Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

I'm fascinated by the fact that around the world, there seems to be a growing acceptance from parents that we have got to limit kids’ access to social media.There's a poll out of Australia today showing more than two thirds of voters over there support raising the minimum age of social media from 13 to 16.And this comes off the back of the Australian Government and the UK Government and various states in the US all trying to figure out how to force the social media companies to stick to the rules and make sure there are no under-13s using the platforms.I was at my brother and sister-in-law’s place yesterday, they've got a pre-teen boy. And my sister-in-law was saying they really want to limit his access to screens, but all his friends have access - so it's hard to keep him off.And this is where a rule like a minimum age of 13, or even 16, is so important. I generally don’t like regulation, generally I'm going to say no unless there is a really strong case for it. And I reckon there is a strong case for this one.Parents don't really need the regulation, because parents can keep the kids off - and better parents will be better at it than others.But peer pressure is a real problem. And it would be so much easier if it's just the rule for all the kids below a certain age.And more importantly, it is doing the kids a favour. Yesterday, both my sister-in-law and I agreed we're going to read Jonathan Haidt's latest book - The Anxious Generation.He reckons the spike in mental health problems that we’re seeing in kids at the moment is because of the mass adoption of smartphones and social media.Because as adults, you and I can look at social media and tell ourselves that it’s just one picture - and the tanned supermodel by the pool in Fiji still has to deal with all of life’s challenges like you and I.But kids can’t understand that. They look at it, they compare their lives to the pictures, andit makes them anxious and depressed.So I guess I'm one of those parents. Because I reckon we raise the social media age and then enforce it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Famed Kiwi influencer and mental health advocate Jazz Thornton is calling for a law change to make stalking illegal. She's recently revealed she'd been receiving 'unsettling' messages from an obsessive fan, who eventually flew all the way from the Netherlands to her home address. Thornton says the perpetrator was eventually arrested, but it took escalation before the authorities could intervene. "They were very concerned - but expressing there wasn't a lot legally they could do. So they had patrols outside our house, we stayed in a hotel that night, and then later, the next morning, was when he escalated." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 31 May 2024, a shock conviction for Donald Trump! Republican strategist and former George W Bush adivser Scott Jennings reacts to the former president's guilty verdict. Is he going to jail? Will this help his re-election chances? Some rare good economic news as the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter commits to staying in operation for the next 20 years. TVNZ's dire financial situation just got worse, the company staring at potentially big payouts to former employees after the latest Employment Court Ruling. Plus, the Huddle debates whether the rugby community is at war after yesterday's crucial vote. 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.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has been moved from hospital, two weeks after being seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. Fico has served as prime minister for more than 10 of the last 18 years - returning to power last September, leading a populist-nationalist coalition. UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He’s not out of the woods yet - he was shot several times, undergoing a number of operations.” Grey said “Slovakia is really polarised at the moment – the attack has deepened tensions.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's Budget centrepiece has passed in the House - and tax cuts will become law. By shifting income tax brackets, it will give earners earning more than $14,000 dollars an extra $4-$40 a fortnight. Senior Political Correspondent Bary Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “We’ve seen nothing like it in 14 years – since the tax brackets were last moved.” Soper said they should have been moved gradually over the years, as they don't catch up for where they would’ve been. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park hopes to be Auckland’s frugal stadium option. Proposals for ‘Eden Park 2.0’ and a brand-new stadium at Quay Park will undergo a feasibility study. Eden Park CEO, Nick Sautner told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We can introduce a whole range of new activities – from boxing, UFC to religious festivals.” Sautner said the government invests in Eden Park for events of naitonal significance. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's another $1.2 billion for the Regional Infrastructure Fund - to support regional economies. It’s also allocating $2.7-billion package for roads, rail and public transport. The package includes a billion-dollars to speed up Roads of National Significance construction, 940-million to repair weather-damaged roads and an investment in rail networks. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones told Heather du Plessis-Allan this will be different from the Provincial Growth Fund. Jones says “We’re driven by common sense.