and ruined things? The Commerce Commission's first Annual Grocery Report found retail margins are increasing and profitability is still high for the big supermarket chains. Can we find a solution to this? A young Christchurch couple found $230,000 in their new home - and are fighting to keep it. Do they have a case, or do they need to hand it over to the police? AUT is offering Australasia's first paper on Taylor Swift. Is this all that is wrong with universities nowadays - or a valuable subject? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 4 September 2024, the Grocery Commissioner tells Heather Kiwis are still being ripped off at the supermarket checkout. A lawyer weighs in on the question of whether you should have to give up cash you find after a couple found $230,000 stashed away in the roof of their new house. Police want the cash forfeited because it might be linked to crime. Hollywood actor Matt Smith has weighed in on the debate of trigger warnings, saying they "dumb down" TV shows and movies. Psychologist Dougal Sutherland reckons they're actually counterproductive. Plus the Huddle debates whether AUT's new course on Taylor Swift is cool or everything that's wrong with education these days. 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.

'Trigger warnings' on sensitive content have been thrust into the spotlight after Hollywood actor Matt Smith criticised their use. The House of the Dragon star claimed giving viewers 'trigger warnings' has left TV shows 'dumbed-down'. Clinical psychologist Dougal Sutherland says these warnings aren't particularly useful - and can create problems in their own right. "What they do do is they increase people's anxiety in advance of something coming up, and that people don't end up avoiding looking up at or watching the thing you're supposed to be not looking at." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early childhood education providers are hopeful ending pay parity for relievers will allow more permanent roles. From October, only permanent part-time or full-time certified teachers will be paid according to the pay parity policy. The Early Childhood Council says 74 percent of its members support the exclusion. Chief executive Simon Laube approves of removing this educational 'red tape'. "You just create an inducement for them to leave teaching and become relievers if you do - so there's some real common sense today." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's new insights into New Zealand's ancient fauna from a 20-year dig. An international team of palaeontologists researching the St Bathans fossil site in Central Otago have concluded kakapo, small wrens, bats and freshwater limpets arrived well before other well known species - like kiwi and moa. Canterbury Museum Senior Natural History Curator Paul Scofield says they also uncovered signs of other surprising animals living here. "We had two species of crocodile - and we believe that they most likely became extinct at the beginning of the ice age about two or three years ago." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a very big call on the supermarkets today - the Grocery Commissioner has accused them of ripping us off. Now, a lot of people will probably agree with that and think - what of it? But there's a difference between you or I feeling ripped off when you’re standing in front of the olive oil looking at a price of $30 and someone like the Grocery Commissioner saying it out loud on the radio. It's a very big call - and for someone like him to do that, he's got to have the proof. And he reckons he does. It's been two years since the last Government starting cracking down on supermarkets, but instead of things getting better, they're getting worse. The margins that supermarkets are making off of us are going up, they're not paying their suppliers a hell of a lot more, but they're charging you and I a hell of a lot more. That's the opposite of what's supposed to happen. Which is to say - that crackdown didn't work. And that is no surprise to anyone with half a brain who was watching what the last Government did. The minister was David Clark - yes, the mountain-biker himself - and what he did to fix the grocery system was to set up the Grocery Commissioner, bring in a mandatory code of conduct, put in compulsory unit pricing and forced more transparent loyalty schemes. Who thought that was going to make a difference? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you that wasn't going to change anything. We said on this very show that that ain't gonna change nothing. And here we are - it didn't work. Now I'm not pessimistic about this. Because out of all the things that David the bike rider did that might make a difference - he did set up the Grocery Commissioner. And there is nothing like personal ambition and reputation to motivate someone. And I get the feeling Pierre van Heerden might realise he needs to get this right for his own sake and his own reputation. So I suspect that what comes next might be a bit more promising. And I'm taking heart from the strong language he’s used today. But as always... time will tell. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner says the returns our big supermarkets get on assets is about double what overseas equivalents make. The Commerce Commission's first annual report into the grocery market shows competition hasn't meaningfully improved. It flags increasing margins and high profitability. Pierre van Heerden says overseas grocers make less because they have more competition. "The return on assets is about 11 percent vs 5.5-6 percent overseas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roy Morgan’s New Zealand Poll for August 2024 shows support for the coalition Government has gone up in August. National's approval rating has jumped 3.5 points to 36 percent and support for NZ First increased 1 point to 7.5 percent - but support for ACT dropped 1.5 points to 9.5 percent. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the poll shows the coalition has generated more support by male voters than female voters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, universities are trying to clamp down on student protests as the new academic year starts up. University leaders are expecting a new wave of protests as the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on in Gaza. US correspondent Logan Church says security has tightened up at New York universities - with police guarding the campuses. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new touring proposal between New Zealand and South Africa has been reached, according to new reports. New Zealand will tour South Africa in 2026 with eight-games proposed - including three tests between the All Blacks and Springboks, before New Zealand hosts South Africa in 2030. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks this announcement. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finders keepers may not apply, as a young Christchurch couple fight to keep $230,000 they found in their roof. Open Justice reported that an electrician found five sealed plastic bags of cash, which the couple reported to authorities. Police took out a civil court case under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act, believing the cash is the product of crime - from previous gang links to the property. AUT law expert Warren Brookbanks says normally in these kind of cases, the couple would be the rightful owners. "But this is in a different league, because this is a significant sum of money - which is clearly up there for no good purpose." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government is committed to cracking down on mobile phone thefts, after a significant spike in incidents. New data shows at least 80,000 people have had their phones snatched out of their hands - with only one percent of these cases resulting in arrest. UK correspondent Enda Brady says the police can't arrest their way out of this epidemic, so manufacturers have been enlisted to build on anti-theft technology. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's GDP data is set to be released tomorrow - and experts are outlining their predictions. This follows last week's inflation data, which is currently at 3.8 percent for the year to July. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham is predicting weak economic growth, but rate cuts aren't looking very likely. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing global demand for dairy products and a flat milk supply could be setting the stage for a near-record farm gate milk price this season. With nine months left in the 2024-2025 season, Jarden and ANZ have outlined their predictions ahead of the latest GDT austion. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's chief financial officers have revealed their thoughts in a first of its kind survey. Hunter Campbell's report reveals 42 percent expect challenging conditions with positive opportunities over the next year. The survey also revealed 41 percent of CFOs met or exceeded their revenue growth target in 2024. Infometrics Brad Olsen says they provided a range of concerns including costs, regulation, infrastructure and crime. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra is set to invest $150 million to build a new plant at its Edendale site in Southland to meet growing demand from Asia. The plant will produce UHT cream - a product that expected to experience growing demand over the next decade. Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says this venture will open up at least 70 new jobs in the area. "We've got a strong pipeline of people coming through right across the country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New Zealand's spy agency has issued a warning about potential foreign interference in the country. Are we too relaxed about potential threats? The Government has pushed up the tourism levy - it'll go up from $35 to $100 by October. Is this a good call - or will it hurt the economy? New data shows that more couples over 50 are getting divorced - why do we think this is? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.