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local businesses are thrilled a 20-year deal's been struck with the Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter. The deal was signed with three energy companies - guaranteeing supply to New Zealand Aluminum Smelters until 2044. It brings certainty to hundreds of plant workers, and thousands in related jobs. Southland Business Chamber CEO Sharee Carey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “When you’ve got both sides coming to the party for a good deal - you get that commitment to the region, which is fantastic for us.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Employment Court has rejected an appeal by state broadcaster TVNZ, over how it handled staff job cuts. E tū union alleged the broadcaster hadn't upheld a clause in its collective agreement - which vowed to support staff taking part in changes to workplace practice. E tū Negotiator Michael Wood told Heather du Plessis-Allan “It’s a very significant ruing – it makes it clear TVNZ broke the agreement they had with staff.” Wood said “It also means staff that were made redundant now have a very strong case to take significant personal grievances.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment to former porn star, Stormy Daniels. He’s the first former US president to ever be convicted of a crime. Republican Commentator and former advisor to George W. Bush, Scott Jennings, told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He’s not a violent offender, he doesn’t have a criminal record – it's highly unlikely he’ll get jail time.” Jennings said “Our constitution is very lean on qualifications to be president – you've got to be 35 years old and a natural citizen.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party has suggested its supporters donate their tax cuts. The request was sent in an email by party secretary Rob Salmond - stating, "You may get a few dollars in tax cuts, but they come at the cost of services that Kiwis rely on". The statement then asked, "Friend, will you donate some of your tax cut to Labour?" Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan “Talk about hypocritical.” Soper said “The tax cuts have meant a lot to a lot of people – to most wage and salary earners.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has been found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment to former porn star, Stormy Daniels. Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts - the first former US president to ever be convicted of a crime. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He could face jail time, although a lot of people feel it’s unlikely.” Mitchinson said “Here you’ve got a former president, in his late 70s – he will more likely be put on probatiON or house arrest.” LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got a rare bit of good economic news today hearing that Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter is committed to staying here for at least another 20 years. Normally, I don't have a lot for time for Tiwai. And that’s largely because of how the owners have behaved in the past: threatening to leave, going cap in hand to the government, getting saved, then a few years later threatening to leave again... getting some assistance, then a few years later threatening to leave again. So, I'm always tempted to be hard on them. But this time... I'm actually relieved that those three electricity companies - Meridian, Contact and Mercury - have come to the party to keep Tiwai point going. Simply because we can’t afford to lose such a big manufacturer. It's not a particularly sexy subject, so it doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. But we have lost a lot of manufacturers out this country... to the point that we should actually be quite worried about it. Marsden Point has been closed. There have been threats that Glenbrook Steel Mill might close (if it can’t get itself together). A 30-year-old Gisborne Wood Mill closed just before Christmas, a 40-year-old Kawerau Paper Mill closed too. James Hardie shut its NZ manufacturing. Fonterra closed a couple of Waikato plants last month. Manufacturing has been contracting since March last year. Back in 1992 the goods producing part of our economy was 35%. Now it’s down to 20% - that's money lost. Now, I don’t know what kind of sweet deal those electricity companies offered Tiwai to make them sign on for twenty years, because that’s a big commitment. And I don't know how much of Tiwai committing for that long is because the parent company Rio Tinto is trying very hard to rescue its corporate reputation by not being bullies and bad guys anymore. But whatever the case is... It almost doesn’t matter. I'm just pleased we’ve got them sticking around. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A number of homeless people have been removed from Edinburgh to make way for tourists ahead of Taylor Swift's tour. Taylor Swift is set to perform in the region from 7 to 9 June, and reports have surfaced of homeless people being moved amid an accommodation shortage. UK correspondent Enda Brady says accommodation prices have skyrocketed during that timeframe - with some rooms going for $1400 per night. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in the US, a slew of big-box retailers have slashed prices across their stores. Walmart, Target and Amazon are among the big names bringing down their prices ahead of the summer season. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds says these moves are being made to appeal to inflation-weary customers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says the 2024 Budget was never going to be transformational, amid everything working against it. The Government unveiled their Budget today, and Minister Nicola Willis says keeping the books sound was her main priority. Listen to NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpack all of today's new updates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is seeking urgent talks, as the Australian Government considers making changes to its deportation policy. Peters says we don't want people whose formative experiences were nearly all in Australia being deported to New Zealand. Australian correspondent Murray Olds unpacks the proposed changes - and the impact they could leave. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A call for unity from both sides of the New Zealand Rugby governance divide. The special general meeting ballot saw proposal 2 passed, meaning three of NZR's nine board directors must have experience at the provincial level. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacks the issue further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Josie Pagani from Child Fund and Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is this a transformational Budget - or a big letdown? The tax cuts were unveiled and new spending priorities were revealed, are they enough? Is it a bad look for the Government to stop funding cancer drugs? The provincial unions have voted against NZ Rugby's governance proposal - what do we think of this verdict? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 30 May 2024, a special Budget Day edition from Parliament. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered her first Budget. She tells Heather how big your tax cut will be and how our economy will fare over the next three years. A tax expert tells Heather the tax cuts were well overdue, but cancer advocates are disappointed funding for new cancer drugs has been dropped. The rugby community is at war after provincial rugby unions voted against the NZ Rugby proposal to change the game's governance structure. Plus, Labour's Chris Hipkins, Associate Finance Minister David Seymour and the Huddle debate whether this Budget is transformational enough. 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.

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour was very vocal that ACT would have cut more in the 2024 Budget. Government spending is still set to continue at record levels, despite the current drive to reduce savings in the public sector. Seymour says ACT campaigned on cutting 'wasteful' spending - and would have liked to see more in this year's Budget. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The provincial unions believe the heart of rugby has been secured with the New Zealand Rugby governance vote going their way. A bid for fully independent governance has been rejected - the board will require three members holding experience as a provincial director. Provincial unions spokesperson Rowena Duncum says this verdict is a good decision for New Zealand rugby. "There's two things that rugby players love - they love playing rugby and they love getting paid to play the game they love. So they won't want to walk." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No arrests or issues of note for police at today's mass protests. Streets in towns and cities across the country were filled with the sounds of chanting and waiata, as thousands marched against the Government's stance on Māori issues. Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the protests were peaceful - and wrapped up relatively quickly. "They came along, they were peaceful, and they've left - so it seems to have gone well. There was a very good police presence there monitoring it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No praise from opposition leader Chris Hipkins, who claims this budget will only take New Zealand backwards. The Labour Party has unleashed a torrent of criticism over the Government's spending plans, including a lack of new cancer drugs, climate funding, and initiatives for Māori. Chris Hipkins says this Budget is a 'missed opportunity' to provide meaningful relief to struggling Kiwis. "The tax cuts that are being delivered for, say, someone on a minimum wage would be less than what they would have got if the Government had increased the minimum wage by the rate of inflation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister admits the Budget could have gone further on tax cuts, but it wouldn't have been responsible. Today's documents included the Government's long anticipated tax package, at a cost of $3.68 billion. Funded through a suite of scrapped spending initiatives, all workers on more than $14,000 a year will receive between $4 - $40 dollars a fortnight. Nicola Willis says she was determined that every dollar of tax relief would be fully funded. "But we also needed to find a lot of money for frontline services. For hospitals, for the Pharmac budget, for our police, for schools - this was the tax reduction that we felt was prudent." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB's Barry Soper says the 2024 Budget's unsurprising, as everyone was prepared for tax cuts. Although, he says it's more like attacking an unruly hedge with clippers rather than a chainsaw. "Further down the track, you'll see more cutting, there'll be many more people aggrieved - but when they look at tax and money in their pocket, then they'll be rather happy." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was no room in today's Budget to fund the cancer drugs National promised during the election campaign. Patient Advocacy Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulholland says he's disappointed. "There are patients right now with terminal cancer who are waiting for these medicines to be funded - if they're not funded, to be perfectly blunt, some will die." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changes to tax thresholds will help deliver tax relief to three and a half million people from the end of July. Tax expert Robin Oliver says the brackets haven't moved enough. "They're nowhere near where they would be if the tax brackets were indexed for inflation - or for wages." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three police officers have been injured during a demonstration in Westminster organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups. One officer suffered a serious facial injury, and 40 arrests related to assaults on emergency workers, obstruction of the highway and public order act breaches were made. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says investigations are still ongoing into the incident. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland University has released a draft policy regarding academic freedom and freedom of expression. As written, the policy will enable the university to establish regulations around the speech used by staff, students and visitors - if it's necessary to safeguard the well-being of others. Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart has expressed concern with this draft policy. "I think it's a backwards step, and it will kill the atmosphere when it comes to expressing contentious or unpopular views." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global logistics company Mainfreight is still meeting investor expectations, despite suffering drops in profit. It's been revealed the company posted a 33 per cent fall in profit before tax to $395.4 million for FY24. Milford Asset Management's Sam Trethewey explains these figures further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr has stepped up his verbal war against the big four banks. It's been revealed Orr sent a letter using 'colourful' language to defend the amount of capital the Reserve Bank requires these banks to hold. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explains the issue further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MPs are pushing back against the Speaker's ruling on the treatment of a Maori elder in House. Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh demanded the Whakatohea kaumatua stop - as he tried to introduce a waiata. Speaker Gerry Brownlee has supported Pugh - but Labour leader Chris Hipkins says a karakia's often given before waiata - and he's never seen a Speaker interrupt. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacked the controversy here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 29 May 2024, Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rahui Papa unpacks the new Census data revealing nearly one million Kiwis identify as Māori. Flagship Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's is set to close in 2025, following a five-year rough patch. Chair Tony Caughey justifies the decisions he needed to make for the business. The Commerce Commission's Vhari McWha also warned that households could expect an increase in their power bills by next year. Plus, the Huddle debates what the closure of Smith and Caughey's means for the state of the economy - and Auckland's Queen Street. 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.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! It's been confirmed Smith & Caughey's will close for good by next year. Is this due to the ongoing economic downturn - or is it a sign of bigger problems for the retail sector? The Commerce Commission has revealed it plans to raise power bills to pay for work on the lines next year. Is this a necessity we have to accept? A lobby group has urged MPs to tighten their travel spending as many people are forced to cut costs in their own lives. Is this a fair call? It's Budget Day tomorrow - what are we looking out for? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's downturn and conflict in the Middle East remain front of mind for Fonterra. The dairy co-op is forecasting a Farmgate Milk Price midpoint of $8 next season, just up from its current season forecast of $7.80. It says global conditions remain volatile, and demand from China is taking a while to recover. Fonterra Chief Executive Miles Hurrell says Middle Eastern markets increased their stockpiles last year and won't be buying as much this year. "We're talking geopolitics here - things aren't getting any easier out there, you just read that in the headlines or any of the international press that's out there. We need to be mindful of that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Opposition parties are calling on Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh to apologise for interrupting a rangatira in Parliament. Pugh faced backlash after she told Te Kahautu Maxwell to stop his brief speech ahead of the planned waiata. Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee says permission was given for a waiata - but not a karakia. "We can scramble round all the stuff all we like, but Maureen Pugh did what was right, according to the standing order." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asthma hospitalisations have fallen 20 percent in four years. Asthma affects one in eight New Zealanders - and more than 500,000 take medication for their symptoms. Asthma and Respiratory Foundation CEO Letitia Harding says the drop in hospitalisations is mostly due to a new medication. "This has actually really been down to a new type of inhaler, which is what we call your two-in-one combination inhaler." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Households can expect to pay an extra $15 per month for their power bills if a Commerce Commission proposal is confirmed. The commission regulates prices and performance standards for the national grid operator, and says these higher prices are necessary to fund investment in the electricity network. Commissioner Vhari McWha says they're being mindful of the possible effect this could have on consumers. "One of the things that we have done in order to try and mitigate that a little bit is to smooth the increase over a five-year period." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flagship Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's will close down next year, after 144 years. This closure comes off the back of a 40 percent drop in revenue drop across their Queen Street and Newmarket stores in the past five years. Chair Tony Caughey says they tried to find a way through the rough patch two years ago - but there was no solution. "We really turned over every stone we could find to see if we could see a way through it. We had independent professional advisors in, we really worked hard to find a solution - we couldn't find one." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions are being raised about the next steps after Donald Trump's hush money trial. After nearly five weeks, the prosecution and the defence have rested before the jury starts deliberations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says if Trump is found guilty, he could face a large fine, house arrest or community service. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurricanes hooker Raymond Tuputupu has been handed a three-week suspension for a high shot on Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i in the win over the Chiefs. His high shot connected with Tupou Vai'i's head - he was yellow-carded, which was upgraded to red. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains the controversy further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Census data has revealed a surge in Kiwis identifying as Māori. Almost one million people says they're of Māori descent, up more than 12 percent on the 2018 Census. Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rahui Papa, says it's a transformation shift. "I think there's been a groundswell of people who have not only identified as Māori, but have found their Māori whakapapa. And that's been one of the upturns that the latest Census data captured." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has denied the rumour that he plans to move to California if he loses the election. Ex-Tory Minister Zac Goldsmith had hinted Sunak aimed to leave the UK - and suggested the majority of his party's MPs will be out of a job by July. UK correspondent Enda Brady says Rishi Sunak hopes to stay in Parliament for the next five years, no matter what the election outcome is. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Budget 2024, there's concern the proposed tax cuts will contribute to existing inflationary pressures. The Government has confirmed they plan to deliver tax relief to most households - the details of which will be revealed on Thursday. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen explains why people shouldn't be too concerned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank surprised economists by revealing they considered hiking the Official Cash Rate - and haven't ruled out further hikes either. Last week, the Reserve Bank confirmed they were keeping the OCR in place at 5.5 percent, in line with expectations. HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said this was 'surprisingly hawkish', given the economy is weakening. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Budget 2024, the rural community is holding out hope for improvement. The Government has promised more tax cuts, but it's been hinted plenty of cuts will take place too. The Country's Jamie Mackay isn't feeling too hopeful - listen to him predict some outcomes ahead of the big day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 28 May 2024, Warriors coach Cameron George voiced disapproval with Hamilton Boys High School's approach to sport for their students. The Reserve Bank plans to to introduce debt-to-income ratios for prospective home buyers. Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby explained why these restrictions will stop boom-bust cycles in the housing market. Later, Lady Tureiti Moxon defends Te Pāti Māori's proposed strike action planned for Budget Day. Plus, the Huddle debates if it's possible to get tech giants to pay for news, after the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill got rejected. 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.

Tonight on the Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The country's back to square one on getting Google and Meta to pay for news, after a select committee sent the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill back to Parliament recommending it not be passed. Where can they go from here? Te Pāti Māori are urging all Māori to go on strike on Budget day and participate in protest action across the country. Is it an unwise time to encourage employees to walk off the job illegally? The Great Walks booking system was yet again completely overloaded, and Milford tickets sold out within minutes. Should Kiwis get first dibs on bookings? There's been a debate surrounding emoji use in the office - is it a good or bad idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research from recruitment experts shows 90 percent of white-collar employees would look for another job if they had to come back to the office more often. A survey run by recruitment company Robert Walters, which interviewed over 2000 Kiwi workers, revealed a majority preferred their flexible working hours. CEO Shay Peters says it's unlikely employers would be demanding their staff to return en masse. "I do think employers are wanting a little more presence by their employees. I think everyone understands the benefits of people collaborating together, innovating together and bouncing ideas around." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.